《I Am The Swarm》


 Chapter 1: The Summoning

    ¡°Haha, I did it! I finally succeeded! Who would¡¯ve thought that a randomly summoned soul from another world could perfectly fuse with the egg of an Iphieash?¡±


    In a small, sealed room, the floor and walls were covered with mysterious symbols. Thin streams of light flickered and flowed across them, emanating an aura of mystery and eeriness.


    At the center of the room, a tiny white egg, no larger than a fingernail, floated midair. It swayed gently up and down, as if suspended by an invisible force.


    Standing nearby was a humanoid creature, no taller than 1.5 meters, dressed in a peculiar long robe. It flailed its arms and danced excitedly.


    Dole was ecstatic. The Iphieash, known as the ¡°Infinite Evolution Insect,¡± was a legendary creature capable of endless adaptation and transformation. As it matured, its appearance could change drastically, with almost no two individuals resembling one another. The ancient book he had found detailed only the characteristics of the egg¡ªillustrations of the adult forms were marked as ¡°hypothetical.¡±


    It was said that even the Iphieash themselves might not recognize members of their own species. This unique trait severely hindered their reproduction. Rumor had it that they could only produce an egg under extremely rare circumstances, often at the end of their lifespan.


    Their harsh reproductive conditions led to their extinction long ago, but this flaw couldn¡¯t overshadow their once-mighty power. When fully grown and in energy-rich environments, they could rapidly evolve to survive even the harshest conditions. With careful nurturing, a mature Iphieash could rival the power of a Tier-5 Grand Sorcerer.


    In the current era, where the strongest sorcerers on the continent were only at Tier-3 High Rank, such a being would be akin to a god, capable of unifying the entire continent.


    Dole, a Tier-2 High Rank sorcerer, had reached this level three centuries ago. Back then, he was a rising star among his people, hailed as the genius most likely to achieve Tier-3 status before turning 100. During his youthful days of fame and fortune, he stumbled upon the Iphieash egg during a seemingly routine exploration of ancient ruins.


    Among his companions, only he recognized the egg¡¯s extraordinary origins, thanks to a stroke of luck and some obscure knowledge. Thus, he acquired it at a meager cost.


    From that moment on, Dole became obsessed, devoting himself entirely to hatching the egg. He dreamed of one day unleashing a Tier-5 pet beast to sweep aside all obstacles and dominate the continent.


    Unfortunately, fate seemed to mock him. After countless experiments, he furiously discovered that although the egg¡¯s larva remained intact, its consciousness had long since dissipated over the endless passage of time.


    Driven by desperation, Dole scoured ancient texts and conducted endless experiments. At first, his efforts were within reasonable bounds, but as years turned into decades, his mind grew more unhinged. His methods became increasingly extreme and cruel.


    A once-brilliant sorcerer, whose cultivation had stagnated for decades, inevitably attracted attention. Investigations soon uncovered horrifying revelations.


    Over the span of several decades, more than a hundred of Dole¡¯s apprentices and servants had mysteriously disappeared. Moreover, he was implicated in numerous cases of illegal human trafficking.


    Left with no choice, Dole fled with the egg, continuing his experiments while living on the run. He hoped to one day reactivate the egg and reclaim his dreams of glory.


    Two hundred years passed. The once-arrogant and high-spirited youth had become a stooped old figure. His once-thick green hair had thinned to a stubborn tuft clinging to the sides of his ears.


    But persistence paid off. A few years ago, during another exploration, Dole obtained a blueprint for a summoning array. After some modifications, he used the egg as the array¡¯s core. Several trials later, today marked his first successful summoning of a soul from another dimension capable of perfectly merging with the egg.


    With the soul¡¯s infusion, the larva within the egg could finally be revived. His two centuries of effort had not been in vain. Soon, those who had driven him from his home would pay the price.


    Meanwhile, outside the rocky mountain where Dole had hidden, dozens of black-robed figures stood facing each other.


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve detected traces of a concealed magic array here. Upon investigation, it appears to be Dole¡¯s handiwork. However, to avoid alerting him, we didn¡¯t act rashly, so we can¡¯t confirm whether he¡¯s still inside,¡± one of them reported.


    The captain nodded and directed his team to set up a containment array to surround the mountain. Once all preparations were complete, he raised his hand. A wand slid out from his wide sleeve, which he then gripped tightly.


    Chanting an incantation under his breath, the energy around him began to boil. A beam of green light shot out from the wand¡¯s tip, striking the mountainside.


    The scenery twisted and distorted, revealing its true form¡ªa deep, dark cave appeared where the mountain had once stood.


    Inside, Dole, who had been reveling in his success, felt the sudden surge of foreign energy from outside. Just as he turned to investigate, he realized his concealment array had been breached. Years of evading pursuit had made him highly experienced in such situations. Though this lab was only a temporary setup, he had prepared multiple escape routes. As long as even one remained unblocked, he could still escape.


    Quickly stowing the egg, Dole dashed into a tunnel.


    Minutes later, his expression turned ashen as he returned to the lab. The surrounding space had been sealed by an unknown magic array, forming an invisible cage that trapped him. Even though a path seemed open ahead, an invisible barrier blocked the way.


    From outside, the captain¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°Dole, did you really think we¡¯d let you escape again without preparation? Surrender now and hand over the Iphieash. Lord Leon may still spare your life.¡±


    Leon¡ªonce Dole¡¯s defeated rival¡ªhad been the first to uncover his human experimentation. Now, after two centuries, their roles had reversed completely.


    While Leon¡¯s initial motivation may have been simple vengeance against the man who had overshadowed him, he had long since uncovered the truth. His purpose had shifted entirely. Justice for the victims was now little more than a hollow excuse. The Iphieash was worth any cost.


    Dole scoffed at Leon¡¯s offer of mercy. Surrendering the egg would only guarantee his silence through death.


    With no way out, Dole came to a desperate decision: to overload the elemental furnace powering the summoning array. The resulting energy surge would reverse the array¡¯s operation, teleporting him out instead.


    Since the array could summon souls from another dimension, surely a mere containment array couldn¡¯t stop it.


    As for where he would end up, that was in the hands of fate. Survival was better than certain death.


    Resolute, Dole began casting protective spells on himself. Multicolored lights flared around his body. As for the egg, its unhatched Iphieash larva was protected by its seemingly ordinary but impenetrable shell.


    Outside, the captain remained patient. His master had assured him that Dole lacked the means to destroy the Iphieash egg. Thus, he chose a cautious strategy of containment over confrontation. After all, even a cornered old sorcerer might prove dangerous.


    But the captain¡¯s caution proved futile.


    A blinding white light erupted. The captain, his team of black-robed sorcerers, and the surrounding area were instantly obliterated, leaving behind a hemispherical crater over ten kilometers in diameter.


    As for Dole, he had overestimated himself. A mere Tier-2 sorcerer stood no chance against the explosion of an overloaded elemental furnace. He was vaporized in the first instant.


    Only the Iphieash egg remained, vanishing in a flicker of light as the summoning array disintegrated.


    When Luo Wen regained consciousness, his mind was in turmoil.


    He had just been taking a quick break at work, closing his eyes for a moment to rest. Hours of staring at a computer screen had left his eyes dry and sore. But the next thing he knew, he had fallen asleep¡ªand inexplicably woken up in this bizarre situation.


    He found himself trapped in a dark, slimy prison, surrounded by sticky, disgusting liquid.


    What kind of prank was this? Sleeping on the job didn¡¯t warrant something this extreme!


    Luo Wen tried to shout, but no sound came out. He attempted to move, but realized with horror that his arms and legs seemed to have multiplied.


    Frozen in shock, it took him several seconds before he began thrashing wildly.


    Finally, the prison couldn¡¯t withstand his struggles and cracked open. Luo Wen scrambled out through the opening.


    All around him were enormous rocks, but now that he was free, he felt an inexplicable surge of strength¡ªfar beyond what he should have. With ease, he pushed the surrounding stones aside, creating a small space for himself.


    What kind of reality show was this? Had they locked him up and buried him alive?


    Still groggy from whatever had happened to him, Luo Wen¡¯s thoughts remained scattered. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But it didn¡¯t take long for the horrifying truth to dawn on him.


    Staring at his hands¡ªif they could still be called that¡ªLuo Wen froze.


    They were smooth, pitch black, and gleamed with an almost metallic sheen. Instead of fingers, strange jointed appendages protruded from them.


    Looking down at his body, he saw the same black surface. His abdomen had sprouted two pairs of segmented limbs, and his torso extended into a segmented tail.


    He was no longer human.

 Chapter 2: Newborn

    Luo Wen curled up into a ball, unsure of how long he stayed in that position. Suddenly, he felt something atop his head moving instinctively. A sweet aroma wafted toward him, and an unbearable hunger clawed at his stomach.


    ¡°Great, just let me starve to death already,¡± he muttered, forcing himself to resist the tempting scent. Luo Wen tried to calm his mind, planning to die by starvation.


    However, the objects on his head moved more frequently and forcefully, grating on his already frayed nerves. Glancing upward, he was startled to find two stick-like appendages swaying wildly in front of his eyes.


    ¡°What the hell?! I actually grew a pair of antennae?!¡±


    His despair deepened¡­


    Ten minutes later, a small black insect was seen crouched beside a massive white egg, devouring it with gusto. The tiny bug was only half the size of the egg, but its tiny mandibles worked furiously. As its saliva coated the shell, the once-hard surface rapidly softened. Between bites, the insect also slurped up the egg¡¯s viscous interior, alternating between solid and liquid. A perfect combination of ¡°hard entr¨¦e and soup.¡±


    ¡°Damn, this tastes amazing!¡± Luo Wen exclaimed.


    It wasn¡¯t that Luo Wen had caved to hunger; no, he told himself it was all to silence the distraction. The gleaming white egg stood out starkly against the pitch-black surroundings, drawing his attention incessantly. Combined with his new vision, which seemed fundamentally different from his past human eyes, the whole thing was making him dizzy.


    Now that he¡¯d decided to eat this culprit, he could concentrate better, and a full belly might even give him more energy to starve himself properly later.


    By this point, Luo Wen had pieced together some semblance of understanding about his current situation. In his previous life, he had been a well-informed young man exposed to an onslaught of online media¡ªscience fiction dramas, web novels, you name it.


    What he hadn¡¯t expected, however, was that his previous life would end so abruptly and that this new life would begin just as unceremoniously. Worse still, he had transmigrated¡­ into a bug.


    Yes, he now understood what he had become.


    But bugs usually hatch in clusters, don¡¯t they? So why was he alone, without any companions? This lack of a reference made it impossible for him to gauge what he looked like. Was he intimidating and awe-inspiring? Or just a plain old creepy crawly?


    Luo Wen suspected that whatever that green-haired old man had done, or perhaps some innate instinct of the insect body itself, was responsible for his current state. In just one meal¡¯s time, Luo Wen had already begun to accept his reality as an insect. He even found himself worrying about his image.


    After devouring more than half of the eggshell, Luo Wen was full, content, and even feeling a faint sense of happiness. For the moment, he gave up on his thoughts of suicide. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, he mused. If there was a second life, then maybe there could even be a third. At the very least, this was a unique experience.


    However, just as he was starting to comfort himself, adopting a more optimistic mindset and embracing the idea of living boldly, reality once again delivered a crushing blow.


    Perhaps his shift in attitude bridged the final gap between his human soul and his insect body. As the two harmonized completely, fragments of information stored within his new body suddenly surged into his mind.


    ¡°The Infinite Evolution Insect? Iphieash? So that¡¯s what I am in this life? That¡­ actually sounds pretty badass.¡±


    ¡°Wait a second! That green-haired, decrepit old bastard did this to me? Damn it! This wasn¡¯t an accident¡ªit was a premeditated attack!¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, my plan to die dramatically and start fresh in another life is completely out the window!¡±


    Unfortunately, the insect body only retained a small amount of recent information. There were no miraculous bloodline memories or inherited skills, as seen in novels. Luo Wen absorbed what little there was, quickly piecing it together amidst his exasperation. Although the language spoken by that green-haired old man wasn¡¯t one Luo Wen had ever encountered, he somehow understood its meaning perfectly.


    ¡°Ugh, just let me die already!¡± Luo Wen¡¯s budding optimism quickly evaporated as he curled into a ball once more.


    Half an hour later, Luo Wen found himself chewing on more eggshells while pondering his newfound insect life.


    Based on the final images stored in the body¡¯s memory, it seemed that he had been teleported away by that summoning array. This left him with three possible scenarios for his current location:


    He had been sent back to his home planet. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was still on that sorcerer-filled continent.


    He had landed in an entirely unknown place.


    Determining which of these was the case would require further observation. But for now, that wasn¡¯t his top priority. The surrounding environment¡ªfilled with massive rocks¡ªhinted at extreme danger.


    Judging from the pitch-black surroundings, Luo Wen guessed he was underground. How deep? That, he couldn¡¯t say. Now that the white egg had been mostly consumed, the area was even darker. Yet his eyes could still pick up faint traces of a unique type of light.


    While this light wasn¡¯t enough to discern his surroundings in detail, his antennae and even the tiny hairs on his legs provided a strange kind of feedback, guiding him toward the surface.


    It was an indescribable sensation, one that Luo Wen could only understand through firsthand experience.


    Following this sense, Luo Wen began using his front legs to claw at the rocks ahead, pulling them toward his abdomen. His middle and hind legs then worked together to push the rocks behind him.


    Yes, he now had six legs. But as a bug, wasn¡¯t that perfectly normal?


    At first, his movements were clumsy, but he quickly got the hang of it. Perhaps he had a natural talent for being a bug.


    As he dug his way upward, the surrounding rocks gradually grew warmer, until the heat began to make him uncomfortable.


    The light ahead brightened until, finally, Luo Wen broke through to the surface. And with it, his worst fears were confirmed.


    A vast expanse of yellow stone reflected the blinding sunlight. The scorching ground burned his abdomen and soft tail, making him feel like he was about to be roasted alive.


    As he had feared, he was in a desert. The ¡°rocks¡± around him were nothing more than coarse sandstones. If he hadn¡¯t somehow arrived in a land of giants, it meant his body was extraordinarily tiny.


    Sure, being small was normal for a bug. But for a former human with zero experience as an insect, this was a living nightmare.


    Braving the searing heat, Luo Wen surveyed his surroundings. Not a single trace of vegetation was in sight.


    His field of vision, however, was bizarre. It reminded him of those massive advertisement screens in shopping malls¡ªassembled from dozens of smaller screens that worked in sync to create a seamless image. In his case, it wasn¡¯t dozens of ¡°screens¡± but thousands, maybe even tens of thousands, densely packed together to form his view of the world. Based on his limited knowledge of entomology, he guessed that he now possessed a pair of compound eyes.


    Again, normal for a bug.


    But nobody had told him that compound eyes came with extreme nearsightedness! Up close, everything was crystal clear. But anything farther away was a blurry mess. He couldn¡¯t even make out the sun to determine whether it was the same one he had known from his previous life.


    Still, using some mysterious, insect-specific sense he couldn¡¯t describe, he determined that there was only one light source in the sky.


    The novelty of these abilities was something no human could imagine.


    Not that Luo Wen was grateful for the experience. He would¡¯ve gladly passed on it.


    Given the limited information he¡¯d gathered, the scorching surface temperatures, and the potential dangers of the unknown, Luo Wen¡¯s paltry three- to four-meter visual range left him feeling deeply insecure.


    If there was no next life to look forward to, he decided he might as well make the most of this one. His plans for a dramatic death could wait¡ªsurvival came first.


    With his rear end raised, Luo Wen began burrowing back underground.


    The act of digging felt almost instinctual. In no time at all, he had mastered various excavation techniques¡ªdigging up, down, left, and right with ease.


    Once he reached a sufficient depth, the temperature cooled considerably. Exhausted from the physical exertion of digging and the emotional toll of his situation, Luo Wen finally allowed himself to rest.


    Curled up in the darkness, one final thought echoed in his mind as he drifted off to sleep:


    ¡°I refuse to live with nearsighted eyes!¡±

 Chapter 3: Searching for Food

    When Luo Wen woke up again, he noticed that the temperature around him had dropped slightly. His stomach growled with hunger, but the eggshell was long gone. It baffled him that an eggshell twice his size had only been enough for two meals¡ªhe had no idea where all that food had gone.


    From this, however, he could deduce one thing: his appetite was massive. And while the saying goes, ¡°a good appetite is a blessing,¡± it was anything but for Luo Wen in his current situation.


    The surface was a barren desert, and there was no sign of food anywhere. If this went on, he might starve to death in just a few days.


    The thought lit a fire under him. He had to find food¡ªhe refused to die a starving insect.


    Relying on his antennae and sensory leg hairs to orient himself, Luo Wen began clawing his way toward the surface.


    The further he climbed, the colder it became. He began to wonder if he was heading in the wrong direction, but his antennae and leg hairs insisted otherwise. With no other options, he gritted his metaphorical teeth and pressed on. Well, technically, his head was already hard¡ªand black, too.


    When he finally emerged from the sand, he froze in shock. The golden desert was gone, replaced by a silvery layer of frost covering the ground. For a moment, Luo Wen wondered if he had somehow teleported again.


    ¡°What is this place? The temperature difference between day and night is insane!¡±


    It was night now, and the dim light barely illuminated his surroundings. Strangely, Luo Wen found he could now see up to five or six meters¡ªmuch farther than before. Was he a nocturnal bug? He wasn¡¯t sure.


    Even with his improved vision, the cool light source in the sky was still too blurry to discern. However, he could sense something else.


    There were two of them! Two distinct light sources hung in the sky.


    During the day, there had only been one light source, giving Luo Wen hope that he might have been sent back to his home planet. But now, that hope was completely shattered.


    Based on his limited knowledge of astronomy, Luo Wen could reasonably conclude that at least two moons were orbiting this planet.


    Still, he accepted this reality rather quickly. After all, he had already been turned into a bug¡ªwhat was one extra moon in the sky compared to that? The last few days had thrown so many shocks his way that he was starting to become numb to it all.


    His original three possibilities had been reduced to two: he was either in the sorcerer¡¯s world or some other unknown realm. He just hoped it wasn¡¯t the sorcerer¡¯s world¡ªthat place seemed far too dangerous for a little bug like him.


    For now, though, survival took precedence. If he didn¡¯t find food soon, he wouldn¡¯t live long enough to figure out where he was.


    While no food was in sight, the frost-covered ground offered a potential source of water. Luo Wen decided to fill his belly with frost for now and worry about food later.


    His mouthparts extended¡ªa little longer than he expected, with a mushroom-like cap at the tip. The cap spread flat and adhered to the frosty surface, while tiny hidden teeth scraped rapidly against the ice, grinding off small shavings. Aided by his tongue (yes, bugs apparently had tongues, much to his horror), he sucked the ice particles into his body.


    Luo Wen had no idea what he looked like while eating, and he didn¡¯t want to know. He simply followed his instincts and let his body do the work.


    After a long while, all he¡¯d managed was a shallow depression in the frost. His eating efficiency was dismal, but with no other options, he kept going.


    The cold liquid trickled into his stomach, and Luo Wen began to feel his entire body stiffen. His thoughts turned sluggish, and his fading consciousness brought back an old human memory: wintertime, when mosquitoes and flies mysteriously vanished.


    That¡¯s when it hit him¡ªhe was a bug now. Bugs don¡¯t survive well in the cold. And here he was, out in freezing weather, drinking ice-cold water. Was he trying to kill himself?


    Panicked, Luo Wen snapped out of his stupor and scrambled back underground along the path he had come.


    ¡°This place is insane! Too hot during the day, too cold at night. When am I supposed to go out looking for food?¡± He had planned to scout the area a bit more after drinking his fill, hoping to find something edible, but now that was out of the question.


    Once he was safely back underground, Luo Wen didn¡¯t feel like resting anymore¡ªnor could he afford to. He needed to find a reliable food source as soon as possible.


    If the surface was too dangerous, then he¡¯d look underground. He had an incredible talent for digging, after all. It would be a waste not to use it.


    Determined, Luo Wen picked a random direction and began tunneling.


    His antennae twitched constantly as he worked, sending him both new sensory experiences and useful information. They seemed to function as both a nose and ears, allowing him to detect smells and hear sounds.


    Midway through his digging, his antennae picked up a strange scent from the lower left. The unfamiliar smell stirred hope in Luo Wen¡ªit could mean food. Excited, he quickened his pace, tunneling toward the source of the scent.


    But as the smell grew stronger, Luo Wen¡¯s caution returned.


    He was here to find food, not to become someone else¡¯s meal.


    At the moment, his body was still tiny¡ªsmaller than a typical housefly¡ªand he had only just been ¡°born.¡± He hadn¡¯t had any time to learn bug-style combat skills. If he encountered a living creature capable of fighting back, there was a good chance he¡¯d lose. Better to be careful and think things through.


    Focusing on his insect instincts, Luo Wen¡¯s body became hyper-alert. The fine hairs on his legs, and even those covering his entire body, stood on end.


    The vibrations coming from the front left filtered through his senses and coalesced into information in his mind. After analyzing it, he came to a conclusion:


    There were living creatures ahead, likely three or four of them. They were moving slowly and seemed smaller than him. It should be safe to check them out¡ªbut if anything went wrong, he¡¯d run. There was no shame in retreating; he didn¡¯t know anyone here, so who cared if he lost face?


    Carefully, Luo Wen clawed at the sandy soil in front of him. His digging techniques proved less effective here¡ªthe loose sand he had been working with earlier was easier to handle. The firmer, more compact soil presented a challenge.


    Thankfully, this area wasn¡¯t fully solid; it was a mix of sand and soil. While it slowed him down slightly, he could still make progress.


    The soil¡¯s better structural integrity also worked in his favor. It allowed him to create stable tunnels, which he reinforced as he went. He carefully moved the displaced sand and soil to the looser layers above, ensuring a clear escape route if things went south.


    After some effort, Luo Wen had dug a tunnel just large enough for his body to pass through. This way, he could retreat quickly if needed.


    As he drew closer to his target, his movements became more deliberate and his body tensed further. Finally, after scraping away another layer of dirt, a round, plump, white translucent bug rolled into view.


    The creature¡¯s body was segmented into over ten sections, though only the first few bore three pairs of stubby limbs. Its yellowish head looked rather harmless, but Luo Wen was horrified to see it had a pair of huge mandibles.


    The bug was about the same size as Luo Wen, perhaps slightly smaller. Suddenly unearthed from the soil, it squirmed helplessly, curling and stretching its body while emitting faint hissing noises in an attempt to scare Luo Wen off. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Watching the little white bug struggle to flip itself upright, Luo Wen¡¯s fear melted away, replaced by growing confidence. He sneered inwardly.


    ¡°Oh, you think I¡¯m scared of you just because you¡¯ve got a pair of big teeth? Think again, little guy!¡±

 Chapter 4: White Grubs

    Reality proved that even though Luo Wen wasn¡¯t afraid of the white grubs, his current weaponry and equipment were utterly useless against them.


    The white grubs¡¯ skin appeared delicate and transparent, as if it could break with a single poke. However, it was incredibly tough¡ªat least from Luo Wen¡¯s perspective at the moment. His striding limbs, small claws, and proboscis-like mouthparts were powerless against the white grubs.


    At this moment, he couldn¡¯t help but envy their massive fangs.


    Watching the fat white grub roll around incessantly as if mocking him¡ª¡±Come on, do your worst!¡±¡ªLuo Wen felt his frustration rise. If he were still human, he could have crushed the white grub into a burst of pulp with just two fingers. But thinking about it, the notion felt revolting, so he quickly dismissed the thought from his mind.


    Suddenly, a realization struck him. The presence of this white grub here meant there had to be food nearby; otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t be so lively and energetic.


    ¡°Just you wait! I¡¯ll eat up all your food and starve you to death. Let¡¯s see how cocky you¡¯ll be then!¡± Luo Wen glared menacingly at the white grub.


    Without paying it any further attention, he resumed digging.


    Before long, he unearthed a few more siblings of the white grub. This discovery irritated Luo Wen even more. Why did other insects live in colonies, yet he was all alone?


    After brushing these annoying worms aside, the soil crumbled to reveal the food they had been guarding.


    A section of an unknown plant¡¯s root emerged from the dirt. Its grayish-brown surface bore several fresh bite marks. Judging from the shape, Luo Wen guessed they had been left by the white grubs.


    He pressed his proboscis against one of the wounds on the root and began licking. A trickle of liquid slid down his tongue into his esophagus, eventually reaching his abdomen.


    After only a few licks, the wound stopped oozing. Luo Wen switched to another wound, but each dried up after only a few tries. By the time he had licked his way around the root, he was only about a third full. Attempting to enlarge the wounds with his mouthparts proved futile.


    After some thought, he shoved one of the rolling white grubs next to the root. As expected, the mindless creature immediately sank its fangs into the food, creating a fresh wound from which tantalizing sap flowed. Luo Wen promptly kicked the worm away and took over the spot for himself.


    Thanks to the assistance of his ¡°tool bug,¡± Luo Wen finally managed to satiate his hunger and quench his thirst.


    Feeling full and satisfied, he nudged the ¡°tool bug¡± back toward the root and kicked the other white grubs even further away.


    Returning along the tunnel to the sandy layer above, Luo Wen decided to rest. The digging earlier had drained a significant amount of his energy, and the discovery of food had eased his anxiety, allowing him to relax.


    As for why he chose to travel all the way back to the sandy layer instead of resting near the root?


    Luo Wen feared that, despite the white grubs¡¯ herbivorous appearance, they might still bite him on a whim. With his small limbs, those massive fangs could easily sever them. Even if they didn¡¯t attack him, waking up to find those fangs dangling in front of his face would be unsettling. After weighing the options, he decided it was safer to rest further away.


    When Luo Wen awoke again, he had no idea how much time had passed. His once-full belly was now empty and growling with hunger.


    Trying to scratch his abdomen with his forelimbs, Luo Wen suddenly noticed something strange. A new pair of limbs had grown in front of his original forelimbs. These new appendages looked incredibly strong. Their ends resembled rake-like claws, with four stubby, robust prongs slightly curved inward.


    ¡°Iphieash: Infinite Evolution Insect,¡± Luo Wen thought of the term inexplicably, and its meaning became clear to him. Before sleeping, he had grumbled about how ineffective his small claws were for digging through dirt. Upon waking, he had grown a pair of limbs that were perfect for the job.


    For a moment, his thoughts wandered to a game he¡¯d played in his previous life, where there was a type of self-destructing insect¡­


    Luo Wen wanted to slap himself. What was he thinking? If he grew something bizarre while sleeping¡ªsomething that exploded as soon as he woke up¡ªwhere would he even go to complain?


    Still, what determined these evolutionary changes? Next time he rested, he would need to give it serious thought. But for now, filling his stomach was the priority.


    The new rake-like limbs proved to be exceptionally efficient. The prongs easily penetrated the soil, dislodging large chunks with each motion.


    Strangely, Luo Wen noticed his sense of direction had improved dramatically since becoming an insect. In his human life, he was notoriously bad at navigation, relying on GPS even for short trips. Now, in this pitch-dark underground maze where every direction looked the same, he instinctively knew where to go. He quickly found his way back to the previous tunnel without taking a single wrong turn.


    Some parts of the tunnel had collapsed, but what had taken great effort to dig through with his small claws before was now a breeze with his new limbs.


    He now had eight appendages, though he had never paid much attention to insect anatomy in his previous life. While he had killed his fair share of flies and mosquitoes, he¡¯d never bothered counting their legs. Insects came in so many varieties, and having more legs seemed normal. Take centipedes, for example¡ªhe remembered a childhood story about a centipede putting on shoes, which his kindergarten teacher used to tell before naptime. He had never stayed awake long enough to hear the centipede finish.


    Of course, those legs were natural. His, on the other hand, seemed to grow based on need. Luo Wen worried about what he might turn into if this continued, but then he laughed at himself. He was already an insect; why worry about appearances?


    It wasn¡¯t as though insects had dating standards, he thought. Then again, who knew? He hadn¡¯t met any others of his kind yet, so he had no idea what insect aesthetics were like. Suddenly, another thought struck him¡ªwas he male or female? Did insects even have¡­ that? He tried feeling for something but found nothing. Could he be a female? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If he were still human, his face would undoubtedly have gone pale at this realization.


    Distraught, Luo Wen reached the plant root again, only to find the white grubs feasting gleefully. Fury surged within him.


    He rushed forward and kicked them away one by one.


    Licking the delicious sap while watching the white grubs squirm and roll in frustration, Luo Wen felt much better.


    As expected, happiness is built on the misery of other insects.

 Chapter 5: Exploration

    Iphieash the Infinite Evolution Insect.


    When adequately fueled, they can adapt to harsh environments through rapid evolution, ensuring their survival.


    But what if a bug¡¯s constant melancholy and desire for death compromised this evolutionary drive? Could Luo Wen¡¯s current optimism be linked to his ability to evolve?


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t know and didn¡¯t care to think about it deeply. One way or another, he had quickly and naturally accepted his new identity in a short amount of time.


    More importantly, he had already begun taking proactive steps to improve his quality of life.


    For instance, instead of returning to his original path after eating his fill, Luo Wen chose to dig deeper underground to construct a new nest.


    With the help of his newly evolved rake-like appendages, he could burrow into a denser layer of soil further below, where the earth was more compact and structurally sound, reducing the risk of collapses.


    In just half a day, he excavated a chamber roughly the size of a ping-pong ball. Given that his body was smaller than a fingernail, the room felt quite spacious. He lined the floor with dry sand and stones to keep the ground from becoming damp, though he wasn¡¯t sure if insects could get arthritis.


    Once his new home was complete, Luo Wen dug several connected tunnels leading to it. Some served as main entrances, while others were emergency escape routes. These pathways interlinked, and their entrances were sealed with dirt, making it difficult for any intruders to find them. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, he dug out a separate area as a latrine, far from his main chamber. A long passageway connected it, lined with soft sand to block any odors from wafting back.


    This effort seemed excessive, considering Luo Wen hadn¡¯t relieved himself since his ¡°birth.¡±


    Lying in his cozy new chamber, Luo Wen began contemplating his ¡°bug life.¡±


    From his observations, it was clear that he possessed remarkable evolutionary abilities. However, the mechanism behind this evolution and its limitations remained unclear.


    So far, he had experienced only one obvious evolution, and there might have been others more subtle that he hadn¡¯t noticed yet. More time and data would be needed to uncover the full extent of his abilities.


    However, he didn¡¯t know how much time he had. From his limited knowledge of entomology, he was aware that most insects didn¡¯t live very long.


    Even though his species sounded impressive, he hadn¡¯t been given a manual at ¡°manufacturing¡± to confirm how long he could survive.


    Moreover, this wasn¡¯t Earth, and he wasn¡¯t an Earth species. The knowledge from his old world might not even apply here.


    After much thought, he ended up where he started¡ªwithout enough information, everything was just speculation.


    Still, he recalled his previous trip to the surface. While he couldn¡¯t measure the temperature precisely, it had definitely been below freezing. He had spent a fair amount of time outside, even drinking lots of cold liquid, yet aside from some discomfort, he had bounced back after a nap without any ill effects.


    If an insect on Earth endured such conditions, it would likely end up partially paralyzed. This suggested that his current situation couldn¡¯t be measured by Earthly standards¡ªespecially given his patchy and dubious knowledge.


    Having exhausted his train of thought, Luo Wen managed to kill some time through pure imagination.


    In his previous life, Luo Wen had been inseparable from his phone. Reading, browsing videos¡ªanything to pass the time. Now, without such distractions, he found the hours unbearably slow and realized he needed to find new activities.


    No sooner had he thought this than he acted. After a moment of consideration, Luo Wen decided to eat again. He had worked hard moving to his new home and needed to celebrate with something good.


    With the reluctant help of his ¡°tool bug,¡± Luo Wen soon had his fill. But once again, boredom set in.


    Not wanting to rest just yet, he decided to dig along the root he¡¯d been feeding on, curious to see where it led. During his previous trips to the surface, he hadn¡¯t noticed any vegetation¡ªpartly due to his extreme nearsightedness. His curiosity about what desert plants on this alien planet might look like drove him forward.


    Following the root, Luo Wen discovered more of the white grubs¡¯ siblings along the way. From the looks of it, they were a large family. Luo Wen felt no envy; numbers didn¡¯t matter when they were all just a bunch of foolish ¡°tool bugs.¡±


    The path sloped upward gradually, and Luo Wen had no idea how long he had been digging when he encountered a much thicker root. It turned out the previous root was merely a lateral offshoot.


    As he continued, more roots branched out, their numbers increasing until they became a dense network of large roots spreading into unknown regions.


    The temperature around him rose steadily. Fine, thread-like roots began to appear, distinctly different from the larger ones.


    As he dug upward, the surroundings grew brighter¡ªit seemed to be daytime above. Having already experienced one day-night cycle, Luo Wen could now estimate the time based on the light levels underground.


    Slowing his pace, Luo Wen became more alert, his fine hairs standing on end as he cautiously scanned his surroundings. Underground, his digging speed gave him a clear advantage. On the surface, however, even a fingernail-sized opponent might overwhelm him.


    Near his new home, soil at this depth had already transitioned to sandy layers. Here, however, possibly due to the dense root network, the soil remained compacted, without any signs of sandification.


    This layer presented new dangers. Through vibrations in the ground, Luo Wen could sense numerous hollow tunnels surrounding him. These were more intricate than the passages he had constructed at his home. Within them, he detected movements and sounds of unknown creatures.


    Carefully avoiding these passages, Luo Wen continued his slow ascent. Finally, after breaking through a shallow layer of sandy soil, he reached the surface.


    It was indeed daytime. Beside him stood a cluster of massive weeds, with more scattered around. Most of their leaves had withered and yellowed. It seemed the fine roots he had seen earlier belonged to these plants.


    In the distance loomed a colossal tree. By Luo Wen¡¯s rough estimate, it would take hundreds of him linking arms to encircle the trunk.


    This excursion yielded several revelations. First, Luo Wen discovered he wasn¡¯t nocturnal; in daylight, he could see as far as five or six meters. It seemed his repeated wish not to be nearsighted had been granted¡ªhis vision had improved significantly.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t enough. The towering tree, for instance, was mostly a blur. He could only make out part of it. Details like its height, leaves, flowers, or fruit remained beyond his sight. Clearly, his vision still had room for evolution.


    Secondly, Luo Wen noticed that he wasn¡¯t as affected by heat as before. Whether this was due to increased heat resistance or the shade of the tree remained to be seen. He made a mental note to find a sunny spot later for comparison.


    Finally, he discovered the owners of the underground tunnels. Among the weeds, several ant-like creatures appeared. They were yellowish-brown, with round heads, long antennae, six slender legs, and disproportionately large, hook-like mandibles that were half their body size¡ªdistinctly menacing.


    These creatures surrounded Luo Wen in an unfriendly manner. Using the small pores on his rear as a makeshift ¡°gut instinct,¡± Luo Wen guessed they weren¡¯t here to welcome him.

 Chapter 6: Under Attack

    As it turned out, Luo Wen¡¯s earlier suspicion about the small hole near his rear end was correct.


    The ant-like creatures were exceptionally aggressive. One of the closest ants swayed its antennae, its six jointed limbs slightly bending before springing forward all at once, launching itself right at Luo Wen. Its hooked mandibles lifted slightly before clamping down in a swift motion, aiming to lock onto him. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to roll over and take it. While his compound eyes were terribly nearsighted, their thousands of lenses forming individual images gave him excellent dynamic vision.


    To put it into perspective, if a human eye found watching a screen with a 60Hz refresh rate smooth and lag-free, Luo Wen¡¯s dynamic vision was ten times better. For him, that 60Hz screen would seem like a slideshow, stuttering between frames for what felt like an eternity.


    Yet, the ant¡¯s launch speed was so fast that it exceeded the reaction threshold of human vision. Even for Luo Wen, while he could track its movements, there was no ¡°bullet time¡± advantage.


    He quickly used three of his elongated striding limbs on one side to kick against the ground, propelling himself into a roll and narrowly avoiding the attacking mandibles. The close call left Luo Wen drenched in cold sweat.


    His current insect body lacked the flexibility of a human¡¯s. Movements humans could execute with ease, such as rolling, were tremendously taxing for him.


    This time, he was lucky. After rolling twice, he ended up belly down, still sprawled on the ground.


    If his push-off had been weaker, or if any other mishap had occurred leaving him flipped belly-up, it would have spelled disaster. In his current form, flipping over was a monumental task, leaving him entirely at the mercy of the ants.


    One-on-one, Luo Wen felt he could handle these ants, which were slightly smaller than him. But clearly, they had no intention of fighting fair, showing every sign of ganging up on him.


    Discretion being the better part of valor, Luo Wen raised his rear and prepared to flee.


    On the ground, he couldn¡¯t match the ants¡¯ speed, but he had his own advantage. Despite his short tenure as an insect, he had already observed that while their forelimbs were adequate for clawing at sand and gravel, they were woefully unsuited for digging through soil.


    The ground here was layered with loose sand and gravel, but beneath it lay soil. If he could burrow into the soil layer, he¡¯d be safe.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen underestimated the ants¡¯ launch speed and range. Several ants leaped simultaneously, their mandibles clamping onto him just as half his body disappeared into the dirt. Two even pierced his abdomen, collectively pulling to drag him back out.


    If they succeeded, it would be game over for Luo Wen. Determined to survive, he desperately clawed at the ground with his digging limbs, braced his midlimbs against nearby gravel, and kicked frantically with his hind legs.


    One of the ants gripping Luo Wen¡¯s abdomen surged forward. In addition to its conspicuous hooked mandibles, it had a pair of smaller, pincer-like black-brown jaws near its mouth.


    Luo Wen¡¯s flailing hind leg happened to strike directly in front of its jaws. The ant reacted quickly, snapping down on the leg.


    Whether other insects felt pain, Luo Wen didn¡¯t know, but he was sure of one thing¡ªhe currently had no pain sensation. Otherwise, with his injuries, a human body would¡¯ve passed out long ago from the agony.


    As if this weren¡¯t enough, some of the ants stabilized themselves with their six legs, raised their thoraxes vertically, and stretched their abdomens forward until they were even with their heads, resembling scorpions about to sting.


    Their swollen abdomens pulsed, and from the nozzle at the tip, a turbid liquid spurted forth. Upon contact with air, the liquid emitted a wisp of white smoke.


    The liquid arced through the air, landing precisely around Luo Wen, splattering parts of his posterior abdomen. The contact caused small, pitted wounds as his body was corroded.


    Crap! Luo Wen thought bitterly. These shameless creatures are using fecal spray attacks! And it¡¯s toxic! I¡¯ve never seen a species so devoid of honor.


    Faced with a life-or-death situation, Luo Wen seemed to muster strength from every fiber of his being, even his bristles standing on end. After a desperate struggle, he finally broke free, burrowing completely into the gravel layer and disappearing from view.


    Once underground, Luo Wen left the ants far behind. They couldn¡¯t even catch a glimpse of his rear hole.


    Now temporarily safe, Luo Wen stopped. Exhausted, he found himself in a pitiful state. Both his hind legs bore bite marks of varying severity, one of them broken in the middle and missing a large segment.


    Fortunately, with so many legs, losing two wasn¡¯t a significant hindrance to his mobility.


    His posterior half, while affected by the corrosive spray, didn¡¯t sustain as much damage as he¡¯d feared. Likely, the brief exposure and limited dosage caused only superficial injuries, sparing his internal structure.


    Unable to see his own back, Luo Wen could only sense that the damage wasn¡¯t too severe.


    However, the wound on his abdomen was another story.


    The soft abdomen had been torn open at the third segment from the rear, leaving it barely attached to his body by a thin strip of skin. Internal organs¡ªor whatever constituted them in his current form¡ªhad trailed out along the way, leaving nothing left to spill.


    ¡°Good thing I¡¯m an insect now. If I were human and this gutted, I¡¯d definitely be dead.¡±


    Even though he wasn¡¯t dead yet, Luo Wen had no idea how much longer he could hold on with such severe injuries. But there was little he could do. No bandages or gauze were available, and even if they were, his current limbs couldn¡¯t manage the dexterity for such tasks.


    What he wouldn¡¯t give for access to the internet right now, to post his predicament and tack on a desperate plea: Urgent, need help!


    But that was wishful thinking. Luo Wen suspected these idle thoughts were a sign he was nearing death, his mind starting to wander.


    Vibrations sensed by his bristles snapped him back to reality¡ªthe ants were tracking him by the trail of fluid his wounds left behind. This place was no longer safe.


    Raising his rear again, Luo Wen resumed digging. Earlier, he¡¯d noticed that the ants and their tunnels didn¡¯t extend to the deeper underground layers. It seemed they preferred not to live there, and their forelimbs were ill-suited for excavating soil.


    If he continued downward, he could lose them for good.


    Luo Wen had no idea how long he had been digging. His consciousness began to blur. Though he felt no pain, his grievous injuries left him physically and mentally drained.


    Through the haze, he sensed familiar vibrations ahead¡ªwhite bugs gnawing at tree roots!


    Using the last of his strength, Luo Wen crawled forward. Sure enough, a fat, white grub was using its large mandibles to strip bark and feast on the succulent sap.


    Without hesitation, Luo Wen kicked the grub aside and latched onto the wound in the tree root, furiously licking at the sap.


    The cool, slightly sweet liquid flowed down his throat into his body, reaching his abdomen, only to leak out through his wound¡­


    Luo Wen felt a wave of despair.


    Weakly, he burrowed a short distance to the side before his vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

 Chapter 7: Enhancements

    When Luo Wen regained consciousness, he had no idea how much time had passed.


    Though he remained motionless, the bristles on his body informed him that the white grub beside him was still tirelessly gnawing at the tree root.


    ¡°Still an insect, huh? How am I even alive after all this?¡±


    He had harbored a sliver of hope, wishing that death might grant him a third life or return him to his previous one.


    Unexpectedly, this seemingly impressive insect species turned out to have an astonishing vitality. Despite being gutted, with food passing straight through his body without nourishment, he had somehow survived.


    It was truly unbelievable.


    But there was no time for amazement. A quick inspection of his body revealed that the three abdominal segments dangling from his abdomen had shriveled and detached, lying discarded nearby.


    The wound had healed, but no new body segments had grown to replace them, leaving his body visibly shorter.


    He couldn¡¯t see the injuries on his back, but they didn¡¯t seem to be serious. The wound on his broken hind leg had also healed, although it hadn¡¯t regrown.


    His hunger was now extreme. Since his rear had healed, this meant that the food he ate would now stay inside.


    Dragging his weakened body, Luo Wen forced himself back to the tree root. The white grub was still contentedly sipping sap. Without hesitation, he kicked it aside and moved in to feed.


    After licking his fill, he grabbed the white grub and opened another sap wound. Repeating this cycle several times, Luo Wen finally felt full.


    Having eaten his fill, fatigue overtook him once again. Ignoring everything else, Luo Wen dragged himself back to his hiding spot and passed out.


    Thus began a routine of waking, kicking the white grub, feeding, and collapsing back into unconsciousness. After countless repetitions, Luo Wen¡¯s spirit finally recovered. Around him lay scattered molts from his shedding.


    By now, his appearance had drastically changed.


    First, his eyes had grown significantly larger, taking up nearly half of his head. His field of vision had expanded dramatically, resembling a 360-degree wide-angle camera that allowed him to see even his own back.


    For the first time, Luo Wen could observe his back. Although he didn¡¯t know what it had looked like before, he noticed a small patch of hard armor there, while the rest of his long abdomen had been exposed. This vulnerability explained why the ants had been able to target his abdomen so easily.


    Now, his neck area sported an expanded shoulder plate that stretched to cover his sides, greatly increasing his lateral defense.


    That wasn¡¯t all. Behind this shoulder plate, a semi-circular back plate had grown, shielding his shortened abdomen. His entire back now resembled a seven-spotted ladybug, except his back armor was solid black and covered with bristles.


    His previously maimed hind leg had fallen off entirely, only to regrow, thicker and more robust than before, bristling with sharp spines.


    In addition, he discovered two new hind legs capable of bending in reverse. If he were to flip onto his back, his now-rounder body might make flipping over even harder.


    But on the contrary, these new hind legs could press against the ground and push him upright.


    Lastly, his mouthparts had undergone a transformation. His previous lapping-sucking mouthparts had shrunk significantly, and now, as if driven by a subconscious desire to avoid relying on the white grub, he had grown the large mandibles he had longed for. He could finally drink sap independently.


    The myriad problems he had encountered in his prior struggles had all been addressed during this evolution. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim internally: Iphieash, you¡¯re incredible!


    Even with his comprehensive enhancements, Luo Wen had no intention of immediately seeking revenge on the ants. Two fists couldn¡¯t fend off four hands, let alone the many hands the ants had.


    Through this intensive, multi-faceted evolution, Luo Wen had gained a better understanding of his body.


    Firstly, evolution adhered to the principle of energy conservation, which explained his repeated need to eat throughout the process.


    Secondly, when faced with certain challenges, his body would instinctively activate the most suitable genes from its internal gene pool. Sufficient energy expedited this activation. For example, when he had trouble digging earlier, his recently replenished energy stores had quickly enabled him to grow digging limbs.


    Luo Wen sensed that as he continued to grow and mature, he might eventually be able to actively choose which genes to activate.


    The diversity of the gene pool, however, depended on the insect¡¯s mother. If the egg had been laid under ideal conditions, it would be stocked with abundant resources. The opposite was also true.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen belonged to the latter group. Like most Iphieash offspring, he had been hastily laid as a last resort, leaving him with barely any genetic ¡°inventory.¡± His pool only contained basic genes for digging, feeding, and minor resistances like fire and frost, just enough to survive the larval stage.


    But even this was sufficient. After surviving the vulnerable early stage, larvae would inevitably encounter a vast array of organisms, witnessing their unique strengths and abilities, and then selecting the most suitable ones to arm themselves.


    This realization led Luo Wen to reconsider. Perhaps his initial understanding had been wrong. The lack of advanced genetic material might not have been due to oversight but rather a deliberate, calculated decision.


    Every Iphieash¡¯s environment was unique, exposing them to wildly different organisms. Without firsthand experience, activating random genetic sequences would waste energy at best. At worst, it could result in maladaptive traits.


    Perhaps long ago, some Iphieash had recklessly activated untested gene sequences in response to difficulties, only to exacerbate their problems or even lose their lives.


    It was possible that leaving only basic genetic fragments was itself an evolutionary adaptation. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Reflecting on this, Luo Wen felt the decision made perfect sense.


    It was as if someone had left a gene for self-destruction in the pool. If one day he desperately sought a quick way to boost power with minimal side effects, the gene pool, lacking wisdom, might instinctively suggest this extreme solution. Unaware of its function, he might activate it and wake up as a living bomb.


    Luo Wen maliciously speculated that some predecessors might have encountered such a fate.


    For now, Luo Wen could finally rest easy, no longer fearing that impulsive thoughts might lead to his doom.

 Chapter 8: Curiosity

    So, how does one enrich their genetic library?


    The method was surprisingly simple: pick a creature with desirable traits and eat it!


    The prerequisite, of course, was that you could defeat it in the first place.


    ¡°That¡¯s not simple at all!¡± Luo Wen muttered under his breath.


    Fortunately, he had a creature on hand that he could easily handle.


    He began considering what traits the white grub might offer him.


    Its plump, white, soft body? Its sluggish movements? Its stubby, awkward limbs? So far, the only thing that had piqued his interest was its prominent mandibles¡ªbut he¡¯d already grown his own pair.


    With that thought, Luo Wen realized that the only creature he could currently defeat had no practical value to him. He felt a twinge of frustration.


    But then he reconsidered¡ªperhaps there was some value after all. Meat offered far more energy than sap or plant roots.


    Luo Wen had long been curious about how the white grub tasted. Was it really like crispy chicken? Unfortunately, his previous mandibles had been too weak, and his claws too ineffective, to penetrate the grub¡¯s tough hide.


    Now that he had a pair of sharp mandibles, it was finally time to give it a try.


    The body of the Iphieash was subtly altering his mind.


    In his previous life as a human, he would never have dreamed of eating a grub, let alone raw. But now, he found the white grub¡¯s tender flesh surprisingly enticing.


    Looking at the grub before him, Luo Wen hesitated. This particular one was an old acquaintance¡ªa trusty tool during his recovery.


    After a moment of hesitation, Luo Wen decided to let it go. ¡°I really am a kindhearted insect,¡± he sighed, quietly patting himself on the back.


    Digging a bit further, he soon unearthed another white grub. This one hadn¡¯t helped him at all. It wasn¡¯t a familiar grub, so there was no need to feel bad about eating it!


    Luo Wen¡¯s sharp mandibles tasted their first battle and achieved resounding success. The grub¡¯s previously impenetrable skin was easily pierced.


    Ignoring its frantic writhing, Luo Wen extended his lapping and sucking mouthparts into its body.


    He quickly discovered a problem: his mouthparts needed further evolution. Eating meat was still awkward.


    These mouthparts were excellent for consuming soft substances, such as liquids or gels. However, when faced with anything tougher¡ªlike meat¡ªthey lacked the necessary strength.


    The grub gradually stopped struggling as its body deflated.


    Luo Wen withdrew his mouthparts and wiped his abdomen with his midlimbs before moving to a tree root nearby. He bit into it and drank some sap, finally sated.


    The taste was decent overall, and Luo Wen nodded in satisfaction. From now on, he could officially consider himself a carnivorous insect.


    Leaving behind the drained husk of the grub, Luo Wen burrowed back to his self-constructed home. It looked exactly as he had left it; no unexpected visitors had dropped by.


    Lying in his chamber, Luo Wen began contemplating after his meal.


    Enriching his genetic library was definitely a priority, but it wasn¡¯t urgent.


    During this latest evolution, he had learned more about his body. Beyond his genetic repository, there was information about his lifespan.


    The Iphieash was, after all, an extraordinary species in this world. Even its larvae had a lifespan of at least a century, and as they matured, this lifespan would only increase.


    How long he could ultimately live was unknown, especially since continuous evolution would accompany his growth. What a mature Iphieash might become was beyond even the imagination of its progenitor.


    In this foreign land, any creature with a bizarre appearance or mysterious origin was often attributed to the Iphieash. Whether such claims were true or not was anyone¡¯s guess.


    Of course, the information Luo Wen had received made no such assertions. The insect that left these messages had no concept of time; it only knew it had lived for a very, very long time.


    Its method of measurement was peculiar: ¡°the rise and fall of three kingdoms.¡±


    Luo Wen mulled over this for a while. A kingdom¡¯s establishment and collapse could hardly occur in a short span. Based on his knowledge from his previous life, three kingdoms¡­ That could be an unimaginable length of time! History wasn¡¯t his strong suit, so he couldn¡¯t calculate precisely.


    Regardless, he now had an explanation for his lifespan, which eased his mind considerably. After all, he had always thought of insects as short-lived creatures.


    As for how that ancient insect managed to end its own existence, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t find any clues, even after repeatedly reviewing the information.


    Well, so be it. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t too concerned; he was only mildly curious.


    With the pressure of time gone and an ample food supply secured, he felt relaxed.


    The roots of the great tree spread over an unknown expanse, hosting countless white grubs. Given his current size, it would take a long time to consume them all.


    Furthermore, these grubs were clearly larvae of some other insect. What did their adults look like? How often did they reproduce? How long did it take for new eggs to hatch or larvae to reach their current size?


    Luo Wen realized he now had a long-term research goal. If these white grubs were a quickly regenerating resource, his food supply problem was effectively solved.


    As for the Yellow Earth Ants, Luo Wen considered himself above holding grudges. However, now that he was an insect, vengeance was a given. He wasn¡¯t in a hurry, though. He decided to bide his time and grow stronger first.


    Even if he didn¡¯t evolve new abilities for a while, he could continue enhancing his existing genetic fragments. He could become stronger, his exoskeleton thicker, and his defenses and resistances more formidable.


    Those ants were the second species he had encountered in this unfamiliar world, and they represented an excellent source of genetic material.


    Their spring-loaded movements, hook-like mandibles, and feces-spraying magic attacks¡ªall of these would be his eventually.


    Thinking about that last point made him annoyed. Everyone else was fighting hand-to-hand, and suddenly they pulled out a disgusting ranged attack. Who does that? Oh right, they weren¡¯t human.


    Still, if it weren¡¯t for those surprise attacks, Luo Wen was confident he wouldn¡¯t have fled so pathetically. He might have even taken a few of them down with him. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Immersed in his imagination, Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness gradually drifted into darkness.


    A strange noise and intense vibrations startled him awake. Luo Wen swiftly climbed to his feet.


    His fine hairs bristled as the bizarre sound persisted. Something was happening on the surface.


    Insects might not possess curiosity, but Luo Wen had the soul of a human¡ªand humans were inherently curious, often dangerously so.


    After pacing a few laps, he couldn¡¯t resist his growing curiosity and decided to investigate.


    As he climbed, Luo Wen¡¯s thoughts wandered. Maybe two colossal beasts were battling it out above, and a few drops of their blood might accidentally fall on him, catapulting him to the pinnacle of insect life.


    He chuckled to himself. That¡¯s how these stories always go. The more he imagined, the more excited he became, quickening his pace.


    But as the saying goes, curiosity kills the cat¡ªor in this case, the insect.


    When Luo Wen neared the surface, he realized the strange noise was merely howling wind. The vibrations were caused by sand whipping against the ground.


    Feeling a bit deflated, he decided to retreat.


    Suddenly, a sense of immense danger washed over him, causing his fine hairs to stand on end.


    Before he could react, a powerful force lifted him into the air, along with the surrounding sand and stones.

 Chapter 9: Severely Injured

    Luo Wen felt he had been too reckless. After realizing there was a storm outside, he should have retreated immediately instead of staying to daydream. Didn¡¯t he know that being a spectator came with risks? Now, not only had he been forced into a front-row seat, but he¡¯d also been dragged into the performance.


    If given another chance, he would stay in his burrow no matter what happened outside. He¡¯d stake his pride on not moving a muscle!


    The sky was pitch-black, with the ferocious storm howling like a ghost. It whipped up a barrage of sand and stones, which, under the storm¡¯s force, shot forward like bullets.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen was directly in the path of the onslaught.


    Though his small body made for a minor target, the density of the sandstorm ensured countless particles still struck him.


    Luo Wen curled all his limbs toward his head, shielding his compound eyes with his digging limbs. The rest of his legs surrounded his head as best they could. He twisted his body to present his back to the storm¡¯s direction.


    His newly grown shoulder plates and dorsal armor offered considerable protection. Though he felt no pain, the fine hairs on his exoskeleton told him the sand and stones had not yet breached his defenses.


    Despite this, the relentless impacts sent his body tumbling through the air, making it nearly impossible to maintain balance.


    Amid the disorienting spins, his unprotected abdomen bore the brunt of the damage. The dorsal armor covered much of it, but the sandstorm¡¯s 360-degree assault spared no part of his body. His already shortened abdomen took another round of severe hits.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t have the luxury of addressing his abdominal injuries. Nor did he bother keeping his back to the storm, as constant tumbling and the storm¡¯s unpredictable gusts rendered his efforts futile.


    Finally, he resorted to curling his neck, shielding his head with his limbs, and leaving his fate to luck.


    He¡¯d survived an abdominal injury before, but a crushed head would mean certain death. He still had so much time to live; he didn¡¯t want his journey to end prematurely.


    The world around him was shrouded in darkness. The howling winds and flying debris disoriented him completely. Not that it mattered¡ªhe was quickly swept farther away by the storm.


    After an indeterminate time, during which even his tough dorsal armor began to sustain damage, Luo Wen noticed the wind¡¯s intensity lessening.


    It seemed he had endured the worst. But now, a new problem emerged.


    He couldn¡¯t fly. He¡¯d only ¡°hatched¡± a few days ago and hadn¡¯t had time to develop such capabilities.


    Even if he could fly, his tiny body would be powerless against the might of nature.


    At this moment, Luo Wen had no idea how high he¡¯d been swept. His poor vision was useless in the dim, low-visibility environment. Even with his former human eyes, he doubted he could have seen much in these conditions.


    Eventually, Luo Wen felt himself descending. Thankfully, while the wind had weakened, it still occasionally lifted his lightweight body, cushioning his fall somewhat.


    His hollow internal structure made him lighter, and the semicircular shape of his dorsal armor acted like a parachute.


    By some miracle, he landed from an unknown height without sustaining significant impact damage.


    No wonder he¡¯d never heard of insects dying from falls in his previous life. It turned out that even wingless insects possessed innate adaptations to survive such situations.


    After being blown around a couple more times upon landing, Luo Wen finally settled safely on the ground.


    Without pausing to assess his injuries, he immediately began digging into the earth.


    Thanks to years of watching disaster movies, Luo Wen knew tornadoes had calm ¡°eyes.¡± But he couldn¡¯t tell if he was in the storm¡¯s eye¡ªor even if this was a tornado at all. Not that he wanted to find out. He was just an insect now, focused solely on survival.


    Staying on the surface was a death wish. Only by burrowing deep underground could he find any sense of security.


    Luo Wen dug deeper than ever before, descending well past his previous home¡¯s depth. When he hit a layer of soil, he kept going, ensuring he was far below any potential surface threats.


    As he worked, he felt an overwhelming sense of frustration. Just when his life had started to stabilize¡ªwhen he¡¯d barely had time to enjoy his new home and the seemingly endless supply of white grubs¡ªit was all taken away because he couldn¡¯t resist the urge to check out some commotion. Now, all he could do was lament his terrible luck.


    His injuries, however, were an even greater source of despair.


    One of his digging limbs was broken. Several of his mid and hind legs were either completely snapped or heavily damaged. The few intact ones had suffered varying degrees of wear and tear. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His head and eyes, while protected, hadn¡¯t escaped unscathed. He noticed several black spots in his vision, likely caused by damage to some of his compound eyes¡¯ lenses. He had no idea if they would heal.


    His antennae, left unprotected, had also suffered¡ªhalf of one was missing.


    The damage to his shoulder and dorsal plates was severe, with a large chunk of the dorsal armor completely gone.


    The worst injury was to his recently healed abdomen. Last time, he¡¯d lost three segments of tissue, shrinking his overall size. While this time he didn¡¯t lose entire segments, many areas were severely damaged, exposing his internal structures.


    Yet amidst the despair, Luo Wen noticed something interesting: within the hollow cavities of his abdomen were fibrous tissues that quickly patched the wounds, preventing fluid loss.


    It seemed this was a result of his previous evolution. The changes were internal and had gone unnoticed until now.


    Still, Luo Wen had no desire to discover these adaptations.


    Nevertheless, the fibrous tissues played a crucial role. While his abdominal injuries looked more severe than last time, the self-repair mechanism had stabilized the damage, preventing further deterioration. At least now, he wouldn¡¯t experience the grotesque phenomenon of food leaking out as he ate.


    With his remaining antenna and fine hairs raised, Luo Wen detected no unusual scents or vibrations. Sensing safety, he slowly closed his eyes.


    He needed rest¡ªa chance to use his stored energy to begin healing.


    This time, his injuries were far worse than before. Almost every part of his body was damaged. Even his relatively protected head and eyes bore significant scratches and abrasions.


    The environment, too, was far more hostile than before. Last time, he¡¯d had access to nearby food, allowing him to replenish energy during recovery. This time, though he¡¯d recently eaten a white grub, the storm had drained much of his reserves.


    Moreover, his abdomen¡¯s ruptures, despite the fibrous patches, had still cost him some stored nutrients.


    At best, his current energy reserves were only half of their full capacity.


    Faced with these challenges, Luo Wen¡¯s body had no choice but to alter its recovery strategy.

 Chapter 10: Recovery

    Deep underground, a black insect lay motionless, its body severely damaged and over half of it crippled, appearing lifeless.


    Suddenly, viscous liquid began seeping out of its body¡ªthrough its eyes, mouthparts, and the base of the hairs covering its body.


    Under the influence of these liquids, the insect¡¯s black head, fragile eyes, delicate mouthparts, rotting abdomen, and even its sturdy shoulder plates and back armor underwent a miraculous chemical reaction, as if they were melting.


    White foam appeared, expanded, and then slowly hardened, eventually forming a cocoon-like structure resembling the black insect, but significantly larger. The cocoon completely encased the insect.


    Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness floated in the darkness, fluctuating as if he were drowning, his body being churned into pulp. The discomfort was suffocating, and he struggled desperately to escape his plight.


    Outside, the cocoon, shaped like a black insect, began to tremble as if something trapped inside was attempting to break free. The trembling intensified, growing faster and more vigorous until a crack appeared along the top of the cocoon.


    From the crack emerged a head¡ªsmooth, tender, and translucent yellowish-white. It looked fragile, as if it would shatter at the slightest touch, with its internal organs faintly visible. The creature, through sheer effort, gradually forced its burrowing legs out.


    With these legs anchoring it externally, the tender insect soon managed to pull its entire body free from the cocoon.


    Exhausted from the struggle, the insect rested briefly on the cocoon.


    At this moment, its once yellowish-white, tender body rapidly turned black and hardened. Its outermost skin transformed into an exoskeleton, encasing its entire body.


    In the blink of an eye, it reverted to its black insect form.


    Luo Wen examined his body and found that he had shrunk significantly. The size he had nearly reached¡ªa fingernail¡ªhad reverted to his original size at ¡°birth.¡±


    Though no new organs or limbs had appeared, the damage to his body had been fully repaired. Even the black spots that had marred his vision were gone, and his sight was clear once more.


    His antennae waved, and the two identical-length appendages swayed in front of his eyes, soothing his compulsive tendencies. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This recovery was largely thanks to the white insect he had devoured. The newly activated cocooning ability drew much of its genetic material from it. Combined with some of Luo Wen¡¯s inherent genetic fragments, the fusion and refinement triggered by a life-and-death crisis had led to his current state.


    Simply patching together parts and organs from other insects would create an unsightly chimera. Only through fusion, refinement, and evolution could the abilities of Iphieash truly shine.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen was still a larva and could not actively select which genetic fragments to activate, let alone integrate and refine them. This time¡¯s success was merely a lucky accident triggered by the instinct to survive as his life ebbed away.


    Regardless of the benefits, Luo Wen did not wish to attempt such a process again. He had no pressing goals to achieve, and surviving to reach maturity naturally seemed the proper course. Risking his life recklessly in pursuit of power was not a choice he would make.


    Though his body was fully healed, his energy reserves were critically low. The repairs had consumed not just his energy but even some of his bodily tissues, leaving him smaller overall.


    Luo Wen now needed to find food urgently. Without replenishment, his survival strategy of cautious endurance would be nothing but empty talk.


    He set his burrowing legs to work and chose a random direction to dig, as all paths seemed equally unfamiliar in this strange environment.


    Luo Wen¡¯s digging speed was impressive, though he felt he could go even faster.


    However, his newly evolved 360-degree panoramic vision¡ªprovided by his large bulbous eyes¡ªwas more of a hindrance than a help underground. It allowed him to see farther, but being surrounded by earth, it was nearly useless. Moreover, he had to divert attention to protect his fragile eyes while digging, significantly slowing him down.


    Upon reflection, he decided that slowing down wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing. This wasn¡¯t his familiar territory. He had no idea where he was or what dangers might lurk underground. Better to proceed cautiously.


    He reduced his speed further, employing his antennae and body hairs at full capacity to scan for potential threats.


    In the desert, resources were scarce. Luo Wen had been lucky to find suitable food near his ¡°birthplace.¡± But that luck seemed to have run out. After burrowing for an indeterminate amount of time, his already dwindling energy reserves were nearing depletion, yet he had found no sign of food.


    Desperate, he decided to dig straight downward. Gradually, large rocks appeared around him. Following the crevices between the stones, he continued digging until the scattered rocks fused into a solid layer of bedrock.


    Suddenly, strong vibrations reverberated through the rock. His antennae detected dense moisture in the air, and the faint sound of running water reached his ears.


    Luo Wen deduced that there might be an underground river beneath the rocks.


    Guided by the moisture, he crawled toward the source. Before long, he found a small crack in the previously impenetrable rock layer, through which the sound of flowing water became clearer.


    Taking advantage of his small size, Luo Wen wriggled through the crack. As he progressed, the surrounding rock walls darkened and became slick with moisture¡ªcondensed from the dense humidity in the air.


    Black spots began to appear on the walls, resembling some kind of plant, perhaps moss. However, this wasn¡¯t his old territory, and their unusual color left him uncertain about their identity.


    In this environment, his burrowing legs were almost useless. Luo Wen used the hooked claws on his other six limbs to anchor himself to pits and grooves on the rock¡¯s surface.


    He extended his mouthparts, which formed a dish-like structure at the mushroom-shaped tip, and pressed them against the rock. Hidden fine hairs and a small tongue quickly scraped up the moisture.


    The cold underground water flowed into his esophagus and then his body, its minerals and microorganisms rapidly digested to replenish his depleted energy reserves slightly.


    Luo Wen drank until he could no longer stomach another drop, then rested nearby. Once he digested the water, he would resume drinking.


    However, relying solely on water to replenish energy was excruciatingly slow. Luo Wen drank until he nearly vomited and, for the first time since his ¡°birth,¡± urinated.


    He had never urinated, even when he drank root fluids daily.


    This first experience was novel, though it wasn¡¯t his focus.


    Drawing from his past human experiences¡ªspecifically as a man¡ªhe knew that urination required certain organs.


    Naturally, as a newly insectile being, Luo Wen needed to examine his body after this unprecedented act.

 Chapter 11: Black Moss

    The results were not promising.


    But with Luo Wen¡¯s limited knowledge of entomology, he couldn¡¯t be certain if insects even possessed such things.


    And even if they did, what would be the point? Setting aside whether there were others of his kind, what could he possibly do¡ªengage in some dubious reproductive activities with another insect? Moreover, in his memory, male insects usually met tragic ends. A children¡¯s film he watched growing up, one featuring a cat as the protagonist, contained certain scenes that remained a haunting shadow of his childhood.


    Shuddering, he forcibly interrupted the trajectory of his thoughts.


    Previously, he had assumed that the tiny opening at the tip of his rear end was an excretory outlet. That opening had been lost along with the three tail segments he had shed. Unexpectedly, a new one had secretly grown back, though it had remained unused and unnoticed.


    But even this time, it wasn¡¯t utilized. Instead, a small opening appeared in the middle of his lower abdomen for excretion, leaving the purpose of the rear-end opening still a mystery.


    Drinking water to fill his stomach was barely effective, so Luo Wen turned his attention to the black moss-like plants around him.


    Were they poisonous? And how resistant was his insect body to toxins?


    Considering the grandiose name and reputation of his species, his reckless curiosity began to stir.


    A small taste shouldn¡¯t be an issue, right?


    He cautiously moved closer, using his burrowing legs to scratch at the black moss a couple of times. Nothing unusual happened¡ªno mysterious gas released, no unknown liquid sprayed out, and the hairs on his limbs showed no signs of corrosion.


    He extended his mouthparts and lightly touched the black moss. No reaction. Then he used his small tongue to lick it. After waiting for a while, there was no numbness at the tip of his tongue.


    Finally, he carefully took a tiny bite, lying still afterward as a precaution. He experienced no ill effects.


    After gradually increasing the amount he consumed and lengthening the waiting period between tests, Luo Wen concluded that the black moss were edible and non-toxic¡ªor toxic, but harmless to him.


    While the energy provided by plants couldn¡¯t compare to that from meat, it was certainly better than merely drinking water.


    After eating his fill, Luo Wen climbed up out of the crevice to rest. The walls of the fissure became smoother the deeper he went. His clawed limbs weren¡¯t well-suited for traversing or resting on such smooth surfaces.


    Going deeper posed significant risks. If he lost his grip and fell, landing on rock might be manageable. But if he plunged into the underground river, who knew if he could swim? If not, that would be disastrous.


    Most insects have specialized tracheal systems and unique operational mechanisms, making it difficult to suffocate them but relatively easy to drown them.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen¡¯s current body used such a conventional system. If he fell into the water, would Ifiaesh¡¯s adaptability allow him to evolve a new system in time to survive?


    Luo Wen decided that anyone else was welcome to try such challenges¡ªhe certainly wouldn¡¯t.


    The first rule etched into his code of conduct was: ¡°Don¡¯t court death.¡±


    Although Luo Wen aspired to grow powerful in isolation before venturing out, this clearly wasn¡¯t realistic. While the area provided food, the efficiency of sustenance was low. As his size increased, he¡¯d likely spend most of each day just eating.


    Additionally, the black moss couldn¡¯t add new genetic elements to his abilities. Staying here would merely enlarge his current form proportionally, without gaining any new functions.


    Furthermore, he needed to learn more about this world. He couldn¡¯t just assume invincibility and recklessly roam, only to be met with a missile or disintegration spell right away. It was essential to observe while he was still inconspicuous.


    After much deliberation, Luo Wen devised a compromise. He would follow the underground river¡¯s flow to wherever it led.


    Water is the source of life, and he believed that following it would eventually lead him to other forms of life.


    However, leaving this place meant he might never avenge the ants¡¯ attack.


    Not that Luo Wen was particularly vengeful, of course. He reassured himself it was merely a casual reflection.


    And so, he embarked on a long journey along the underground river.


    His days became a routine of eating, drinking, traveling, and resting in cycles. Occasionally, he would climb upward to search for any relatives of the white insect, but alas, he found none.


    He avoided returning to the surface for now. His brief experiences there had been exceedingly unpleasant. The first time, he had only suffered minor burns, but the next two times nearly cost him his life.


    As he continued along the underground river, its elevation gradually rose. The riverbed, once 50 to 60 meters below the surface, was now only about 20 meters deep.


    Luo Wen¡¯s body had also regrown to the size of a fingernail.


    Honestly, his growth was slower than he had anticipated.


    Besides the low energy conversion efficiency of his diet, most of his energy was expended on the heavy labor of digging.


    He also suspected that his oxygen supply system was a significant limiting factor in his growth. He desperately needed a new, more robust oxygen delivery mechanism to replace the current one.


    Time passed in unknown measure. The riverbed continued to rise, drawing nearer to the surface, while the rocky layer he traversed came to within a few meters of the ground.


    Soil began to mix with the rock, and the layer of sand and gravel thinned to almost nothing. Occasionally, plant roots appeared, weaving through the soil. Luo Wen sensed that he might soon leave the desert.


    When the rock layer was only a meter below the surface, the sand and gravel vanished entirely, leaving just soil. Plant roots grew thicker and more numerous here, indicating an abundance of vegetation above. Yet, he found no sign of white insects.


    Unable to resist, Luo Wen finally tunneled out of the soil to the surface for a look.


    His large, bulbous eyes finally proved useful, capturing the surrounding landscape with startling clarity. His field of vision extended to nearly 20 meters, seemingly having strengthened unnoticed.


    Clusters of unknown shrubs dotted the land, interspersed with windblown sand, now reduced to a minor component.


    Despite the vegetation, the area still felt barren. He saw no trace of insects or animals.


    It was daytime. The scorching sun beat down on Luo Wen, but instead of the searing pain he¡¯d felt before, he found the warmth rather pleasant. His fire resistance had clearly improved.


    Cautiously, he crept to the nearest shrub. Its thick yellow-white trunk twisted upward, sprouting numerous slender branches adorned with countless tiny green leaves.


    It looked delicious.


    The black moss from underground had long disappeared, likely needing the deep subterranean environment to grow.


    Luo Wen had spent two days surviving on water alone before coming across scattered tree roots. The juice extracted from these roots barely sustained him, with just enough surplus to scrape by. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sticking to his plan, Luo Wen continued following the underground river. After all, seeking alternatives in such an environment carried significant risks.


    Gradually, the roots became more abundant, until they were omnipresent. Luo Wen no longer had to worry about food, but a new problem arose.

 Chapter 12: Stink Bug

    The distance between the rocky layer and the surface was now less than two meters.


    This was not good news for Luo Wen.


    His advantage lay underground. In this unfamiliar world, among all the creatures he had encountered, he was the fastest mover underground thanks to his burrowing limbs.


    So far, however, he had only seen two types of creatures: white grubs and yellow earth ants.


    On the surface, his speed could only rank second.


    The difference between first and second was significant. The first position indicated no other creatures for comparison, while the second implied that at least one creature was faster than him.


    Being fast was a critical survival trait in moments of crisis.


    Thus, underground, his safety level was much higher than on the surface. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, his strategic depth was less than two meters.


    What good was speed? He would reach the end as soon as he started running¡ªand the end would be a dead end. While horizontal movement was still possible, if the enemy came in swarms, he could still be surrounded. Take the ants, for example; their numbers were never an issue, and this left him feeling deeply insecure.


    Therefore, he decided to change his strategy.


    Given the current trend, with the subterranean water table rising, vegetation was becoming denser and more abundant. Similarly, more and more creatures would appear.


    If he continued blindly burrowing, he might very well dig himself into an enemy encirclement.


    He needed to slow down, gather more information, and plan his next steps accordingly.


    This location, devoid of any insects or animals besides shrubs, suited him perfectly. It was like playing a survival game¡ªhe was advancing cautiously, ensuring no enemies approached from behind.


    But before anything else, he had to fill his stomach.


    The tender green leaves on these shrubs were exceptionally fresh. After multiple thorough tests to confirm they were non-toxic, Luo Wen finally indulged himself.


    Judging by the abundance of these shrubs, their leaves would likely be his staple food for the foreseeable future. They were worth the effort to verify.


    With his belly full and the sun no longer a threat, Luo Wen wasted no time. He immediately got back to work.


    He had barely crawled out before suffering his first attack.


    Luo Wen had been highly vigilant. His compound eyes, typically well-protected during digging, demonstrated extraordinary abilities.


    Their high resolution made the attacker unmistakable¡ªa creature that was long and sleek, like an oversized earthworm. It suddenly shot out from the soil, its plump cylindrical body resembling a tubular sack aiming to engulf him.


    Its exact appearance remained unclear from Luo Wen¡¯s perspective, as all he saw was a massive mouth lined with rows upon rows of fine, sharp teeth spiraling inward, extending deep into its dark, hollow body. The sight was enough to make one¡¯s skin crawl.


    Thanks to the high refresh rate of his compound eyes, the giant worm¡¯s originally rapid movements seemed significantly slower, giving Luo Wen ample time to react. With a slight sidestep, he avoided the attack.


    Missing its target, the giant worm retracted into the soil, acting as if nothing had happened.


    Neither side suffered any injuries, and they should have been able to call it even. However, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t one to hold grudges¡ªor so it seemed. He deliberately entered the worm¡¯s attack range multiple times, and each time, it sprang out to attack without fail.


    Thanks to the worm¡¯s cooperation, Luo Wen quickly gathered enough data.


    First, its intelligence was low¡ªthis was immediately apparent. Next, its body functioned like a spring. It remained compressed underground and sprang out swiftly when prey approached.


    However, its attack range was limited to the radius of its half-body length in front of it.


    Lastly, it relied on sound and subtle vibrations to locate prey.


    With this in mind, Luo Wen burrowed underground, approaching the worm from below. The creature¡¯s weaknesses were too glaring. The fact that it hadn¡¯t gone extinct yet was nothing short of miraculous.


    Although its attacks were swift due to its spring-like mechanism, it was only effective when lying in wait as a trap. Against someone like Luo Wen, who played by his own rules, it stood no chance.


    When Luo Wen bit into the worm from below, it had only managed to turn halfway. This was a pure display of intellectual superiority. But Luo Wen felt no sense of achievement¡ªthis creature¡¯s intelligence was unlikely to comprehend what ¡°superiority¡± even meant. Showing off to a fool was pointless.


    However, he realized that if even a dimwit like this could set a trap to hunt prey, it suggested that there were even dimmer creatures nearby.


    Initially, Luo Wen worried that with his current equipment, he might have to lie low for a while as a vegetarian insect. Unexpectedly, a fool had jumped out to reassure him that he could continue being a carnivorous bug.


    The oversized worm had no exoskeletal armor. Its tough yet pliant skin was no match for Luo Wen¡¯s sharp mandibles.


    With just one bite, Luo Wen tore through the worm¡¯s body. Blackish-brown fluid oozed from the wound, and his suctorial mouthparts latched onto it.


    ¡°Bleh, bleh, bleh!¡± The moment the liquid entered his esophagus, Luo Wen spat repeatedly, trying to expel it. Although he managed to spit out most of it, some had already entered his stomach.


    A rancid mud-like stench filled his mouth¡ªit was utterly revolting.


    Luo Wen considered himself a bug of simple tastes¡ªhe had even licked stones before¡ªbut this creature delivered a critical blow to his palate.


    This creature was likely the dumbest in the area. It probably survived by eating dirt and set traps merely to pass the time. The fact that it had lived this long without going extinct was entirely due to its disgusting taste.


    It perfectly embodied the principle: ¡°If I evolve to be inedible enough, no predator will bother with me.¡±


    Luo Wen shook his head repeatedly, silently vowing to steer clear of it. Its flavor was so off-putting that he nearly developed an eating disorder. He resolved not to eat anything for the rest of the day.


    Turning his back on the worm, he quickened his pace and left, unable to stomach even the sight of it.


    If the worm had any useful genetic fragments, Luo Wen would have forced himself to eat it despite the gag reflex. Unfortunately, while the countless fine teeth had some appeal, its nauseating quality was something even an undiscerning bug like Luo Wen found unacceptable.


    Even if he could stomach it, the ability was pointless¡ªit was the product of countless generations of self-sacrifice by the worm¡¯s ancestors, embedding their stench into the DNA of nearby predators.


    To illustrate, if Luo Wen had offspring, he¡¯d definitely tell them to steer clear of these creatures¡­


    Descending into the rocky layer, Luo Wen crawled into a crevice. After drinking his fill of water and relieving himself, he finally managed to rid himself of the foul taste.


    Luo Wen realized he had been careless again¡ªhe still lacked sufficient experience as a bug. His antennae had taste sensors, and he resolved to taste-test prey with them next time.


    For now, he had no energy for further exploration. He decided to rest for a while before continuing his journey.

 Chapter 13: Watching the Show

    When Luo Wen crawled back to the surface, it was already nighttime. The cool moonlight bathed the land, with a thin layer of frost on the ground reflecting a crystalline glow.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t feel much of a chill. After all, he had no idea how far he¡¯d traveled from his original location. It was possible that the nighttime temperatures here weren¡¯t as low.


    Or maybe his cold resistance had increased. Either way, the constant change of scenery made it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions.


    Two light sources still hung high in the sky. Although Luo Wen couldn¡¯t see them clearly, he could faintly discern their positions and colors. One was white with a slight yellowish hue, while the other was tinged with red. The yellow-white one appeared several times larger than the red one.


    The cold wind blew through the silence of the night. No insect chirps or other sounds could be heard, creating an eerie and somewhat terrifying atmosphere.


    With his six striding limbs crunching lightly on the frost, Luo Wen advanced cautiously, producing faint sounds and vibrations as he explored.


    The surrounding shrubs had folded their green leaves tightly against their branches, making the originally yellowish-white branches look like they were wearing green coats. Luo Wen guessed that this might be a unique adaptation for retaining warmth. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since he encountered no trouble¡ªno giant earthworm relatives or friends¡ªhe managed to make significant progress despite his slow pace.


    Previously, he had stayed directly above the underground river to quickly gather food and water.


    But as the riverbed rose, Luo Wen shifted slightly away to maintain a sufficient strategic depth underground. Now, he was several hundred meters from the riverbed, running parallel to it. This way, he remained close enough to water while having enough soil above him for safety.


    On this alien planet, Luo Wen still couldn¡¯t figure out the rotational and orbital systems. The timekeeping methods from his previous world no longer applied here. He had been crawling for a long time, yet the sky remained unchanged¡ªthe sun showed no signs of starting its shift.


    Feeling his energy reserves drop to nearly half, Luo Wen stopped moving forward.


    In this unfamiliar and dangerous environment, he didn¡¯t dare exhaust his strength completely. He always stopped with about half his energy left, reserving it for potential emergencies.


    After munching on some food from the shrub roots, he burrowed deep underground to rest.


    After several days of slow advancement, the number of surface plants increased, and their variety became richer.


    The last time Luo Wen crawled to the surface, it was broad daylight. Not long after he started moving, he stumbled upon a dramatic scene.


    A massive black insect, easily over ten times his size and roughly the size of a human palm, was surrounded by dozens of ant-like black insects.


    The black insect had a flat head with an exaggerated pair of giant mandibles. Its segmented body, viewed from the back, was armored with thick exoskeleton plates. Its six short limbs made it appear very low to the ground, and a pair of slender antennae extended from either side of its mandibles.


    The black ants surrounding it seemed unremarkable in appearance. They lacked the exaggerated hooks and massive mandibles of the yellow earth ants Luo Wen had previously encountered and didn¡¯t resort to fecal attacks. Their abilities, if any, were yet to be revealed.


    At that moment, both sides were locked in a tense standoff, with the battle on the brink of erupting.


    The massive black beetle strolled leisurely, seemingly indifferent to the tiny ants encircling it.


    The black ants, on the other hand, held their positions, as if waiting for reinforcements. It made sense; these black ants were smaller than Luo Wen, so why would they think challenging such a behemoth was a good idea?


    Luo Wen¡¯s advantage became evident in this situation. Although his compound eyes would have been considered nearsighted by human standards, they were essentially eagle-eyed compared to other insects.


    From a safe distance, he observed the confrontation without alerting either side. As long as he avoided making too much noise, they wouldn¡¯t notice him.


    Among insects, poor eyesight often meant that other sensory systems were highly developed.


    Neither side of this confrontation was something Luo Wen could afford to provoke. He had learned a painful lesson last time he tried to spectate a conflict¡ªlosing his self-made nest and being forced into exile for so long.


    Despite swearing back then that he would never watch another fight, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help himself when presented with the opportunity. Fine, so he¡¯d be a ¡°dog¡± for watching¡ªdogs were far stronger than this fingernail-sized bug he¡¯d become.


    Still, he had learned one thing: don¡¯t get too close while spectating. Watch from a safe distance to avoid getting dragged into the fray.


    The ants gradually tightened their encirclement, agitating the black beetle. It lost its calm demeanor, brandishing its massive mandibles in preparation for an attack.


    The tension reached a breaking point. Unable to endure any longer, the black beetle charged forward, snapping its mandibles around one of the black ants. In an instant, the ant was decapitated.


    Its body fell to the ground in two pieces. Even after its head and torso separated, its antennae and limb segments twitched reflexively.


    The opening move was swift and deadly, clean and decisive. Luo Wen felt his blood pumping and couldn¡¯t help but cheer internally.


    The death of one of their kind enraged the black ants, prompting them to launch a full-scale assault.


    The battle quickly turned fierce.


    Although the black ants had overwhelming numbers, their slender limbs and small bodies gave them few advantages. Only their sharp mandibles were noteworthy, but these were of little use against the heavily armored beetle.


    The black beetle, on the other hand, resembled an unstoppable war machine. Its massive mandibles were unstoppable; anything caught in their grip had no chance of survival. Leaving behind an intact corpse was a rarity.


    However, its mandibles had a design flaw. Like two interlocking sevens, they could only deliver their devastating bite at the tips.


    The ants¡¯ small size and agile movements made it difficult for the beetle to land precise attacks.


    As a result, while its attacks were lethal, the fight remained evenly matched.


    Still, the occasional unlucky ant would fall victim, leaving scattered body parts around the battlefield.


    Despite their numerical advantage, the ants were slowly losing ground. Without reinforcements, their complete defeat was only a matter of time.


    Realizing this, the ants changed their tactics.


    Instead of gnawing futilely on the beetle¡¯s thick carapace, the ants climbed its back to target its eyes and antennae¡ªkey vulnerabilities that could render it blind and deaf.


    Meanwhile, the ants on the ground focused their attacks on the beetle¡¯s clawed limbs.


    Though its heavy armor protected most of its joints, the exposed claw tips became the primary targets.


    The tactical shift was immediately effective. The beetle¡¯s once-dominant assault became restrained and defensive. It now devoted most of its energy to shaking off ants from its back and dodging attacks at its feet.


    Watching from a distance, Luo Wen cursed the ants for their dishonorable, underhanded tactics.

 Chapter 14: Picking Up the Scraps

    The ants intertwined their bodies, forming a net that entangled the black beetle. The beetle struggled more and more to shake off the ants, and the tide of battle shifted from a one-sided massacre to an uncertain outcome. If there had been bets placed, this would surely go down as a tragic spectacle.


    After losing two claw tips and half an antenna, the black beetle finally chose to retreat.


    Continuing the fight would likely lead to its death, but if it decided to flee, the ants¡¯ slender frames couldn¡¯t stop it.


    Like a heavy tank crashing through infantry lines, the black beetle charged away with ants clinging to its body, scattering some along the way due to sheer speed.


    Since Luo Wen had been observing from a great distance, the beetle quickly disappeared beyond his sight, ants still riding on it.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t linger idly. Why had he been watching all this time? Besides the entertainment, he harbored the hope of scavenging something useful from the battlefield.


    Now that both sides had left, the area was littered with loot. Passing up such an opportunity wasn¡¯t Luo Wen¡¯s style. He scrambled up and quickly scuttled toward the battlefield.


    Though it was only a dozen meters away, a mere few steps for his human-sized self, it was a marathon for his fingernail-sized body.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had anticipated scavenging from the start. While spectating, he had planned his route to the battlefield and checked for potential dangers along the way.


    Nothing seemed amiss on the surface, but the hidden ambush tactics of the dimwitted earthworm earlier taught him to be cautious. Predators employing stealthy hunting methods were hard to spot until it was too late.


    So, as he raced forward, Luo Wen kept an eye on the ground beneath him to avoid a tragic mishap.


    Luckily, he reached the battlefield safely. His suctorial mouth wasn¡¯t suited for quickly consuming meat, so he grabbed a piece of an ant¡¯s lower body, raised his rear, and burrowed underground.


    After digging a small hole deep below to store the food, Luo Wen returned twice more, retrieving a severed head and a torso. But when he emerged a third time, a few ants were already beginning to return to the battlefield. Not wanting to risk it, he retreated to the underground.


    Carrying the ant remnants, Luo Wen burrowed deeper, creating a small chamber and carving out several escape routes. He also gathered some roots for extra sustenance.


    Once everything was set, he finally began his meal, hoping for some useful gains.


    It took him a long time to thoroughly lick the ant meat clean, leaving behind a pile of discarded exoskeleton shells. Luo Wen set them aside and went to rest with high expectations.


    When he awoke, he ignored his hunger and the low-energy alerts from his reserves, rushing to examine his body.


    He inspected his antennae, eyes, limbs, and carapace¡ªnone showed any changes.


    Disappointed, Luo Wen recalled that the black ants hadn¡¯t displayed any special abilities during the fight. He shouldn¡¯t have hoped for too much.


    He pouted in frustration, then noticed something unusual about his mouth. Was something different?


    Unfortunately, his mouth was one of the blind spots in his compound eye¡¯s field of vision. Carefully, he used a limb to probe and feel with its fine bristles.


    Oh, if only he had a mirror, this wouldn¡¯t be such a hassle.


    Suddenly, inspiration struck. His mouth must have changed because of the black ants. It was likely similar to their mouths.


    The empty ant head was still lying nearby. Luo Wen approached it for a closer look.


    Comparing the sensations from his bristles with the specimen in front of him, Luo Wen reached a conclusion.


    ¡°My mouth finally got an upgrade!¡± he exclaimed. Luo Wen had long harbored a grudge against his previous suctorial mouth. Why couldn¡¯t he have been given something more capable at the start? Instead, he had been stuck with a mouth made for soft foods¡ªa ¡°freeloader¡¯s¡± mouth, as he called it.


    Now, his new mouth resembled the black ant¡¯s chewing-type mouthparts. The mushroom-like shape of his original mouth was gone, replaced by structures like multiple lip plates, mandibles, labial palps, and sclerites. These components could shovel food into his mouth as if a ring of tiny hands had grown around it. Quite the mental image.


    Though chewing mouthparts were the most basic type for insects, with suctorial mouthparts being an evolution from them, this wasn¡¯t necessarily a regression. Sometimes, the simplest tools were the most versatile¡ªand what suited him best was what mattered.


    It was a bright and sunny day. The familiar shrubs had unfolded their green leaves.


    With the underground river rising closer to the surface, vegetation grew denser, covering the ground with rotting leaves rather than yellow sand.


    Luo Wen crawled through the underground for some time, putting distance between himself and the battlefield above. Finally, he pushed aside a layer of fallen leaves and emerged.


    The chirps of unseen insects filled the shrubs. Compared to the desolate desert, this area felt far livelier.


    Of course, this also meant greater danger.


    After crawling a short distance, Luo Wen¡¯s antennae picked up some unusual sounds from a shrub nearby. Turning to look, he saw what appeared to be a relative of yesterday¡¯s ¡°war god¡± beetle munching on leaves. The sounds were coming from it.


    This black beetle was even larger than the one from yesterday and had intact limbs. That was how Luo Wen immediately knew it wasn¡¯t the same beetle.


    But to his surprise, this mighty warrior¡ªa juggernaut capable of taking on multiple enemies¡ªwas a vegetarian! Luo Wen was stunned. It was like seeing a heavily armored knight wielding a massive sword, drenched in blood after slaying foes, return to cheers only to grin and say, ¡°Actually, I¡¯m just cosplaying.¡±


    Luo Wen felt a wave of dismay. As a self-identified carnivorous insect, being utterly outclassed in size and equipment by a plant-eater left him in a bad mood.


    Before he could vent his frustration, he noticed movement near the beetle. A piece of bark seemed to shift.


    Focusing intently, Luo Wen saw a pair of slender antennae twitching at the edge of the ¡°bark.¡± It wasn¡¯t bark at all¡ªit was an insect. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still recovering from the shock of the vegetarian revelation, Luo Wen was stunned again. Was this some kind of camouflage tech? What was this bug¡¯s deal?


    His knowledge of entomology was clearly lacking. He¡¯d heard of chameleons but never of shape-shifting bugs. The camouflage had some minor flaws, but without movement, it was nearly undetectable.


    As the wind rustled the leaves and branches, producing soft noises, the disguised insect crept closer to the oblivious beetle under the cover of sound.


    After a few minutes, it was just a step away from the beetle¡¯s rear.


    The black beetle remained unaware, but Luo Wen, watching from afar, felt his heart tighten. What was this camouflaged bug planning?

 Chapter 15: Take the Risk

    Under Luo Wen¡¯s ultra-high-resolution compound eyes, the Camouflage Bug had already revealed its true form.


    Somehow, it had strapped a piece of bark to its back that didn¡¯t fall off. Its actual body was a slender, wingless insect resembling a mosquito magnified dozens of times.


    What was this weakling, with barely any exoskeletal armor, trying to do? Was it planning to challenge the ¡°War God¡± one-on-one? That was pure suicide!


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but ridicule, forgetting that he had once been an equally defenseless creature with an unprotected abdomen.


    Suddenly, the Camouflage Bug, now behind the Black Beetle, extended its coiled mouthpart. The organ straightened to a length nearly equal to its entire body, resembling a steel needle.


    The steel-like needle slipped slowly into the crevice between the Black Beetle¡¯s shoulder plate and back armor. Yet the beetle remained completely unresponsive.


    Moments later, the Camouflage Bug¡¯s thin, shriveled abdomen began to swell. The Black Beetle, though outwardly unchanged, gradually stopped chewing on leaves.


    ¡°F***! This world is insanely dangerous!¡± Luo Wen cursed internally.


    The Black Beetle had been the most imposing and majestic bug Luo Wen had encountered so far. Just yesterday, it had shown off its prowess by taking on multiple opponents single-handedly. Yet today, it was effortlessly taken out by a sneaky assassin.


    This shattered Luo Wen¡¯s perception of strength. He had quietly set the Black Beetle as his next evolution goal. Its sheer size, dozens of times larger than his own, was intimidating enough.


    But now, this imposing beetle was slain by a sneaky Camouflage Bug. If anything, this suggested that strength was relative. Luo Wen figured that had the Black Beetle spotted its assailant earlier, it would have crushed the Camouflage Bug easily. The outcome of their encounter had depended entirely on the element of surprise.


    So, what did it mean to be strong?


    Luo Wen pondered this question. Even if he could someday kill a Black Beetle, what would stop another bug from emerging to counter him?


    He thought of a movie from his human days about a superhero with an indestructible body, laser vision, freezing breath, supersonic speed, telescopic sight, and super hearing. Even that being had a weapon capable of neutralizing it.


    Honestly, Luo Wen felt a bit lost.


    Would the evolution of an individual ever have an endpoint? And even if there were one, could an individual¡¯s strength alone reach it?


    After some thought, Luo Wen dismissed the idea. He was just a bug the size of a fingernail. Worrying about such things was ridiculous. Survival came first.


    The Camouflage Bug, its needle-like mouthpart now soft and coiled, perched motionlessly on the bark again, its massively swollen belly rendering its camouflage ineffective.


    After careful observation and calculations, Luo Wen decided to take a gamble. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Camouflage Bug¡¯s only real threat was its mouthpart. While its size was much larger, Luo Wen believed he had an 80% chance of victory with caution. If things went south, its bloated body would likely hinder it enough for him to escape.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t account for every possible variable, nor could he plan a flawless strategy. But 80% was good enough for him to make his move.


    Time was life. Having made up his mind, he didn¡¯t hesitate.


    He darted toward the Camouflage Bug, which, overly confident in its disguise, remained still as Luo Wen approached.


    Taking advantage of its complacency, Luo Wen scurried under the bark it used as a shield. Bracing himself with his middle and rear legs, he lunged forward, sinking his jaws into the bug¡¯s neck.


    Luo Wen had no weapons besides his two mandibles. Against the much larger Camouflage Bug, his bite wouldn¡¯t threaten most parts of its body. But the thin neck was an exception.


    Catching the Camouflage Bug off guard, Luo Wen seized the opportunity. His attack landed on the most critical spot.


    Panicked, the Camouflage Bug flailed its long, spindly limbs wildly, sending both of them tumbling off the tree trunk.


    They wrestled on the rotting, foul-smelling ground. The Camouflage Bug repeatedly extended and retracted its mouthpart, aiming to pierce Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to make things easy. Every claw on his body clung tightly to the bug, keeping him locked onto its neck. No matter how the bug twisted and turned, Luo Wen held firm, immovable.


    Due to Luo Wen¡¯s small size and his position, the Camouflage Bug¡¯s attacks missed their mark repeatedly.


    Gradually, the connection between its head and body grew weaker. Its head drooped, and its struggles ceased, though its body twitched reflexively.


    Luo Wen held his position for a while longer, only releasing when he was sure the Camouflage Bug was dead.


    A gamble well taken. Now, it was time to reap the rewards.


    Before feasting, Luo Wen climbed back up the tree to check on the Black Beetle. As he suspected, while its claws still clung to the branch, its insides were hollow¡ªits muscles and organs liquefied and drained by the Camouflage Bug.


    Satisfied that the beetle was truly dead, Luo Wen returned to the Camouflage Bug¡¯s corpse.


    Despite its large size, most of its body consisted of its elongated, shriveled frame. Without its swollen abdomen, it probably had less meat than a White Grub.


    The bark on its back accounted for much of its apparent size. It had adhered so tightly that even their violent battle hadn¡¯t dislodged it. Clearly, the Camouflage Bug was a seasoned ambusher.


    Initially, Luo Wen had thought it might possess a chameleon-like camouflage ability. Instead, it relied entirely on external tools.


    ¡°Poor bugs evolve; rich bugs use gear,¡± Luo Wen joked to himself. Could this bug be an aristocrat among insects?


    While amusing, the thought reminded Luo Wen that some bugs were highly intelligent. Humanity had risen to dominance on Earth through tool use. He couldn¡¯t afford to underestimate other species just because of encounters with dim-witted creatures like the Stink Bug.


    After devouring the Camouflage Bug¡¯s flesh, it was time for the main course.


    As a former human, Luo Wen found the thought of eating the bug¡¯s swollen abdomen revolting. But pickiness wasn¡¯t an option. What was normal food for insects had to become normal for him.


    Though he understood this logically, actually doing it was another matter. His jaws opened and closed hesitantly, unable to commit.

 Chapter 16: New Changes

    The environment here was complex and riddled with danger, leaving Luo Wen no time to adjust his mindset leisurely.


    He stopped hesitating, convincing himself that it was just like drinking bubble tea.


    With his eyes closed, he used his twin mandibles to bite a small opening into the Camouflage Bug¡¯s swollen belly. Thick liquid began to ooze from the wound.


    His newly adapted chewing mouthparts sealed over the opening, and his mandibular lobes opened and closed, sucking up every drop of the liquid.


    Once past the psychological barrier, Luo Wen found that, to a bug¡¯s palate, the taste was actually quite pleasant. After all, it was essentially a distillation of the Black Beetle¡¯s muscles, concentrated into a rich broth. It was akin to a chicken soup that had simmered for three days, packed with all the essence.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen had recently replaced his siphoning mouthparts, which would have been ideal as a straw. Now, it felt more like drinking from a packet of juice¡ªbiting a small hole in the corner and slowly draining the contents. Occasionally, small chunks¡ªlike pearls, grass jelly, or fruit bits in bubble tea¡ªwould slip through, providing a chewy delight. (He hoped this analogy would help readers enjoy their bubble tea more effectively.)


    As the Camouflage Bug¡¯s swollen belly deflated, Luo Wen¡¯s digestive system went into overdrive, accelerating the processing of the liquid.


    Although this consumed additional energy, the relative sizes of Luo Wen and the Camouflage Bug made it more efficient to digest the food immediately than risk wasting it.


    Even with the accelerated digestion, Luo Wen felt overstuffed. This feast contained the essence of both the Black Beetle and the Camouflage Bug. While the Camouflage Bug didn¡¯t have much meat, the Black Beetle¡¯s muscle mass¡ªeven without its shell¡ªwas several times greater than Luo Wen¡¯s body.


    By the time he finished, Luo Wen could barely walk straight. His bloated abdomen dragged on the ground, forcing him to prop himself up with his legs to move, making his gait extremely awkward.


    This state left him vulnerable; his already limited speed on the surface was now even worse. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t risk becoming another bug¡¯s easy prey, so he quickly raised his rear and started digging.


    Only deep underground could he feel secure.


    This time, he dug a tunnel larger than usual to avoid compressing his swollen abdomen. His head-down, legs-up digging posture caused his mouthparts to clamp shut, giving him an appearance akin to wearing a faceplate. Strangely, it made him look a bit more distinguished.


    Reaching a safe depth, Luo Wen hastily dug out a small chamber. Without bothering to carve escape routes, he fell into a deep sleep.


    In his dreams, Luo Wen alternated between two identities. In one, he was a towering Black ¡°War God,¡± invincible against swarms of ants. In the other, he was a sly assassin, cloaked in tools and trickery, dispatching formidable bugs with lethal precision.


    Deep underground, where few insects could reach, a tiny black bug rested in its hollowed-out chamber. Its body was undergoing a transformation.


    Time passed¡ªhow long, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t tell. When he finally woke, he was momentarily dazed.


    It took only a moment to regain his bearings, and he immediately began examining his body.


    His oversized digging limbs were ill-suited for delicate work, so his second pair of thoracic limbs acted as hands. Their bristled surfaces carefully explored every inch of his body.


    From top to bottom, he started with his compound eyes¡ªno changes.


    His chewing mouthparts remained intact, and his digging limbs showed no abnormalities.


    The number of legs was correct, neither more nor less.


    A 360-degree scan with his compound eyes revealed no changes to his shoulder plates or back armor. Even his size remained the same¡ªstill about the size of a fingernail.


    Then he felt something odd around his abdomen. Twisting his body, he managed to catch sight of it.


    ¡°Huh? Did I just take a short nap?¡±


    His abdomen was still swollen and round. Luo Wen, momentarily perplexed, thought the food might not have fully digested.


    But soon, he noticed something unusual. His abdomen hadn¡¯t shrunk¡ªin fact, it had grown larger and longer.


    ¡°F***, what the hell is this thing growing out of me?¡±


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but curse.


    He had hoped that absorbing the Black Beetle¡¯s essence, even second-hand, might enhance his size or strengthen his exoskeleton. If not, he would¡¯ve settled for the Camouflage Bug¡¯s bark-adhering ability. At the very least, gaining its needle-like mouthpart would¡¯ve been acceptable.


    But now his abdomen had grown wider and longer? Was he so overstuffed that he¡¯d ruined his stomach?


    For a while, Luo Wen was utterly baffled.


    Trying to walk around, he found the new appendage severely hindered his speed and agility. It gave him an awkward, off-balance feeling.


    Not wanting to take any chances, he flipped onto his back and arched his upper body like doing a sit-up to inspect the situation.


    When he saw it, Luo Wen swore under his breath. It wasn¡¯t his abdomen that had enlarged¡ªit was a new growth attached to his rear.


    Previously, Luo Wen¡¯s body followed the standard insect structure: head, thorax, and abdomen. Now, there was a fourth section.


    His original abdomen had nine segments, though three had been lost in a fight with the Yellow Earth Ants. While the wound had healed, the segments had never regenerated.


    Now, the remaining six segments seemed compressed, as if a spring had been compacted, leaving a smaller abdomen. The newly grown section resembled a swollen version of the original abdomen, complete with segmented rings, which had fooled Luo Wen into thinking it was part of his stomach.


    This appendage dragged behind him like a trailer, severely limiting his maneuverability. Only upon closer inspection did Luo Wen realize it wasn¡¯t his abdomen¡¯s fault¡ªit was this new addition causing the problem.


    ¡°What now?¡± Luo Wen muttered. He was already at the lower end of the insect food chain, and now he had an unwieldy burden. Unless he could secure a steady food source like the White Grubs, the risk of foraging would skyrocket.


    After the initial panic, Luo Wen gradually calmed down. Reflecting on his prior evolutions, he realized that every new organ or ability had a purpose. If he could uncover some clues, he might understand this transformation.


    He recalled how his compound eyes had improved to eliminate near-sightedness, granting him a wider field of view. Later, he had grown digging limbs to enhance his burrowing speed. His mandibles had developed to chew through roots and prey, and his back armor had thickened after losing a fight with the Yellow Earth Ants. Eating the White Grub had triggered cocooning for recovery.


    His most recent change had replaced his siphoning mouthparts with chewing ones.


    Logically, absorbing the Black Beetle and Camouflage Bug¡¯s genes should have granted him some of their traits. Even if he didn¡¯t inherit the beetle¡¯s size or armor, he should have gained something from the Camouflage Bug. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet now, after digesting the food and expending so much energy, he had grown an unrelated appendage. Why?

 Chapter 17: Reflections

    Luo Wen reviewed his brief ¡°insect life¡± in detail. Thankfully, his experiences weren¡¯t extensive¡ªhe could recall everything from ¡°birth¡± to now in just a short time.


    Could it be that some dormant genes in his body had been activated? Like his digging limbs? That wasn¡¯t impossible. But what was this new appendage good for?


    The inability to consciously choose which genetic fragments to activate was indeed frustrating. Now he was stuck with something that gave him a headache. At this moment, Luo Wen yearned to grow up and reach maturity, but that was impossible without significant time and energy.


    Reflecting on his experiences, Luo Wen realized the variety of bugs and food he¡¯d encountered was pitifully small: root sap, White Grubs, Black Moss, ants, Black Beetles, and Camouflage Bugs¡­


    Wait. Ants?


    His thoughts paused, rewinding to a potential clue: the ants.


    He also remembered tasting a bit of that foul-smelling earthworm. Although he spat most of it out, who knew if he might have absorbed some strange genetic fragment from it?


    But no, the earthworm didn¡¯t have anything resembling this appendage, and they were clearly different species. He dismissed the possibility.


    As for the ants, they didn¡¯t have anything like this either. The trail went cold again.


    Luo Wen refused to believe this oversized rear had appeared for no reason. There had to be a clue somewhere.


    He recalled that every evolution gave him something he desperately needed. Did he need a giant rear end right now? That was absurd.


    Suddenly, Luo Wen thought back to the day he witnessed the Camouflage Bug stealthily kill the Black Beetle. That had prompted him to ponder a philosophical question for a long time. Could that be the source of his problem?


    Could an individual alone ever reach the ultimate pinnacle of strength, one that transcends all limitations? On the journey toward such strength, vulnerabilities would always exist, exploitable by various means. So before reaching that ultimate state, did one need the power of a collective?


    Those questions had left him dizzy back then, and he hadn¡¯t arrived at an answer.


    But if he followed that line of thought further, he came to a terrifying conclusion.


    Deep down, Luo Wen¡¯s subconscious seemed to have answered the question: the power of a collective.


    Yet here he was, a solitary bug, without even a glimpse of his kind. Where could he possibly find a collective?


    And so, the answer became clear¡­


    But Luo Wen didn¡¯t want to accept it. This wasn¡¯t the path he wanted.


    Looking back, it seemed his predecessors had all pursued the path of individual might. He, on the other hand, had no guidance, no teachings¡ªjust trial and error. It was no wonder he¡¯d gone astray.


    Since his predecessors hadn¡¯t ventured down this path, there wouldn¡¯t be any genetic fragments left behind for it. That meant the problem lay entirely with him.


    He realized the most likely culprit was the ants. During his encounters with them, he had first picked up the nearest body, then a head on the second trip, and finally, the largest one on his third and final attempt.


    Could that have been a Queen Ant¡¯s body? Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure, but he knew queens were usually hidden deep within the nest and rarely ventured out.


    However, he had heard that ants carried dormant Queen Ant genes. When a queen died, and the suppressive pheromones were no longer present, some ants could transform into new queens.


    Alternatively, it might have been a queen that had left the colony with her followers, only to be bisected by the Black Beetle ¡°War God.¡± That could explain why the ants had launched a suicidal frenzy to avenge her. This scenario was dramatic enough to be a novel plot.


    Still, that was how ants behaved back on Earth. Who knew what these local ants were like?


    Speculating further yielded no definitive answers. And even if he figured it out, the reality remained: it was too late to change anything.


    Deep down, Luo Wen had chosen the power of a collective. His body, ever so considerate, had solved his problem of being a solitary bug¡­


    By giving him a reproductive organ to create his own companions.


    What Luo Wen truly rejected wasn¡¯t the idea of collective power. Honestly, he had grown tired of his cautious, perilous existence and wouldn¡¯t mind having a few companions to keep watch for danger.


    But he couldn¡¯t accept the method. Didn¡¯t this mean he had become a female bug? This was a blow to his masculine pride, and he refused to compromise!


    Yet what could he do? The deed was done. Luo Wen felt utterly baffled.


    The mental effort of grappling with these questions left his head aching. Intellectual work seemed to consume a lot of energy, and he had only just woken up, so he needed to replenish himself.


    ¡°Let¡¯s find some food first. Thinking requires energy,¡± Luo Wen muttered.


    Although he resolved to think after eating, controlling his thoughts was easier said than done. The more he tried not to think, the more his mind wandered.


    As he dug, Luo Wen¡¯s thoughts kept circling.


    If he were in his mature stage, this would be easy to solve¡ªhe could simply regress the organ. But as a juvenile, he lacked that ability.


    Still, the successful replacement of his siphoning mouthparts with chewing ones gave him hope. Back then, he had loathed his mushroom-like siphoning mouthparts. When new genetic fragments became available, they were immediately replaced.


    Now, if he rejected the reproductive organ strongly enough, could it regress back to its original state?


    With a clear plan and goal in mind, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes brightened, and he dug with renewed vigor. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He avoided the surface. In his current bloated, clumsy state, going above ground would be a death sentence, inviting predators to pounce.


    Instead, he scavenged some plant roots underground. With his shrunken stomach, he didn¡¯t need much food. After quickly filling up, he returned to his makeshift burrow.


    Still wide awake after his recent sleep, Luo Wen lay on the ground, unable to doze off.


    He wondered whether the evolution process required sleep to trigger. Could it not activate while he was awake? His mind spun with questions.


    As the saying goes, ¡°True wisdom is concise, while ignorance fills volumes.¡±


    With a mountain of questions needing answers, Luo Wen lamented that if someone could offer even a shred of guidance, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this mess¡ªwhere even his gender had been changed.


    Bored and unable to sleep, he decided to study the new organ. If it couldn¡¯t be regressed, he at least needed to understand it.


    Truth be told, Luo Wen was curious.


    Curiosity is the driving force of development. For a girl, it¡¯s the first step toward liking a boy. For a bug, curiosity about a new organ might lead to surprising discoveries.


    Driven by this curiosity, Luo Wen lightly probed the organ. It was attached to the end of his abdomen.


    There was a small opening there, which he had previously assumed was an excretory hole. However, he¡¯d lost the final three abdominal segments in a fight, and the hole had disappeared when the wound healed.


    Now, the hole had inexplicably reappeared, though Luo Wen had only ever expelled water from a hidden opening in the middle of his abdomen. He had never used the one at the rear and had no idea what it was for.

 Chapter 18: The Birth of the Brood Nest, the Beginning of the Swarm

    Luo Wen finally understood the purpose of the small aperture at the rear of his body after a new addition¡ªa massive organ¡ªhad connected to it.


    Through this aperture, Luo Wen could transfer food to the newly formed organ. His abdomen, now compressed like a dense biscuit, could store significantly less food. Most of what he consumed was now transported directly to the new organ, where it was converted into energy. As for what the organ would do with this energy, Luo Wen dared not experiment to find out.


    He feared the worst¡ªwhat if it produced an egg? That would be catastrophic.


    For now, he decided to feign ignorance, leaving room to reverse the situation later. But should his curiosity lead him to confirm his suspicions, the consequences would be unacceptable.


    Lost in these chaotic thoughts, time passed quickly, and Luo Wen drifted off to sleep.


    In his dreams, he saw the massive organ behind him open at the end, spewing out tiny insects with a ¡°poof, poof¡± sound. Luo Wen, oddly enough, watched them with a benevolent smile.


    The nightmare was so chilling that it jolted him awake as if drenched in ice water. His whole body froze in terror. If such a thing ever occurred, he¡¯d rather die than live with the shame.


    It took a long while for him to recover, but his body still felt incredibly drained¡ªa sign of energy depletion.


    Rather than panic, Luo Wen was overjoyed. This exhaustion meant his body was undergoing another transformation!


    He checked his head, thorax, and back¡ªno changes. His body size also remained the same.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, he noted that none of the energy had been wasted on any unwanted mutations. He then turned his attention to his abdomen, where he noticed it had returned to its normal state, no longer compressed. However, to his frustration and anger, the massive organ was still attached to his rear.


    His mind filled with confusion. Was this some kind of joke? All it had done was restore his abdomen while leaving his body even longer and more cumbersome. What purpose did this serve other than making him an easier target?


    But then he noticed something peculiar.


    With a thought, the new organ detached from his body and became a separate entity on the ground. He then repositioned himself, aligning the aperture on his rear with the opening on the organ. With a soft ¡°click,¡± the organ reconnected to his body.


    Luo Wen was dumbfounded, marveling at the ingenuity of evolution. To prevent him from harboring self-destructive thoughts, his body had developed a compromise: turning this organ into a detachable device.


    All Luo Wen could do was exclaim, ¡°Amazing!¡±


    From then on, the organ could function like a machine. In emergencies, he could even drag it behind him like a cart. This ingenious design saved his dignity. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No matter what others might think, Luo Wen convinced himself of this explanation and repeatedly hypnotized himself to believe it without question.


    With the critical issue of dignity resolved, his curiosity about the organ¡¯s functions surged.


    He eagerly began examining it. After some exploration, Luo Wen discovered the following:


    It was still a living entity and required constant energy to survive. It had its own digestive and energy conversion systems. It could be fed by either connecting it to his aperture or placing food directly into a funnel-shaped opening on its side.


    Luo Wen decided to forget about the first feeding method. From now on, there was only one way to provide it with food.


    The organ had no independent consciousness. It was entirely under Luo Wen¡¯s control, and his will dictated its actions. This was logical, considering it originated from his body. Luo Wen vowed to keep this fact a strict secret.


    No matter which part of his body¡ªhis head, limbs, or even his rear¡ªtouched the organ, he could activate its functions.


    As Luo Wen had guessed, its primary function was to produce small insects. The organ shared all of Luo Wen¡¯s genetic material except his evolutionary abilities. It could mix and match his genetic fragments to produce various types of insects.


    This feature offered an unexpected benefit: Luo Wen now had an indirect way to view the genetic material within his body. For example, he discovered that he had indeed acquired genetic fragments from the Black Beetle¡ªa pleasant surprise.


    However, the organ lacked the ability to hunt for its own food. Luo Wen would have to provide all its energy.


    Even so, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim, ¡°Incredible!¡±


    Before long, Luo Wen would no longer be alone. He would have his own ¡°little brothers.¡±


    But he couldn¡¯t keep calling it ¡°the organ.¡± That would reveal too much. It needed a proper name.


    After some thought, Luo Wen decided to call it Brood Nest¡ªa fitting name.


    With the name settled, the next step was to test its capabilities.


    Luo Wen was eager to begin, but his empty stomach forced him to gather food first. Leaving the Brood Nest alone in the cave made him uneasy¡ªit had no offensive or defensive capabilities. If something wandered in and took a bite out of it, he wouldn¡¯t even know where to cry.


    Reluctantly, Luo Wen reconnected the Brood Nest to his body and dragged it along as he ventured out.


    He followed the previous path he had excavated. Although the tunnel had partially collapsed, it was still more convenient than digging a new one.


    Reaching the roots of an unknown plant, Luo Wen began replenishing his own energy.


    Once sated, he turned his attention to feeding the Brood Nest. There was an efficient, straightforward way to do so, but Luo Wen refused to entertain it.


    Instead, he bit into the plant roots, sucked out some juice, and spat it into the Brood Nest¡¯s funnel. The process was awkward, to say the least.


    This method was painfully inefficient. After a long time, the Brood Nest had barely gathered any energy, while Luo Wen was utterly exhausted.


    Throughout the process, Luo Wen repeatedly checked the Brood Nest to see if enough material had been stored to produce an insect.


    His initial design was a small insect based on himself, augmented with the Black Beetle¡¯s powerful genes.


    The Black Beetle¡¯s oxygen supply system was only slightly more advanced than Luo Wen¡¯s, but its muscular system was much more robust, allowing it to distribute oxygen across its massive body.


    After some thought, Luo Wen decided to create an enhanced version of the Black Beetle instead. Unfortunately, the energy required to produce such a creature was astronomical.


    Moreover, the juice from the plant roots was highly inefficient for energy conversion. At Luo Wen¡¯s current pace, it would take an eternity to gather enough energy.


    This was far from the ideal scenario Luo Wen had envisioned. If this continued, the Brood Nest would be more of a burden than an asset to his growth.

 Chapter 19: The First Hatching

    Luo Wen had envisioned a grand scene: standing before his enemies and shouting, ¡°The Sacred F2 binds us¡ªswarm, charge!¡±


    [T/N: F2 is a reference to the game starcraft where the F2 button is the select all army button which is especially helpful for Zerg players.]


    Then, an endless tide of insects would flood forth, engulfing the enemy like a rolling dust storm.


    However, for now, this vision remained purely in his imagination. Judging by the current situation, he wasn¡¯t even sure it would ever come to fruition.


    Frustrated and weary from feeding the Brood Nest, Luo Wen bit off a small section of the tree root, carried it back with the Brood Nest connected to him, and returned to the underground cave.


    Back at the cave, he stuffed one end of the root into the funnel-shaped intake of the Brood Nest. The root was long, and much of it stuck out, but Luo Wen decided to leave it that way and let the Brood Nest digest it slowly.


    He patted himself on the back for his cleverness. Although this method slowed the Brood Nest¡¯s absorption efficiency, it saved him a great deal of effort, didn¡¯t it?


    Over the next few days, Luo Wen stayed put, planning to establish a temporary nest here.


    He expanded the small makeshift underground chamber several times over, digging dozens of tunnels that branched in all directions¡ªsome leading to the surface, others to unknown areas, and even a few descending deeper underground.


    He also carved out small chambers at various points in the tunnels, though they weren¡¯t immediately useful. Some tunnels ended in dead ends, purely as decoys.


    Several of the tunnels were especially spacious, designed as emergency escape routes for transporting the Brood Nest. These routes featured numerous branches to add to their complexity.


    Whenever he got hungry, Luo Wen brought the Brood Nest to the surface to drink sap from the tree roots. He would also bite off segments of root for the Brood Nest to absorb later. When he got tired, he simply lay down next to the Brood Nest and slept.


    After one such rest, Luo Wen woke to discover he had gained a new ability: he could secrete a sticky substance from his mouth. This secretion could be used to bind soil together, making it sturdier.


    ¡°Is this evolution¡¯s way of telling me to never leave the ground? So many abilities tailored for burrowing and hiding?¡± Luo Wen grumbled.


    Still, an ability was an ability. Using the Brood Nest to analyze it, Luo Wen discovered it came from genetic fragments of the Black Ant, which was apparently a master burrower.


    Despite his complaints, Luo Wen enthusiastically used his new ability to reinforce the room housing the Brood Nest, making it sturdier, though the process left his mouth dry.


    Over the next few days, the now-detached Brood Nest grew noticeably larger. Luo Wen began to suspect it was siphoning off the energy meant for producing insects to fuel its own growth.


    The Brood Nest had grown so large that Luo Wen now struggled to move it. If this continued, his wide escape tunnels would become useless.


    Upon investigating, Luo Wen realized the problem was his own doing.


    The first insect he had designed was based on the Black Beetle ¡°War God¡±. Luo Wen had further enhanced it by adding digging appendages and replacing its short antennae with longer ones for better sensory capabilities, reducing the risk of ambush.


    However, this design drastically increased the material and energy requirements. The real issue was that the ¡°War God¡± was over ten times Luo Wen¡¯s size. For the Brood Nest to hatch such a creature, it first needed to grow even larger than the ¡°War God¡± itself.


    Upon realizing this, Luo Wen cursed the rigid operating system of the Brood Nest. Couldn¡¯t it be more flexible? All the energy he¡¯d painstakingly gathered had gone into its unnecessary growth!


    But the Brood Nest, being a mechanical-like production factory, showed no signs of appeasing its creator. It silently conveyed its indifference: If you don¡¯t want to keep me, just leave me here to fend for myself. Go ahead, I dare you.


    In the end, Luo Wen caved. Abandoning the Brood Nest was not an option.


    He quickly revised his orders, instructing the Brood Nest to hatch a scaled-down version of the ¡°War God¡± instead.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen took the opportunity to survey the surrounding area while digging tunnels. He found no immediate threats, so he grew less vigilant about constantly dragging the Brood Nest around. Besides, its increasing size made that impractical.


    He dug a hidden chamber adjacent to the large room housing the Brood Nest, leaving only a small entryway that he could barely fit through. Luo Wen crafted a makeshift door using his sticky saliva and sealed the entrance every time he left.


    After a few tries, his technique improved to the point where the door fit seamlessly, leaving no visible traces from the outside.


    Luo Wen reflected on his apparent talent for anything related to digging. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Brood Nest¡¯s increased size wasn¡¯t entirely a downside¡ªit could now chew through tree roots faster and convert energy more efficiently.


    Luo Wen hesitated: would making the Brood Nest even larger be beneficial? But if it grew any bigger, he¡¯d lose the ability to move it entirely.


    For now, the current size was sufficient. Luo Wen decided to focus on hatching a few insects to see their effectiveness before making further plans.


    Two days later, the Brood Nest finally accumulated enough energy to begin hatching its first insect.


    The hatching process took an astonishing amount of time. After another two days, the Brood Nest ¡°spat¡± out a Black Beetle-like insect, exactly as Luo Wen had envisioned.


    Or perhaps ¡°sprayed¡± would be a more fitting term.


    One side of the Brood Nest split open, and the insect emerged amidst a torrent of viscous fluid, splattering onto the ground.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had anticipated this and widened the room¡¯s entrance. Otherwise, the newly hatched beetle would have slammed against the wall.


    After ejecting the insect, the Brood Nest rapidly deflated, resembling a punctured balloon. Luo Wen panicked.


    ¡°Is this thing a one-time use?¡± he muttered anxiously.


    A quick inspection revealed that while the Brood Nest wasn¡¯t permanently damaged, the process of hatching the Black Beetle had drained it severely. It would need significant time and energy to recover.


    ¡°Even the Brood Nest has to go on maternity leave?¡± Luo Wen sighed in frustration.


    Two days to gather energy, two days to hatch, and then an extended recovery period. At this rate, when would he ever amass the insect army of his dreams?


    Was this what ¡°the power of the collective¡± was supposed to mean?


    It felt more like a trial designed to exhaust him to death on his way to ultimate evolution.


    Despite his disappointment, Luo Wen suppressed his frustration and turned his attention to the newly hatched Black Beetle. He could only hope it wouldn¡¯t let him down.

 Chapter 20: Flaws

    The Black Beetle, still lying in a pool of viscous fluid, struggled to its feet.


    It was slightly larger than Luo Wen, modeled after the ¡°War God¡± beetle. With a pair of massive mandibles, extended antennae for better signal reception, and an additional pair of digging limbs, it now boasted four pairs of legs instead of three.


    Looking at the creature before him, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the wonder of evolution. His frustration began to ease.


    In his previous life, even with humanity¡¯s advanced technology, creating a living creature like this¡ªcombining various insect organs seamlessly¡ªwould have been impossible. Unless, of course, you glued together pieces of dead insects.


    But this one was alive. And judging by its movements, all its newly added organs worked flawlessly without any signs of incompatibility.


    However, as Luo Wen observed the beetle, he realized something awkward: he couldn¡¯t communicate with it.


    This revelation was both shocking and frustrating.


    Who would have thought that after all the effort, after nearly wrecking the Brood Nest, he¡¯d end up with a creature that couldn¡¯t even understand him?


    Luo Wen wondered if insect communication was required, but he had never learned any ¡°insect language.¡± Luckily, while the beetle couldn¡¯t communicate, it also didn¡¯t attack him. Perhaps this was because its original form, the ¡°War God,¡± was herbivorous.


    Then again, it seemed unlikely. Even as a herbivore, the ¡°War God¡± was known for its violent temperament. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t given it the nickname lightly; it had earned it in countless direct confrontations, proving itself the strongest combatant he had encountered among insects.


    If the beetle was hostile, Luo Wen would already be in trouble. Instead, the situation suggested the Brood Nest had programmed the beetle with a built-in friend-or-foe recognition system. But why was the communication system malfunctioning?


    Luo Wen thought carefully. The Brood Nest had evolved from fragments of Queen Ant genes. This was no longer just speculation; he had confirmed it by examining the Brood Nest¡¯s genetic library. Some of these gene fragments had likely come from Black Ants, though Luo Wen couldn¡¯t be sure.


    Ant colonies operated with impeccable coordination, implying they had some form of communication. If Luo Wen¡¯s Queen Ant genes originated from Black Ants, perhaps he also inherited the genes responsible for their communication system.


    With this in mind, Luo Wen quickly examined the Brood Nest. Thanks to its indirect access to his genetic library, he could investigate this issue more thoroughly.


    Fortunately, there weren¡¯t many gene fragments in his library¡ªa bittersweet fact. While it highlighted how limited his genetic resources were, it also saved Luo Wen a lot of time.


    Among the Black Ant gene fragments, there were three notable ones:


    Queen Ant genes, which influenced the development of the Brood Nest. A gene related to the secretion of formic acid, linked to his recently acquired ¡°sticky saliva¡± ability. A gene that allowed the secretion of pheromones, though its function was still unclear.


    Luo Wen hypothesized that formic acid, while useful for construction, was unlikely to have communication capabilities. Still, he decided to test it just in case.


    He spat a few globs of saliva at the Black Beetle. It showed no reaction. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As expected, formic acid wasn¡¯t the solution. Or perhaps his saliva wasn¡¯t ¡°pure¡± formic acid. It seemed to contain additional genetic traits from Camouflage Bugs, whose secretions were used to glue leaves onto their bodies.


    This left the pheromone-secreting gene as the most likely candidate for communication. Unfortunately, Luo Wen had overlooked this gene when designing the Black Beetle and hadn¡¯t included it in its blueprint.


    Meanwhile, the Black Beetle had recovered from its initial post-birth weakness and was now aimlessly wandering around the Brood Nest¡¯s chamber. It almost looked like it was patrolling.


    Could it be instinctively protecting the Brood Nest? If so, at least it had some utility.


    The Black Beetle¡¯s massive mandibles, now adorned with spikes, made it a formidable fighter despite its lack of intelligence. In direct combat, it was probably even stronger than Luo Wen. With the beetle guarding the Brood Nest, Luo Wen felt more comfortable venturing further afield to explore.


    Wasting no time, Luo Wen replenished his energy and brought back two tree roots. He fed one to the Brood Nest, but the Black Beetle unapologetically snatched the other, as if expecting Luo Wen to provide for its needs.


    Luo Wen cursed under his breath but let it slide. After all, there was no point in arguing with a bug that couldn¡¯t understand him. He decided to treat it like a guard dog.


    After carefully sealing the Brood Nest¡¯s chamber, Luo Wen glanced at the Black Beetle, which was busy gnawing on its root and oblivious to his actions. Without further delay, he headed for the surface.


    It had been a while since he¡¯d roamed above ground, thanks to the Brood Nest weighing him down. The fresh air felt invigorating after so long underground.


    The surface was far more dangerous than the subterranean world, but Luo Wen had his advantages in both environments.


    Underground, his rapid digging speed made him nearly impossible to catch. However, his detection range was limited, relying on fine hairs to sense vibrations. This left him vulnerable to stationary threats. Additionally, his speed underground came at the cost of maneuverability, and prolonged digging could damage his compound eyes.


    Above ground, Luo Wen¡¯s sharp vision gave him a significant edge. While most insects were practically blind, he could see clearly over long distances. Stealthy predators like ambush worms (stink bugs) and camouflaged bugs posed less of a threat, as Luo Wen had learned to anticipate their tactics. His highly responsive compound eyes made it nearly impossible for them to catch him off guard.


    Despite the risks, Luo Wen enjoyed surface exploration. If danger arose, he could always retreat underground, where he excelled.


    He began circling the Brood Nest¡¯s location in a clockwise pattern, gradually expanding his patrol radius. He was on the lookout for any potential threats¡ªsmall ones he could eliminate and larger ones he could prepare to escape from.


    His antennae picked up faint insect noises, and two sources stood out within his observational range. Both were Black Beetles clinging to a tree trunk, their cries sounding almost hysterical.


    Luo Wen had no intention of provoking them. These creatures were a force he couldn¡¯t handle right now. Fortunately, they were herbivores and posed no immediate threat as long as he left them alone.


    On his third patrol circuit, Luo Wen spotted an ideal target¡ªa perfect subject for experimentation.

 Chapter 21: The Neighbor

    A black ant appeared¡ªa scout from their ranks. It wandered aimlessly, occasionally probing objects with its antennae. Luo Wen crept closer, inspecting the surroundings. The closer to the direction the ant had come from, the more ants there were, seven or eight within Luo Wen¡¯s view.


    However, this lone scout was isolated, with the nearest companion a full two meters away¡ªa vast distance for ants, making timely communication between them nearly impossible.


    Luo Wen focused on the scout and quickly closed the distance. Even as he advanced swiftly, Luo Wen remained vigilant, evading a trap laid by a foul-smelling worm along the way. Unlike his first encounter, where he¡¯d been caught off guard, Luo Wen was now prepared. The traps were easy to spot¡ªsubtle swirls in the dirt betrayed their presence.


    This black ant was much smaller than Luo Wen¡ªa perfect target for him. Sensing Luo Wen¡¯s approach, the ant frantically waved its antennae, but it was too late. Luo Wen was already within reach, his sturdy burrowing limb swinging toward the ant¡¯s head.


    The black ants¡¯ poor eyesight was almost a weakness; they relied primarily on the olfactory sensors on their antennae for navigation and food detection. Caught off guard, the ant could only take the hit. Luo Wen¡¯s strike left the black ant dazed, and before it could recover, Luo Wen bit off one of its hind legs.


    The ant¡¯s remaining legs scraped the ground, producing faint sounds that seemed to be a cry for help. However, with no nearby allies able to receive the signal, the black ant¡¯s call went unanswered. Alone, it attempted to fight back but was no match for Luo Wen. Its weaker build and smaller jaws couldn¡¯t penetrate Luo Wen¡¯s protective exoskeleton.


    Although ants are known for their tremendous strength¡ªsupposedly capable of feats far beyond humans if scaled to human size¡ªin this miniature battleground, exoskeletal armor gave everyone an edge. After a short struggle, Luo Wen disabled two more of the ant¡¯s limbs. It attempted to flee but lacked balance with only three legs remaining.


    As the black ant turned to escape, exposing its back to Luo Wen, it sealed its fate. Luo Wen quickly pinned the ant¡¯s slender waist with his burrowing limb. The ant twisted and snapped its jaws in vain, unable to breach his armor. Luo Wen silenced its resistance by using saliva and mud to fashion a makeshift gag, sealing its jaws. Dragging the subdued ant, Luo Wen retreated from the scene.


    Back in one of his pre-dug tunnels, Luo Wen moved quickly toward his underground chamber. Despite the ant¡¯s continuous struggles, its sealed mandibles rendered it harmless. Nearing the chamber, Luo Wen paused, released the ant onto the tunnel floor, and blocked the route behind him, forcing the ant toward the chamber.


    Terrified, the ant hobbled on its three legs, obediently heading toward the room. Upon emerging from the tunnel, the ant lost its footing and tumbled into the vast cavern. The black beetle, roaming the room, stopped in its tracks, antennae extending toward the sound of the fallen ant.


    In the cavern¡¯s darkness, sight was almost useless. For creatures without Luo Wen¡¯s enhanced compound eyes, the space was a void. Sound perception, however, became critical. The beetle¡¯s massive body made the ground tremble, alerting the black ant to its presence. Its antennae reached out, colliding midair with the beetle¡¯s.


    After a brief entanglement, both insects determined the other wasn¡¯t an ally. Before the ant could react, the beetle¡¯s spiked mandibles closed around its body, severing it cleanly. Even bisected, the ant¡¯s resilience kept it alive, its antennae flailing wildly. The beetle finished the job, repeatedly clamping down until the remains were unrecognizable.


    Observing from the shadows, Luo Wen nodded in satisfaction. The test was successful¡ªthe black beetle, though uncommunicative, proved a reliable guardian. He could now entrust it with the room¡¯s defense.


    Satisfied, Luo Wen entered the chamber. The mangled remains of the black ant didn¡¯t appeal to his appetite, and the beetle, a herbivore, wouldn¡¯t touch them either. Fortunately, the brood nest wasn¡¯t as picky. Luo Wen gathered the intact parts to feed it and then dragged back a tree root as a reward for the beetle.


    The beetle accepted the offering indifferently, as if Luo Wen¡¯s provisions were only natural. Every time Luo Wen saw this dumb creature, it irked him. While he wasn¡¯t a vengeful person, he vowed to recycle the beetle once resources were less scarce.


    With the beetle guarding the chamber, Luo Wen rested briefly before setting off again. The scout¡¯s direction suggested a nearby ant nest¡ªhis new neighbors. He needed to investigate and assess this potential threat.


    Days later, Luo Wen reflected in his chamber. Absorbing the black beetle¡¯s genes had caused a growth spurt; he had grown from the size of a fingernail to that of a coin. Consequently, his tunnels now felt cramped, and he had spent the day widening them.


    This chamber, likely to serve as his base for some time, now felt like home. Over the past days, Luo Wen had mapped the surrounding 100 meters. Wandering insects came and went, posing no real threat.


    The most significant danger was the black ant colony, a permanent neighbor just 50 meters from his nest. The colony was massive but not an immediate concern. Their scouts rarely ventured within 10 meters of Luo Wen¡¯s lair, and those who did mysteriously disappeared. Their losses had prompted the ants to reduce scouting in his direction, temporarily easing his worries. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 22: Experiments

    Luo Wen muttered complaints as he found himself traveling farther to hunt lone black ants, dragging them back to the nest. The extra effort annoyed him, but it was worth it. Days of feeding the brood nest with meat had finally restored its vitality, enabling it to begin another wave of spawning.


    As he worked, Luo Wen reflected on his previous approach. Last time, he directly hatched a fully grown insect¡ªa black beetle. While it only took two days to mature from egg to larva and then to adult, Luo Wen suspected it might have skipped a pupal stage, condensing four growth stages into one. Though this yielded a combat-ready ally, the process consumed an enormous amount of the brood nest¡¯s flesh to sustain the beetle¡¯s massive body.


    This led Luo Wen to a hypothesis: would allowing the brood nest to lay eggs and letting them develop naturally be far less resource-intensive?


    His observations supported the idea. Over the past few days, constant feeding of tree roots had caused the black beetle to grow slightly. Initially, its undersized form was due to the brood nest¡¯s limited size at the time of its creation. Luo Wen had thought the beetle was akin to a factory-made product, fixed at ¡°manufacture.¡± But this new organic biotechnology was unlike the mechanical systems he once knew¡ªit held endless possibilities.


    Seeing the black beetle continue to develop, Luo Wen realized he¡¯d underestimated the brood nest¡¯s potential. It was time to try producing an egg and letting it hatch naturally. This time, he chose to create an ant egg using unaltered black ant genetic material, aiming to test whether it carried a communication system.


    The brood nest produced a small, pale-yellow egg without any noticeable strain. Luo Wen was thrilled¡ªhis hypothesis seemed correct. Producing eggs for natural development was indeed the optimal approach.


    However, his excitement was short-lived. As he stared at the fragile egg, he realized he had no experience in egg care. Before he could devise a solution, tragedy struck: the black beetle, wandering nearby, stepped on the egg. Its sharp claws pierced the delicate shell, spilling its contents onto the ground.


    Luo Wen froze, dumbfounded. The beetle, oblivious to its actions, continued patrolling. The egg¡¯s stillness, combined with its tiny size relative to the beetle, had made it an unnoticeable casualty. Blaming himself for his lapse in focus, Luo Wen accepted that the egg was beyond saving.


    Though frustrating, the incident sparked new thoughts. While the brood nest evolved from Luo Wen and was technically part of him, its creations were not true Iphieash. Both the black beetle and the egg were proof. If Iphieash could be bred this way, they wouldn¡¯t be so rare.


    Instead, the brood nest¡¯s products were like living machines, designed for specific tasks. While there might be other traits Luo Wen had yet to observe, these creatures were undeniably fragile and required care.


    The black beetle, clearly unsuited for such duties, lacked intelligence and merely patrolled around the nest. Luo Wen needed a better solution.


    After some thought, Luo Wen issued a command to the brood nest. Half a day later, it produced two miniature black ants. Unlike the black beetle¡¯s birth, the brood nest only appeared slightly weakened, not critically drained.


    Learning from past mistakes, Luo Wen shielded the newborn ants with his body while they were still weak, ensuring the patrolling beetle would avoid them. Compared to the fragile egg, these ants were much larger. After a short adjustment period, they shakily got to their feet.


    The ants began interacting, touching antennae as if exchanging information. Luo Wen watched in confusion, wondering what was happening. Did they have a communication system that he lacked?


    Suddenly, he felt a jolt¡ªan ability within him awakened. This latent skill seemed to have evolved alongside the brood nest. Luo Wen realized it allowed him to release pheromones, a form of communication he hadn¡¯t needed before.


    Upon awakening this ability, Luo Wen immediately understood the ants¡¯ exchange. They were expressing confusion and waiting for instructions. The pheromones were spread across their bodies and antennae, allowing others to interpret them through contact. Luo Wen, however, could directly ¡°see¡± or ¡°sense¡± the pheromones, bypassing the need for physical touch.


    Fascinated by this new communication method, Luo Wen quickly mastered it. He emitted a pheromone signal conveying, ¡°Follow me,¡± and the ants obediently moved to his side, touching him briefly before standing behind him.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± Luo Wen thought.


    He led the ants into a tunnel, issuing another command: ¡°Dig together.¡± The three insects began burrowing in unison.


    Luo Wen tried a more complex command: ¡°Dig over there.¡± The ants responded with confusion, emitting pheromones that expressed their lack of understanding.


    ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s too much for them?¡± Luo Wen muttered. Their intelligence seemed disappointingly low.


    Testing further, Luo Wen left one ant stationary while guiding the other to a nearby location. He then issued a command: ¡°Bring the other one here.¡± This time, the ant understood. It scurried back to its companion, communicated briefly via antennae, and returned with the other ant in tow.


    Through these tests, Luo Wen identified the limits of their understanding. Commands needed clear, specific targets. For instance, ¡°Go there¡± was too vague, but ¡°Return to the nest¡± was easily understood and flawlessly executed. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With this knowledge, Luo Wen prepared for more experiments to further explore his new abilities and the capabilities of the brood nest¡¯s creations.

 Chapter 23: Busy Days

    Luo Wen decided to lead his ants to search for food. Surprisingly, they showed no interest in tree roots, taking only small sips of water. Luo Wen was both amused and annoyed by their picky nature. ¡°Even I¡¯m gnawing on tree roots, and you two dare to be choosy? That¡¯s embarrassing, you know?¡± The ants, unable to understand such complex sentiments, ignored him completely.


    A sigh escaped Luo Wen. The loneliness of his situation crept in as he realized the communication barrier between him and his creations. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the meager meal, Luo Wen broke off three tree roots and gave the command: ¡°Bring them back to the nest.¡± Unfortunately, he overestimated the ants¡¯ intelligence. They neither optimized their angles for dragging the large roots nor handled the task with finesse. Instead, they simply grabbed the roots and pulled recklessly, often getting them stuck in the tunnel.


    To accommodate them, Luo Wen halved the size of the roots. Finally, the ants managed to drag them without issue, but the combined amount they carried was still less than a tenth of what Luo Wen could handle alone.


    Back at the nest, Luo Wen divided the roots, giving some to the black beetle and the rest to the brood nest. While the brood nest absorbed the nutrients, Luo Wen decided to name the ants: one was Black Two, the other Black Three. However, after testing, he realized his effort was wasted. The ants could only comprehend vague pronouns like ¡°you¡± or ¡°them,¡± and names were meaningless to them. Despite this setback, Luo Wen took solace in the simplicity¡ªit saved him the mental strain of naming future followers.


    Next, Luo Wen directed the ants to dig a chamber near the nest¡ªa dedicated incubation room to keep eggs safe from the wandering black beetle. Once the brood nest regained some vitality, Luo Wen ordered the production of a new egg. He carefully shielded it from the beetle and instructed the ants to guard it.


    The ants understood the command. One picked up the egg, and under Luo Wen¡¯s guidance, placed it in the incubation room. Satisfied, Luo Wen initially considered leaving them to their task but decided to use one ant for an experiment.


    He gave Black Two the command: ¡°Search for food.¡± To his surprise, the ant understood and began moving toward a tunnel. Intrigued, Luo Wen followed, curious about where it would search.


    As expected, the ant headed to the tree roots they had visited earlier. It bit into a piece of bark and began feeding. After a moment, two droplets of water formed on its mandibles. Luo Wen was amazed¡ªhe couldn¡¯t fathom how the ant extracted water from the root or managed to carry it.


    When the ant noticed Luo Wen nearby, it turned and presented the water droplet to him. Stunned, Luo Wen realized it was offering him food. The gesture was amusing and awkward. As a bug, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t bring himself to accept food directly from another bug. Instead, he issued a new command: ¡°Search for food and bring it back to the nest.¡±


    Obediently, the ant carried the water droplet home. Luo Wen sighed, realizing the inefficiency of micromanaging his followers. With growing numbers, this method would soon become impractical.


    Following the ant back to the nest, Luo Wen observed an unexpected behavior: without needing further instruction, the ant gave the droplet to the ant guarding the egg. This sparked an idea¡ªthese ants possessed basic instincts and could act autonomously when not given specific orders.


    Excited, Luo Wen conducted more experiments. Over several hours, he tested various commands and found that precise instructions weren¡¯t always necessary. Without commands like ¡°stand guard¡± or ¡°stay here,¡± the ants would automatically find tasks to do. They would search for food when hungry, maintain the incubation room¡¯s humidity, and generally function without Luo Wen¡¯s intervention.


    Relieved, Luo Wen instructed the brood nest to produce 10 eggs¡ªthe maximum it could manage daily without harming itself. For the next few days, the nest consistently produced 10 eggs and two small-sized mature ants.


    However, Luo Wen was busier than ever. The ants couldn¡¯t survive on water alone, and their undersized forms made them incapable of hunting the larger black ants. Luo Wen had to personally hunt and drag back enough prey to sustain the brood nest and the growing ant population.


    The workload was grueling. He subsisted on tree roots while the ants feasted on meat. This lopsided dynamic frustrated Luo Wen. ¡°I¡¯m the boss here, yet I¡¯m the one eating scraps while my underlings enjoy a feast. This isn¡¯t how things are supposed to go!¡± He couldn¡¯t help but recall the hapless white grub he¡¯d used as a tool in the past. ¡°This can¡¯t continue. I need to change things.¡±


    Thankfully, Black Two and Black Three had grown rapidly, bolstered by the steady supply of ant meat. Now large enough to join hunts, they acted as transporters, reducing Luo Wen¡¯s burden slightly. Still, with two new ants being born daily and the potential for eggs to hatch, Luo Wen¡¯s workload continued to grow.


    He considered sending the ants to the surface to forage, but their reduced size and incomplete development made them too vulnerable. Losing even one ant, given the effort it took to produce them, would be a heavy blow. For now, he decided to endure the tough early days, knowing things would improve once the ants could forage independently.


    After two more days of hard work, the first batch of eggs began to hatch.

 Chapter 24: New Discoveries

    The newly hatched ant larvae looked like little handles growing out of the eggs. Placed side by side with the eggs, it was difficult to tell them apart at first glance.


    The hatching of the eggs signaled an imminent population explosion in Luo Wen¡¯s brood. But before that, his workload increased yet again. The larvae required mature black ants to partially digest food and regurgitate it into a form they could consume¡ªa task as revolting as it was necessary.


    And Luo Wen was still the sole provider of meat for the entire hive.


    To make matters worse, the black ant colony, noticing the dwindling number of scouts returning, had significantly reduced the number sent toward Luo Wen¡¯s territory. Other than a few lost stragglers, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t seen a direct scout approach in days. His hunting range now extended dangerously close to the enemy nest.


    From higher ground, his keen vision could spot the busy entrance of the black ant colony. Although Luo Wen didn¡¯t dare provoke them directly at their doorstep, he observed from a safe distance, hoping to learn about their habits. He aimed to improve his understanding of colony management by studying them.


    During hunts, Luo Wen now brought along six or seven of his own black ants. Whenever he killed a black ant from the neighboring nest, his ants would swarm over the carcass, feasting on it and carrying the leftovers back to the brood. The journey back to the nest was made easier with Luo Wen having already cleared out most hazards, and the ants¡¯ pheromone trails ensured they wouldn¡¯t get lost.


    Hunting grounds were now only a dozen meters away from the enemy nest, while his lair was over 50 meters away. The long travel time gave Luo Wen opportunities to observe and strategize while his ants handled transportation. This new approach significantly reduced his workload, as he no longer had to spend most of his day hauling food back and forth.


    Though the ants were slower than him, they were tireless and never slacked off. Luo Wen, by contrast, often needed to rest and reflect on his bug life after each trip. As a result, their efficiency was nearly comparable.


    One day, while waiting for his transport team to return, Luo Wen witnessed something strange near the enemy nest. A new species of insect, with a yellow-brown body, nonchalantly entered the black ant colony. Strangely, the ants didn¡¯t attack it¡ªinstead, they stepped aside to let it pass.


    This baffled Luo Wen. The nest was sacred territory for the black ants, and his growing entomological knowledge confirmed this new insect wasn¡¯t related to them. The intruder had a flattened, elongated abdomen covered in a hard shell, which immediately marked it as a different species.


    How had it gained free access to the black ant colony? Luo Wen couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    Days passed, and Luo Wen, freed from transport duties and occasionally indulging in extra meals, grew noticeably larger. Despite absorbing black beetle genes, his head hadn¡¯t developed the iconic mandibles. Luo Wen speculated it was due to a lack of space¡ªhis massive compound eyes dominated his head, leaving no room for large mandibles.


    Moreover, the black beetle¡¯s flat head allowed for leverage when using its mandibles, whereas Luo Wen¡¯s narrow, seed-shaped head would render such appendages ineffective. The likely reason, though, was that mandibles would hinder his digging¡ªa key survival skill. It seemed his body had evolved to optimize digging efficiency by discarding traits that could obstruct it. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but wonder if this stemmed from his cautious, survivalist nature.


    One day, Luo Wen spotted a massive ant near the enemy nest¡¯s entrance. It was several times larger than the regular black ants, with sturdier legs and powerful, sharp mandibles. Its formidable appearance made it clear that its combat abilities far surpassed those of ordinary ants.


    Luo Wen had a realization. Drawing from knowledge learned long ago in kindergarten, he concluded the regular black ants must be worker ants, while this giant was likely a soldier ant. Though he had been calling them black ants, Luo Wen knew they weren¡¯t Earth insects. On this alien planet, they merely resembled ants he was familiar with. Without any naming skills, he had simply borrowed Earth terms.


    Until now, Luo Wen had only encountered worker ants and assumed the colony lacked soldier ants. Seeing one now confirmed that their colony had hidden military strength. Luo Wen wondered if this world¡¯s environment mirrored Earth¡¯s to the point that its insects were so similar. However, he had yet to encounter any flying creatures¡ªa stark contrast to Earth, where such insects were abundant.


    The lack of aerial species puzzled him, but Luo Wen reasoned it might be due to his limited exploration. Perhaps his current habitat simply didn¡¯t support flying creatures, or maybe his perspective as a ground-dwelling bug skewed his observations.


    Thanks to the transport ants, Luo Wen now had time to reflect. He ruled out the possibility of this being the ¡°wizard planet¡±¡ªa scenario where his species, the Iphieash, was purportedly unrivaled. After all this time, Luo Wen still couldn¡¯t overwhelm an ant colony. Something was clearly wrong¡ªeither with his own development, the environment, or both.


    Adding to his doubts, Luo Wen had yet to see reptiles, mammals, or humanoid creatures¡ªnone of the lifeforms common to Earth. Everything pointed to him being in a completely alien world. Though his conclusions had gaps, believing this gave him psychological comfort. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing the soldier ant reminded Luo Wen of his own limitations. Recently emboldened by his growth, he had thought himself close to conquering the black ant colony. Now, this formidable soldier ant had poured cold water on his ambitions. Although he was larger than regular ants, the soldier ant¡¯s length was twice his, and its mandibles were far deadlier than his simple armor.


    Luo Wen knew he couldn¡¯t face it alone. Soldier ants were built for combat, while he was a part-time fighter and full-time digger.


    As he mulled over these thoughts, a flash of yellow-brown passed to his right, catching his attention.

 Chapter 25: Yellow Bug

    Luo Wen¡¯s eyes were exceptionally sharp when it came to moving objects. As soon as the yellow-brown creature entered his clear line of sight, he immediately noticed it.


    A closer look confirmed it was the same type of bug he¡¯d seen swaggering into the ant nest earlier.


    Was it the exact same one he¡¯d seen that day? Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure.


    He suffered from bug-face blindness; he couldn¡¯t even tell the difference between Black Two and Black Three, who were constantly buzzing around him, let alone a bug he¡¯d only seen once.


    Seeing this guy sparked a thought in Luo Wen¡¯s mind. If he couldn¡¯t beat the soldier ants, surely he could take on a yellow bug about the same size as himself? Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What¡¯s more, he was always eager to have a cordial and friendly ¡°interaction¡± with any new species he encountered¡ªpreferably by tasting them. Who knew? He might just acquire some unique gene fragments.


    Calculating that the transport team would take a little while to return, Luo Wen wasted no time. He identified a safe route and quickly scuttled toward the yellow bug.


    The yellow bug was lounging leisurely, completely unaware of Luo Wen¡¯s approach. This was precisely why he still had his large compound eyes¡ªdespite their hindrance during digging, they offered an unparalleled visual advantage.


    It was like playing a game where everyone else¡¯s map was shrouded in fog, while his was fully revealed.


    Luo Wen opened with his signature move: the face-smashing hammer strike, which had become the opening act of the Luo-style insect combat technique. Regardless of who his opponent was, the meeting always began with a heavy blow from his burrowing limbs.


    This unique greeting left the yellow bug completely dazed. Before it could react, the second move of the Luo-style combat technique, ¡°Peach Blossoms in Full Bloom,¡± smashed into its face, knocking it off balance. This move was very similar to the first¡ªboth involved a heavy slam with his burrowing limbs.


    Then came the third move, ¡°Vicious Dog Pounce.¡± Luo Wen¡¯s large mandibles clamped down on the yellow bug¡¯s forelimb with a loud crack, snapping it off cleanly.


    He then alternated between the first and second moves repeatedly. Luo Wen¡¯s combat experience had grown significantly recently; very few black ant scouts could withstand even ten moves against him.


    The yellow bug, clearly inexperienced with such a scientific and advanced fighting style, was utterly helpless. Its body parts were rapidly being reduced to a scattered mess.


    Throughout the fight, Luo Wen noticed that the yellow bug continuously released pheromones. The scent felt somewhat similar to that of Black Two and Black Three. Luo Wen began to understand how this yellow bug could swagger into a neighbor¡¯s home unchallenged. Unfortunately for it, Luo Wen didn¡¯t rely on pheromones to identify enemies¡ªhe relied on his eyes and brain.


    The yellow bug¡¯s unique ability had no effect. Having lost the initiative and being outmatched in intelligence, it could barely mount a defense before meeting its end.


    Luo Wen felt the battle was a bit underwhelming. Despite the yellow bug appearing larger than a black worker ant, it was all show and no substance. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t even exerted his full strength before it fell. At this moment, he felt like slapping his burrowing limbs together and declaring, ¡°Mission accomplished,¡± but alas, there was no one to appreciate his wit. The loneliness of being a master was palpable.


    Dragging the yellow bug back to his earlier spot, Luo Wen waited a short while before the transport team appeared within his line of sight.


    When they arrived, he had most of them stay put while he took two black ants back to the battlefield. There, the remnants of the yellow bug¡¯s body were still scattered around, mostly severed limbs¡ªmuch larger than fly legs, and far too valuable to waste.


    After cleaning up the battlefield, Luo Wen returned to the main group. With an unexpected bonus harvest for the day, he decided not to linger at the spot any longer. He set off with the transport team to return.


    On the way, they encountered an unlucky black ant scout who had lost its way. Luo Wen demonstrated the Luo-style combat technique on it and then enthusiastically invited its remains back to the nest as a guest.


    Luo Wen personally dragged the yellow bug¡¯s body because he intended to enjoy this first specimen alone. Meanwhile, the transport team divided the scout¡¯s body and some parts of the yellow bug to carry back to the brood nest.


    He instructed the transport team to feed part of the haul to the brood nest, while the rest was left as rations for the black ants and larvae. These black ants were exceptionally skilled at feeding; Luo Wen had only needed to explain it once for them to grasp the concept immediately.


    As for the black beetle, it now had a new name: Big Black.


    The black ants, who only sucked sap from tree roots, couldn¡¯t fathom the concept of chewing through roots. Thus, Luo Wen had to take personal responsibility for Big Black¡¯s food supply. But Luo Wen was too busy to dig up roots for it today, so Big Black would just have to go hungry for now¡ªit wouldn¡¯t die from missing one or two meals.


    Returning with the yellow bug to a small chamber he had recently excavated, Luo Wen entered his private space¡ªa bedroom strictly off-limits to the black ants.


    Though small, the room had two escape tunnels and one connecting passage to the brood nest. All were sealed with mud mixed with saliva and camouflaged for safety.


    Finally alone with the yellow bug, Luo Wen cracked open its exoskeleton and skillfully devoured the muscle within.


    After finishing his sumptuous meal, Luo Wen had planned to rest but felt a twinge of guilt about Big Black. He summoned a black ant to clean up the food scraps and feed them to the brood nest. Meanwhile, he went to the tree roots to drink some sap and dig up a root for Big Black.


    No, that wasn¡¯t right. He specifically dug up a root for Big Black and drank some sap along the way.


    Returning, he stopped by the brood nest to check on it and reviewed the gene pool. Sure enough, a new gene fragment for pheromone mimicry had been added.


    This gene fragment was intriguing. Luo Wen wanted to test it out. Before sleeping, he kept hypnotizing himself into believing he desperately needed this ability, hoping his body¡¯s instincts would rise to the occasion.


    Upon waking, Luo Wen hurriedly checked his body and tested the new ability. It seemed he could now alter his own pheromones. He hadn¡¯t expected his instincts to be so effective¡ªhe¡¯d truly gained the power of pheromone mimicry.


    To test it, he summoned a black ant and changed his pheromones. For ants, pheromones were like ID cards¡ªa single sniff determined if someone was an ally.


    The black ant seemed puzzled and showed signs of agitation but didn¡¯t attack Luo Wen. Testing several more black ants, he found their reactions were similar. The behavior felt familiar, though he couldn¡¯t immediately recall why.


    ¡°Is it ineffective, or am I using it wrong?¡± Luo Wen was puzzled, unsure of the issue.


    It wasn¡¯t until he saw Big Black wandering around that he realized. Big Black, lacking a pheromone communication system, still identified friend from foe¡ªlikely thanks to a recognition system built into the brood nest itself.


    The black ants¡¯ reaction had been familiar because they exhibited the same behavior toward Big Black.


    Relieved by this result, Luo Wen felt a sense of joy.


    Though the bugs¡¯ intelligence wasn¡¯t high, their cunning moves often exceeded Luo Wen¡¯s expectations. He had genuinely feared that one day a yellow bug might sneak into his nest and cause trouble in his absence. That would have been a real headache.


    Now, he had nothing to worry about. In fact, he even looked forward to yellow bugs wandering in¡ªthey¡¯d be delivering takeout, providing the brood nest with extra meals.


    Since his own ants weren¡¯t suitable for further testing, Luo Wen dug up another tree root to feed Big Black, then summoned the transport team and headed out.


    Even while experimenting, he couldn¡¯t neglect the hive¡¯s food supply. Luo Wen felt he was truly wearing himself out for the hive¡¯s development.


    He invited another lucky scout back to the hive and let the transport team carry it home. Luo Wen used this time to continue his experiments.

 Chapter 26: Infiltration

    Luo Wen first targeted a lucky test subject¡ªlucky because it didn¡¯t get to witness the opening move of Luo-style insect combat techniques.


    After observing the test subject, Luo Wen instinctively used his newly acquired ability. The pheromones emanating from his body began to subtly adjust.


    Pheromones are compounds that facilitate chemical communication between organisms. They are further categorized into various types, and almost all flora and fauna produce them.


    Examples include altruistic pheromones, selfish pheromones, synergistic pheromones, aggregation pheromones, trail pheromones, alarm pheromones, evacuation pheromones, and sex pheromones.


    Ant pheromones, for instance, are a mixture of various compounds, including the unique scent that identifies their colony. This functions like an ID card, allowing them to communicate with their kin.


    Luo Wen was now tweaking this specific pheromone. His new ability enabled him to hack into a neighboring colony¡¯s ¡°household registry¡± and fabricate an identity. After completing the forgery, he displayed this information.


    As the distance to the scout ant shrank, it finally sensed an unfamiliar vibration approaching. Its antennae reached out inquisitively.


    The scout¡¯s antennae made contact with Luo Wen, sweeping back and forth across his body. Luo Wen waited tensely for the verdict. It was his first time using this ability, and he wasn¡¯t sure if it might fail. He remained prepared to strike at any moment.


    Fortunately, the scout¡¯s inspection yielded no abnormalities. Since Luo Wen only presented the bare minimum¡ªan ID card¡ªthe scout lost interest in him. It bypassed him and continued its search ahead.


    After some thought, Luo Wen repositioned himself to block the scout¡¯s path again.


    This time, he didn¡¯t just carry an ID card but also displayed the message, ¡°There¡¯s food over there; follow me.¡±


    The scout¡¯s antennae twitched for a moment before it actually decided to follow him.


    Leading it a short distance away from the nest, Luo Wen then showcased a move from his Luo-style insect combat technique. The scout, confused as to why one of its own was attacking, failed to counter before being swiftly killed.


    Luo Wen¡¯s eyes lit up, as he seemed to have discovered a new hunting method.


    Dragging the scout¡¯s corpse to the transport team¡¯s rendezvous point, Luo Wen left behind a pheromone signal indicating, ¡°Take this back.¡± Of course, the signal was crafted with the forged identity from the brood nest.


    This was a contingency plan in case he ventured too far and couldn¡¯t return in time. If the transport team returned without clear instructions and wandered aimlessly, it could end in disaster since the nest was less than twenty meters away. A wrong turn could be fatal.


    While Luo Wen¡¯s followers had grown in number, resources remained tight. Every effort to save or prepare for potential problems mattered.


    By sending the transport team on this extra trip, Luo Wen bought himself more time to explore his first infiltration mission.


    Brandishing his forged ID card, Luo Wen boldly approached the neighbor¡¯s front gate.


    Black ants swarmed the path, but they either ignored him outright or briefly touched him with their antennae before losing interest.


    Thus, Luo Wen breezed past multiple defensive layers, eventually arriving at the entrance of the ant nest.


    Peering into the pitch-black tunnel, he refrained from rushing inside. The ant nest previously harbored giant mandible soldier ants¡ªcombat units. Who knew what other strange warriors might be lurking within?


    Although Yellow Bugs had nonchalantly entered this place before, their lives weren¡¯t as valuable as Luo Wen¡¯s. So, he opted for caution¡ªno, prudence.


    He first burrowed to the area beneath the nest, his bristles sensing the dense network of hollow tunnels crisscrossing the underground.


    Around the ant nest, Luo Wen dug several escape routes. These tunnels were narrow, just wide enough for him to traverse. Should danger arise, he could retreat to the closest passage. While small worker ants posed little threat to him now, larger soldier ants would struggle to navigate these narrow routes.


    After preparing his escape routes, Luo Wen returned to the surface, heading back to the nest entrance.


    Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he ventured inside.


    The entrance was cluttered with chaotic pheromone signals. A large number of black ants moved in and out, making the seemingly spacious passage feel cramped.


    Despite Luo Wen¡¯s appearance¡ªhis coloration aside, there were no other similarities between him and the black ants¡ªthis colony only recognized IDs, not species or morphology.


    As long as you carried their ID, you were kin. Simple and crude.


    A massive soldier ant emerged from deeper within the tunnel, its bulky frame blocking most of the passageway. Its sheer size exerted an oppressive presence, reminding Luo Wen that fighting here would be less than ideal. Being discovered as an undocumented outsider would not end well.


    Fortunately, the soldier ant showed no unusual behavior. Mimicking the other black ants, Luo Wen stepped over its head and body, continuing deeper into the nest.


    The tunnels gradually branched into numerous paths, some wide, others narrow. Luo Wen¡¯s current size made the narrower paths impassable. As it was his first visit, Luo Wen hesitated to widen the passages without permission¡ªit might seem impolite. Thus, he stuck to the broader routes.


    The internal structure of the nest was exceedingly complex. With no specific objective in mind¡ªthis was just a reconnaissance trip¡ªLuo Wen meandered through the labyrinth.


    The accessible paths were all main thoroughfares. After wandering for some time, he eventually entered a massive hollow cavity.


    This was the neighbor¡¯s hatchery. The ground was carpeted with eggs and pupae, interspersed with wriggling larvae.


    Patrolling soldier ants moved about, surrounded by a swarm of worker ants. These workers busily transported food into the chamber, while others diligently processed the food, swallowing it before regurgitating it to feed the larvae.


    Amidst them were several Yellow Bugs. Their yellowish-brown bodies, larger than the worker ants, stood out starkly against the sea of black. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the ants didn¡¯t consider them out of place. The Yellow Bugs acted just like worker ants, consuming the scattered food. However, they skipped the step of regurgitating it to feed the larvae.


    Watching this, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but silently applaud. ¡°Impressive moves! These Yellow Bugs really have no shame! Infiltrating someone else¡¯s nest and freeloading food and board? No wonder I¡¯ve only ever seen them enter ant nests but never leave. I was worried this nest might have some secret weapon hidden inside.¡±


    As it turned out, these freeloaders never intended to leave.


    Picking up a piece of food from the ground, Luo Wen examined it¡ªit appeared to be a chunk of insect flesh. After finishing it, he grabbed another piece, unfamiliar in appearance, possibly a secretion from some insect or plant. It tasted sweet.


    Piece after piece, food was scattered everywhere¡ªthis was the accumulation of an ant nest with over a thousand members.


    Luo Wen began to think he didn¡¯t want to leave either.

 Chapter 27: A New Idea

    Since transforming into an insect, Luo Wen had been living a harsh existence. He never imagined stumbling upon such a paradise¡ªfood everywhere, eat to fullness, sleep after eating, then wake up and eat again. There was nothing to do but enjoy an endless supply of sustenance.


    If only he had a computer and internet access, this would have been his dream otaku lifestyle.


    Sadly, he still had a brood of underlings crying out for food. The thought of a boss lazing about like this left Luo Wen feeling a bit downhearted.


    After stuffing himself, he roamed the nest for a while. This ant colony was quite large, and deep inside, he discovered a queen ant.


    The queen was far larger than the soldier ants¡ªnot because she was stronger. On the contrary, her upper body seemed overly frail compared to the soldiers.


    Her size came from her massive abdomen, which accounted for two-thirds of her body. Luo Wen doubted whether she could even drag herself along with her feeble limbs.


    During his observation, the queen didn¡¯t move an inch.


    Several worker ants scurried around her, ferrying various foods and queuing up to feed her mouth-to-mouth.


    This reminded Luo Wen of an embarrassing incident: one of his underlings had once tried to feed him mouth-to-mouth. Could that ant have mistaken him for a queen back then? Truly a cringe-worthy memory.


    Thankfully, his inner resolve had forced a favorable evolution, granting him his current independent brood nest. Otherwise, if he had turned into something resembling this queen, he might have preferred death.


    After wandering aimlessly for a while and finding no special weapons or hidden combat units, Luo Wen relaxed and leisurely crawled out of the nest.


    His first visit to a neighbor¡¯s home had been fruitful, leaving him quite satisfied.


    Returning to the transport team¡¯s rendezvous point, he noticed the scout¡¯s body had disappeared. Without lingering, Luo Wen hastened back to his brood nest.


    On the way, he encountered the returning transport team and joined them for the trip home.


    Once back at the brood nest, Luo Wen checked on the brood nest itself. Everything was in order. It had a steady food supply each day, producing offspring while retaining surplus for growth.


    Next, he gnawed a piece of tree root to feed Big Black. After that, he went to the hatchery. There were now more than ten mature black ants. Apart from the transport team, five or six ants usually stayed home to care for the eggs.


    The hatchery housed dozens of eggs and larvae. The first batch of larvae had begun to pupate under the worker ants¡¯ care. Once they emerged, they would be fully grown small ants.


    Of course, Luo Wen¡¯s hatchery was still far from rivaling the neighbor¡¯s, but he believed this was only temporary.


    In time, as he deciphered the functions of certain genetic fragments and amassed enough resource-collecting insects, he would engineer even more powerful creatures. Flattening the ant nest would then become a matter of moments.


    One day, he too would have his own paradise of food and indulgence, living a life of eat, sleep, and repeat¡­


    Imagining this bright future, Luo Wen drifted off to sleep.


    The next day, Luo Wen woke up early with fresh ideas brewing in his mind.


    After supplying Big Black with another piece of tree root, he set off with the transport team.


    Arriving about ten meters from the neighbor¡¯s nest, Luo Wen began digging. This was a major undertaking.


    Luo Wen spearheaded the excavation, while the transport team removed soil from the tunnel. Whenever he got hungry, he would emerge, demonstrate Luo-style insect combat on a nearby ant, and drag the prey back to share.


    The hatchery back at the brood nest had a small food reserve, enough to last a day without resupply.


    It was Luo Wen¡¯s first time digging such a long tunnel. His digging speed was fast, but transporting the excavated soil outside was time-consuming. As the tunnel lengthened, this process grew exponentially more tedious.


    The transport team¡¯s efficiency was low, unable to keep up with Luo Wen¡¯s pace. Eventually, he had to dig and carry soil out simultaneously.


    Working tirelessly until nightfall, he had only completed about half the tunnel. Although daytime and nighttime were indistinguishable to Luo Wen, who had previously survived underground without knowing the time of day, he still retained some human habits. For instance, when he saw nightfall, he instinctively felt it was time to sleep¡ªeven if he wasn¡¯t tired, his mind told him it was rest time.


    He casually buried the tunnel entrance and camouflaged it. Although the new mound of soil was conspicuous, Luo Wen was confident in concealing the entrance.


    Using his forged ID, he spread a pheromone warning around the area: ¡°Danger! Do not approach.¡± It should be enough to deter the brainless worker ants.


    Besides, the scout ants in this direction had suffered heavy casualties recently. Even though the neighbor¡¯s nest wasn¡¯t far, few ants ventured this way anymore.


    After taking down three patrolling worker ants nearby with the transport team, he divided one on the spot and brought the other two back to the brood nest as food reserves.


    Once home, Luo Wen was too exhausted to move further. Big Black would have to endure hunger for the night.


    When Luo Wen woke up again and climbed to the surface, dawn hadn¡¯t yet broken. Unwilling to venture out in the dark, he first went to the tree roots to replenish fluids. Having eaten ant meat twice yesterday, the ants¡¯ acidic body fluids had left him slightly nauseous.


    After rehydrating, he brought a tree root back for Big Black, who had gone hungry overnight.


    While pondering his next steps, Luo Wen passed the time until the first light of dawn, then set out with the transport team.


    Reaching yesterday¡¯s buried tunnel, he found it undisturbed. It seemed his pheromone warning had worked well¡ªor perhaps no scouts had passed through this area at all.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s direction, his team resumed their unfinished work with orderly precision.


    This time, Luo Wen left two temporary storage chambers along the tunnel. While this added some extra labor, they managed to finish the tunnel by nightfall, digging all the way to the area beneath the neighbor¡¯s nest.


    Halting excavation, Luo Wen buried the entrance again and demonstrated Luo-style insect combat for a few spectators. He then brought their vanquished bodies back to the brood nest.


    After two days of preparation, Luo Wen¡¯s plan had reached a critical stage. The next morning, he led the transport team out, ready to execute his plan.


    Returning to the buried tunnel entrance, he found it untouched. A promising start.


    Leading the team into the tunnel, Luo Wen instructed the transport team to wait in the temporary storage chambers and retreat if they encountered danger. He then crawled out alone. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he moved, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but wonder whether the transport team could grasp his instructions. Their intelligence was truly lacking. Even slightly complex commands seemed beyond them. He resolved to find a way to improve their intelligence when he had time¡ªat least enough to understand more intricate directives.


    Spreading his forged identity pheromones, Luo Wen once again arrived at the neighbor¡¯s front door.

 Chapter 28: Hidden Concerns

    Luo Wen deftly navigated to the hatchery deep within the ant nest. After a hearty meal, he selected a corner rarely traversed by ants and began digging.


    Once he had created a small hole, he turned back to seal the opening connecting it to the hatchery. Then he continued digging outward.


    Pheromones were truly a miraculous tool. After mastering their basic uses, Luo Wen had developed several extended applications.


    For instance, using marking pheromones as coordinates was not a novel idea¡ªBlack Ants had long employed such a method. However, while they could only detect these markers by physically touching them with their antennae, Luo Wen could sense his pheromone coordinates from a distance.


    At this moment, he was digging toward one of his marked coordinate points. This was the labor of the past two days with the transport team: the underground passage.


    As the passage had initially been very close to the ant nest, Luo Wen quickly connected his newly dug tunnel to it. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Crawling into the underground passage, he summoned the waiting transport team. Together, they cleared the soil from the new tunnel. Luo Wen used his saliva to reinforce the fresh tunnel and carved out a temporary storage chamber near where the passage approached the nest. He ordered the transport team to stand by in the passage and sealed off the storage chamber¡¯s entrance to the passage, carefully erasing the pheromones left by the transport team.


    With everything in place, Luo Wen returned to the hatchery and began transporting food to the temporary storage chamber.


    Although a few Worker Ants passed by during this time, Luo Wen¡¯s legitimate identity prevented them from showing any concern.


    Once he had stored enough food, Luo Wen sealed the connection between the tunnel and the hatchery, releasing pheromones that conveyed a warning to stay away. Then, he reopened the link between the storage chamber and the underground passage, summoned the transport team, and ordered them to carry the stored food back to the Brood Nest.


    The plan proceeded smoothly. Like parasites on the ant nest, the Brood Nest began a life of indulgence.


    Luo Wen was temporarily freed from the strenuous tasks of hunting, no longer needing to find isolated Worker Ants or demonstrate his Luo-style insect combat technique. All he needed to do was transport food to the storage chamber at intervals.


    Unfortunately, such idyllic days could not last.


    The ant nest supported a population of over a thousand ants, and their daily food consumption was staggering. Despite this, their stockpile of food was limited. This was evident from the number of Giant Mandible Soldier Ants¡ªa specialized combat unit. Even with the vast population of Black Ants, they could only sustain around ten of these non-productive soldier types.


    As the days passed and the Brood Nest¡¯s population grew, the food reserves in the neighboring hatchery visibly dwindled. The Black Ants became agitated, confused by the mysterious decline in food.


    Luo Wen was equally worried. The past days of comfort had been utterly enjoyable, but the number of ants in the Brood Nest continued to climb. He had already stopped having the Brood Nest directly hatch two adult ants daily, instead allocating resources for its growth and limiting daily output to ten eggs.


    Even so, within a few days, when the pupating larvae emerged as adults, the Brood Nest would add roughly ten ants daily. Combined with the continuous hatching of another ten eggs, the rapidly increasing mouths to feed would soon overwhelm the ant nest¡¯s resources. Luo Wen needed a solution.


    Before he could devise one, his attention was caught by the Yellow Bugs in the hatchery. Luo Wen had already come to regard the ant nest as his food production base, so the sight of these parasites was particularly vexing.


    With a thought, an idea formed in his mind. Unsure if it would work, he decided to test it.


    Luo Wen slowly approached a Yellow Bug, which was feasting voraciously and paid no attention to his presence. Quietly, Luo Wen spat a glob of saliva onto the bug before swiftly retreating. The saliva contained a concoction of pheromones, essentially mimicking an alien identity¡ªone unrecognized by the ant nest.


    The hatchery was a vital facility, endlessly supplying fresh labor for the nest. Its importance was self-evident. When an unfamiliar scent of identity suddenly appeared in such a crucial location, the nearby Worker Ants, who were feeding the larvae, immediately noticed. They began to surround the Yellow Bug, while a few quickly scurried off to alert the patrolling Giant Mandible Soldier Ants.


    Oblivious to the impending danger, the feasting Yellow Bug remained completely unguarded. Its prolonged safety had dulled its instincts, and it could not fathom that someone as cunning as Luo Wen would be plotting against it.


    From a distance, Luo Wen watched as the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants approached. It was his first time witnessing the combat prowess of these fearsome warriors.


    The ants clamped their powerful jaws onto the unsuspecting parasite. With a sharp twist of their heads, the Yellow Bug was torn in two. Despite its resilience, the Yellow Bug¡¯s upper half was still moving, but it had no chance to escape. In an instant, the Worker Ants swarmed over it.


    Luo Wen watched with a mix of awe and dread. Relying solely on pheromone-based identification to distinguish friend from foe was a glaring vulnerability. Fortunately, his Brood Nest employed two identification systems. Otherwise, any intelligent insect capable of altering pheromones could easily infiltrate and sabotage an ant nest from within.


    Thankfully, he was the only such insect for now. However, given the vastness of the world, who could guarantee that other similarly evolved creatures wouldn¡¯t exist?


    Reflecting on this, Luo Wen decided that two identification systems might not suffice. Once his abilities improved, he would develop additional systems to ensure security.


    Just like the old human television shows he remembered: in the past, when human technology was underdeveloped, they relied on sight to distinguish friend from foe. This allowed masterful disguise experts to infiltrate enemy ranks easily. It wasn¡¯t until technological advancements brought fingerprint, retinal, facial, and DNA recognition that such vulnerabilities were mitigated.


    These lessons from the past were worth remembering.


    For now, this was a lower priority. His current dual-system approach was sufficient for the time being. His immediate task was to deal with the remaining Yellow Bugs to prevent further food wastage.


    The other Yellow Bugs showed no reaction to their companion¡¯s death, continuing to eat and drink as if nothing had happened.


    One by one, Luo Wen spat the fake pheromone-laden saliva onto them and watched as the Worker and Soldier Ants eliminated them.


    With the Yellow Bugs cleared, not only was a significant food burden removed, but their bodies themselves contributed to the nest¡¯s food reserves.


    Even so, it was only a drop in the ocean. With the Brood Nest on the brink of a population explosion, Luo Wen feared the ant nest would soon reach its breaking point.

 Chapter 29: Discovered

    The solutions to the current problem were either to find new Black Ant nests to share the burden or, once the number of insects in the Brood Nest reached a sufficient size, to completely annihilate the ant nest, turning its inhabitants into food and claiming the territory.


    The two approaches were not mutually exclusive. Luo Wen could search for new Black Ant nests while simultaneously infiltrating and eroding the neighbor¡¯s nest. However, this would mean Luo Wen would become busy again.


    Deploying a few Camouflage Bugs to infiltrate the ant nest and feast without drawing suspicion was feasible. But expecting them to handle Luo Wen¡¯s tasks¡ªstealing food while cleaning up traces¡ªwas unlikely given their limited intelligence.


    If any mistakes exposed their actions and led the Black Ants to track them back to the Brood Nest, it would spell disaster. The Brood Nest¡¯s current combat capabilities were far from sufficient to withstand an assault. Thus, Luo Wen had no choice but to personally handle the undercover work and food transport operations in the ant nest.


    As for exploration, Luo Wen had already scouted the area within a few dozen meters around the Brood Nest. To find another Black Ant nest, he would need to venture farther.


    Currently, most of the insects in the Brood Nest were modeled after Black Ants. Lacking vision, they relied on close-range contact with their antennae to gather information. This method posed numerous dangers, and the farther they traveled, the higher the risk of encountering threats.


    Given the current population in the Brood Nest, it would be difficult to sustain such heavy losses.


    Luo Wen needed new types of insects with functional eyesight, capable of detecting potential dangers from a distance and reporting back the gathered intelligence. But once again, he faced the same fundamental problem: while Luo Wen could likely configure the required physical traits, he couldn¡¯t enhance the insects¡¯ intelligence.


    The insects in the Brood Nest were competent in repetitive, mechanical tasks but struggled with anything more complex. They couldn¡¯t fully comprehend Luo Wen¡¯s instructions, meaning he had to personally oversee all critical missions.


    In the future, when he had more time and resources, Luo Wen resolved to create intelligent insects. He didn¡¯t need many¡ªjust one or two capable of leading others would suffice.


    Grumbling aside, Luo Wen diligently attended to his responsibilities. Each day, he transported enough materials to the temporary storage chamber to keep the transport teams occupied for a day, sealing the passage to the hatchery tightly and surrounding the area with pheromones signaling danger and warning others to stay away.


    After completing this task, Luo Wen would crawl out of the ant nest to scout farther afield.


    The Brood Nest was also developing steadily. The first batch of pupating larvae had emerged, forming a new generation of adult ants. As they matured, they would gradually take on various tasks within the colony.


    The Brood Nest itself had grown larger. Although Luo Wen¡¯s size had also increased recently, it seemed unlikely he could still carry the massive structure.


    Applying his principle of preparing for danger during times of peace, Luo Wen used Big Black as a template, removing the gene for Burrower Legs after observing that the oversized Giant Mandibles conflicted with burrowing efficiency. These mandibles, wider than the body itself, made underground movement cumbersome.


    Additionally, Luo Wen incorporated pheromone genes for communication and identity recognition. Using this template, the Brood Nest produced a dozen eggs. If they successfully hatched, these insects would become specialized fighters tasked with defending the Brood Nest.


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s first time using a self-designed template to produce insects from eggs. It was an entirely new experiment. He didn¡¯t know if such artificial genetic configurations could support a complete developmental process from egg to maturity.


    If these insects, with their entirely novel genetic sequences, could grow into fully developed, mature adults, it would signify a breakthrough. When resources were abundant, the Brood Nest could produce a series of insects with unnatural but highly advantageous traits.


    By then, the Brood Nest¡¯s influence would expand exponentially, like a snowball gaining momentum. It would no longer need to parasitize the ant nest to grow.


    Energized by these promising thoughts, Luo Wen threw himself into his work with renewed enthusiasm. Events also seemed to be unfolding in a favorable direction.


    A few days later, Luo Wen¡¯s efforts bore fruit. He discovered another Black Ant nest in the opposite direction of the Brood Nest.


    This new nest was much larger. Luo Wen counted over fifty Soldier Ants within it, suggesting a total population of three to four thousand.


    The ant nest not only boasted a much larger hatchery but also had two of them. Additionally, there were several food storage chambers. Worker Ants ground food into powder with their mandibles, secreting a protective substance to prevent spoilage.


    Naturally, the hatchery was filled with even more Yellow Bugs, parasitic creatures brazenly stealing Luo Wen¡¯s resources. Infuriated, he spat on each one, dooming them to annihilation.


    This new ant nest was over a hundred meters from the Brood Nest. Its vast population and extensive patrol coverage meant there were no blind spots. Luo Wen would need to dig at least fifty meters of underground tunnel to transport food. It was a monumental task.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen now had many underlings. He assigned over twenty ants to the transport teams to handle food transport, left another twenty newly emerged ants to tend to the larvae, and led the remaining dozens in a massive excavation project.


    Luo Wen¡¯s daily schedule became packed. At dawn, he would transport food from the first ant nest to the storage chamber, seal the tunnel, and leave the transport teams to work independently. Then, he would hurry back home, gather his excavation team, and head to the second ant nest to dig a new tunnel. Along the way, he¡¯d practice his Luo-style Insect Combat Technique with a few of the new neighbors, ensuring his skills remained sharp.


    The Black Ants who watched the performance often couldn¡¯t afford his appearance fee and were forced to ¡°pay¡± with their lives, becoming food for the excavation team.


    Time flew by, and as the massive smuggling tunnel neared completion, trouble arose with the transport teams.


    The first nest¡¯s smuggling tunnel had been dug close to the patrol¡¯s blind spot, just over ten meters from the ant nest. However, as Luo Wen shifted focus to the second nest and stopped performing his combat demonstrations, the number of Scout Worker Ants in the area gradually increased.


    Today, by sheer bad luck, a transport team carrying food emerged from the tunnel and came face-to-face with a Scout Worker Ant.


    The Scout Worker Ant noticed a large group of ants resembling itself but lacking proper identification. It immediately moved forward to challenge them. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The transport teams, not known for their patience, responded aggressively. After a heated antenna duel, a fight broke out.


    Although the Scout Worker Ant was outnumbered, this was the transport teams¡¯ first battle. Despite their superior numbers, they allowed the Worker Ant to escape.


    The transport teams didn¡¯t think much of it. However, when they returned to the tunnel with more food, the Worker Ant had brought reinforcements, lying in wait to ambush them.

 Chapter 30: Completion

    After a deeply unfriendly exchange, the two sides engaged in a fierce battle. Initially, the fight was evenly matched, but since this was the enemy¡¯s home turf, reinforcements kept arriving in droves.


    The arrival of a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant quickly turned the tide. This specialized combat unit charging into a battlefield full of Worker Ants was like a strongman rampaging through a kindergarten¡ªutterly unstoppable.


    The Soldier Ant rampaged through the transport team, meeting no resistance and quickly leaving them in shambles.


    Although the bugs produced by the Brood Nest used Black Ants as their template and looked identical to them, there was a critical difference. Unlike the scouting Worker Ants from the original ant colony, which would retreat when outnumbered, the bugs from the Brood Nest fought to the death.


    As a result, the entire transport team was annihilated.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t notice anything amiss until the second day after the incident.


    The night of the brawl, Luo Wen returned to the Brood Nest with the excavation team after dark. The Black Ants in the Brood Nest were numerous enough to be noticeable but not overwhelming, numbering around a few dozen. Since they were all busily working, Luo Wen didn¡¯t immediately notice the absence of a dozen or so ants. He simply enjoyed some nectar, checked on Big Black, and retired to his small chamber for rest.


    It wasn¡¯t until the next day, after waking up and preparing to take a headcount, that Luo Wen realized the transport team had not returned the previous night. His heart sank¡ªsomething had gone wrong.


    Reacting quickly, Luo Wen thought things through and pinpointed the oversight that led to this disaster. He deduced the situation with about ninety percent accuracy.


    He left the Brood Nest alone to investigate. Not far from the entrance, he encountered scouting Worker Ants, likely tracking the transport team¡¯s trail.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t alarm them. Instead, he erased any traces they could follow and laid down new pheromones, redirecting their search toward the direction of Ant Nest No. 2. Whether the scouts from both sides clashed wasn¡¯t his concern; he had successfully distanced the Brood Nest from the incident.


    He continued to the exit of the smuggling tunnel. Along the way, Luo Wen spotted many scouting Worker Ants, but by then, he had swapped his identification pheromones, so even if they encountered him, it wouldn¡¯t matter.


    The battle marks at the tunnel entrance confirmed Luo Wen¡¯s suspicions¡ªa large-scale skirmish had occurred. Although the battlefield had been cleaned up, the lingering pheromones bearing messages like ¡°Enemy,¡± ¡°Alert,¡± and ¡°Combat¡± revealed much about what had happened.


    Instead of entering the tunnel, Luo Wen climbed to the surface and casually strolled into the ant nest. Inside the brood chamber, he found the transport team¡ªor rather, their dismembered remains scattered as various components.


    Luo Wen sighed, unsure if Black Two or Black Three were among the casualties. All Black Ants looked the same to him, and with their numbers steadily increasing in the Brood Nest, he had long lost track of who was who.


    However, he felt no sorrow. Maybe in the distant future, as his memories as an insect accumulated, they might suppress his human memories. But for now, Luo Wen, newly transformed into a bug, retained his human soul and perspective. It was difficult for him to feel emotional about a few ants.


    He never considered these ants his kin; they were tools. He hatched and fed them purely to make his life more comfortable. His sigh was more about self-reflection and frustration over the loss of so many tools due to his lack of foresight.


    After having a meal in the brood chamber, Luo Wen didn¡¯t linger. He left the nest and returned home.


    Ant Nest No. 1 was too dangerous for now, so he decided not to send anyone there for the time being. This would allow the ants there to rest and stockpile supplies.


    His focus shifted to Ant Nest No. 2. The smuggling tunnel there, built in a patrol blind spot, was much safer. With a little overtime work, it could be completed in a day or two. The Brood Nest¡¯s food reserves were still sufficient to last for that duration without issue.


    Back at the Brood Nest, Luo Wen adjusted the configuration of the eggs at the Brood Nest. This time, the eggs were based on the Black Ant template but enhanced with Burrower Ant traits, adding a pair of digging limbs.


    Transporting supplies on the surface was far too dangerous. Luo Wen needed a specialized digging team. He planned to excavate an underground tunnel linking Ant Nest No. 1, Ant Nest No. 2, and his Brood Nest. This would mitigate the risks of surface transportation.


    In the future, he envisioned connecting Ant Nest No. 3, No. 4, and even more nests into an expansive underground network. Digging alone wasn¡¯t feasible, as it contradicted his core goal: eat, sleep, and evolve while lounging. He wasn¡¯t about to work himself to death for his tools.


    Although Luo Wen had this idea earlier, he hadn¡¯t been in a hurry to act on it. He wanted to wait until his prior experiments proved successful before reallocating resources.


    The recent setback forced him to accelerate his plans. Fortunately, the previously configured eggs, while not yet hatched, remained vibrant and full of life. It seemed only a matter of time before they hatched into larvae.


    This gave Luo Wen the confidence to move forward with his plans¡ªthe viability of the eggs confirmed the feasibility of the modifications. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With a team assembled, Luo Wen led the untrained excavation crew to work. For now, he did most of the digging, while the ants were responsible for transporting excavated soil out of the pit and reinforcing the tunnels.


    Two days later, the smuggling tunnel at Ant Nest No. 2 was complete. With his forged identification pheromones, Luo Wen infiltrated the brood chamber, dug a temporary path to connect with the tunnel, and began transporting food.


    The Brood Nest¡¯s food reserves steadily increased. Luo Wen dug two additional storage chambers, confident they would eventually come into use.


    Time passed smoothly, and the newly hatched larvae from Big Black¡¯s modified eggs emerged. These larvae resembled the White Grubs Luo Wen had first encountered upon arriving in this world.


    Seeing them triggered a wave of nostalgia. Those White Grubs had been immensely helpful to him, tirelessly assisting with tasks and enduring his treatment without complaint. When his teeth weren¡¯t fully developed, they would even gnaw through tree roots for him. They were truly good bugs.


    Not long after, the larvae from the second batch of modified eggs, which incorporated Burrower Ant traits, also hatched. These larvae looked similar to ordinary ant larvae, with only subtle differences.


    During this time, the Brood Nest¡¯s population steadily increased. The losses to the transport team were not only replenished but surpassed.


    With a larger workforce, Luo Wen and his ants re-excavated the smuggling tunnel for Ant Nest No. 1. This time, the tunnel directly connected to the Brood Nest from underground.

 Chapter 31: The Enemy Reappears

    The Brood Nest lay deep underground, a depth difficult for ordinary ants to reach without specialized digging limbs. To address this, Luo Wen constructed a temporary nest above the Brood Nest. This structure served not only as a logistics hub but also as a decoy¡ªthe first line of defense for the true nest.


    The distance between Ant Nest No. 1 and the Brood Nest was about fifty meters, roughly the same length as the smuggling tunnel leading to Ant Nest No. 2. With his prior experience, this project posed no challenge for Luo Wen.


    After spending some time completing the tunnel, the Brood Nest resumed siphoning food from Ant Nest No. 1. With two nests supplying resources, the Brood Nest¡¯s food reserves began increasing visibly. The hatchery became fully stocked, and even the storage chambers Luo Wen had excavated earlier started filling with food.


    From then on, Luo Wen¡¯s daily routine consisted of hauling enough food from both nests to meet the transport team¡¯s capacity for the day. After that, he expanded his scouting range. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time passed, and Luo Wen¡¯s body grew significantly larger, now comparable in size to the ¡°War God¡± Black Beetle he encountered before. Although he lacked the massive mandibles, his combat strength was enough to handle a Soldier Ant in one-on-one combat.


    His bulk now exceeded that of Soldier Ants, and his rounded physique made their slender frames appear feeble in comparison. Apart from their sharper mandibles, Soldier Ants resembled oversized Worker Ants. Without the advantage of size, they were no match for Luo-style insect combat techniques.


    Near Ant Nest No. 1, Luo Wen set a trap and, with a large team of minions, ambushed a Soldier Ant. After some effort, he successfully killed it, acquiring its genetic fragments.


    At this point, the Brood Nest housed over 200 adult Black Ants, with more than a thousand eggs, larvae, and pupae combined. Notably, the second batch of modified Black Ants with Burrower limbs had all pupated, while the first batch of Black Beetle larvae remained in the larval stage. However, these larvae had grown much larger than most adult Black Ants.


    Considering the source of their genetic template and their eventual adult size, this was understandable.


    Although Luo Wen obtained the Soldier Ant template, he decided against hatching any. Their role overlapped with that of the Black Beetles, yet their combat effectiveness was significantly lower. Furthermore, Soldier Ants neither worked nor reproduced and consumed vast amounts of food. Hatching a few would be pointless.


    When the Black Beetles matured, the Brood Nest would be ready to expand to the surface and claim territory.


    Before that, Luo Wen needed to locate new ant nests. As the population in the Brood Nest grew rapidly, the resources from two nests were becoming insufficient.


    A few days later, Luo Wen discovered a new ant nest 200 meters north of the Brood Nest. He immediately forged identification pheromones and infiltrated it.


    The previously spacious main tunnels now seemed cramped due to Luo Wen¡¯s enlarged frame. If he continued growing, his espionage missions would likely become impossible unless he widened the passages as he went. Whether his forged identity would remain effective by then was another matter.


    During his earlier visit to Ant Nest No. 2¡¯s hatchery, Luo Wen had witnessed a Soldier Ant kill a Worker Ant. That Worker Ant wasn¡¯t a spy like Luo Wen but a legitimate native of the nest. Luo Wen still didn¡¯t understand why the attack occurred.


    This incident taught him that even ants from the same nest could attack each other. Over-reliance on forged identity pheromones could lead to complacency and grave mistakes.


    Since then, Luo Wen had been more cautious during his infiltrations. However, as his size increased, the relative threat posed by the nest¡¯s inhabitants decreased, and his confidence began to swell once more.


    The newly discovered Ant Nest No. 3 was also a Black Ant nest, similar in scale to Ant Nest No. 2, and showed no signs of unusual ant types. Luo Wen indulged in some nectar inside the nest and fed a few mouthfuls to some Yellow Bugs freeloading there before returning home to rally his forces.


    Leading his excavation team, he began digging a tunnel toward the new nest.


    The route to Ant Nest No. 3 passed between Ant Nests No. 1 and No. 2. Using the surface posed risks of encountering scouts from either nest, complicating transportation.


    Thus, Luo Wen decided to dig from the transfer hub above the Brood Nest and excavate an underground tunnel over 200 meters long to connect directly to Ant Nest No. 3.


    Given Luo Wen¡¯s size, digging a tunnel to his dimensions created a spacious and comfortable passage for the ants. While he excavated at the front, hundreds of ants transported the displaced soil behind him.


    Although this 200-meter tunnel was Luo Wen¡¯s largest project to date, its completion might surpass the fifty-meter tunnel to Ant Nest No. 2 in speed.


    A few days into the project, the newly hatched Burrower Ants joined the team. Their specialized digging limbs vastly outperformed ordinary appendages, akin to the difference between sweeping beans with a broom and picking them up by hand. The increase in efficiency was obvious.


    Everything progressed smoothly, and the new tunnel was on track for early completion. Then, something unexpected happened.


    After a day¡¯s work, Luo Wen returned ahead of the excavation team, leaving them to clean up the tunnel and continue their tasks. The soil removed from the tunnel had formed a mound over half a meter high above the Brood Nest, a testament to their efforts.


    Climbing to the surface, Luo Wen planned to drink some tree sap and bring some back for Big Black. Recently, the Black Beetle larvae modeled after Big Black had begun to pupate. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure if they¡¯d remain herbivorous upon emerging, but he had started preserving the vegetation around the Brood Nest, consciously avoiding damage to the surrounding plant roots.


    While climbing a plant to find a tender branch to nibble, Luo Wen caught a glimpse of several moving patches of yellowish-brown in his peripheral vision.


    His senses immediately went on high alert. With the Brood Nest¡¯s growth, the surrounding area had become devoid of other life forms, let alone rare yellowish-brown ones.


    Luo Wen moved toward the figures, cautiously closing the distance until they came into clear view.


    To his surprise, they were the same Desert Ants that had nearly ended his life before. Indeed, it seemed enemies often crossed paths again.

 Chapter 32: Collecting Some Interest

    Luo Wen harbored a vivid impression of the desert ants. Their hook-shaped mandibles, spring-like leaps, and their feces-spraying attacks had left a mark on his memory. Even now, he occasionally recalled those encounters, each time grinding his teeth in frustration, bitter over the storm that had swept him away, leaving him stranded in an unknown place. Would he ever return to exact vengeance for the gut-wrenching ordeal?


    Fate, however, worked in strange ways. To his surprise, he encountered the kin of those ants here in this foreign land, presenting him with a chance to collect some interest in advance.


    Luo Wen was no longer the weak creature of the past. His body had grown significantly larger, and his armor was much tougher. He decided to use these culprits¡¯ kin as practice dummies for the Luo-style insect combat technique, giving them a firsthand lesson.


    These Yellow Earth Ants were about the same size as he had been back when he was just the size of a fingernail. Now, however, his body had grown to resemble a small egg.


    He quickly charged at the nearest Yellow Earth Ant. On the way, he counted their numbers¡ªseven in total¡ªcurrently arranged in a tight formation as they cautiously advanced toward him.


    Without hesitation, he launched into the opening move of the Luo-style insect combat technique.


    As his massive burrowing limb smashed down on the lead ant, its comically small, round eyes, perched on its equally laughable head, froze in shock. Combined with its long, eyebrow-like antennae, the sight was absurdly amusing.


    But Luo Wen showed no mercy for its dazed expression. His burrowing limb struck true, and he immediately followed up with a second move. His mandibles, though relatively small compared to his body, were colossal when measured against the Yellow Earth Ants. They resembled two enormous guillotine blades.


    Against an opponent of similar size, the second move aimed to sever their legs, crippling their mobility before slowly wearing them down. But against these much smaller foes, such elaborate techniques were unnecessary. Luo Wen¡¯s mandibles clamped down directly on the first ant¡¯s thorax, and with a slight exertion of force, the stunned Yellow Earth Ant was torn into two.


    Before its companions could react, Luo Wen repeated the process, dispatching three more ants in quick succession. Finally, the remaining three Yellow Earth Ants came to their senses. They arched their thoraxes and thrust their abdomens forward, preparing their signature move: the feces-spraying attack.


    Luo Wen was unperturbed by this familiar move. He merely used his massive burrowing limbs to shield his eyes, allowing the ants¡¯ acid-laced secretion to hit his armor. Wisps of white smoke rose where the fluid landed.


    Since the last time he had encountered such an attack, Luo Wen¡¯s acid resistance had significantly improved. The secretion that once posed a lethal threat now merely fizzled harmlessly on his armor.


    As the smoke cleared, his smooth, polished armor gleamed brightly, unscathed and even shinier than before.


    In a blur of motion, another Yellow Earth Ant was bitten in two. The final two ants, realizing their ranged attack was ineffective, leapt forward in a desperate bid to use their hook-shaped mandibles to latch onto him. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To be fair, these hook-like mandibles were highly effective against foes of a similar size, preventing their prey from escaping. Back then, these mandibles had caused Luo Wen no end of trouble, forcing him to abandon three segments of his abdomen to barely escape with his life.


    But now, facing a foe several times their size¡ªespecially one like Luo Wen, with his smooth, chitinous armor¡ªthey couldn¡¯t find any purchase, let alone immobilize him.


    With a mighty swing, Luo Wen¡¯s burrowing limb smashed down, crushing the comically round head of one ant. Fluids splattered everywhere.


    He wiped the disgusting mess off his burrowing limb on the ground. Then, with a sharp twist of his head, he clamped down on the last Yellow Earth Ant, finishing it off with a crunch.


    Luo Wen reflected with a sense of accomplishment. Despite spending much of his time digging, he was now far stronger than when he was newly hatched. Back then, he had fled on sight from Yellow Earth Ants, barely escaping death. Now, seven of them couldn¡¯t last two moves against him.


    He tidied up the battlefield, devouring all seven Yellow Earth Ants. Their genetic material had long been on his wish list. However, his current interest lay solely in their spring-like leaping ability.


    As his body grew larger, his agility had inevitably suffered. The spring-like leap could make him more nimble in close combat.


    As for their hook-like mandibles and feces-spraying attack, the former was too limiting. If he had rejected the Giant Mandible Soldier Ant¡¯s formidable jaws, these hooks were even less appealing. The latter, though technically an acid mixture, was also of little use. After shedding most of his ant genes with the Brood Nest, he barely had any residual acid left, which was now mixed into his saliva. He couldn¡¯t spare any to spray, making the ability redundant.


    However, these Yellow Earth Ants could be valuable for breeding. Their combat strength far surpassed that of Black Ants. Even without incorporating other genetic materials, simply hatching larvae based on the Yellow Earth Ant template could boost the hive¡¯s combat strength significantly.


    But where had these creatures come from? This place was quite far from the desert, and for ants, even two or three hundred meters was a vast distance.


    Could there be a Yellow Earth Ant colony nearby?


    Glancing at the sky, Luo Wen decided to investigate the direction the ants had come from starting tomorrow.


    These aggressive ants posed no threat to him, but if they continued to encroach, they could endanger the hive and the three ant nests.


    Feeling content with his current life and hopeful for the future, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to let these intruders ruin it.


    He grabbed a tender branch, sipped some sap, and brought a piece back for Big Black. Although the hive¡¯s current defenses rendered Big Black largely redundant, it had been a laborious task for the Brood Nest to hatch it back then. Luo Wen thought of it as keeping a pet dog.


    Back at the hive, Luo Wen checked on the transport and digging teams, ensuring they had all returned. After an earlier incident when a transport team went missing and wasn¡¯t discovered until the next day, Luo Wen had developed a habit of taking stock of the hive¡¯s population each night.


    Of course, the count was only approximate, as the bugs didn¡¯t line up for inspection but rather scurried about chaotically. Luo Wen was also somewhat face-blind when it came to insects, making an exact count impossible.


    Still, he could easily spot the loss of dozens. A few missing, however, would likely go unnoticed.


    Finding nothing amiss, Luo Wen settled into sleep.


    He was soon jolted awake by a cacophony of vibrations from the surface, triggering a deep sense of danger. This scenario felt eerily familiar. The last time he had been awakened by such vibrations, a sandstorm had swept through, accompanied by an ominous sense of peril.


    But now, far from the desert, a sandstorm seemed unlikely. Yet the vibrations this time carried an even graver threat.

 Chapter 33: The Legion

    Luo Wen resolved to suppress his curiosity this time, no matter what, and firmly resisted the urge to investigate. Last time, his curiosity had already landed him in a situation of ¡°off you go, a thousand miles away.¡± This time, with the sense of danger so intense, who knew what kind of trouble might arise if he went out again?


    Five minutes later, Luo Wen cautiously began crawling toward the surface.


    He had no intention of explaining his actions. He could only attribute them to an overpowering curiosity that he had failed to overcome.


    However, just as he reached the transit station near the upper levels, he discovered it had been invaded. Dense, unknown creatures crawling through the passageway were detected by the sensory hairs on his body.


    Could it be an ant nest invasion? He considered the possibility but dismissed it. He infiltrated the black ants¡¯ nest daily to transport food, and if there had been any major mobilization, he wouldn¡¯t have missed it. Furthermore, given the intelligence of the black ants, it seemed unlikely they could pull off an act so elaborate as to deceive and lull him into complacency.


    This pointed to an external species. Luo Wen was suddenly reminded of the yellow earth ants he had encountered earlier this evening, and his heart tightened.


    He had to take a peek. Otherwise, remaining ignorant of the enemy would leave him at too great a disadvantage.


    Carefully, Luo Wen made a small opening in the passage leading to the transit station and looked inside. Sure enough, the area was teeming with yellow earth ants. Could they be here for revenge?


    That seemed unlikely. Eliminating seven scout worker ants shouldn¡¯t have warranted a full-scale invasion, unless one of those scouts had been someone significant¡ªa prince or princess of a grand ant empire. If that were the case, it would be absurdly melodramatic. Luo Wen still thought it more likely to be a coincidence.


    Regardless, the enemy was overwhelmingly powerful and not something he could provoke at the moment. The transit station alone held hundreds of yellow earth ants, but compared to the vibrations coming from further above, this was just a small fraction of their numbers.


    Luo Wen estimated that at least tens of thousands of yellow earth ants were on the surface to create such strong vibrations. A mere few hundred would not have been enough for him to sense from deep underground.


    Without attracting the yellow earth ants¡¯ attention, Luo Wen cautiously retracted his head. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, the transit station had always been designed as a decoy¡ªa fake nest.


    Directly connecting to the brood nest was inherently risky. If the nest were discovered and pursued through the passageway, a direct connection would place them in constant danger. As such, the transit station above the brood nest served as a decoy and a midpoint for food storage, with the added benefit of being misleading.


    Each evening, after the transport teams and excavation crews returned, all traces of the connecting passage between the brood nest and the transit station would be destroyed and buried.


    If any ant nest attempted to launch a surprise attack by following the passage, they would never find the brood nest¡¯s location. In fact, they might even end up attacking another ant nest instead.


    This strategy was known as ¡°diverting disaster eastward.¡± While the roles of potential disaster-bearers had now shifted, the diversion tactic remained effective. Luo Wen could only hope the black ants would withstand the yellow earth ants¡¯ invasion; otherwise, he would have to find a new food supply.


    Returning to the brood nest, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t bring himself to sleep. He focused all his senses on the activity above. Fortunately, the vibrations remained far away. The yellow earth ants had not discovered the brood nest hidden below.


    The vibrations from above persisted for a long time, to the point where Luo Wen began to grow numb.


    If the yellow earth ants were not feigning activity¡ªmerely rubbing back and forth above the brood nest¡ªthen it meant their numbers were immense, in the tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands.


    Luo Wen doubted they were feigning anything. Firstly, it was unnecessary. Secondly, he could sense that the vibrations moved continuously from one end to the other, indicating the yellow earth ants were progressing in a single direction without doubling back.


    He realized he had underestimated them. Even though he could effortlessly dispatch seven yellow earth ants at once, if he appeared on the surface now, he would be instantly overwhelmed by the army, unable to stir up even a ripple.


    Thus, Luo Wen pragmatically instructed all the insects in the brood nest to halt work and rest in place, forbidding any noise.


    In the dark tunnels, the insects became as silent as powered-down machines. The absence of sound made the vibrations and friction from above all the more distinct.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t fathom the scale of the colony or the abundance of resources required to sustain such a massive ant legion. He was somewhat relieved that the insects in the brood nest lacked fear. Otherwise, their minds might have already collapsed.


    Time passed, and the vibrations above gradually ceased. The ant army had finally moved on. But Luo Wen maintained his silence, waiting for them to get even farther away.


    A long time later, Luo Wen finally stirred. The yellow earth ant legion seemed to have truly moved on. His tiny brood nest wasn¡¯t worth the effort of a counterattack.


    Although he had his suspicions, Luo Wen cautiously moved upward. He first reached the area near the transit station, where some faint movement remained¡ªlikely yellow earth ants that had fallen behind the main army.


    Instead of investigating the transit station, Luo Wen bypassed it and continued upward, quietly emerging onto the surface.


    The temperature in this region did not fluctuate as drastically as in the desert. There was no frost at night, but the temperature was still quite low. Two pale light sources in the sky bathed the earth in a hazy glow.


    The land before him seemed as though it had been plowed. The yellow earth ant legion had perfectly illustrated the meaning of ¡°an army marches through, leaving no blade of grass behind.¡± The vegetation that had once thrived here, apart from a few sturdy trees, had vanished.


    At a glance, it felt as though the sky had risen by three feet.


    The desolation almost made Luo Wen feel like he had returned to the desert.


    A few yellow earth ants lingered in the distance, seemingly searching for something. Their poor vision prevented them from noticing Luo Wen. Even if they did, their numbers posed no threat to him now.


    After a quick survey of the surroundings, Luo Wen didn¡¯t linger on the surface. He turned back to the transit station and eliminated the yellow earth ants trapped there before heading toward Brood Nest One.


    The scattered yellow earth ants along the way posed no trouble, not even slowing him down.


    Although their individual strength was insignificant to Luo Wen at this point, their sheer numbers, if exceeding a certain threshold, left him with no choice but to flee.


    This experience made Luo Wen truly understand the power of a swarm, though he regarded it with disdain. Such reliance on sheer numbers lacked any tactical sophistication.


    From a technical standpoint, it was far inferior to his Luo-style insect combat technique.


    As he thought this, his mouth inexplicably began to secrete more ant acid. Could it be because he had eaten too many ants recently?

 Chapter 34: Scouting the Path (1)

    Luo Wen made his way to Ant Nest One, carefully digging into the wall of the incubation chamber.


    He didn¡¯t rush to investigate but waited for a moment. A yellow earth ant, having heard the commotion, poked its head through the hole, only to be swiftly dealt with using a Luo-style opening strike.


    After dragging the splattered corpse into the passage, another round yellow head eagerly poked out. Luo Wen was unceremonious, crushing it and pulling its remains aside.


    Repeating the process, he took out five yellow earth ants that came to investigate. Then, after waiting a long while and seeing no more heads emerge, Luo Wen cautiously poked his own head inside.


    Though he had suspected this might be the case after seeing the yellow earth ants earlier, the scene before him still made him inhale sharply.


    The chamber was stripped bare. The soldier ants, worker ants, larvae, eggs, and even scraps of food had vanished, leaving the walls scraped clean, as if several layers had been peeled away.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t venture further inside. Judging by the state of the incubation chamber, there was no need to inspect the rest of the nest. Even the queen ant had likely met a grim fate.


    Returning to the brood nest, Luo Wen considered the situation. Ant Nests Two and Three could not be reached underground and required travel across the surface. After some deliberation, he decided to take the risk and investigate.


    Encountering minor troubles along the way, Luo Wen resolved them with ease. He spent some time thoroughly exploring the two nests.


    Although they were larger than Ant Nest One, with thousands of members each, the black ants couldn¡¯t compare to the yellow earth ants in terms of individual combat strength. Even in numbers, they were utterly outclassed. Faced with the yellow earth ant legion numbering in the millions, resistance was futile.


    Both nests had suffered the same fate as Ant Nest One.


    After dispatching a few yellow earth ants lingering in the area, Luo Wen felt the weight of the situation. This was a significant problem.


    His brood nest had developed rapidly, but it had done so by leeching resources from nearby ant nests. With the food supply destroyed, supporting such a large brood would no longer be easy.


    The situation was dire. If the issue were only the loss of the food stores, the current number of mature insects could still scavenge for sustenance. By temporarily halting the brood nest¡¯s egg production and practicing strict rationing, they might scrape through the crisis. Once the larvae matured, the brood nest could resume its expansion and development.


    However, this plan relied on finding food in the wild. Considering the desolation left by the yellow earth ants¡¯ passage, this was clearly not viable.


    Luo Wen decided to survey the surrounding areas to determine the extent of the yellow earth ant legion¡¯s destruction. If the situation proved untenable, relocating the brood nest might become necessary.


    Dragging several yellow earth ant corpses back to the brood nest, Luo Wen carefully preserved them. Every bit of food was precious now and could not be wasted.


    Reconnecting with the brood nest, Luo Wen issued commands to conserve energy and temporarily halt egg production. His size had grown rapidly due to the previously stable food supply, but the brood nest itself was now even larger than him.


    Moving the brood nest was still feasible for Luo Wen, but it lacked legs or wheels. Prolonged dragging would inevitably cause abrasions to its underside. If relocation became necessary, Luo Wen would need to find something to cushion it during transport. Otherwise, the brood nest wouldn¡¯t endure a long journey.


    Issuing additional orders to cut the insects¡¯ daily rations in half and prohibit any venturing outside, Luo Wen hurriedly left the brood nest to scout the surrounding areas.


    Half a day later, Luo Wen realized he had vastly underestimated the yellow earth ant legion¡¯s numbers. It far exceeded tens or even hundreds of millions.


    The devastation left by their passage was stark and easy to distinguish from the previous landscape. Under such circumstances, many potential dangers hidden underground had already been eradicated.


    For the first time, Luo Wen moved at full speed, sprinting with all his might. He avoided the few scattered yellow earth ants he encountered along the way, opting not to engage.


    Using the brood nest as a center, Luo Wen expanded his search radius. After half a day of exploring roughly a one-kilometer radius, he still hadn¡¯t reached the edge of the yellow earth ant legion¡¯s ravaged territory.


    By this point, dawn was breaking. Luo Wen returned to the brood nest, rested briefly, and organized his thoughts.


    Several factors had enabled Luo Wen to cover a one-kilometer radius in half a day.


    First, his exceptional vision. His compound eyes had continued to evolve, allowing him to see clearly up to 30 meters. This might not seem impressive to humans, but among insects, it was an unparalleled advantage.


    Second, the terrain created by the yellow earth ants. Their habit of stripping everything bare had eliminated many underground risks. With little vegetation beyond tall trees, there were few obstructions, making long-range observation easy.


    Third, Luo Wen¡¯s large body and long stride enabled him to move quickly. His stamina was impressive, allowing him to cover distances that would take an ordinary ant weeks to traverse.


    Finally, Luo Wen¡¯s search had been cursory. His goal wasn¡¯t to find anything within this territory but to gauge the extent of the yellow earth ants¡¯ destruction. Any area they had ravaged would lack sufficient resources to sustain the brood nest.


    These factors combined allowed Luo Wen to cover such a large area in a short time. The other insects in the brood nest could never replicate his efficiency.


    This meant that at least a one-kilometer radius was devoid of food sources. Any farther was too distant for the other insects to access. Relocating the brood nest was inevitable.


    Finding a new nesting site required further scouting. The primary issue was the unknown extent of the yellow earth ant legion¡¯s destruction. The current circular search pattern was inefficient.


    Luo Wen decided on a linear approach, heading in a single direction to escape the desolation as quickly as possible. This would also make relocating the brood nest easier.


    After some thought, Luo Wen chose to follow the underground riverbed. It had guided him from the desert to his current location. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Water was the source of life. Following the water would lead him to the next prosperous area.


    With a decision made, Luo Wen wasted no time. Though the brood nest still had some food reserves, rationing had only bought a few extra days.


    Without resupply, the reserves were unsustainable. He could not return without results, regardless of how long the search took. If delayed, the insects might not survive until his return.


    Determined not to waste a moment, Luo Wen sealed the brood nest, forbidding any insect from leaving. Resolute, he embarked on the journey to find a new home for life.

 Chapter 35: Scouting the Path (Two)

    The long-lost thrill of solo exploration stirred a sense of nostalgia in Luo Wen.


    Back then, he had been much weaker, injured, and could only dig tunnels underground to move forward cautiously. Now, however, his self-preservation capabilities had vastly improved. Even if he encountered the yellow earth ant legion head-on, his superior vision would allow him to escape in advance.


    The sight of countless insects in the brood nest waiting to be fed had made him restless, eager to take risks for a quick return. But once outside, the cold wind cleared his mind.


    After all, those insects were nothing more than mindless tools. Even the brood nest was expendable if necessary. When it came to a choice between his life and everything else, his survival would always come first.


    As long as he lived, he could rebuild everything. That brood nest was merely a month¡¯s work. Starting over with his experience would make recovery swift.


    Of course, avoiding loss was preferable. His thoughts were merely a contingency plan for the worst-case scenario.


    If it were just him, survival wouldn¡¯t be a concern. Luo Wen could subsist on tree bark and sap. Since drinking the fluid of a foul-smelling earthworm previously, he had absorbed certain genetic fragments and evolved accordingly. In extreme circumstances, he could even eat dirt, extracting minerals and organic matter to sustain himself.


    However, such measures were a last resort. To his human soul, ¡°eating dirt¡± was far from appealing. Still, he considered incorporating this trait into his new brood members to prepare for future crises like the current one.


    Having resolved these thoughts, Luo Wen felt more at ease. His initially hurried pace slowed to a more measured crawl.


    Following the underground riverbed, Luo Wen moved forward. This time, he refrained from tunneling underground¡ªit was too slow. While caution was essential, excessive caution would only hinder progress.


    Staying above ground offered a better vantage point for observation. If he encountered insurmountable obstacles, digging a tunnel could always be a fallback option.


    As the sky¡¯s light slowly brightened, the land ravaged by the yellow earth ants remained desolate. Even the insects¡¯ usual calls were absent.


    He crawled for what seemed like an eternity through this barren wasteland. Not even the foul-smelling earthworms he once found inedible were in sight. Luo Wen clicked his mandibles in astonishment¡ªthe yellow earth ant legion must number in the tens of millions to have caused such widespread destruction.


    Along the way, he encountered a few stray yellow earth ants and promptly sent them to ¡°meetings¡± in his stomach. With food replenishment, his fatigue vanished.


    Ahead, the sound of rushing water reached him, and the air grew increasingly humid. As he pressed on, the moisture became visible as a mist, and the sound of water grew deafening.


    A short distance further, Luo Wen discovered the source of the commotion. The ground ahead abruptly dropped off, forming a sheer cliff tens of meters high. The underground river cascaded over the edge, creating a waterfall that plunged into a small lake below, sending mist into the air and generating a thunderous roar.


    Carefully, Luo Wen crawled to the cliff¡¯s edge. Back when he was human, he had a fear of heights¡ªjust looking down from the fifth floor could make his legs tremble. The last time he was hurled into the air, the surrounding darkness had obscured the height, so his fear hadn¡¯t been triggered.


    After cautiously peeking over the edge, he realized his acrophobia hadn¡¯t resurfaced this time. Apparently, the problem had miraculously resolved itself after he became an insect.


    Acrophobia, at its core, was a psychological barrier. Perhaps the experience of his previous fall had instilled confidence that a mere drop wouldn¡¯t kill him. With that belief, the fear naturally dissipated.


    This small victory brought Luo Wen some joy. After all, overcoming a personal weakness was worth celebrating.


    The scene below was somewhat blurred. The cliff was beyond Luo Wen¡¯s clear vision range, forcing him to rely on patches of indistinct colors. He inferred that the waterfall fed a lake surrounded by a band of green.


    Those green patches were plants. Unlike the devastation above, the area below remained untouched by the yellow earth ants, preserving its ecosystem. Perhaps the cliff had diverted the ants¡¯ path.


    Now, Luo Wen faced a new challenge: how to descend safely. The rocky cliff beneath him rendered his burrowing limbs useless. Should he simply jump? After all, a fall wouldn¡¯t kill him.


    Deciding to scout further along the cliff edge, Luo Wen ruled out the idea of leaping from the initial spot¡ªit was directly above the lake. Without any water combat experience, he would be helpless against aquatic threats.


    Crawling several hundred meters along the edge, he finally saw something different. Below him was no longer the blue-gray of water but the vivid greens of treetops. This area was farther from the waterfall, and the cliff¡¯s surface was rougher, unlike the smooth, water-eroded rock he had seen before.


    Examining the area carefully, Luo Wen looked for a way down. His six hind limbs, equipped with sharp hooks, could help him descend if the cliff wasn¡¯t entirely smooth.


    Spotting a crack in the rock filled with rubble and moss, Luo Wen carefully latched his claws onto the surface and began his descent.


    His sturdy shoulder and back plates, while providing excellent defense, added significant weight. While this hadn¡¯t been an issue on solid ground, the strain became evident as he hung suspended.


    Fortunately, his hooked claws, though slender and seemingly fragile, were incredibly durable. Coupled with his powerful limbs, they kept him securely anchored to the rock.


    As he descended closer to the ground, his vision gradually clarified. Proximity to the water source had created a lush, verdant landscape below. The soil was entirely covered in green. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The vegetation here was distinctly different from the barren landscape above. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t a botanist, so he couldn¡¯t classify them. However, their appearance clearly indicated a unique ecosystem.


    The vibrancy of the scene excited Luo Wen. The dense foliage promised not only an abundance of resources but also a diverse array of insect species and genetic fragments.


    From the undergrowth came unfamiliar insect calls, piquing Luo Wen¡¯s excitement. Finally, he would meet new ¡°friends.¡± Hopefully, they¡¯d appreciate his Luo-style combat techniques.


    But just as he neared the ground¡ªfive or six meters away¡ªa sudden movement from a crevice caught his eye. An indigenous creature launched a surprise attack.

 Chapter 36: Ambush

    The native creature closely matched the color of the cliff rock, camouflaging itself within a crevice. It had remained utterly motionless, blending seamlessly with the surroundings, and Luo Wen, focused on the greenery below, failed to notice the seemingly lifeless form was, in fact, alive.


    Luckily, Luo Wen¡¯s evolving eyes, with their now thirty-meter range and heightened refresh rate, caught the creature¡¯s movement the instant it struck.


    The figure leaping toward him became vividly clear¡ªa spider-like creature, gargantuan in size, several times larger than Luo Wen himself.


    Its body resembled a fortress, divided into two segments: the cephalothorax and a rounded, hair-covered abdomen. Its head bore eight black, spherical eyes arranged in three rows¡ªfour small ones in front, two larger ones in the middle, and two more small ones at the back.


    At its mouth, a pair of chelicerae arched forward, exposing sharp, venomous fangs.


    It had eight sturdy striding limbs, each jointed for exceptional mobility. Covered in hair and tipped with small claws and barbs, the legs spread wide, forming a deadly net as it leaped to envelop Luo Wen with its massive frame.


    Luo Wen had thought his own size made him a giant among insects, dominating worker ants in the desert. But this new environment wasted no time humbling him; the first creature he encountered dwarfed him completely.


    He had no interest in discovering what would happen if he was caught under the massive web-like trap. Nor was he keen on testing his carapace against those venomous fangs. To make matters worse, his current position on the cliff left him no room for agile maneuvers.


    Realizing the ground was close, Luo Wen decided to release his hooks and drop, hoping to both evade the attack and reach safety below.


    But the spider was faster. As Luo Wen detached from the cliff, one of its hairy limbs lashed out like lightning, snagging him mid-fall.


    Luo Wen reacted instantly, raising a sturdy burrower limb to shield himself.


    The spider¡¯s barbed limb bristled with backward-facing hooks, clinging tightly to Luo Wen¡¯s digging limb the moment they made contact. The spider, clearly experienced in handling prey attempting to escape via freefall, began reeling him back in.


    With horrifying efficiency, its venomous fangs advanced.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Luo Wen cursed, fear mingling with fury. He had underestimated the creature, whose unique adaptations made it a master predator. His attempted escape had played right into its strengths.


    The hooked hairs, though seemingly delicate, were incredibly strong. Despite his frantic struggles, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t break free from their grip.


    The spider¡¯s fangs clamped down on his burrower limb. Though his carapace held for a brief moment, cracks soon formed under the pressure. Finally, the fangs punctured through to the soft muscle beneath, and a numbing sensation spread through Luo Wen¡¯s body.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Luo Wen cursed again, furious and alarmed. The creature¡¯s venom was potent, and the situation was quickly deteriorating. If this stalemate continued, his life would be forfeit. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Desperation ignited his survival instincts. Luo Wen brought his powerful jaws to bear, biting through the joint of his trapped limb with all his strength.


    The moment he severed his digging limb, the spider reared back, and Luo Wen seized the chance to break free. With a coordinated push from his six remaining legs, he launched himself away using his newly evolved burst speed.


    In an instant, he was a blur of motion, a dark shadow leaping from the cliff crevice and tumbling to the ground below.


    The spider extended itself in pursuit, but despite its eight eyes, it was clearly near-sighted. Luo Wen, now on the forest floor, was beyond its visual range. Frustrated, the spider retreated, retreating back into its crevice with the severed limb still clutched in its fangs. Moments later, the crevice was as silent and still as before.


    Luo Wen landed in a patch of undergrowth, hastily shoving aside grass to dig into the soil. With one limb missing, his digging speed had slowed, but he pressed on, seeking the safety of the earth.


    His wound continued to throb and numb, the venom melting away his muscle tissue. The severity of the toxin left Luo Wen both horrified and enraged.


    ¡°Damn it! That thing plays dirty¡ªvenomous and extremely venomous at that!¡±


    Gritting his mandibles, he bit off the base of his severed limb to prevent the venom from spreading further. Scraping his jaws clean on the dirt, he muttered to himself. If the venom reached his mouth, he couldn¡¯t very well bite off his own head.


    After digging for what felt like hours, Luo Wen detected no other life nearby. Exhausted, he resorted to eating soil¡ªa necessity he had never expected to face so soon. Although the taste was dreadful, it sustained him. He ate his fill before succumbing to sleep, his body beginning the long process of self-repair.


    Time passed. When Luo Wen finally awoke, he examined his body. He hadn¡¯t cocooned this time, but a new digging limb had grown in place of the old one.


    The new limb was significantly smaller than its counterpart, making Luo Wen look oddly mismatched with his uneven appendages.


    ¡°This is going to drive my OCD insane,¡± he muttered, feeling a pang of frustration.


    Still, he was confident his genes would correct the disparity as long as his nutrition intake was sufficient.


    His stomach growled, spurring Luo Wen to crawl upward. He resolved to minimize his dirt consumption¡ªits energy conversion rate was dismal. It had also given him his first experience with insect digestion issues, a situation he hoped to avoid in the future.


    Near the surface, Luo Wen encountered a tangle of roots. Biting through a few, he drank the sap to replenish his fluids.


    As he carefully poked his head out of the ground, a nearby grasshopper-like insect leapt away with astonishing speed. Despite its quickness, Luo Wen clearly captured its appearance.


    ¡°That looks like a grasshopper,¡± he observed. The insect was an oily green, resembling a locust. Its powerful hind legs marked it as a champion jumper, though it lacked wings. Its back was covered in a hard shell that split open during jumps, helping it maintain balance mid-air.

 Chapter 37: Discovery

    The grasshopper¡¯s abilities were impressive, especially its powerful hind legs. Unfortunately, it was highly alert. Luo Wen barely rustled the grass before it leaped away. Though it didn¡¯t jump far, the lush vegetation severely hampered his ¡°eagle eye¡± ability in this environment.


    No matter how sharp his vision was, it wasn¡¯t x-ray capable; he couldn¡¯t see through the dense underbrush. With his greatest advantage on the surface nullified, moving underground once more seemed safer.


    The ground near the lake was moist, and Luo Wen soon sensed movement. Approaching cautiously, he found a worm.


    This worm was different from the foul-smelling, ambush-prone one he¡¯d encountered before. Its dark-red body was less grotesque and lacked the repulsive stench.


    It wriggled through the soil with rhythmic undulations. To Luo Wen, such a chance meeting was fate. He decided to take a bite.


    The more genetic fragments he added to his gene pool, the better. Who knew when they might come in handy? The foul-smelling worm¡¯s ability to extract nutrition from dirt had been invaluable in a crisis, even if the experience of consuming it was unpleasant.


    Encountering a new species of worm presented an opportunity to gain another useful trait. Perhaps by collecting and combining different worms¡¯ abilities, Luo Wen could eventually achieve the ultimate dirt-eating efficiency¡ªwithout any digestive side effects.


    Grabbing one end of the worm, Luo Wen unceremoniously shoved its dirt-covered body into his mouth. This worm was unimpressive, offering no resistance to his attack.


    Perhaps due to his prior experience with far worse flavors, the earthy taste and faint stench of this worm were relatively tolerable.


    After consuming half the worm, Luo Wen let it go. Remarkably, even with half its body gone, the worm remained lively, burrowing into the soil and disappearing within moments.


    Its vitality was enviable, but Luo Wen already possessed the ability to regenerate lost limbs. The absorbed genetic fragments seemed to enhance his recovery further, subtly strengthening his resilience.


    Still, he was far more interested in the spider that had ambushed him on the cliff. Obtaining its genetic fragments could be transformative.


    Although spiders weren¡¯t insects, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t a traditional bug, either. The Iphieash species to which he belonged defied Earth¡¯s definitions. While they resembled insects during their early stages, their genetic makeup was a patchwork of various creatures. If categorized, they were more akin to a ¡°swarm species¡± than true insects.


    At this point, Luo Wen might be the last surviving member of his kind.


    Pondering his battle with the spider, Luo Wen recognized the vast disparity in power. A direct confrontation was hopeless, especially given its venom. Without poison, he might have been able to rely on his armor to endure. But the spider¡¯s venom rendered its attacks devastating.


    If a solo fight was out of the question, perhaps overwhelming it with numbers could work. By rallying his brood, Luo Wen could emulate the yellow earth ants, sacrificing weaker individuals to exhaust the spider¡¯s venom reserves before swarming it.


    The plan was feasible and aligned with his goal of building a collective. Not everything had to be a solo effort.


    For now, finding a new nesting site took priority. Once he had secured a location, he could bring the rest of his swarm.


    An ideal site would be near ant nests, as ants were plentiful and provided valuable resources.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Luo Wen to encounter a familiar network of tunnels underground. Emerging onto the surface, he spotted numerous black ants. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were the same species as the black ants from the desert.


    This discovery simplified matters. Luo Wen altered his pheromones and brazenly infiltrated the black ants¡¯ nest.


    The layout of the tunnels felt familiar, and Luo Wen followed the largest pathway to the incubation chamber, where he found some ¡°old acquaintances.¡± As the saying goes, ¡°old enemies meet, and sparks fly.¡± A few well-aimed acid spits dispatched them.


    After examining the incubation and storage chambers, along with the number of soldier ants, Luo Wen estimated the nest contained over 5,000 members.


    The abundance of resources near the lake was evident. Even a randomly encountered ant nest dwarfed those in the desert.


    After a hearty meal courtesy of the black ants¡¯ supplies, Luo Wen emerged from the nest and began scouting the surrounding area.


    The presence of such a large nest suggested the absence of major threats. Otherwise, the relatively weak black ants couldn¡¯t have grown to this size.


    Luo Wen decided to explore above ground. The underground offered little beyond roots and worms, while the surface held the promise of diverse genetic material.


    Cautiously crawling through the underbrush, he occasionally startled grasshoppers of various colors and sizes. These grasshoppers typically rested on grass blades and were highly vigilant. Luo Wen¡¯s size made silent approaches nearly impossible, so he hadn¡¯t yet had the chance to ¡°showcase his talents¡± to them.


    He also encountered numerous new insects, though most lacked distinctive traits worth assimilating. Having recently feasted, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t particularly hungry and didn¡¯t bother engaging them.


    Among his discoveries were many black ants foraging for food. Underneath a rock, a group of worker ants was dragging out a segmented, half-cylindrical insect covered in a tough carapace. This creature had numerous joints and small legs but had curled into a ball to defend itself. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The worker ants couldn¡¯t breach its armor but surrounded it persistently. Whenever the insect attempted to uncurl and escape, they swarmed it, forcing it to retreat into its defensive posture.


    This was only delaying the inevitable. A massive soldier ant, guided by several workers, was making its way through the grass.


    Soon, the battle resumed. The armored insect¡¯s defenses were no match for the soldier ant¡¯s formidable weaponry. After a few exchanges, it lay gravely wounded, its body severely damaged.


    The workers swarmed over it, dismembering it into smaller pieces for transport back to the nest.


    Elsewhere, Luo Wen noticed black ants on plant stems, tending to green, translucent aphids. Surprisingly, the ants didn¡¯t attack the aphids but patrolled around them diligently. Periodically, the aphids lifted their abdomens, excreting a sticky liquid, which the worker ants scraped up with their mandibles.


    Moments later, the ants regurgitated a semi-solid, jelly-like substance, feeding it mouth-to-mouth to their companions.


    Watching this, Luo Wen recalled eating something similar in the ant nest earlier. The sweet, syrupy flavor had been quite enjoyable.


    Now, however, the thought of its origin filled him with nausea.

 Chapter 38: The Migration (1)

    Luo Wen deeply regretted his sharp eyesight and cursed himself for watching the entire process.


    A rare delicacy¡ªwhy did he have to witness how it was made? How could he bring himself to eat it now? It was a devastating blow to a foodie like him.


    He turned away, determined not to look again, and focused on scouting the area.


    With his view obstructed, Luo Wen managed to search only a few hundred meters around him before nightfall. He discovered four ant nests, all belonging to Black Ants. These nests were relatively large, likely due to their ability to rear other insects. A more diverse food supply allowed them to sustain a larger population.


    As for a new location to establish his own nest, Luo Wen had made his choice. He selected the intersection at the center of the four Black Ant nests. While it was somewhat risky, Luo Wen had become quite adept at concealing his lair.


    These Black Ants could only dig so deep underground. Luo Wen planned to build his nest in the deeper layers, as he had done before. Above this, he would construct a transit station completely disconnected from the main nest below.


    The subterranean brood nest would be like an isolated island, only linked to the upper transit station during food transportation.


    With his mission accomplished, it was time to return. It was already late, so Luo Wen decided to rest for the night and head back at dawn.


    The next morning, Luo Wen emerged from the ground, stopped by a nearby ant nest to snag a meal, and began crawling towards the cliff.


    Recalling his harrowing experience on the cliff last time, Luo Wen decided to scale a different section. His hooked claws gripped the rocky surface tightly as he hoisted his body upward.


    Climbing was a physically demanding task, especially for someone of Luo Wen¡¯s rounded physique. His size required extra effort, but it also came with advantages: his sturdy, powerful limbs allowed him to better withstand strong winds. It was a double-edged sword.


    Carefully, he examined the cracks in the cliff, staying vigilant for any sudden ambushes. If attacked, Luo Wen was prepared to launch himself away instantly, even if it meant starting the climb over.


    This time, however, he encountered no attacks. It seemed the cliff-dwelling spiders were few and far between, and he had simply been unlucky the last time.


    It took him the entire day to climb the cliff. By evening, he finally reached the top, exhausted from the effort. The extended time was due to the grueling nature of the climb and a period of strong winds during which he had to take shelter in a rock crevice. Only when the winds subsided did he resume his ascent.


    The desert above the cliff presented minimal danger, so Luo Wen decided to travel through the night.


    By the following evening, with only a few brief rests, Luo Wen had completed the journey in one day and one night. A trip that had previously taken him over two days was now halved.


    Calculating the time spent, Luo Wen estimated that the entire round trip, including time for recuperative rest, had taken about a week. Back at the brood nest, everything was mostly intact, except for the depleted food stores. There were no other losses.


    Most of the insects were conserving energy by lying motionless on the ground. Only a few smaller Worker Ants were feeding the larvae. Luo Wen also spotted over a dozen tiny Black Beetles nearby; it seemed the first batch of cultivated eggs had finally matured into adults.


    Unsealing the chamber housing the Brood Nest, Luo Wen provided it with some food before linking with it and uploading the newly acquired gene fragments.


    As for the migration of the nest, Luo Wen had devised a plan during his journey back.


    The current nest population, including adults, larvae, pupae, and unhatched eggs, exceeded one thousand individuals. Adults comprised the majority, followed by pupae and larvae. Since the Brood Nest had long ceased laying eggs under Luo Wen¡¯s orders, there were only a few unhatched eggs left.


    Luo Wen instructed the insects to consume all remaining food. Each adult was to carry a larva, pupa, or egg. Luo Wen himself would connect to the Brood Nest, while the Black Beetles formed a phalanx beneath it, linking their armored backs together to create a makeshift platform to support and transport the Brood Nest.


    With everything prepared, the migration began in earnest.


    Burrower Ants took the lead, digging a tunnel to the surface.


    Although communication with Big Black was impossible, Luo Wen had initially intended to leave it behind. However, when Luo Wen and the Black Beetles began dragging the Brood Nest out, Big Black trailed closely behind.


    On the desolate landscape, a giant beetle pulled a fleshy lump, which was visibly supported by numerous smaller beetles below. Behind them followed hundreds of ants, each clutching larvae or pupae in their mandibles. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This motley crew of disparate insects marched in harmony, united in their slow but purposeful advance.


    The procession¡¯s speed was inevitably slower than Luo Wen¡¯s solo pace. At their current rate, it would take about a week to reach the cliff.


    The Black Beetles fared relatively well, occasionally finding tender tree branches to sustain themselves. The ants, however, could only lick tree sap for hydration. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure how long they could survive on just water.


    Determined to ensure future resilience, Luo Wen resolved to incorporate soil-eating genes into the next batch of larvae. At least then, hunger wouldn¡¯t be as dire an issue.


    Each evening, Luo Wen led the insects in excavating a temporary burrow. The nights were chilly, and while the adults could manage, the larvae suffered. On the first night, Luo Wen overlooked this issue, resulting in the loss of all remaining eggs and several larvae. Pupae were unaffected, but two newly emerged adults also succumbed to the cold.


    Insects, being protein-based, didn¡¯t go to waste. Luo Wen ordered the others to consume the dead to replenish their energy.


    As they journeyed onward, even the sparse Yellow Earth Ants seemed to vanish. Days passed without encountering a single one.


    A week later, the migration army finally reached the cliff. Their numbers had dwindled from over a thousand to just over nine hundred.


    Losses occurred daily due to various reasons. Most fatalities were larvae that failed to survive the inadequate nutrition, followed by weak newly emerged adults or individuals lost along the way.


    Whatever the cause, those were now in the past. They had achieved their initial goal.


    But ahead of them lay an even greater challenge.

 Chapter 39: The Migration (2)

    Luo Wen led the migrating swarm to the safe route he had scouted earlier. After a bit of adjustment, the army began their descent.


    At this stage, the Black Beetles were of little use. Luo Wen selected several large Worker Ants and positioned them around the Brood Nest. Each ant bit onto a corner of the nest, and together, they lifted it incrementally toward the cliff.


    Luo Wen took the lead, acting as the base by propping the Brood Nest up from below with his body. Around him, seven or eight ants stabilized the nest, ensuring it didn¡¯t tip over.


    The rest of the insects began following suit, climbing down the cliff in an orderly manner.


    As the swarm moved slowly along the cliff face, Luo Wen bore the immense weight of the Brood Nest with his mandibles and digging limbs. Despite his robust body and sturdy limbs, he found it increasingly difficult to bear the strain.


    To make matters worse, as the swarm reached the midpoint of the climb, the previously mild winds began to intensify. The increasing wind pressure took a toll on the swarm.


    The strong winds caused some ants to lose their grip, their mandibles releasing larvae or pupae, which were immediately swept away. Others couldn¡¯t hold on to the cliff at all, plummeting into the abyss below.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t spare attention to the others¡ªhis own situation had become precarious. Two of the ants gripping the Brood Nest were blown away, while three others clung on with only their mandibles. Their bodies flailed helplessly in the wind.


    The loss of several ants destabilized the Brood Nest¡¯s center of gravity. The remaining ants, along with Luo Wen, struggled to keep it steady in the fierce wind.


    The nest toppled backward off Luo Wen¡¯s head. He clamped onto it with his mandibles, trying to catch it. However, the downward force of the falling nest pulled Luo Wen away from the cliff, and they plummeted together.


    During the fall, the wind shifted their trajectory slightly. Fortunately, the combined weight of Luo Wen and the Brood Nest lessened the impact, and the drop was only about twenty meters. They landed in a dense thicket below, which cushioned the fall.


    The Brood Nest, being naturally tough, sustained no damage. Luo Wen, with his experience from past falls, was also unscathed. Five Worker Ants that had been attached to the nest fell alongside it. Being lighter, they were only slightly disoriented and otherwise unharmed.


    Luo Wen quickly dug a pit and buried the Brood Nest to protect it. He then started marking pheromone trails along the cliff base to guide the scattered insects.


    By nightfall, Luo Wen had only managed to gather a few dozen insects, including two Black Beetles, one Burrower Ant, and several Worker Ants, along with a few larvae and pupae.


    With no other options, he decided to rest for the night. The following day, he spent the entire time gathering more insects but only managed to find a few dozen more. Combined with the previous day¡¯s count, the swarm now totaled barely over a hundred.


    The cliff crossing had been devastating. While the week-long march through the desert had cost only a little over a hundred insects, the cliff climb had claimed several hundred in just a few hours.


    Further searching was futile. Thankfully, the Brood Nest remained intact. After another night¡¯s rest, Luo Wen unearthed the Brood Nest and set off toward the new nest location with the remnants of the swarm.


    The reduced numbers weren¡¯t entirely a disadvantage. The survivors were mostly robust adults, with only a few larvae and pupae. Luo Wen hauled the Brood Nest himself, supported below by Black Beetles and several ants. With fewer insects to slow them down, their travel speed increased significantly, and their smaller size made them less conspicuous.


    Previously, Luo Wen had worried that the swarm¡¯s size would make it difficult to remain hidden while traversing multiple ant nests to reach the central location. That concern was now moot.


    The new nest site was only three to four hundred meters from the cliff. The streamlined migration party reached it quickly.


    On the way, they encountered a few scout ants from an unknown nest. After Luo Wen demonstrated his ¡°performance skills,¡± the scouts contributed their bodies to the swarm¡¯s long-overdue feast.


    Upon arrival, Luo Wen assigned two Burrower Ants to start digging. One had been found the previous day, and the other was located during the journey. The Worker Ants assisted by carrying the excavated soil outside. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen circled the new nest site, using his pheromones to mark the area as a no-trespassing zone. This precaution aimed to deter scout ants from disturbing the insects at work.


    The excavation progressed rapidly once Luo Wen joined in. After all, he had previously managed to dig out a nest alone while hauling the Brood Nest. Now, with his significantly larger size and dozens of strong helpers, the work advanced even faster.


    A small mound of soil began forming at the entrance, evidence of the soil being transported out. Due to the proximity to a water source, the soil was moist, and the underground environment was damp.


    Luo Wen recalled observing the nearby ant nests, where he had noticed many areas lined with fine sand and wood shavings. He had even seen ants removing moldy shavings from their nests. At the time, he hadn¡¯t understood the purpose, but now, as he dug his own nest, the reason became clear. He marveled at how these seemingly simple creatures had developed survival strategies passed down over countless generations.


    Such knowledge was the crystallization of time. Luo Wen¡¯s own experience as an insect was brief, so absorbing these accumulated lessons was the best way to build his foundation.


    The pheromone barrier proved effective. By nightfall, no scout ants had ventured into the area.


    The insects had dug a small chamber about seven or eight meters underground. They couldn¡¯t go deeper due to water seepage, which made the soil unstable and prone to collapse. Even the current depth would require significant reinforcement to ensure safety.


    With the main nest unfinished and uninhabitable, Luo Wen dug a temporary nest about a meter underground to house the Brood Nest. In case of an emergency, the Brood Nest could be buried quickly, and the insects would scatter to draw attention away, ensuring its safety.


    Though an attack was unlikely, Luo Wen ensured all precautions were in place.


    He ventured out again to ¡°perform,¡± returning with a few more victims to feed the swarm and the Brood Nest.


    By the following day, the simplified nest should be complete. After some basic reinforcement, it would be ready for temporary use. Once the Brood Nest resumed production, they could expand and fortify the nest further, including constructing transportation tunnels to link the surrounding ant nests¡ªa task that would require a substantial workforce.

 Chapter 40: Development and Conflict

    Two leisurely months passed, and the insect hive underwent a dramatic transformation.


    Above the hive, a decoy transit station had been established. Four spacious tunnels now connected it to the surrounding four ant nests. Worker Ants scurried back and forth through these tunnels, transporting food from the ant nests to the transit station.


    Each evening, the tunnels between the transit station and the hive were reopened, allowing the food to be transferred into the hive.


    Above the transit station, the soil excavated during the digging of the hive and tunnels had been piled into a tall mound. This mound not only prevented rainwater from flooding the tunnels but also concealed large, unprocessed food stores, including the corpses of numerous sentry Worker Ants.


    Thanks to the steady influx of resources from the four ant nests, the hive thrived. The number of adult insects exceeded a thousand, and there were over two thousand eggs, pupae, and larvae.


    These newly bred insects were not ordinary ants. Their genes had undergone significant upgrades, transforming them into hybrids that retained the appearance and behavior of ants but were composed of traits from multiple insect species.


    When the temporary hive was first established, Luo Wen had instructed the Brood Nest to produce over 200 Burrower Ant eggs, incorporating soil-eating genes to ensure their survival in the harsh early conditions.


    Burrower Ants were not only capable of performing all the functions of regular Worker Ants but also excelled at excavation. The four connecting tunnels, spanning over a thousand meters in total, were a testament to the capabilities of these new ants.


    With the tunnels completed and a stable food supply secured, Luo Wen shifted focus to breeding Worker Ants equipped with formic acid spraying abilities. These ants had poor close-combat skills but excelled in food transport and long-range combat support.


    The next step involved developing new Soldier Ants. Using the standard Soldier Ant template, Luo Wen integrated various gene fragments. These upgrades resulted in visible differences in their weaponry: some bore the hook-shaped mandibles of Yellow Earth Ants, others had enlarged mandibles resembling those of Black Ants, and a few were equipped with massive jaws akin to those of Black Beetles.


    In addition to enhanced weaponry, the new Soldier Ants inherited the robustness of Black Beetles, combined with their original Soldier Ant traits. As a result, their mature forms were significantly larger and more powerful than standard Soldier Ants.


    There were also a few specialized breeds. Among them were Scout Bugs, equipped with exceptional vision capable of seeing over twenty meters. However, their limited intelligence hindered their ability to report findings effectively, necessitating further upgrades.


    Another innovation was the Spy Bug. With the four ant nests spread out, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t personally infiltrate them and transport food daily. Thus, he developed this species, capable of altering their pheromones to blend in.


    Unfortunately, their limited intelligence initially resulted in poor performance. However, after a month of meticulous training under Luo Wen¡¯s guidance, the Spy Bugs eventually learned to complete their tasks independently. Despite occasional shortcomings, they became responsible for stealing food from the ant nests¡ªa decision Luo Wen made with careful consideration.


    The Spy Bugs had decent safety measures. Black Ants couldn¡¯t detect their disguises and, at most, noticed the traces they left behind in the stolen tunnels.


    Even if the theft was discovered, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t worried. The hive had grown considerably in strength. Although the ant nests outnumbered the hive several times over, Luo Wen was confident in his ability to defeat them if necessary.


    If not for the efficiency of the Worker Ants, some of the nearby ant nests might have already been eliminated.


    Just a few days ago, the southeastern ant nest discovered one of the stolen tunnels. Several scout Worker Ants infiltrated it, followed by a significant military force.


    The hive responded immediately. The transport team Worker Ants, doubling as scouts, marked the retreat path with pheromones as they slowly withdrew from the tunnel.


    Soon, the hive¡¯s Soldier Ant Corps entered the tunnel, and the transport Worker Ants stopped retreating, falling in behind the soldiers as they advanced toward the battlefield.


    When the two forces met, there was no preamble¡ªthey clashed instantly.


    The Soldier Ants blocked the tunnel while Worker Ants launched surprise attacks, biting antennae and pulling at limbs. However, the hive¡¯s side had a trump card: a ranged attack formation. Several rounds of formic acid sprays devastated the enemy Worker Ants, inflicting heavy casualties. Even the more durable Soldier Ants suffered burns to their eyes and antennae.


    The hive¡¯s insects, having been modified with acid-resistant genes, were unaffected by the sprays. Aside from gaining a glossy sheen on their carapaces, they sustained no damage.


    Without the support of their Worker Ants, the ant nest¡¯s soldiers couldn¡¯t withstand the hive¡¯s fully intact army. The hive¡¯s Worker Ants swarmed them, immobilizing their limbs and leaving them vulnerable to the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants, who swiftly decapitated them.


    Led by the Soldier Ants, the hive forces broke through the enemy ranks. Some Worker Ants followed closely, while others lagged behind to finish off injured foes.


    The assault reached the enemy¡¯s incubation chamber. Only Luo Wen¡¯s intervention prevented the hive from completely annihilating the nest. As the losing side, the ant nest had no choice but to accept defeat quietly.


    Post-battle reports revealed that the hive had lost nine Soldier Ants and several dozen Worker Ants, while the enemy nest suffered devastating losses: 71 Soldier Ants and nearly a thousand Worker Ants, leaving it crippled.


    The hive, despite its losses, gained a substantial haul of ant corpses¡ªa valuable protein-rich resource. Most of these war spoils were stored in the mound above the transit station.


    However, food supplies from the defeated nest sharply declined afterward. This prompted Luo Wen to reflect deeply. Why resort to such hostility? Couldn¡¯t disputes be resolved peacefully? Even if conflict was unavoidable, couldn¡¯t it have been less severe? Though leading the swarm¡¯s charge had been exhilarating, crippling the ant nest ultimately hindered the hive¡¯s growth.


    In a gesture of goodwill, Luo Wen temporarily closed the stolen tunnel to allow the nest time to recover. Fortunately, its eggs remained unharmed. Luo Wen hoped that with this ¡°recovery policy,¡± the nest would soon resume its role as a resource provider and perform even better. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t participate directly in the battle, as his significantly larger size rendered him unsuitable for the tunnels. His involvement would have blocked pathways and hindered the effectiveness of the swarm.


    Reflecting on the war, Luo Wen noticed a marked increase in the intelligence of this new generation of insects. Previously, they behaved like simple machines, requiring constant instructions. Now, they displayed traits akin to rudimentary AI, capable of performing complex tasks and even learning.


    What caused this change? Luo Wen speculated it might be the hive¡¯s continuous growth or the interaction of diverse gene fragments. This was merely a hypothesis, requiring further observation and experimentation.


    Regardless of the cause, Luo Wen regarded this development as a promising sign.

 Chapter 41: Revenge

    After several days of post-battle recovery, the hive not only replenished its losses but also slightly increased its total population.


    As the Brood Nest grew, its daily egg-laying capacity also improved. Depending on the complexity of the insects being bred, it could now produce anywhere from a few to dozens of eggs daily without overburdening itself.


    Eggs that hatched into Soldier Ants were the least produced. Their complex genetics demanded significant resources, making them a costly but powerful asset. Even with the support of four ant nests, Luo Wen¡¯s hive could only sustain fewer than a hundred Soldier Ants. On his own, such numbers would be entirely unfeasible.


    Today, Luo Wen had a critical mission in mind. One that had been gnawing at him like a thorn in his side. Although he didn¡¯t consider himself a vengeful insect, the matter of losing an appendage demanded retribution.


    He set out with a formidable force of thirty Soldier Ants, one hundred Worker Ants, and all the Scout Bugs at his disposal. The group advanced in a grand procession.


    The spider¡¯s ambush had occurred five or six meters up the cliff. Though Luo Wen¡¯s pheromone markings from that time had long since dissipated, he could still discern the general direction. His sharp, high-resolution vision compared the current landscape to the mental image he¡¯d retained.


    It didn¡¯t take long for him to identify the area. Crawling along the base of the cliff, he soon found the rocky crevice where the spider had hidden.


    With the location confirmed, the group began their ascent. As they neared the crevice, the formation spread out to encircle it.


    While Luo Wen was sure of the location, he couldn¡¯t guarantee the spider was still there. Cliff-climbing insects were rare, and with a spider of that size, waiting idly in one spot would likely lead to starvation.


    Carefully, Luo Wen poked his head out. His massive compound eyes, occupying nearly half his head, allowed him to observe the crevice with minimal exposure.


    Inside, he spotted a spider crouched in a corner, camouflaged perfectly against the rocky background. If Luo Wen hadn¡¯t known to look for it, he might not have noticed the creature at all.


    However, this spider differed slightly from the one that had attacked him. It appeared leaner, and its back was swollen with a writhing mass. A closer look revealed the movement came from dozens of tiny spiders crawling over the adult¡¯s back¡ªa harrowing sight for anyone with arachnophobia.


    Beside the living spider was another spider, long dead and reduced to a desiccated husk.


    Luo Wen quickly deduced the situation: the female spider had devoured the male. While he had always known that male insects often met grim fates, witnessing it firsthand still sent a shiver through him.


    Whether the spider that had attacked him was this female or the deceased male no longer mattered.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t hold grudges¡ªthis was simply a convenient excuse. The real objective lay in the genetic fragments the spiders carried. The timing was perfect; the female had just given birth, making her the ideal target.


    Despite his determination, Luo Wen remained wary of the spider¡¯s venomous fangs. While he would be the main combatant, he couldn¡¯t risk attracting the first wave of attacks. A solid strategy was essential.


    The idea of throwing rocks to test the waters crossed his mind, but given his physical limitations, such actions were impractical.


    Instead, he relied on his Worker Ants. Using his antennae, he relayed pheromone commands to the nearest Worker Ants, which quickly spread the instructions throughout the group.


    The ants chattered through antennae taps, and soon the entire formation was briefed on Luo Wen¡¯s plan.


    Without hesitation, the Worker Ants began the assault. They scurried into the crevice, leading the charge.


    The Soldier Ants followed closely behind, while Luo Wen lingered at the rear to oversee the operation.


    The spider reacted swiftly. An experienced ambusher, it immediately rose to face the intruders. However, the sudden influx of prey left it momentarily indecisive.


    The Worker Ants moved quickly. Equipped with their spring-loaded launch systems, they reached the spider¡¯s legs in an instant, biting down with their mandibles. Unfortunately, the spider¡¯s legs were too thick, and their efforts failed to inflict damage.


    Recovering from its hesitation, the spider lashed out. Its legs moved with blinding speed, striking down the surrounding Worker Ants. Half were sent flying; the luckier ones hit nearby walls and rejoined the fight, while the rest plummeted from the crevice to the ground five or six meters below.


    The fall wasn¡¯t fatal, but their poor vision made it nearly impossible for them to find their way back.


    Anticipating this, Luo Wen had stationed his Scout Bugs at the cliff¡¯s base. These large-eyed insects were tasked with locating and recovering any fallen comrades.


    While the Worker Ants failed to harm the spider, they effectively absorbed its initial attacks, successfully drawing its attention.


    The Soldier Ants, all equipped with spring-loaded launch systems, arrived next. Unlike the Worker Ants, their weaponry was designed for combat.


    Giant Mandible Soldier Ants and Giant Fang Soldier Ants attacked the spider¡¯s legs, each limb gripped by multiple ants pulling in opposite directions. The spider was lifted slightly off the ground, its legs flailing in a desperate attempt to break free. However, the Soldier Ants¡¯ immense strength, combined with their unyielding grip, kept the spider immobilized. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Hook Soldier Ants joined in, leaping onto the spider¡¯s back and startling the smaller spiders, which scattered in all directions. Using their hook-shaped mandibles, they latched onto the spider¡¯s head, their teeth piercing its eyes and driving deeper.


    The spider let out a sharp screech, retracting its front limbs to bite a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant clamped onto its leg. Unfazed by the attack, the Soldier Ant ignored the venomous fangs and continued its mission.


    Meanwhile, Worker Ants climbed onto the spider¡¯s legs, working their way to its back. The Hook Soldier Ants withdrew their weapons, allowing the Worker Ants to gnaw at the exposed wounds.


    Unable to penetrate the spider¡¯s tough exoskeleton, the Worker Ants exploited the damaged areas, tearing at the vulnerable flesh. Gradually, they burrowed into the spider¡¯s body through its injuries.


    Despite its size and strength, the spider couldn¡¯t overcome the combined might of over twenty Soldier Ants. Its resistance waned as wounds accumulated and Worker Ants infiltrated its body. Finally, its struggles ceased, and its piercing cries fell silent.

 Chapter 42: The Spoils of Battle

    Luo Wen prided himself on being the main force of this operation, but to his surprise, all he contributed was his brain power; there was no opportunity for him to take action himself.


    Over the past two months, his combat strength had improved significantly. The giant spiders that once towered over him several times were now only about twice his size.


    However, no matter how confident he was, Luo Wen didn¡¯t believe he could take on a spider in a one-on-one fight. Its venomous fangs were essentially a cheat weapon¡ªhighly lethal and incredibly dangerous. One misstep could easily result in his defeat or even death at the hands of the spider.


    To his astonishment, such a formidable enemy was rendered utterly powerless in the face of the precise coordination of over a hundred ants. Like a lamb led to slaughter, it was subdued without any opportunity to resist.


    This success made Luo Wen feel that the unconventional path he had chosen, diverging from other Iphieash, might have even greater potential.


    Moreover, the battle itself unfolded not solely based on his general plan but primarily on the instincts of the ants working together seamlessly.


    This realization was a wake-up call. Luo Wen resolved not to rely solely on his own strength to recklessly charge into danger. He could easily end up capsized in a ditch¡ªjust like this spider¡ªoverwhelmed by smaller opponents through teamwork.


    At this moment, the giant spider was already lifeless. Even if it were somehow still alive, it posed no threat. It could eliminate all the soldier ants and still be unable to deal with the numerous worker ants burrowing inside its body.


    The crevices of the cliff were teeming with panicked little spiders, which hadn¡¯t fully matured and posed no significant threat. However, they were an excellent source of protein.


    Adhering to his principle of wasting nothing, Luo Wen ordered the ants to hunt down the small spiders.


    But the little spiders were incredibly agile, scuttling deftly along the cliff face. After a lengthy effort, the ants managed to catch just over twenty, while most of them escaped.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t concerned. Let them run. When they matured, they¡¯d provide an even greater bounty of protein.


    The mission had been a complete success. The primary objective lay before him, and those minor details were not worth dwelling on.


    The giant spider was dragged to the edge of the cliff and thrown down. A height of five to six meters wouldn¡¯t cause it to stray too far, and there was no fear of other creatures stealing it. Any creature daring to challenge his claim would be asking to witness his skills firsthand.


    The team then climbed down the cliff. Luo Wen began dismembering the giant spider, personally hauling the largest chunk toward the direction of the brood nest. He also sent two worker ants ahead to summon reinforcements.


    After all, the spider was rather large. Nearly every ant in the group was carrying a piece of it, leaving little manpower for defense. If they encountered scouting ants from another colony on the way, it could become troublesome.


    As the worker ants gathered the scattered ones flung away during the battle, a compound-eyed scout bug arrived. Luo Wen took a headcount. Besides one soldier ant killed in action, two worker ants were missing. All things considered, the losses were minimal.


    The two missing workers likely hadn¡¯t died from the fall. They might still be nearby and could make their way back to the brood nest on their own. Even if they didn¡¯t, it wasn¡¯t a big deal¡ªworker ants were the most basic units, easily replaced. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On the return journey, they encountered reinforcements from the brood nest: over twenty soldier ants accompanied by more than three hundred worker ants. After the two groups merged, they collectively represented nearly half the brood nest¡¯s combat-ready force. With this, Luo Wen had no further worries about running into ants from other nests.


    They encountered a few scouting ants along the way. Before Luo Wen had a chance to act, the worker ants stationed on the perimeter immobilized them, allowing the soldier ants to move in and finish them off.


    Watching the orderly proceedings, Luo Wen finally felt a glimmer of what it meant to be a leader.


    Upon returning to the brood nest, Luo Wen directed the ants to pile the spider¡¯s dismembered parts in his room. Yes, in the new nest, he had carved out a personal chamber as his private space.


    The room was carpeted with dry wood shavings, sourced from an unknown type of tree whose roots the ants had severed. After the tree withered, the ants hollowed out its trunk to extract the shavings.


    This was a lengthy process, requiring far more time than Luo Wen could afford to wait for a tree to wither. These wood shavings had been looted from another ant colony.


    After dismissing the ants, Luo Wen gazed at the assortment of spider parts before him. It was finally time to enjoy the fruits of his labor.


    Due to the spider being dismembered into small pieces and its tough, bristly exterior being difficult to eat, Luo Wen didn¡¯t consume the entire spider. He only chose the meatiest sections.


    Calling in a few worker ants to clean up the leftovers, Luo Wen then fell into a deep sleep.


    The spider¡¯s genetic material brought significant changes to Luo Wen. As he slept, his body began secreting a mucus-like substance that enveloped him. The mucus gradually hardened, transforming into a cocoon.


    When Luo Wen awoke to find himself inside the cocoon, he knew immediately that this evolution was significant. Strangely, though, he felt no extraordinary sensations during his sleep¡ªit was just an ordinary nap.


    Breaking free from the cocoon, Luo Wen felt a tinge of regret that his room lacked a mirror, preventing him from immediately seeing his new form.


    However, his eyes afforded him an expansive field of vision. With only a few blind spots, he could see nearly all of his body.


    Twisting and bending his limbs to examine himself thoroughly, Luo Wen found himself puzzled.


    Truthfully, his overall appearance hadn¡¯t changed much. His body remained mostly the same, with minimal external differences. However, his striding limbs had undergone significant transformations.


    Previously short and stubby, they had become long and robust, resembling a spider¡¯s walking legs. Thick and sturdy, they now featured numerous joints¡ªeach limb consisted of seven segments, making them incredibly flexible. The exoskeleton covering them was reinforced with durable chitin, adorned with sharp spines and bristles. At their tips were small claws, under which lay tufts of barbed adhesive hairs.


    Luo Wen recalled how the spider had pulled him back to the cliff with its sticky claws. Now, he felt capable of doing the same.


    Crawling around his room, Luo Wen discovered he could cling upside down to the ceiling and still move swiftly. What once required immense effort to climb vertically now felt effortless.


    This evolution of his limbs not only bolstered his offensive capabilities but also greatly enhanced his survival prospects. If he ever needed to escape, terrain would no longer pose a challenge.


    Beyond his limbs, Luo Wen noticed changes in his mouthparts. He now had a pair of venomous fangs in addition to his mandibles. Previously, he could only grip enemies and crush them with his mandibles. Now, with these venomous fangs, he could bite enemies and inject venom into them.


    Reflecting on the spider¡¯s potent venom, Luo Wen reminded himself to be cautious while eating. He wasn¡¯t sure if he had any resistance to his own venom. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally poison himself while eating.


    On second thought, it seemed unlikely. He could control whether or not to inject venom. Even if he lacked resistance, he wouldn¡¯t end up poisoning himself.

 Chapter 43: Plans

    Beyond the physical changes he observed, Luo Wen felt that his internal structure had also undergone significant transformations, though he wasn¡¯t sure of the specifics.


    If Luo Wen had more entomological knowledge, he might have deduced, based on the spider¡¯s physiology, that his oxygen delivery system had been overhauled. However, he would soon be able to confirm these genetic modifications through the Brood Nest.


    The new oxygen system was capable of supporting growth to much larger sizes.


    Despite these upgrades, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t gained the ability to produce silk. This wasn¡¯t entirely surprising. The creature resembled a spider in appearance, but Luo Wen had named it based on his own understanding. Who knew what it actually was?


    Moreover, its hunting method involved using rocks for ambushes, rather than showcasing any web-weaving abilities.


    Lacking the ability to spin silk didn¡¯t bother Luo Wen.


    The enhancements to his six striding limbs and the addition of venomous fangs alone were a major boon. Everything else would have been icing on the cake, desirable but not necessary.


    With his revenge complete, Luo Wen temporarily abandoned his thirst for action, allowing the region to experience a period of peaceful development.


    With the support of four nearby ant colonies, the number of insects under his control grew daily. Over time, the supplies from these colonies could no longer keep up with the demands of the Brood Nest.


    Recently, scout bugs with compound eyes had discovered three new ant colonies. Plans were underway to dig new transport routes. Once completed, the combined supply from all seven colonies would sustain the Brood Nest¡¯s development for a while longer.


    Hundreds of days and nights passed. Luo Wen had no idea how long a year was on this planet. The climate in his region showed little variation; every day seemed the same. Plants didn¡¯t follow any seasonal patterns of sprouting or shedding leaves, and there was no clear distinction between spring, summer, autumn, or winter.


    After all this time, the Brood Nest now connected to thirty-five ant colonies, supporting a vast swarm of over 10,000 worker ants and several hundred soldier ants.


    This number was deliberately capped by Luo Wen. Without such control, the population could have easily doubled.


    The primary constraint was the length of the transport routes.


    The farthest colony was nearly a kilometer from the Brood Nest. By the time the transport workers reached the storage chambers to steal food, they were often too exhausted to carry much back. After consuming a portion of the food on-site, they transported the remainder back, consuming even more along the way. By the time they returned to the Brood Nest, little food was left.


    To quantify this. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Every morning, a transport worker ant consumed one unit of food before setting out. Upon reaching Colony 35¡¯s storage chamber, it ate another unit and carried back two units of food.


    After returning, it consumed half a unit of food before resting for the night. The next morning, it consumed another unit and repeated the cycle.


    From this, it became clear that transporting two units of food cost the worker ant 2.5 units¡ªa net loss.


    Moreover, each colony had a daily limit on how much food could be stolen without disrupting its operations. Exceeding this limit would gradually reduce the colony¡¯s food output. Sustainable development required restraint, avoiding the ¡°kill the goose that lays the golden eggs¡± scenario.


    As a result, the Brood Nest had halted its expansion several weeks ago. Even the colonies numbered thirty and above were rarely visited by transport teams anymore, with only a few spy bugs loitering there for sustenance.


    Luo Wen had considered a diet of pure dirt for all but found it impractical. Tests revealed that the energy gained from eating dirt was too minimal to support daily activities. It was only viable for emergencies, where the swarm needed to remain inactive, minimizing survival costs.


    In simpler terms, eating dirt allowed them to survive while idle but couldn¡¯t sustain normal operations.


    Now, the Brood Nest¡¯s development had reached a bottleneck. To break through, Luo Wen devised three potential solutions.


    Plan One: Improve Transport Efficiency. While ants were strong, capable of carrying food several times their weight, they lacked suitable transport tools to maximize their potential.


    Currently, they relied on their mandibles for transport. If the food remained intact, they could carry larger pieces. Unfortunately, the stolen food was often already ground into smaller fragments.


    It was akin to a one-ton truck with only the cab and no cargo bed¡ªcapable of carrying only a fraction of its capacity.


    If Luo Wen could find a way to enhance their carrying capabilities, the Brood Nest¡¯s influence could expand severalfold.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen didn¡¯t know how to build ¡°cargo beds.¡± He could only hope to encounter a bug species equipped with such a feature, allowing him to extract its genetic material. When or if that would happen was anyone¡¯s guess.


    Plan Two: Relocate the Brood Nest. The current Brood Nest was nestled against a cliff. In its early days, this location was advantageous, as it minimized the need to defend against enemies from all sides.


    Now that the Brood Nest had grown strong, relocating it to a more central area surrounded by numerous ant colonies could significantly increase its reach.


    Connecting to more colonies meant more stolen food, solving the current supply problem.


    However, this was merely a stopgap measure that didn¡¯t address the root issue. Furthermore, relocating such a large Brood Nest was no simple task.


    Even if they moved, it would take time to establish transport routes to the new colonies. During this transitional period, there was no clear way to sustain the swarm.


    Plan Three: Claim Territory. The third plan involved clearing out nearby ant colonies and establishing a surface territory to produce food autonomously.


    Four colonies were located close to the Brood Nest. To avoid conflict, Luo Wen¡¯s swarm rarely ventured above ground.


    Currently, all the food came from the colonies. This had created a warped ecosystem where the entire swarm¡ªexcept the soldier ants¡ªwas essentially a massive transport team. Such dependence was unsustainable.


    By securing a patch of surface territory, they could produce their own food. For instance, they could raise the small green aphids found on tree leaves, expanding their scale using Luo Wen¡¯s intelligence. While this method of food production might seem unsavory, it would at least provide sustenance for his underlings.


    Compared to the first two options, the third plan seemed the most feasible.


    However, the worker ants from the nearby colonies were diligent and hardworking, making Luo Wen hesitant to disrupt their operations. His own laziness and lack of ambition caused him to put this plan on hold.


    Until a few days ago, when something unexpected happened.

 Chapter 44: Assassination

    In recent days, with some free time on his hands, Luo Wen used spider genes as a base and added compound-eyed scout bug genes to create specialized patrol spiders. These new units were tasked with monitoring the cliff face and scouting the desert atop the cliffs.


    A few days ago, one of these scout spiders reported that the Yellow Earth Ant Legion had reappeared in the desert. However, the scout¡¯s description was vague and unclear, prompting Luo Wen to climb to the top of the cliff himself to observe and gather more accurate intelligence.


    Peeking cautiously over the cliff¡¯s edge, Luo Wen activated his compound eyes, which had evolved over hundreds of days and nights, allowing him to clearly see within a 50-meter radius.


    In front of him, just 20 meters away, a dense swarm of Yellow Earth Ants moved like a muddy yellow torrent, trampling and piling on top of one another as they surged past. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The army shifted direction as it neared the cliff, rolling away like a massive tidal wave.


    Luo Wen watched intently for several hours until the entire horde had passed. The once-green desert, which had briefly flourished after a period of recovery, returned to its barren and desolate state. Only a few straggling Yellow Earth Ants wandered aimlessly, left behind by the main force.


    At last, Luo Wen understood the scenes he had witnessed on his initial journey through the desert. The Yellow Earth Ants treated the entire desert as a hunting ground, sweeping through it periodically.


    No wonder this area, despite being close to an underground river, remained so lifeless.


    The sheer number of Yellow Earth Ants left Luo Wen in awe.


    Comparing it to his own swarm of over 10,000 insects, which formed only a small heap, he couldn¡¯t fathom how many ants were needed to create such an endless yellow tide that marched for hours.


    Though the exact number was unclear, Luo Wen was certain it was astronomically high.


    Initially, upon witnessing the spectacle, Luo Wen had considered relocating the Brood Nest. Despite the swarm¡¯s recent growth in strength, he believed it would fare no better against the Yellow Earth Ant Legion than it had in the past.


    But upon noticing that the ants never approached the cliff, and recalling that his underlings now possessed the dirt-eating survival skill, Luo Wen decided that, in the worst-case scenario, they could retreat underground for several days until the army passed.


    Coupled with the logistical challenges of relocating the Brood Nest, Luo Wen abandoned the idea. Instead, his ambitions stirred¡ªhe dreamed of one day leading his swarm to confront the Yellow Earth Ant Legion head-on and exact vengeance for the time he had been gutted and forced to flee.


    Of course, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t a vengeful person. No, his motivation was to seek justice for the flora and fauna of the desert.


    To achieve the strength necessary for vengeance¡ªor, ahem, justice¡ªLuo Wen needed to expand his forces. The development of the Brood Nest was imperative, and clearing out nearby ant colonies had become unavoidable.


    Concerns about the diligence and contributions of the surrounding colonies no longer held weight.


    Today marked the start of the campaign, with the first objective being the elimination of the four closest ant colonies. Luo Wen planned to attack one colony per day, accounting for battlefield cleanup and inventorying the spoils, aiming to complete the operation within a week.


    Though the Brood Nest¡¯s swarm could already overwhelm any single colony with sheer numbers, Luo Wen still insisted on devising careful battle plans to minimize unnecessary losses.


    The attack began with a covert operation. A dozen spy bugs altered their pheromones to move through the enemy colony undetected, heading straight for the Queen Ant¡¯s chamber.


    The queen¡¯s chamber was a tunnel-like room where an enormous Queen Ant lay at the center. It resembled a worker ant magnified several dozen times, with an elongated, swollen abdomen adorned with yellow, ring-shaped patterns.


    Four sturdy soldier ants stood guard around her, while worker ants lined up to feed her mouth-to-mouth. A few others busily transported freshly laid eggs from her abdomen.


    The sudden intrusion of a dozen ants into the chamber caught the soldier ants¡¯ attention. However, after a brief inspection with their antennae, they detected nothing unusual and returned to their posts.


    The spy bugs, based on the worker ant template, had been modified with genes for pheromone alteration, rapid acceleration, and formic acid spray attacks.


    However, these were only the older versions.


    Carrying morsels of food, several spy bugs approached the Queen Ant, feigning an intention to feed her.


    Meanwhile, the others dispersed, moving toward the soldier ants.


    Though the soldier ants appeared uneasy as the spy bugs approached, they did not react aggressively and allowed them to climb onto their bodies.


    In an ant colony, stepping on one another was common, particularly for soldier ants accustomed to being climbed on due to their larger size.


    Once on the soldiers¡¯ backs, the spy bugs extended a retractable needle-like mouthpart, initially coiled like a tape measure. The ¡°tape¡± straightened, becoming as sharp as a steel needle, and slipped into the gaps in the soldier ants¡¯ armor.


    The soldiers seemed unaware of what was happening.


    After the battle with the spider, Luo Wen had contemplated arming the new spy bug models with venomous weapons. These units were designed for infiltration, intelligence gathering, and the assassination of key targets.


    Luo Wen had sometimes questioned whether such complexity was necessary for creatures of limited intelligence.


    But memories of the black beetle ¡°War God¡± being ambushed to death, the venomous spider overwhelmed by coordination, and the vast Yellow Earth Ant army reminded him that these creatures, while not highly intelligent, possessed instincts and evolutionary adaptations honed over millennia. Underestimating them would be unwise.


    Developing multi-unit tactics could serve as both a practical strategy and a form of personal amusement.


    When it came to the venom, Luo Wen realized during development that spider venom required the use of fangs. Since worker ants lacked the space for an additional set of fangs on their small heads, attempting to add them would result in underdeveloped, ineffective weaponry.


    Moreover, worker ants were primarily suited for ranged support and auxiliary roles, making close-combat enhancements unnecessary.


    Considering the high energy costs of producing venom-equipped eggs, Luo Wen deemed it an inefficient investment.


    This led him to recall the camouflage bug, a classic example of defeating the strong with the weak.


    Its needle-like mouthpart, while limited, was ideal for the spy bugs¡¯ assassination role, delivering venom precisely to vulnerable spots.


    Thus, the scene of the spy bugs assassinating the soldier ants unfolded.


    Suddenly, the soldier ants began convulsing, their coordination failing. They stumbled, their bodies trembling in pain, unable to stand.


    The black beetle had died painlessly, succumbing silently due to the camouflage bug being of a similar size. In contrast, the size disparity between the spy bugs and the soldier ants was immense, with the former being several times smaller. The venom stored in the spy bugs wasn¡¯t enough for an instant kill.


    Nevertheless, the venom was sufficient to render the soldier ants¡¯ muscles useless, leaving them incapacitated and writhing in agony.


    For these soldiers, death would have been a kinder fate.

 Chapter 45: The Assault Begins

    When the Queen Ant detected the abnormality among the Soldier Ants, it became alert and released a pheromone signaling for protection. However, it was too late; the Queen was already surrounded by numerous assassins.


    Almost at the exact moment the Queen realized something was wrong, seven Worker Ants disguised as feeders charged forward. Six of them latched onto the Queen¡¯s six striding limbs, pulling them backward. The remaining one climbed onto the Queen¡¯s back and ejected a retractable proboscis like a tape measure.


    Despite its desperate struggles, the Queen¡ªused to being fed and clearly lacking physical exercise¡ªwas unable to overcome the six Spy Bugs holding it down. Its large body was firmly restrained.


    The nearby Worker Ants of the hive were momentarily stunned. These attackers bore legitimate identifiers, making it difficult for the hive ants to comprehend why their supposed companions would attack their Queen.


    By the time they decided to help, it was too late. The two quickest responders were intercepted by Spy Bugs that had not yet joined the main attack.


    The proboscis extended like a steel needle and pierced the Queen¡¯s armor at its joints!


    Within moments, the Queen, like the Soldier Ants earlier, curled into itself, writhing in pain.


    In this primitive hive lacking effective medical treatment, the Queen¡¯s muscles began dissolving internally.


    Its fate was sealed!


    The Spy Bugs didn¡¯t wait for the Queen¡¯s death. The Queen could still struggle for a long time, but their mission was complete, and they needed to retreat before the hive could fully react.


    First, however, they had to deal with the few hive Worker Ants obstructing their path.


    Several Spy Bugs advanced to entangle the Worker Ants, while others raised their abdomens, aiming their stingers.


    With precision, acid sprays hit the hive Worker Ants directly.


    The already outnumbered Worker Ants were further debilitated by this long-range bombardment. Their antennae and armor began to dissolve.


    Without antennae, the Worker Ants became like blind and deaf soldiers, losing most of their combat capabilities. After a brief resistance, they were subdued by the Spy Bugs.


    Taking advantage of the hive¡¯s disorganized state, the Spy Bugs withdrew to the Hatchery, opened the smuggling tunnel, and scattered misleading pheromones.


    Unaware of the true situation, the hive Worker Ants and Soldier Ants, driven by instinct, followed the unfamiliar pheromones. To them, this was a critical part of the hive, and any anomaly needed immediate attention.


    Unfortunately, the moment they entered the smuggling tunnel, they were ambushed by the Brood Nest Troops waiting in the shadows.


    A Worker Ant cautiously poked its head out of the tunnel¡¯s exit, its antennae probing for danger, only to have its head pierced by the powerful mandibles of a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant, which dragged it out of the tunnel.


    The Giant Mandible Soldier Ant turned, and two Worker Bugs stepped forward to grab the lifeless body hanging from its jaws, tearing it free and passing it to the rear to avoid clogging the tunnel.


    The subsequent ants passing through the tunnel were treated similarly. The dead bodies were handed down the line like a grim relay until a Worker Bug at the back dragged them toward the Brood Nest.


    The Giant Mandible Soldier Ant cleared the area of obstacles and resumed guarding the tunnel.


    Another oblivious victim poked its head out of the tunnel¡­


    One after another, the hive ants were slaughtered and their bodies transported to the rear. Some were Worker Ants, others Soldier Ants.


    It wasn¡¯t until the hive had lost over a hundred ants that no more heads emerged from the tunnel.


    By this point, the strange behavior in the Queen¡¯s chamber had finally been discovered. After prolonged agony, the Queen succumbed to its injuries.


    The news of the Queen¡¯s death spread through the hive as pheromones, causing chaos among the ants.


    At this moment, they no longer cared about the strange scents in the Hatchery. After all, over a hundred of their companions had already pursued the trail; surely, everything would be fine.


    Some ants attempted to rush out of the hive¡¯s main entrance, but it had already been surrounded by the densely packed Brood Nest Troops. Dozens of Soldier Ants blocked the exit, while hundreds of Worker Bugs supported them at their feet.


    Meanwhile, the outer perimeter forces of the Brood Nest were not idle. They had been tasked with eliminating all returning members of the hive.


    One by one, the Worker Ants, some carrying resources and others returning empty-handed, were intercepted by Scout Bugs before they even realized the danger.


    These bugs grabbed the Worker Ants¡¯ limbs, pinning them in place, as the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants or Giant Fang Soldier Ants stepped forward to behead them with their sharp tools.


    The bodies of these external hive members were then dragged by the Worker Bugs to a designated pile.


    Once the battle concluded, these high-quality protein sources would be taken to the mound above the Brood Nest, where they would undergo preservation treatments before being buried as reserves.


    At the hive¡¯s entrance, ants poured out continuously, and the fighting intensified. After all, this was a hive with over five thousand members, hiding vast numbers of ants within its tunnels.


    The increasing pile of severed limbs and bodies, belonging to both hive and Brood Nest forces, began clogging the tunnel. With less room to maneuver, the battle¡¯s ferocity gradually diminished.


    The Worker Bugs assisting the Brood Nest soldiers started dragging away the remains of both allies and enemies, clearing the field and retreating to rest.


    The rear Worker Bugs quickly moved forward to fill in the vacated positions.


    Exhausted Soldier Bugs also retreated, giving way to others while resting in a designated zone, where they consumed ant flesh to regain strength.


    Insect wars were merciless. Losing more than two walking limbs meant losing balance and mobility, effectively a death sentence.


    Such disabled individuals had no choice but to continue fighting to the death or be recycled as protein by their comrades post-battle.


    Once the tunnel was cleared, the intensity of the battle surged once more.


    More hive members, upon learning of the Queen¡¯s death, rushed recklessly out of the tunnel.


    The Brood Nest Troops blocking the exit could no longer intercept them all. Many Worker Ants, stepping over both comrades and enemies, tried to breach the line.


    Reinforcements from the Brood Nest, both Soldier Bugs and Worker Bugs, surged forward, expanding the battlefield from the tunnel¡¯s entrance outward.


    As the density of hive members increased, a line of Worker Bugs advanced, forming a barrier and adopting a standard posture for spraying acid solution.


    The resulting acidic rain drenched the battlefield, covering a large area. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While the Brood Nest Troops, equipped with acid-resistant armor, regarded this as little more than a shower, the hive ants were not so fortunate. Their delicate antennae suffered devastating damage, and their exoskeleton armor began to corrode.


    Facing this blind and crippled enemy, the Brood Nest Troops, already stronger, crushed their foes with ease.


    The battlefield was gradually pushed back toward the hive entrance.

 Chapter 46: The Assault Continues

    After several back-and-forth skirmishes, the hive¡¯s forces began to show signs of exhaustion. At the same time, the Worker Bugs of the Brood Nest had depleted their reserves of acid solution.


    Having observed from the sidelines for quite a while, Luo Wen finally moved to the frontlines. His massive frame, several times larger than a Soldier Ant, became an unstoppable force. With the insects coordinating around him, he resembled a bulldozer, charging through the battlefield with ease.


    It wasn¡¯t that he was cowardly. Well, at the beginning, he might have been a little hesitant.


    Given his size, Luo Wen was an obvious target on the battlefield.


    While his growing body granted him immense strength and resilience, his structure also left him vulnerable to smaller foes. His back, in particular, was a blind spot that was hard to defend.


    If too many Worker Ants surrounded him, he couldn¡¯t fend them all off. Should they manage to climb onto his back, there wasn¡¯t much he could do to stop them.


    Although his entire body was encased in tough chitinous armor that the smaller combatants couldn¡¯t penetrate, his bulbous, unprotected compound eyes were a glaring weakness. It wouldn¡¯t take much for a Worker Ant¡¯s bite to cause irreparable damage.


    When the Brood Nest¡¯s task force had besieged the cliff spider earlier, these very Worker Ants had crawled through its wounds and burrowed into its body. Since hive Worker Ants shared the same basic template as their Brood Nest counterparts, they likely possessed the same tactics.


    Luo Wen had no intention of experiencing the fate of that spider.


    Moreover, his side held the upper hand, so there was no need for him, as commander, to charge recklessly into battle.


    Thus, during the intense early skirmishes, Luo Wen watched from a distance, occasionally intercepting a stray Scout Ant returning to the hive.


    Now that the battle had calmed somewhat, Luo Wen, his blood boiling with excitement, finally had his chance to join in.


    Several Worker Bugs climbed onto his dorsal armor to guard his back, ensuring no Worker Ants could ambush him. At his feet, dozens of Worker Bugs followed closely, protecting his striding limbs and intercepting enemies from the flanks.


    Behind him trailed a few Soldier Bugs guarding his rear.


    This setup allowed Luo Wen to focus solely on the enemies ahead.


    Though his large compound eyes were a defensive weak spot, their incredible refresh rate made it nearly impossible for the Worker Ants and Soldier Ants to evade his gaze.


    He snapped his mandibles around a Worker Ant¡¯s thorax and abdomen, applying just enough pressure to sever it cleanly in two, the lifeless halves dropping to either side of his jaws.


    Luo Wen extended a striding limb, its clawed tip lashing out like lightning to hook another Worker Ant. Tiny adhesive hairs on the claw¡¯s pads clung to its prey as he pulled it back. His mandibles opened and shut, decapitating the ant in an instant. With a flick of his striding limb, he discarded the remains.


    Against opponents so far below his level, each one was dispatched effortlessly.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but wonder if his unique Luo-style insect combat techniques might become rusty from lack of proper use.


    Fortunately, a Soldier Ant from the hive soon appeared, charging directly toward him. Its size made it a passable opponent to test his skills.


    Grinning internally, Luo Wen assumed the opening stance of his combat style and advanced to meet the enemy.


    As the battle wore on, reinforcements from the hive ceased emerging from the tunnel. The remaining hive forces on the surface, now without fresh troops, were quickly isolated and eliminated.


    Luo Wen swung his antennae side to side, releasing new pheromone instructions. The Worker Bugs guarding his striding limbs dispersed.


    Moments later, a strike team of over a dozen Soldier Bugs charged into the hive¡¯s tunnel, followed by a hundred Worker Bugs providing support.


    Simultaneously, several reserve units underground received Luo Wen¡¯s updated orders via messenger bugs.


    Inside the hive, numerous tunnels were breached by Burrower Ants, their figures quickly widening the openings. Following them, large groups of Worker Bugs surged in, led by Soldier Bugs. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Within moments, Brood Nest units attacked the hive from multiple directions.


    The hive¡¯s fighting forces had long been exhausted. The few stragglers left offered no meaningful resistance. Without their Queen Ant, there was no centralized command, leaving them to fight as individuals.


    Before long, multiple Brood Nest squads converged in the hive¡¯s Hatchery. Under Luo Wen¡¯s command, some Soldier Bugs and their Worker Bug escorts fanned out to search the tunnels for any survivors.


    Meanwhile, the majority of Worker Bugs swarmed into the Hatchery to claim the spoils. The finely ground food scraps were highly nutritious and easy to consume¡ªtop-tier provisions.


    Additionally, the hive¡¯s eggs, pupae, and larvae were excellent sources of protein, perfect for harvesting and repurposing.


    By midnight, the Worker Bugs¡¯ transport teams were still shuttling back and forth through the underground passages. Their two-way lines stretched into orderly formations, operating with impressive efficiency.


    Luo Wen, as the supreme commander of this operation, considered his work done and retired to his quarters for the night.


    Post-battle statistics showed that over 5,000 members of the hive had been virtually annihilated. A few Scout Ants scattered far afield had avoided capture, but their numbers were negligible.


    Thanks to excellent tactical execution, the Brood Nest lost only a few hundred Worker Bugs and just over twenty Soldier Bugs. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t be bothered with exact figures. First, in this vast Brood Nest, he was the only one who could count. As its highest-ranking officer, he needed only an approximate idea. Second, the corpses of their fallen, be they enemy or ally, were piled together in a jumble of severed limbs, making it nearly impossible to determine precise numbers.


    The next morning, Luo Wen observed the still-bustling Brood Nest and made adjustments to his original plans.


    The goal of taking down one hive per day was temporarily postponed. Luo Wen had underestimated the logistical challenges of post-battle operations. For one, the Worker Bugs¡¯ acid solution reserves would require several days to replenish.


    Acid solution, with its ability to blind and burn enemies, was a critical auxiliary weapon in war. However, once depleted, it took considerable time to regenerate.


    The massive gains from annihilating this hive would also require the Brood Nest to process its spoils over time. Being near a lakeside meant high humidity, which made food difficult to preserve. If four hives were conquered in rapid succession, the resulting surplus would likely spoil before it could be consumed.


    The insects of the Brood Nest were creations of the Brood Nest Mother, who shared an intimate, undisclosed relationship with Luo Wen. Given how the insects treated Luo Wen¡¯s pheromone commands as divine orders, their bond was clearly profound.


    Thus, no insect dared oppose Luo Wen¡¯s decisions.


    For now, the Brood Nest Troops halted their assaults on the remaining hives, shifting into a brief period of recovery and reorganization.

 Chapter 47: Aphids

    The Brood Nest, having recently received a large infusion of high-quality protein, was operating at full capacity. Every day, it worked diligently, ensuring productivity without compromising itself. The eggs it produced were primarily Worker Ant eggs, with only a few allotted to replenish the ranks of the fallen Soldier Ants.


    This war, which had mobilized over ten thousand combatants on both sides, provided Luo Wen with clarity on the optimal composition of the Brood Nest¡¯s forces moving forward.


    Under his command, which far surpassed the strategic capability of any ant, most of the battles were confined to narrow spaces, such as underground tunnels or hive entrances.


    This restriction meant that, at any given time, only a limited number of troops from both sides engaged directly. Apart from the larger number of Soldier Ants required to maintain the siege at the hive entrances, few were needed elsewhere.


    Soldier Ants, useful only in combat, were essentially food-consuming machines. Overproduction during wartime risked a surplus after the conflict ended. To prevent unnecessary food loss, any excess soldiers would have to be recycled into protein stores.


    Given that a few hundred Soldier Ants sufficed for current needs, Luo Wen refrained from hatching more.


    In contrast, Worker Ants proved far more versatile and indispensable.


    First, during battles, they acted as auxiliaries, shielding Soldier Ants¡¯ limbs and backs.


    In direct combat, they could bite and pin down enemies, holding them in place for Soldier Ants to finish off.


    Against large enemy forces, they could spray acid to blind and incapacitate the opposition.


    Post-battle, they transformed into transport teams, cleaning the battlefield and collecting spoils.


    In peacetime, they tended larvae, maintained cleanliness within the Brood Nest, and managed emerging industries such as green insect ranching, which involved rearing aphids and collecting their secretions.


    For the Brood Nest, more Worker Ants equaled greater efficiency.


    Months passed. A silver torrent cascaded down a cliff, creating a majestic waterfall that churned into a misty spray, glinting like diamonds in the sunlight.


    At the base of the waterfall lay a shimmering lake. Gentle ripples spread across its surface under the caress of the breeze. Viewed from above, the once-perfectly round lake had a small flaw¡ªa cracked edge forming a winding stream that meandered into the distance.


    The lakeshore and stream banks were lush with greenery, vibrant and thriving.


    Several hundred meters from the lake stood a towering tree, its height reaching tens of meters. Its massive canopy cast a wide shadow over the land below.


    Clinging to the deep brown trunk was a Black Beetle, as large as a dinner plate. It stuck to the tree like an unsightly patch, disrupting the natural harmony of the scene.


    This was Luo Wen, surveying his domain.


    Over the past few months, the Brood Nest had conquered seven hives in succession, expanding its territory to over 300 meters in radius. Though modest in human terms, for ants¡ªmost no larger than a fingernail¡ªit was a vast realm.


    Previously, this territory supported seven hives, each housing over 5,000 ants.


    Now, under the Brood Nest¡¯s control and supplemented by resources from over twenty neighboring hives, the population had more than doubled, surging past 20,000 individuals.


    The Soldier Ant count had just surpassed 1,000, alongside a few hundred specialized combatants such as Spy Bugs and Scout Bugs. The remainder were all Worker Ants, with a 3:7 ratio between those equipped with burrowing limbs and those without.


    Luo Wen discovered that insects with additional genetic modifications, such as specialized organs, not only cost more to produce but also required higher maintenance. While the extra cost per individual seemed negligible, the cumulative effect of thousands added up significantly.


    Thus, after careful calculations, Luo Wen settled on a 3:7 ratio.


    Worker Ants with burrowing limbs primarily handled underground maintenance and food transport from other hives.


    Those without burrowing limbs, being lighter, were assigned to the Brood Nest¡¯s new enterprise: rearing aphids, small green, semi-transparent insects. Luo Wen had given them this name as a sentimental nod.


    Seventy percent of the Worker Ants¡ªover 15,000¡ªwere perfect for tree-climbing tasks.


    Each day, these Worker Ants swarmed the vegetation within the territory, diligently nurturing the once-meager aphid population.


    Originally, the aphids, limited in mobility, rarely moved unless they exhausted the leaves beneath them. However, under Luo Wen¡¯s guidance, the Worker Ants carried the aphids to new plants, enabling them to propagate more effectively.


    After feeding on the plants, the aphids produced semi-transparent droplets, which the Worker Ants collected by massaging the aphids. These droplets were consumed by the ants, who then regurgitated the surplus to feed their companions. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When all had eaten their fill, the remaining droplets were stored in designated areas to dry. Over time, the evaporated liquid left behind pale yellow crystals¡ªsweet, rare treats that were easy to store.


    Knowing their origin, Luo Wen refused to eat these aphid products. Don¡¯t ask how he knew what they tasted like.


    However, aphids were pests to vegetation. As their population flourished, the plants within the territory suffered. Leaves were stripped bare, depriving the plants of the photosynthesis they needed to survive.


    Recognizing the issue, Luo Wen realized that his earlier practices resembled overfishing, threatening to deplete his resources entirely.


    Drawing on his human experience, Luo Wen devised an ingenious plan.


    He noticed that ants also excreted waste, which Worker Ants collected daily and deposited at specific sites. Plants near these sites thrived, their growth enhanced by what Luo Wen deduced was fertilization with organic waste.


    Unfortunately, ant waste was too sparse to fertilize the vast number of plants in his domain. Even the daily output of tens of thousands of ants was insufficient.


    After pondering the problem, Luo Wen hypothesized that the low waste production stemmed from the ants¡¯ diet, which was primarily aphid secretions. Such a liquid diet likely explained the minimal excretion.


    Would solid food increase waste production?


    Sometimes, a wild thought leads to innovation. Recalling his only personal experience with solid food digestion since becoming an insect, Luo Wen had a sudden realization: the battlefield was full of solid food, ready to be processed.

 Chapter 48: Fertilization

    Currently, every insect in the Brood Nest possessed genes allowing them to consume soil. With this talent, the entire ground became a buffet of solid food. If solid intake was needed, they could eat as much as desired.


    Luo Wen¡¯s idea was swiftly implemented.


    He began by selecting 500 Worker Ants for an experiment, instructing them to consume soil daily and deposit the resulting bio-fertilizer near designated plants.


    The results were remarkable. The same number of Worker Ants consuming soil produced several times more bio-fertilizer compared to their previous diet.


    During this period, Luo Wen also ordered the ants to stop assisting the aphids in migrating. Whether aiding plant growth would succeed still required further trials and time. Thus, Luo Wen decided to pursue both paths simultaneously: researching bio-fertilizer while curbing the aphid population.


    The bio-fertilizer experiment was a resounding success. Perhaps aligning with natural laws, the fertilizer produced from soil consumption was significantly more effective than that derived from aphid secretions.


    Initially, only 500 ants were assigned to consume soil daily, but this mandate soon expanded to include every insect in the Brood Nest¡ªexcept for Luo Wen himself and the Spy Bugs lazing in the hatchery.


    With over 20,000 insects producing bio-fertilizer daily, the output was substantial. Luo Wen hatched additional Worker Ants specifically tasked with distributing the fertilizer across the vegetation within the territory.


    Even with the plants being fertilized, the restriction on aphid numbers remained in place. The current aphid population already supplied the Brood Nest¡¯s needs with surplus left over, so there was no need to increase their numbers.


    With the vegetation crisis resolved, life returned to a steady rhythm. The absence of independent thought among the insects proved advantageous; they worked tirelessly, day after day, without a hint of complaint.


    Luo Wen had taken to climbing the tallest tree in his domain daily, perching on its trunk to observe the orderly busyness of the insects below.


    He disliked the damp, confined underground environment where he had once been forced to hide for survival. Now, as a burgeoning overlord of the area, Luo Wen felt no need to remain constantly cooped up.


    Suddenly, a commotion on a nearby tree trunk caught his attention.


    A group of Worker Ants, seemingly discovering something unusual during their activities, moved closer to investigate. As the dominant force in the area, the Worker Ants naturally took the lead in checking out anomalies.


    Whatever they found prompted the ants to release pheromones signaling for reinforcements. Passing Worker Ants stopped in their tracks upon receiving the signal.


    The number of ants swelled, encircling the spot as if preparing for a battle.


    What puzzled Luo Wen was that the vegetation in question wasn¡¯t far from him. From his vantage point, he could clearly see the Worker Ants, but there didn¡¯t seem to be anything of note within their encirclement. To Luo Wen, it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary piece of bark.


    In the monotony of daily life, any novelty was a welcome distraction, and Luo Wen¡¯s curiosity was immediately piqued.


    He launched himself from the tree in a leap of faith, landing belly-up in the grass below.


    However, his seven-segmented, highly agile striding limbs quickly flipped him upright with ease.


    He made his way toward the commotion.


    As he approached the Worker Ants¡¯ circle, Luo Wen began to notice subtle differences. The piece of bark, while seemingly identical to the surrounding wood, revealed faint insect-like contours under his high-resolution vision. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Could it be a Camouflage Bug?¡± Luo Wen wondered, his interest waning slightly. Both Camouflage Bugs and Black Beetles were common in this region beneath the cliffside forest and the desert shrublands beyond.


    These insects had flourished here, unrestrained by the restrictions placed on Yellow Earth Ants, and existed in significant numbers.


    Despite their proliferation, Camouflage Bugs were weak combatants. Their ambush skills might be top-tier, but their direct combat capabilities were pitifully low.


    Their camouflage, while impressive, was useless against Worker Ants, who identified threats through pheromones rather than sight. Once discovered, a few Worker Ants could easily eliminate them.


    As for Black Beetles, they were doomed if they didn¡¯t flee when discovered. If the Worker Ants called for reinforcements, they would inevitably be reduced to protein reserves.


    Although Worker Ants lacked individual combat strength, their swarm tactics made them the dominant force in the region. They even managed to catch grasshoppers, which had once been a bane for Luo Wen, in significant numbers daily.


    Luo Wen, having tasted grasshoppers before, had been unimpressed. The only redeeming quality of grasshoppers was their strong hind legs, whose genes marginally enhanced his own limb muscles¡ªnot enough to replicate their leaps.


    Lost in his musings, Luo Wen suddenly noticed something unusual about this particular ¡°Camouflage Bug.¡±


    The bark-like pattern wasn¡¯t an external covering but part of its natural coloration, seamlessly blending into its environment.


    This was a species Luo Wen had never encountered before.


    His curiosity reignited. A new species meant new genetic fragments to collect. Whether they proved useful was secondary; they were worth acquiring.


    Quickening his pace, Luo Wen reached the circle of ants. His antennae twitched, signaling the Worker Ants to part and allow him through.


    The new insect was smaller and slimmer than a typical Camouflage Bug, with notably sturdy shoulder and dorsal plates. Its coloration matched its surroundings perfectly, with patterns on its back blending flawlessly with the tree bark.


    The insect remained motionless, seemingly indifferent to Luo Wen¡¯s approach.


    Cautiously, Luo Wen extended a burrowing limb to prod the insect. The sheer size difference was staggering; his burrowing limb alone was nearly as large as the creature itself.


    The insect reacted to the touch as if it truly were a piece of bark, showing no response.


    Luo Wen applied more pressure, nudging the insect. Though it swayed slightly under the force, it stubbornly clung to the tree bark with its claws.


    Luo Wen almost laughed. Did this insect really believe that staying still would fool him?


    Feeling his intelligence insulted, Luo Wen swung his burrowing limb in a Luo-style combat technique opener, striking the insect directly.


    Despite its slender build, the insect was surprisingly resilient. It withstood the blow with minimal damage.


    Realizing its camouflage had failed, the insect abandoned its disguise. Releasing its grip on the bark, it pushed off with its short legs and dropped toward the ground.


    Something extraordinary happened. Upon landing, the insect¡¯s coloration shifted rapidly, blending seamlessly with the surrounding grass and leaves.


    In an instant, it vanished into its environment.

 Chapter 49: Optical Invisibility

    Seeing the special talent displayed by the Chameleon bug, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly jumped down from the tree trunk as well.


    The bug dove into the grass and disappeared. If Luo Wen hadn¡¯t kept his eyes fixed on it without blinking since the start, it might have truly escaped.


    His massive physique was now an advantage. Luo Wen charged after the bug like a tank, ignoring and crushing all obstacles in his path.


    The bug¡¯s body changed color as it scurried rapidly, blending seamlessly with its surroundings and making it nearly impossible to spot.


    Unfortunately for it, unlike grasshoppers, it didn¡¯t have powerful hind legs. Already locked onto its trail, Luo Wen quickly caught up after it wriggled through a few patches of grass.


    A long foreleg shot out like lightning, grabbing the bug by its carapace and dragging it to Luo Wen.


    Two burrower legs descended from above, pinning the bug down. Though it struggled fiercely, the power difference was insurmountable.


    A pair of giant fangs clamped onto the bug. With one bite, its struggles gradually ceased.


    Fresh ingredients often needed to be consumed promptly. Luo Wen didn¡¯t bother to move elsewhere and enjoyed a hearty meal on the spot before returning to his chamber to rest.


    When he woke up, Luo Wen discovered the secret behind the Chameleon bug¡¯s abilities.


    The surface of Luo Wen¡¯s exoskeletal armor was now covered with a layer of extremely fine, densely packed scales.


    These scales contained nano-sized crystalline structures within their epidermal cells, forming a unique type of chromatophore. By controlling the spacing between the crystals, the cells could reflect light of different wavelengths.


    This adaptation allowed the scales to adjust rapidly according to their surroundings, reflecting the same light as nearby objects to deceive observers and achieve concealment.


    This newfound ability was particularly effective against individuals like Luo Wen with keen vision.


    Eyes are a highly complex and sensitive optical system, serving as crucial observation tools. They work by detecting light, projecting it onto light-sensitive retinas to form images, which are then converted into signals and transmitted to the brain.


    Light consists of numerous colors. The number of colors a creature can perceive depends on the types of photoreceptors in its eyes. Humans, for instance, have three types of color-sensitive receptors, allowing them to see three primary colors, whereas dogs only have two.


    Luo Wen¡¯s eyes were far more advanced, capable of perceiving a broader spectrum of primary colors. Exactly how many he could see, he wasn¡¯t sure. By mixing primary colors in varying proportions, countless new colors could emerge, but these weren¡¯t primary colors.


    Comparing with his former self, Luo Wen noticed his current vision was far richer. For example, he could see a unique type of light that allowed him to determine the positions of the sun and moon on this planet, even without directly seeing them, and use it for navigation.


    Since transforming into an insect, this special light had cured his sense of direction. Navigation became second nature.


    Even so, the new camouflage ability could counteract this advantage.


    The ability worked by perfectly mimicking the reflective light of the surroundings. No matter how many wavelengths an observer could detect, they would find no differences.


    Previously, Luo Wen could only discern a bug-shaped patch on the bark by observing the spatial depth. Relying on his eyes alone, he couldn¡¯t distinguish it from the bark.


    But through cognitive analysis, he could deduce it was a bug.


    However, all of this depended on knowing beforehand that something was amiss. Without the worker ants alerting him to the anomaly, he could have stared at it all day and discovered nothing.


    Despite its exceptional focus, the ability had an obvious weakness. Creatures like ants, which don¡¯t primarily rely on sight, were unaffected, making it akin to ¡°dancing for the blind.¡±


    The Chameleon bug had been overly confident in its ability, even when surrounded. This led it to unwittingly gift Luo Wen its extraordinary talent.


    Though flawed in some respects, the ability was undeniably a remarkable form of biological black technology. Luo Wen had seen similar inventions online in his past life, such as special armors that used electronic screens to mimic and project the surrounding environment for optical deception.


    Yet, such devices were no match for the innate abilities of this evolved organism.


    Currently, this ability¡¯s greatest use for Luo Wen was making him less conspicuous when clinging to tree trunks, no longer resembling a glaring adhesive patch.


    With this little adventure behind him, life returned to normal.


    Days passed steadily, and the hive continued its orderly development. Within the radiation zone, the vegetation began to show subtle differences from the surrounding areas.


    Luo Wen implemented a new aphid management policy: aphids were only permitted to consume older leaves when new ones had sprouted.


    If aphids overbred and consumed unpermitted leaves, worker ants would cull their numbers and recycle them as protein.


    Under this strict control, the vegetation within the territory flourished with the help of biological fertilizer.


    Abundant food led to a surge in the hive¡¯s population. When the numbers reached a threshold, a new wave of expansion began.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s command, and while ensuring normal hive operations, all available bugs surged outward.


    With prior experience in territorial expansion, the bugs efficiently dismantled neighboring ant nests that previously served as food sources.


    This was not a contest between equals. Armed with superior tactical thinking and overwhelming numbers, the ants¡¯ resistance was easily crushed. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After extending their territory by 100 meters in a fan-shaped arc, the hive army halted and began another period of consolidation.


    With the hive¡¯s growth on track, its development resembled a snowball rolling downhill.


    Experienced worker ants migrated en masse to the newly conquered areas to establish new aphid pastures. Correspondingly, the vegetation in these new territories received biological fertilizer treatment.


    The void left by their departure was quickly filled by newly emerged adults from the pupae.


    The hive¡¯s exact population had become unquantifiable to Luo Wen, given the daily attrition from various mishaps.


    These included casualties from skirmishes with Black Beetles, losses during exploration, and ambushes by unknown insects.


    For instance, underground, there was a type of creature resembling a foul-smelling earthworm that ambushed from below. It dug funnel-shaped pits on the surface, causing worker ants to slip in.


    At the bottom of the pit, the creature waited patiently. When prey fell in, it would spring up, using its massive pincers to capture and drag them underground for consumption.


    Most of these ambushers were concentrated in newly expanded territories.


    Though many were cleared after the hive took over, some managed to escape the sweeps, claiming unlucky victims daily.

 Chapter 50: The White Dots

    In addition to those insects that died accidentally, many new ones were born every day.


    With the hive¡¯s territory now vast, the insects were busier than ever, working tirelessly day and night. Gone were the days when only a few hundred insects would huddle together at night. Back then, Luo Wen could easily count their numbers in a matter of moments when he had nothing else to do.


    He sighed nostalgically at the simplicity of those earlier days, now long past. Today, he could only make rough estimates¡ªthe insect population had grown to at least fifty thousand.


    As time passed, Luo Wen began experiencing some headaches in recent days, as many insects had fallen ill.


    It was unclear when it started, but small white dots had appeared on the once shiny exoskeletal armor of the insects.


    At first, these white spots were few and scattered, appearing on the carapaces of just a handful of insects. But in a very short time, the dots spread rapidly, covering the insects¡¯ entire bodies. Before long, those afflicted with the white dots inexplicably perished.


    The worker ants followed protocol, recycling the dead into protein, but in doing so, they inadvertently spread the white dots to others.


    The white dots behaved like a plague, rapidly infecting more insects.


    By the time Luo Wen noticed and focused on the issue, hundreds of insects had already died from the affliction.


    Luo Wen felt a pang of guilt¡ªit was a clear lapse in his management.


    Recently, he had been preoccupied with perching on tree trunks and enjoying the scenery. Furthermore, as his size increased, he had stopped living among the other insects.


    To accommodate his growing size, creating a tunnel large enough for him to access the underground would require substantial excavation, introducing potential risks to the hive, such as flooding during rain.


    The hive entrance was built atop a raised mound, which the worker ants had modified over time to resemble a miniature volcanic crater. This design allowed them to seal the entrance quickly during rainfall, preventing water from entering the nest or pooling around the entrance.


    If a larger tunnel were constructed for Luo Wen, sealing it during heavy rain would be nearly impossible for the worker ants, potentially endangering the entire hive.


    With his limited insectile experience, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t considered such issues in advance.


    Several weeks ago, a torrential downpour had drenched the area. At that time, his size was still manageable, and the tunnel wasn¡¯t excessively large.


    Even so, rainwater still flooded the hive, drowning a significant number of worker ants.


    Since then, Luo Wen had dug out a separate chamber near the hive for his own use, choosing to live alone.


    This isolation was the primary reason he failed to notice the white dot outbreak sooner.


    After identifying the problem, Luo Wen carefully observed an infected worker ant. To his surprise, the white dots weren¡¯t a disease but rather tiny insects.


    These minuscule parasites clung tightly to their hosts, using their mouthparts to pierce the exoskeleton and feed on bodily fluids. They reproduced rapidly, and once their numbers reached a critical mass, they could kill the host.


    Though Luo Wen identified the cause of the outbreak, he had no effective solution.


    The insects¡¯ combat abilities were designed for larger-scale threats, rendering them useless against the microscopic white parasites. While the adhesive hairs on Luo Wen¡¯s legs could pick off these pests, treating thousands of infected insects by himself was an insurmountable task. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hatching new insects equipped with adhesive hairs? The time required for eggs to develop into mature insects was far too long. By then, the infected population would likely be wiped out. Directly producing adult insects from the Brood Nest? The process was inefficient, yielding too few to make a significant impact.


    Luo Wen had no choice but to isolate the infected insects and think of a plan.


    Just as he was about to hit a mental wall, a breakthrough occurred.


    He recalled the worker ants¡¯ formic acid, which was highly effective against enemies lacking acid-resistant genes. He decided to test it.


    The results were astonishing. The white parasites had no resistance to formic acid and were easily exterminated.


    A single ¡°acid rain¡± session later, the hive was free of infections, and the insects returned to health.


    However, the root of the issue remained unresolved¡ªwhere had the parasites come from?


    Luo Wen, living in a monotonous world, found himself ruminating on the problem. Eventually, he formed a hypothesis.


    He had already dismantled over twenty ant nests but had never seen these parasites on ants. Likewise, the hive had been free of them until recently.


    This suggested that a recent change in the hive¡¯s environment triggered the outbreak.


    Luo Wen recalled the wood chips used by ants to keep their nests dry. These chips were made by gnawing on plant roots to create dried wood, which the ants extracted.


    Previously, the hive had similar wood chips. But since Luo Wen moved out, moisture control in the hive had been neglected. This was the only notable change in recent times.


    Whether this was the true cause required further observation.


    Luo Wen quickly issued new orders.


    The worker ants thoroughly cleansed the hive with formic acid and collected fresh, dry wood chips from nearby dried wood sources. Once arranged, the hive returned to its former dry and comfortable state.


    Over the next several days, no new white dots appeared, confirming that moisture was indeed the culprit.


    With the issue resolved, life returned to its usual rhythm.


    Months later, the hive¡¯s influence expanded outward by another hundred meters.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen faced a familiar problem.


    When Luo Wen first decided to emerge from the underground and eliminate the surrounding ant nests, it was because the transport routes had become too long. Worker ants spent more energy traveling than they could harvest.


    This problem hadn¡¯t been fundamentally resolved, and now it had resurfaced.


    With the expanded territory, the hive¡¯s outermost boundaries were nearly 500 meters away from its core.


    Round trips were time-consuming and energy-intensive for the worker ants.


    This distance was already their operational limit. If the hive were to expand further, the issue would need to be addressed.


    Thus, the old plan to relocate the hive was revisited.


    This time, however, circumstances were different. The hive was now the dominant force in the area, able to migrate across the surface without risk.


    After careful consideration, Luo Wen selected a new hive location 50 meters from the current boundary.


    This site offered a safe buffer and room for future expansions.


    Even so, the relocation only provided a temporary fix. Once the hive expanded another 400¨C500 meters, the same problem would arise again.


    By then, relocating the hive alone wouldn¡¯t suffice.


    Luo Wen needed to devise a lasting solution during this period to resolve the issue once and for all.

 Chapter 51: Observation

    At Luo Wen¡¯s command, tens of thousands of Burrower Ants were the first to be mobilized, heading to the construction site of the new Brood Nest.


    They were soon joined by over twenty thousand Worker Ants tasked with logistical support. These ants were responsible for transporting food to meet the daily needs of the Burrower Ants. Additionally, they handled soil relocation and the reinforcement of newly dug tunnels.


    In the past, Luo Wen personally led the excavation of the hive. However, now that he commanded tens of thousands of subordinates, there was no need for the highest-ranking commander to dirty his claws.


    Although there was no longer anything in the vicinity that could threaten the hive, Luo Wen maintained his characteristically cautious style.


    At a depth of three meters underground, the Burrower Ants constructed an impressive labyrinth of tunnels, intended as a decoy and transit hub¡ªa fake Brood Nest.


    The real Brood Nest was located three to four meters below the fake one. This true hive, also a network of tunnels, was connected to the decoy by a single passage. Both ends of the passage were stocked with loose soil, ready to be sealed at a moment¡¯s notice.


    A team of Spy Bugs and Burrower Ants was stationed there permanently. Their mission was to seal the passage and deploy misleading pheromones if intruders breached the decoy, ensuring the true hive remained hidden.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t see this strategy as overly cautious¡ªit was simply prudent.


    He was wary of the Yellow Earth Ant Legion atop the cliff. If one day they lost their footing and charged straight down the slope, Luo Wen¡¯s hive would be their first target.


    Though the hive had grown much stronger, the gap in power between it and the Yellow Earth Ant Legion was still insurmountable. Direct confrontation remained out of the question; evasion was the safer strategy.


    Luo Wen firmly believed in the adage: ¡°Preserve the green hills, and you¡¯ll never run out of firewood.¡± He swore he would avenge his past grievances¡­ eventually.


    Despite the ambitious scale of the new Brood Nest, it was completed at an impressive speed thanks to the collective efforts of tens of thousands of ants.


    With the old hive set to be abandoned, Luo Wen no longer needed to hold back. Personally digging his way down, he and the Worker Ants carefully dragged the massive Brood Nest to the surface.


    The Brood Nest, tireless and sleepless, consumed vast amounts of food daily, converting it into energy.


    Most of this energy went toward producing eggs, while the remainder fueled its own growth.


    Its sheer size only became apparent during the move. Now larger than Luo Wen himself, the Brood Nest¡¯s rotund form dwarfed the surrounding ants. Even with multiple tunnel expansions, its bulk barely fit through the passages.


    To put it into perspective: if Luo Wen was the size of a plate, the Brood Nest was like a giant watermelon. Worker Ants, no larger than a fingernail, seemed like tiny specks around it.


    Countless Worker Ants swarmed beneath the Brood Nest, forming a layered platform to carry it. After numerous adjustments, the platform began to move.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t participate directly. As the hive¡¯s supreme commander and strongest combatant, he focused on overseeing the operation and ensuring its security.


    After several hundred meters of careful relay work, the Worker Ants successfully transported the Brood Nest to its new location without incident.


    In the following days, the main passage and the Brood Nest¡¯s chamber were further widened.


    At last, the Brood Nest settled into its new home.


    The main passage was then narrowed once more, restored to its original state.


    The move to the new hive was a success, though there was no one to share Luo Wen¡¯s joy. By now, he was accustomed to the solitude of a life without social interaction.


    The swarm returned to its steady rhythm of growth: resting, expanding, exterminating ant nests, absorbing territories¡ªa repetitive cycle.


    Hundreds of days and nights passed, and the swarm once again approached the limits of its expansion.


    Luo Wen, however, already had a solution in mind: establishing branch bases.


    This idea had been on his mind for some time, and he had conducted several experiments. Initially, he used the Queen Ant¡¯s genes as a template, attempting to hatch a few hive-specific Queens.


    These Queens developed normally from eggs to maturity but failed to produce eggs once fully grown.


    Despite multiple rounds of experiments, the results remained unchanged.


    Luo Wen racked his brains but couldn¡¯t pinpoint the issue. Could the problem lie with the Brood Nest¡¯s Queens being defective?


    Suspecting otherwise, Luo Wen decided to observe an ant colony for answers.


    He captured a colony of Black Ants, killed their Queen and most of their members, and reduced their size for easier observation.


    This colony was confined indoors, with any ants attempting to leave promptly driven back by Guard Ants stationed outside the nest.


    Worker Ants from the hive delivered food to the colony¡¯s entrance daily.


    Luo Wen dug a passage connecting to the colony and used his body to block the opening. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His camouflage and pheromone abilities allowed him to blend seamlessly into the colony, making him as inconspicuous as a stone. Not a single Black Ant showed curiosity about him.


    To ensure no details were missed, Luo Wen gave up foraging.


    Worker Ants periodically delivered his food through the passage. Luo Wen merely needed to turn slightly to eat before resuming his position.


    Prepared for a prolonged operation, Luo Wen was surprised by how quickly answers emerged.


    After losing their Queen, the Worker Ants somehow managed to hatch several new Queens and some strange ants Luo Wen had never seen before.


    Once the Queens matured, they engaged in unspeakable acts with these peculiar ants.


    Shortly afterward, the strange ants perished without exception.


    Luo Wen discreetly used his adhesive claws to collect the corpses of these peculiar ants.


    Meanwhile, internal conflict erupted within the colony, as the new Queens led their factions in a brutal power struggle.


    The defeated Queens were killed mercilessly, while their followers surrendered to the victor.


    By the end of the war, only one Queen remained, commanding the allegiance of all surviving ants.


    The colony resumed its familiar rhythm: laying eggs and raising larvae.


    Midway through this process, Luo Wen had already figured out the problem.


    But since he was bored, he decided to watch the drama unfold to its conclusion, treating it as entertainment.


    The peculiar ants, likely male ants, appeared only during the colony¡¯s early stages. After mating, they died shortly thereafter.


    When Luo Wen infiltrated ant colonies in the past, they had all been large, established nests with thousands of members, so he had never encountered male ants.


    The issue with the Brood Nest¡¯s Queens lay in the absence of these males to¡­ complete the process.

 Chapter 52: Branch Bases

    This was an oversight Luo Wen hadn¡¯t anticipated, a blind spot in his thinking.


    Beyond his lack of familiarity with male ants, there was another factor: the Brood Nest had always produced eggs without needing external involvement.


    Perhaps the Brood Nest instinctively knew that if it required such a process, Luo Wen might have eliminated it long before it reached its current size.


    With the issue identified, Luo Wen extracted genetic fragments from the male ants. The Brood Nest soon began producing eggs for a few male ants.


    In time, the Queens successfully laid eggs.


    However, the hatchlings were ordinary, unmodified ants¡ªfree of any advanced biological features.


    Fortunately, these creatures still obeyed Luo Wen¡¯s commands.


    Apart from their pheromone-based identification system, they also inherited the dual friend-or-foe recognition system characteristic of Brood Nest creations.


    Yet, this outcome fell far short of Luo Wen¡¯s expectations.


    He wasn¡¯t here to raise ordinary ants. If the swarm couldn¡¯t grow stronger alongside him, what would be the point of the Collective¡¯s energy?


    Determined to achieve better results, Luo Wen conducted further experiments.


    Although the Brood Nest¡¯s origins lay in the genes of Black Ant Queens, its mutations had transformed it beyond recognition.


    Luo Wen experimented with various combinations of his own genes and those of the Brood Nest. After countless trials, he finally devised a passable solution.


    The Queens hatched using this new formula operated more like miniature versions of the Brood Nest. They could lay eggs without the need for male ants and even utilize optimized genetic combinations to produce specialized insects, such as Burrower Ants and Spy Bugs.


    However, they had their limitations.


    Firstly, their gene libraries were fixed the moment they detached from the Brood Nest. Unlike the Brood Nest, they couldn¡¯t synchronize with Luo Wen to continuously update their genetic repertoire.


    Secondly, they lacked the Brood Nest¡¯s capacity for relentless energy conversion. Bound by their smaller appetites and limited time, their growth was slower, and their egg production couldn¡¯t compare to that of the Brood Nest.


    These flaws, though inconvenient, could be mitigated. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For example, the first issue could be resolved by periodically producing new Queens to refresh the gene library. As for the second issue, while individual output was limited, there was no restriction on the number of Queens that could exist.


    If one wasn¡¯t enough, produce two. If two weren¡¯t sufficient, try ten¡ªor a hundred.


    The swarm¡¯s expansion accelerated dramatically. Simultaneously, the first batch of ten experimental Queen eggs was produced.


    While these Queens matured, the swarm launched a frenzied offensive, wiping out dozens of ant nests in a short time.


    None of the thirty-plus ant nests that once provided food for the hive were spared. All were annihilated, and their territories absorbed into the swarm.


    However, due to the distance, the new territories couldn¡¯t yet be developed or guarded.


    This was only a temporary issue. As the ten Queens matured, it was time for them to play their roles.


    Luo Wen equipped each Queen with 300 Burrower Ants, 700 Worker Ants, and 50 Soldier Ants as their personal guard units.


    After assembly, the ten teams set off in different directions toward the frontlines.


    Their mission was to establish branch bases in the new territories, create additional aphid pastures, and utilize local resources to increase their numbers. They were also tasked with safeguarding their territories and the Brood Nest itself.


    Luo Wen was thrilled. If these experimental seeds proved successful, the swarm¡¯s growth would reach unprecedented levels.


    Finally, the prospect of defeating the Yellow Earth Ant Legion and avenging past grievances was within reach.


    Despite the emergence of branch Queens, the Brood Nest¡¯s production continued unabated.


    After replenishing the forces assigned to the ten Queens, all new mature individuals were sent to support the frontlines and branch bases.


    The Queens, still limited in production capacity, focused on nurturing themselves while the branches grew steadily under the Brood Nest¡¯s support.


    As the branch bases expanded and the number of insects increased, new aphid pastures began to appear around them.


    The experiment proceeded smoothly. In the following weeks, the swarm resumed its relentless march of expansion.


    One by one, over twenty additional Queens were dispatched with their personal guards to establish new branch bases in fresh territories.


    As the branch bases proliferated across the region, the swarm¡¯s activity radius grew significantly.


    Unlike independent Black Ant colonies, which formed separate systems with unique identification protocols, the Brood Nest¡¯s Queens functioned as extensions of the hive.


    All branches shared the same identification system and pheromone-based network as the central hive.


    Insects from any branch could freely access the Brood Nest and other bases for rest and resupply.


    Luo Wen remained their supreme commander.


    Time flew by, with a new Queen team departing every few days to secure new territories.


    Backed against the cliff, the swarm¡¯s influence now extended along the eastern lake¡¯s shoreline, rapidly expanding northward.


    Upon reaching the lake¡¯s northern end, the swarm split into two forces: one continued north, while the other followed the lake¡¯s edge eastward.


    Eventually, the eastern force encountered a river flowing from the lake. Turning north along the river, they rejoined the northern force.


    Meanwhile, a western force of 30,000 insects advanced westward.


    When the hive was weaker, Luo Wen had avoided the lake, staying as far away as possible. As a human, he had harbored an unexplainable fear of deep water.


    After becoming an insect, even small puddles seemed bottomless to him.


    Fear of the unknown only deepened his caution¡ªhe couldn¡¯t be sure what terrifying creatures might lurk underwater.


    As the swarm grew stronger, Luo Wen dispatched scouts to patrol the area. Nothing unusual occurred, though he climbed tall plants near the shore to observe the lake from a distance.


    Despite the calm surface, he couldn¡¯t see beneath the water.


    Over time, Luo Wen¡¯s wariness subsided. Though the swarm patrolled the area, he never expanded their territory to the lake.


    Now, however, the hive encompassed half the lakeshore.


    Ironically, Luo Wen found himself hoping something would emerge from the lake¡ªperhaps it could offer new genetic fragments for his collection.


    It had been far too long since his gene library had been updated.


    Alas, the lake¡¯s creatures adhered to a ¡°live and let live¡± philosophy, showing no inclination to come ashore.

 Chapter 53: A New Enemy

    As the Hive continued to expand, a new problem emerged before Luo Wen.


    This issue was long-distance communication.


    With nearly a hundred branch bases established, the network was vast.


    While the bases remained steadfastly loyal to Luo Wen¡¯s commands, he was completely unaware of their individual situations.


    And Luo Wen had no idea how to solve this problem.


    His knowledge was limited, making it impossible for him to create communication devices suitable for his swarm.


    Additionally, the insects¡¯ low intelligence rendered them incapable of acting as effective messengers or accurately reporting the statuses of the various branch bases.


    Thus, Luo Wen, who had been enjoying a relatively leisurely life, became busy once again.


    He began traveling daily to inspect the conditions of each branch base personally.


    The more he saw, the more astonished he became at the vastness of his territory.


    Merely doing a cursory circuit of all the branch bases took three full days and nights.


    If he stopped for a detailed inspection, the time required would double.


    The first round of inspections was accompanied by a sense of novelty and wonder at his expanding domain.


    By the second round, Luo Wen was already beginning to grow weary.


    By the third round, his thoughts had emptied, and his gaze had grown vacant¡­


    Luo Wen knew this couldn¡¯t go on. At this rate, as his territory continued to expand, he would work himself to death. He had to come up with a solution.


    But no matter how hard he racked his brains, he couldn¡¯t think of anything.


    So, the issue was postponed.


    After completing several rounds of inspections without encountering any anomalies, Luo Wen reduced the frequency of his patrols, opting to do them once every ten days or so.


    But it was precisely during one of these patrols that an unexpected incident occurred.


    During a new round of inspections, Luo Wen discovered that the insects in one branch base¡ªincluding the Queen Ant¡ªhad mysteriously disappeared.


    After multiple rounds of genetic adjustments, the Queen Ants had become emotionless and machine-like in their loyalty, eliminating any possibility of betrayal.


    This meant that they must have encountered some external factor that led to the current situation.


    Luo Wen dug into the nest to examine the remaining traces carefully. Pheromone residues were abundant everywhere. Upon analyzing them, Luo Wen made a discovery.


    The pheromones originated from the base¡¯s inhabitants and an unknown force.


    From the scent profiles, the unknown force seemed to be another ant species, similar to his own, but the violent and savage undertones revealed through the pheromones indicated they were far from as docile or disciplined as Black Ants.


    Luo Wen¡¯s first guess was the Yellow Earth Ant Legion. Could they have established a branch nearby? But he quickly dismissed this theory. The characteristics of the pheromones were completely different from the Yellow Earth Ants; this was an entirely new ant species.


    Moreover, judging by the state of the branch base, their methods bore an unsettling resemblance to his own.


    Faced with the emergence of an aggressive neighbor, Luo Wen dared not be careless. He followed the pheromone trails, tracing them meticulously.


    Maintaining his characteristic caution, Luo Wen advanced slowly, frequently pausing to observe his surroundings and prepare to retreat at the first sign of danger.


    By now, his swarm consisted of over a hundred branch bases, though rapid expansion had stretched his forces thin. Each base had an average of only about 2,000 insects.


    Even so, Luo Wen commanded a total of 200,000 insect followers.


    As their supreme commander, Luo Wen had to act with caution; his responsibility to his subordinates demanded it.


    If the insects weren¡¯t so woefully unintelligent, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t even be handling the reconnaissance himself. Sitting safely in the rear and directing his army on the frontlines was the image he preferred to embody.


    The pheromone trails led north, eventually leaving the hive¡¯s territory, before branching out in multiple directions.


    Luo Wen arbitrarily chose one path and followed it, arriving at an unfamiliar Black Ant nest. Unfortunately, he was once again too late¡ªthis nest was also abandoned, its inhabitants having disappeared without a trace.


    With no other choice, Luo Wen selected another trail that diverged from this point. After circling around for some time, he ultimately returned to the hive¡¯s territory and arrived at another branch base.


    Luckily, this time he wasn¡¯t late. A fierce battle was unfolding at the base¡¯s entrance.


    Amid the chaos, Luo Wen finally caught sight of the enemy.


    They were small ants, only about half the size of a Black Ant worker. Their heads and thoraxes were an eerie dark red, while their eyes, mandibles, abdomens, and legs were black with reddish hues.


    In addition to their standard ant features and unconventional coloration, they possessed short, sharp stingers at the ends of their abdomens¡ªa clear indicator of their unique combat ability. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although their size was small, their numbers were overwhelming, and they were ferociously aggressive.


    The forward-most branch base had limited insect forces to begin with, essentially the standard outpost contingent assigned to remote areas: roughly 1,000 Worker Ants and 50 Soldier Ants.


    These defenders were rapidly losing ground. Dozens of Soldier Ant corpses were scattered near the base entrance, and the surviving Soldier Ants were few.


    As the main combat force and frontline shield, the Soldier Ants had been nearly wiped out.


    The remaining Worker Ants had also suffered heavy losses, with fewer than 300 still alive. They were now desperately defending the narrow entrance under the leadership of the remaining Soldier Ants.


    In contrast, the attacking Red Ants numbered at least 3,000. Strangely, their ranks also included many Black Ants¡ªroughly another 3,000.


    ¡°Could it be that I¡¯ve destroyed too many Black Ant nests recently? Did they go find reinforcements to seek revenge?¡± Luo Wen was stunned. With the limited intelligence of Black Ants, could they even coordinate with reinforcements? Or was there more to the story?


    But there was no time for speculation. The dire situation demanded his immediate action. After ensuring there were no ambushes nearby, Luo Wen entered the battlefield.


    The Red Ants were no match for Luo Wen¡¯s overwhelming force. Despite their agility, they couldn¡¯t withstand his brute strength.


    Luo Wen¡¯s digging limbs swung wildly, smashing ants left and right. Even without precision, his sheer force incapacitated numerous Red Ants with each strike.


    Meanwhile, his walking limbs, tipped with sharp, spear-like claws, stabbed at the Red Ants with lightning speed, targeting their heads and abdomens¡ªtheir largest and most vulnerable areas.


    Before long, Luo Wen¡¯s digging and walking limbs were covered in sticky fluids, and the ground around him was littered with Red Ant corpses.


    Standing amidst the carnage, Luo Wen exuded an aura of invincibility, evoking the image of an unstoppable force mowing down enemies.


    But this was a skirmish involving over 3,000 Red Ants. No matter how formidable Luo Wen was, his influence on the battle was limited.


    Moreover, his presence had drawn the attention of the Red Ant army. Though he had ambushed and killed dozens of them, the majority now turned their focus on him.

 Chapter 54: Tracking

    Faced with the onslaught of hundreds of Red Ants, Luo Wen swiftly dispatched a few of the vanguard attackers. However, the Red Ants showed no fear; the sight of their companions being killed did nothing to deter them. Instead, they seized the openings in Luo Wen¡¯s attacks and quickly closed in on him.


    Luo Wen¡¯s eight legs moved rapidly, stabbing through one Red Ant after another. He flung their lifeless bodies away before thrusting down again.


    But there were simply too many Red Ants. Despite killing a handful, the remainder quickly swarmed up his legs, crawling toward his body.


    While the Red Ants¡¯ small size and limited weaponry posed no real threat to Luo Wen¡¯s armor, his head presented two glaring weak points that he couldn¡¯t afford to leave exposed to their chaos.


    Just as Luo Wen was preparing to act, a sharp pain flared from one of his leg joints. The sensation shocked him.


    This was the first time Luo Wen had felt pain since transforming into an insect. Even during extreme injuries, like being gutted, he had felt nothing.


    Yet now, he was in agony, and the pain only intensified. It was as if his tissue was melting, forcing a pained cry from him. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What in the world? When did I develop a nervous system capable of pain? Luo Wen thought angrily. The sharp pain severely hampered his combat ability. Is this evolution or regression? If it¡¯s evolution, I¡¯d rather do without it.


    Unfortunately, there was no time to dwell on his misfortune. Glancing at the source of his pain, he saw a Red Ant clinging to his leg joint. Its stinger had penetrated the thinner part of his armor, causing the excruciating sensation.


    A simple sting shouldn¡¯t have caused such intense pain. Luo Wen realized with horror: These little bastards use venom! How underhanded!


    Using another leg, he extended its adhesive tip, grabbed the offending Red Ant, ripped it away, and brought it to his mouth. Luo Wen crushed the ant into pulp with a furious bite.


    But in the brief moment of distraction, more Red Ants had climbed onto his body. They were clearly targeting the weaker joints in his armor and seemed eager to showcase their collective talents.


    Every hair on Luo Wen¡¯s body stood on end in alarm. Without hesitation, he began thrashing his legs and rolling wildly on the ground.


    Thankfully, his legs had a total of seven joints, so even if one or two were disabled, he could still function effectively. Additionally, the smooth surface of his armor offered little to grip, and the Red Ants lacked the fine hair-like structures that spiders use for climbing. Luo Wen¡¯s chaotic rolling dislodged most of the ants clinging to his body.


    When Luo Wen stopped, only three Red Ants remained stubbornly attached to his leg joints. Their end, however, was even grimmer¡ªthey were individually grabbed by his adhesive limbs, ripped away, and crushed to death.


    The searing pain had cleared Luo Wen¡¯s head. This isn¡¯t a game, and I¡¯m no invincible warrior mowing down hordes. A single mistake here could lead to my downfall.


    Resolving not to linger in battle, Luo Wen began retreating, his eight legs moving swiftly as he ran and leaped toward the base entrance.


    Victory in this fight was impossible with the forces at hand. The only sensible choice was to retreat.


    Pheromones dispersed into the air, signaling his insects. Some climbed onto Luo Wen¡¯s back to protect his vulnerable eyes, while others retreated into the tunnels.


    Switching tactics, Luo Wen abandoned the goal of killing as many ants as possible. Instead, his two front legs swung back and forth, knocking away any Red Ants that came close.


    This defensive strategy allowed him to cover most directions on his own, leaving the remaining areas to the surviving Soldier and Worker Ants.


    Before long, the Worker Ants inside the tunnels emerged, carrying the Queen Ant.


    Luo Wen extended a leg, stuck the Queen Ant to its adhesive tip, and placed her on his back. The remaining Soldier and Worker Ants scrambled up after her, forming a small tower on his back.


    As the insect defenders evacuated the perimeter, the Red Ants pushed closer.


    Seeing the remaining dozens of ants struggling to climb aboard, Luo Wen sighed inwardly. He couldn¡¯t save everyone. He issued a final retreat order, wishing them luck, and bolted out of the battlefield at full speed. Along the way, he scattered random pheromones to confuse any pursuers.


    Some Red Ants followed his trail for a while but became disoriented by the mixed signals and eventually turned back.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t one to hold grudges, but being forced to flee like a whipped dog wasn¡¯t his style either¡ªunless his enemy was as formidable as the Yellow Earth Ant Legion.


    After finding a safe spot, Luo Wen set down the survivors. They included one Queen Ant, three Soldier Ants, and a group of Worker Ants.


    He assigned three Soldier Ants and ten Workers to escort the Queen Ant back to the rear. The rest were instructed to search for the northern army, ordering them to retreat and halt any advances to avoid clashing with the Red Ants without his leadership.


    At this stage, Luo Wen still knew too little about the Red Ants. As the saying goes, ¡°Know your enemy and know yourself.¡± He needed to gather more information about them before planning his next move.


    For now, strategic avoidance was the best course of action.


    The northern army should be nearby, but due to the lack of communication tools, Luo Wen had to rely on spreading Worker Ants across the area to locate them.


    Once the army retreated, they would be redistributed among the branch bases.


    If the army remained stationary instead of advancing, consuming prey and destroying nests to sustain themselves, they would face serious supply issues. The hive currently lacked an effective supply chain, so dispersing them across bases would allow them to be supported locally while also bolstering defenses.


    With everything arranged, Luo Wen examined his injuries. The joint on his poisoned leg had mostly healed thanks to his remarkable regeneration ability.


    The Red Ants¡¯ venom was potent, akin to spider venom, capable of dissolving tissue. However, their small size meant that the quantity of venom they could deliver wasn¡¯t enough to inflict serious damage on Luo Wen.


    Still, he had no desire to experience such pain again. And if their numbers were large enough, they could indeed threaten his life.


    During the battle, Luo Wen had devoured several Red Ants. If his genetic assimilation was successful, the next batch of eggs might yield insects equipped with stingers.


    Satisfied that his injuries were manageable, Luo Wen returned to the previous base.


    He needed to track the Red Ants to uncover their purpose in attacking his base, their origin, and the mystery behind the involvement of the Black Ants.


    These questions demanded answers.

 Chapter 55: Preparing for Battle (1)

    When Luo Wen returned to the branch base, he saw Black Ants emerging from the tunnels.


    They were carrying not only food but also eggs, larvae, and pupae, and surprisingly, they didn¡¯t seem to be killing them.


    ¡°Are they planning to adopt these larvae?¡± Luo Wen wondered, puzzled.


    At the same time, he noticed another strange phenomenon.


    The ones working were exclusively Black Ants, while the Red Ants stood idly by, showing no intention of helping. They appeared to be loafing about.


    An uncontrollable thought sprang to Luo Wen¡¯s mind. Could the theory he had jokingly entertained earlier actually be the truth?


    He adjusted his pheromones to disguise his identity and cautiously approached while observing their reactions, ready to flee at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Fortunately, the pheromone disguise still worked on the Red Ants, who didn¡¯t react to his approach.


    However, some Red Ants, for reasons unknown, suddenly began fighting each other.


    More than a dozen Red Ants locked jaws and wrestled fiercely, forming a chaotic melee surrounded by a large circle of spectators.


    ¡°Is this their idea of entertainment?¡± Luo Wen mused.


    The erratic behavior of these tiny creatures baffled him, and he couldn¡¯t discern their behavioral patterns.


    Erring on the side of caution, Luo Wen refrained from venturing deeper into enemy territory. If one of these dim-witted ants decided to challenge him to a test of strength due to his size, it might blow his cover.


    Circling the enemy, he observed a critical detail: both the Red Ants and the Black Ants shared the same pheromone markers.


    This meant they were on the same side. The Red Ants weren¡¯t hired reinforcements but part of the same group.


    This discovery reinforced Luo Wen¡¯s earlier suspicion.


    After a while, the Black Ants finished clearing out the branch base, and the army, laden with spoils, began their march. Luo Wen immediately followed at a safe distance.


    The combined force of thousands of Red and Black Ants soon merged with another detachment, forming an army of over 10,000 ants.


    They left Luo Wen¡¯s hive territory and veered off to destroy another Black Ant nest, looting its resources and larvae.


    By now, nearly every Black Ant carried some cargo.


    The united army resumed their march, this time heading straight back to their home base without diversion.


    Their destination lay more than 500 meters from Luo Wen¡¯s territory. As it came into view, Luo Wen saw a towering mound with a massive entrance resembling a volcanic crater.


    Countless Red and Black Ants swarmed across the mound¡¯s surface.


    The recently returned army filed into the entrance with their spoils, but Luo Wen halted his advance.


    Without knowing what might trigger the Red Ants to start fighting opponents, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to charge recklessly into their lair. The interior was an unknown danger zone. If his cover was blown and hundreds or even thousands of venomous Red Ants surrounded him, he might not make it out alive.


    Luo Wen burrowed underground to scout the area. The nest¡¯s subterranean structure was vast, far exceeding any Black Ant nest he had ever encountered.


    Given the Red Ants¡¯ size, combined with the addition of numerous Black Ants, their numbers were staggering¡ªeasily exceeding tens of thousands.


    This was an alarming figure. Even though Luo Wen¡¯s hive boasted over 200,000 insects, most were dispersed across various bases to maintain operations. He could muster only tens of thousands for combat.


    That didn¡¯t account for the resources needed for transportation and supply lines. In a prolonged conflict, at least half his forces would need to focus on logistics.


    This war wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Yet given the habits of both sides, one of them was bound to be eliminated.


    Emerging from the ground, Luo Wen continued to shadow the Red Ant army, occasionally launching ambushes to capture a few Red Ants for food.


    Over several days of observation, Luo Wen learned more about the Red Ants. Their behavior resembled bandits. They didn¡¯t produce anything themselves but survived by looting. Their numbers far exceeded those in their lair.


    Numerous Red Ant detachments operated far from the nest, targeting primarily Black Ant colonies. They stormed the nests, killing the Queen Ants.


    For some reason, after the Queens were killed, most surviving Black Ants submitted to the Red Ants. Those who refused were swiftly executed, while the rest were tasked with transporting resources and larvae.


    Red Ant squads, typically numbering 2,000 to 3,000, returned with several times their number in Black Ants. Once brought back, the Black Ants tended to the larvae and searched the surrounding areas for aphids to farm. They also served as the Red Ants¡¯ reserve food supply.


    The Red Ants that attacked Luo Wen¡¯s branch base had likely returned early because they failed to subjugate additional Black Ants and were short on manpower.


    Thinking of the larvae taken from his branch base, Luo Wen¡¯s heart grew heavy. Though they resembled Black Ants, they were entirely different. They wouldn¡¯t submit to the Red Ants, and their fate was grim.


    The information Luo Wen had gathered troubled him. Based on his estimates, the Red Ant population alone exceeded 100,000. And that didn¡¯t include those operating too far afield to observe.


    On top of that, the Black Ants, numbering several times more than the Red Ants, were now loyal to them.


    These Black Ants didn¡¯t just refrain from resisting¡ªthey actively assisted the Red Ants, even joining their attacks.


    And in the Red Ant stronghold, where most Red Ants were out raiding, the sheer number of Black Ants far exceeded the remaining Red Ants. Yet there was no sign of rebellion, proving their unwavering loyalty.


    Perhaps the situation still held some variables. Luo Wen resolved to examine the genetic fragments he¡¯d collected from the Red Ants upon returning to the Brood Nest. Perhaps they held hidden secrets that could explain their dominance over the Black Ants.


    With his reconnaissance complete, Luo Wen hurried back. The situation was dire. He was no longer planning to attack the Red Ants. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Given their scale, Luo Wen lacked the means to eradicate them for now.


    If handled poorly, he might even face their counterattack.


    Traveling quickly, Luo Wen avoided several Red Ant patrols and entered his own territory.


    On his way, he stopped by a branch base to dispatch dozens of messenger teams, ordering all bases to bolster defenses. If they encountered the enemy, they were to immediately request reinforcements from nearby bases. After repelling the attackers, pursuit was strictly forbidden.


    Thanks to the Brood Nest¡¯s growth and the mixing of multiple genetic traits, the intelligence of Luo Wen¡¯s insects had improved significantly.


    The Queen Ants, in particular, seemed to have an innate intelligence boost. They could now understand more complex commands and had high priority in directing Worker and Soldier Ants.


    Finally, Luo Wen felt like he had some semblance of military strategy. If he had to rely on the likes of Black Two and Black Three¡¯s early intelligence, they¡¯d never grasp the concept of mutual aid among bases.

 Chapter 56: Preparing for Battle (2)

    After arranging the frontline operations, Luo Wen wasted no time and rushed back to the hive¡¯s main base.


    Upon reconnecting with the Brood Nest and conducting a thorough examination, he was surprised to find no genetic fragments from the Red Ants that could explain their ability to subjugate Black Ants.


    This was terrible news, and Luo Wen was at a loss.


    The Red Ants weren¡¯t using some genetic ¡°skill¡± to dominate the Black Ants¡ªcould it be their charisma?


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Luo Wen thought incredulously.


    Still, though the reason eluded him, the outcome was clear.


    Not dwelling on this mystery for too long, Luo Wen shifted his focus to adjusting the Worker Ant template.


    Originally, he intended to integrate the Red Ants¡¯ stingers into the Worker Ants¡¯ design. However, he discovered that the stinger was incompatible with the acid-spray system.


    The conflict was not only positional¡ªboth systems required the same area at the rear of the body¡ªbut also internal, with overlapping storage chambers for venom and acid.


    Faced with a choice, Luo Wen began to deliberate.


    Suddenly, inspiration struck. He realized that although the Red Ants were smaller than the Black Ants, their specialization in combat over production marked them as akin to Soldier Ants. This shift in perspective explained their exceptional ferocity.


    ¡°So, they¡¯re essentially a species where every member is a Soldier Ant,¡± Luo Wen concluded.


    No wonder they were so aggressive.


    With this revelation, Luo Wen used the Red Ant template as a base, first altering their red pigmentation to black for uniformity in his forces.


    He then added features like acid-resistant armor, enhanced spring-like movement, reinforced chitin plating, and stronger mandibles.


    The resulting new ant type was a small Soldier Ant. These creatures were entirely combat-focused and undertook no production tasks. Their size matched that of the Red Ants, but they were stronger, with thicker armor and larger, tougher mandibles.


    Though slightly less agile than the Red Ants, the addition of the spring-like movement compensated for this drawback.


    Luo Wen gave them a simple name: Small Soldier Ants.


    Not stopping there, Luo Wen developed two additional new species.


    The first was based on spiders, incorporating his own eye genes, the Black Beetle¡¯s carapace, and chitin-reinforced legs.


    This new species, called the Transport Bug, was designed for logistics. Using spiders as the base allowed for a large body size, and their nimble legs made them quick and agile. The beetle¡¯s wide back provided ample space for carrying materials.


    While primarily a support species, the Transport Bugs were no pushovers in combat. Their legs, sheathed in bone armor, could transform into spears, piercing enemies with precision aided by high-resolution vision. Luo Wen had personally tested this design and found it highly effective.


    The second species was a pure support unit named the Adhesive Bug. Modeled after regular Worker Ants, they were enhanced with the Camouflage Bug¡¯s adhesive traits. Their role was to assist the Transport Bugs by using their adhesive abilities to secure loads on their carriers¡¯ backs. Once the materials reached their destination, the adhesive would dissolve to aid unloading.


    Logistics would be crucial in the war against the Red Ants, especially given both sides¡¯ reliance on foraging and plundering for sustenance. In a prolonged conflict, the first to lose their supply lines would fall.


    The Red Ants, with their captive Black Ants serving as living food reserves and expendable soldiers, posed a unique challenge.


    ¡°What a headache,¡± Luo Wen muttered, narrowing his eyes. If possible, he¡¯d need to find a way to disrupt their operations.


    For now, though, Luo Wen focused on preparation. Due to the high energy demands of producing Queen Ants, the Brood Nest only produced fifty, then switched to mass-producing the three new species.


    The first batch of new Queens would take time to mature. Until then, the production of the new species fell solely on the Brood Nest. Luo Wen ordered the existing Queens to concentrate on producing Worker Ants.


    Worker Ants were the swarm¡¯s only ranged attackers and were essential for reclaiming and developing territory after defeating the Red Ants. Their numbers needed to grow as much as possible.


    With the rear operations in order, Luo Wen returned to the frontlines. His lingering concerns about his swarm¡¯s adaptability made his presence reassuring.


    In the following days, messenger units crisscrossed the territory, relaying Luo Wen¡¯s orders. He personally conducted reconnaissance in enemy-controlled areas, observing the Red Ants mobilizing their forces. Numerous detachments returned from foraging and began amassing along the border.


    The joint Red-Black Ant army swelled to an estimated 200,000, with their numbers continuing to rise.


    The enemy swept through the borderlands, occasionally sending small raiding parties into the hive¡¯s territory to harass and sabotage.


    Two branch bases, too remote for timely reinforcements, were overrun and destroyed.


    However, most bases successfully repelled attacks with the timely arrival of reinforcements, driving the Red Ants away.


    The situation grew increasingly dire¡ªa full-scale war was imminent.


    On Luo Wen¡¯s side, the newly developed species matured. From above, one could see large numbers of Transport Bugs marching on their eight long legs toward the frontlines.


    Some carried food, while others bore swarms of Small Soldier Ants on their backs.


    Small Soldier Ants, due to their small size and limited energy reserves, weren¡¯t suited for long marches. Using Transport Bugs to carry them conserved resources.


    Though outnumbered, the swarm forces concentrated their troops and adopted a defensive strategy. Meanwhile, the vast outer territories became hunting grounds for the Red Ant army. Their foraging sustained their massive numbers despite weaker logistical capabilities.


    As the first fifty new Queens reached maturity, they were escorted to the frontlines by dedicated teams of Transport Bugs and guards. There, they began mass-producing Small Soldier Ants on-site.


    The Brood Nest, meanwhile, ceased Small Soldier Ant production. After producing ten more Queens, it shifted entirely to creating Transport Bugs and Adhesive Bugs, reducing the burden of transporting Small Soldier Ants.


    At the same time, restrictions on the aphid farms were lifted, drawing heavily on the swarm¡¯s vegetative reserves to maximize food production. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the first batches of Small Soldier Ants emerged from their pupae, Luo Wen issued an order to redeploy the Burrower Ants from across the territory to the frontlines.


    The Burrower Ants, previously tasked with digging tunnels and later relegated to fertilizing vegetation, now had a new purpose in Luo Wen¡¯s plan.


    Far-off groups of Burrower Ants rode on Transport Bugs, while closer ones traveled on foot. Over the next few days, they steadily arrived at their designated positions. Luo Wen tallied their numbers, which totaled over 50,000¡ªrepresenting 80% of the hive¡¯s Burrower Ants.

 Chapter 57: The Home Raid Begins

    Luo Wen didn¡¯t want to stir up trouble just yet. The longer he could delay, the more advantageous it was for him. The foundation accumulated by the Swarm required time to be converted into military strength. However, over the past two days of observation, it was evident that the size of the Red Ant coalition at the front line had exceeded half a million. Their relentless scavenging of areas near the border had left these regions overexploited and severely depleted, making it increasingly difficult to sustain their daily consumption.


    Luo Wen even witnessed several groups of Red Ants turning on Black Ants in their own ranks for food.


    The situation had reached a critical point. The Red Ant coalition now faced a choice: either launch an offensive or retreat. The probability of retreat was low, which meant that an all-out war between the two sides was imminent.


    Time was of the essence. Over 50,000 Burrower Ants were prepared, with 500 ants riding on each Transport Bug.


    In addition, more than 5,000 Small Soldier Ants were accompanying the convoy to provide protection. Due to their smaller size, each Transport Bug could carry 800 to 900 of them.


    The team also included a small number of Scout Bugs and Spy Bugs.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s command, over a hundred Transport Bugs marched briskly into enemy-occupied territory, carefully avoiding areas under surveillance along the way. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    An hour later, the unit arrived at its designated location.


    This spot lay along the riverbank, about 600 meters from the Red Ants¡¯ Brood Nest. Without delay, Luo Wen began excavating a channel from a point half a meter from the riverbank. His massive body functioned like a giant excavator, carving out a trench that extended toward the Red Ants¡¯ nest.


    The Burrower Ants followed behind Luo Wen, removing the displaced soil, expanding, smoothing, and refining the trench.


    Meanwhile, the Scout Bugs and Small Soldier Ants spread out around the team to maintain vigilance, and the Transport Bugs climbed the surrounding vegetation to fortify their positions.


    The operation proceeded in an orderly manner, and progress was swift. Luo Wen singlehandedly tackled the most challenging tasks, his large digging claws tearing through the hardened earth, conserving the stamina of the Burrower Ants behind him.


    The plan unfolded smoothly. Although a few enemy scouts crossed their path, they were swiftly eliminated, providing the team with a modest supply of protein reserves.


    However, as the excavation neared the enemy¡¯s nest, they encountered an increasing number of enemy troops, with steadily growing forces.


    Even so, the Small Soldier Ants maintained their numerical superiority. Transport Bugs were also deployed to patrol the periphery, pursuing any fleeing enemies to prevent them from reporting back. Meanwhile, Spy Bugs erased any pheromone trails the enemies left behind.


    When the team was within 20 meters of the enemy¡¯s nest, their presence was finally exposed.


    The prolonged combat had drained the unit¡¯s stamina, and the proximity to the enemy¡¯s Brood Nest meant that patrols were more frequent in this area.


    Although the Swarm still held a numerical advantage overall, they could no longer intercept all the fleeing enemy troops. Eventually, a few managed to slip away and spread the alarm.


    Fortunately, the distance to their target was now minimal, and ants were not the most efficient communicators.


    Luo Wen, deeply familiar with the rhythms of ant colony operations, understood that it would take some time for the Red Ants to react.


    Seizing this window of opportunity, he abandoned any pretense of concealment and pushed forward with full force, digging directly toward the ¡°mini-volcano¡± ahead.


    Simultaneously, 20 Transport Bugs carrying 10,000 Burrower Ants sped back to the riverbank. Their mission was to breach the half-meter barrier separating the river from the trench.


    Although the departure of one-fifth of the workforce slightly slowed the excavation, the overall impact was manageable.


    After about ten minutes, with the Small Soldier Ants fighting valiantly to cover them, Luo Wen breached the ¡°mini-volcano¡¯s¡± wall, creating a large hole that exposed the dark, winding tunnels of the enemy nest.


    This was like striking a hornet¡¯s nest. Swarms of Red and Black Ants surged out from the breach.


    Exhausted from digging the 600-meter trench, Luo Wen was barely holding on. The final meters had been sheer willpower alone.


    Now that the task was complete, the fatigue hit him all at once. Even lifting his digging claws became a struggle.


    Remaining in the area was a death sentence. Summoning the last of his strength, Luo Wen retreated a short distance.


    The Burrower Ants moved ahead to shield him, standing firm as the bicolored flood of ants surged toward them. The Burrower Ants crouched, aiming their rears forward in standard spray formation.


    Acidic Spray!


    Thousands of Burrower Ants unleashed their acidic solutions simultaneously, dousing the advancing vanguard in a wave of corrosive fluid. The enemy troops faltered, overwhelmed by the saturation attack.


    While an individual Burrower Ant didn¡¯t carry much acid, the combined output of thousands formed a river of acid. The liquid pooled on the surface, unable to seep into the soil, flowing directly into the nest¡¯s depths.


    Many enemies didn¡¯t even have time to react before their limbs and antennae dissolved in the acid stream. Struggling in vain, they succumbed to silence.


    Having withdrawn to the rear, Luo Wen began issuing commands. He ordered a few Worker Ants to scavenge ant remains from the battlefield so he could replenish his strength.


    Next, he directed 20,000 Burrower Ants to the ¡°volcano¡¯s mouth¡± to block the entrance. Any enemy that emerged was greeted with a fresh spray of acid.


    The remaining Burrower Ants held the newly-dug breach, ready to meet any escaping enemies with the same treatment.


    The Small Soldier Ants and Transport Bugs guarded the flanks. Since the main force of the enemy was trapped inside the nest, the scattered patrols outside could still be held at bay.


    Half an hour later, despite several enemy charges, the Swarm held firm, repelling each assault with concentrated acidic sprays.


    Using acid to block the tunnel entrance amplified its lethality exponentially, far surpassing its effectiveness in open-field battles.


    However, the repeated waves of self-sacrificial charges weren¡¯t without effect. The Burrower Ants¡¯ acid reserves were rapidly depleting. One more assault, and they¡¯d likely run out.


    Just then, a distant rumbling reached their ears¡ªthe sound of rushing water. The trench, now filled with water, surged toward them, carrying the corpses of Burrower Ants that had sacrificed themselves to complete the task.


    Luo Wen knew all too well that the respiratory systems of insects like these were highly vulnerable to flooding. The final task of breaking the river¡¯s barrier had been perilous, and many had drowned in the attempt.


    But their sacrifice had not been in vain.

 Chapter 58: The Home Raid Ends

    The water flowed continuously into the breach in the ant nest for a full two minutes. The surging current carried with it soil and a torrent of Red and Black Ants, sweeping them out of the tunnels.


    At the entrance, the turbulent waters clashed back and forth before eventually stabilizing. The water level inside the nest equalized with the outside, and the surface of the water gradually calmed.


    Near the entrance, the water was littered with countless Red and Black Ants. Most of them had not drowned immediately and were still desperately struggling on the surface.


    Some of the luckier ones managed to climb onto the bodies of their companions and painstakingly make their way to the riverbank, where they struggled to crawl ashore.


    However, what awaited them on land were the Burrower Ants, standing ready to strike.


    The terrain inside the nest was complex, and only a small fraction of the ants had been swept out by the water; the majority had perished below. This raid on the enemy¡¯s Brood Nest exterminated tens of thousands of Red and Black Ants, at the very least. Most importantly, their stockpiled food reserves in the nest were completely destroyed.


    This blow exacerbated their already strained front-line supply situation.


    After eliminating the lucky survivors who made it ashore, the ants in the water stopped struggling one by one and began to float silently on the surface.


    Luo Wen ordered the Burrower Ants to turn back and support the Small Soldier Ants, using up the last of their acidic reserves.


    While the combat strength of the Burrower Ants couldn¡¯t compare to the Small Soldier Ants, their sheer numbers overwhelmed the battlefield in an instant.


    After clearing the battlefield, all corpses¡ªfriend and foe alike¡ªwere collected and processed into protein reserves. The army then boarded the Transport Bugs and quickly retreated toward the riverbank.


    Having just destroyed the enemy¡¯s nest, it was wise to leave the area quickly to avoid a frenzied counterattack from their front-line forces.


    Upon reaching the riverbank, the group regrouped with the Burrower Ants stationed there.


    A count revealed that of the 10,000 Burrower Ants who had breached the final barrier, only about 6,000 remained. Nearly 4,000 had been swept away by the rushing water in an instant.


    Adding to this were the losses from the final stretch of digging and the subsequent battle¡ªover 3,000 Burrower Ants were lost.


    The 5,000-strong Small Soldier Ant force was reduced to fewer than 3,000, with nearly half falling in battle.


    Even among the robust Transport Bugs, two units had been lost.


    This battle cost over 10,000 troops from various classes, but the victory was spectacular. After a brief recovery, Luo Wen ordered the entire force to retreat.


    They traveled along the riverbank, carefully avoiding enemy patrols. The exhausted army couldn¡¯t endure any more disruptions.


    Fortunately, the journey back was uneventful. The army returned safely to the front-line command center¡ªa location Luo Wen had ceremoniously named but was, in reality, just the nearest forward base.


    Currently, this base had become a major gathering point for the Swarm. Excluding the returning Burrower Ants, there were still around 150,000 Worker Ants stationed here.


    The Small Soldier Ants, due to their late production schedule, were still relatively few in number. Even with the addition of the 2,000 that just returned, their total barely reached 30,000.


    However, there were still over 10,000 Original Soldier Ants from earlier generations.


    Including the Transport Bugs, the total number of combat-ready troops was just over 200,000. Even with the addition of the Burrower Ants, the number barely reached 250,000. Furthermore, the Burrower Ants had expended all their acidic reserves, reducing their combat effectiveness by at least half for the next few days.


    The enemy still had at least 500,000 troops¡ªmore than double the Swarm¡¯s forces. Fortunately, about 70% of the enemy troops were Black Ants, and with Luo Wen¡¯s command, there was still a chance of victory.


    Moreover, the destruction of the enemy¡¯s Brood Nest created severe supply issues for their forces. While the Swarm¡¯s rear lines were stretched thin due to the allocation of troops to the front, they could still barely maintain normal operations. Over time, Luo Wen¡¯s chances of winning would only increase.


    Thus, the Swarm¡¯s current strategy was to hold their position, delay the conflict, and adapt to the situation.


    However, the Red and Black Ant coalition had no intention of giving Luo Wen the luxury of time. Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, their densely packed forces crossed the border, advancing on the Swarm¡¯s base.


    Despite the abrupt timing, Luo Wen remained unfazed. He had long prepared for this decisive battle. The only difference was that the longer the delay, the fewer casualties his Swarm would suffer.


    Having absorbed countless pieces of intelligence, Luo Wen¡¯s unparalleled intellect allowed him to craft an elaborate trap.


    The enemy¡¯s rapid discovery of the Swarm¡¯s base was no coincidence¡ªit was all part of Luo Wen¡¯s plan.


    Rather than fight on an uncontrollable battlefield, Luo Wen had deliberately prepared a stage for the enemy, ensuring the confrontation would play out on his terms.


    With the Scout Bugs¡¯ superior vision, every movement of the enemy army was under Luo Wen¡¯s watchful eye. As the enemy forces advanced, small Swarm detachments continuously appeared in their path, strategically retreating to lure them closer to the base.


    The stage was already set; now, the actors just needed to enter. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bait squads gradually returned, retreating into the base¡¯s tunnels.


    The Red and Black Ant coalition arrived shortly after, their sheer numbers staining the ground in a tapestry of red and black.


    When they reached the Swarm¡¯s base, they found the surface eerily clean. There were no signs of life, only a dark, funnel-shaped hole gaping like an ominous eye in the earth.


    Faced with this abyss-like entrance, the coalition hesitated not a moment. The nimble and aggressive Red Ants led the charge, diving headfirst into the tunnel.


    Once inside, they encountered a long passageway. Crawling through it, they entered a massive chamber.


    Here, they were met with a brutal ambush.


    Dozens of Giant Mandible Soldier Ants were stationed around the tunnel entrance. The moment a Red Ant poked its head out, it was grabbed and flung back into the chamber, where swarms of Small Soldier Ants swarmed over it to finish the kill.


    While this bottleneck tactic was insufficient to eliminate an army of 500,000, it effectively stalled them.


    The Giant Mandible Soldier Ants rotated in shifts; once a group exhausted their strength, they withdrew, replaced by fresh reinforcements.


    The Red Ants at the front were picked off one by one, while those at the rear, unaware of the situation, continued to surge forward.


    Occasionally, a group would burst through the defenses or be pushed forward by the press of their comrades, only to face overwhelming numbers in the chamber beyond, where they were swiftly overwhelmed.


    Though the passage was relatively wide, it was still too narrow for the sheer size of the enemy army. Only a small fraction could enter at a time. After losing over 10,000 troops in half a day, the rear forces began to grow restless.


    Smaller groups broke away from the main force to forage in the surrounding area.


    Unbeknownst to them, their movements were closely monitored by the Scout Bugs. As soon as they strayed from the main force, they were met by the Swarm¡¯s mobile units, who had been sharpening their claws in anticipation.

 Chapter 59: Attrition

    The Swarm deployed its units in small groups of a few hundred, each consisting of Scout Bugs, Soldier Ants, Small Soldier Ants, and Worker Ants. Every squad was accompanied by a Transport Bug, tasked with patrolling around the enemy forces to intercept and annihilate their foraging teams.


    A foraging team of approximately 500 ants had ventured less than 50 meters from their main force when they were intercepted by two mobile Swarm squads.


    Five hundred versus one thousand, and with the smaller group possessing inferior individual combat power, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.


    Each Red Ant had to face at least two Worker Ants. Although the Worker Ants relied on superior numbers and size, their primary tactic was to engage in prolonged skirmishes.


    The Red Ants¡¯ stinger attacks were indeed formidable, capable of defeating targets significantly larger than themselves.


    However, stinger strikes had a critical weakness: to target an armored opponent, the Red Ants needed to climb onto the enemy, secure themselves, and find vulnerable spots like armor joints to pierce with their stingers.


    The Worker Ants countered this by remaining highly mobile. Every time a Red Ant curled its abdomen in preparation for a stinger attack, the Worker Ants would dodge out of reach. Even if a Red Ant managed to grab hold of one, nearby Worker Ants would promptly intervene, pulling the Red Ant away.


    Despite the effectiveness of these tactics, unexpected events still occurred. Some Worker Ants were caught and stung during the battle.


    Nevertheless, the Red Ant coalition fell faster than the Swarm sustained losses. Combining the efforts of the Soldier Ants and Small Soldier Ants, the Swarm prioritized eliminating the weaker Black Ants.


    The Black Ants, with their inferior combat abilities and lack of the Worker Ants¡¯ agility, were swiftly eradicated under the Soldier Ants¡¯ onslaught.


    Once the weaker opponents were dealt with, the Soldier Ants surrounded the Red Ants still entangled with the Worker Ants.


    The Red Ants, which had barely held their ground moments ago, began to fall rapidly. Their defeat snowballed, and in the end, only about 50 Red Ants managed to break through and flee back toward their main force in panic.


    The previously idle Transport Bugs now sprang into action, chasing down the fleeing Red Ants. Along the way, they eliminated over a dozen more before turning back, stopping about 20 meters from the enemy¡¯s main force.


    With their long legs and superior speed, the Transport Bugs retreated effortlessly.


    During the skirmish, the Swarm lost two Small Soldier Ants and over a dozen Worker Ants. Their bodies, along with those of the enemy, were quickly loaded onto the backs of the Transport Bugs.


    The squads then retreated to a hidden location, where they uncovered a passage concealed by a leaf. The Worker Ants carried their spoils into the tunnel and delved deeper into the earth.


    This tunnel was one of the concealed entrances to a branch base. Luo Wen, ever cautious, had constructed over a dozen escape routes even when he was operating alone. Now, with a decisive battle underway, there was no way he would rely on just one entrance and exit.


    The tunnel used for the enemy¡¯s invasion was deliberately designed as a trap to lure them in.


    Similarly, the plan to flood the coalition¡¯s Brood Nest had been formulated after Luo Wen observed that their nest had only one entrance: the so-called ¡°volcano mouth.¡±


    The devastation he witnessed at the nest further reinforced his belief in the importance of having multiple escape routes.


    After a short while, the Worker Ants emerged from the hidden tunnel, climbed onto waiting Transport Bugs, and swiftly departed.


    Once they left, several Spy Bugs crawled out of the tunnel, erasing pheromone traces left behind. They then resealed the entrance.


    In addition to the Spy Bugs, numerous Burrower Ants were stationed inside the tunnel. Their task was to collapse the passage and bury it should the enemy discover it, ensuring the safety of their allies within.


    Elsewhere on the battlefield, a mobile Swarm squad was leading a 2,000-strong coalition force on a wild chase. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Just ahead, ten more mobile squads lay in ambush, waiting for the coalition forces to arrive.


    Two thousand versus 5,500¡ªthe result was inevitable. The only question was how many of the coalition forces would survive to retreat.


    Thanks to their superior mobility and visual range, the Swarm¡¯s mobile squads maintained the advantage of fighting outnumbered enemies, steadily whittling down the coalition¡¯s numbers.


    Faced with constant harassment and the continued loss of their foraging teams, the coalition¡¯s main force finally grew restless. They began regrouping to sweep the surrounding areas.


    Luo Wen quickly detected their movements and issued orders for the Swarm blocking the tunnel entrance to retreat, leaving the passage open. Immediately, the coalition forces trapped in the tunnel surged forward, pouring into the massive underground chamber.


    As their numbers grew, Worker Ants hidden along the chamber walls and ceiling assumed their acid spray formation.


    Acid rained down like a torrential storm, drenching the unprepared coalition forces. The attack was devastating¡ªthose fortunate enough only lost their antennae, while the less lucky had their exoskeletons corroded, dying instantly.


    After the acid downpour, the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants resumed their positions, sealing the passage once again. With much of the coalition force cleared from the tunnel, the Soldier Ants now found themselves with a rare moment of respite.


    The Small Soldier Ants and Worker Ants charged into the chamber, finishing off any survivors and carrying their bodies deeper into the nest.


    Initially intending to eliminate the Swarm¡¯s harassing squads, the coalition hesitated when they found the tunnel unexpectedly cleared. Torn between attacking the nest and continuing their sweep, they eventually chose to press forward into the tunnel.


    Once again, waves of coalition forces flooded into the passage, only to face renewed acid attacks and countermeasures from the Swarm.


    Whenever the coalition forces grew impatient and prepared to withdraw, Luo Wen would order the tunnel to be reopened, allowing more of them inside¡ªjust in time for another acid barrage.


    Fortunately for Luo Wen, the Red and Black Ants lacked complex strategic thinking. They fell for this simple tactic repeatedly over two full days.


    During this time, the underground nest became a graveyard for over 100,000 enemy soldiers. Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s mobile units annihilated at least another 50,000 coalition troops. However, the Swarm itself lost more than 10,000 of its own.


    The Swarm converted the fallen into protein reserves, temporarily achieving self-sufficiency through ¡°sustenance via combat¡± at the forward base.


    Instead of transporting food to the forward base, the Transport Bugs now redirected supplies to nearby hive bases, where 50 Queen Ants worked tirelessly to produce Small Soldier Ants.


    Additionally, the 100 other hive bases across the territory were no less busy. While their genetic libraries couldn¡¯t be updated, they focused entirely on producing Worker Ants and Giant Mandible Soldier Ants.


    The reinforcements were then transported by Transport Bugs to the vicinity of the front lines.

 Chapter 60: Consumption

    Despite losing over 100,000 troops in the past two days, the Red and Black Ant coalition continued to receive reinforcements from their rear territory, keeping their total numbers above 500,000.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen¡¯s Swarm steadily bolstered its ranks with new arrivals from the territory. The total Swarm force had grown to nearly 300,000.


    The gap in troop strength between the two sides was gradually narrowing.


    Finally, the coalition realized they could no longer allow Luo Wen to continue his attritional tactics. Gathering their forces, they ignored the emptied underground tunnels and the persistent harassment by Swarm squads, marching en masse past the underground base and deeper into Swarm territory.


    Perched on the trunk of a plant along their path, Luo Wen estimated the coalition¡¯s composition. The ratio of Red Ants to Black Ants was now about 1:9. Most of the Red Ants, having spearheaded earlier assaults, had been severely depleted during the battles at the underground base.


    Although the coalition still numbered over 500,000, their overall combat effectiveness had significantly diminished.


    In the central ranks of the coalition, Luo Wen spotted several massive Red Ants. These ants were dozens of times the size of ordinary Red Ants, with distinctive, swollen abdomens that marked them as Queen Ants of the Red Ant species.


    These queens had not been present during Luo Wen¡¯s earlier reconnaissance. Clearly, they had arrived with reinforcements from the rear. What surprised Luo Wen even more was that these queens coexisted peacefully, suggesting that Red Ants might be a multi-queen species.


    Their ¡°whole family migration¡± strategy gave Luo Wen an oddly familiar sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu.


    After a moment of thought, it struck him¡ªthis was the Swarm¡¯s own classic strategy: the ¡°move-the-entire-hive¡± tactic!


    To think these Red Ants, with their limited intelligence, could conceive such a strategy amused Luo Wen.


    However, their execution was flawed. The essence of this tactic was to fortify one¡¯s own base to stall the enemy¡¯s main force, while using the rest of the army to capture the enemy¡¯s headquarters.


    Instead, the coalition was attempting to forcibly migrate while the Swarm army was right beside them. It was suicidal.


    Emerging from their underground base, the concealed Swarm surged out to engage the coalition¡¯s rear guard. The two armies clashed like tidal waves. Transport Bugs, carrying Worker Ants, spearheaded the assault, unleashing a round of ranged attacks to incapacitate portions of the enemy force and sow chaos before quickly withdrawing.


    The predominantly Black Ant coalition, lacking stingers, had no effective counter to the swift, hit-and-run tactics of the long-legged Transport Bugs.


    Even when a Black Ant managed to latch onto a Transport Bug¡¯s limb, nearby Transport Bugs would swiftly kill it.


    The acid spray attacks, though less effective in open environments than in the confined underground tunnels, still served to disorient and scatter the enemy. Many ants with corroded antennae turned into aimless wanderers, creating disorder within the coalition¡¯s rear ranks. In no time, tens of thousands of their troops were thrown into chaos, disconnected from their vanguard.


    Seizing the opportunity, the pursuing Swarm accelerated their assault, engaging the disorganized coalition in fierce melee combat on open ground.


    Although individual Black Ants were weak, the sheer scale of a melee involving tens of thousands of troops made differences in individual strength less significant.


    Even Luo Wen, with his superior combat ability, could be overwhelmed if surrounded by the enemy. He was always reminded of the grim fate of the spider he once encountered.


    In the chaos, a Red Ant managed to grapple a Worker Ant and drive its stinger into the Worker Ant¡¯s abdomen, only to be impaled moments later by a passing Transport Bug. Both combatants perished in the skirmish, locked together in death.


    Elsewhere, a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant, having advanced too far, was surrounded by dozens of Black Ants. Some tore at its limbs, while others targeted its joints. By the time reinforcements arrived, the Soldier Ant had only two legs remaining. Though rescued, it could no longer move and would be processed for protein recovery.


    The battlefield was a scene of relentless carnage, with hundreds or thousands of ants perishing every moment. Words failed to capture the ferocity of the combat.


    Without the advantage of terrain, the Swarm suffered heavier losses in direct engagements, even with their superior strength.


    However, as more Swarm mobile units arrived, the coalition forces, which had initially held their own, began to falter.


    The coalition¡¯s reliance on pheromones for communication proved inefficient. By the time news of their rear guard¡¯s plight reached their command and decisions were relayed back, the Swarm had already obliterated the rear forces, looted their remains, and retreated.


    Frustrated, the coalition launched a full-scale pursuit. Yet the trail left by the Swarm indicated that their forces had split into several retreating groups.


    Lacking strategic knowledge, the coalition impulsively divided their army to chase after the Swarm. Following the pheromone trails led them to further branching paths, where they divided again.


    These misleading pheromones, left by Spy Bugs under Luo Wen¡¯s orders, were intended to slow the coalition¡¯s pursuit. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t expected the coalition to divide so readily, but he wasn¡¯t about to let the opportunity go to waste.


    He ordered Spy Bugs to create more branching trails. Meanwhile, the Swarm regrouped and consumed part of their spoils to replenish their strength.


    After a brief regrouping, Luo Wen mobilized approximately 150,000 troops, though another 100,000 Swarm forces were scattered across the area.


    While Luo Wen had dispatched messengers to locate these mobile units, he hoped they would avoid blundering into the coalition¡¯s main force.


    After repeated splits, the coalition¡¯s forces were fragmented. Aside from the main force guarding the queens, which still numbered over 200,000, the remaining units were reduced to smaller groups of 20,000 to 30,000 each.


    Luo Wen lured one such 20,000-strong detachment away from the main army, ambushing it with a 150,000-strong Swarm contingent riding on Transport Bugs. The smaller force was completely surrounded, with not a single ant escaping.


    The disparity in numbers and individual combat power rendered the battle one-sided. The smaller coalition force was annihilated with minimal Swarm losses.


    Luo Wen then led his forces in a circuit around the coalition, repeatedly baiting and eliminating isolated detachments.


    Though the tactics were simple, they proved consistently effective. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of detachment. As an ordinary human employing military strategy against insects, he felt as if he were bullying them with his superior intellect. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 61: After the Battle (1)

    After systematically eliminating five splinter forces of the coalition army, Luo Wen¡¯s forces had exterminated approximately 120,000 to 130,000 red and black ants. Although Luo Wen¡¯s swarm lost around 10,000 troops, reinforcements arriving gradually from the mobile units more than compensated for the losses, increasing the swarm¡¯s numbers by over 20,000.


    The coalition army finally sensed something amiss and hurriedly regrouped their forces, merging their troops into a single large contingent. However, even in the span of just half a day, the reunited army seemed visibly smaller when viewed from above.


    Luo Wen no longer felt any sense of crisis. His initial caution toward the red ants had stemmed from a lack of understanding of their capabilities. Now that they had laid all their cards on the table, dealing with an opponent as slow and limited in reconnaissance capabilities as them was simply too easy.


    As the red-black ant coalition continued marching, they gradually realized they had entered a trap. Any scouting parties sent out would mysteriously vanish as soon as they strayed a short distance from the main army. Along their route, they encountered an overwhelming number of confusing pheromone markers, making it impossible to determine the proper direction to proceed. Too cautious to split their forces again, they could only trudge forward blindly. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Day turned to night, and an entire day passed quickly. To their dismay, the coalition army discovered they had come across their own tracks from the previous day. Indeed, they had spent the entire day wandering in circles under Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate guidance.


    Every time they dispatched scouts, the Scout Bugs in Luo Wen¡¯s swarm would spot them. Ambush teams riding Transport Bugs would then lie in wait ahead and swiftly eliminate the enemy. Subsequently, the Spy Bugs accompanying the ambush teams would erase all traces of the engagement and replace the enemy¡¯s pheromone markers with fake ones. The coalition had no way of distinguishing between genuine and fake signals, forcing them to blindly follow along.


    Over the course of this day, the coalition lost over 10,000 scouts. The losses continued to pile up, and by the next day, another 10,000 scouts were gone, with the coalition army still trapped in its futile loops.


    Days of marching without resupply were taking a toll. Exhausted and demoralized, the coalition army made camp to conserve energy and sent out small groups to forage for food. However, these groups, averaging about 10,000 each, were like throwing dumplings to the wolves¡ªnone returned.


    By the end of the day, out of more than ten foraging teams, only two returned, bringing back little food. With another 100,000 troops lost, the coalition had no recourse. Stranded without supplies and blinded by their sealed-off surroundings, they could only send out more foraging parties the next day.


    Luo Wen¡¯s forces had swelled to nearly 300,000 after days of consolidation, giving him ample manpower to set up more intricate traps. As a result, not a single foraging team returned to the coalition army that day.


    At night, the effects of prolonged hunger finally erupted. While ants lacked the concept of morale, hunger caused noticeable unrest. The red ants began attacking the black ants, killing and eating them. Strangely, the black ants, despite being more numerous, offered no resistance. Suffering from the same starvation, they silently watched their kin be slaughtered, their antennae drooping as they passively awaited their fate.


    Luo Wen observed this unfolding chaos with interest. Given a few more days of siege, the coalition might just annihilate itself.


    Still, the monotony of round-the-clock command for several days was beginning to bore Luo Wen. Facing an opponent of such low intelligence offered no sense of strategic satisfaction.


    The coalition¡¯s remaining 200,000 troops were utterly exhausted and had lost much of their combat strength. It was time to finish them off.


    Messengers scurried about, rallying Luo Wen¡¯s forces. His 300,000-strong swarm surrounded the coalition completely and began to close in. Despite their lack of rest, the swarm had access to ample food, all of it nutrient-rich muscle tissue, leaving them far stronger than their starving adversaries. Additionally, Luo Wen had intentionally conserved the Worker Ants¡¯ acid reserves, allowing their depleted glands to refill.


    The coalition¡¯s first greeting came in the form of a saturated acid bombardment by nearly 200,000 Worker Ants. This initial assault alone wiped out 50,000 to 60,000 combatants, leaving the battlefield terrain muddy with acid. In some areas, pools of acid had even formed.


    The Swarm Troops, equipped with acid-resistant armor, ignored these obstacles entirely. However, the same terrain posed immense challenges for the coalition. Many ants found their legs corroded and snapped, causing them to collapse. Once their bodies made contact with the acidic ground, they soon became irretrievable casualties.


    Even under such adverse conditions, the coalition¡¯s desperate counterattack inflicted significant losses on the swarm forces. Most of the casualties were among the front-line Soldier Ants and Transport Bugs, while the Worker Ants in the rear sustained minimal losses.


    This was by design. For this war, Luo Wen¡¯s swarm had mass-produced large numbers of Soldier Ants and Transport Bugs. Soldier Ants served no productive purpose and were only needed for combat, while Transport Bugs, though vital for moving troops and resources during wartime, were carnivorous and unsustainable in peacetime due to their high meat consumption.


    With the final battle underway, and the coalition¡¯s main force fully engaged, Luo Wen prioritized conserving the Worker Ants, which were far more valuable for post-war reclamation and construction efforts.


    The battle raged until dusk. Afterward, the Worker Ants hauled away intact corpses from both sides while collecting severed and corroded body parts to be processed for protein recovery.


    This seven-day campaign annihilated over 700,000 coalition troops at the cost of 90,000 swarm forces. The final battle alone accounted for half of these losses.


    Luo Wen stood before the Queen Ant of the red ants, its limbs severed and presented by his Worker Ants. This was his prize of war. He hoped it might yield some valuable genetic fragments, though his expectations were low. As a species similar to the black ants, Luo Wen doubted the red ant queen would possess any unique traits.


    Cleaning up the battlefield would take considerable time, but Luo Wen saw no need to linger. Days of sleepless command had pushed him to his mental limit. It was time to rest.

 Chapter 62: After the Battle (2)

    As expected, keeping his expectations low proved wise. The next morning, Luo Wen awoke to find no new gains from the red ant queen. To be sure, he would need to return to the Brood Nest to verify the specifics. But before that, there were still post-battle tasks to handle.


    After a day¡¯s rest, Luo Wen led his 300,000-strong swarm across the border into the red ants¡¯ territory.


    Following the climactic battle, the coalition forces had been annihilated, and no remnants had been spotted along the way. Luo Wen had assumed that taking over their territory would be a mere formality.


    Unexpectedly, not long after entering enemy territory, his forces encountered two fully assembled units numbering over 30,000 ants in total. These troops had likely been on a distant hunting expedition and had only just returned, intending to reinforce the front lines.


    Unluckily for them, they ran straight into Luo Wen¡¯s swarm as they neared the border.


    There was little to discuss. With Transport Bugs dividing the battlefield and 300,000 troops surrounding the enemy, exterminating the 30,000-strong force was a matter of minutes.


    The red ants may have accepted the black ants as prisoners, but Luo Wen had no interest in doing the same. These basic-model combat units, equipped with only a rudimentary friend-or-foe recognition system, were riddled with vulnerabilities. Recycling them into protein was their best use.


    That said, the red and black ants of the coalition were surprisingly steadfast, showing no inclination to surrender.


    Before long, they became part of the swarm¡¯s food reserves, loaded onto the backs of Transport Bugs. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the next few days, Luo Wen deployed Scout Bugs to survey the area while leading his forces along the border to conduct sweeps and ambushes.


    The coalition had considerable reserves, with units frequently arriving from afar. Their numbers ranged from a few thousand to tens of thousands, though none exceeded 30,000.


    Each time one of these units appeared, either Luo Wen or the Scout Bugs would spot them, and the swarm, with numbers several times greater, would surround and eliminate them.


    After intense skirmishes, these units would obediently become food reserves.


    Within just a few days, Luo Wen¡¯s forces had wiped out over 30 groups, amounting to nearly 500,000 enemies. However, since these units typically appeared individually, with an average size of around 10,000, their collective resistance inflicted fewer than 10,000 casualties on the swarm.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but reflect that if the coalition had better supply chains and the patience to wait a few more days to amass a million-strong army, the situation might have been more challenging.


    Several more days passed, and Luo Wen had not encountered any more coalition reinforcements heading for the front. It seemed their distant hunting parties had all returned, making further waiting unnecessary.


    Thus, the swarm finally advanced deeper into coalition territory.


    Encountering no resistance along the way, it became clear that after their home nest had been flooded, the queens had moved to the front lines. No troops had been left to garrison their territory, as all available forces had been sent to support the frontline.


    Unfortunately, the ants¡¯ primitive communication methods meant they remained oblivious to the war¡¯s outcome and had continued sending reinforcements to their doom for days.


    At this moment, Luo Wen felt an urgent need for advanced communication methods. Regrettably, he still had no idea how to obtain such technology.


    The swarm advanced 500 meters northward, arriving at the volcano-shaped nest entrance that had once served as the red-black ant coalition¡¯s home base. It remained flooded and held no strategic value.


    Luo Wen did not linger, instead sweeping the area to eliminate potential threats. His forces zigzagged another 500 meters north, consuming a significant portion of their food reserves along the way. Finally, Luo Wen confirmed the area within a kilometer radius to be temporarily secure.


    He then divided his army into two groups.


    The first group, comprising Soldier Ants, Transport Bugs, and a small number of Worker Ants, totaled about 70,000 to 80,000. They were tasked with carrying the majority of the food reserves and continuing northward along the current route. These units needed to sustain themselves through constant warfare and would be sent to expand the swarm¡¯s territory.


    Luo Wen led the remaining 200,000 Worker Ants back toward the border. Along the way, he split them into 50 groups, leaving one group at intervals to construct new bases.


    By the time he returned to the border, Luo Wen was alone. However, he soon encountered another swarm unit escorting 50 Queen Ants. These queens had been stationed near the front lines, and Luo Wen had sent messengers to summon them once the newly occupied territory was deemed secure.


    The 50 bases constructed along the route were meant for these queens, who would oversee and develop the surrounding areas.


    Of course, 50 queens would not suffice to cover a kilometer-wide territory. Luo Wen planned to hatch additional queens upon returning to the Brood Nest. These new queens would fill the gaps in the current bases and could also be dispatched to garrison the northern territories captured by the expeditionary force.


    With these arrangements in place, the territorial dispute was finally resolved. Luo Wen returned to the Brood Nest to resume his reclusive lifestyle.


    Through the Brood Nest, Luo Wen confirmed that the red ant queen had provided no new genetic fragments, a result he had anticipated.


    However, the question of why the black ants had submitted to the red ants after their queen¡¯s death remained unsolved. It was likely a mystery that would persist indefinitely.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen felt no curiosity or desire to acquire such an ability. Trusting the black ants was out of the question, so turning them into nutrients to power the queens¡¯ egg-laying was undoubtedly the better option.


    Life returned to tranquility, and the swarm continued its steady development. During this time, Luo Wen reestablished two expeditionary forces for strategic exploration.


    The first was the reformation of the Western Army, which had been recalled during the initial phase of the war due to severe manpower shortages. With the war over, they resumed their westward exploration.


    The second was a newly formed Northwest Army, tasked with exploring the blind spot between the territories covered by the Western Army and the Northern Army. As the exploration distances of these two forces increased, the gap between them would inevitably grow, necessitating a dedicated force for this region.


    Both expeditionary forces were instructed to send back small teams to report every three days. To address their limited intelligence, Luo Wen assigned each force a Queen Ant to accompany them.


    Queens, with their comparatively higher intelligence, could at least relay simple messages. As the territory expanded, Luo Wen could no longer personally survey the land for updates.


    To maintain balance, Luo Wen also dispatched a Queen Ant via Transport Bug to join the northern army. The ants¡¯ lack of selfishness ensured they would readily accept this ¡°parachuted¡± commander with enthusiasm.

 Chapter 63: The Enemy Reappears (1)

    To the south of the Brood Nest lay towering cliffs, while lakes and rivers hemmed in the east. Even so, with the west and north connected in a fan-shaped expanse, the swarm¡¯s territory expanded rapidly as the three armies pushed forward.


    Day by day, Luo Wen continued dispatching hundreds of Queen Ants to oversee and develop the new territories.


    The swarm¡¯s scale was steadily growing, yet it remained far from capable of directly confronting the Yellow Earth Ant Legion head-on.


    The days stretched on in monotony. Without internet, phones, games, or newspapers, and not even a creature to converse with, loneliness loomed over Luo Wen. Gradually, the reports from the three armies, delivered every three days, became the highlight of his otherwise dull existence¡ªthe sole reprieve in his barren life.


    Unfortunately, while the Queen Ants possessed some intelligence, it was only relative to the simple-minded Worker Ants and Soldier Ants. Their reports were terse, devoid of richness or intrigue, and failed to bring Luo Wen any satisfaction.


    As boredom gnawed at him, Luo Wen began to fear that without some kind of diversion, he might succumb to depression. Sometimes, he found himself staring at the distant lake surface from a tree trunk, even contemplating trying to swim to see if he could evolve the ability to breathe underwater.


    Luckily, reason still held sway over his impulses, narrowly restraining these self-destructive thoughts. But as his restlessness grew, his rational grip began to erode.


    Just as Luo Wen felt he might succumb to his reckless whims, a message from the northern army brought good news: they had encountered Red Ants once again.


    The Black Ants, though diligent, were disorganized and weak. They posed no threat and served only to replenish the expeditionary forces¡¯ food stores when discovered. For this reason, the destruction of countless Black Ant nests by the three armies was considered trivial and unworthy of reporting.


    The Red Ants, however, were different. As a nomadic species capable of enslaving Black Ants in numbers several times their own, they were highly threatening.


    To prevent mishaps, Luo Wen had specifically instructed the Queen Ants to notify him immediately upon spotting Red Ants, retreat 500 meters, and establish camp while awaiting his arrival.


    The Queen Ants faithfully executed his orders. Given how far the northern army had advanced, this newly discovered Red Ant colony was undoubtedly unrelated to the remnants of the earlier one. It signified a new Red Ant nest.


    Luo Wen had been yearning for something to shift his focus and pull him back from the brink of despair.


    However, the Red Ants¡¯ lifestyle and population density meant each nest required a vast area to sustain itself. This explained why it had taken the northern army so long to find another nest.


    Thankfully, though delayed, the opportunity had finally come. Luo Wen wasted no time, setting off immediately.


    On the journey, Luo Wen¡¯s thoughts turned to the Yellow Earth Ants, whose behavior resembled that of the Red Ants. Both were nomadic predators. If a Red Ant colony of merely hundreds of thousands needed such expansive territory, how vast must the Yellow Earth Ants¡¯ domain be to sustain themselves?


    Perhaps they didn¡¯t simply scour the area every few hundred days but instead maintained a constant state of predation, moving along a predetermined route that took hundreds of days to bring them back to the cliffside region.


    Luo Wen shuddered at the thought. If this were true, how many troops would he need to amass to exact revenge?


    Lost in thought, Luo Wen¡¯s eight long legs carried him forward in a sprint. At over 60 centimeters in body length, his raised legs made him more than a meter tall, dwarfing ordinary Worker Ants, which now seemed like mere specks before him.


    Yet this growth came with limitations. His newly evolved oxygen supply system had reached its maximum capacity. Any further growth would render it unable to sustain his body.


    Once again, Luo Wen faced a bottleneck, urgently needing new genetic fragments for reference.


    The riverside environment, dominated by ant species, offered little in the way of diversity. He could only pin his hopes on the other two armies deeper inland to uncover something new.


    After traveling approximately three kilometers, Luo Wen passed a Swarm Base, the furthest outpost to date. Beyond this point, he was stepping outside the swarm¡¯s controlled territory.


    Initially, Luo Wen thought the northern army would be just ahead, but even after advancing another two kilometers, he still couldn¡¯t locate them.


    At first, he suspected he might have gone the wrong way. Yet the faint pheromone markers along the route confirmed otherwise. Then, he wondered if the northern army had already been wiped out. But there were no signs of a battlefield or a recent skirmish.


    The forest here was exceptionally lush, and it seemed to have rained recently. Water droplets occasionally fell from the leaves above, striking Luo Wen¡¯s carapace with a refreshing chill.


    The ground was muddy, with puddles forming in some areas¡ªimpassable barriers for ordinary Worker Ants, but easily traversable for Luo Wen with his current size.


    The pheromone markers along the path had also been diluted by the rain, with some completely washed away by puddles. Fortunately, Luo Wen¡¯s elongated antennae, enhanced by his growth, allowed him to maintain his bearings despite the challenges.


    Still, he slowed his pace. Venturing so far beyond the swarm¡¯s territory without finding the northern army was troubling, and caution was warranted.


    Although he doubted anyone would set a trap specifically for him, he tensed his muscles, prepared to flee at a moment¡¯s notice.


    Advancing cautiously, Luo Wen covered another two kilometers. Night was falling, and a light drizzle began to descend from the sky.


    While faint pheromone markers still lingered in the air, their identity verification signals appeared genuine.


    However, Luo Wen himself was adept at altering such markers. He had once used this technique to confound the Red-Black Ant Coalition, leading them in endless circles. There was no guarantee someone¡ªor something¡ªwouldn¡¯t attempt the same trick against him now.


    Moreover, he was nearly four kilometers beyond swarm territory. Typically, a Queen Ant would be deployed as soon as the army advanced, to claim the land, provide logistical support, and facilitate communication.


    Would they really send a few Messenger Ants to crawl several kilometers back to swarm territory alone?


    The Messenger Ants, being ordinary Worker Ants, lacked his resilience. The dangers along the way were far too numerous for them to survive. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Luo Wen pondered these concerns, convinced he had stumbled into a trap, reality delivered a sharp slap to his assumptions.

 Chapter 64: The Enemy Reappears (2)

    As it turned out, Luo Wen had overthought the situation. Just as he became increasingly convinced this was a trap and was about to turn back, he found the northern army!


    A whirlwind of emotions swirled within him, though his limited vocabulary left him unable to articulate them properly.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because I¡¯ve been too idle lately, letting my thoughts run wild and making me overly jumpy.¡±


    Despite scaring himself along the way, it was a relief that the situation had been a false alarm. Finding the northern army was undoubtedly good news.


    Rain was still falling from the sky, and the army had taken shelter inside a tree hollow.


    Their small size proved advantageous¡ªthey could easily crawl into the hollow to avoid the rain. Luo Wen, on the other hand, had to settle for a patch of relatively dry ground beneath the tree canopy.


    Even under the cover of leaves, rain still dripped onto his carapace. Watching the snugly sheltered insects only stoked his irritation.


    These troops must have made swift progress¡ªhow else could their Messenger Ants report back every three days? It seemed even the Queen Ants¡¯ intelligence was not entirely reliable.


    Reflecting further, Luo Wen questioned his own laziness. Perhaps he should occasionally catch up with the armies to check on their progress. Given his long legs, covering this distance was no issue.


    The swarm¡¯s advance was not a rapid march. They meticulously cleared the areas along their route, eliminating all dangers to pave the way for the Queen Ants arriving later.


    This slow pace explained why Luo Wen, after surpassing the last Swarm Base, had become increasingly suspicious of a trap after traveling less than two kilometers and was on the verge of turning back after four kilometers.


    In hindsight, he realized the fault lay with him. He had not kept track of the army¡¯s progress and failed to deploy Queen Ants promptly.


    It was, yet again, a communication issue. The Messenger Ants sent back by the northern army only ever reported ¡°all clear.¡± Luo Wen had not anticipated that the follow-up base deployments had fallen significantly behind.


    Once more, Luo Wen felt an urgent need for a long-range communication system.


    After reuniting with the northern army, he conducted a headcount. Despite starting with 70,000 to 80,000 troops, they still numbered nearly 70,000 after such a long time¡ªa testament to the power of an all-Soldier Ant force.


    While the army took refuge from the rain, Luo Wen decided to scout ahead alone.


    With his newfound focus on reconnaissance rather than idling on tree trunks, his vision had evolved significantly. He could now see clearly for over 200 meters.


    Unlike human sight, he could distinguish individual ants over 100 meters away, although his vision gradually blurred until objects beyond 200 meters became opaque.


    His long legs, elevating him over a meter high, provided a natural eight-legged tripod, granting him an excellent vantage point. Combined with his agility, Luo Wen realized he was the swarm¡¯s top scout. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen advanced cautiously, and after scouting about 300 meters, he spotted the northern army about 200 meters away. True to his orders, they had retreated over 500 meters from the Red Ants¡¯ nest, whose iconic volcanic structure was visible in the distance.


    Perhaps due to the rain, no patrols were in sight around the ¡°volcano.¡± The Red Ants had likely retreated inside their nest to stay dry, lacking Luo Wen¡¯s size advantage.


    Suddenly, mischief sparked within Luo Wen. He sprinted to the ¡°volcano,¡± and before the Red and Black Ants inside could react, he used his Burrower Ant-like legs to collapse part of the structure. Then, he pushed soil into the volcano¡¯s mouth, sealing it shut.


    Satisfied, Luo Wen fled the scene, feeling a childlike joy.


    This act reminded him of a favorite pastime from his early days: poking ant nests with sticks and blocking their entrances. Though he lacked the ¡°finishing touch¡± of boyhood antics, his prank brought him some delight.


    However, as he reflected, a faint melancholy clouded his mood. The rain¡¯s incessant patter only deepened the bittersweet feeling.


    Without tear glands, Luo Wen found himself unable to vent his frustration. Returning to the shelter, he was surrounded by thousands of living beings, yet not one could share in his emotions.


    With a sigh, he lay under the tree canopy, his body blending seamlessly with the environment.


    The rain persisted through the night but finally ceased by late morning. While occasional drops still fell from the leaves, the conditions were now suitable for movement.


    The Red Ants¡¯ nest, based on the size of its ¡°volcano,¡± housed at least a million ants. The 60,000 troops under Luo Wen¡¯s command would be charging to their deaths if they attacked it.


    Though Luo Wen longed for a battle to distract him from his reckless tendencies, he wasn¡¯t suicidal.


    Moreover, being so far from his territory posed logistical challenges. Reinforcements and supplies would be delayed, and even if they captured the area, there weren¡¯t enough troops to hold and develop it.


    Having caused some trouble for the Red Ants, Luo Wen consoled himself that the trip wasn¡¯t entirely in vain.


    With that thought, he led the army back to their territory.


    Upon returning, he ordered the 60,000-strong northern army to camp near the border and secure the surrounding region. He then rushed back to the Brood Nest.


    Connecting with the Brood Nest, Luo Wen postponed other tasks and dedicated himself to producing 500 Queen Ants.


    The region between the swarm¡¯s territory and the Red Ants¡¯ nest spanned about four kilometers, an area even larger than the swarm¡¯s existing territory. A significant number of Queen Ants would be needed to secure and develop it.


    Furthermore, both the initial troop surge for attacking the Red Ants¡¯ nest and the subsequent occupation of their territory would require a large number of Queen Ants.


    Thus, Luo Wen decided to go all in, ordering 500 Queen Ants¡ªa staggering number considering the swarm currently had only around 300.


    After setting things in motion, Luo Wen rested for a night and spent the next few days inspecting the other two armies.


    The western and northern armies faced similar challenges, with large blind spots between their positions and the swarm¡¯s territory. The northwestern army was slightly better off due to its fan-shaped exploration zone, which kept its position relatively closer to the territory.


    Nonetheless, the blind spot in their area was just as vast as those of the other two armies.


    If the other two armies¡¯ blind spots resembled vertical rectangles, the northwestern army¡¯s resembled a horizontal one.


    In any case, the 500 Queen Ants would not be enough to cover these gaps.


    Realizing this, Luo Wen hurried back to the Brood Nest overnight and ordered an additional 700 Queen Ants. When fully matured, the swarm would boast approximately 1,500 Queen Ants.


    The Brood Nest would be occupied with this task for quite some time, leaving no room for other projects.

 Chapter 65: The Attack Begins (1)

    In the following dozens of days, Luo Wen moved ceaselessly, meticulously planning the locations of new branch bases along the outskirts of his territory. He also commanded all the Queen Ants within the territory to focus entirely on producing Worker Ants.


    After this period, the first Queen Ants to mature had already emerged from their pupae and steadily moved to their assigned locations. Due to the sheer number of Queen Ants hatched this time, even with over three hundred already working at full capacity, the Brood Nest¡ªbeing the largest production base¡ªwas fully booked and unable to assist further.


    The Worker Ants produced by these Queens alone were insufficient, especially as many of the Queens still had significant labor shortages within their territories. As a result, the standard allocation of bodyguard troops, initially increased to 2,000, was reduced back to 1,000 per Queen before deployment.


    Luo Wen had little choice in the matter. After all, the territory had already been cleared, and any insects that could pose a threat to the bases had long been converted into military rations. These areas were safe enough, so the Queens were sent to gradually develop their regions. Once production capacity improved, he planned to make up for the deficit.


    After another few dozen days, the Brood Nest completed its orders and shifted its focus entirely to producing Worker Ants and Transport Bugs. With its production capacity gradually freed up, a steady stream of Worker Ants was delivered to various bases via Transport Bugs, bolstering their labor force.


    The Brood Nest, continuously sharing Luo Wen¡¯s genetic code, had grown slightly larger than Luo Wen himself and had necessitated several expansions of its underground chamber. Its production capability, proportional to its size, was equivalent to that of 200 Queen Ants.


    With new Queen Ants gradually taking their places in the northern base, the territory¡¯s borderlines advanced steadily. Time flew by, and within a hundred days, the original buffer zone of roughly four kilometers was occupied by the swarm. Numerous bases were scattered like nails across the area, connecting into a unified network.


    As the border drew closer to the Red Ants¡¯ hive, patrol squads from the swarm inevitably encountered foraging teams from the Red Ants¡¯ colony.


    Red Ants were nomadic predators, inherently living off plunder. While Luo Wen¡¯s side had developed a form of animal husbandry, establishing and expanding pastures required significant land resources. Therefore, neither side backed down when they met. Without a pre-battle exchange of insults, both forces verified each other¡¯s pheromones to confirm they were not allies before clashing violently.


    Luo Wen had anticipated this encounter. Relying on just the few hundred troops in a swarm patrol squad, they wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance against a foraging team of over ten thousand Red Ants.


    Thanks to his superior vision and mobility, Luo Wen had already mobilized 60,000 northern troops stationed nearby to set up an ambush in advance. Using a pocket formation, he awaited the arrival of the unsuspecting foraging team.


    The battle was one-sided. A mixed force of over 10,000 Worker Ants and Soldier Ants was no match for 60,000 elite Soldier Ants. The result was as expected: the northern army completely annihilated the foraging team, suffering only minor losses of just over a hundred Soldier Ants.


    After this, battles became frequent. Foraging teams near the border repeatedly stumbled into ambushes laid by the northern army. Luo Wen¡¯s forces, with their numerical and strategic superiority, thoroughly routed the Red Ants in every encounter. After each battle, they cleared the battlefield and masked the pheromones, preventing the Red Ants from realizing anything was amiss.


    By the time the Red Ants had lost over 30 foraging teams, their forces in this direction were nearly depleted. However, setting traps in other directions to gradually weaken them would be too troublesome.


    In the past, Luo Wen had been patient in dealing with a Red Ant hive due to his limited strength. But now, he and his swarm had grown far beyond their former selves.


    With 1,500 Queen Ants at his disposal, the swarm¡¯s potential for war was unparalleled. Following his command, aside from the roughly 300 Queens stationed too far from the northern frontline, the remaining 1,200-plus Queens and the Brood Nest ramped up production. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under such circumstances, the frontline amassed a massive army of one million Worker Ants and 100,000 Soldier Ants in a short period. Combined with the 60,000 Soldier Ants already stationed there and additional auxiliary troops, a force of nearly 1.2 million was assembled.


    In sheer numbers alone, they already surpassed the Red Ants¡¯ hive. A direct assault was no longer an issue. At this level of strength, there was no need for tactics or a slow war of attrition.


    Standing before the densely packed swarm, Luo Wen felt a surge of pride. His demeanor began to mirror the arrogance he once despised.


    The advance of the million-strong army was overwhelming. Though the insects were small in size, their numbers blotted out the sky. For anyone with trypophobia, this scene would be utterly horrifying.


    Every insect encountered along the way was devoured as rations for the army. Even agile grasshoppers couldn¡¯t escape the Transport Bugs, let alone creatures like Black Beetles, which once impressed Luo Wen as ¡°War Gods.¡± Against this massive army, they didn¡¯t even register as a threat.


    Even the Red Ant foraging teams, once formidable opponents, barely caused a ripple before the swarm.


    ¡°This is what swarm warfare is supposed to look like,¡± Luo Wen remarked, watching his unstoppable army sweep forward.


    Alas, there was no one to appreciate his bravado.


    From a distance, Luo Wen saw the ¡°crater¡± they had rebuilt. He immediately ordered the army to accelerate and surround the area.


    The Red Ants, suddenly besieged by a million-strong force, were visibly stunned and retreated defensively to the crater.


    Shortly after, several small squads emerged from the entrance. Luo Wen ordered his army to clear a path and let these teams pass. He already knew their purpose¡ªpheromonal communication had its drawbacks. The information they carried was essentially public once decrypted. These squads were heading out to seek reinforcements.


    Luo Wen welcomed this. If they could summon all the foraging teams, it would save him the trouble of hunting them down later.


    As the Red and Black Ants within the hive huddled defensively, Luo Wen refrained from sending troops into the complex tunnels. The confined space would hinder his forces, and he remembered how he had previously used a ¡°shut the door and beat the dog¡± tactic to decimate enemy troops. With this precedent, he wouldn¡¯t risk a frontal charge.


    After some thought, he bypassed the perimeter and personally advanced. Using his forelimbs, Luo Wen skillfully collapsed the crater entrance, burying the tunnel in dirt. This was his second time employing this tactic, and he had become quite adept at it.


    By sealing the entrance, he forced the ants inside to come out. Although their ventilation system made it difficult to suffocate them, ¡°difficult¡± didn¡¯t mean ¡°impossible.¡±


    The reinforcements had already been sent out. With nothing urgent to handle, Luo Wen decided to surround the hive and ambush any returning troops.

 Chapter 66: The Attack Continues

    In truth, waiting for reinforcements to return to the hive would take a significant amount of time. Given the current state of the hive, it simply couldn¡¯t hold out that long.


    As expected, it wasn¡¯t long before activity was seen on the collapsed mound of earth. The soil began to bulge and shift as sand was gradually pushed aside. Soon, the cautious head of a Red Ant peeked out.


    Unfortunately for it, before it could gather any useful information, a spear-like limb pierced through its body, skewering it as it emerged from the soil. One of the Transport Bugs surrounding the collapsed entrance had acted swiftly. The bug flicked its leg, discarding the Red Ant¡¯s lifeless body.


    Beneath the Transport Bug¡¯s feet crawled a swarm of Soldier Ants. The one closest to where the Red Ant had fallen stepped forward and ended its suffering.


    More Red and Black Ants began to emerge from the dirt covering the buried entrance. The surrounding Transport Bugs treated it like a game of Whack-a-Mole, skewering each ant as it appeared.


    However, this method of attack was physically exhausting. Under Luo Wen¡¯s direction, the Transport Bugs adjusted their tactics. Instead of impaling the ants, they began using the sticky hairs on their claws to grab the emerging Red Ants and toss them aside, where Soldier Ants promptly turned them into rations for the swarm.


    This reduced energy expenditure significantly, but the number of Red and Black Ants appearing only increased. Fortunately, there were plenty of Transport Bugs queued up for their turn at ¡°Whack-a-Mole¡± and ¡°Claw Crane.¡± Exhausted bugs simply relinquished their positions to fresh replacements.


    Time slipped by, and after four or five hours, the Red Ants managed to dig another exit not far away. However, this new exit was still within the swarm¡¯s encirclement.


    This time, with plenty of Worker Ants on hand, Luo Wen did not hold back the acid. A torrent of corrosive liquid rained down on the new entrance¡ªa deluge of acid.


    A large group of ants attempting to break through the encirclement barely emerged before being doused in acid. The luckier ones, with only their antennae corroded and minor pitting on their armor, barely managed to escape. The less fortunate were immediately incapacitated, left to helplessly dissolve in the acid.


    As time passed, the new entrance became clogged with a strange liquid composed of dissolved ants and other detritus. Severed limbs and fragmented bodies floated on the surface, releasing an acrid stench. No further ants attempted to emerge from the opening. Gradually, the liquid dried into a grotesque tableau, exuding an aura of despair and agony.


    Luo Wen assigned 5,000 Burrower Ants to bury the hole with more soil, then stationed additional Transport Bugs and Soldier Ants to guard it. The horrific sight of the acid-soaked environment seemed to have left an impression on the Red Ants¡ªthey abandoned this exit entirely, and no more emerged. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two days passed. During this time, two foraging teams returned to the hive, providing the swarm with a small boost in provisions.


    The ants inside the hive had initially made several breakout attempts, but each was swiftly crushed. They had since been quiet for a considerable period.


    Reflecting on his strategy, Luo Wen realized suffocating the ants in the hive was unrealistic. Even if he filled in their exits quickly, the brief periods of ventilation from digging would suffice to sustain them for quite some time.


    In hindsight, he thought, perhaps he shouldn¡¯t have been so heavy-handed in blocking their exits earlier. This had only scared them into complete inactivity. If they tried digging again, he resolved to let them come out.


    Unfortunately, another day passed without any movement from the hive.


    Growing impatient, Luo Wen focused his sensory hairs, probing for the positions of underground chambers and tunnels. He located a spot close to the surface, then used his massive digging limbs to pierce the ground. Repeating the motion several times, he unearthed a large pit, with round tunnels now visible on either side of the walls.


    Inadvertently, he had dug too far, severing one of the hive¡¯s passageways.


    Ants moving through the tunnel sensed the fresh airflow and rushed over to investigate. Finding an unexpected exit and no long-legged creatures guarding it, a few Black Ants cautiously emerged, scouting the area. Detecting no danger, they quickly turned back. Moments later, swarms of Red and Black Ants began pouring out of the tunnel.


    But their celebration was premature¡ªthe swarm¡¯s encirclement had only moved back slightly.


    Having been confined underground for so long, the ants streamed out in droves. Within moments, nearly 100,000 Red and Black Ants had emerged from the hive. The prey had left its den, and the swarm¡¯s encirclement tightened swiftly.


    Hundreds of Transport Bugs led the charge into battle, accompanied by Soldier Ants. They quickly cleared the area around the tunnel entrance, sealing it off once more.


    This unit bore a heavy burden. They had to block ants still emerging from the tunnel while simultaneously fending off enemies attempting to retreat back into the hive, effectively fighting on two fronts.


    Fortunately, they didn¡¯t need to hold the line for long. After a single round of acid spraying, the enemy¡¯s combat effectiveness plummeted, and the swarm¡¯s army swiftly eradicated them.


    It seemed some ants near the entrance reported back, as the tunnel quickly fell silent, and no more ants emerged.


    No matter. After cleaning up the battlefield and replenishing their rations, Luo Wen simply dug another hole nearby.


    The ants weren¡¯t immune to repeating tactics. Each time the swarm surrounded, eradicated the enemy, cleared the battlefield, and dug a new hole.


    After several rounds of this, six large pits now marred the ground.


    Though the effectiveness of each successive attempt diminished, over 300,000 enemy troops had been converted into rations for the swarm.


    Finally, the enemy realized it was a trap. Only a few ants emerged from the last pit.


    But Luo Wen was already prepared with a new plan.


    He deployed over a hundred Spy Bugs, dividing them into six groups and sending them into the hive through the six pits.


    Their mission: infiltrate the hive and act as guides.


    Ideally, Luo Wen would handle this task himself, but his large size made infiltration impossible. The Spy Bugs¡¯ intellect and adaptability weren¡¯t on par with his, but they would suffice. Besides, infiltration into the Red Ant hive was inherently dangerous¡ªfriendly fire was a real threat¡ªbut with enough Spy Bugs, losses were acceptable.


    The Spy Bugs seemed to understand Luo Wen¡¯s intent. Once inside, they crawled deeper into the hive, disseminating new pheromone messages as they went.


    As a result, the tunnels, previously filled with messages like ¡°Danger,¡± ¡°Turn back,¡± and ¡°Path blocked,¡± now also carried contradictory signals such as ¡°Safe route¡± and ¡°Exit here.¡±


    These conflicting messages left the ants confused, unsure of the situation. Some believed the warnings and avoided the entrances, while others trusted the ¡°safe¡± signals and ventured out.


    Soon, Red and Black Ants began cautiously emerging from the pits one by one.

 Chapter 67: The Attack Concludes

    The enemy troops within the hive were gradually lured out in waves, eventually numbering tens of thousands.


    Two hours later, while the occasional ant still emerged from the tunnels, Luo Wen decided it was no longer worth his time. With a single command, Giant Fang Soldier Ants led the charge, supported by Small Soldier Ants, with Worker Ants providing ranged firepower. The massive army split into several units and surged into the hive¡¯s tunnels.


    After enduring several rounds of assaults, the hive¡¯s remaining defenders were few. Disoriented by the Spy Bugs¡¯ misinformation, they offered feeble resistance.


    In contrast, Luo Wen¡¯s forces advanced like a knife through butter. With well-coordinated troop formations, the swarm crushed all opposition, even in the tight, winding tunnels.


    Two hours later, the hive was conquered. It would now be repurposed into a swarm base, with one of the accompanying Queen Ants stationed to oversee and develop it. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By the end of this campaign, over 700,000 enemy ants had been eradicated, at the cost of just over 10,000 of the swarm¡¯s troops. Most of these casualties occurred during the final tunnel battles.


    The small-bodied Red Ants excelled at using their stingers in the confined spaces, often achieving a one-to-one kill ratio. This resulted in notable losses for the swarm. However, for Luo Wen, who commanded 1,500 Queen Ants, such losses were negligible.


    After the battlefield was cleared, relatively intact ant corpses were collected and buried to prevent decomposition. The remains were processed into protein to sustain the swarm¡¯s troops.


    After a day of rest, the army split into several groups. Two moved in different directions to hunt down the remaining enemy forces in the region, while a third stayed behind to deal with any foraging teams that evaded the sweeps.


    Over the next few days, these groups eliminated over 30 foraging teams, amounting to around 400,000 ants. This secured Luo Wen¡¯s control over the entire area.


    Following this, 300 Queen Ants that had accompanied the army¡ªwith 2,000 bodyguards, 3,000 Worker Ants each, and ample provisions¡ªdeparted to establish and develop their own territories. The remaining 900,000 Worker Ants were transported to other regions by Transport Bugs.


    Of the 1,200 Queen Ants previously focused on production, 900 had settled into their designated territories. After a brief rest, they resumed mass-producing soldiers to support the front lines. With the war concluded, it was time to bolster their labor forces.


    Around 150,000 Soldier Ants were redistributed. Of these, 50,000 were assigned to reinforce the central army (formerly the northwestern forces), as the expanding wedge-shaped area under their control required extensive exploration, leaving them severely understaffed.


    The remaining 100,000 Soldier Ants, along with a small number of Worker Ants, Scout Bugs, and Transport Bugs¡ªamounting to a force of 120,000¡ªwere reorganized into the northern army, which continued advancing along the riverbank.


    As for Luo Wen, he had his own plans. He needed to rendezvous with the western army, which had reported a vaguely described anomaly requiring his personal attention.


    With the battles here concluded, Luo Wen welcomed the distraction. Staying idle only tempted him to seek unnecessary risks.


    As the largest individual in the swarm, Luo Wen¡¯s size made it impossible to travel leisurely aboard a Transport Bug like the others. Instead, he relied on his long, powerful legs for locomotion. Fortunately, his size also granted him exceptional speed¡ªfaster than the Transport Bugs¡ªand his eight strong legs allowed him to leap over obstacles such as small ravines or exposed tree roots with ease.


    Setting out in the morning, Luo Wen maintained such a rapid pace that, despite stopping to inspect the development of several branch bases along the way, he reached the western army by nightfall.


    After resting overnight, Luo Wen set out early the next morning with the western army to investigate the anomaly.


    The anomaly had been encountered during the army¡¯s advance. The Queen Ant overseeing the troops had ordered them to bypass the area and sent a team to notify Luo Wen.


    Thus, Luo Wen¡¯s route led him backtracking slightly.


    Traveling about a kilometer southeast from the army¡¯s position, he reached the marked area. It lay close to a cliff face, where numerous large boulders had tumbled down from the heights. The rocks were piled together, forming massive gaps between them.


    From the outside, the area appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary pile of rocks. Although it covered a significant area, no obvious abnormalities were visible.


    This was where cannon fodder came into play. Luo Wen flicked his antennae, signaling two Transport Bugs to step forward. They dashed toward the pile of rocks at incredible speed.


    Like Luo Wen, their adhesive claw hairs allowed them to traverse the smooth rock surfaces with ease. Their strong leg muscles provided impressive speed and agility, allowing them to leap and twist through the rock gaps effortlessly. It seemed they were enjoying the rare opportunity to sprint unburdened, displaying an almost playful excitement.


    But Luo Wen soon noticed something unusual. The frolicking Transport Bugs had disturbed the area¡¯s hidden inhabitants.


    From the shadows of the rock crevices, several creatures began to emerge. Their bodies, though slightly slender, were still powerfully built. Their heads, thoraxes, and abdomens were connected in a segmented but uniform manner, lacking the distinct separations characteristic of ants.


    Their heads bore eight eyes: a slightly larger central pair and three smaller lateral eyes on each side. Their faces were flat, with no antennae.


    On either side of their heads extended massive pincers, each shaped like a pair of menacing claws. Behind the pincers, large muscle groups emphasized their formidable strength, making them appear exceptionally dangerous. Four pairs of walking legs extended from their bodies, which were low to the ground. Despite their size, these creatures could easily pass through narrow gaps, unlike the similarly sized Transport Bugs.


    Their bodies were covered in thick, jet-black chitinous armor, providing exceptional defense. The exoskeleton was densely coated with hairs, particularly on the pincers, which were more rugged and heavily furred than the rest of their bodies.


    Most notably, a long, slender tail extended from the rear of each creature, curling over their bodies. At the tip of the tail gleamed a sharp, barbed hook that glistened ominously.


    Luo Wen stared in shock. If it weren¡¯t still daylight, he might have thought he was back on Blue Star. The creatures bore a striking resemblance to scorpions¡ªso much so that even now, they seemed to confirm that ¡°scorpions¡± existed here as well.

 Chapter 68: The Scorpions

    ¡°So this is the so-called ¡®anomaly¡¯?¡± Luo Wen mused to himself.


    Well, in a way, it was indeed something unusual¡ªand precisely the sort of anomaly Luo Wen needed. His genetic library hadn¡¯t seen new additions for quite some time.


    As soon as the scorpions emerged, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of their massive pincers. His Burrower limbs had become somewhat redundant and only functioned as blunt tools for smashing. If he could integrate those powerful-looking claws, his Luo-style combat techniques might gain a few new moves.


    The sharp, menacing scorpion tails, likely venomous as per usual scorpion behavior, caught Luo Wen¡¯s attention less.


    It wasn¡¯t out of vanity¡ªhe had long given up caring about his appearance. Luo Wen had embraced his monstrous form, a patchwork of insect parts cobbled together into a bizarre fusion. After all, nobody was around to judge what this amalgamation looked like.


    The problem lay elsewhere. Chitinous exoskeletons had become standard equipment, making the scorpion¡¯s stinger impractical. Besides, Luo Wen rarely engaged in direct combat himself these days, and he already had venomous fangs inherited from a spider. A similar weapon would only be redundant.


    Still, these considerations were pointless; Luo Wen had no control over his evolution. For all he knew, he might wake up one day to find a hooked tail sprouting from his rear.


    As Luo Wen pondered these thoughts, the lead scorpion seemed almost offended by his disregard for its tail.


    When another Transport Bug leapt past it, the largest scorpion struck like lightning, clamping one of the bug¡¯s hind legs with its pincer.


    The momentum of the Transport Bug¡¯s jump nearly lifted the scorpion off the ground. However, its low center of gravity proved advantageous; though its body was dragged upward, its clawed feet maintained a firm grip on the stone beneath.


    Once the Transport Bug¡¯s momentum faltered, the scorpion yanked it back.


    The two began an impromptu tug-of-war, the Transport Bug pulling against the scorpion¡¯s grip. Despite losing one leg¡¯s leverage, the bug¡¯s remaining seven legs still outnumbered the scorpion¡¯s four, giving it a slight edge.


    But as the scorpion exerted more force, the trapped leg bent unnaturally, threatening to snap¡ªa situation that ironically worked in the Transport Bug¡¯s favor. If the leg broke, it could escape, albeit with the loss of a limb.


    At that moment, the scorpion surged forward, planting its other pincer beneath the bug¡¯s body. Using both claws, it flipped the Transport Bug onto its back, exposing its vulnerable abdomen.


    The scorpion¡¯s tail, coiled above its head, struck with blinding speed. Its hooked stinger latched onto the bug¡¯s underside and slowly sank into its body.


    Luo Wen observed with interest, finally understanding the tail¡¯s true utility. His experience as an insect was still limited; he had assumed the hook would target an opponent¡¯s back. He realized now how wrong he was.


    The evolution of such a tool was far from ornamental. Insects typically had robust back armor that was difficult to penetrate. In contrast, the underbelly, though often protected, was relatively weaker or even soft in some species. The scorpion¡¯s hook could easily pierce through these vulnerabilities.


    Furthermore, the scorpion¡¯s low stance gave it exceptional stability in grappling situations. Once it could flip an opponent, the stinger became a decisive weapon.


    Meanwhile, the Transport Bug managed to free itself from the scorpion¡¯s pincers, but the tail hook remained embedded in its abdomen. The ¡°tug-of-war¡± now shifted to the scorpion¡¯s tail.


    Unfortunately, the Transport Bug was already succumbing to the venom. Its strength waned rapidly, and it ultimately lost the contest.


    As the bug stopped struggling, the victorious scorpion raised its pincers like a triumphant general, flaunting its might. It then moved beside the Transport Bug to enjoy its hard-earned meal.


    Luo Wen, having enjoyed the spectacle, decided it was time to end the charade. His antennae flicked, releasing a pheromone signal that sent tens of thousands of swarm troops surging forward.


    Luo Wen stayed back, confident that new genes would soon be presented to him.


    Although the scorpion had bested a single Transport Bug, it now faced hundreds of them. And the Transport Bugs were merely support units; atop them rode thousands of specialized Soldier Ants, their compound eyes fixed menacingly on their prey.


    While the scorpions towered over the Soldier Ants, their sheer numbers rendered size differences irrelevant.


    Leading the charge were the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants, the most formidable front-line warriors of the swarm. Refined through countless battles, these units had proven their versatility and strength, surpassing the dwindling numbers of Giant Fang Soldier Ants and Hook Soldier Ants.


    The Giant Mandibles surrounded the scorpions in a single charge. Familiar tactics like leg-pulling and eye-gouging were executed with precision. Though their mandibles couldn¡¯t easily pierce the scorpions¡¯ thick back armor, their tails and legs were far less protected.


    The scorpions fought back ferociously, each pincer grasping a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant, while their tails sought targets.


    But the ants were no pushovers. Their serrated mandibles bit into the scorpion¡¯s tail, penetrating the armor and embedding themselves. The long tail offered multiple vulnerable points, and seven or eight ants attacked simultaneously.


    The scorpion¡¯s legs suffered a similar fate.


    In mere moments, the scorpion was dismembered, its legs and tail severed and scattered around its body. Thick bodily fluids oozed from its wounds as it lay incapacitated, unable to move or attack.


    Yet, even in this state, the scorpion hissed defiantly, baring its fangs at the diminutive ants. Its defiance, however, sounded more like a feeble whimper.


    The battle ended so quickly that the other scorpions hadn¡¯t even reacted. Before they could intervene, they were also dismembered and reduced to writhing lumps.


    The hissing chorus grew annoyingly loud.


    Luo Wen flicked his antennae again. Several Small Soldier Ants, modeled after Red Ants, approached and drove their stingers into the scorpions¡¯ wounds.


    Venom wasn¡¯t exclusive to scorpions. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The hissing gradually ceased. The scorpions¡¯ sturdy exoskeletons made them difficult to consume directly, but they could still be processed into a ¡°beverage.¡±

 Chapter 69: New Claws

    The specifics of the feeding process need not be described in detail.


    After feasting, Luo Wen found a large crevice in a nearby rock and lay down to rest. Meanwhile, he ordered the army to camp around him.


    Since it was still early morning, and the battle had ended too quickly, Luo Wen found it difficult to enter a dormant state. Instead, he began reflecting on the recent skirmish.


    The scorpions, despite their formidable individual combat prowess, seemed capable of standing against tens of thousands. However, in reality, only about a hundred Giant Mandible Soldier Ants had done the heavy lifting. The rest of the swarm was mostly there to spectate, much like Luo Wen, who had merely watched the spectacle.


    This performance underscored the terror of collective combat once more. Unless an individual reached another level of evolution, it was impossible to negate the advantage of overwhelming numbers.


    This realization further solidified Luo Wen¡¯s resolve to pursue the path of the Swarm.


    In his dreams, Luo Wen felt as if his hands were melting. Startled, he almost awoke, only to remember that he no longer had ¡°hands.¡± A pair of burrowing legs and four pairs of walking legs¡ªlosing one pair wouldn¡¯t matter since he could always regenerate severed limbs.


    Reassured by this thought, he sank back into sleep.


    He had no idea how long he slept, but when he awoke, it was still dark. Two moons hung high in the sky, casting a cold, silvery light.


    Luo Wen sensed something unusual about his burrowing legs. Looking down, he saw a layer of dead skin peeling off them, as if they were shedding. Upon closer inspection, he realized that this layer of dead skin was the exoskeleton of his original burrowing legs.


    So, this was molting.


    Previously, whenever his body absorbed certain genes and underwent significant changes, it would cocoon and mutate. However, this was the first time he had experienced localized molting.


    It seemed his earlier anticipation of growing chelae was coming to fruition. As for a scorpion¡¯s tail, it was likely not happening. If he were to develop a tail, he would most likely need to cocoon.


    He glanced back and felt around. His guess was correct¡ªthere was no new tail at his rear.


    Next, it was time to test his newly obtained claws.


    Tearing at the molting skin on his chelae with bites, Luo Wen exposed the still-soft and sticky inner limbs. Once freed, the chelae rapidly swelled to double their original size. They then began hardening and darkening.


    Before long, the chelae were fully armored again, but now the armor was thicker. The internal musculature was also much stronger. With a thought, the two massive pincers opened, revealing a row of sharp serrations that glinted coldly.


    He flexed the chelae. Despite their appearance being bulkier than his previous burrowing legs, they remained remarkably agile. In particular, the joints seemed to feature a specialized mechanism resembling a spring-loaded trigger, enhancing his striking speed.


    A flicker of black light flashed. The pincers accurately clamped onto a nearby rock. With a squeeze of his muscles, there was a sharp ¡°crack,¡± and the rock shattered into pieces.


    ¡°Awesome!¡± Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but exclaim inwardly. This was exactly what he had been hoping for.


    Like a child with a new toy, Luo Wen went on a destructive spree, pulverizing everything around him¡ªrocks, plants, and even scorpion exoskeletons all fell victim to his havoc.


    Luo Wen was ecstatic. Not only had he gained a powerful new weapon, but these chelae also gave him a sensation akin to having hands again.


    Granted, each ¡°hand¡± only had two ¡°fingers.¡± Still, this newfound familiarity almost brought him to tears.


    After his excitement subsided, Luo Wen calmed himself. There was no use dwelling on the past; he needed to focus on moving forward.


    Overall, while only his chelae had been enhanced this time, the improvement to Luo Wen¡¯s strength was immense¡ªnot just in combat, but in daily life as well.


    He also discovered that when the pincers were closed, the chelae could still function as burrowing legs. Moreover, their increased size made digging even more efficient. This left Luo Wen a bit speechless.


    With the matter resolved, the western army continued their journey. Luo Wen returned to his lair and resumed his monotonous daily routine.


    Each day consisted of little more than eating and lounging on tree trunks to enjoy the scenery. Time passed, with the only notable events being the constant departure of Queen Ants and Luo Wen¡¯s steadily improving eyesight.


    However, his immense size limited the number of trees in his territory that could support him, restricting his vantage points. This greatly diminished his scenic enjoyment.


    The tedium of life reignited Luo Wen¡¯s reckless curiosity. Although he had eliminated two Red Ant nests during this period, the growing strength of his swarm had rendered such conquests dull and meaningless. There was no sense of accomplishment, and it did nothing to suppress his urge to seek danger.


    With no better options, Luo Wen tried to find tasks to distract himself.


    First, he inspected his territory. With its continued expansion, the swarm had added another thousand Queen Ants, bringing their total to over 2,500.


    Thanks to flourishing agriculture, abundant food, and a lack of major conflicts, the colonies experienced explosive population growth. Each base now housed at least 5,000 members, meaning the swarm¡¯s total numbers had soared to at least 12 million.


    Though most of these were Worker Ants, the swarm¡¯s war potential remained formidable. With their current resources, they could easily raise an army of a million at short notice.


    For instance, during the recent assaults on the two Red Ant nests, Luo Wen had summoned a million troops in no time. He no longer bothered with tactics like attrition or ambushes. These strategies were redundant.


    Instead, he simply ordered his forces to bore holes into the enemy nests and flood them with troops. Although this resulted in higher casualties, it didn¡¯t matter. Once the nests were captured, the fallen insects were recycled into protein.


    Within days, the Queen Ants would transform this protein back into soldiers for the battlefield.


    In the past, Luo Wen had felt a surge of excitement commanding his swarm in their first attack on a Black Ant nest. Eventually, Black Ant nests became mere supply points for the army.


    Now, encountering a Black Ant nest required neither reporting to Luo Wen nor his direct involvement. The swarm simply bulldozed through. As a result, Luo Wen no longer knew how many Black Ant nests had been destroyed.


    It seemed Red Ant nests were destined for a similar fate. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could this be the loneliness of the master? Luo Wen found himself tempted to hum a tune about the solitude of invincibility. But then he remembered the looming threat of the Yellow Earth Ant Legion and lost all enthusiasm.


    As an insect, it was best not to grow too arrogant.


    Out of options, Luo Wen turned his attention to the lakes and rivers in the east.


    There was little choice. The north and west were being explored by the swarm¡¯s armies. The south consisted of cliffs and deserts patrolled by the Yellow Earth Ant Legion.


    Only the east remained undeveloped.


    Previously, Luo Wen¡¯s smaller size had made even the shallow areas of the riverbanks perilous. Fear of the unknown depths had kept him away.


    His closest encounter with the riverside had been during the first attack on a Red Ant nest. Even then, he stayed half a meter away from the river, avoiding the breach of barriers for water channels.


    Now, with his long legs, Luo Wen felt he was ready to challenge the riverbanks.

 Chapter 70: An Unfamiliar Force

    Slivers of sunlight reflected off the lake¡¯s surface, creating a shimmering display. Along the lakeshore, slender stems and leaves of aquatic plants swayed gently in the breeze.


    Luo Wen moved cautiously on his long legs, staying two to three meters from the water¡¯s edge. His large compound eyes were fixed intently on the lake, scanning for any signs of suspicious activity.


    The reflected sunlight on the lake was glaringly bright. With Luo Wen¡¯s compound eyes being particularly sensitive to light, the intense glare caused a persistent throbbing and stinging sensation.


    For several days, Luo Wen kept watch without any success. Just as he was beginning to feel both dejected and impatient, an unexpected development occurred. The prolonged exposure to the reflective glare seemed to have triggered an unexpected adaptation in his eyes.


    His vision began to develop the ability to filter out certain light wavelengths.


    With this newfound ability, his eyes functioned like wearing sunglasses. The sunlight reflected off the water¡¯s surface became far less blinding, allowing Luo Wen to observe more comfortably.


    Revitalized by his new ability, Luo Wen resumed his slow exploration along the lakeshore with renewed enthusiasm.


    As he walked, he transitioned from the lake to a river. Though the river was less than ten meters wide, its rapid current and unknown depth made it seem like an insurmountable barrier to Luo Wen.


    If he could figure out a way to cross the river, the vast lands on the opposite shore could become new territory for the swarm.


    Unfortunately, with his current knowledge, Luo Wen had no immediate solution for crossing the river.


    For now, he could only hope to encounter some aquatic species that would grant him new genes. With such an enhancement, crossing the river¡ªor even exploring the depths of the lake and river¡ªwould become possible. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Days turned into weeks, yet Luo Wen found no evidence of life in the river. Lacking other tasks, he patiently continued his investigations.


    As the saying goes, persistence pays off.


    One evening, just as Luo Wen was preparing to return to eat and rest, he noticed ripples spreading across the river¡¯s surface in the distance. A wave of excitement surged through him. Ripples couldn¡¯t appear without something interacting with the water. This indicated that some entity had come into contact with the surface.


    Though Luo Wen could clearly see the source of the ripples, he was unable to discern what lay beneath the water. The cause of the disturbance remained a mystery.


    He kept watching for a while, but the river¡¯s surface returned to stillness, making him wonder if he had imagined it.


    Could it have been caused by underwater plant roots? The flow of the river brushing against aquatic vegetation could create ripples, but such occurrences were typically confined to areas near the banks.


    The location of the ripples, however, was at the center of the river. No aquatic plants could possibly grow there.


    Even as night fully descended, Luo Wen remained vigilant. He refused to believe his eyes had played tricks on him. Though he hadn¡¯t identified the culprit, he had at least confirmed the presence of aquatic life, which was a significant discovery.


    This realization reignited Luo Wen¡¯s determination. The next morning, as he prepared to resume his observation with renewed vigor, a team of messenger bugs arrived with news from the front lines.


    This time, the northern army had encountered an unusual situation.


    Searching for aquatic life could wait. Investigating the swarm¡¯s anomaly took higher priority.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had been exploring near the riverbank, not far from the northern army¡¯s location. Though he slowed his pace to accommodate the messengers, he still reached the army¡¯s position within two hours.


    The morning was still young. Led by a reconnaissance team, Luo Wen caught sight of a familiar ¡°crater¡± in the distance. He assumed it was yet another routine mission to exterminate a Red Ant nest.


    But as he approached, Luo Wen noticed something unusual. Streams of ants were pouring continuously out of the ¡°crater,¡± forming multiple unbroken lines as they marched hurriedly away.


    ¡°Have I been discovered? But the direction doesn¡¯t match¡­¡± Luo Wen initially suspected he¡¯d been spotted. However, despite his imposing size, Luo Wen had honed his stealth skills to perfection. He had altered his pheromones and coloration, rendering himself indistinguishable from a large boulder to the ants.


    As he observed the army¡¯s trajectory heading away from his position, Luo Wen realized he was mistaken. But their urgency intrigued him¡ªwhat could they be rushing toward?


    Curiosity got the better of him. Luo Wen dismissed the reconnaissance team, instructing them to return and order the army to camp in place and remain still. Meanwhile, he used his superior vision to maintain a safe distance from the marching Red Ants, trailing them discreetly to uncover their destination.


    The Red Ant army marched north for about 300 meters. Soon, Luo Wen spotted a large-scale battle unfolding ahead.


    Tens of thousands of combatants from both sides were engaged, scattered across more than a dozen skirmish zones.


    On one side were the familiar Red Ants. Their adversaries, however, were an entirely new ant species.


    These ants¡¯ coloration was somewhere between the bright hue of Red Ants and the jet black of Black Ants. Their bodies were a subdued dark red.


    The worker ants of this species were slender, with their heads, thoraxes, and abdomens of similar size. Their thin, elongated legs gave them a highly agile appearance. Their soldier ants, however, were strikingly unique. Their abdomens remained unchanged, but their heads and jaws were greatly enlarged.


    The soldiers¡¯ massive rectangular heads featured a wide central groove running from the rear edge to the forehead, giving them the comical appearance of a human backside. Their bulbous heads and jaws combined resembled overripe cherries.


    Despite their amusing appearance, these massive jaws radiated power, suggesting formidable offensive capabilities.


    What fascinated Luo Wen most was the significant variation in body size among this species. Unlike the uniform sizes of Red Ants or Black Ants, this new species displayed dramatic differences.


    For example, their workers ranged from a few millimeters to over five centimeters. Among the soldier ants, the smallest were three to four centimeters long¡ªsmaller than the largest workers¡ªwhile the largest soldiers approached 20 centimeters in length, veritable giants of the ant world.


    To put this in perspective, the Transport Bugs of Luo Wen¡¯s swarm, which carried hundreds of ants over long distances, were only about 30 centimeters in size. Even Luo Wen himself, having reached the limits of his respiratory system, was only slightly over 60 centimeters long. These gigantic soldier ants posed a tangible threat to him.


    Feeding such enormous creatures would require staggering amounts of resources. Even Transport Bugs, sustained during wartime by abundant protein, numbered only in the hundreds. After battles, they consumed the bulk of spoils, drastically reducing their numbers during peacetime.


    In Luo Wen¡¯s branch bases of 5,000 members, maintaining just five Transport Bugs strained resources to their limits. When idle, these bugs even resorted to eating dirt to ease the burden on the colony.


    Yet here, on the largest battlefield, there were over twenty of these massive soldier ants. Smaller giants numbered in the hundreds, and the ranks of large, medium, and small soldiers were uncountable.


    Additionally, other battlefields nearby hosted similarly scaled conflicts, with over a hundred giant soldier ants in total.


    Luo Wen clicked his mandibles in disbelief. Supporting such a vast army of soldier ants was beyond the capability of any ordinary colony. Moreover, the forces on display likely weren¡¯t even the entirety of this unfamiliar species¡¯ army.


    Maintaining such a formidable force would require an extraordinarily vast territory.

 Chapter 71: Tracking

    The battle between the two sides raged on, and Luo Wen was surprised to see that despite the Red Ants¡¯ mixed forces receiving continuous reinforcements, they were still being pushed back step by step.


    The soldier ants of the new species, distinguished by their oversized heads, were tentatively named Big-headed Ants by Luo Wen.


    Compared to the brute-force tactics of the Red and Black Ant coalition, the Big-headed Ants demonstrated far superior strategy.


    Each type of their soldier ants carried numerous Worker Ants on their backs, forming a defensive layer. This approach resembled infantry-tank coordination.


    Whenever a Red Ant approached one of the Big-headed Ant soldiers, several Worker Ants would leap off the soldier¡¯s back to entangle the attacker. Meanwhile, the soldier would seize the opportunity to deliver a fatal strike.


    With the Red Ants neutralized, the Black Ants¡¯ basic weapons and equipment alone posed little threat to the Big-headed Ant soldiers. Their massive jaws, which grew proportionally with their size, easily dealt with the Black Ants.


    Although both sides had committed similar numbers of troops, the Red and Black coalition¡¯s primary combat units were outclassed tactically. Relying on the supporting Worker Ants for victory was nearly impossible.


    As Luo Wen predicted, the Red and Black coalition¡¯s forces were continually whittled down. Their casualty ratio was far higher than that of the Big-headed Ants.


    The Big-headed Ants, however, showed no signs of overconfidence. They maintained a steady, methodical advance without rushing for a swift victory.


    The battle lasted for two full days, shifting across several locations. Most engagements ended with the Red Ant side retreating, leaving behind tens of thousands of corpses. Only once did the Red Ants manage to ambush a small detachment of Big-headed Ants, leveraging sheer numbers to secure a victory.


    Yet, strangely, when the Red Ants later tried to recover the battlefield, many of the soldier ant corpses were inexplicably missing. The remains of two particularly massive soldier ants were nowhere to be found. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The missing corpses had, of course, been taken by Luo Wen. Disguised as a rock, he had crept close to the battlefield, selectively scavenged what he wanted, and then retreated with his haul on his back. With eight long legs propelling him swiftly away, he came and went like a shadow.


    These gigantic soldier ants were remarkable specimens. Using an ant template to reach such a size must have involved unique adaptations. Now that he had obtained their genes, Luo Wen planned to study them when he had the time.


    For now, he postponed his return to the Brood Nest. His priority was to uncover the origins of this newly emerged Big-headed Ant species.


    Three days later, after suffering losses exceeding 100,000 troops, the Red Ants remained unyielding, unwilling to retreat. But the Big-headed Ants, satisfied with their gains, chose to withdraw rather than risk overextending themselves.


    When the Red Ants gathered a massive force for a decisive battle, they found their opponents had vanished without a trace.


    The Red Ants were puzzled, but Luo Wen, who had been monitoring the battlefield closely, didn¡¯t miss a thing. The Big-headed Ant army, numbering in the tens of thousands, had retreated with their spoils. Such a large-scale movement was impossible to hide from Luo Wen¡¯s long-range surveillance.


    Their retreat resembled the Swarm¡¯s methods. Various types of soldier ants and large-to-medium Workers served as transport vehicles, while smaller Worker Ants climbed aboard, both to conserve energy and secure the loot.


    With their combined combat coordination and efficient transportation system, the Big-headed Ants were clearly a step ahead of other ant species.


    Their speed also exceeded Luo Wen¡¯s expectations. After traveling less than two kilometers, they had already returned to their nest.


    This left Luo Wen puzzled. The Swarm controlled a territory spanning more than ten kilometers. For a nest capable of deploying such a large combat force, their territory should be significantly larger.


    ¡°Could their territory extend farther in other directions?¡± Luo Wen shook his head. Based on his observations, this species seemed to radiate their territory evenly in all directions.


    If no unusual factors were involved, their nest should logically occupy the center of their domain.


    Potential factors included insurmountable barriers like rivers or cliffs, or the persistent disappearance of scouts in a specific area.


    ¡°Could it be because of the Red Ant nests?¡± Luo Wen quickly dismissed this thought. Given the Big-headed Ant army¡¯s demonstrated strength, they could easily overpower the Red Ants if they chose to expand.


    Luo Wen shook his head again, abandoning further speculation for now. With so little information available, drawing conclusions was impossible. Moreover, until the conflict between the Red and Big-headed Ants resolved, the two sides wouldn¡¯t directly confront each other.


    He still had plenty of time. By continuing to observe the Big-headed Ants, Luo Wen hoped to gather more information for analysis.


    The Big-headed Ant nest stood out from other ant colonies, leaving Luo Wen astonished when he first saw it.


    The nest was a small mound spanning 20 to 30 square meters, with a ring of entrances midway up its slope. The ground around each entrance bore heavy tread marks.


    The tens of thousands of Big-headed Ant troops Luo Wen had been following split into several groups, entering the nest through adjacent entrances.


    If that was all, the nest would simply appear to have more exits than usual.


    However, atop the mound were numerous small protrusions densely packed together. Each protrusion had a central opening, resembling tiny chimneys.


    Notably, no tread marks surrounded these ¡°chimneys,¡± indicating they weren¡¯t used as entrances or exits. Ants, being pragmatic creatures, wouldn¡¯t build anything without purpose. These chimneys must have a specific function.


    What that function might be, Luo Wen could only sigh in frustration. If he still had his previous, smaller body, sneaking inside for a closer look would have been easy.


    Still, Luo Wen had no regrets. With his current size, few things could threaten his life. Everything else was secondary to survival.


    Unable to discern the chimneys¡¯ purpose from the outside and unable to infiltrate the nest, Luo Wen decided further observation was a waste of time.


    He cast one last glance at the mysterious chimneys before turning to explore other directions.


    Having recently consumed a high-protein meal, Luo Wen moved quickly. In just one day, he had surveyed most of the area surrounding the Big-headed Ant nest.


    Curiously, the Big-headed Ants¡¯ territory was indeed small.


    In every direction, within roughly two kilometers, Luo Wen found evidence of other ant nests and activity.


    Pheromones made it easy to distinguish. From the Big-headed Ant nest at the center, Luo Wen identified at least eleven different pheromone signatures within a two-kilometer radius.


    This confirmed that the Big-headed Ants, like most ant species, placed their nests at the very center of their territory.


    Yet this raised a puzzling question: how could such a small territory sustain such a massive army?

 Chapter 72: Big-headed Ants

    After confirming the unexpectedly small size of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ territory, Luo Wen began to investigate the surrounding trees, searching for signs of livestock-like farming practices.


    However, even with agricultural methods that preserved vegetation, it seemed nearly impossible to sustain so many combat units within such limited territory.


    While examining the trees, Luo Wen did find some aphids, but there were no signs of large-scale farming. He did, however, stumble upon another curious phenomenon.


    On the yellowish-brown dirt ground, an unusual stream caught Luo Wen¡¯s attention. Upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn¡¯t water but a flowing stream of leaves. These leaves were being transported by the Worker Ants of the Big-headed Ant species. Regardless of size, each ant carried leaves several times its own size with its powerful jaws.


    Patrolling alongside the leaf stream were larger soldier ants, ensuring the workers¡¯ safety while clearing small obstacles from the path. These efforts slightly smoothed the otherwise uneven road, although larger obstructions were simply bypassed.


    The leaf stream was flowing in the direction of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ nest. Intrigued, Luo Wen decided to trace it upstream.


    Soon, he discovered the source of the leaves.


    It was an impressively tall tree, at least 50 meters high, with the stream of green leaves cascading down from its treetop. The dense branches at the top obscured Luo Wen¡¯s view, making it difficult to discern the specifics.


    But that didn¡¯t matter. His adhesive bristles allowed him to climb smooth surfaces as if they were flat ground. Scaling a tree was no challenge for him.


    Camouflaging himself by altering his pheromones and mimicking an off-limits rock, Luo Wen avoided detection by the Big-headed Ants and quickly ascended the opposite side of the tree trunk.


    At the treetop, he witnessed an incredible sight.


    Big-headed Ant Worker Ants were using their jaws like scissors, delicately cutting the leaves. They inserted one mandible into the upper part of a leaf and sliced upward with the other. This process was repeated meticulously.


    Each time, a portion of the leaf was neatly severed. The workers then carefully lifted the cut piece to prevent it from falling, adding it to the leaf stream.


    The workers in line behind them would then move forward to continue cutting until the entire leaf was harvested.


    What astonished Luo Wen was their restraint in harvesting. The ants only cut about one-third of the leaves on each branch, leaving the other two-thirds intact to minimize the impact on the vegetation.


    Their conservation-minded approach led Luo Wen to suspect that a sentient intelligence might be guiding their actions. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, he noticed that the Big-headed Ants weren¡¯t consuming the leaves. They were merely cutting and transporting them back to the nest in an endless cycle.


    What were they doing with the leaves?


    Luo Wen thought of his own aphid pastures. His Worker Ants would typically feed themselves first before sharing leftovers with their peers. Only after everyone was sated would they transport any surplus back to the nest.


    Yet, despite observing for an extended period, Luo Wen didn¡¯t see a single Big-headed Ant stealing a bite of the leaves¡ªa behavior that struck him as highly abnormal.


    Initially, Luo Wen had assumed that the leaves were part of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ diet. If that were the case, it would explain how they sustained such a large labor force and military within such a small territory.


    None of the other ant species Luo Wen had encountered consumed tree leaves.


    But as it turned out, the Big-headed Ants didn¡¯t eat the leaves either. So why were they expending so much effort to harvest and transport them? Luo Wen was perplexed. He suspected this mystery was connected to their formidable ability to rapidly produce troops. The leaf harvesting, along with the chimneys on their nest, were the only anomalies he¡¯d found in their territory.


    The secret clearly lay within the nest. Luo Wen¡¯s curiosity was piqued, but his large size had long since ruled out stealth and infiltration.


    That left him with only one option: special measures.


    Though the Big-headed Ants didn¡¯t seem particularly aggressive, their territory blocked the Swarm¡¯s expansion. A conflict between the two forces was inevitable.


    When that day came, the secrets of the Big-headed Ants would be revealed.


    Luo Wen resolved to seize the initiative and prepare for a well-planned war.


    Faced with a stronger new opponent, Luo Wen felt a surge of excitement. Wasting no time, he quickly returned to the central base.


    Upon consulting the Brood Nest, Luo Wen discovered that the super-sized Big-headed Soldier Ants still relied on a standard ant nutritional system. However, their extraordinarily developed and powerful muscles enabled them to compress oxygen into distant parts of their bodies, supporting their massive size.


    This muscle-enhancement gene segment was quite useful, but the rest of their genetic structure was fairly unremarkable.


    After creating several new bugs, Luo Wen considered imitating the Big-headed Ants by diversifying the sizes of his Worker and Soldier Ants into a dozen categories. Ultimately, he decided it wasn¡¯t necessary. The Swarm had its own development methods and didn¡¯t need to copy everything.


    For example, the Big-headed Ants used their soldiers and large-to-medium Workers for transport, with smaller Workers securing the cargo. However, the Swarm had more efficient Transport Bugs and adhesive-secreting Mucus Bugs, which streamlined logistics.


    As for production, Luo Wen ordered 500 more Queen Ants, bringing the total to 3,000.


    Before engaging the Big-headed Ants, the Red Ant nest needed to be dealt with, and its territory absorbed.


    The 500 new Queens would produce troops at the frontlines initially, before being dispatched to occupy captured territory.


    A single Red Ant nest didn¡¯t require 500 Queens, but when combined with the Big-headed Ants¡¯ territory, it would be just right.


    This was what Luo Wen called preparation for contingencies.


    The existing 2,500 Queens were all assigned tasks. Over 2,000 of them began producing troops in earnest. The remainder, too far from the northern frontlines, focused on transporting resources to closer bases.


    Time passed, and the newly produced bugs emerged from their cocoons. They, along with a significant quantity of supplies, were steadily transported to the front.


    A month later, with the northern army already stationed, the Swarm had amassed 500,000 various Soldier Ants and over 1.5 million Worker Ants.


    Including auxiliary units, the army¡¯s total strength reached 2.1 million.


    This marked the largest military operation in the Swarm¡¯s history. Luo Wen, fully committed, had elevated the Big-headed Ants¡¯ strategic threat level to the highest priority.


    As the saying goes, ¡°An army marches on its stomach.¡±


    The 2.1 million-strong force represented the Swarm¡¯s logistical limits. Behind the army were over 2,000 branch bases and 12 million Worker Ants maintaining the supply chain. Additionally, more than 5,000 Transport Bugs moved resources continuously to the frontlines.


    Even with these efforts, there were still some material shortages due to the tight timeframe.


    But that didn¡¯t matter. Ahead of the army lay a granary¡­

 Chapter 73: On the March (1)

    Every extra day the army lingered meant more resources consumed. Although a few units had yet to arrive, Luo Wen decided not to wait any longer.


    The weather that day was favorable¡ªpartly cloudy¡ªwith the tree canopy overhead blocking most of the light and heat, creating perfect conditions for a long-distance march.


    At Luo Wen¡¯s command, over 6,000 Transport Bugs loaded with a variety of troops and supplies began advancing on their eight long legs, heading directly for the Red Ant Nest. The scene was nothing short of spectacular.


    Trees flitted past as Luo Wen led the march from the front of the formation. His role was to navigate for the army, as he had the widest field of view among the swarm at present.


    Along the way, the army skirted around two Red Ant hunting parties. With the swarm¡¯s overwhelming superiority in both numbers and quality, there was no need to engage such minor threats. Luo Wen¡¯s strategy was to strike directly at the heart¡ªobliterating the Red Ant Nest first, then dispatching smaller units to clear the territory afterward.


    As for those two hunting parties? The forces following behind would take care of them. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Two hours later, after several breaks for the Transport Bugs to rest and replenish their energy, the army traversed two kilometers of forest and reached a familiar sight¡ªthe ¡°volcanic crater.¡±


    Having eradicated Red Ant Nests before, there was nothing novel about the scene. The swarm swiftly encircled the ¡°crater.¡±


    Luo Wen circled near the entrance, using the sensory hairs on his legs to detect vibrations from the underground network of tunnels. He identified the location of the subterranean passageways and extended his claws¡ªhis digging limbs, now sharper than ever since their transformation.


    Piercing through the ground, he punctured several openings into the Red Ant Nest¡¯s tunnels. After baiting a few waves of Red-Black Ants to emerge for inspection, the swarm¡¯s forces surged inside.


    Giant Mandible Soldier Ants took the lead, flanked by Small Soldier Ants providing cover. If the enemy numbers were small, the swarm would engage in melee combat. If enemy numbers swelled, they would create a gap for Worker Ants at the rear to provide ranged support.


    The swarm advanced methodically. Losses occurred but remained within acceptable limits.


    The battle dragged on until nightfall. Narrow tunnels restricted movement, preventing the full deployment of the swarm¡¯s forces. In fact, less than one-fifth of the army had entered the tunnels. The majority of troops remained outside, where they eliminated three returning Red Ant hunting parties.


    A force of 1.8 million versus 20,000 was hardly a contest. The rear troops often found the battle over before they could even charge.


    To be honest, more time was spent cleaning up the battlefield than fighting.


    The swarm collected all spoils. Insect wars were simple: the victor claimed everything¡ªenemy and ally carcasses alike were recycled as nutrients for the swarm¡¯s growth.


    Post-battle statistics showed the swarm lost around 20,000 units. Precise enemy losses were hard to calculate due to the tunnel skirmishes, but based on prior experience, the nest likely housed at least 400,000 to 500,000 ants. Even if their numbers had been diminished by the Big-headed Ants a month ago, they should have replenished somewhat during that time.


    Luo Wen estimated at least 400,000 had been present, with an additional 45,000 from the three hunting parties eliminated outside.


    As Luo Wen tallied the results, a squadron approached from the distance.


    This was the swarm¡¯s heavy combat units: 200 Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants, 500 Giant Soldier Ants, and two Scorpions. The two ant types were based on the Big-headed Ant soldier template, with minor modifications. A gene for enhanced leaping was added, increasing their agility, along with slightly enlarged mandibles for greater attack power.


    The Scorpions were experimental. Enhanced muscle genes made them larger than their prototypes, with body lengths¡ªexcluding tails¡ªof 40 centimeters. Luo Wen had no specific use in mind for them yet and had only created two to test their combat effectiveness in this war against the Big-headed Ants.


    Accompanying these heavy units were around 10,000 smaller combat units mounted on their backs, tasked with guarding them. Despite their apparent strength, these heavy units excelled only in duels or mass battles. If caught alone by a Red Ant hunting party, their venomous stingers could prove fatal. A mishap, such as being surrounded, might even cost them their lives.


    Previously, their slower pace had prevented them from keeping up with the Transport Bugs, so Luo Wen had stationed them at the rear for a gradual advance. Clearing out a Red Ant Nest didn¡¯t require their involvement, and the pheromone markers left by the main force ensured they wouldn¡¯t get lost.


    When Luo Wen bypassed the two hunting parties earlier, he had assigned mobile squads to monitor them.


    These squads specialized in reconnaissance, harassment, and trap-setting. Equipped with standard units and enhanced by Scout Bugs, Spy Bugs, and even a Queen Ant, these squads could carry out more complex missions thanks to the Queen¡¯s higher intelligence.


    After leaving the main force, the squads moved ahead of the hunting parties, setting up decoy pheromone trails. These misdirected the hunting parties into wandering in circles, oblivious to the deception.


    The squads then rendezvoused with the slower-moving heavy units, relaying Luo Wen¡¯s orders.


    As Luo Wen surveyed the spoils carried back by the heavy units, he nodded in satisfaction. The execution of his orders had been commendable. However, a few Giant Soldier Ant corpses caught his eye¡ªclear evidence of losses. Since Red Ants didn¡¯t have such units, their origin was obvious.


    Furthermore, the escorting units had suffered significant losses, tarnishing the operation¡¯s success slightly. Still, the Ultra-Giants and Scorpions remained unscathed, the battle was won, and even the fallen had been retrieved.


    These heavy units were valuable, walking reservoirs of protein. In times of famine, Worker Ants would cull them to feed the colony. Losing just one would be a considerable blow for an ordinary nest.


    Although Luo Wen wasn¡¯t in such dire straits, his frugality made him protective of his swarm. The smaller units could be overlooked, but every heavy unit cost enormous resources to cultivate. Losing even one, alive or dead, was unacceptable.

 Chapter 74: On the March (2)

    With the victory secured, the army dispatched several units to sweep up the remaining Red Ant hunting parties in the area.


    Over the course of a week, the units returned one after another with spoils of war, officially marking the transfer of this Red Ant territory into the swarm¡¯s possession.


    From the 500 Queen Ants accompanying the main force, over 200 were dispatched with their designated guards to establish branch bases at their assigned locations. The remaining queens stayed at the main encampment¡ªsome as commanders, while most focused on providing reinforcements to the front lines as needed.


    Afterward, the swarm rested for a day. Once they had feasted and stored half of the remaining spoils aboard the Transport Bugs, they set off again.


    During this time, no Big-headed Ant scouts were encountered. It seemed that the Big-headed Ants practiced a form of ¡°pastoralism¡±¡ªessentially free-range farming. Once the Red Ant nests reached a certain population, the Big-headed Ants would harvest them.


    From Luo Wen¡¯s observations, there were at least eleven other ant nests surrounding the Big-headed Ant territory. If these nests were all part of their ¡°livestock,¡± then their method was far easier than Luo Wen¡¯s painstaking efforts to rear Aphids.


    However, this approach only suited species like the Big-headed Ants, whose ambition for territorial expansion was relatively low. Luo Wen was slightly envious, but he knew this method wouldn¡¯t work for him.


    This time, the swarm avoided a forced march. The lack of information about the Big-headed Ants¡ªsuch as their behavioral patterns and the strength of their forces¡ªwarranted caution.


    Still, considering the Big-headed Ants could suppress over ten nearby nests, their strength was undoubtedly formidable.


    Dealing with them required a different approach than the one used against the Red Ants. Luo Wen planned to leverage the swarm¡¯s superior vision and gradually chip away at their forces while assessing their capabilities.


    The first target in his mind? The leaf-cutting teams.


    Using his superior speed, Luo Wen scouted ahead and quickly located a ¡°green stream¡± northwest of the Big-headed Ant nest¡ªa trail of ants carrying freshly cut leaves.


    The swarm adjusted its course, heading west for a while before veering north.


    The ¡°green stream¡± of ants was happily ferrying leaves when a massive army suddenly intercepted them. The Worker Ants heading toward the Big-headed Ant nest panicked and fled in disarray.


    Luo Wen did not pursue. After all, without anyone to report back, how could he lure the enemy out of their lair?


    Similarly, he refrained from dispatching forces to eliminate the Worker Ants at the trees behind the line. Those workers would inevitably return to their nest, and as long as the swarm blocked their path, they would eventually deliver themselves.


    The army formed a 20-meter-long line formation, with Scorpions, Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants, and Giant Soldier Ants leading the charge. Smaller Soldier Ants swarmed around and on top of them, bolstering their defense.


    Behind them stood a row of Transport Bugs, which could utilize their long legs for medium-range piercing attacks to support the frontline. The remaining Transport Bugs positioned themselves on the flanks and at the rear to guard against ambushes.


    At the center of the formation were mixed groups of Worker Ants and Soldier Ants. The Worker Ants provided ranged support while ensuring that the corpses of allies and enemies alike were swiftly carried to the rear, denying resources to the opponent.


    As for Luo Wen, despite being the tallest and strongest in the swarm, he chose not to fight on the frontlines. The intensity of the upcoming battle was unpredictable, and if the Big-headed Ants fielded an unexpectedly large force, even a few Ultra-Giants surrounding him could put his life at risk.


    Instead, Luo Wen stationed himself at the center of the formation, perched high on his eight long legs. This vantage point allowed him to command the swarm effectively.


    Time passed slowly. The massive swarm army lay motionless, conserving energy in silence¡ªa testament to their discipline. Luo Wen, however, grew impatient but understood from experience that pheromone communication took time. He resigned himself to wait.


    Eventually, scattered Big-headed Ant units appeared in the distance. Their numbers were small¡ªbarely a thousand¡ªand there were no Ultra-Giants in sight. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It seemed the Big-headed Ants had grown complacent in this region, unaware of the formidable foe now confronting them.


    Though his chitin-armored black insect face made it hard to show expressions, Luo Wen deliberately posed with a stern demeanor. His antennae swayed as he issued commands.


    As the Big-headed Ants approached the swarm¡¯s formation, an Ultra-Giant Soldier Ant at the forefront let out a sharp screech and charged, followed by a small squadron.


    The battle was over quickly. The Big-headed Ants left behind thousands of corpses before retreating in a panic under the swarm¡¯s intentional leniency.


    The Worker Ants swiftly cleaned the battlefield, and the swarm resumed its silent vigil.


    This defeat finally alerted the Big-headed Ants to the reality of their opponent. They were no longer facing the familiar Red-Black Ant hybrids but an entirely new and more powerful force.


    An emergency war mobilization began.


    Thanks to their small territory, the Big-headed Ants could quickly concentrate their forces. Within a short time, they assembled an advance force of over 500,000 soldiers, with reinforcements pouring out of their nest toward the front line.


    Luo Wen would not allow them time to consolidate. His strategy was to continuously draw out and annihilate their forces incrementally¡ª1,000, 2,000, or 5,000 at a time.


    However, the Big-headed Ants deviated from his script. After sending out a small wave, they immediately escalated the swarm¡¯s threat level to the highest and mobilized their advance force en masse.


    Though surprised by their aggressive reaction, Luo Wen did not waver. A head-on clash? Who was afraid? The swarm was more than prepared.


    As the Big-headed Ants¡¯ advance force reached the battlefield, still unprepared for combat, Luo Wen issued his orders. The line formation advanced, with the center clashing directly into the enemy while the flanks began to encircle them, exploiting their numerical advantage to create localized superiority.


    Taking advantage of the delay in the Big-headed Ants¡¯ reinforcements, Luo Wen aimed to eliminate their 500,000-strong advance force entirely.


    There was no probing or hesitation¡ªboth sides plunged into a full-scale, heated battle instantly.


    The Big-headed Ants relied on their usual tactics: giant units acting as tanks to break enemy lines, supported by smaller units on their backs and flanks.


    Unfortunately for them, these tactics¡ªeffective against species like the Red-Black Ants, who lacked giant combat units¡ªfound their match against the swarm.


    The swarm¡¯s giant units engaged the Big-headed Ant giants head-on: Ultra-Giants versus Ultra-Giants, Giants versus Giants, and smaller units against their counterparts. Within moments, each side had found their opponent.

 Chapter 75: Clash with the Big-headed Ants (1)

    Luo Wen painstakingly orchestrated this situation of overwhelming numbers, not for a fair fight, but to crush the Big-headed Ants decisively. With the swarm¡¯s 2.2 million-strong army versus the Big-headed Ants¡¯ 500,000-strong force, fairness was never on the table.


    In reality, each Ultra-Giant Soldier Ant on the Big-headed Ants¡¯ side faced at least three opponents of equivalent size and strength. This was only because Luo Wen¡¯s swarm had just 200 Ultra-Giants¡ªnot due to a lack of desire but the lengthy growth cycle of these massive units.


    Additionally, both the Ultra-Giants and the Giant Soldier Ants were products of new genetic templates. Before their creation, the more than 2,000 Queen Ants already in service were incapable of producing these specialized units.


    These 200 Ultra-Giants and 500 Giants were only developed after the Brood Nest completed the production of 500 additional Queen Ants. It worked overtime to produce and nurture these massive units to their current size before deploying them to the front lines.


    Thus, in sheer numbers of ultra-sized units, the swarm might still lag behind the Big-headed Ants. However, such disadvantages could easily be mitigated with tactics, as demonstrated here. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The massive combat units of both sides locked horns immediately upon engagement. The smaller units perched atop these giants used their bodies as bridges to attack the enemy.


    Unfortunately for the Big-headed Ants, their individual unit strength was already inferior to that of the swarm¡¯s counterparts. Adding to this, they were vastly outnumbered, and to make matters worse, the swarm¡¯s Small Soldier Ants employed venom!


    Perhaps in favoring size and muscle during their evolution, the Big-headed Ants had forsaken venomous variants among their combat units. While their experience with Red Ants made them less vulnerable to venomous foes, they were unprepared for this scenario. Red Ants lacked comparable giant units, and these titanic Big-headed Ants were always well-guarded by smaller auxiliaries, preventing venomous foes from getting close.


    Now, however, they finally tasted the terror of venomous stingers.


    With their auxiliaries too few to intercept the swarm¡¯s venomous Soldier Ants, the Big-headed Ant Ultra-Giants could only watch helplessly as the stingers found their way into the gaps in their armor.


    Ironically, while the stingers penetrated the cracks in their dorsal plates, their short length prevented them from reaching the internal muscles¡ªa hidden advantage of their massive size.


    However, while their dorsal armor proved impenetrable, their joints were far more vulnerable. Under cover fire from their allies, several venomous Soldier Ants quickly scaled the Ultra-Giants¡¯ legs. Although the giants kicked violently, sending some attackers flying, it did little to prevent the inevitable.


    Stingers pierced into the joints, injecting venom. Within moments, the unarmored muscles began to liquefy. The Ultra-Giants¡¯ colossal bodies wavered, their legs twitching uncontrollably.


    Already at a disadvantage, these behemoths became easy prey once immobilized. The swarm¡¯s Ultra-Giants seized the opportunity to swiftly subdue, kill, and dismember them.


    With the loss of these frontline titans, the morale of the supporting Big-headed Ants crumbled. Without their anchors, they began retreating in disarray.


    Elsewhere, the swarm¡¯s Scorpions handled the Ultra-Giants with brutal efficiency. Taking advantage of the locked engagements, the Scorpions used their massive pincers to clamp down on the comparatively narrow waists of their opponents. Ignoring the attacks of the supporting Big-headed Ants, the Scorpions exerted tremendous force, splitting their prey in half with a gruesome spray of fluids. Their efficiency was unmatched.


    However, the Scorpions¡¯ shortcomings were equally apparent. Their large pincers excelled at targeting massive units but proved cumbersome against smaller, more agile foes, rendering them clumsy in such situations.


    Ironically, the Big-headed Ant Ultra-Giants faced similar limitations.


    Through this battle, Luo Wen gained a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his forces.


    The Ultra-Giants were specialized for taking down large prey. Without venom or auxiliary support, their enormous mandibles could effortlessly dispatch and dismember such targets. However, they were practically useless against smaller foes. Their head-mounted weapons were even more unwieldy than the Scorpions¡¯ pincers. Without assistance from smaller units, they struggled to kill smaller targets efficiently.


    In short, the Ultra-Giants had very limited utility.


    Take the current battle, for example: after eliminating the enemy¡¯s Ultra-Giants, the swarm¡¯s Ultra-Giants were far less effective at clearing out smaller units than even the Transport Bugs, another large combat unit.


    The Transport Bugs, with their powerful and lightning-quick legs, combined with exceptional dynamic vision, were deadly accurate. A single strike often resulted in a kill, and even when it didn¡¯t, the sticky hairs on their claws would capture and immobilize their prey for a finishing bite. Their efficiency was astounding.


    However, Transport Bugs struggled against larger combat units, which were rarer. Overall, their cost-effectiveness far surpassed that of the Ultra-Giants.


    As the saying goes, ¡°Practice makes perfect.¡±


    This battle served as a valuable test of the swarm¡¯s current unit roster. Luo Wen now had a clearer idea of which units were suitable for development, which should be phased out, and which could be improved. For instance, while the Ultra-Giants might suit the Big-headed Ants¡¯ mode of survival, they were less fitting for the swarm.


    ¡°Perhaps adding adhesive hairs to their joints might address their weakness against smaller units,¡± Luo Wen mused. Despite their low cost-effectiveness, he admired the Ultra-Giants¡¯ imposing appearance and considered producing a limited number with improvements.


    Even as he pondered, Luo Wen kept a close eye on the battlefield.


    With the Big-headed Ants¡¯ giants nearly wiped out, the swarm¡¯s encirclement tightened. Soldier Ants climbed atop the remaining Ultra-Giants, spraying formic acid at the center of the battlefield.


    ¡°Well, there¡¯s another use for Ultra-Giants¡ªthey make great artillery platforms,¡± Luo Wen quipped sarcastically.


    Meanwhile, the Worker Ants leapt to the ground, consolidating spoils and finishing off any wounded Big-headed Ants left behind.

 Chapter 76: Clash with the Big-headed Ants (2)

    Since the start of the battle, reinforcements from the Big-headed Ants had been pouring into the battlefield, trying to break the encirclement and rescue their trapped vanguard forces.


    As a result, the swarm¡¯s units that had flanked the Big-headed Ants¡¯ vanguard now faced a pincer attack, coming under immense pressure.


    However, as the swarm¡¯s encirclement tightened, it freed up a significant number of troops. Following Luo Wen¡¯s commands, these units rapidly repositioned to support their beleaguered allies at the rear of the encirclement.


    With the reinforcements bolstering the swarm¡¯s rear, the situation, which had been on the verge of collapse, stabilized once again.


    Deprived of the cover and protection provided by their giant combat units, the Worker Ants of the swarm fully utilized their formic acid sprays, devastating the Big-headed Ant vanguard. To expedite the victory, Luo Wen even ordered the Transport Bugs stationed on the flanks to join the fray.


    The forces hidden within the Big-headed Ant nest were astonishing. As time passed, the number of reinforcements surged, soon reaching a million. The swarm¡¯s interception units suffered heavy casualties, forcing Luo Wen to deploy a portion of the Worker Ants to unleash a round of long-range saturation attacks, temporarily repelling the Big-headed Ant reinforcements.


    This brief reprieve allowed the swarm¡¯s defensive units to catch their breath. They gnawed on the carcasses around them, replenishing their energy.


    Within the encirclement, the battle was nearing its end, with only tens of thousands of Big-headed Ants stubbornly resisting.


    Unfortunately for them, their resistance was futile.


    Half an hour later, a Big-headed Ant was dragged down by several Worker Ants, immobilized, and subsequently executed by a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant. Its death marked the total annihilation of the Big-headed Ant vanguard.


    Meanwhile, the swarm¡¯s defensive units had reengaged with the Big-headed Ant reinforcements in a fierce and bloody battle. The reinforcements had now grown to 1.5 million, with more troops continuously arriving from the rear.


    It was unimaginable how a single Big-headed Ant nest could sustain such a massive force.


    For perspective, the swarm¡¯s total numbers reached 15¨C16 million, but they were dispersed across nearly 2,800 bases. Due to the rapid pace of expansion, most of these bases were far from fully populated.


    While a single Red Ant nest could support a population of over a million, a large portion of that force was typically deployed in hunting parties.


    As Luo Wen observed the enemy¡¯s movements, another 100,000 reinforcements joined the fray, bringing the total to 1.6 million. Adding in the already obliterated 500,000 vanguard forces, the Big-headed Ants¡¯ numbers exceeded 2 million. Judging by the unending ¡°black stream¡± of reinforcements snaking toward the battlefield, their reserves were far from depleted.


    Initially, Luo Wen had planned to eliminate the vanguard before turning his attention to the reinforcements. Now, however, he hesitated.


    The swarm¡¯s victory over the 500,000 vanguard force had come at a steep cost. Despite their numerical superiority and ranged firepower, the battle was a direct confrontation with little room for tactical maneuvering. The result? Over 60,000 casualties, most of them Soldier Ants.


    Considering that the swarm had only deployed 500,000 Soldier Ants for this campaign, losing over 10% of them in one engagement was a significant blow.


    Meanwhile, the interception lines continued to suffer heavy losses. Apart from 300,000 Worker Ants left behind to clean up the battlefield, all other units had been committed to the fight. As the Big-headed Ant reinforcements swelled, the forces on both sides were nearing parity.


    While the swarm maintained an advantage thanks to their formic acid and venomous stingers, these resources were finite. Once depleted, the battle would devolve into brutal melee combat.


    At that point, although the swarm¡¯s units had slightly superior individual combat power, their lack of reinforcements would become a critical weakness. Victory might come at an unsustainable cost, and defeat would be catastrophic¡ªthe millions of corpses on the battlefield would be claimed by the victor, fueling their growth.


    Given the current rate of Big-headed Ant reinforcements, the chances of a swift victory were slim. A change in strategy was imperative.


    With a plan in mind, Luo Wen issued new orders.


    The Transport Bugs began withdrawing from the battlefield. With the help of Worker Ants and Mucus Bugs, the spoils of war were swiftly packed and loaded.


    Next, the Worker Ants still holding reserves of formic acid unleashed their remaining stock in a massive, synchronized attack. The collective strike of over a million Worker Ants created a devastating acid rain, forming a corrosive barrier along the battlefront.


    The torrent of acid dissolved scores of Big-headed Ants and melted the battlefield into a quagmire. Many ants, panicked by the loss of their antennae, retreated chaotically, further disrupting their formation.


    Seizing this opportunity, the swarm quickly eliminated the remaining enemies within reach and began a rapid retreat.


    To save time and reduce their burden, the swarm abandoned the corpses littering the battlefield.


    After retreating a safe distance, the giant combat units led the way while smaller units orderly climbed onto the Transport Bugs. Once loaded, the swift-legged Transport Bugs easily caught up with the Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants.


    A rear guard of over 1,000 Spy Bugs and a few Transport Bugs stayed behind to disrupt the pheromone trails left by the swarm, preventing the Big-headed Ants from following their retreat.


    After a lengthy detour, the swarm safely returned to their border territory. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As Luo Wen surveyed the busy swarm, he conducted a rough count. The total losses from this battle reached a staggering 150,000¡ªa devastating blow, the worst since the swarm¡¯s inception.


    Of these casualties, over 60,000 had fallen during the encirclement of the Big-headed Ant vanguard, while the rest were lost intercepting the reinforcements. Adding insult to injury, all the corpses along the battle line had been left behind.


    The losses included 11 Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants and over 50 Giant Soldier Ants.


    Fortunately, the battle had also yielded spoils: 70 Ultra-Giant and over 100 Giant corpses from the Big-headed Ants. However, transporting these trophies proved cumbersome, so Luo Wen had buried them near the battlefield, camouflaging the area to avoid detection.


    While the swarm had suffered greatly, the Big-headed Ants had fared worse, losing at least 700,000 troops.


    Now, Luo Wen¡¯s priority was to deny the enemy any opportunity to regroup. He planned to keep up the pressure, continuously depleting their resources before they could convert their spoils into reinforcements.


    Of course, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t afraid of a production race. Did the Big-headed Ant nest have 3,000 Queen Ants hidden away? Unlikely.


    What truly spurred his urgency, however, was the spoils of war¡ªparticularly the Ultra-Giant corpses. He had to reclaim them before the Big-headed Ants could digest their bounty.

 Chapter 77: Clash with the Big-headed Ants (3)

    Over the next two days, reinforcements from the rear steadily arrived, bringing the swarm¡¯s numbers back above 2.2 million. Meanwhile, the Worker Ants¡¯ acid reserves and the Soldier Ants¡¯ venom sacs were fully replenished.


    Thus, the swarm once again embarked on their grand march.


    Although only two days had passed, the Big-headed Ants had resumed their orderly foraging activities. To Luo Wen¡¯s surprise, he discovered another ¡°green stream¡± flowing through the forest.


    Marveling at the audacity of the Big-headed Ants, Luo Wen wasted no time intercepting the stream.


    This time, however, the Big-headed Ants were prepared. They immediately launched an all-out response, mobilizing an advance force of over a million troops from their nest.


    This advance force was twice the size of their previous vanguard. Luo Wen knew it would be wishful thinking to wipe out such a force in a short time. Engaging them head-on risked entanglement, leaving the swarm vulnerable to encirclement by the Big-headed Ants¡¯ seemingly endless reinforcements.


    Such a scenario would spell doom for the swarm, feeding the Big-headed Ants¡¯ expansion. Luo Wen had no intention of aiding the enemy and had anticipated this situation before arriving.


    He ordered the large combat units to retreat first, while the Soldier Ants pursued the leaf-carrying Worker Ants, hunting them down along the trail. Previously, these Worker Ants had been spared as bait to lure reinforcements. Now, with a change in tactics, they were fair game¡ªevery bit of attrition helped.


    With tasks delegated, the respective units departed in an orderly fashion. Left behind were the Transport Bugs and the Worker Ants riding on their backs. Today, they would be the stars of the battlefield, showing the Big-headed Ants what mobile warfare and ¡°cavalry tactics¡± looked like.


    As the Big-headed Ant forces approached, the Transport Bugs began to move.


    With their long legs and swift pace, they maintained a constant distance of about 20 centimeters from the Big-headed Ant forces¡ªa deceptively short but entirely safe gap.


    As noted before, ants relied heavily on their antennae for communication and perception, being almost blind. Outside their antennae¡¯s range, they could only sense vibrations to detect other creatures. However, with an army of over a million ants moving together, vibrations became indistinguishable, rendering this sense ineffective.


    The Transport Bugs capitalized on this by staying just out of reach.


    At this 20-centimeter range, the Worker Ants riding atop the Transport Bugs began their assault. Elevated by the Transport Bugs, their acid sprays easily covered a distance of one meter.


    In preparation for this operation, Luo Wen had increased the number of Transport Bugs at the front line. Previously, each bug carried about 500 Worker Ants, forcing them to pile up into an ¡°ant hill.¡± The bottom layer bore immense pressure, limiting movement during high-speed maneuvers to avoid collapse.


    With more Transport Bugs now available, each only needed to carry around 200 Worker Ants, significantly reducing pressure. This allowed the top layer to adjust into a firing formation.


    Atop each ¡°ant hill,¡± 20 to 30 Worker Ants assumed the ideal acid-spraying stance, secured in place by their companions below.


    Streams of acid shot into the Big-headed Ant army. Once their acid reserves were depleted, these Worker Ants retreated to the lower levels, making way for fresh replacements to take their place.


    Thus, another volley of acid streams began.


    The disaster for the Big-headed Ants had begun. The synergy between the Transport Bugs and Worker Ants turned them into mobile artillery units. Acid rained down from above, requiring no precision¡ªonly general direction.


    Within ten minutes, the 150,000 Worker Ants had emptied their acid reserves, wreaking devastating havoc. The outer edges of the Big-headed Ant formation were heavily damaged, with countless ants injured. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In the insect world, there was no such thing as rehabilitation.


    While some ants with corroded exoskeletons might survive, those with damaged antennae or missing limbs were inevitably recycled into protein post-battle.


    Having finished their assault, the Transport Bugs retreated along predetermined routes. Spy Bugs stationed along the way erased all traces of their passage.


    This hit-and-run tactic, while not something Luo Wen could personally partake in, was thrilling to witness as its architect.


    The acid barrage inflicted over 300,000 casualties on the Big-headed Ant advance force. On the swarm¡¯s side, only two unlucky Transport Bugs were lost. These casualties occurred when they got too close to Ultra-Giants, were entangled, and subsequently destroyed¡ªtaking their Worker Ant passengers down with them. The incident underscored the importance of skilled drivers during operations.


    Glancing at the disarrayed Big-headed Ant formation, Luo Wen decided not to linger. Reuniting with the main force, he ordered the excavation of the Ultra-Giant corpses buried during the previous battle.


    With cooperation between Worker Ants and the swarm¡¯s own Ultra-Giants, the corpses were quickly dismembered, packed, and loaded onto the Transport Bugs. The increased number of Transport Bugs ensured all these spoils were taken back, avoiding the risk of leaving them in enemy territory for too long.


    Meanwhile, the units dispatched to eliminate the leaf-carrying Worker Ants also returned to the temporary base. Not expecting such a swift battle, Luo Wen had sent a messenger squad to call them back during the retreat, sparing them from potential ambushes.


    After a brief rest, the swarm circled back to their territory.


    Two days later, the swarm, now fully resupplied, set out once again. This time, they traveled light, leaving most of their large combat units behind and bringing only a small number of medium and small units aboard the Transport Bugs.


    The events of two days prior repeated themselves. The Big-headed Ant army, recovering from multiple long-range attacks, struggled to regroup, only to find their foes had vanished.


    For the next half-month, harassment became a routine activity for the swarm. Over eight operations, the Big-headed Ants suffered approximately 1 million casualties. Despite adapting somewhat, the damage was done.


    Combined with previous battles, the Big-headed Ants had now lost close to 2 million troops. Though the swarm also lost over ten Transport Bugs and their Worker Ant passengers, reinforcements from the rear kept arriving.


    By now, the forces gathered at the forward base had swelled to nearly 3 million.

 Chapter 78: Clash with the Big-headed Ants (4)

    Having suffered such heavy losses, the Big-headed Ants had become increasingly defensive, rarely venturing out. Recent harassment tactics yielded diminishing results. Moreover, it had been nearly 20 days since the conflict began¡ªjust enough time for a Soldier Ant to mature from an egg to adulthood.


    This meant that the Big-headed Ants could soon convert the insect carcasses they had harvested into fresh troops. In the coming days, their army would likely receive significant reinforcements.


    Additionally, the swarm¡¯s harassment operations had focused solely on killing the enemy, yielding no tangible spoils.


    The Big-headed Ants were sitting on large stockpiles of resources, requiring only time to convert them into soldiers. And that time wasn¡¯t far off.


    ¡°It¡¯s time for the decisive battle,¡± Luo Wen sighed, twitching his antennae as he issued the command.


    A 3-million-strong army assembled¡ªa sight that would test the nerves of anyone with trypophobia.


    The swarm marched straight toward the Big-headed Ant Nest.


    Thanks to prior harassment, the Big-headed Ants had ceased their foraging activities. Outside their nest, even patrolling units were scarce, as all available forces were withdrawn and kept inside. The insect carcasses they had accumulated ensured they could remain in hiding for a long time.


    Thus, the swarm brazenly advanced to within 20 meters of the Big-headed Ant Nest without detection.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s instructions, part of the swarm climbed trees to collect large leaves. The Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants used their powerful jaws to bite off the 20-centimeter-long leaves at the stems, letting them drift to the ground.


    Scout Bugs on the ground marked the landing points, guiding Worker Ants to gather the leaves and bring them to the front lines.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen and two Scorpions personally joined the effort, using their powerful claws as digging tools. Their enormous bodies quickly excavated a trench 20 centimeters wide, half a meter deep, and about 10 meters long.


    Though narrow, the trench was sufficient to counter ants, which lacked significant jumping ability.


    The Worker Ants lined the trench with the gathered leaves, then added branches and twigs as makeshift bridges. Mucus Bugs applied a basic sealant to the trench walls to slow seepage.


    With everything ready, the army formed ranks. It was time to provoke the enemy.


    The Big-headed Ant Nest had too many scattered exits for a simple blockade to work. The ants needed to be drawn out. Having harassed them relentlessly, the swarm needed to push harder to anger them into action.


    Provocation required skill, and Luo Wen was an expert.


    He didn¡¯t even need to jump. With a casual step, he crossed the 20-centimeter trench and strode straight to the Big-headed Ant Nest. Raising his claws, he began puncturing holes into the nest.


    At first, the Big-headed Ants endured, adhering to their defensive policy. But as Luo Wen¡¯s relentless digging created more and more holes, their patience wore thin.


    It wasn¡¯t hard to understand why. No one would remain calm with a dozen gaping holes suddenly appearing in their home.


    Soon, the Big-headed Ants, now fully mobilized, poured out from dozens of exits, a massive army surging forth.


    Seeing his provocation succeed, Luo Wen immediately turned tail and ran. He had no fear of a duel but knew the Big-headed Ants wouldn¡¯t fight him one-on-one.


    Exploiting his superior mobility, he stopped and started along the way, leaving pheromone markers to ensure the pursuing ants didn¡¯t lose track of him.


    Luo Wen led the massive enemy force to the trench, where the swarm army stood ready on the other side, one meter away.


    Easily crossing the trench, Luo Wen retreated to the rear of the swarm formation. The Big-headed Ants, however, couldn¡¯t follow so easily. They were forced to climb down into the trench and back up the other side or use the twig bridges to cross.


    These obstacles only slowed them slightly, with negligible impact on their stamina.


    The Ultra-Giant Soldier Ants at the forefront of the Big-headed Ant army charged first, accompanied by smaller Soldier Ants.


    On the swarm¡¯s side, their own Ultra-Giants moved to intercept. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen and the two Scorpions roamed the rear lines, seizing opportunities to ambush enemy Ultra-Giants. Whenever an enemy Ultra-Giant became immobilized in a fight, a claw would emerge from behind the swarm¡¯s formation, clamping down on its narrow waist and snapping it in two.


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s newly developed Luo-style Combat Technique, Form Two: One Slash, Two Halves.


    The exact number of giant combat units hidden in the Big-headed Ant Nest remained unknown. Meanwhile, the swarm¡¯s Ultra-Giants, originally numbering 200, had already lost several, with no replacements. Luo Wen deemed this unit too resource-intensive and unsuitable for the swarm¡¯s development, leaving no time to produce new ones.


    The Big-headed Ants, apparently eager for a decisive battle, threw themselves at the opportunity. Having been harried by the swarm, they were determined to turn the tables in this engagement.


    More troops poured out of the Big-headed Ant Nest, forming a massive black wave. Within moments, over 2 million soldiers had surged forth, with more on the way.


    While the swarm still held a numerical advantage, with both sides fielding millions of soldiers, the battlefield descended into chaos.


    The time was right. Luo Wen signaled the Worker Ants¡ª500,000 of them lined up and unleashed a volley of formic acid.


    This wave of long-range attacks directly eliminated nearly 100,000 Big-headed Ants, leaving the rest injured.


    Seizing the opportunity, the swarm advanced, slowly pushing the battle line toward the trench.


    Another 500,000 Worker Ants were deployed, spraying acid into the trench. Any Big-headed Ants attempting to cross were drenched, dissolving into the trench.


    The leaves lining the trench bottom slowed the seepage of acid into the soil, allowing the trench to fill with the corrosive liquid and form a ¡°small moat.¡±


    Though the acid moat gradually drained, it effectively disrupted the Big-headed Ants¡¯ attack rhythm. Unable to cross the moat, they were forced to use the twig bridges, which significantly reduced their crossing efficiency.


    As a result, a bottleneck formed, isolating over 500,000 Big-headed Ants already engaged with the swarm from their reinforcements. Weakened by acid, these isolated forces were vulnerable.


    This carefully orchestrated moment was Luo Wen¡¯s golden opportunity. The swarm unleashed their full might, aiming to annihilate the isolated enemy forces as quickly as possible.

 Chapter 79: Battle Against the Big-headed Ants (5)

    The acidic solution in the trenches gradually drained and dried up. The number of Big-headed Ant troops was also steadily decreasing. Although reinforcements sporadically arrived on the battlefield via the bridge, their numbers were negligible.


    By the time the main forces of the Big-headed Ants crossed the trench to rejoin the battle, the original force of over 500,000 had dwindled to fewer than 100,000.


    As reinforcements arrived, the Swarm troops fought and retreated. Once the number of Big-headed Ant troops crossing the trench reached a critical level, the same tactics were employed again.


    Through two cycles of attrition, the Big-headed Ants lost around one million soldiers. Unfortunately, the Worker Ants of the Swarm had exhausted their reserves of acidic solution and could not repeat the tactic a third time.


    Luckily, no further reinforcements emerged from the Big-headed Ant nest at this point. The forces on the ground appeared to represent their entire remaining reserves. Luo Wen estimated their numbers to be around four million.


    The Swarm, having lost approximately 100,000 troops during the two bouts of attrition, was left with around 2.9 million soldiers.


    2.9 million vs. 4 million.


    Considering the numerous miniature combat units among the Big-headed Ants, the battle would still be a tough one. The next stage would be a head-on confrontation.


    The fighting was fierce. Luo Wen even joined the fray personally. As a unique colossus on the battlefield, he could kill numerous Big-headed Ants simply by smashing his massive pincers into the ground. However, this move was indiscriminate and risked injuring his own troops.


    But such concerns were a luxury he could no longer afford. Leveraging the advantage of his long arms, he did his best to avoid friendly fire. Meanwhile, Soldier Ants swarmed over his body, defending his blind spots, like his back.


    Every time Luo Wen¡¯s pincers struck, a few agile enemies would climb up his limbs. At these moments, the Soldier Ants on his body would deal with the intruders.


    The Big-headed Ants, to their credit, refrained from employing underhanded tactics like poisoning, which minimized their threat to Luo Wen. Of course, this was only true for small numbers of them.


    The battle lasted a full day and night, a clash devoid of strategy, fought purely with brute force.


    In the end, the Swarm barely eked out a victory.


    Luo Wen surveyed the battlefield. Of the Swarm¡¯s giant combat units, only a single Giant Scorpion remained; all others had perished. The Soldier Ants and Worker Ants had also been decimated, leaving few survivors.


    Out of 10,000 Transport Bugs, the more agile and sharp-eyed among the Swarm, over 3,000 had died. Additionally, another 2,000 had suffered irreparable injuries that hindered their mobility. Since the Swarm did not sustain creatures with no value, these would be recycled.


    After accounting for losses, of the original 2.9 million troops, fewer than 100,000 remained. Most of these survivors were non-combatant functional units, such as 5,000 Mucus Bugs.


    The battlefield was strewn with corpses, a small area bearing the remains of nearly seven million insects.


    Although his forces were decimated, Luo Wen felt no regret. Victory was all that mattered; the winner would claim everything.


    With the corpses left behind, the Swarm¡¯s 3,000 Queen Ants would need only one growth cycle to replenish the army, perhaps even surpassing its former strength.


    Meanwhile, the Big-headed Ants had lost over seven million troops. How their nest sustained such numbers was a mystery¡ªone that had lost its protectors and awaited Luo Wen to uncover.


    Still, Luo Wen did not immediately excavate the nest. Although the Big-headed Ants had been defeated, no one could predict what might remain within their lair. After such an exhausting battle, his forces were severely depleted. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since the nest would not run away, his immediate priority was to process the spoils of war.


    Luo Wen ordered his remaining troops to guard the battlefield while he, despite his exhaustion, returned to the forward base.


    He dispatched multiple Scout Bugs to all nearby bases, ordering each to send half of their forces for reinforcements. Without resting, Luo Wen then rallied the 200 Queen Ants and all other remaining bugs from the outpost¡ªa group of roughly 50,000 to 60,000¡ªand rushed back to the battlefield.


    Fortunately, the battlefield had remained undisturbed during their absence.


    The outpost forces, mainly composed of Burrower Ants, were put to work immediately. They, along with the surviving Giant Scorpion, excavated a temporary shelter.


    The Queen Ants began processing the corpses scattered across the field, laying eggs directly.


    Over the next two days, as reinforcements streamed in from rear territories, the Swarm¡¯s numbers swelled back to 500,000. Tirelessly, the bugs cleaned the battlefield, transporting most of the spoils back to their territory. A smaller portion was left on-site for the Queen Ants to consume.


    With his forces replenished, Luo Wen regained his confidence.


    At his command, the Swarm surrounded the Big-headed Ant nest.


    The nest had numerous exits and an abundance of mysterious openings at the top. Unwilling to disperse his troops, Luo Wen simply selected one entrance and ordered his forces to advance while he waited outside.


    The operation progressed smoothly. The Big-headed Ants had indeed depleted their forces. The Swarm encountered minimal resistance inside the nest, as evidenced by their negligible casualties upon emerging.


    In addition to capturing the Queen Ant of the Big-headed Ants, the Swarm also retrieved some peculiar items.


    One of these was a mass resembling chewed leaves mixed with saliva, then dried. In some areas, leaf veins were still faintly visible. The substance was intertwined with a web-like network of white fibers.


    Luo Wen scratched his head, unsure of its purpose. However, the visible leaf veins indicated this was the Big-headed Ants¡¯ hidden secret.


    Unable to discern much from its appearance, Luo Wen summoned Burrower Ants and the Giant Scorpion for assistance and began excavating the nest himself.


    An hour later, he had dug out a cross-section of the nest to better observe its structure, hoping the special materials¡¯ storage locations might reveal some clues.


    The Big-headed Ant nest was unlike anything Luo Wen had seen before. It featured a complex spiral design with winding passages that widened into rooms at intervals. The deeper the spiral, the larger it became, resembling a circular pyramid.


    Each chamber along the spiral passage stored the leaf-like substance and white fibers. These were fused into a honeycomb structure filled with empty holes.


    Deeper underground, within these spiral chambers, Luo Wen discovered the honeycomb structures also housed eggs, larvae, and pupae.


    ¡°It looks like a plantation,¡± Luo Wen speculated. He vaguely recalled that some intelligent ant species cultivated their own food. Perhaps the Big-headed Ants were such a species.


    Though their large heads seemed to be filled only with muscle.


    Testing his theory was simple.


    The Big-headed Ant Queen was still alive. Luo Wen placed it back inside the nest to observe its behavior.

 Chapter 80: The Underground Farm

    The experiment results came swiftly; Luo Wen figured out everything within a few days.


    Initially, he thought he¡¯d have to wait for the Queen Ant to lay eggs and for those eggs to develop gradually, which would take at least one growth cycle. It was the same process he observed with male ants before.


    Later, he realized his thinking had been constrained. The nest already housed numerous living Big-headed Ant larvae and pupae, eliminating the need to wait for the Queen Ant to lay and hatch new eggs.


    He dispatched a few Spy Bugs to care for the larvae and pupae.


    By the same day, a batch of adult ants emerged from the pupae.


    From there, things progressed smoothly. Driven by instinct, the newly matured ants began to work busily in the nest.


    In the spiral corridor rooms, they used the chewed leaf mixture¡ªblended with saliva¡ªto build honeycomb structures on the walls. The white fibrous threads, to Luo Wen¡¯s surprise, were intentionally cultivated by the Big-headed Ants on these honeycombs.


    The leaf mixture acted as a fertilizer, while numerous tiny Worker Ants meticulously examined the fibers within the honeycombs, occasionally removing debris as if they were weeding.


    Curious, Luo Wen sampled the material. The fibrous components were rich in protein, and within the web-like structures were small spherical inclusions packed with sugar.


    It turned out the Big-headed Ants had developed an underground farm within their nest.


    If one room could sustain 1,000 ants, then the cross-section Luo Wen observed, containing hundreds of such rooms, hinted at an impressive agricultural system. And who knew how many more rooms were hidden underground?


    Luo Wen was amazed. The Big-headed Ants not only farmed crops underground but also maintained over a dozen nests of free-ranging Red Ants outside. It was no wonder a single nest could sustain a population of seven million ants.


    Although Luo Wen couldn¡¯t identify the exact nature of the fibrous material, it was likely some type of fungi grown underground. Regardless, this agricultural technique had to be assimilated into the Swarm. Not only would it diversify the Swarm¡¯s production system and fill the gap in farming capabilities, but it would also allow Luo Wen to enjoy safe, sweet sugar.


    Having uncovered the secret behind the Big-headed Ants¡¯ ability to multiply rapidly, Luo Wen ordered the Queen Ant to be protected and confined. Then, he rushed back to the Brood Nest under cover of night to update the genetic library.


    He began by producing 500 new-generation Queen Ants. Although Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure if the Worker Ants could learn to cultivate the fungi, it was worth trying. The new Queens would lay eggs modeled on the Big-headed Ants¡¯ genetics, creating Worker Ants specifically for farming. Meanwhile, the original Worker Ants would continue their livestock rearing, primarily tending to aphids.


    However, the initial batch of Queen Ants from long ago had limited genetic samples and could no longer keep up with the Swarm¡¯s evolving needs. Luo Wen contemplated recycling them.


    After some thought, he decided against it. These early Queens had contributed significantly to the Swarm¡¯s development. Instead, he resolved to send a new Queen to the old base to bolster its resources.


    The elderly Queen would be retired, left to live freely. With their longer lifespans, Queens consumed minimal resources if they weren¡¯t laying eggs.


    With the Brood Nest¡¯s tasks arranged, Luo Wen didn¡¯t linger. He hurried back to the riverbank, where he had previously discovered unusual aquatic life but had been distracted by the campaign against the Big-headed Ants.


    Now that the Big-headed Ants were dealt with, it was time to investigate the river anomaly.


    Returning to the location, Luo Wen began scouting the surrounding area. However, as days passed, the mysterious aquatic creatures failed to reappear, like fleeting phantoms.


    Unwilling to give up, Luo Wen abandoned the immediate area and continued searching along the riverbank to the north.


    A week later, Luo Wen had yet to find anything in the river. However, persistence paid off when he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery at a small pond near the riverbank.


    This pond, about half a meter deep and spanning only a dozen square meters, seemed to have formed when the barrier between the river and a shallow pit was breached by water flow. River water had seeped into the pit, creating the murky pond.


    The pond, stagnant and poorly circulated, was choked with aquatic plants and floating debris such as leaves and grass. From a distance, it was nearly invisible.


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s third time passing by. Unlike the previous two instances during the day, this time, it was near dusk.


    And this chance evening encounter led to a new discovery.


    On the murky water¡¯s surface, several small black beetles floated leisurely, their unremarkable appearance blending into the surroundings. The dim light did not hinder Luo Wen¡¯s sharp vision; he immediately noticed the anomaly.


    Approaching cautiously, Luo Wen observed the beetles up close. Each was oval-shaped and about two to three centimeters long, with a flat body covered by a smooth carapace densely speckled with fine white dots.


    Initially, Luo Wen thought they were clinging to the floating debris. But after carefully brushing the leaves aside with one of his legs, he discovered these beetles floated independently on the water¡¯s surface.


    Tiny and boat-like, they glided across the surface, capturing Luo Wen¡¯s interest.


    Reaching out cautiously with his leg, he extended the sticky hairs of his claw and easily caught one. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Examining it closely, Luo Wen realized its carapace wasn¡¯t a single piece but rather a combination of a head plate and two wing covers on either side. These fit together seamlessly, appearing as one unless inspected closely.


    The beetle¡¯s wing covers could lift and spread apart, which it demonstrated while emitting a hissing noise, seemingly trying to intimidate Luo Wen.


    The beetle had three pairs of segmented limbs. The front legs were long and slender, while the middle and rear pairs were shorter and flatter, resembling four paddles. When floating, these ¡°paddles¡± propelled the beetle swiftly across the water.


    Most intriguing were its eyes¡ªtwo pairs in total. While double eyes weren¡¯t unusual, as some spiders Luo Wen encountered had eight eyes, the positioning of these beetles¡¯ eyes was unique. One pair was in the usual place, while the second pair was located on the underside of the head.


    From observing how they floated, it was clear the lower pair of eyes was submerged, allowing the beetles to monitor underwater activity.


    Luo Wen was impressed. ¡°If surface vision isn¡¯t enough, grow underwater eyes. Animals truly are pragmatists.¡±


    Now, these beetles¡ªand their genes¡ªbelonged to him. With their traits, he would soon have specialized waterborne units.

 Chapter 81: Development

    Luo Wen casually tossed a small black beetle into his mouth, followed by the others, ensuring he fully absorbed their genetic traits.


    Having acquired what he needed, Luo Wen wasted no time returning to the Brood Nest.


    Of the 500 new-generation Queen Ants ordered, 200 had already been produced. Luo Wen promptly integrated the newly acquired genetic fragments into the remaining Queens¡¯ genetic database, securing a foundation for his aquatic unit production base.


    As time passed, the 200 matured Queen Ants were transported to the front lines, where they were needed to manage a massive Big-headed Ant nest.


    The original Big-headed Ant Queen and surviving Worker Ants, after demonstrating their utility, were consumed. The plantation, left untended, desperately needed new caretakers.


    Three hundred older Queen Ants stationed near the area were reassigned throughout the Big-headed Ant territory, as the region was fraught with peril, bordered by over a dozen Red Ant nests.


    Previously, the Swarm¡¯s forces had been dangerously thin, making a large-scale Red Ant invasion difficult to repel. However, the Swarm¡¯s strength across its 3,000 bases ensured that troop replenishment could be accomplished swiftly.


    With forces in the region now exceeding 2 million, any Red Ant incursions, unless united on a massive scale, would be suicidal.


    With the new Queens in place, Swarm cultivators were rapidly hatched and gradually assumed control of the plantation. Despite their efforts, labor shortages persisted, given the plantation¡¯s size¡ªlarge enough to sustain seven million Big-headed Ants¡ªand the delicate nature of the fungal crops.


    Fortunately, the older Worker Ants, based on the Black Ant template, unexpectedly demonstrated an ability to manage the plantation. Whether this was due to their learning capacity or some other factor, they quickly adapted to farming duties.


    This eliminated the need to wait for the new Worker Ants modeled on the Big-headed Ant template. Large numbers of the older Worker Ants were reassigned to the Big-headed Ant nest, greatly alleviating the labor shortage.


    As the new Queens matured, they were initially intended to support the front lines. However, with the older Worker Ants taking over the plantations, the new Queens were directed elsewhere.


    New bases were established along the lake and riverbanks. Swarms of aquatic soldiers began deploying into the water. Resembling inverted boats, these units varied in size.


    Smaller versions matched the original beetles at 2¨C3 centimeters in length, while larger ones, measuring up to half a meter, dwarfed even the Giant Scorpion, making them the largest Swarm units aside from Luo Wen himself.


    These massive aquatic units were produced in limited quantities and primarily served as transport vessels, ferrying Scout Bugs across the river. Future large-scale production would depend on situational needs. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the time being, the Swarm ceased territorial expansion. With the integration of agricultural systems, the Swarm¡¯s carrying capacity had significantly increased. Burrower Ants were added back into the production lineup, with large numbers hatched to assist in reconfiguring existing bases.


    Thanks to their efforts, the original bases were reorganized. Spiral corridors were added, and new plantations were excavated, modeled entirely after the Big-headed Ant nest.


    The Big-headed Ants, with their long history in agriculture, were far more specialized than Luo Wen. For example, he had long wondered about the numerous small holes dotting the top of their nest. After taking over their nest and experimenting, he discovered these were ventilation shafts.


    The fungal crops generated significant heat during growth. If this heat wasn¡¯t expelled, it would harm both the crops and the ants. The spiral corridors, chamber designs, and ventilation shafts were integral to this heat management system.


    Until the nest¡¯s structure and potential hidden functions were fully understood, Luo Wen decided to replicate it entirely, refining his knowledge through practice.


    In the following days, the Swarm entered a period of steady development. The northern army ceased exploration, and the other two armies slowed their advance.


    The new agricultural system required significant manpower. While it took the Big-headed Ants an unknown amount of time to build up their numbers, the Swarm could capitalize on its innate advantages.


    Luo Wen ordered a new batch of Queen Ants¡ª2,000 in total. These Queens would not have their own territories but would instead act as production tools, replenishing manpower across existing bases.


    This was only a temporary measure. Once the agricultural system was perfected and labor shortages resolved, the Swarm would resume its expansion. At that point, these Queens would receive their own territories.


    By then, there would be not just three armies but a fourth¡ªa new eastern army that would cross the river to claim new lands.


    The river, now dominated by the Swarm, would no longer impede their expansion.


    Time passed, and Luo Wen, his energy refocused, settled into a period of calm. Transport Bugs departed the former Big-headed Ant nest, distributing fungal crop seeds to various bases.


    As the plantations at each base were established and began producing, the Swarm¡¯s population grew rapidly. Previously, each base averaged 5,000 members; now, they housed 30,000 on average¡ªa number far from their limit.


    With over 3,000 bases, the Swarm¡¯s population approached one hundred million¡ªa staggering figure.


    With such numbers, the Swarm would no longer engage in a grueling battle against a Big-headed Ant nest but would instead crush it outright.


    During this time, five Red Ant nests near the former Big-headed Ant territory invaded Swarm lands. Luo Wen effortlessly mobilized 5 million troops from nearby bases, launching direct assaults on the Red Ant nests, reducing them to protein stores and claiming their territories¡ªno subterfuge required.


    The overwhelming defeats made these battles joyless for Luo Wen. As the Swarm grew ever stronger, the known enemies posed little challenge. Perhaps only the Yellow Earth Ant Legion, with its plague-like numbers, could provide a worthy fight.


    Despite his growing confidence, Luo Wen remained pragmatic. While the Swarm had become far stronger, it still lagged several tiers behind the Yellow Earth Ant Legion.


    To contend with them, the Swarm needed more time to develop. But with the Swarm¡¯s potential, Luo Wen was confident that this time would be short.

 Chapter 82: Experimentation (1)

    While Luo Wen idled with little to do, his aquatic units patrolling the river stumbled upon a new type of insect. They captured it successfully and delivered it to Luo Wen.


    At first glance, the insect resembled the small black beetle discovered earlier, but it was dark brown, with a slightly flattened head and a prominent shoulder plate¡ªsomething the black beetle lacked.


    Additionally, this insect had only one pair of eyes, setting it apart from the earlier species. Like the black beetle, it had three pairs of legs, but its front legs were shorter and stubbier. The middle and rear legs, though paddle-like, were covered with dense bristles.


    The scout that captured it could not explain where it had come from, only that it was found in the river.


    Observing the paddle-like legs, Luo Wen speculated that it was another water-skimming insect, similar to the black beetle, capable of moving across the water¡¯s surface. With little concern, he casually consumed it.


    What he didn¡¯t expect was the surprise this tiny insect had in store for him.


    That very night, Luo Wen entered a cocoon state, his body undergoing significant structural changes.


    When he finally emerged from his cocoon, the first thing Luo Wen did was eat, refueling his ravenous body. As he ate, he inspected himself.


    However, as he examined his body, he became increasingly puzzled. Outwardly, there didn¡¯t seem to be any significant changes.


    He raised his paddle-like hind legs, noticing that they now seemed slightly hairier. Could this be the change? But this adaptation had appeared earlier, after consuming the black beetle.


    Previously, his last pair of legs had transformed into paddle-shaped appendages. While awkward at first, Luo Wen had grown used to them. With his six remaining standard legs, he could still move effortlessly on land, scaling mountains and trees without issue.


    The earlier transformation had been a simple molt, not requiring cocooning. So why had he entered a cocoon this time? Could a few extra hairs trigger such a drastic change?


    Luo Wen shook his head, dismissing the idea. His body only cocooned during major transformations¡ªthis much he knew. If the change wasn¡¯t external, then it had to be internal.


    He headed to the Brood Nest to investigate. Sure enough, a new set of genetic fragments, related to respiratory systems, had been added to the genetic library¡ªclearly derived from the small brown insect.


    Given the insect¡¯s diminutive size, its respiratory system wasn¡¯t designed for a larger body. Thus, its usefulness likely lay elsewhere.


    To understand its function, Luo Wen could simply have the Brood Nest produce some eggs based on the new genetic template. However, developing eggs into mature insects would take time, and Luo Wen was impatient for answers.


    Despite this, he still instructed the Brood Nest to produce some eggs using the new genetic data and updated the Queen Ant production orders with the new genes.


    Then, Luo Wen hurried to the river¡¯s aquatic base.


    The so-called ¡°aquatic base¡± was nothing more than a simple lakeside station. Due to the muddy soil and high moisture, the area was unsuitable for a permanent nest, so no Queen Ants were stationed there. Such outposts dotted the lakeshore and riverbank, functioning as makeshift docks.


    Luo Wen arrived at the station where the small brown insect had been discovered. Near the base, small aquatic units¡ªmodeled on the black beetle¡ªwere gathered, familiarizing themselves with their abilities. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These ¡°Raft Bugs,¡± named for their inverted boat-like appearance, had been hatched using the black beetle¡¯s template. Their compact bodies skimmed the water surface effortlessly, resembling miniature boats.


    As this was a lakeside base, most of the Raft Bugs here were small in size. Their limited propulsion made them unsuitable for navigating the river¡¯s swift currents.


    The small brown insect had been captured by these Raft Bugs, though its origin remained a mystery. Luo Wen had patrolled the lakeshore countless times without ever encountering such a species.


    After another day of searching the area, Luo Wen found nothing. Impatient for answers, he decided to experiment personally.


    Since gaining paddle-shaped legs, Luo Wen had avoided entering the water. Now, with his curiosity piqued, he wasn¡¯t about to risk plunging into the lake. Despite being the largest ¡°Raft Bug¡± in the Swarm, he had his own precautions.


    He summoned over a million Burrower Ants and five Giant Scorpions to the lake. The Giant Scorpions, with their prowess in excavation, had proven invaluable for large-scale projects. After battles, Luo Wen had replenished their numbers to maintain this capability. In peacetime, they subsisted on minimal resources, awaiting tasks.


    At Luo Wen¡¯s command, they began digging. He marked out a small area to excavate an 80-centimeter-deep swimming pool. Standing over a meter tall with his legs extended, Luo Wen deemed this depth safe.


    The assembled workforce, adept at digging and burrowing, completed the pool in a single day. Under Luo Wen¡¯s guidance, they then dug a channel connecting the pool to the lake.


    As lake water flowed in, the pool gradually filled.


    With preparations complete, Luo Wen cautiously stepped into the water.


    Slowly, he retracted his legs one by one, folding them beneath his body. To his delight, he floated on the surface.


    Testing the paddle-like legs, he felt a push of water propelling him forward. Unfortunately, the pool¡¯s small size limited his movement; he reached the far edge after only a few strokes.


    Undeterred, Luo Wen reveled in the novelty of the experience. For the first time, he was truly amphibious.


    After some time, he remembered his purpose. Concentrating on his body¡¯s sensations in the water, Luo Wen suddenly, instinctively, dove beneath the surface.


    The water rippled violently as Luo Wen submerged. Waves rebounded against the pool¡¯s edges before settling into calm.


    Half an hour passed without Luo Wen resurfacing, as though the pool had swallowed him.


    Beneath the water, a massive black insect crouched at the bottom. A visible air bubble clung to the tip of its abdomen, standing out starkly in the murky depths.


    This insect was Luo Wen. After half an hour of experimentation, he had deciphered the purpose of his newly enhanced respiratory system.

 Chapter 83: Experimentation (2)

    Luo Wen¡¯s body underwent slight structural changes, with a new air sac forming between his carapace and abdomen.


    When he submerged in water, this air sac functioned like an oxygen tank, connected to a valve on his abdomen. Fine steel hairs grew around the valve, acting like a ¡°filter¡± to allow air to pass through while removing impurities.


    These impurities included water, enabling him to breathe underwater.


    When the air in the ¡°oxygen tank¡± was nearly depleted, Luo Wen could press the air sac out from between his carapace and abdomen.


    Since water contained abundant dissolved oxygen and exerted significant pressure, the oxygen would naturally seep into the air bubble, allowing him to continue breathing.


    If he needed to move underwater, he could retract the air sac, with the oxygen inside sustaining him for a while.


    This was truly a fascinating ability.


    Although it wasn¡¯t the same as true aquatic respiration like fish, requiring periodic stops to replenish oxygen, this capability made underwater exploration feasible for Luo Wen.


    It seemed the swarm¡¯s aquatic forces were gaining a new unit. Previously, the Raft Bugs could only row across the water¡¯s surface without any diving ability.


    In addition, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes acquired a new function.


    While underwater, his eyes secreted a liquid that formed a thin film covering them, allowing him to see normally beneath the water.


    He climbed out of the pool and stepped into the lake, his body gradually sinking beneath the surface.


    Looking at the pitch-black lakebed in the distance, Luo Wen hesitated. In the end, he decided against venturing too far.


    The lakebed was an unknown risk, and diving alone without any support bugs nearby to assist if danger arose was overly reckless¡ªcontrary to his naturally cautious disposition.


    After convincing himself, Luo Wen was satisfied with his decision. He climbed ashore and left without looking back.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate planning, the upgraded Queen Ants were prioritized for deployment to build bases along the lakeshore after maturing in the main base.


    In truth, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t particularly eager to explore the underwater world. It was simply that recent days had been too monotonous, and he had entered one of those moods where he felt like seeking excitement, even at the risk of danger.


    During this time, the swarm base population had nearly doubled, reaching close to 50,000 members. However, days earlier, the northern army regrouped an 800,000-strong force to resume its march, first eliminating the nearby Red Ant nests surrounding the Big-headed Ant colony.


    The battles were completely one-sided, to the extent that Luo Wen didn¡¯t even bother to watch. Although they lost nearly a million troops in direct frontal assaults, the casualties were replenished shortly after.


    The northern army then divided into dozens of smaller units to push forward.


    When encountering large ant colonies, they would regroup to annihilate the enemy and then disperse again after the battle. This tactic significantly increased the efficiency of their expansion.


    The more than 2,000 Queen Ants originally stationed near the main base were gradually deployed to the front lines to establish and defend new territories. The swarm¡¯s base count had approached 4,000.


    Due to the rapid expansion, the average population of each base dropped from 50,000 to 40,000, yet the swarm¡¯s total population exceeded 150 million.


    Recently, Luo Wen had also bolstered the western and central armies, whose troop counts had previously been under 100,000¡ªfar too meager compared to the northern army.


    Though the swarm was unwaveringly loyal and never questioned Luo Wen¡¯s commands, even tolerating blatant favoritism, Luo Wen himself felt guilty and decided to treat them more equally.


    With reinforcements gradually in place, these two armies also adopted the dispersed advance strategy, rapidly accelerating their progress. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While Luo Wen had previously stockpiled a batch of Queen Ants without assigned bases, their numbers were dwindling fast with the current pace of deployment.


    Moreover, in the coming days, the newly formed aquatic swarm would ferry the eastern army across rivers and lakes to seize and develop new territories on the opposite shores.


    However, for now, the eastern army existed only in name, with no troops in place. The once-abundant Queen Ant resources were now running low again.


    As a result, the Brood Nest had ceased producing other soldier types and was focusing entirely on hatching Queen Ants.


    Time passed, and the combined strength of the armies and the new advancement methods drastically accelerated the pace of expansion. The armies began outpacing the supply lines, creating logistical issues. Reluctantly, Luo Wen ordered them to slow their advance.


    All the Queen Ants originally gathered at the main base had been deployed, each with its own base to manage. With the swarm¡¯s resources stretched thin, even the retired Queen Ants were assigned full production tasks.


    Yet, despite such resource constraints, Luo Wen still hatched a 100,000-strong Submersible Bug unit.


    On a sunny, breezy day, the newly assembled underwater force gathered by the lake. At Luo Wen¡¯s command, the Submersible Bugs lined up and plunged into the water, creating a spectacular sight.


    Luo Wen followed them into the lake. Thanks to the pleasant weather, the lake¡ªunspoiled by the dreaded upright apes¡ªwas crystal clear. The underwater visibility was excellent, easing Luo Wen¡¯s tension.


    Under his command, the Submersible Bugs surrounded him as they slowly descended to the lakebed.


    As they ventured deeper, the diminishing light made their surroundings increasingly dark.


    Soon, the swarm reached the bottom of the lake, approximately 20 meters below the surface.


    After roaming for a while without encountering any danger, the Submersible Bugs dispersed to explore in all directions.


    The lakebed was covered in black silt, with occasional smooth, patterned stones peeking through.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t a fan of rare stones, so he paid them no mind.


    Dark green aquatic plants grew within the silt, their leaves covered with algae. Some Submersible Bugs¡¯ prototypes hid among the plants, but their glimmering air bubbles made them conspicuous underwater.


    It turned out these creatures had always been lurking in the lake¡¯s depths, which explained why Luo Wen hadn¡¯t discovered them during his earlier investigations by the shore.


    Luo Wen spent an entire day surveying the lakebed. The deepest point, directly beneath a waterfall, was only about 30 meters deep.


    There were no hidden beasts, treasures, or even fish.


    While this outcome might have been the best¡ªa confirmation that the lake held no threats¡ªLuo Wen couldn¡¯t help feeling disappointed. Perhaps he had hoped to find something to break the monotony of his current life.

 Chapter 84: Corncob

    The long-awaited underwater exploration only lasted a single day, leaving Luo Wen regretting the decision to hatch a 100,000-strong aquatic army.


    With no other choice, he left a small contingent to occupy the underwater world, while the rest were sent downstream to explore the rivers. Perhaps they might discover something of interest along the way.


    Having made these arrangements, Luo Wen shifted his focus back to the operations of the swarm. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time flowed on, and hundreds of days and nights passed. Luo Wen had found new joy in watching the swarm¡¯s numbers continuously grow, giving him a peculiar sense of satisfaction.


    The swarm¡¯s territory expanded rapidly, with over 10,000 bases now established. Each base housed an average of about 100,000 insects, bringing the swarm¡¯s total population to over a billion.


    This figure was limited only by the fact that the Queen Ants¡¯ hatching rates couldn¡¯t keep up with the pace of territorial expansion. In newly occupied regions, the density of branch bases was far lower than in earlier stages of development.


    Consequently, the average population per base skyrocketed from 30,000 to 100,000 and continued to rise.


    Yet Luo Wen was still unsatisfied.


    The swarm now controlled two major technological industries: farming and cultivation. The food shortages that had once constrained the swarm¡¯s growth were no longer an issue.


    Ironically, the bottleneck in development was now production capacity. Queen Ants could only be hatched in the Brood Nest, and the Brood Nest itself, due to its structure, had reached its maximum size with a fixed output.


    Previously capable of outproducing hundreds of Queen Ants, the Brood Nest was now struggling to keep pace.


    As for the Queen Ants themselves, their reproductive capacity was even more limited by their size. Even with constant work, their efficiency remained low.


    Improving the Brood Nest was currently impossible, so Luo Wen considered whether the Queen Ants¡¯ bodies could be enlarged to increase their reproductive output.


    Unfortunately, the genetic material Luo Wen controlled that could enhance body size primarily strengthened muscle structure or improved the oxygen supply system.


    While the latter provided some benefits, the muscle-enhancing genes merely increased muscle density and body size without improving the Queen Ants¡¯ reproductive organs.


    With no better solutions, Luo Wen had to rely on slow accumulation over time.


    Fortunately, the swarm encountered no significant adversaries during its advances.


    Several colonies of Big-headed Ants¡ªonce fierce rivals¡ªwere discovered recently.


    As history repeated itself, these regional overlords attempted to intercept the swarm¡¯s leaf-cutting units. When they responded by assembling armies of millions to retaliate, the tide had turned dramatically.


    This time, the swarm didn¡¯t retreat due to a disadvantage in numbers. What had once been a two-million-strong force had grown to twenty million. The massive army encircled and annihilated the Big-headed Ant armies, completely overwhelming them.


    While the swarm suffered over a million casualties, such losses were insignificant to a population exceeding a billion.


    The swarm had also begun spreading along the eastern shores of lakes and rivers. However, with insufficient resources, they had established only about a hundred bases, serving as forward outposts.


    The situation across the river was similar to this side, as the two regions weren¡¯t far apart.


    The insects were mostly the same species, nothing noteworthy. In any case, once the swarm encountered them, they were recycled into protein.


    Meanwhile, the Submersible Bugs sent downstream had discovered several aquatic insect species. However, their abilities were unremarkable, offering Luo Wen no surprises.


    But as one door closes, another opens. Luo Wen received news from the central army: a 500,000-strong detachment had been wiped out by an unknown enemy. The accompanying Queen Ant, wisely refraining from advancing recklessly, had paused operations and dispatched messenger bugs to report to Luo Wen.


    Hearing this, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t angry; he was thrilled. Finally, a worthy opponent had surfaced! He wondered if they had any unique skills to showcase, setting the stage for an exciting exchange.


    At the same time, he marveled at the improved intelligence of the upgraded Queen Ants. They had learned to cater to his preferences, saving the most interesting challenges for him when they arose.


    Due to the central army¡¯s vast operational range and its population now exceeding ten million, their pheromone markers were scattered chaotically along their path.


    Frustrated by the slow pace of the messenger bugs, Luo Wen set out alone. It took him until midday the next day to locate the central army¡¯s encampment, and that was only because he had a clear vantage point; otherwise, it might have taken much longer.


    The central army had strayed far from the front line, but Luo Wen no longer worried about traps or complete annihilation. The current era was different. No force could silently eliminate an army of millions without leaving any trace.


    Furthermore, the destroyed detachment had left enough evidence for the Queen Ant to detect signs of the enemy, indicating that while formidable, they weren¡¯t overwhelmingly powerful.


    Now that Luo Wen had arrived, speculation was pointless. He would soon see the situation for himself.


    Led by scout bugs, Luo Wen reached the site where the detachment had vanished. The area was saturated with chaotic pheromone signals, and scattered arthropod remains suggested insufficient meat to warrant cleanup.


    What puzzled Luo Wen were the numerous blackened, corrosive marks on the ground. They didn¡¯t resemble ant acid burns but instead looked charred, with a lingering, pungent odor.


    This was unusual. Since his reincarnation, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t encountered fire. Had it been a local resident, they wouldn¡¯t even recognize these scorch marks.


    But for such traces to appear in a primitive environment was absurd. Everyone relied on melee combat, occasionally spraying acid. Who the hell was playing with fire now? That was going too far.


    Following these residual traces, Luo Wen soon found the culprit¡¯s lair. It was unmistakable¡ªfar more conspicuous than the Big-headed Ant colonies he had encountered before.


    It was a towering earthen fortress, about 20 meters high, standing taller than most nearby trees. Its presence was so striking that it couldn¡¯t be overlooked.


    Despite its height, the fortress had a small footprint, covering only a few square meters. From a distance, it resembled a rocket ready for launch or a corncob stuck in the ground.


    As Luo Wen got closer, he saw that the ¡°corncob¡± was constructed from porous soil-like adhesive material. It appeared to be the work of a social insect species¡ªpossibly a new kind of ant.


    And their skills were extraordinary, enough to make Luo Wen¡¯s eyes light up with interest.


    However, they didn¡¯t seem too welcoming to a ¡°neighbor¡± arriving to demand explanations. Luo Wen was already at their doorstep, yet no one came out to greet him.


    No matter. Luo Wen had plenty of experience when it came to ¡°knocking¡± on doors.

 Chapter 85: Fart Bugs (1)

    The ¡°corncob¡± structure was particularly well-suited to Luo Wen¡¯s method of ¡°knocking.¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He raised a pincer and jabbed it forcefully into the structure.


    Unexpectedly, the interior was hollow. Luo Wen¡¯s overzealous strike created a massive hole.


    Dirt crumbled from the walls in a cascade, leaving Luo Wen momentarily stunned.


    To avoid unnecessary conflict with his new ¡°neighbors,¡± he decided to retreat for the time being.


    With his eight long legs moving quickly, Luo Wen dashed fifty meters away in no time. Though one pair of legs had been slightly restructured, making them less effective on land, his overall speed remained unaffected.


    What lay hidden within the ¡°corncob¡± was still a mystery, and Luo Wen thought it prudent to exercise caution.


    The dark opening in the mysterious structure loomed like a staring abyss, exuding an enigmatic allure. As time ticked by, a yellow cloud suddenly emerged from the hole.


    Upon closer inspection, the yellow cloud turned out to be a swarm of insects, each about two to three centimeters long. Their heads were amber-colored, while their thoraxes and abdomens faded to a pale yellow.


    They had mandibles at the front of their heads and resembled ants overall, yet something about them seemed off.


    After a moment of contemplation, Luo Wen realized the peculiarity: these insects¡¯ thoraxes and abdomens were fused into a single unit without visible segmentation.


    Having seen countless ant species with diverse traits and colors, Luo Wen knew that despite their variations, their body structures were typically consistent, with distinct head, thorax, and abdomen sections.


    More and more of the yellow cloud poured out of the hole, evidently enraged by the sudden damage to their home.


    In mere moments, the number of Yellow Bugs climbing out exceeded 200,000.


    Observing their familiar demeanor and reclusive tendencies, Luo Wen speculated that these creatures must have been cultivating something underground¡ªeither nurturing organisms or growing crops.


    Otherwise, there was no way such a large number of insects could emerge from a single nest.


    Such scenarios no longer surprised Luo Wen. After all, in this world, occupying territory required some unique skills.


    Waving his antennae, Luo Wen signaled to the hundreds of Transport Bugs behind him, which carried over ten thousand Worker Ants. They surged past him, charging toward the ¡°corncob.¡±


    The Worker Ants raised their abdomens high and unleashed a barrage of ant acid as a ¡°welcome gift¡± to the ¡°neighbors.¡± Considering they had annihilated a 500,000-strong swarm detachment, a little payback seemed entirely justified.


    However, Luo Wen was taken aback by the effect¡ªor lack thereof¡ªof the acid attack. It wasn¡¯t that the damage was too severe but rather negligible.


    Noticing the gradient in their yellow shells, from deep to pale hues, Luo Wen mused: Could the coloration indicate acid-resistant armor?


    If these creatures indeed possessed acid-resistant shells, it effectively neutralized the swarm¡¯s primary ranged attack method. In previous battles, the swarm¡¯s ranged acid firepower had significantly reduced casualties.


    It seemed this time, close combat would be unavoidable.


    Luo Wen waved his antennae, signaling a temporary retreat.


    One week later, due to the need to recalibrate unit composition after the failure of ranged attacks, additional time was spent mobilizing troops.


    Out of respect for the situation, Luo Wen gathered a force of 15 million.


    This was based on the precedent of the Big-headed Ants, who had cultivated 7 to 8 million soldiers underground. Assuming these new Yellow Bugs were also subterranean cultivators, their numbers were estimated to be in the millions. Luo Wen preemptively deployed twice their assumed strength and kept reinforcements on standby.


    Initially, Luo Wen considered employing tactics. However, every Spy Bug sent out was wiped out. He eventually discovered that these Yellow Bugs communicated not only through pheromones but also through sounds generated by tapping their heads or limbs against the ground.


    This was akin to humans speaking while simultaneously using sign language. The Spy Bugs understood one mode of communication but were clueless about the other, exposing them and leading to their demise.


    Frustrated and embarrassed, Luo Wen abandoned complex strategies in favor of brute force. The extra days spent mobilizing troops were largely due to this realization.


    For this direct confrontation, the swarm¡¯s composition shifted dramatically. Over 80% of the force consisted of Soldier Ants, while only a small number of Worker Ants accompanied them for post-battle cleanup.


    The massive army surrounded the ¡°corncob¡± structure.


    Luo Wen stepped forward, raising his double pincers. He jabbed the structure repeatedly, creating seven or eight large holes from various angles before quickly retreating behind his troops.


    Moments later, a torrent of Yellow Bugs poured from the openings.


    While Luo Wen was ready for a direct confrontation, he wasn¡¯t about to wait for his foes to fully assemble. Waving his antennae, he commanded the army to attack, striking while the Yellow Bugs were still disorganized.


    The enemy lacked large combat units. While their smaller soldiers were ineffective against the swarm¡¯s larger ones, the latter excelled in executing swift, decisive strikes when supported by smaller units to distract and pin down enemies.


    Moreover, the Yellow Bugs were numerically disadvantaged, and many appeared to be Worker Ants. Facing the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ant-dominated force, they were quickly forced back toward the openings.


    However, bottlenecking the enemy at their entrances was inefficient and negated the swarm¡¯s numerical advantage. Under Luo Wen¡¯s command, the troops pulled back, allowing the Yellow Bugs to pour out in greater numbers.


    After several cycles of advance and retreat, the Yellow Bugs suffered heavy casualties.


    At this moment, larger insects with darker, tougher shells began crawling out of the nest. They resembled beetles more than ants.


    Each one raised its abdomen, assuming a posture Luo Wen found all too familiar.


    Focusing intently, Luo Wen realized the moment of talent demonstration had arrived. He wasn¡¯t about to miss this performance.


    With a chorus of ¡°pop, pop, pop¡± sounds, thick smoke rose as if the creatures were passing gas. Their abdomens acted like ¡°shotguns,¡± spraying an unknown liquid in all directions.


    These liquid ¡°pellets¡± struck the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants with blistering speed. Where they landed, blackened, corrosive burn marks appeared on the ants¡¯ carapaces, significantly weakening their combat ability. The unlucky ones died on the spot.


    Luo Wen¡¯s eyes lit up. The charred marks on the earlier battlefield had been caused by these insects. He had assumed their talent involved fire, but it turned out to be chemical weaponry instead.


    Accompanying their attacks was an overwhelming stench. If these bugs ever fought dogs, this trait alone would ensure their victory.


    This was utterly unsportsmanlike.


    Despite the drawbacks, Luo Wen was thrilled. The swarm was about to acquire a new ranged attack method. After all, even the Yellow Earth Ants had acid-resistant armor.


    A future confrontation with the Yellow Earth Ant Legion was inevitable, and having more options in the swarm¡¯s arsenal could only be beneficial.

 Chapter 86: Fart Bugs (2)

    Though the Fart Bugs¡¯ ranged firepower was impressive, causing significant casualties among the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants, their attacks shared a limitation with ant acid: finite ammunition.


    Luo Wen observed carefully and noted that each Fart Bug could only fire 20 to 30 ¡°pops¡± before running out of ammunition and retreating into the nest. Then, a new batch of Fart Bugs would emerge to take their place.


    Due to the ¡°corncob¡± structure blocking his view, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t see what happened to the retreating bugs inside. As such, he couldn¡¯t determine how long it took them to ¡°reload.¡±


    However, judging by the replenishment speed of ant acid, it was likely these bugs wouldn¡¯t have a chance to return to the battle in this engagement.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t certain how many more Fart Bugs were hidden within the nest, but with the swarm¡¯s population of over a billion, he felt confident.


    Even if the entire 15-million-strong army was lost, it would only take a few days to deploy another wave of 15 million troops to the battlefield.


    The enemy¡¯s demonstrated abilities were impressive enough to justify further investment. And with the secrets they were hiding underground¡ªbe it livestock or crops¡ªLuo Wen was sure he¡¯d gain something valuable.


    Despite their formidable ranged support, the enemy lacked unit diversity, making their actual combat effectiveness comparable to the Big-headed Ants.


    After a full day of fighting, the enemy¡¯s reinforcements began to dwindle noticeably.


    By this time, the swarm still had at least 8 million combatants on the field.


    Half a day later, the enemy¡¯s bloated queen was dragged out of the nest and presented to Luo Wen.


    The queen resembled an enormous grub. While its head and upper body appeared relatively normal, its abdomen was grotesquely oversized, resembling a human with a regular upper body but a container-sized lower half.


    The massive, milky-white abdomen hung awkwardly in front of the small queen¡¯s body, creating a laughable disparity. The disproportionate size rendered the queen immobile, with its six legs reduced to mere decorative appendages that didn¡¯t even touch the ground¡ªexcept when it awkwardly used them for feeding.


    Although the queen had lost mobility, its enormous abdomen granted unparalleled egg-laying capacity¡ªsomething the swarm desperately needed.


    Luo Wen was both surprised and troubled by this unexpected windfall.


    First, its grotesque appearance was unappealing. Luo Wen had no qualms about eating creatures like spiders, but the sight of this wriggling, milky-white grub made his stomach turn.


    Second, he was concerned about evolving its traits. If his desire to expand the swarm¡¯s population caused his instincts to misinterpret his intentions, and he woke up one day looking like that¡­ Luo Wen shuddered at the thought.


    After much hesitation and finding no immediate solution, Luo Wen gritted his teeth, waved his antennae, and walked away.


    Shortly after, pieces of the queen¡¯s flesh were brought to him. The Worker Ants were not as squeamish as Luo Wen. In their minds, food was either edible or inedible¡ªnothing more.


    Cautiously, Luo Wen tasted a few small pieces and nodded in satisfaction.


    If one overlooked its appearance, the flesh tasted quite good. It was tender and sticky, with a flavor reminiscent of white meat, blending a meaty aroma with a hint of creaminess.


    With the first problem solved, Luo Wen left the second to fate. After all, his instincts had learned his boundaries during the Brood Nest incident, so there was little reason to worry too much.


    While Luo Wen enjoyed his feast, the Worker Ants began dismantling the enemy nest to uncover its secrets.


    Because the expeditionary force included only a small number of Worker Ants and no Burrower Ants, the progress was painfully slow. The Soldier Ants refused to assist, considering such tasks beneath them.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t in a hurry. With nothing else pressing, he closed his eyes to rest after finishing his meal.


    Several hours later, reinforcements arrived at the front lines, including a large number of Worker Ants and Burrower Ants.


    Another day and night passed before the mysteries of the enemy¡¯s nest were fully revealed.


    The interior was similar to a Big-headed Ant colony, complete with farming techniques. However, instead of cultivating white fibrous fungal crops, they were growing something Luo Wen immediately recognized.


    ¡°Holy crap, are those mushrooms?¡±


    Inside the underground chambers, decayed wood, leaves, and roots were scattered everywhere, serving as a bed for rows of tiny mushrooms.


    The long, white stems and small, grayish caps filled Luo Wen with a sense of nostalgia. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Plucking a few, Luo Wen tasted them. The mushrooms were juicy and flavorful, no wonder they had nourished such a large army. They also appeared easier to cultivate than the white fungal crops, requiring only a layer of dried grass or other debris¡ªnot the meticulous care needed for fungal farming, where Worker Ants had to chew up leaves into mulch.


    It seemed mushrooms could be widely promoted for cultivation. However, the white fungus was still necessary, as it was Luo Wen¡¯s main source of sugar, and these mushrooms were not sweet. Other insects could always rely on aphid excretions for their sugar fix¡ªthat stuff was plenty sweet.


    Having uncovered the secret, there was no reason to linger. Luo Wen assigned a Queen Ant to temporarily take over the area, while the central army resumed its advance. Luo Wen began his journey back.


    Before leaving, he glanced back at the conspicuous ¡°corncob.¡± This 20-meter-tall structure, with its unique material and excellent ventilation, served as both an entrance and a cooling system for the nest.


    Its design, however, was both unsightly and overly conspicuous. Luo Wen decided it wasn¡¯t yet time to overhaul the swarm¡¯s architecture, as they were still unfamiliar with the new crop¡¯s growth patterns and requirements.


    Shaking his head, Luo Wen resolved to revisit the matter later.


    Upon returning to the Brood Nest, Luo Wen uploaded the new genetic data.


    Despite their ant-like appearance, the genetic templates of these Fart Bugs were strikingly different. Their genes resembled those of beetles more than ants, which explained why they looked so similar to beetles.


    These were minor details, however. Luo Wen¡¯s primary goal now was to upgrade and optimize the Queen Ants, redistributing their roles and responsibilities more effectively.

 Chapter 87: The Grand Battle (1)

    The new Queen Ants were divided into three types.


    The first type, the rarest, was designated for military campaigns, serving as commanders of the army. Since they were not required to lay eggs, their reproductive capabilities were minimized, and their musculature and body size were enhanced, slightly improving their mobility and self-preservation abilities.


    The second type of Queen Ant was the standard version previously utilized by the swarm. These were balanced in capabilities, capable of both laying eggs and retreating from bases or joining the army when necessary. They also made up the majority of the Queen Ant population.


    The third type of Queen Ant had been genetically modified with newly acquired genes, altering their abdominal egg-laying organs. By sacrificing mobility, they could produce a significantly greater quantity of eggs at a much faster rate. Consequently, these Queens were stationed deep within the swarm¡¯s territory.


    Luo Wen planned to establish several breeding bases, each housing hundreds of this third type of Queen Ant to centralize larva production. They would mass-produce specific insect species according to Luo Wen¡¯s orders.


    For example, during peacetime, these Queens primarily focused on breeding various Worker Ants. Once the larvae matured, they were transported throughout the territory. During wartime, however, these bases would become major staging points for deploying troops.


    Over the following weeks, the third-type Queen Ants gradually matured, leading to an explosive growth in the swarm¡¯s numbers.


    Additionally, during this period, the swarm mastered the cultivation of ¡°mushrooms.¡± This new crop could effectively clear dead branches and leaves in the territory. It grew easily, produced abundant yields, and had already been widely promoted. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, instead of completely mimicking the architectural style of the Yellow Bugs, the swarm adopted the multi-vent design favored by Big-headed Ants for better heat dissipation.


    After several base experiments and observing one growth cycle, the mushrooms thrived without any issues and were further propagated.


    Hundreds of days passed, and the swarm¡¯s territory expanded by over a hundred kilometers. The territory now housed more than 30,000 bases. In the later stages, the distances between bases grew significantly, far from the original state where dozens of bases occupied a few hundred square meters.


    Eventually, Luo Wen even reorganized the initial few thousand bases, leaving only a few hundred Queen Ants to manage them while reallocating the rest to oversee new territories.


    Although thousands of bases were left without Queen Ants, they weren¡¯t abandoned. The underground cultivation systems had become highly developed, allowing these bases to operate smoothly even without a Queen.


    While the number of bases didn¡¯t increase significantly due to the limits of the Brood Nest¡¯s production capacity, the number of insects per base multiplied several times. On average, each base housed over a million insects of various types.


    Rough estimates indicated the swarm¡¯s total population exceeded 30 billion.


    With such a massive force, Luo Wen could no longer ignore a powerful enemy that had once severely injured him when he was weaker. It was time to confront them.


    Excited by the thought, Luo Wen was filled with anticipation. Revenge wasn¡¯t his primary motive; more importantly, he finally had something to look forward to.


    Unfortunately, it would take over 200 days for the Yellow Earth Ant Legion to reach the cliff again.


    Long ago, Luo Wen had stationed Scout Bugs permanently on the cliff. Through careful observation, he calculated that it took the Yellow Earth Ant Legion roughly 400 days to complete a hunting cycle.


    A hundred days prior, the Yellow Earth Ant Legion had passed above the cliff. At that time, Luo Wen didn¡¯t entertain any thoughts about confronting them, feeling his strength was insufficient.


    However, he greatly underestimated the swarm¡¯s explosive growth rate. As the number of Queen Ants increased, the swarm¡¯s production capacity grew exponentially.


    In just over a hundred days, Luo Wen¡¯s mindset shifted. At the current pace, by the time the Yellow Earth Ants returned, the swarm¡¯s population would likely reach a trillion.


    They could definitely take on the Yellow Earth Ant Legion head-on.


    As days dragged on, Luo Wen¡¯s anticipation made time feel unbearably slow, giving him a profound sense of ¡°watching grass grow.¡±


    Finally, the Yellow Earth Ant Legion¡¯s return was only a few dozen days away, and the swarm began preparing for the imminent battle.


    ¡°An army marches on its stomach.¡±


    Around a kilometer from the cliff, Luo Wen established several storage bases. Swarms of Transport Bugs moved back and forth, ferrying supplies from the territory to these locations.


    Nearby were several hatching bases, where millions of Soldier Ant eggs were incubating. By the time the battle commenced, these bases could provide tens of millions of reinforcements daily.


    Ten days before the calculated date, several armies began returning to the front. Bases farthest from the cliff also started deploying troops.


    As time passed, bases closer to the front dispatched their forces in waves. From above, one could see black columns of ants converging toward the cliff from all directions.


    According to Luo Wen¡¯s calculations, the swarm¡¯s forces would be fully assembled three days before the anticipated battle.


    After 200 days of development, the swarm¡¯s population had already surpassed a trillion. For this massive war, Luo Wen mobilized nearly every available insect.


    While ensuring the normal operation of farms and plantations in the territory, half the swarm¡ªover 500 billion insects¡ªwas dispatched to the front lines.


    Even so, maintaining such a massive force was a heavy burden. Luo Wen planned for them to arrive three days early, as this was the limit of the swarm¡¯s logistical capabilities.


    However, seven days before the anticipated date, Scout Bugs on the cliff detected the Yellow Earth Ant Legion¡¯s vanguard.


    Based on their pattern, the main army would arrive within two days at most. But half of the swarm¡¯s troops were still en route and would only be partially assembled by then.


    Unexpectedly, the Yellow Earth Ant Legion arrived earlier than anticipated. Fortunately, their early arrival wasn¡¯t by much, and Luo Wen had prepared for such contingencies.


    At least there was no longer any need to worry about food shortages. Once the battle began, the resulting carnage would provide ample sustenance.


    The pressing question was how to stall the Yellow Earth Ant Legion for two days.


    Before the two days were up, the Legion¡¯s main force had already arrived. Perhaps they sensed something amiss, as their vanguard had failed to report back for some time.


    The swarm¡¯s army, with its back to the cliff, stood ready. This time, the majority of the forces consisted of various Soldier Ants, as Worker Ants were of limited use against the Legion¡¯s acid-resistant armor.


    The Yellow Earth Ant Legion¡¯s predatory lifestyle underscored their aggressive nature.


    Upon spotting the swarm, they didn¡¯t hesitate. They launched into their signature leaping assault, charging forward.


    These creatures were the original source of the leaping gene template, and their mastery of this technique was second nature. Yet, the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants were unafraid, meeting them with equally powerful leaps.


    The battle had officially begun.

 Chapter 88: The Grand Battle (2)

    The Yellow Earth Ant Legion lacked large combat units, which put them at a disadvantage in close combat. While their larger ants were ineffective in one-on-one situations, their efficiency in group combat was astonishingly high.


    Moreover, the Yellow Earth Ants¡¯ hook mandibles were not particularly effective in battle. Hook Soldier Ants, which once held a third of the swarm¡¯s battlefield dominance, had gradually been phased out through continuous combat trials, leaving only a small number in service. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This underscored that the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants still had a notable advantage in close-quarters combat.


    At the rear of the Yellow Earth Ants¡¯ formation, many Worker Ants assumed a familiar posture, launching volleys of ¡°ant acid solution.¡±


    This tactic had once caused Luo Wen immense trouble, but he later developed acid-resistant armor and equipped his entire army with it.


    Thus, this round of long-range firepower merely gave both sides a shower and polished their exoskeletons without any real effect.


    From the rear of the swarm¡¯s formation, massive Black Beetles emerged. Measuring 30 to 50 centimeters in length, they also assumed firing stances.


    As thick plumes of smoke rose, they launched salvos resembling ¡°shotgun blasts,¡± spraying the Yellow Earth Ant ranks with liquid. This substance was not only highly corrosive but also extremely hot, inflicting devastating damage.


    Instantly, swathes of Yellow Earth Ants fell. Many more were burned or scalded; though they lacked pain receptors, their neural responses caused them to curl up and tremble, rendering them incapable of further combat.


    Luo Wen was extremely satisfied with the results. These specially designed war machines had exceeded his expectations, delivering an impressive performance in their first deployment.


    Initially, Luo Wen had intended to equip Worker Ants with a system similar to the acid-spray mechanism. However, during implementation, he discovered that this new long-range strike system was incompatible with the Worker Ants¡¯ body structure.


    This system relied on two glands that secreted and stored different chemical substances. Beneath the glands was a chemical reaction chamber.


    The two chemicals would mix in this chamber, and the surrounding muscles could precisely control the dosage. Upon reaction, the mixture would be expelled immediately.


    The reaction generated temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius along with intense corrosive properties, inflicting both burns and corrosion on the enemy.


    The only drawback was that the discharge emitted thick white smoke and a noxious odor that lingered for over ten days.


    Don¡¯t ask Luo Wen how he knew this so well¡ªit was a memory he would rather forget.


    Because this system required several new organs, it demanded a spacious cavity for storage, which made it unsuitable for the small-bodied Worker Ants.


    As a result, Luo Wen retained the original templates but incorporated several genetic fragments, scaling up their size proportionally and enhancing their firepower and ammunition capacity.


    To prevent self-inflicted harm from these chemicals, the original templates also included a protective armor system to resist the high temperatures and corrosive effects. Luo Wen isolated and extracted this genetic sequence, equipping it on Soldier Ants.


    However, the older generation of Queen Ants lacked this genetic sequence, and many of the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants were still from previous generations. Thus, only about 70% of the deployed forces were equipped with the new armor.


    This wasn¡¯t a significant issue. Soldier Ants without the new armor were assigned to separate units, and they fought without long-range support.


    Even so, due to the secondary effects of the long-range firepower, even units equipped with protective armor avoided direct exposure to the Black Beetles¡¯ support fire. Otherwise, surviving soldiers would be exiled at least 800 miles away for half a month to recover.


    Despite both sides having hundreds of billions in reserves, the active battlefront spanned only 200 meters, with just tens of millions of combatants from both armies engaged in direct confrontation.


    The swarm¡¯s upgraded Fart Bugs, now larger versions, carried significantly more ammunition, capable of firing over 200 shots consecutively. Each salvo functioned like a shotgun blast.


    Hundreds of Fart Bugs unleashed their firepower with rapid ¡°pfft, pfft, pfft¡± sounds, mimicking the effect of a Vulcan Gatling Gun¡ªthough not with blue flames.


    The hallmark of a Gatling gun was its rapid-fire rate, and the Fart Bugs didn¡¯t disappoint. Their ammunition reserves were expended in under a minute.


    These creatures were incredibly valuable. Their development cycle was lengthy, requiring complete metamorphosis and a molting process to reach their current size.


    Thus, they avoided melee combat. After exhausting their ammunition, they retreated to the rear for resupply, a process that would take two or three days due to their oversized ammunition chambers.


    Because of their specialized role, Luo Wen had produced only tens of thousands of Fart Bugs. Each one was to be deployed with precision.


    Organized into units of 500, the Fart Bugs were mobilized whenever the Yellow Earth Ant density in a specific area exceeded a threshold, maximizing casualties.


    As the battle progressed, the battlefield expanded, and more insects joined the fray.


    One hundred million¡­ two hundred million¡­ three hundred million¡­ five hundred million¡­ a billion¡­


    After five hours, the war escalated to a scale involving two billion combatants.


    With its back to the cliff, the swarm continuously received reinforcements climbing up from below. The battlefront extended laterally, eventually reaching the lake to the east under Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate guidance.


    At this point, dark yellow, pancake-shaped bugs entered the battlefield.


    These were a new species Luo Wen had discovered recently in certain ant nests. They were fascinating creatures, epitomizing defense to the extreme. Their backs were covered with oval, leather-like shields that resisted cutting, piercing, and other physical attacks effectively. They also boasted impressive resistance to corrosion and acid.


    Underneath the ¡°shield¡± was a recessed cavity where the bug¡¯s body was hidden.


    Due to this recess, these bugs had incredibly low ground clearance. When crawling, there was only a 1-2 millimeter gap between the shield and the ground.


    This height prevented most ants from crawling underneath. Even the tiniest ants, measuring mere millimeters, were no match for these bugs.


    Additionally, their size and weight made it impossible for ants to overturn them.


    Their survival strategy relied on their invincible defense. They would brute-force their way into ant nests, feasting and living freely, while the ants were powerless to stop them.


    These creatures were true brutes, unlike the Spy Bugs of the past, whose methods involved finesse.

 Chapter 89: The Grand Battle (3)

    Unfortunately, these ¡°Pancake Bugs¡± could only bully ant colonies lacking massive combat units like the Ultra Giant Soldier Ants. Once the ant colony they parasitized was overrun by the swarm, they could only contribute their genes to the collective.


    The original Pancake Bugs were only about 7¨C8 centimeters in length, but the ones appearing on the battlefield were results of Luo Wen¡¯s genetic modifications.


    In his free time, Luo Wen had used their genetic template and added genes for increased size, enlarging them to around 30 centimeters.


    Due to their large appetites and refusal to perform any labor, only about a hundred of them were produced.


    Originally, Luo Wen intended to use them as ¡°flatbed carts¡± for strategic relocation of the Brood Nest if the battle with the Yellow Earth Ant Legion went poorly.


    However, upon seeing the battlefield near the waterfall, Luo Wen had a sudden inspiration and dispatched fifty Pancake Bugs to the front.


    Since the Brood Nest had only been relocated once, it was positioned quite close to the cliff, making it relatively near to the battlefield. Thankfully, despite their slow movement, the Pancake Bugs managed to crawl to the battlefield within a few hours.


    Had the distance been greater, they would have arrived too late¡ªlong after the battle had ended.


    Given their physical structure, the Pancake Bugs would never have reached the cliff on their own. Fortunately, they had allies. With their dense shields, each Pancake Bug was so heavy it required seven or eight Transport Bugs to haul it up the cliff.


    Once on the battlefield, the fifty Pancake Bugs meandered across the battlefield, ignoring all attacks from the Yellow Earth Ants. After circling the enemy forces, they headed toward the lake above the cliff.


    By this point, their shields were covered with Yellow Earth Ants futilely gnawing at them.


    Reaching the edge of the cliff above the lake, the Pancake Bugs did not stop. They continued moving forward until they plunged over the edge, dragging their attackers with them.


    ¡°Thud!¡±


    ¡°Thud!¡±


    ¡°Thud!¡±


    A series of heavy splashes sent water spraying into the air, creating ripples across the lake.


    Neither the Pancake Bugs nor the Yellow Earth Ants had learned how to swim. After falling into the water, the lighter Yellow Earth Ants struggled at the surface, while the Pancake Bugs immediately sank toward the lakebed.


    However, the Pancake Bugs had allies. Submersible Bugs lying in wait pulled them out of the water. With assistance from Raft Bugs, they were ferried back to shore. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for the Yellow Earth Ants, they became a feast for the aquatic insects.


    The Pancake Bugs were then hauled back up the cliff by Transport Bugs and reentered the battlefield to repeat their performance, dragging another batch of Yellow Earth Ants into the water.


    Up the cliff, into the battlefield, down to the water¡­


    Each cycle eliminated roughly 5,000 Yellow Earth Ants. While this number was insignificant compared to the billions on the battlefield, the method was low-cost. Pancake Bugs, with their tough hides, suffered little damage even after soaking in water. Moreover, the aquatic insects relished the opportunity to participate in the battle, making it a win-win strategy.


    The battlefield became a massive grindstone, relentlessly pulverizing the soldiers of both sides.


    Two days later, the battlefront had stretched nearly ten kilometers, with over 2 billion insects locked in relentless combat day and night.


    On the Yellow Earth Ant Legion¡¯s side, columns of reinforcements continued to flood the battlefield. On the swarm¡¯s side, however, two days of continuous fighting had taken a toll.


    The Soldier Ants had rotated through multiple waves, but the unending battles left the survivors utterly exhausted. Apart from the dead, the remaining ants were on the verge of collapse.


    Fortunately, reinforcements were finally about to arrive.


    Half a day later, fresh forces began to trickle in. Without time for rest, they were immediately deployed, replacing the exhausted units.


    The arrival of new troops, combined with the replenished firepower of the Fart Bugs, gave the swarm a momentary resurgence. They pushed the battlefront several meters toward the Yellow Earth Ants.


    Seizing the opportunity, Worker Ants rushed forward to clear the battlefield of corpses. These were valuable resources and supplies; whether the armies could sustain themselves depended on who claimed the most.


    However, as both armies depleted their forces, the number of corpses grew so vast that they ceased to be contested. The abundance of food now exceeded the number of surviving soldiers.


    During this phase, the Yellow Earth Ant Legion leveraged their superior numbers, maintaining pressure on the swarm. Even when the swarm launched counterattacks supported by the Fart Bugs, the Yellow Earth Ants quickly regained the upper hand.


    Luo Wen realized he had underestimated the Yellow Earth Ant Legion¡¯s potential for warfare and their sheer numbers. If given another chance, he would have chosen to wait out another cycle. By then, the swarm would have easily overwhelmed them.


    But the path had been chosen, and the consequences were his to bear.


    No matter how dire the situation, he resolved to persevere.


    After nine days of battle, the situation was grim. Luo Wen ordered the evacuation of all Brood Nests and Queen Ants within five kilometers of the cliff.


    By the thirteenth day, he began mobilizing Worker Ants from surrounding bases to the battlefield, even at the cost of abandoning thousands of bases.


    On the fifteenth day of combat, the intensity of the battle reached its peak and began to wane.


    The Yellow Earth Ant Legion showed signs of exhaustion. The number of Soldier Ants on the front line visibly decreased, replaced by large numbers of Worker Ants.


    Luo Wen glimpsed a glimmer of victory.


    Before the battle began, the swarm¡¯s breeding bases had been operating at full capacity. Now, a steady flow of mature Soldier Ants bolstered the front line daily.


    This was the longest and most grueling battle the swarm had fought since its inception. Many hidden shortcomings had been exposed, particularly in troop production. While the swarm could lay eggs rapidly, the time required for larvae to mature was still too long.


    Currently, Luo Wen relied on his foresight to prepare for battles, ensuring ample production of Soldier Ants in advance.


    But under normal circumstances, the swarm didn¡¯t maintain such a high number of combat units, which were non-productive during peacetime.


    Without solving the resource issue, this model couldn¡¯t be sustained in the long term.


    If a sudden enemy invasion struck the swarm, they might fail to hatch sufficient troops in time, risking the loss of key deployment points and creating a vicious cycle.


    Thus, Luo Wen resolved that when the time came, he would find a way to shorten the maturation process for his insects.


    For now, his sole focus was to win this battle.

 Chapter 90: The Grand Battle (4)

    The battlefield was now a mountainous heap of insect corpses. Yellow and black bodies were tangled together in chaotic piles, which had not been cleared for quite some time.


    Amidst this mountain of death, fierce battles raged on. From afar, it was impossible to distinguish the living from the dead in the endless mass of insects.


    This was the eighteenth day of the battle.


    The battlefield was now largely devoid of Yellow Earth Ant Soldier Ants, and the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants had long since been expended. The swarm had been holding the line with millions of newly hatched Soldier Ant reinforcements each day, supplemented by large numbers of Worker Ants.


    As the enemy¡¯s Soldier Ants dwindled, the swarm¡¯s advantage of producing millions of new Soldier Ants daily became increasingly evident.


    The main combatants evolved over time:


    At first, it was Soldier Ants vs. Soldier Ants.


    Then, Soldier Ants vs. Soldier Ants + Worker Ants.


    Later, Soldier Ants + Worker Ants vs. Worker Ants + a few Soldier Ants.


    Finally, Worker Ants vs. Worker Ants + Soldier Ants.


    Yet, as the war continued, the number of the swarm¡¯s Soldier Ants steadily increased.


    The swarm¡¯s robust logistics and endurance shone in this moment.


    Three days later, the endless tide of Yellow Earth Ants had finally thinned to the point where its edges could be seen. Victory was within sight.


    Luo Wen was thrilled.


    And since his will was the swarm¡¯s will, his motivation served as a rallying cry for the swarm to press onward.


    Invigorated by Luo Wen¡¯s resolve, the swarm intensified its counteroffensive with the help of fully reloaded Fart Bugs.


    Simultaneously, all nearby Transport Bugs were conscripted into the battle to join the fight.


    This war had dragged on long enough¡ªit was time to end it.


    Under the swarm¡¯s relentless assault, the battle continued for another two days. Ultimately, the swarm emerged victorious.


    The Yellow Earth Ant Legion, which had ravaged the desert, was utterly eradicated.


    Post-Battle Statistics


    The great battle had lasted 23 days. On this meat-grinder battlefield, the losses of combat units on both sides were incalculable. Luo Wen knew, however, that the swarm¡¯s initial force of 50 billion had been nearly annihilated. Additional Worker Ant reinforcements had also suffered heavy casualties, and the supplementary Soldier Ants sustained significant losses. Altogether, the swarm lost close to 90 billion units.


    This meant the war had wiped out nearly 90% of the swarm¡¯s population, leaving many bases abandoned due to a lack of maintenance.


    However, the swarm¡¯s Queen Ants remained completely unharmed.


    Looking at the ten-kilometer-long corpse mountain, with an average height of over ten meters, Luo Wen felt a measure of solace. Once the Queen Ants digested these spoils, the swarm would emerge even stronger.


    Furthermore, the desert atop the cliff would become the swarm¡¯s backyard. The Yellow Earth Ants¡¯ former hunting grounds were now swarm territory.


    This was a massive expanse, requiring over 400 days to traverse in a full hunting cycle. It was at least a hundred times larger than the swarm¡¯s original domain¡ªa size Luo Wen couldn¡¯t even fathom.


    Reflecting on his journey, Luo Wen recalled how he had first encountered the Yellow Earth Ants shortly after hatching. After being swept away by a sandstorm, he drifted an unknown distance and then traveled along an underground river for what seemed like forever, only to still remain within their hunting grounds. These memories underscored the immense scale of the territory.


    Though the land appeared to be a barren desert, it clearly held hidden resources. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to sustain the massive Yellow Earth Ant Legion, which had likely suffered losses exceeding a trillion in this war.


    Beyond territory and corpses, Luo Wen also gained other rewards.


    Near the core of the Yellow Earth Ant formation, the swarm discovered thousands of Queen Ants. These Queens had accompanied the army, hunting and replenishing food supplies. Once enough food was accumulated, they would remain stationary to lay large batches of eggs. Once the eggs matured, the army would march onward.


    The genes of these Queens would significantly enhance the productivity of the swarm¡¯s own Queen Ants. With the swarm¡¯s vast reserves of food, there was no need to delay in utilizing this advantage.


    Additionally, the Yellow Earth Ants harbored another species of insect¡ªessentially livestock. These creatures, about 20 centimeters long, resembled oversized larvae without any exoskeleton. Their defining feature was their exceptional efficiency in converting food into body mass, with a 90% conversion rate.


    When the Yellow Earth Ants had surplus food, they would feed it to these creatures. During times of scarcity, they would consume them in turn. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though these unfortunate insects had potential, they seemed to have no practical use for the swarm at present. Luo Wen deemed them unnecessary for production.


    With this massive war finally over, Luo Wen felt immense relief. The grudge he had held since his early days was finally settled. However, he was slightly disappointed that no dramatic epiphany or transcendence occurred, as it might in a novel.


    After 20 days of war, Luo Wen, though not directly involved in combat, was mentally exhausted.


    After arranging post-war tasks, he chose a random spot beneath the cliff and fell into a deep sleep.


    This area, once the war¡¯s front line, was now deep within swarm territory.


    Luo Wen slept soundly.


    When he awoke, he had no idea how much time had passed.


    In this world, he alone seemed to grasp the concept of time.


    The mountain of corpses atop the cliff had partially disappeared, the remains having been transported to bases for burial near production sites.


    The Queen Ants at these sites had been given new orders before Luo Wen slept: halt Soldier Ant production and prioritize Worker Ants.


    With 200¨C300 million Soldier Ants remaining and no immediate plans for exploration, this was sufficient to defend the current territory. The primary task now was to replenish Worker Ants and restore normal operations across the bases.


    Returning to the Brood Nest, Luo Wen connected to it, uploading new genetic fragments and updating the gene bank for the Queen Ants.


    He canceled the old Queen Ant production orders and began hatching the new-generation Queens.


    Luo Wen stumbled upon an unexpected boon. The seemingly useless livestock genes turned out to accelerate nutrient absorption, shortening insect maturation times.


    Although the insects still had to go through the egg-larva-pupa-adult stages, their growth cycles could now be reduced by one-third. For example, insects that once required 30 days to mature could now do so in just 20 days.


    A weakness exposed during the war had been resolved far sooner than Luo Wen expected. While it still fell short of his ultimate goal, it was a significant step forward.


    Finally, during his connection with the Brood Nest, Luo Wen received vague information about a potential opportunity¡ªa sign of something greater to come.

 Chapter 91: Tranquility

    As the number of new Queen Ants gradually increased, the swarm¡¯s population grew at an even faster rate.


    In just over two hundred days, the swarm had recovered to its pre-war scale. Bases that had been abandoned during the war were restored and rebuilt.


    Several armies resumed their expeditions in batches. In addition to the original four armies heading east, west, north, and central, a new southern army was also established.


    It could be said that the swarm was now advancing in all directions, with no natural barriers or external forces capable of halting its progress.


    Perhaps the war with the Yellow Earth Ant Legion had already touched the ceiling of this region¡¯s combat power. In the days that followed, the swarm faced little resistance, encountering no formidable enemies.


    Ant nests like those of the Big-headed Ants, which had once seemed imposing, were now nothing more than minor obstacles to the swarm. When confronted with the exploratory armies, they couldn¡¯t even stir up a ripple. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The swarm¡¯s military strategy was now remarkably straightforward.


    For smaller colonies, like those of the Black Ants, there wasn¡¯t much to say¡ªjust directly overwhelm their nests. A single exploratory squad could handle them effortlessly.


    For larger colonies, such as the Red Ants, which numbered in the millions, multiple exploratory squads would combine their forces to deal with them. Once gathered, they would openly engage in battle at the entrance of the opposing nest.


    However, all armies were now equipped with dual-layered long-range firepower units. These units followed the main forces closely, and whenever a squad encountered an enemy numbering in the hundreds of thousands, they would call for firepower support.


    Without comparable firepower, most engagements were resolved with a single barrage of covering fire, followed by a frontal assault from the vanguard, ensuring swift victories.


    Even when facing Big-headed Ants with populations in the millions, a certain degree of respect was warranted. Nevertheless, the outcomes were no different from those against smaller groups¡ªjust a few more rounds of firepower and charges to seal the deal.


    Ten kilometers.


    A hundred kilometers.


    A thousand kilometers.


    As time passed, the swarm¡¯s territory expanded continuously. Without any natural predators, the swarm developed at an astonishing pace, growing to an immeasurable size.


    Luo Wen had long since lost precise control over the swarm.


    It wasn¡¯t because the swarm had betrayed him¡ªthey remained loyal to him, and his will still permeated every aspect of the swarm.


    The problem he faced was the same old issue: communication.


    The swarm lacked an effective means of communication. When the territory was still small, Communication Bugs were responsible for relaying messages. Later, as the territory expanded, faster Transport Bugs were employed to carry Communication Bugs and transmit messages.


    Now, however, the Transport Bug remained the fastest unit, but the territory had grown exponentially. For Luo Wen to send a message to the exploratory armies on the borders, even with Transport Bugs running day and night, it would take months before the Queen Ants of the distant armies received the message.


    Such inefficiency could prove catastrophic if the swarm encountered an evenly matched enemy.


    Fortunately, the swarm was currently too powerful.


    Even in Iphieash¡¯s homeland, the land of the transcendent wizards, while a single insect might not be their match¡ªeven a million or ten million insects might not suffice¡ªthe swarm could still demonstrate what it meant to bring despair without end.


    Luo Wen mused that if that green-haired wizard had succeeded in its rebellion, he might have taken an alternative path. Even if individual combat strength was negligible, the collective power of the swarm had already reached the level of city and national destruction.


    Of course, these thoughts were merely Luo Wen¡¯s idle musings.


    At present, he couldn¡¯t even think of ways to court death.


    Everywhere he looked, it was all swarm territory, devoid of threats. He had already experienced free-falling from great heights back when he was the size of a fingernail, and now, he had even learned to dive¡­


    With the constant integration of new genes, things capable of threatening him had dwindled to the point of nonexistence.


    Perhaps this was the terror of Iphieash.


    As the swarm¡¯s territory extended over the years, environmental differences in various regions occasionally birthed unique ant species and bugs. Whenever they appeared, they added ripples to Luo Wen¡¯s otherwise tranquil life, one of his few remaining sources of excitement.


    Most of these bugs, however, offered redundant traits, although a few managed to surprise him.


    For instance, a species of red-and-black ants possessed exceptionally developed mandibular glands that ran from their heads to their abdomens. When encountering powerful enemies, they would bite down on their foes, contract their muscles, and self-destruct. The toxic fluid in their glands would splatter everywhere, causing significant area damage with its potent mix of poisonous substances.


    Another species exhibited a similar ability. They had two crystalline structures between their thorax and abdomen. When they needed to self-destruct, these crystals would react with secretions from their salivary glands, producing a highly toxic substance. Their explosions were directional, ensuring a one-for-one trade at the very least.


    This was a talent Luo Wen had once feared might awaken within him, yet to his amazement, certain bugs actually possessed such capabilities. Incorporating their genes created a new type of unit for the swarm, albeit in limited numbers due to their lack of practical use.


    Another interesting ant species lived in trees, carving tunnels into the trunks to build their nests. The entrance was small, allowing only one ant through at a time. With limited territory confined to their trees, their access to resources was minimal, which naturally limited their population.


    When faced with invaders, they couldn¡¯t engage in head-on confrontations like other species. Instead, they devised a unique defensive strategy.


    Some of these ants developed mutations that gave them rounded or rectangular chitinous shields on their heads. When intruders approached, these mutants would block the nest entrance with their heads.


    Invaders often found it difficult to deal with these sturdy shields and would leave after a period of stalemate.


    This ability was intriguing but held little value for the swarm, which no longer needed to defend against enemies. Luo Wen only created a few as decorations.


    There was also a type of ant soldier whose head sprouted a cannon-like structure capable of spraying a resin-like substance with immense adhesive properties. Though non-toxic and lacking direct lethality, it was an excellent control mechanism.


    Luo Wen enhanced their genes with several types of toxins, creating a hybrid artillery bug capable of both controlling and killing. With their elongated barrels, their shots were highly focused, avoiding dispersion. After Luo Wen¡¯s improvements, their range extended to 20¨C30 meters, with precise targeting at 15 meters, making them perfect for sniping high-value targets.


    Now, numerous such artillery bugs served in the border armies.


    Additionally, Luo Wen absorbed other fascinating traits into the gene pool whenever they proved useful.

 Chapter 92: Underwater Breathing

    Time passed unnoticed, and Luo Wen had long since stopped bothering to calculate its passage.


    The prolonged peace in the swarm¡¯s territory meant that many Worker Ants had never set foot on a battlefield since hatching. This peaceful existence even allowed them the rare opportunity to die of old age.


    As batches of Worker Ants perished, new ones were seamlessly added, ensuring the swarm¡¯s operations were unaffected.


    The northern army had been advancing along a river, undergoing various course changes but generally maintaining its direction.


    Recently, a message came from the Queen Ant accompanying the army: the forces had encountered an exceptionally wide river that blocked their path. While the aquatic units accompanying the army explored the river, they suffered heavy losses. Yet, it seemed they hadn¡¯t encountered any enemies. The report was contradictory and unclear, prompting Luo Wen to investigate personally.


    As he traveled farther north, the temperature dropped noticeably.


    However, due to the planet¡¯s significant day-night temperature differences, even desert cliffs could freeze at night. The local plants and insects had developed strong cold resistance, and the swarm¡¯s genetic adaptations made it impervious to such conditions.


    The flora gradually shifted from broad-leafed plants to conifers as the temperature continued to decline.


    Along the way, Luo Wen even experienced a sudden snowstorm. Though it lasted only half an hour before clearing, the ground accumulated nearly 20 centimeters of snow in that short time.


    For Luo Wen, with his long legs, the snow posed no obstacle. However, for smaller insects, even those with cold resistance, being trapped in snow and ice could be deadly.


    After several days of arduous travel, Luo Wen finally reached the so-called ¡°riverbank.¡±


    This is a riverbank?


    Looking out at the vast expanse of water, with occasional drifting ice and a distinctly salty taste, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but scoff. While the Queen Ant¡¯s lack of worldly experience was forgivable, Luo Wen¡ªwho had been bombarded with information in his past life and had even seen the real thing¡ªrecognized this as a sea.


    Had the swarm¡¯s forces already reached the seashore?


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s first question. Having spent his days in a cycle of eating and sleeping, he had lost track of how much time had passed.


    Did this planet also have oceans?


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s second question. After all, this was an unfamiliar world to him.


    Excitement soon bubbled up within him. The ocean undoubtedly concealed countless species, and there might be excellent genes waiting to be harvested. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Not long after, he found the northern army.


    The key to quickly locating them after traveling thousands of kilometers lay in Luo Wen following the river originating near the Brood Nest. After winding through various tributaries, it merged with a larger river and eventually flowed into the ocean.


    The northern army was stationed near this point, leaving pheromone trails along the riverbank to guide Luo Wen to their camp.


    When Luo Wen arrived at the site, he found a massive underground base had been excavated, complete with mushroom farms. Despite the freezing temperatures, the mushrooms radiated heat, making the interior of the burrow as warm as spring.


    Unfortunately, the ants seemed to have forgotten to construct a passage large enough for Luo Wen, leaving him to endure the cold outside.


    This base was home to only a small detachment of five or six million ants.


    The main northern army had long since moved on. After all, it took months for messages to travel back and forth. Given the army¡¯s size, it couldn¡¯t stay in one place for long, as it needed to continuously advance to secure food supplies.


    The detachment remained behind to await Luo Wen and assist with his operations and experiments.


    The moment Luo Wen saw the ocean, he understood why the Queen Ant¡¯s report had been contradictory.


    The Raft Bugs and Submersible Bugs hadn¡¯t encountered any enemies. Instead, they had perished because their physiology was designed for freshwater and lacked components to filter salt. When they entered the seawater, they were likely overwhelmed by the salinity and died.


    With no enemies present, exploration became the next priority.


    During Luo Wen¡¯s journey, the detachment had made some progress. They hunted several crustaceans resembling crabs, hermit crabs, and shrimp along the coast.


    These species were precisely what Luo Wen needed before beginning his oceanic explorations.


    After consuming samples from each, Luo Wen dug himself a burrow. He then had the Burrower Ants dig a heat-dissipating channel from the plantation in the base to his room, providing a ¡°heater.¡±


    Once comfortably settled, he rested.


    When he awoke, Luo Wen noticed the absence of a molted shell in his burrow, which puzzled him.


    Inspecting his body carefully, he found no discernible changes¡ªno crab-like book gills or other peculiar features.


    Scratching his head awkwardly, he muttered, ¡°Strange? Why haven¡¯t I grown new respiratory organs?¡±


    He speculated that his existing organs might have mutated, a theory requiring practical testing to confirm.


    Fortunately, the ocean wasn¡¯t far. Luo Wen quickly made his way to the shoreline with his long legs.


    On second thought, he hesitated¡ªit wasn¡¯t entirely safe to use himself as a test subject. What if he couldn¡¯t tolerate the salinity?


    The safest approach would be to return to the Brood Nest to analyze his genes, but the round trip would take too long, and Luo Wen was too impatient to wait.


    Thus, he crawled toward the estuary where the river met the ocean, creating a transitional zone between freshwater and seawater¡ªa safer place to experiment.


    Starting in the freshwater, Luo Wen slowly entered the water. Thanks to his acquired diving ability, he wasn¡¯t nervous.


    As the river water engulfed him, he immediately noticed a difference.


    This time, breathing felt much easier than before. Evidently, a change had occurred.


    He tried sealing the ventilation pores linking the air sacs between his carapace and abdomen. In the past, doing so would have caused instant suffocation. Yet this time, he felt no such discomfort.


    He could now breathe underwater naturally.


    This was true underwater respiration, extracting oxygen directly from the water, unlike his previous pseudo-underwater breathing, which relied on carrying an ¡°oxygen tank.¡±


    Carefully sensing his body, Luo Wen identified the changes.


    There were two.


    First, his carapace could filter water, extracting dissolved oxygen to sustain his body.


    Second, thin membranous structures had grown at the bases of his legs, protruding from the body wall and filled with capillaries. These membranes could also filter water and salt while extracting oxygen.


    The membranes¡¯ location was so hidden¡ªand in Luo Wen¡¯s blind spot¡ªthat he hadn¡¯t noticed them before. The carapace changes were even more subtle, with no outward signs.


    These subtle modifications explained why Luo Wen hadn¡¯t initially realized his new abilities.

 Chapter 93: Into the Sea (1)

    Having discovered his new adaptations, Luo Wen trudged through the muddy riverbed, slowly heading toward the river¡¯s mouth.


    The increasingly salty seawater posed no issue for Luo Wen, as his newly developed underwater respiratory system perfectly filtered out the salt content.


    As he exited the river and ventured into the ocean, the underwater landscape left him somewhat disappointed.


    Perhaps due to the cold waters, underwater vegetation was scarce. However, the seabed¡¯s rocky crevices teemed with shrimp and crabs, some of which even attempted to ambush Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen¡¯s claws remained formidable weapons even underwater, though the resistance from the water made them cumbersome, leaving him little success against the nimble shrimp. However, the crabs that boldly brandished their claws at him didn¡¯t fare as well; Luo Wen easily dispatched many of them. Unfortunately, he couldn¡¯t eat underwater, nor could he conveniently carry them, leaving him no choice but to abandon this feast of ultra-fresh seafood.


    As he advanced along the seabed, the water grew deeper, and the pressure exerted on him increased. However, his exoskeleton appeared to have a natural resistance to pressure, so he experienced no significant discomfort.


    By the time Luo Wen descended to a depth of over 300 meters, sunlight from the surface barely reached this level. While his unique compound eyes allowed him to see in low light, they were powerless in absolute darkness.


    At around 400 meters deep, the surroundings were utterly black. Fear of the unknown compelled Luo Wen to halt his descent. He inflated the air sacs between his carapace and abdomen, causing his body to ascend slowly toward the surface.


    As he rose, his surroundings gradually became visible again.


    Suddenly, a mantis shrimp-like creature darted out of the darkness below, charging toward him at high speed.


    At just over ten centimeters long, the creature posed no real threat to Luo Wen, though its agility made it challenging for him to deal with.


    Although Luo Wen¡¯s movements couldn¡¯t match the mantis shrimp¡¯s swiftness, his excellent dynamic visual system captured its every move. This mantis shrimp differed from the ones he remembered; its two front limbs weren¡¯t sharp ¡°scythes¡± but rather small hammers.


    The mantis shrimp twisted agilely in the water, closing the distance in a few swift movements. Luo Wen clumsily extended a claw to fend it off, hoping the creature might foolishly blunder into his grip.


    If the mantis shrimp could speak, it would likely retort, ¡°Keep dreaming!¡±


    The shrimp suddenly collided with one of Luo Wen¡¯s large claws and immediately retaliated. Luo Wen caught a fleeting flash of light in the corner of his eye, followed by a heavy strike against his claw.


    Luo Wen realized that the mantis shrimp had attacked him with its hammer-like appendages, but even with his dynamic vision, he couldn¡¯t clearly follow the attack.


    After a moment, the mantis shrimp seemed to sense that this massive creature wasn¡¯t worth provoking. It quickly turned and vanished into the dark depths.


    Since growing to his current size, Luo Wen had never been so brazenly challenged. However, glancing at the boundless and shadowy ocean, he knew it would be difficult to avenge himself.


    Upon surfacing, Luo Wen oriented himself and discovered he was several kilometers from shore. He raised the claw that had been struck and noticed a faint crack. Though the damage was minor, the insult stung deeply, leaving him fuming.


    After calming down, Luo Wen marveled at the shrimp¡¯s strength. His claw was one of the most heavily armored parts of his body. Despite the size disparity, the shrimp¡¯s attack had caused visible damage.


    This wasn¡¯t some underhanded trick involving poison¡ªthe shrimp¡¯s raw power was astonishing. If Luo Wen had been its size, his armor might have been shattered instantly.


    Since Luo Wen only had one pair of swimming legs, his movement speed in the water was relatively slow. Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry, and the sea around him was dotted with enormous icebergs, seemingly drifting down from even farther north.


    Suddenly, his gaze fixed on one of the icebergs. Frozen inside was a strange, oval-shaped, flat-bodied insect of an unknown species.


    This was a pleasant surprise. Luo Wen had never seen this insect before, and consuming it would likely grant him new genetic fragments.


    Though uncertain of its utility, he clambered onto the iceberg and laboriously chipped away at the ice with his claw to extract the insect.


    It was unclear whether the insect was alive or dead. Judging by its appearance, it had been frozen for a long time and was probably lifeless. Still, thanks to being kept on ice, it was impressively fresh. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After enjoying a ¡°snack,¡± Luo Wen spent some time returning to shore.


    For now, there wasn¡¯t much left for him to do here. Exploring the ocean alone wasn¡¯t practical, and he didn¡¯t particularly enjoy the cold environment.


    Although his cold resistance was decent, the chill still dulled his senses, an unpleasant sensation.


    He ordered the detachment to continue their coastal operations and began his journey back to the Brood Nest.


    Upon returning, Luo Wen linked with the Brood Nest.


    The first task was to update the pending Queen Ant production orders, incorporating the new underwater breathing system.


    As for the frozen insect, genetic analysis revealed its secrets. It possessed a unique hibernation ability, allowing it to enter a dormant state. When Luo Wen had unearthed it, it hadn¡¯t been dead, merely in hibernation. No wonder it was so fresh and odor-free.


    Luo Wen smacked his lips, reminiscing about the seafood¡¯s flavor. This talent seemed useless for now, so he set it aside.


    Several dozen days later, the first batch of upgraded Queen Ants matured, and Luo Wen immediately dispatched them to establish a base at the coast.


    Over a hundred days later, a dead mantis shrimp was brought to Luo Wen.


    Having endured a journey of several thousand kilometers, the shrimp was now rotten and reeked unbearably. Luo Wen, though less particular than before, still found it inedible.


    Determined to savor fresh seafood sashimi, Luo Wen made another arduous trip to the coastal base.


    By now, the base had expanded significantly and was overseen by a single Type II Queen Ant. The base welcomed Luo Wen without fanfare, merely preparing his old ¡°heated room¡± for his use.


    After resting for a day, Luo Wen watched as the swarm¡¯s naval units embarked on their mission.


    Due to the base¡¯s limited capacity with only one Type II Queen Ant, the number of seaworthy units was modest, comprising just two types of creatures.


    One was modeled after crabs, while the other was based on shrimp.


    Each had its advantages. The crab-based units boasted powerful claws and robust shells, granting them high offensive and defensive capabilities, though their mobility was poor.


    The shrimp-based units, while weaker in attack and defense, utilized a darting swimming method that provided swift movement and erratic trajectories.


    As for the mantis shrimp, it excelled in both speed and agility, with formidable defense and unparalleled attack power, making it a true overlord of the sea.


    Thus, relying solely on crabs and shrimp to hunt mantis shrimp would require considerable luck.

 Chapter 94: Into the Sea (2)

    The shrimp units could match the mantis shrimp in speed, but their attacks were too weak to penetrate its armor, relegating them to reconnaissance roles.


    Fortunately, mantis shrimp often hid in the sandy seabed, lying in wait to ambush passing prey. Coincidentally, such areas were also the crabs¡¯ domain.


    After several hours of patrolling, hundreds of shrimp scouts finally located a mantis shrimp at a depth of over 200 meters. The crabs soon received the coordinates and moved in.


    To avoid alarming the mantis shrimp, only two crabs approached its hiding place.


    Perhaps because the crabs were similar in size to the mantis shrimp, it chose to attack rather than flee. It lunged at one crab, which hurriedly raised its claw in defense. Yet, as the mantis shrimp darted past, one of the crab¡¯s claws was severed, floating away.


    However, the mantis shrimp underestimated the swarm¡¯s collective combat tactics. The two crabs had deliberately lured it out. When it paused momentarily to prepare for another strike, the second crab seized the opportunity, leaping forward and pinning the mantis shrimp with its claws.


    The mantis shrimp, covered in spikes, struggled fiercely. While the crabs¡¯ carapaces provided excellent defense, their abdominal armor was relatively soft, and the mantis shrimp managed to pierce them in several places.


    The injured crab, now reduced to a single claw, used it to grip the mantis shrimp¡¯s head and carapace seam. In retaliation, the mantis shrimp unleashed a hammer strike, severing the crab¡¯s remaining claw.


    Even so, the detached claw remained lodged in the mantis shrimp¡¯s carapace seam, severely hindering its movements.


    At this point, the shrimp scouts, which had been waiting nearby, swarmed in. Though incapable of damaging the mantis shrimp¡¯s armor, they pushed it toward the crab army.


    Once surrounded by dozens of crabs, the mantis shrimp¡¯s fate was sealed.


    After savoring a fresh mantis shrimp sashimi dish, Luo Wen indulged in a feast of wild crabs and shrimp before hurriedly returning to the Brood Nest.


    Uploading the new genetic data left him astounded¡ªno wonder the mantis shrimp was a dominant predator of the sea. It boasted a wealth of genetic ¡°black technology.¡±


    After a deep sleep, Luo Wen molted a layer of his claw¡¯s armor. While his claws didn¡¯t transform into hammers, they gained new structures, and even the armor itself underwent changes.


    However, an accident occurred during testing.


    A month later, the swarm version of the mantis shrimp was complete. After various tests, Luo Wen gained a deeper understanding of its capabilities.


    The first notable feature was its eyes. Equipped with six pupils, the eyes could perceive a broader range of colors. While these eyes weren¡¯t entirely compatible with Luo Wen¡¯s biology, partial integration allowed him to experience a richer and more vivid world.


    The second and most remarkable trait was its hammer-like forelimbs.


    A 10-centimeter-long mantis shrimp could generate a force exceeding 150 kilograms with its hammer, which explained how it had cracked Luo Wen¡¯s armor.


    Its hammer strikes were blisteringly fast, accelerating from 0 to 80 km/h in just 1/300th of a second. This speed created a supercavitation effect, where collapsing bubbles produced a small shockwave and briefly heated the surrounding water to extreme temperatures, emitting a flash of light.


    Luo Wen realized the flash he¡¯d seen during the mantis shrimp¡¯s attack came from this phenomenon, visible only with highly sensitive eyes.


    Achieving such speeds required more than just physical strength¡ªit necessitated intricate body mechanics. The mantis shrimp¡¯s forelimbs featured a hyperbolic system, which stored energy through contraction and released it explosively to launch the hammer.


    Moreover, this extraordinary mechanism relied on a specialized material. The mantis shrimp¡¯s hammer was covered in a three-layered nano-structure that absorbed energy, resisted cracking, and provided exceptional impact resistance. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite its impressive resilience, this material had limitations. It could only support the mantis shrimp¡¯s hammer at its current size of roughly one centimeter. Any larger, and catastrophic failure would occur.


    Don¡¯t ask how Luo Wen discovered this.


    When he first acquired the technology, he was ecstatic. Rushing to test it, he fully activated the hyperbolic ejection system. The result? A loud sonic boom followed by Luo Wen being violently flung through the air.


    Worse yet, his claw was forcibly torn from his body and hurled into the distance.


    Subsequent examination revealed that while the claw had adopted the new nano-structure, it suffered severe burn damage. Thankfully, being severed from Luo Wen¡¯s body spared him any direct harm.


    However, the pain of losing a claw was unbearable, leaving Luo Wen writhing in agony. He began questioning whether retaining a nervous system that could register pain truly counted as an evolutionary advantage.


    After extensive experiments using mantis shrimp genetics, Luo Wen determined the limits of the system. The maximum hammer size that could withstand the stresses was roughly two centimeters, and the system only functioned effectively underwater, where the water could rapidly cool the heat generated by the hyperbolic ejection.


    Anything larger was a death sentence, as Luo Wen had painfully discovered. Fortunately, he could regenerate his limbs, emerging whole after molting in a cocoon.


    Given Luo Wen¡¯s size of over 60 centimeters, with claws whose main structure alone spanned nearly 30 centimeters, it was impossible to wield a two-centimeter hammer.


    The thought of such a setup was simply too humiliating for him to consider.


    Additionally, the system was only lethal against similarly sized targets. When the mantis shrimp ambushed Luo Wen, it had only managed to create a small crack in his claw.


    For Luo Wen, the system was akin to a chicken rib: unsatisfying to use but too valuable to discard. Reluctant to waste such a hard-earned technology, he conducted countless tests and adjustments. After losing countless claws and molting multiple times, Luo Wen finally managed to modify the system.


    This ¡°modification¡± was essentially a severe downgrade. Luo Wen sealed off most of the hyperbolic system¡¯s power, weakening it repeatedly until it was manageable.


    Even so, the improved system increased Luo Wen¡¯s claw speed severalfold. Combined with his enhanced dynamic visual tracking, he was confident that if he encountered a mantis shrimp again, he could give it a surprise of his own.

 Chapter 95: The Time Has Come

    As time passed, the eastern and western armies traversed mountains and rivers, pushing the swarm¡¯s territory to the ocean. Only the southern army, after conquering the vast desert, pressed on for thousands of kilometers without encountering any sign of the sea.


    On land, the swarm had become the undisputed ruler. The next frontier was the ocean. Perhaps, by crossing the boundless sea, new continents could be discovered elsewhere on the planet.


    Along the coastlines marking the edge of the swarm¡¯s domain, naval bases sprang up one after another. Large numbers of mantis shrimp, crabs, and other aquatic units were deployed to explore the ocean¡¯s depths and breadths.


    Just as the swarm was about to make a massive push into the sea, Luo Wen felt that familiar sense of opportunity during his connection with the Brood Nest.


    This time, it was not vague or elusive but clear and unmistakable.


    In an instant, Luo Wen experienced an epiphany.


    The time has come!


    A sharp screech erupted from his mouth, his antennae thrashing violently as pheromones carrying commands filled the air.


    For a moment, the surrounding insects seemed to pause, frozen in time.


    Then, as if an unseen switch had been flipped, life resumed. The insects received their instructions and began spreading the orders like wildfire. Transport Bugs carried messenger units, rushing off in all directions.


    From the Brood Nest as the epicenter, the command spread outward to the subsidiary bases.


    Though the instructions were unusual, the swarm, as extensions of Luo Wen, obeyed him with absolute loyalty and without question.


    Type II Queen Ants in the bases issued commands, resulting in the destruction of nearby aphid farms.


    The once-pampered aphids, accustomed to a life of luxury¡ªfed at leisure and having their waste meticulously cleaned¡ªwere suddenly betrayed by their caretakers. Sharp mandibles pierced their bodies, and they were wrapped in a mixture of syrup and saliva to prevent spoilage.


    Packaged. Loaded. Transported.


    The underground plantations suffered a similar fate, subjected to destructive harvesting. Sustainability was abandoned; even roots and seedlings were uprooted, packed, and preserved.


    Wild insects within the swarm¡¯s territory met grim fates as well. They were subjected to carpet-style eradication. Even the agile and evasive grasshoppers couldn¡¯t escape the relentless sweep.


    After gathering every scrap of food they could carry, the insects from the subsidiary bases began their grand migration toward the Brood Nest.


    From an aerial perspective, the vast lands below were dotted with abandoned bases as the swarm relinquished their habitats. They packed everything and converged on a single destination.


    The region surrounding the Brood Nest swelled with insects as time went on.


    During the war with the Yellow Earth Ant Legion, the swarm had been decimated to a tenth of its size. Yet, in just over 200 days, it had recovered to its pre-war numbers of tens of billions. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now, after so much time had passed, with tens of thousands of new Queen Ants in production, the swarm¡¯s numbers had grown beyond reckoning.


    Despite the insects bringing all their supplies to the Brood Nest, the sheer number of mouths to feed resulted in massive consumption.


    Only the resources from nearby areas reached the Brood Nest with surplus supplies intact. From farther distances, food was mostly consumed during the journey.


    Fortunately, the insects had a unique talent for eating dirt. While it didn¡¯t provide much energy, it was enough to sustain their basic vital functions.


    The densely packed swarm blanketed the area around the Brood Nest. For those with a fear of crowded spaces, the sight would have been utterly nightmarish.


    The ground in this vast region had sunk over ten meters due to the sheer volume of insects consuming soil. They absorbed a fraction of the nutrients before excreting the rest.


    Under normal circumstances, these excretions were excellent fertilizer, carried by Worker Ants to nearby trees.


    But now, with countless trillions of insects gathered, they produced mountains of waste daily, far beyond any effort to transport it away. Instead, the waste was reused repeatedly.


    Over a hundred days later, even the aquatic units¡ªRaft Bugs, Submersible Bugs, and others¡ªhad followed the rivers to congregate in the lake near the Brood Nest.


    The pivotal moment had finally arrived.


    On a sunny morning, Luo Wen took a deep breath, gazing at the towering black insect mountains surrounding him. He turned and crawled underground, reconnecting his tail to the Brood Nest after a long hiatus.


    All surface-level insects were driven above ground.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t want anything witnessing the shameful posture required for this process.


    After all, this was his final form.


    Calming his thoughts, a piercing screech echoed through the earth.


    A strange wave of energy radiated from Luo Wen¡¯s body, spreading rapidly outward with the sound.


    Every insect touched by this wave froze briefly before assuming a howling stance.


    Though many of them were voiceless soldier types, at that moment, they seemed to scream with their very souls.


    The growing chorus, as more insects joined, rose from faint whispers to earth-shaking roars.


    Threads of unique energy lifted from the insects, converging on Luo Wen.


    In Luo Wen¡¯s compound eyes, a faint white light appeared, gradually intensifying until it shone three feet outward, illuminating the entire underground base.


    As the gathered energy increased, a qualitative transformation occurred. The dazzling white light took on an eerie, regal purple hue.


    One by one, the insects closest to Luo Wen expended their mysterious energy, freezing in their howling postures, forever locked in this moment.


    Despite their small size, the swarm¡¯s staggering numbers unleashed an unimaginable force.


    The insect mountains fell silent, yet Luo Wen¡¯s screech grew sharper and more resonant.


    Finally, the last insect gave its all.


    At the same time, Luo Wen¡¯s screech abruptly ceased.


    The white-purple glow in his eyes dimmed and receded.


    Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness blurred. The extreme exhaustion was not physical but spiritual, leaving him powerless to resist the pull of sleep.


    He needed a long hibernation to digest these changes.


    The Brood Nest, now withered and shrunken, disconnected from Luo Wen. Summoning his last reserves of energy, he crawled along a pre-dug tunnel toward the depths of the earth.


    The tunnel led 300 meters underground to a small chamber, barely spacious enough to accommodate Luo Wen. Reinforced countless times by Worker Ants and Mucus Bugs, it could withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.


    After reaching the chamber, Luo Wen destroyed the tunnel behind him, sealing the entrance.


    Now without the swarm¡¯s protection and uncertain how long he would slumber, caution was paramount.


    Having completed his preparations, Luo Wen succumbed to the exhaustion of his spirit and fell into a deep sleep.


    As he slept, a liquid oozed from his body, gradually forming a cocoon that encased him entirely.

 Chapter 96: The Ever-Changing Seas and Lands

    Luo Wen had grossly underestimated the duration of his slumber.


    Though it wasn¡¯t unusual for a transcendent being from another world like him to possess peculiar talents, the shift in environment had caused his abilities to mutate beyond his control.


    After Luo Wen¡¯s disappearance, the insect swarm navy wreaked havoc along the coastlines for some time. However, without the ability to reproduce, they gradually faded into history. Arthropods and crustaceans once again claimed dominance in these areas.


    Meanwhile, deep-sea fish began to venture into the shallows and even attempted to invade the land. Yet, they were no match for the armored, sharp-clawed crustaceans and arthropods that roamed the shores. Despite their agility, these fish remained at the bottom of the food chain.


    On land, the ecosystem suffered catastrophic damage from the swarm¡¯s devastating rampage, leaving behind no eggs or larvae. The disappearance of insects disrupted the ecological balance, giving plants an unprecedented opportunity to flourish.


    Vegetation grew increasingly dense, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide. As the carbon settled with the decay of plants, atmospheric carbon levels plummeted, leading to a drop in surface temperatures.


    The plants withered, life dwindled, and the planet became shrouded in frost.


    Luo Wen, who was supposed to awaken during this period, had consumed a frozen insect on a whim. This insect carried a hyper-hibernation gene that was triggered by Luo Wen¡¯s condition and the surrounding environment¡­


    Thus, Luo Wen fell into an even deeper slumber, one that was far more profound.


    As time passed, the ice-covered planet amassed underground energy that could no longer be contained. The pressure eventually culminated in volcanic eruptions.


    Molten material from beneath the surface broke through the ice, releasing vast amounts of carbon back into the atmosphere.


    Volcanic ash blanketed the skies. Contrary to expectations of further cooling due to the lack of sunlight, the continuous volcanic activity raised the planet¡¯s temperature.


    Thick layers of ice melted into water vapor that ascended into the skies.


    High above, the water vapor cooled and, mixed with volcanic ash, fell back to the ground as nutrient-rich rain.


    Life seized this moment to thrive. Vegetation absorbed the abundant minerals and nutrients from the mantle, sprouting rapidly and releasing large quantities of oxygen.


    The rising oxygen levels allowed marine organisms to once again attempt their migration to land. A peculiar species of deep-sea fish succeeded in making landfall.


    The dominance of crustaceans and arthropods was upended by this new arrival. These fish had an epoch-defining innovation: the vertebral column.


    Vertebrate animals, benefiting from the oxygen-rich environment, grew progressively larger.


    In contrast, crustaceans and arthropods, though no longer constrained by respiratory limitations in a highly oxygenated atmosphere, faced another challenge. Their exoskeletal armor hindered their ability to grow larger without frequent molting.


    In primitive conditions, molting required significant energy and left them vulnerable during recovery, ultimately dooming their attempts at gigantism.


    The few arthropods that succeeded in growing larger did so by retreating to the ocean depths. On land, their efforts invariably failed.


    Over time, these armored creatures were forced into the lower rungs of the food chain, their habitats encroached upon by the ever-expanding vertebrates.


    Some vertebrates refrained from growing larger and instead occupied ecological niches formerly held by insects.


    Others, exploiting the abundant oxygen, pursued gigantism, with some species developing thick keratin layers akin to exoskeletal armor.


    Meanwhile, insects under pressure began to adapt. One day, certain species unfolded their elytra to reveal wings¡ªa revolutionary adaptation that allowed them to conquer a new ecological niche.


    This newfound ability to fly was one of evolution¡¯s rare success stories achieved with minimal cost.


    Flying insects, leveraging their unique talents, regained their foothold in the biosphere.


    Some insects sacrificed their hard exoskeletons to achieve larger sizes, while others prioritized speed and agility.


    Soon after, vertebrates also took to the skies. Unlike the insects¡¯ seemingly effortless adaptation, vertebrates modified their forelimbs into wings.


    With their larger sizes, flying vertebrates quickly dominated the skies, soaring higher and farther to become the new aerial overlords.


    Thus, vertebrates came to dominate the land and sky. Only the oceans remained a bastion for a few large crustaceans and arthropods.


    (This ecological evolution occurred on an unnamed alien planet. Any resemblance to Earth is purely coincidental.)


    A green beetle, about two to three centimeters in size, buzzed its transparent, delicate wings as it searched for food in a patch of low-lying grass.


    The intricate patterns on its wings were clearly visible.


    A massive earthquake had recently devastated the area, destroying its familiar hunting grounds. Forced to explore unfamiliar territory, the beetle sought its fortune elsewhere.


    Suddenly, a flesh-colored streak darted past, and the green beetle vanished.


    Not far from where the incident occurred, a twenty-centimeter-tall giant frog with dark green skin was lazily swallowing something.


    Its tympanic membranes swelled and contracted as it let out a satisfied ¡°Gua-Gua,¡± its relaxed expression exuding contentment. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The frog¡¯s ears, located behind its eyes, resembled small buttons from afar.


    Its sensitive ears caught an unusual sound, but it didn¡¯t move. Confident in its extraordinary dynamic vision, it believed no creature could ambush it.


    This blind confidence proved fatal.


    A violent gust heralded the approach of something fast and deadly. The frog, sensing danger, prepared to leap, but before it could act, an unknown force slammed it into the ground.


    As the dust settled, the culprit revealed itself: a massive, fearsome claw-like appendage. Its surface was dotted with crater-like pits lined with fine hairs.


    The claw¡¯s sharp tip was embedded in the frog¡¯s body. Though the frog wasn¡¯t dead yet, its fate was sealed.


    Following the appendage to its source, one could see it belonged to a sixty-centimeter-long giant beetle. Even in this oxygen-rich environment, such a colossal insect was a rare sight on land.


    In addition to its massive claws, the beetle had eight spider-like legs¡ªa peculiar combination that made it a true oddity among its kind, the undisputed dandy of the insect world.

 Chapter 97: Awakening

    Luo Wen was jolted awake by a cacophony of ¡°Gua-Gua¡± sounds. The irritation of being disturbed from his long slumber left him seething with rage.


    The extended period of hibernation had left his mind sluggish and blank, unable to recall anything immediately.


    For now, his overwhelming hunger took precedence as his bodily functions slowly resumed. Instinctively, he tore at the cocoon encasing his body. Having been inactive for so long, his movements were stiff and clumsy, as if his body had rusted over.


    When he finally managed to rip through the cocoon, he found the desiccated material devoid of any nutritional value.


    To his despair, he discovered another, tougher wall beyond it.


    ¡°Which wretched soul had the nerve to glue this place shut?¡± Luo Wen cursed groggily.


    The constant ¡°Gua-Gua¡± noises from above only aggravated his mood further.


    Gathering a modicum of strength, his massive claws¡ªguided by his keen, high-refresh-rate compound eyes¡ªbegan to chip away at a specific point on the wall.


    At long last, a small hole was breached. With this initial crack, the task became much easier. Luo Wen used his claws to claw, pry, and dig, gradually widening the opening.


    Chunks of tightly packed dirt began to fall into the enclosed cavern.


    The hole grew larger until loose, unbonded soil started spilling into the chamber.


    This soil offered no resistance to Luo Wen¡¯s massive claws, unlike the solidified chunks. Luo Wen grabbed some of the loose dirt and stuffed it into his mouth, temporarily alleviating his gnawing hunger.


    However, the nutrients he could extract from the dirt were minimal, a stopgap solution that couldn¡¯t truly sate him.


    Time was of the essence. After a brief respite, Luo Wen resumed digging. Fortunately, his claws were as effective at tunneling as any specialized burrower¡¯s legs.


    In a short time, he had carved out an upward path.


    Luckily, the earthquake that had recently shaken the area had caused the earth¡¯s crust to shift, bringing Luo Wen closer to the surface. The once-deep cavern was now only 20 or 30 meters underground.


    Still, this short distance proved to be a grueling challenge. By the time Luo Wen broke through to the surface and inhaled his first breath of fresh air, he was on the verge of total exhaustion.


    There, he finally found the source of the noise that had awakened him.


    The sight of a frog with bulbous eyes greeted him. One glance was enough to confirm its exceptional vision.


    His long-dormant camouflage abilities sprang to life. Instinctively, Luo Wen activated them.


    Colors shifted and shimmered across his body, the once-black surface morphing into a dazzling array of hues. In moments, Luo Wen seemed to vanish, blending seamlessly into his surroundings.


    He crept toward the dark green frog with deliberate care, nervous about his diminished state. This might be his only chance¡ªsuccess meant meat, failure meant dirt.


    As his claws neared striking range, the frog appeared to sense something amiss but remained still.


    Luo Wen exhaled in relief and activated a weakened version of his dual-curve attack system. Wind roared as his massive claw pierced the frog¡¯s body and continued downward, pinning it deep into the soil.


    It had been so long since Luo Wen hunted personally that his strength control was off, ruining a portion of the fresh prey.


    But in his current state, he couldn¡¯t afford to be picky. Even if two pounds of aphid dung were placed before him, he would have devoured it without hesitation.


    After gorging himself, Luo Wen felt a small amount of energy return, and his intellect began to reawaken. Memories from before his hibernation trickled back into his mind.


    Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, a rhythmic vibration emanated from the ground, sending him into a panic.


    ¡°Another earthquake?¡± he wondered, alarmed.


    Focusing carefully, he realized that the tremors felt like the movements of a massive creature stomping across the land.


    Fortunately, the source of the disturbance was still some distance away. Luo Wen¡¯s heightened senses¡ªevident in his ability to hear a frog¡¯s croak from deep underground¡ªseemed even sharper than before.


    With the immediate threat averted, Luo Wen took a moment to survey his surroundings.


    Tall trees lay toppled in all directions, some even uprooted. Cracks riddled the ground, evidence of a seismic event.


    Yet, the types of trees around him were unfamiliar.


    Given that the swarm had once dominated most of the continental landmass, unfamiliar flora was a rarity.


    Then his gaze landed on the spot where the frog had vanished, and realization dawned.


    This species was something he had encountered during his human days. Since becoming an insect, he hadn¡¯t seen anything like it.


    The realization prompted three soul-piercing questions:


    ¡°How long was I asleep?¡±


    ¡°Where am I?¡±


    ¡°Have I crossed into another world again?¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The scant information available, coupled with the unknown conditions outside, made exploration too risky.


    For now, Luo Wen prioritized regrowing the Brood Nest. After all, his path was that of the Collective. Without subordinates, he felt an unsettling emptiness.


    The area was once home to a small stream, but the earthquake had altered the terrain. The stream now needed to carve a new path.


    The region was scattered with small pools of water, and thin trickles flowed beneath the fallen trees and weeds.


    Occasionally, the croaks of frogs echoed from the surroundings.


    Luo Wen¡¯s fine body scales began to work, cloaking him from sight. Avoiding the pools as much as possible, he crept toward the source of the sounds.


    While frogs were natural predators of insects, perfectly equipped to catch them, the massive size difference between these frogs and Luo Wen rendered such predation irrelevant.


    For example, if humans were the size of ants, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance unarmed. But with the size disparity in their favor, a single stomp could decimate an ant colony.


    Here, the frogs were too small, their abilities countered by Luo Wen¡¯s stealth. Their eyes, evolved to track swift-flying insects, were useless against his camouflage.


    Robbed of their advantage, the frogs couldn¡¯t even flee in time.


    After skewering and devouring several frogs, Luo Wen¡¯s hunger remained unappeased. His body was severely depleted, and the frogs were quickly metabolized into energy.


    During his hunt, Luo Wen noticed several flying insects flitting about.


    Flight had once been a coveted ability of his. Back when the swarm controlled vast territories, he had never seen a single flying insect. Yet here, they seemed ubiquitous.


    This revelation sparked his three soul-piercing questions once again.


    The small insects, due to their size, proved challenging for Luo Wen¡¯s claws. Even with the weakened dual-curve system, his attacks were straightforward and inflexible, unsuited for such agile targets.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had more than just claws in his arsenal. Against these nimble, small targets, he had a far more effective weapon.

 Chapter 98: Pterodactyl?

    A long, fur-covered leg darted out from the void like lightning. Guided by Luo Wen¡¯s superior dynamic vision, it struck a flying green beetle with pinpoint accuracy.


    The fine, adhesive hairs on the claw at the leg¡¯s tip gripped the green beetle tightly, pulling it toward Luo Wen.


    To Luo Wen, this beetle was akin to a miraculous little pill that could sprout wings. Without hesitation, he popped it into his mouth. Crunch.


    After skewering a few more frogs, Luo Wen encountered yet another unfamiliar creature.


    By now, he was growing numb to the bizarre sights and the idea of having traversed to another world filled his mind again.


    This animal stood nearly half a meter tall, resembling a cross between a rat and a dog. Its muzzle wasn¡¯t pronounced, leaning toward a flat shape, and a cluster of white whiskers sprouted from its chin, giving it a goofy expression.


    Its smooth, light-yellow fur covered its entire body. This was the first furred creature Luo Wen had seen since becoming an insect¡ªan apparent mammal.


    The creature¡¯s stocky, short limbs were folded beneath its body as it squatted on the ground, gnawing on an unknown plant fruit cradled in its forelimbs. Its round, beady eyes scanned its surroundings warily.


    Behind it trailed a thick, unusual tail¡ªcommon enough in concept, but this specific style was truly unique.


    Luo Wen decided to invite it for dinner to discuss the mysteries of genetic evolution. Fearful it might decline, he activated his optical camouflage and cautiously approached.


    His claws gradually entered attack range, but the creature¡¯s keen vigilance became evident.


    Though Luo Wen¡¯s optical camouflage rendered him invisible, unavoidable sounds betrayed his movements.


    The peculiar animal froze mid-bite, its hidden ears pricking through its fur.


    Although it detected nothing specific, its cautious instincts prompted it to retreat. Grabbing the fruit in its mouth, it lowered itself onto all fours and prepared to leave.


    Suddenly, a massive beetle burst from behind it.


    The speed of the ambush caused a brief disruption in Luo Wen¡¯s optical camouflage, rendering him momentarily iridescent.


    One claw struck the strange creature¡¯s body first. While its dense fur provided decent defense against piercing attacks, the immense force accompanying the strike sent it flying and inflicted significant damage.


    Luo Wen leaped forward in a burst, closing the gap as the creature struggled to rise. Seizing the moment, he lunged, wrapping his entire body around it. His eight legs locked it in place.


    Although not his primary weapons, Luo Wen¡¯s legs were lined with spines and bristles, adding formidable offensive capability that had seen little use until now.


    He also possessed another underutilized weapon: venom. The spider-derived fangs he had gained from his genetic template had rarely seen action.


    Until now, Luo Wen had faced few opponents of similar size. Most battles were decided by sheer physical dominance, and his growing swarm had all but eliminated the need for personal combat.


    This creature, measuring half a meter long, was smaller and weaker than Luo Wen, but it finally allowed him to put his full arsenal to use.


    His fangs pierced through the creature¡¯s fur and into its body. Venom glands emptied their contents swiftly through the hollow channels in his fangs.


    Inexperienced with venom use, Luo Wen erred on the side of caution and injected the entire dose.


    Sensing the imminent threat to its life, the strange creature struggled violently.


    Unfortunately, its stout, sharp-looking claws couldn¡¯t penetrate Luo Wen¡¯s armor.


    Realizing its futile struggle, the creature launched a desperate counterattack. Seizing an opportunity, it bit down on the joint of Luo Wen¡¯s claw.


    Although the joint was armored, the inner curve had thinner plating for mobility. The creature¡¯s two sharp incisors punctured the joint membrane with ease.


    The injury was minor, but the incisors became stuck, rendering them immovable.


    For a moment, an awkward silence settled between predator and prey.


    Then, a bizarre cry echoed from above, rapidly growing closer.


    In all his past battles, Luo Wen had never been attacked from the sky. While his nearly 360-degree field of vision covered most threats, he instinctively overlooked aerial dangers.


    Moreover, while his compound eyes excelled in detail and refresh rate, their range was limited¡ªdespite constant improvements, his maximum field of view was only around 300 meters.


    Previously, when his enemies were either blind or near-sighted, 300 meters felt like an expansive range. Now, it fell short.


    The source of the cry finally appeared in Luo Wen¡¯s sight, and what he saw left him dumbstruck.


    It was a pterodactyl.


    ¡°What kind of crazy place is this?¡± Luo Wen wondered, as his mind reeled with the three soul-piercing questions once again.


    But this wasn¡¯t the time for deep reflection.


    The pterodactyl folded its wings and dove, its massive body accelerating rapidly under gravity¡¯s pull. It closed the 300-meter distance in an instant.


    For the first time, Luo Wen faced such a predicament. Entangled with the strange creature, his mobility was severely limited. The venom had subdued his prey, leaving its full weight dangling from its incisors locked into Luo Wen¡¯s claw joint.


    If Luo Wen had been alone, he could have easily escaped using his powerful leap or optical camouflage.


    But what had been a promising meal just moments ago had now become a deadly burden.


    Despite his frantic attempts to free himself, his claws lacked the dexterity of fingers, and his panic only caused the incisors to lodge more firmly.


    Left with no choice, Luo Wen activated his optical camouflage, hoping against hope that the pterodactyl wouldn¡¯t see him. It was a self-deceptive comfort at best. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the pterodactyl neared the ground, its folded wings spread wide, transforming its dive into a glide as it passed just above Luo Wen.


    Relieved, Luo Wen exhaled¡ªuntil the pterodactyl banked sharply, adjusted its posture, and flew straight at him again.


    This time, the pterodactyl extended its massive talons.


    It was enormous, its wings casting a dark shadow over the ground as it passed. Luo Wen estimated its wingspan to be at least seven or eight meters.


    If they could communicate, Luo Wen might have tried to reason with it, pointing out the absurdity of attacking two measly creatures barely half a meter long.


    The pterodactyl dove again, its talons grasping the furred creature.


    Unfortunately for Luo Wen, he was tangled with his prey and was swept up along with it into the pterodactyl¡¯s grip.

 Chapter 99: Aerial Combat

    The pterosaur had not expected an additional gain. After seizing its prey, it began a rapid ascent.


    The fierce wind howled past, and the intense air pressure made Luo Wen¡¯s eyes feel extremely uncomfortable, impairing his vision. His eyes started secreting fluid, forming a thin membrane-like covering.


    This was a skill Luo Wen had acquired from the Submersible Bug. Unexpectedly, it proved not only effective underwater but also quite useful in the sky.


    Regaining his ability to see, Luo Wen noticed the ground rapidly receding until it faded beyond his vision, becoming a blur. This indicated that he had been carried to at least three hundred meters above the ground, and the pterosaur showed no sign of stopping as it continued to ascend.


    Since becoming an insect, Luo Wen had only suffered during the initial hatching phase. Once the Brood Nest was established, he had gradually begun living a life akin to a lord. If he hadn¡¯t been so picky himself, he could have even had dedicated bugs feeding him.


    This perilous situation was something Luo Wen hadn¡¯t encountered in a long time.


    Adding to his troubles, he had only recently awakened, his mind was still groggy, and his stomach was yet to be filled. Surrounded by strange creatures, he felt as though he were in a dream¡ªa surreal and unreal experience.


    Yet, the smooth fur beneath his hands, the hard claws gripping him, and the occasional cheerful chirps from the creature above kept pulling Luo Wen back to reality.


    Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Luo Wen realized he could no longer discern his altitude. White clouds surrounded him, and the temperature had dropped sharply, though the cold didn¡¯t pose much of a threat to him.


    It was unclear where the pterosaur intended to take him, but it was unlikely to be a friendly place. Once there, his single opponent might turn into a group.


    This was not a flight Luo Wen wanted to continue. He had to find a way to disembark early.


    Though the pterosaur¡¯s large wingspan made it appear massive, its actual body was likely less than two meters long. From Luo Wen¡¯s angle, he could even see its unprotected soft underbelly.


    Moreover, Luo Wen had a tremendously powerful long-range attack that he had never used in combat before.


    Extending his right claw, he assumed an attack posture. The full-powered hyperbolic system began charging, aimed directly at the target.


    Even a weakened version of the hyperbolic system was challenging for Luo Wen to control. Now, with the complete version, aiming was purely a matter of chance.


    To make matters worse, both the pterosaur and Luo Wen were in rapid motion. The turbulence from the pterosaur¡¯s flight made it difficult for him to stabilize. Whether he could hit the target was anyone¡¯s guess. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the arrow was nocked; there was no turning back.


    A deafening sonic boom resounded as the hyperbolic system fully discharged. In that instant, Luo Wen¡¯s right claw accelerated to supersonic speed, detaching from his body and shooting upward into the sky before vanishing.


    The pterosaur¡¯s body was struck first on its right side, leaving a gash. The attack then pierced through the base of its wing. The claw¡¯s extreme speed generated such high temperatures that the wounds cauterized instantly, leaving the pterosaur with barely a drop of blood lost.


    If this had occurred on land, Luo Wen¡¯s self-sacrificial attack might have gone to waste. However, at such close range, the damage was not limited to mere physical trauma.


    Before the pterosaur could even register the pain, a massive sonic boom followed, stunning it. The unexpected impact left the pterosaur dizzy, its head ringing.


    Reeling from the dual blow, the pterosaur involuntarily released its grip, losing its prey as it began spiraling downward, its punctured wing leaking air.


    Although Luo Wen had escaped its claws, he was far from safe.


    The pterosaur¡¯s earlier cheerful calls had attracted its kin, which had been lurking in the clouds. Now, seeing the first pterosaur lose its prey, they swarmed toward the falling Luo Wen.


    Due to their position beyond his line of sight, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t tell how many of them were preparing to attack. But based on the sounds coming from different directions, he estimated there were at least three.


    With his right claw already lost in pursuit of its dream and his left claw jammed at the joint by the bizarre creature¡¯s teeth, Luo Wen was in free fall, unable to leverage any foothold. It was as though he had entirely lost the ability to resist.


    The situation was even more dire than before.


    Faced with a life-and-death crisis, Luo Wen¡¯s intellect surged. He displayed a hidden talent.


    This skill, borrowed from a type of deep-sea crab, involved deliberately shedding a claw when facing an irresistible attack to distract the predator while escaping.


    Luo Wen had never imagined he would need this skill, having long since forgotten it. Caught off guard by the aerial assault, he had been half a beat too slow to react decisively.


    Had he shed his claw the moment the pterosaur attacked, he wouldn¡¯t have had so much trouble later.


    But there was no point dwelling on past mistakes. The situation was what it was, and he could only treat it as a valuable lesson for the future.


    At the root joint of his left claw, a segment opened, detaching the claw. As it fell away, Luo Wen used his legs to push it, along with the attached creature, with all his might.


    The recoil sent Luo Wen hurtling in the opposite direction. Simultaneously, he activated his optical camouflage system.


    Though the rapid motion caused a slight delay in the system¡¯s operation, the monochromatic sky environment minimized its impact.


    From the pterosaurs¡¯ perspective, the peculiar yellow-furred creature seemed to glide a short distance through the air. Then, the black insect clinging to its back vanished entirely.


    Their limited brain capacity didn¡¯t allow the pterosaurs to ponder deeply. They pursued the brightly colored creature instead.


    The smaller pterosaurs began a fierce aerial struggle. Their sizes were nowhere near that of the first pterosaur, which was why they had dared only to trail and not snatch the prey before.


    But now that the larger predator was injured and retreating, the prey it had dropped became the prize for their persistence.


    Being similar in size, none of the smaller pterosaurs could easily overpower the others. As their quarry approached the ground, they grew increasingly desperate, as the ground was not their domain.


    Driven by the mindset of ¡°a bite is better than nothing,¡± one pterosaur took the initiative and jabbed its sharp beak into the creature.


    Unbeknownst to them, the peculiar creature had long since died. Its muscles had liquefied under the effects of Luo Wen¡¯s excessive venom injection.


    Though its skeleton and fur held its shape, it was essentially a giant water balloon.


    Under the pterosaur¡¯s attack, the creature¡¯s thick hide gradually tore open, unable to withstand the pressure.


    Finally, with a loud pop, the creature exploded.


    The sudden eruption and splattering fluids startled the pterosaurs, scattering them. By the time they looked back, all that remained was a tattered patch of fur drifting in the wind.

 Chapter 100: Landing

    The aerial battle above was beyond Luo Wen¡¯s field of vision, and now, he faced a new problem.


    The last time he experienced a free fall from such a height, he had been no larger than a fingernail, and various forces could easily affect his descent.


    Even a gentle breeze could significantly slow his fall.


    That earlier experience had ingrained a certain mindset in him: high-altitude falls couldn¡¯t harm him.


    However, his current body was over sixty centimeters long, and while his thick exoskeletal armor provided strong protection, it was not light.


    His weight might now exceed fifty kilograms.


    At such a mass, only a strong gale could slow his descent.


    Unfortunately, the weather was sunny and calm, with not even a breeze in the air, let alone a gale.


    In this situation, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure if his body could withstand the impact of landing safely.


    He couldn¡¯t leave things to fate; he needed to draw on his meager knowledge to improve his chances of survival.


    Stretching out all eight of his legs to increase his body¡¯s surface area, he tried to maximize resistance.


    His rapid descent slowed slightly, providing a momentary buffer, but it was far from enough to stop him from plummeting.


    Luo Wen cursed under his breath. If he could just sleep for a bit, maybe he¡¯d grow a pair of wings and avoid such indignities altogether.


    Thankfully, he had already shed his two heaviest claws earlier; otherwise, those alone¡ªeach weighing seven or eight kilograms¡ªwould have added significantly to his burden.


    Suddenly, an idea struck him.


    The air sacs located between his carapace and abdomen began inflating rapidly.


    These sacs, initially designed as underwater oxygen tanks, had become almost redundant after Luo Wen acquired underwater breathing capabilities.


    Unexpectedly, they now proved invaluable. It truly seemed that no skill was ever useless¡ªa fact the ancients were right about.


    The air sacs expanded to their limit, even distorting Luo Wen¡¯s abdomen. But the effect was remarkable, significantly reducing his descent speed.


    However, this created a new issue.


    The sacs were located in the rear half of his body, causing Luo Wen¡¯s position to shift from a horizontal spread to a head-down dive.


    With his claws gone, he had no way to shield his head and would have to rely on his armor to endure the impact.


    This was far from an ideal outcome.


    As the ground drew closer, tall treetops began appearing in Luo Wen¡¯s field of vision.


    He struggled to align his fall toward the treetops.


    Despite his efforts, his descent trajectory barely changed.


    Luckily, the forest below was dense, with layer upon layer of interwoven tree canopies that blocked out the sunlight. From above, the ground beneath the foliage was completely obscured.


    When he was about ten meters above the treetops, Luo Wen strained his body into a pull-up motion. Using his immense core strength, he lifted his head momentarily.


    In that instant, his carapace and abdomen compressed together, forcefully expelling the air from the sacs. The resulting jet of air shifted Luo Wen¡¯s trajectory by a few centimeters.


    He then spread out his legs and fell onto the treetop.


    The canopy couldn¡¯t bear his weight, and Luo Wen crashed through the layers of branches and leaves, continuing his descent toward the ground.


    The branches scratched against his body, but at most, they left faint marks on his exoskeleton armor, far from piercing it.


    These scratches, however, steadily reduced his falling momentum.


    Finally, after multiple layers of cushioning, Luo Wen landed on the ground. The impact caused only mild vibrations¡ªhardly enough to qualify as a light injury.


    Upon landing, Luo Wen didn¡¯t dare linger. His fall had made quite a commotion.


    Furthermore, the moment he entered the canopy, his compound eyes caught sight of another treetop shaking violently nearby.


    Given the height and thickness of the trees, whatever caused such movement had to be a massive creature.


    Having already encountered pterosaurs, Luo Wen had no desire to satisfy any curiosity.


    He had lost both claws, depleted the venom stored in his glands, and, having not eaten enough, was now severely exhausted¡ªa state of extreme vulnerability.


    His best course of action was to lie low, sleep, and regenerate his claws.


    Maybe he¡¯d even sprout a pair of wings.


    Unfortunately, without claws that could double as digging tools, burrowing into the ground was out of the question. And given his unfamiliar surroundings, finding a suitable tree hollow in the short term seemed equally unlikely.


    Luckily, the dense forest floor was covered with a thick layer of decomposing leaves. Though the smell was unpleasant, this was no time to be picky.


    Luo Wen began by biting into an exposed tree root nearby, intending to quench his thirst. This familiar action reminded him of his days of weakness, evoking a sense of nostalgia.


    But he was no longer the size of a fingernail.


    It took him biting into seven or eight spots and nearly half an hour to drink his fill.


    In the distance, vibrations reached Luo Wen¡¯s sensitive leg hairs.


    He had learned his lesson, however, keeping his optical camouflage active throughout.


    The local creatures seemed to have sharp vision, making his previously underappreciated stealth feature incredibly effective.


    During this time, Luo Wen even managed to ambush a few small, brightly colored birds. Their feathers were stunningly vibrant, but now they were gathering for a meeting in Luo Wen¡¯s stomach.


    The birds were so small and feathery that Luo Wen couldn¡¯t taste much before they were gone, leaving him wanting more.


    What he wouldn¡¯t give for one of those plump, yellow-furred creatures from before¡ªsomething that was large and filling.


    As he gnawed on the tree root, Luo Wen¡¯s mouth watered at the thought.


    Finally full, he sought a complex terrain to hide in. He found a spot between three giant trees. The thick trunks formed a natural barrier, making it difficult for creatures to pass through¡ªevident from the undisturbed layer of fallen leaves.


    Unaware of what large predators might be roaming, Luo Wen didn¡¯t want to risk falling asleep somewhere only to be crushed underfoot by a passing behemoth.


    Using his legs, he clumsily scraped out a hole in the decaying leaves. Taking a deep breath, he buried his head inside and covered the entrance.


    Surrounded by the damp and sticky decay, Luo Wen let his mind drift to distract himself, eventually falling asleep.


    His exact location remained a mystery, and the duration of his slumber was unclear.


    Since waking, countless unexpected events had occurred, leaving him with little time to explore the myriad abilities acquired through the self-sacrifice of trillions of bugs in the past.


    [T/N: The big 100! I¡¯ve really enjoyed translating this novel so far. It¡¯s got me hooked lol. No spoilers but all I can say that it¡¯s only up from here!] S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 101: Predation

    According to the information Luo Wen initially received through the Brood Nest, this talent should have been innate from his hatching.


    However, this mysterious planet lacked a specific type of energy required for Luo Wen¡¯s abilities to manifest, leaving them dormant since his birth here.


    Later, through the connection to the Brood Nest and the self-sacrifice of countless bugs,


    a unique energy¡ªderived from life and soul¡ªreplaced the original required energy, successfully activating Luo Wen¡¯s talent.


    Yet, due to the environmental and energy differences, this talent underwent unknown changes.


    It became unique, completely different from that of any other Iphieash.


    At present, Luo Wen only knew that there was now a peculiar energy in his mind. While intangible, he could clearly sense its presence¡ªa phenomenon that defied all logic.


    This revelation was a blow to Luo Wen, who had been raised with a firm belief in science and materialism.


    But then he thought about how he had been transformed into an insect by a green-haired old pervert. Compared to that, a strange energy in his brain seemed almost mundane.


    Still, the one-of-a-kind nature of this energy meant that discovering how to use it required constant trial and error.


    For now, what Luo Wen needed most was sleep.


    His consciousness gradually sank into darkness as a layer of cocoon enveloped him.


    When he woke up, Luo Wen let out a relieved sigh. This place wasn¡¯t completely safe, but luckily, no mishaps had occurred.


    His claws had regrown, and their once-soft exoskeleton quickly hardened as he emerged from the cocoon.


    Luo Wen tested them briefly¡ªthey were as agile as before and fully functional.


    He was no stranger to regrowing claws. During his experiments with the hyperbolic system, losing claws had been a regular occurrence. However, losing both at once was a first.


    Glancing at his carapace, Luo Wen carefully sensed it. After a moment, he concluded that this cocooning hadn¡¯t granted him wings.


    He had anticipated this. The energy supply before cocooning had been insufficient. While he appeared full, most of it had been nutrient-poor water. Growing back both claws had already exceeded expectations.


    The hunger pangs and overall weakness he felt reminded him that this extraordinary regeneration came at a cost. While his exoskeleton concealed it, removing the armor would reveal severely atrophied and emaciated muscles.


    His top priority was finding food¡ªpreferably a hearty, all-meat feast. Meat-based energy conversion far outstripped that of tree sap.


    Carefully sensing his surroundings, Luo Wen detected nothing unusual. Even the vibrations from afar had ceased.


    Cautiously crawling out of his leaf-covered burrow, he used his legs to clean off the grime sticking to his body. Such dirt could create imperfections in his optical camouflage system.


    His legs moved rapidly. Luo Wen¡¯s legs, with their numerous joints and reverse-joint capabilities, were highly versatile¡ªa talent he used frequently, particularly for cleaning. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Activating his optical camouflage had become second nature to him in a short time.


    Previously, surrounded by other bugs, pheromones were the primary means of identifying friend from foe. Luo Wen had rarely needed to act personally by the time he gained this talent. Yet now, it proved to be far more useful than he had ever imagined.


    It reminded him of how, during the pheromone era, bugs were easily countered by Spy Bugs. This realization served as a warning¡ªhe needed to develop multiple detection methods to avoid being too easily countered.


    Moving cautiously among the towering trees, Luo Wen proceeded carefully. Previously, he only needed to watch for enemies from the ground or underground, which his leg-hair sensory system could detect from a distance.


    In the past, few enemies could sneak up on him thanks to these skills.


    Now, however, he also had to guard against attacks from the sky, elevating his enemy detection to three-dimensional levels. While his nearly omnidirectional vision was an advantage, it was similar to how untrained humans often overlooked peripheral stimuli.


    It would take him some time to fully adapt to information from above.


    Fortunately, this adjustment wouldn¡¯t take long.


    Since awakening, Luo Wen¡¯s ability to process information had increased significantly. It felt like upgrading a computer¡¯s CPU¡ªhandling additional visual data barely taxed his mental capacity.


    Luo Wen walked lightly and slowly, carefully placing each step. He even kept his swimming legs raised, using only six ordinary legs to minimize noise.


    His camouflage only fooled visual senses; it didn¡¯t mask sound. To avoid alerting enemies or prey, he strove to remain silent.


    Occasionally, small bugs flitting through the forest vanished as if transported elsewhere, never to reappear.


    Strange calls echoed intermittently around him, most of which Luo Wen couldn¡¯t identify. Only one was familiar¡ªit belonged to the small birds that had gathered in his stomach the previous day.


    Aside from these birds, Luo Wen noticed numerous other avian species perched on branches, preening their feathers. These birds, small in size and insectivorous, thrived in the dense forest.


    There were no pterosaurs here. Their larger size and superior flight capabilities allowed them to soar higher and farther.


    The dense forest canopy obstructed their vision, and the complex terrain of the undergrowth was unsuitable for their wings, which were prone to injury in such an environment and difficult to heal.


    Birds, on the other hand, didn¡¯t face these issues. Losing a few feathers didn¡¯t impair their flight, and feathers regenerated quickly. This forest was their domain.


    Here, only a select few creatures posed a threat to them¡ªand Luo Wen was one of them.


    Although he couldn¡¯t yet fly, climbing trees was a trivial task for Luo Wen, who could move effortlessly even on cliff faces.


    A few singing, brightly feathered birds suddenly disappeared one by one, leaving behind only a handful of feathers to mark their fate.


    For Luo Wen, these small birds and insects were mere snacks. The energy gained from eating them was only marginally better than tree sap.


    Tree sap provided low energy but was a consistent source. Small birds and insects, though meat, were sparse and, when factoring in time spent hunting, barely outperformed tree sap in energy efficiency.


    Suddenly, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes narrowed. In the distance, a green ¡°stream¡± flowed down from the canopy of a massive tree, trickling along the trunk before disappearing into the ground and beyond his sight.


    This familiar sight filled Luo Wen with both excitement and renewed confusion.

 Chapter 102: Digging a Base

    The unfamiliar environment and strange creatures gradually convinced Luo Wen of the reality that he had traversed worlds once more. This time, however, he had crossed over along with his insectoid body.


    But who could have anticipated that at such a moment, a creature he recognized would appear?


    Beneath the leaves, with heads resembling buttocks, black exoskeletons, and a coordinated infantry-armor patrol pattern, they were unmistakably the Big-headed Ants he was familiar with.


    ¡°What the hell is going on here?¡±


    For a moment, Luo Wen felt as if his newly upgraded ¡°CPU¡± was overheating.


    If he hadn¡¯t traversed worlds, it meant his hibernation period had been unimaginably long¡ªlong enough for the world outside to undergo seismic changes and for species to evolve.


    But if he had traversed, it would mean the genetic blueprint of the Big-headed Ants was so potent that an identical species had evolved elsewhere.


    Luo Wen¡¯s movie-trained mind ventured further, considering the possibility of alien experiments or the presence of unknown human interference.


    He also speculated, perhaps inspired by lost-world movies, about a hidden continent that harbored these extraordinary species, which later thrived and expanded to conquer other lands.


    The hypotheses and conjectures multiplied in his mind, turning his thoughts into a tangled mess.


    Shaking his head vigorously, Luo Wen forced himself to calm down.


    Perhaps this situation was advantageous for him. A diverse array of species implied a rich gene pool. As long as he had a little time to recover, Luo Wen was confident he could uncover the truth.


    He quietly approached the green stream, scouting for targets. The worker ants carrying leaves were not his prey. Only the Ultra Giant Soldier Ants, those wandering at the edges of the group and crawling with Small Soldier Ants, were worthy of becoming his feast.


    These creatures were pure protein. Just a few of them could fill Luo Wen¡¯s stomach.


    However, the Small Soldier Ants crawling all over them posed an annoyance. If he couldn¡¯t clear them out quickly and became entangled, he¡¯d be in trouble¡ªespecially now, being alone.


    Previously, Ultra Giant Soldier Ants had some Small Soldier Ants on them for protection, but never as many as now.


    Observing the small birds circling above the ants, Luo Wen made a guess.


    It was now an era of fully integrated, multidimensional combat. It made sense to bring extra aerial units as protection.


    Luo Wen had a certain area-of-effect skill perfect for this scenario. However, it reminded him of unpleasant memories. Yet, with the pressure and crisis he felt, he could no longer afford hesitation.


    Activating pheromone camouflage and optical invisibility simultaneously, Luo Wen stealthily approached.


    A patrolling Ultra Giant Soldier Ant was suddenly engulfed by a cloud of white mist on its flank. Instantly, a barrage of liquid projectiles, infused with high temperatures and strong corrosiveness, sprayed toward it.


    The relentless assault inflicted severe damage immediately. Despite its injuries, the Ultra Giant Soldier Ant¡¯s sheer size kept it from dying on the spot.


    Unfortunately for the Small Soldier Ants riding on its back, they weren¡¯t so lucky. With Luo Wen¡¯s massive form unleashing such a concentrated attack, the high heat and strong acid quickly incapacitated and withered them.


    After one round of attacks, the air reeked of a foul stench. The lingering white mist was abruptly dispersed by a strong gust of wind, revealing a vibrant-colored claw-like appendage. The claw clamped onto the Ultra Giant Soldier Ant¡¯s body and, amid its fierce struggles, dragged it into the underbrush, disappearing from sight.


    The entire operation happened in the blink of an eye. Due to their limited reconnaissance capabilities, the Big-headed Ants¡¯ leaf-harvesting team didn¡¯t even notice the attack.


    Soon after, several other patrolling Ultra Giant Soldier Ants also vanished. Only then did the Big-headed Ants sense something was amiss. Unfortunately for them, by this time, the hunter had already retreated with his spoils.


    Luo Wen hadn¡¯t gone far. For one, there were too many prey to carry. Secondly, for a creature like the Big-headed Ants, with poor vision, cutting off their pheromone signals meant Luo Wen could stay within a meter of them and still avoid detection.


    Back in his days with the reconnaissance squad, they¡¯d exploited this weakness of the Big-headed Ants to great advantage. Luo Wen was particularly skilled at it.


    After feasting, Luo Wen took advantage of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ relaxed defenses to hunt a few more Ultra Giant Soldier Ants. Finally, he felt somewhat satiated.


    Following the green ¡°stream¡± for over a hundred meters, he caught sight of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ nest from afar.


    Not far from the nest, at a location with complex terrain, Luo Wen began digging.


    With his stomach full, it was time to construct a base. Building near the Big-headed Ants¡¯ nest was an excellent choice for establishing his territory.


    By deploying misleading pheromones in the area, Luo Wen could ensure the new base¡¯s security during its early stages.


    Though it had been a long time since Luo Wen last dug a burrow himself, his skills were far from rusty. Even though he now used his claw-like appendages for digging, his efficiency remained high.


    However, his large size made the excavation a considerable undertaking.


    With no other insects to assist him, Luo Wen could only dig a bit and then push the soil out of the burrow. This approach slowed progress significantly.


    As the burrow extended underground, the sky gradually darkened.


    When Luo Wen once again pushed soil out of the burrow, night had fully fallen. Threads of moonlight stubbornly filtered through the canopy, casting a serene, distant glow on the ground.


    Luo Wen lay at the entrance of the burrow, gazing at the moonlight in a daze. Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, he darted out and climbed a nearby tree at high speed.


    At the treetop, a black insect was lost in thought.


    ¡°This is still the original planet,¡± Luo Wen murmured. He suddenly realized how simple it was to verify.


    In the sky, two light sources hung high¡ªone slightly yellowish white and the other faintly red. They were unmistakably familiar.


    ¡°How long have I been asleep?¡± Luo Wen fell into contemplation.


    Unexpectedly, his hibernation ability had such hidden risks. Thinking back, he was fortunate the noisy frog had woken him up earlier. Otherwise, who knew how much longer he would have slept? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though this hibernation skill was remarkably effective¡ªslowing his body¡¯s state to near stasis¡ªit couldn¡¯t hide its glaring flaw.


    Now that Luo Wen was certain of his location and had dismissed those implausible theories, he felt much more at ease.


    With his sense of crisis significantly reduced, even digging lost its appeal. The late hour called for rest.


    Camouflaging the burrow entrance, Luo Wen burrowed into a pile of decaying leaves nearby and fell into a deep sleep.


    As for why he didn¡¯t sleep inside the burrow?


    A single-passaged burrow without escape routes wasn¡¯t secure enough for Luo Wen¡¯s peace of mind.

 Chapter 103: Flight

    The Ultra Giant Soldier Ants were a marvel of biology, managing to achieve such massive sizes despite the severely outdated oxygen supply system typical of ant physiology. They relied entirely on their incredibly dense and powerful muscles to physically pump oxygen throughout their bodies. This impressive muscle density also translated into a highly efficient energy conversion rate.


    When Luo Wen awoke, not only had he grown wings, but his Brood Nest had also regenerated.


    Previously, Luo Wen had only speculated about the possibility of his Brood Nest regenerating. Now, with his hypothesis confirmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Perhaps due to insufficient energy supply during growth, the regenerated Brood Nest appeared somewhat underdeveloped. However, this was only in relation to Luo Wen¡¯s large size. Compared to its initial state when it was first formed, the reborn Brood Nest was already several times larger.


    Scooping up some rotting branches and leaves from the surroundings, Luo Wen stuffed them into the feeding orifice of the Brood Nest. Though this first meal for the regenerated Brood Nest was lackluster, the circumstances left little room for luxury. Something was better than nothing.


    The Brood Nest wasn¡¯t nearly as picky as Luo Wen. Ever since it acquired earthworm genes, it could even consume soil and pebbles, earning it the title of ¡°everything within sight is edible.¡± Rotting leaves, therefore, were an effortless choice.


    After attending to the Brood Nest, Luo Wen crawled out of his burrow.


    If not for the importance of the Brood Nest, he would have been unable to suppress his excitement.


    Soaring freely through the blue sky was a dream cherished by all living creatures. Luo Wen, whether in his past human life or his current insect form, had always longed for a pair of wings of his own.


    Now, that dream had come true.


    The sturdy black carapace on his back split open and lifted upward, revealing a pair of delicate, transparent wings that unfolded. The intricate patterns on the wings were clearly visible, with black accents along their edges and roots.


    The wings began to vibrate, their speed increasing rapidly. Gradually, Luo Wen¡¯s cumbersome body lifted off the ground.


    Though his first flight was clumsy¡ªrocking left and right with a constant risk of crashing¡ªLuo Wen couldn¡¯t help but emit a hiss of exhilaration.


    Flying was a highly energy-intensive activity. For Luo Wen, using a pair of thin, translucent wings to lift his tens-of-kilograms-heavy body required an immense amount of energy.


    Still recovering from hibernation and with his energy reserves critically low, Luo Wen was forced to land after less than half a minute of flight, having barely risen 20 centimeters off the ground.


    While Luo Wen felt a twinge of disappointment, he didn¡¯t complain. After all, his wings weren¡¯t rented¡ªthere was plenty of time to enjoy them once he¡¯d eaten his fill.


    Meanwhile, the Big-headed Ants¡¯ leaf-cutting convoy, after enjoying two days of relative peace, suffered another ambush. Several Ultra Giant Soldier Ants were lost to an unknown assailant during transportation.


    Infuriated, the Big-headed Ants dispatched a large force to sweep the area of the attack, but all they found were lingering stench and chaotic pheromone trails. The perpetrator had long since vanished. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Replenished and brimming with energy, Luo Wen even brought two ants back to his Brood Nest to hasten its recovery.


    Once everything was in order, he eagerly began his second flight experiment.


    In the jungle, a large black beetle hovered half a meter above the ground, flying at a leisurely pace. Its mandibles and limbs dangled naturally as its wings beat so quickly that even their afterimages blurred.


    Despite successfully flying, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help feeling a bit disheartened. He could fly, sure, but it wasn¡¯t anything like what he¡¯d envisioned.


    In his imagination, flight meant dazzling aerial maneuvers, breakneck speeds, and intense dogfights with opponents, reminiscent of the pterosaurs battling for food in the sky he¡¯d once witnessed.


    But now¡­


    Watching the scenery slowly recede around him, Luo Wen realized his flight speed was slower than his crawling speed on the ground.


    The gap between expectation and reality left him momentarily uninspired.


    At this speed, the only advantage he could think of was avoiding embarrassment during another free-fall situation like last time.


    However, his slow flight wasn¡¯t due to a lack of capability in his flying system. On the contrary, his wings incorporated several advanced technologies.


    First, Luo Wen had developed a set of muscles dedicated to wing movement. The protein fibers within these muscles were highly organized, with cross-sections forming a precise hexagonal pattern. This structural regularity allowed for rapid wing vibrations.


    Luo Wen¡¯s wings flapped at a standard rate of over a thousand times per minute, with a maximum speed exceeding twenty thousand flaps per minute. However, such high-speed flapping generated significant noise and consumed a massive amount of energy, though it did considerably increase flight speed.


    The wings themselves were membranous and featured hidden folding patterns. When in use, the elytra (wing covers) opened, and the concealed wings unfurled like umbrellas.


    Retracting the wings was a bit more complex. It required leveraging the elasticity and flexibility within the wings¡¯ internal structures to fold them back along their creases. In simpler terms, the wings needed to be ¡°folded¡± back into place.


    Initially, Luo Wen struggled with this operation. After folding his wings and elytra, parts of the wings remained exposed. Assuming this was normal, he paid it little attention.


    Later, after observing green beetles, he realized the wings could be fully retracted. It required the assistance of his hind legs to manually push the wings back under the elytra, where they would automatically fold along their creases.


    Even with these features, the wings alone wouldn¡¯t have been sufficient to lift Luo Wen¡¯s heavy body.


    Here¡¯s where the most advanced feature came into play.


    The elytra housed an enormous amount of ultra-microscopic pyramid structures. When the wings vibrated at high speed, these structures emitted magnetic particle longitudinal waves. The directional waves created a polarized magnetic particle phenomenon, which in turn generated an anti-gravity field effect.


    Simply put, it was anti-gravity!


    The elytra¡¯s unique structure allowed Luo Wen to partially negate gravity, enabling his lightweight wings to lift his bulky body into the air.


    However, this system wasn¡¯t omnipotent. Otherwise, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t have been so dissatisfied with his flight speed.


    Improving his speed was straightforward in theory: permanently alter his body structure, shedding parts of his exoskeleton and protective layers to reduce weight. Reshaping his rotund body into an aerodynamic form would also enhance his speed.


    Such modifications were entirely possible with his newfound ability to choose genetic segments to transform himself, a talent awakened after his prolonged hibernation. With sufficient energy, a single session of cocooned metamorphosis could achieve these changes.


    Yet after careful consideration, Luo Wen decided against it for now.


    The jungle terrain was treacherous, and his delicate membranous wings couldn¡¯t withstand much abuse. Above the treetops, the domain of the pterosaurs, Luo Wen was utterly outclassed in both size and numbers.


    All things considered, faster flight offered little advantage in his current situation.


    Thus, when forced to choose between speed and defense, he opted for defense.

 Chapter 104: The Long-faced Beast

    The novelty of having wings soon wore off, and Luo Wen¡¯s initial excitement cooled as rationality reclaimed its position.


    His plans for soaring the skies were temporarily shelved. The top priority now was nurturing the Brood Nest and rebuilding the structure of the Swarm.


    Over the next few days, nothing noteworthy occurred except for the daily loss of varying numbers of Ultra Giant Soldier Ants from the Big-headed Ants.


    The underground temporary base was completed yesterday. In addition to personal chambers for Luo Wen and the Brood Nest, it also included facilities like a hatchery and storage rooms, along with as many as five escape tunnels.


    After several days of recovery, the Brood Nest had also largely regained its functionality.


    Luo Wen immediately issued a production order for the first batch: fifty fully grown Worker Ants.


    This method of production consumed a tremendous amount of energy. Fortunately, Worker Ants were relatively small compared to the current size of the Brood Nest, so there was no repeat of the situation from before when the Queen Ant produced Big Black and became debilitated for over a week.


    Within half a day, fifty Worker Ants were ready.


    Next, Luo Wen issued a daily order for ten thousand eggs, which would eventually hatch into Worker Ants, Burrower Ants, and Spy Bugs.


    There was no need to produce combat units at this stage of the Swarm¡¯s development; current resources simply couldn¡¯t support them. For now, the focus was on replenishing labor and steadily growing.


    The base gradually came into operation. Luo Wen personally handled the hunting tasks outside. With the nearby ¡°granary¡± available, the risks were minimal. The base saw an increase of ten thousand eggs daily, and as they began hatching, the fifty Worker Ants struggled to manage them.


    The Brood Nest paused egg production to prioritize a week of producing adult Worker Ants. The addition of hundreds of Worker Ants, though insufficient to meet the needs of the hatchery, provided some relief for now.


    Thanks to several rounds of genetic optimization, the Worker Ants¡¯ growth speed was significantly faster. If this pace could be maintained for a dozen more days, the first batch of insect pupae would hatch, alleviating the labor shortage.


    In the meantime, the larvae were fed less frequently, but a little hunger wouldn¡¯t harm them¡ªit was manageable.


    On this day, as Luo Wen emerged from his burrow to hunt, he noticed faint tremors from the ground.


    Unlike the distant earth-shaking vibrations from earlier days, these were lighter, indicating the source was smaller in size and relatively close.


    The dense jungle vegetation obstructed visibility, making it difficult to see far.


    Luo Wen cautiously activated optical camouflage and climbed a nearby tree trunk to gain a height advantage for observing the source of the disturbance.


    However, the view from above was also limited.


    Unfurling his membranous wings from beneath the elytra, Luo Wen pushed off the tree trunk with his legs while spreading his wings. By flapping lightly, he glided silently to another nearby trunk.


    This wasn¡¯t true flight but a quiet gliding technique Luo Wen had recently discovered. While daydreaming in the treetops, he observed a creature far off in a taller tree. It had wing-like membranes under its arms, and despite its small size, it leapt from a height, spread its limbs, and glided out of sight.


    From a distance, it seemed like some type of frog or lizard. Inspired, Luo Wen practiced this method repeatedly. Though his ¡°equipment¡± was far from specialized, his membranous wings could suffice in a pinch.


    Because of his weight, his gliding range was short, only effective for traveling between nearby trunks with the aid of jumps. While limited, this method provided a safe way to navigate situations like the current one.


    After gliding around 20 meters, Luo Wen was surprised to discover that the unknown creature was heading straight for his position.


    Remaining motionless, he soon got a clear look at the intruder.


    It was a creature resembling a dog, but with an unusually elongated head that gave it a sinister appearance. Standing over a meter tall and nearly three meters long including its tail, it had short, sturdy limbs ending in three-toed, muscular paws. Its body was covered in coarse, grayish-brown bristle-like fur without any exoskeleton armor. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The long-faced beast approached the tree beneath Luo Wen, sniffing the ground with its elongated snout, seemingly searching for something.


    Carefully tracking it from tree to tree, Luo Wen observed the beast¡¯s behavior. Its larger size and unknown abilities made it unwise to act recklessly.


    The long-faced beast gradually closed in on the Big-headed Ants¡¯ leaf-cutting convoy. It seemed to identify its target and joyfully bounded toward the ants.


    As it neared, a half-meter-long, agile tongue shot out from its mouth. The tongue struck a Medium Soldier Ant, rolled it up in sticky saliva, and pulled it into the beast¡¯s mouth. After chewing a few times, the ant disappeared into its stomach.


    Luo Wen was taken aback. Who would have thought this dog-like creature had mastered the skills of a frog?


    Then, Luo Wen felt a surge of irritation.


    The Big-headed Ants¡¯ nest near his base was already considered his personal granary. This beast was stealing food right under his nose!


    Clearly an experienced predator of Big-headed Ants, the long-faced beast maintained an optimal distance, using its tongue to snatch one Worker Ant or Soldier Ant after another. Despite their once-dominant position, the Big-headed Ants were oblivious to the attacks.


    Their vulnerabilities were glaring and easy to exploit.


    After observing for a while, Luo Wen deduced that the long-faced beast had no other notable skills beyond its tongue. This made sense¡ªif it were more capable, it wouldn¡¯t be stuck preying on ants.


    Moreover, the beast avoided Giant Soldier Ants and Ultra Giant Soldier Ants entirely, keeping a safe distance from them.


    Luo Wen formulated his plan. A creature with such weak combat capabilities dared to steal his food?


    While the long-faced beast was enjoying its meal, it suddenly felt a heavy weight on its back, nearly forcing it to the ground. As it struggled, a sharp pain shot through the back of its neck, followed by the weight lifting abruptly.


    Luo Wen had made his move.


    The beast¡¯s eyes, located on the sides of its head, left its upper side a blind spot. Using gliding and optical camouflage, Luo Wen landed silently on its back.


    Before the beast could react, Luo Wen¡¯s venomous fangs pierced its neck. Beneath its bristly fur, its relatively tough skin offered little defense compared to exoskeleton armor, allowing the fangs to penetrate easily.


    After injecting venom, Luo Wen swiftly retreated to a nearby tree trunk.


    Death was now inevitable for the poisoned beast, and Luo Wen saw no need for further confrontation. He would simply wait and let time do the work.

 Chapter 105: The Swarm Network Awakens

    The pain of muscles being gradually dissolved drove the Long-Faced Beast into madness.


    It could no longer hide and began fleeing in all directions.


    Unfortunately, the danger stemmed from within its body. Its frantic escape not only failed to alleviate the situation but hastened the venom¡¯s spread.


    In mere moments, though its bones still fiercely resisted the venom¡¯s invasion, a large portion of its muscles had already dissolved, leaving it unable to support its heavy body.


    The Long-Faced Beast staggered forward a few more steps before collapsing with a thunderous crash, flattening a patch of wild grass.


    Lying on the ground, the Long-Faced Beast convulsed continuously for over ten minutes before finally falling still.


    After waiting for a while longer, Luo Wen leapt down from the tree trunk and cautiously approached his prey.


    Seeing the lifeless and vacant eyes of the Long-Faced Beast, he knew it was truly dead.


    In truth, although the venom Luo Wen injected was highly toxic, given the size of the Long-Faced Beast, it could only dissolve about half its muscle tissue.


    However, Luo Wen had chosen his target well¡ªthe area around the back of the neck was dense with central nerves, serving as the sole connection between the brain and the body. With the muscles and nerve tissue in this area destroyed, even if the beast were alive, it would lose its ability to move and become an easy target.


    After confirming that the prey was no longer a threat, Luo Wen stepped forward and began consuming the dissolved meat juices to fill his stomach.


    But soon, he found himself at a bit of a loss.


    The Long-Faced Beast measured three meters in length. Although its elongated head and tail accounted for much of its length, its main body was still about two meters, with four stout legs adding significant bulk. Even after Luo Wen consumed a portion, more than 200 kilograms of meat remained.


    In the past, such a quantity of food would have been quickly processed by the Swarm. But now, digestion was no longer the issue¡ªeven storage posed a challenge.


    The commotion caused by the Long-Faced Beast¡¯s frenzy had already alerted the Big-Headed Ants. Some scouts were already following the trail to investigate. This place was no longer safe, so Luo Wen decided to retreat first.


    He scattered some pheromones around to create confusion, then hoisted the Long-Faced Beast onto his back and left swiftly.


    Although the Long-Faced Beast¡¯s size and weight dwarfed Luo Wen¡¯s own, his exoskeletal armor made moving this load manageable. After all, ants with similar exoskeletons could carry hundreds of times their body weight.


    When Luo Wen was about a dozen meters away from the base, he stopped.


    The entrance to the cave was too narrow to accommodate the entire Long-Faced Beast in its current state. Widening it would take time, but cutting the beast into smaller pieces would release a significant amount of blood scent. In this primeval jungle, the smell of blood was akin to an invitation to a feast, and the locals were far from civilized, often displaying extreme savagery in food fights.


    Yet abandoning such a hard-earned meal was out of the question for Luo Wen.


    After thinking for a long time, Luo Wen finally came up with a decent plan, though its execution felt a bit undignified.


    He first found a spot downwind near the base.


    Dragging the Long-Faced Beast there, he buried it under soil and decaying leaves.


    Finally, he raised his abdomen and launched a ¡°Gatling-style¡± barrage, spraying ¡°projectiles¡± in all directions¡­


    The primary purpose of this attack was not its highly corrosive and high-temperature effects but its secondary property.


    An unbearable stench spread, masking the scent of the Long-Faced Beast¡¯s wounds and effectively repelling other predators. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Moreover, the odor had a shelf life of over half a month.


    Luo Wen could easily finish consuming the beast in far less time.


    After satisfying his hunger, Luo Wen hunted two Ultra Giant Soldier Ants and ended his day¡¯s hunt early, returning to the base.


    He divided the Ultra Giants between the Brood Nest, worker ants, and larvae, then lay down on one side, bored, watching the bustling hatchery.


    As he stared absentmindedly at a worker ant, the mysterious energy mass in his mind suddenly became active.


    Immediately, Luo Wen¡¯s perspective shifted as if his soul had traversed dimensions. Before his eyes appeared a hungry larva with its mouth wide open, waiting to be fed.


    The sudden change startled him, breaking the connection and returning his consciousness to his body, restoring his normal vision.


    He realized he had been watching a worker ant feeding that very larva¡ªa larva that now seemed oddly familiar.


    Luo Wen shivered as if a switch had been flipped. A talent was awakened, and in an instant, he understood everything.


    The mysterious purple-white energy in his mind boiled and churned. Each insect in the hatchery lit up like a node in his consciousness, forming an unseen network that linked them all together as one.


    With a single thought, Luo Wen activated a node, and his perspective instantly shifted without any delay.


    A set of menacing mandibles, dripping with saliva and food mixture, loomed large in his vision.


    Startled, Luo Wen disconnected from the node and switched to another¡ªa worker ant transporting eggs. His consciousness descending had no effect on its actions; it continued working.


    With another thought, Luo Wen increased the energy output, causing the worker ant to freeze momentarily.


    It seemed to become self-aware, performing strange actions like raising its limbs and even putting down the egg to crawl around the hatchery in circles.


    Gradually, other insects in the hatchery began exhibiting strange behaviors.


    At first, it was one or two; eventually, it escalated into a collective phenomenon.


    Luo Wen was exhilarated. Was this the legendary ¡°Swarm Instant Communication System¡±?


    When the Swarm¡¯s territory expanded, Luo Wen had constantly struggled with communication issues but could never find a good solution.


    Finally, after the Swarm reached a certain scale, linking with the Brood Nest had provided him with some vague information¡ªa potential breakthrough for solving communication problems.


    After extensive development, the Swarm met the necessary criteria, leading to the grand sacrifice of countless insects and a long slumber that followed.


    Upon awakening, Luo Wen found the mysterious energy in his mind but had yet to unlock its true purpose¡ªuntil now.


    The immense joy Luo Wen felt after testing the system was indescribable.


    He had never imagined that this breakthrough would result in such an advanced communication system.


    No wonder it required such intricate procedures and prolonged preparation.


    From his tests, Luo Wen mastered some functionalities of the system. He could transfer his consciousness into any insect, seamlessly switch perspectives, and even take control of their bodies with enhanced energy output. The control was precise, without any lag.


    With increased energy output, he could command entire regions of insects simultaneously. However, as he had not yet mastered multitasking, controlling numerous insects individually for complex tasks remained impractical.


    For now, this feature was somewhat underutilized.

 Chapter 106: Under the Swarm Network

    In truth, opportunities to use this feature were practically nonexistent.


    During subsequent tests, Luo Wen discovered that when his consciousness descended upon a particular insect, he could emit a special kind of wave through its body.


    Insects receiving this wave would naturally follow his commands, eliminating the need to take direct control of their bodies.


    This meant that in future wars, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t need to personally step onto the battlefield. He could remain safely in the rear and conduct remote operations.


    However, Luo Wen also identified a flaw in the system: the insects lacked names and were displayed as mere nodes within his mental space.


    Currently, with the insect population still sparse, this wasn¡¯t a major issue.


    But if the swarm ever regained its former scale of trillions, imagine the chaos of so many nodes flooding his mind. Distinguishing them would become an enormous challenge.


    After repeated experimentation, Luo Wen devised a temporary solution to this flaw.


    He could group these nodes in his mind and recreate a sandbox map based on the real-world terrain. The insects would then be arranged and organized according to their actual positions.


    Moreover, Luo Wen found that he didn¡¯t always need to click on nodes in his mind to switch perspectives. He could now seamlessly leap between insects within his line of sight.


    For instance, if he had possessed this system earlier and wanted to contact the northern army, he could first descend upon any insect in their ranks, then leap between countless others until he found the desired perspective or insect.


    Although somewhat cumbersome, this method solved the problem, considering the transitions were instantaneous.


    Additionally, since this was an instant communication system, it should have some interactive features. Luo Wen believed the insects should be able to call him actively, rather than him descending upon them unilaterally.


    However, the swarm had only recently begun to recover, and the current insects were mostly low-intelligence workers, incapable of such complex operations.


    Testing whether this function existed would have to wait for the emergence of a Type I Queen Ant.


    The system was incredibly powerful and had even evolved additional features over time, far surpassing the scope of a mere instant communication system.


    Luo Wen named it the Swarm Network, signifying an invisible web linking the entire swarm together.


    While the Swarm Network didn¡¯t directly enhance the swarm¡¯s numbers¡ªa critical form of strength¡ªit invisibly boosted their overall capabilities, raising the swarm¡¯s competitive edge by several levels.


    What other functions it possessed remained unknown due to the current limitations. Only through continuous development could they be uncovered.


    But even its currently displayed capabilities elevated Luo Wen¡¯s vision to new heights.


    Perhaps the swarm¡¯s future was boundless.


    Over the next few days, Luo Wen spent his time bringing back a few Ultra Giant Soldier Ants to the nest daily and using venom to dissolve parts of Long-Faced Beasts to treat himself to private meals.


    He also ambushed passing birds and insects to satisfy his cravings.


    Ten or so days later, the chirping of insects and birds around him noticeably dwindled. The area had become a forbidden zone for them.


    Meanwhile, the Long-Faced Beasts had been completely consumed.


    Fortunately, during this time, the first batches of insects had begun to emerge from their cocoons.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s orders, the Burrower Ants dug tunnels while the Spy Bugs provided cover. Within half a day, they had completed a tunnel connecting to the Big-headed Ant nest¡¯s lower levels.


    This rapid completion was due to two factors: Luo Wen had originally chosen a base location close to the Big-headed Ant nest. The second reason was the Swarm Network, which allowed him to command the troops in real time, even directly taking control of certain insects for precise operations.


    Since Luo Wen¡¯s body had grown larger, he no longer personally supervised the digging. The Burrower Ants, with their limited intelligence, often failed to fully understand his instructions, leading to imperfect results. The arrival of the Queen Ant improved the situation somewhat, but it still fell short of Luo Wen¡¯s standards.


    Now, with the Swarm Network¡¯s help, Luo Wen returned to the frontlines of excavation, personally guiding the work. The resulting tunnels felt significantly smoother.


    Once the tunnel connecting to the Big-headed Ant nest was completed, the Burrower Ants withdrew, and swarms of Spy Bugs moved in.


    Approximately ten thousand Spy Bugs were divided into several small teams, infiltrating the Big-headed Ant nest in sequence.


    During the excavation, Luo Wen noticed that while these basic units weren¡¯t very intelligent, they had strong learning and imitation abilities. Many tasks only required him to demonstrate once for them to replicate with impressive accuracy.


    This infiltration operation was somewhat complex. After entering the Big-headed Ant nest, the Spy Bugs needed to create localized numerical advantages and steadily devour the Big-headed Ants¡¯ living forces.


    If it were just about stealing food or targeting a specific objective, such simple commands could be executed well. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But they likely couldn¡¯t grasp the concept of creating localized numerical superiority.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen could now provide live demonstrations.


    Inside the nest, the familiar spiral structures greeted him, with plantations dotting the tunnels.


    After sealing off the entrance with misleading pheromones to temporarily obscure their presence, the Spy Bugs approached their targets under Luo Wen¡¯s command.


    These specialists in infiltration and assassination were particularly devious poison insects. Given their numerical advantage, eliminating the unguarded Worker Ants felt almost overkill.


    As Luo Wen had expected, the Spy Bugs completed the task flawlessly, with zero casualties.


    After eliminating the Worker Ants in the room, some Worker Ants from the swarm were escorted in by the Spy Bugs to take over the plantation.


    The enemy Worker Ants¡¯ corpses and the matured fungal crops were transported back to the swarm¡¯s base for daily needs.


    Starting from remote plantation rooms, the swarm steadily devoured the Big-headed Ants¡¯ underground territory.


    The Big-headed Ant nest had never encountered such tactics and was woefully unprepared in defense.


    Occasionally, passing Worker or Soldier Ants might brush against Spy Bugs, exchanging pheromones in a friendly manner.


    But if they wandered into the occupied plantations out of curiosity, they would swiftly become lifeless resources transported back to the swarm base.


    If this scenario were filmed as a human movie, it would resemble an underground base where colleagues were continuously replaced by unknown entities, all while the base remained oblivious¡ªa chilling thought.

 Chapter 107: Flying Insects

    After observing for two days to ensure the insects were thoroughly familiar with their tasks, Luo Wen finally freed himself from the duties of hunting food and feeding larvae.


    By occupying existing plantations and eliminating Big-headed Ants, the swarm base could now meet its daily needs. Luo Wen only needed to feed himself.


    The Long-Faced Beasts had been consumed, and the Ultra Giant Soldier Ants of the Big-headed Ants had nearly been hunted to extinction after days of relentless attacks.


    As for other Big-headed Ant soldiers, their smaller size made them unsatisfying to eat, so Luo Wen left them to the swarm to slowly consume and digest.


    Luo Wen decided to explore the nearby area, hoping to find another Long-Faced Beast. That would resolve his food supply for many days.


    At first, he didn¡¯t dare venture too far from the base, worried that the insects might slip up and attract the Big-headed Ants to retaliate against the base. He frequently used the Swarm Network to monitor the situation.


    Surprisingly, everything progressed smoothly. Every day, around ten thousand adult insects emerged from their cocoons, and the number of infiltrators inside the Big-headed Ant nest steadily increased.


    The swarm had even taken control of plantation rooms near the connecting tunnel, securing the passage and virtually eliminating the risk of exposure.


    With fewer concerns, Luo Wen expanded his exploration range over the next few days, eventually even staying out overnight. Although he didn¡¯t encounter another Long-Faced Beast, his increasingly skilled hunting techniques and the abundance of small creatures in the jungle ensured he could still fill his stomach.


    About two or three kilometers northwest of the base, Luo Wen discovered a mountain hollow filled with unusual green-leafed vegetation. The trees, averaging over thirty meters tall, had thick trunks and bore numerous red-skinned, ping-pong ball-sized fruits.


    Small, peculiar creatures lived in the trees. These animals, 20-30 centimeters long, had round heads, large eyes, fur-covered bodies, short limbs, sharp claws, and slender tails tipped with short fur.


    The creatures fed on the red-skinned fruits and moved nimbly among the interconnecting branches beneath the canopy, rarely descending to the ground.


    Since the small birds sharing their ecological niche posed little threat, they faced few natural predators and existed in large numbers. Their low vigilance made them relatively easy prey.


    Despite their small size, these creatures were plump, with a fair amount of meat that tasted quite good.


    When Luo Wen first explored the area, it didn¡¯t take him long to eat his fill.


    After digesting for a while, he decided not to linger and marked the area heavily before leaving. He planned to return whenever he needed more food.


    In addition to these small creatures, Luo Wen discovered other interesting species, one of which particularly caught his attention.


    It was a flying insect resembling an ant but much larger, measuring around 6-7 centimeters in length. Its slender, streamlined body was yellow-brown with black circular markings. A pair of thin, transparent wings extended from its back, and its tail ended in a sharp, black stinger.


    The insect¡¯s head was flat and rounded, with a sleek, mechanical aesthetic.


    However, only its head was armored, with a small dorsal plate covering the muscles around its wing base. The rest of its body lacked exoskeletal protection.


    This was understandable, as these were specialized aerial combat units, fundamentally different from Luo Wen¡¯s improvised adaptations.


    Although they lacked exoskeletal protection, their flight speed was impressive. They moved in large swarms numbering in the thousands. When the yellow insects vibrated their wings en masse, the resulting buzzing sound was loud, reminiscent of old fighter planes.


    Luo Wen first encountered these flying insects while feasting in the red-fruit forest. He had heard the sound from a distance and was puzzled, but the small creatures, apparently familiar with the noise, quickly hid in tree holes.


    What had been a lively forest moments ago was suddenly silent, save for the insects¡¯ deafening buzz.


    Realizing the situation, Luo Wen chose not to provoke trouble. He abandoned his meal, concealed himself among the treetops, and observed the swarm.


    The flying insects passed below like a squadron of fighter planes, undeterred by any other creatures.


    Their brazen display suggested either recklessness or genuine confidence, likely the latter. At the very least, their thunderous presence was intimidating.


    Luo Wen envied their flight capabilities. Unfortunately, his lack of prior knowledge left him too far to intercept any. The ¡°air fleet¡± flew quickly, vanishing into the jungle before he could react.


    He wasn¡¯t overly disappointed, as their wings didn¡¯t seem suited for long-distance flight. Their nest was likely nearby, and he was determined to find them again.


    In another part of the jungle, Luo Wen stumbled upon a group of small green dinosaurs. He wasn¡¯t surprised, given his previous experience as a ¡°Pterosaur Food Experience Card.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These dinosaurs, resembling velociraptors from movies, numbered over ten. They had long heads filled with uneven, sharp teeth¡ªlikely indicating dental problems. Their large, watery eyes on the sides of their heads made them look quite alert.


    Their forelimbs were short and their hind limbs thick and powerful, each equipped with three curved, razor-sharp claws. They walked upright on two legs and had long, flexible tails that enhanced their agility and speed.


    Unlike velociraptors, these dinosaurs had colorful feathers running from their elbows to their armpits. While incapable of flight, these feathers helped them steer during high-speed sprints.


    In such moments, they resembled oversized chickens.


    Standing less than half a meter tall and measuring 1.5 meters in length, their green, white-patterned skin appeared rough and lacked armor, suggesting poor defense.


    Luo Wen encountered them while they were chasing prey. Their commotion and duck-like calls drew his attention.


    Their loud, careless cries made it clear they weren¡¯t apex predators, certainly not as awe-inspiring as the ¡°air fleet¡± of flying insects.


    Despite their speed, the jungle¡¯s complex terrain forced them to constantly navigate obstacles, wasting time.


    Their agility couldn¡¯t compare to the flying insects, who left Luo Wen far behind.


    Gliding between tree trunks, Luo Wen easily caught up with the small dinosaurs.

 Chapter 108: Aiding the Weak

    Luo Wen managed to catch up with the small dinosaurs so quickly not only because the shortest path between two points is a straight line but also because the dinosaurs had stopped moving.


    From a distance, Luo Wen saw them crowding around the entrance of a burrow at the base of a small hill, shouting at the top of their lungs. It was as if they were trying to attract a more powerful predator, a level of recklessness that surpassed even Luo Wen¡¯s.


    The burrow, originally concealed by natural coverings, had been trampled into disrepair, leaving the entrance exposed.


    Although the opening wasn¡¯t large, the slender-bodied dinosaurs could probably force their way in with some effort. However, their physique wasn¡¯t suited for underground combat, and entering the burrow would likely lead to a grim fate.


    The dinosaurs, seemingly experienced, clearly understood this. Instead of attacking, they surrounded the burrow and used their incessant shouting to intimidate the creatures inside.


    Occasionally, they would tilt their heads and cock their ears, as if searching for something.


    Luo Wen, observing from above, couldn¡¯t see what kind of creature was hiding in the burrow. Judging by the fact that it dared not return home while the dinosaurs waited, it was likely weak and not worth much attention.


    The grating calls of the dinosaurs were giving Luo Wen a headache. Concerned about attracting other, stronger predators and eager to silence the commotion, Luo Wen decided to intervene.


    First, he circled the area to ensure no ambush predators were lying in wait to take advantage of the situation.


    Returning to the top of the hill, he sought a suitable target.


    Although Luo Wen lacked formal training in biology, his field experience had taught him some basic patterns. These swift, sharp-toothed dinosaurs were unlikely to be venomous.


    Despite their numbers, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t afraid of them, thanks to his armored body. Moreover, he had no intention of engaging them head-on. As a flying, venomous, stealth-capable ¡°assassin,¡± ambush tactics suited him far better.


    The positioning of the dinosaurs¡¯ sensory organs meant they had to tilt their heads upward to see above. Having honed his skills in hiding and ambushing through countless hours of ¡°battle royale¡± games, Luo Wen considered this an easy operation.


    Just as he locked onto his target and began gliding down, the nearby grass suddenly rustled, as if something had bolted from the undergrowth.


    The dinosaurs, only slightly slower to notice than Luo Wen, immediately reacted to the disturbance. While a few stayed behind to guard the burrow, the rest charged toward the moving grass.


    Curious about what had happened and interested in studying the dinosaurs¡¯ combat tactics¡ªjust in case they turned out to be venomous¡ªLuo Wen quietly adjusted his trajectory mid-flight. His silent wingbeats allowed him to veer off-course without alerting the guarding dinosaurs.


    From his new vantage point, Luo Wen saw multiple creatures emerging from the burrow¡ªfive mammals, to be exact.


    Cornered by the dinosaurs, the mammals bared their teeth and growled lowly, trying to intimidate their attackers. But the dinosaurs, having pursued them this far, weren¡¯t about to back down. One dinosaur let out a series of calls, summoning its companions guarding the burrow.


    The mammals were much smaller than the dinosaurs, standing about 30 centimeters tall at the shoulder. Including their extraordinarily long tails, they were roughly the same length as the dinosaurs¡ªabout 1.5 meters.


    Their bodies were covered in dense, short black fur with softer white fur on their bellies. Their paws resembled small human hands, similar to oversized rats.


    Their round, black eyes radiated fear, clearly marking them as creatures with weak combat abilities.


    Outnumbered and outsized, the mammals quickly fell to the dinosaurs¡¯ coordinated attack, despite their frantic resistance.


    Luo Wen, witnessing the bullying of the weak, felt compelled to intervene.


    One dinosaur, busy tearing into its prey, suddenly felt a sharp pain in its neck. When it turned to investigate, it saw nothing. Confused, it endured the pain until it became unbearable, letting out a cry of agony.


    The other dinosaurs looked at their comrade in confusion. Unable to identify the cause of the distress, they resumed feeding.


    But soon, another dinosaur cried out in pain, collapsing to the ground and writhing.


    Their eerie, discordant cries unsettled the remaining dinosaurs. Though they scanned their surroundings, they found nothing amiss. Still, they lowered their heads cautiously, a flicker of fear in their eyes.


    Even so, another dinosaur succumbed to the same mysterious pain shortly after.


    The first dinosaur, now paralyzed, had stopped moving entirely, and its cries were fading. This unexplained phenomenon filled the remaining dinosaurs with terror. Reluctant to abandon their prey, they hesitated until one finally fled. The rest soon followed.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t pursue them. For one, the available food was already more than sufficient. Moreover, he was running low on venom. His venom glands were small, and he had used an extra-strong dose on the first dinosaur to ensure a quick kill. Without venom, his combat effectiveness was significantly reduced. Letting the dinosaurs go would keep the meat fresh, and they could always be dealt with later.


    The scene left three dinosaurs¡¯ bodies and the five mammalian victims, now lifeless after the attack. Despite their rough appearance, they were usable as food.


    Luo Wen dragged the dinosaur carcasses into the burrow one by one. Their bodies, free from significant wounds or the scent of blood, would remain fresh for a long time. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The mammalian bodies, however, reeked of blood and had to be dealt with immediately. Luo Wen carefully salvaged usable meat, wrapped it in fur, and used his ¡°Gatling¡± ability to spray the area with a pungent scent. The stench not only masked the smell of blood but also deterred scavengers, making the burrow a safer food storage site.


    Eating raw meat no longer troubled Luo Wen. In fact, the mammalian meat tasted far better than insect meat.


    Interestingly, the mammals had a special organ near the base of their tails, where they stored excess fat. This adaptation kept them agile while allowing them to reserve energy. Luo Wen named the fat ¡°Tail Lard¡±, dubbing the creatures ¡°Tail Lard Rats¡±.

 Chapter 109: Encountering the Flying Insects Again (1)

    For the next two days, Luo Wen stayed in the vicinity. With no food concerns and hopes of finding the nests of the small dinosaurs or flying insects, he scouted the area thoroughly.


    Unfortunately, their hunting ranges were vast, and Luo Wen failed to encounter them again during this time.


    Among the new genetic material he acquired, only the tail fat organ stood out. Luo Wen chose not to integrate the other traits into his body.


    Currently, Luo Wen was already a versatile predator capable of operations on land, sea, air, and underground. His battle-hardened system of stealth and assassination was incredibly effective, and he saw no need to dilute it unless the new abilities were particularly powerful or useful.


    The tail fat organ, despite its unassuming appearance and amusing name, proved to be immensely practical. It allowed Luo Wen to convert excess energy into compact fat deposits for storage, greatly enhancing his endurance in sustained combat.


    What would have been a week-long supply of food from the five Tail Lard Rats and three small dinosaurs had been consumed in just two days, with the surplus energy compactly stored. Luo Wen estimated he could now go up to two months without eating, provided he rationed the energy. If this ability were distributed to the entire swarm, it could significantly alleviate logistical pressures.


    With food taken care of, Luo Wen no longer had any reason to remain in the area. He set off once more on his adventurous journey.


    Every day, Luo Wen remotely checked the situation at the base multiple times. Under his command, everything ran smoothly. The swarm¡¯s numbers had surpassed 200,000, and they had quietly taken over the bottom ten levels of the Big-headed Ant nest.


    The ten Type III Queen Ants were now in cocoons, nearing maturity. In addition, 50 more Type III Queen Ant eggs awaited hatching.


    The swarm was currently grappling with a severe population shortage, a situation Luo Wen, once a land-dwelling apex predator, found difficult to adjust to. Strengthening the reproductive capabilities of the Type III Queen Ants was the best solution for this issue.


    Once these Type III Queen Ants matured, the swarm¡¯s numbers would explode. Luo Wen was confident that once they overcame this vulnerable period, the swarm would soon dominate the continent again.


    Over the next ten days, Luo Wen thoroughly explored the five-kilometer radius around the base. Combining his observations from the air during previous encounters, he gained a comprehensive understanding of the area.


    He found himself on the edge of a primeval forest, where the vegetation grew denser and more complex the deeper one ventured.


    Massive trees blocked out the sunlight, their thick canopies intertwined with vines. Even at midday, the forest floor remained dim and eerie.


    The forest teemed with a variety of small and medium-sized creatures, forming a tightly interwoven ecosystem.


    Luo Wen encountered many strange species here, such as a giant patterned spider the size of a millstone. It had spun a massive web between two trees, preying on flying insects, small birds, and bats.


    He also saw snakes of various sizes and colors. The smaller ones hunted birds and rodents far smaller than the Tail Lard Rats, while the larger ones preyed on the Tail Lard Rats themselves.


    The Tail Lard Rats, relatively numerous here, occupied the bottom rung of the food chain, subsisting on insects. Luo Wen even saw them ambush Scout Worker Ants from the Big-headed Ant nest. Something about that seemed off, though Luo Wen couldn¡¯t put his finger on it.


    Smaller creatures were even less picky eaters, their diets determined solely by hunger.


    Luo Wen discovered a small river and, above its murky surface, spotted super dragonflies with wingspans exceeding one meter. However, he refrained from entering the river. The water¡¯s opacity hid potential dangers, and as the swarm¡¯s supreme leader, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t afford unnecessary risks.


    The local fauna was surprisingly ¡°hospitable,¡± generously showcasing their talents and donating genetic material to Luo Wen¡¯s collection. He gained abilities like heat detection, echolocation, and web-spinning, among others. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, his frequent consumption of birds led to a mutation in his ocular photoreceptors, dramatically enhancing his vision range. While this change wasn¡¯t immediately noticeable in the dense forest, Luo Wen realized its impact one night when he climbed above the canopy to enjoy the breeze.


    From his vantage point, he could directly see the twin moons in the night sky without relying on light detection. One was pale yellow, the other faint white, both exuding a cool, noble glow that left Luo Wen momentarily entranced.


    Among his discoveries, Luo Wen finally located the nest of the flying insects.


    Thanks to his newly acquired echolocation system, he detected their flight squadron from afar.


    His new ability caused hidden ear holes to form on the sides of his head plate. Luo Wen could emit ultrasonic waves at frequencies near 100 kHz and use the echoes to determine the size and position of surrounding objects without relying on sight.


    Though the small size of his ear holes limited the skill¡¯s effectiveness compared to that of a bat, it still significantly enhanced his auditory system. Previously, Luo Wen had to rely on his antennae and leg hairs to sense sound.


    During his first encounter with the flying insects, Luo Wen had been unprepared. Their speed, combined with the dense forest and poor visibility, caused him to lose track of them.


    This time, sound alone allowed him to trail them effortlessly.


    Hanging from a sturdy tree trunk, the giant hive of the flying insects loomed ahead. Its yellow-brown surface, made of unknown materials, stood over five meters tall and two meters wide. If not for the tree¡¯s considerable girth, smaller vegetation wouldn¡¯t have been able to support its weight.


    A circular entrance atop the hive bustled with activity as flying insects darted in and out. Around the hive, numerous guard insects patrolled the air.


    Luo Wen had no plans to attack the hive; he only needed to capture a single flying insect. However, these creatures always traveled in groups, so careful planning was essential.


    As a squadron of around 2,000 flying insects arrogantly skimmed the forest floor, they remained oblivious to the predator lurking on a nearby tree trunk, waiting for his moment.


    The main formation passed, leaving one straggler trailing behind.


    Just as the last flying insect approached, a sharp lance shot out from the tree trunk, piercing it cleanly.


    The insect emitted a strange sound as it died, alerting the rest of the squadron.


    Luo Wen quickly stuffed the insect, shell and all, into his mouth, then froze in place, hoping to avoid detection.


    Unfortunately, his optical camouflage seemed ineffective against the flying insects. Without hesitation, the squadron wheeled around in unison and charged straight at him.

 Chapter 110: Encountering the Flying Bugs Again (2)

    Luo Wen finally understood why the chameleon bug from before had been surrounded and immobilized.


    It was just like his current situation¡ªencircled by flying bugs, debating whether they had noticed him or if he should make a run for it or stay still.


    The deliberation didn¡¯t last long; the flying bugs launched their attack.


    Dozens of flying bugs dived at him. As they closed in, their wings spread wide, and their posture instantly shifted. They switched from head-first dives to rear-first thrusts, exposing the stingers at their tails.


    They were so fast that, despite Luo Wen¡¯s reaction, he couldn¡¯t completely avoid the attack.


    Fortunately, his exoskeletal armor wasn¡¯t just for show. The tiny stingers couldn¡¯t even leave a scratch on his back plates.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t feel the least bit smug about it. He had seen countless times how the Red Ants dealt with Ultras, and these flying bugs resembled winged ants. Who knew if they might employ similar tactics?


    Propelling himself with his legs, Luo Wen leaped from the tree and dashed off in a random direction. He didn¡¯t choose to fly because his flight speed was far inferior to these bugs designed for aerial maneuvers.


    Moreover, for him to fly, he would have to expose his wing covers¡ªhis back armor¡ªleaving his more vulnerable abdomen exposed. That would be akin to disabling his own defenses.


    His legs, refined through numerous evolutions, weren¡¯t just capable of impressive running but also excellent jumping and clinging abilities. In the obstacle-filled terrain, his movements were like a parkour performance: fluid, efficient, and even visually pleasing.


    However, to the flying bugs with straight-line flight and high-altitude vision advantages, his acrobatics seemed overly flashy.


    Oddly enough, Luo Wen had maintained his optical invisibility, yet the flying bugs pursued him with GPS-like precision, always managing to locate and attack him accurately.


    Luo Wen raised his pincers above and behind his head, shielding his eyes while ensuring his body didn¡¯t lean too far forward during his sprint, which could affect his speed.


    Unfortunately, the slight speed boost was insignificant to the flying bugs. The attacks remained relentless. While most were deflected by his armor, a few bugs managed to latch onto the crevices of his armor and clamber onto his body.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t afford to let them linger. Although he was also adept at poisoning, he preferred direct confrontations and despised opponents who used toxins.


    While running, his legs had to reinforce his back¡¯s defense. His reverse-jointed limbs worked to dislodge the flying bugs, significantly impacting his speed. Luo Wen had always thought his ten limbs¡ªtwo pincers, two swimming legs, and six standard legs¡ªwere sufficient to handle most situations.


    Now, facing one of those rare exceptions, he wished he had six more legs to fend off the airborne attacks.


    At this rate, it was a slow death. In a simple marathon, he could exhaust these bugs behind him, thanks to the energy reserves in his tail lard.


    But this was an unpredictable primeval jungle, with who-knew-how-many hidden predators lying in wait. He didn¡¯t dare drag the flying bugs along for a marathon here; he had to come up with a solution.


    First, he needed to figure out how they were tracking him.


    His optical invisibility was useless. He released deceptive pheromones, but they had no effect. He wasn¡¯t surprised, as this tracking method only worked at close range, and he had just been testing it.


    Suddenly, he noticed faint yellow, granular powder on his back armor. The powder seemed to come from the base of the flying bugs¡¯ hind legs and abdomen, which were covered in fine hairs. Was it pollen?


    Could they be tracking him using this pollen? Luo Wen¡¯s eyes darted around, and sure enough, he spotted traces of the powder on the tip of the leg he had used to attack the first flying bug.


    Although he didn¡¯t know exactly how the bugs tracked the pollen¡ªsince there were plenty of flowers and pollen around, yet they hadn¡¯t lost him¡ªit was likely a unique ability.


    After determining the cause, Luo Wen¡¯s first guess was scent. Mid-run, he abruptly opened his wing covers, lifted his abdomen, and fired off a series of ¡°Gatling¡± shots with a ¡°pfft, pfft, pfft¡± sound. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the barrage ended, he immediately closed his wing covers.


    In ground combat, his ¡°Gatling¡± method had always worked wonders at close range. But in an aerial-ground battle, its limited range became a glaring disadvantage.


    The flying bugs merely heard the sound and saw the spectacle. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t intended to kill them outright; instead, a foul stench accompanied by white smoke enveloped the area.


    The flying bugs were visibly affected, disoriented and unable to maintain their course. Yet before Luo Wen could celebrate, they climbed higher and resumed the chase.


    ¡°Damn it,¡± Luo Wen cursed under his breath. The stench only covered a small area, rendering it ineffective while he was on the move. Unless he stayed within the affected zone, it was useless.


    But staying put wouldn¡¯t solve the root problem. If the flying bugs had enough patience, he¡¯d become a sitting duck. The risk was too great, making this strategy untenable.


    Suddenly, he remembered scenes from cartoons where characters escaped similar predicaments by jumping into water.


    Not far ahead, Luo Wen could hear the sound of flowing water.


    Though he wasn¡¯t sure if the cartoon logic would work, he had no time to hesitate.


    The river water was murky and potentially dangerous, but compared to his current known peril, the choice wasn¡¯t difficult.


    Changing course, Luo Wen sprinted toward the river. Every few steps, he fired another volley of ¡°shots.¡± Though it only temporarily slowed the flying bugs, it prevented them from latching onto him and allowed him to focus on running faster.


    Minutes later, just as his ¡°ammunition¡± was running low, Luo Wen reached the riverbank.


    Without hesitation, he leapt and dove into the water. With a loud splash, ripples spread across the surface before calmness returned.


    Sometimes, cartoon knowledge came in handy. The flying bugs, unable to continue their pursuit, hovered over the water, unwilling to give up.


    But they had underestimated Luo Wen¡¯s versatility as an amphibious soldier.


    With a sly thought to let them keep waiting, Luo Wen¡¯s previously unused swimming legs finally got to shine. Silently, he swam along the riverbank, letting the current carry him.


    Suddenly, fast-moving unidentified objects darted toward him from underwater. Though the murky river limited visibility, his enhanced hearing picked up on the disturbances.


    His echolocation, derived from bats, worked even underwater. The dense hairs within his ear cavities provided some waterproofing, allowing it to function to a degree.


    While he couldn¡¯t emit ultrasonic waves underwater, the feedback from water currents revealed unnatural movements.


    The intense sounds of the rushing water made their approach unmistakable.

 Chapter 111: The Strange Fish

    Using echolocation, Luo Wen determined that the attackers were four fish, each approximately 30 centimeters in length.


    He relaxed slightly. The numbers were small, and their size didn¡¯t give them an advantage. Where did they find the courage to challenge him?


    As the attackers swiftly approached, Luo Wen finally got a clear view of them. They had disproportionately large heads and slender tails. Their bodies were dark gray with crescent-shaped red markings, and their mouths were filled with densely packed, razor-sharp teeth, exuding an oppressive aura.


    Unfortunately for them, they had encountered the ever-prepared Luo Wen. As one strange fish neared, a massive pincer snapped at it. Though the pincer appeared cumbersome, its speed was lightning-fast, creating a trail of white water ripples beneath the surface.


    The strange fish was highly agile, twisting its body to evade the pincer. However, a limb shot out from the shadows, piercing its body from the side.


    In an instant, red blood began to diffuse through the water.


    The three fish trailing behind caught the scent of blood. Instead of continuing their assault on Luo Wen, they turned on their injured companion, tearing it apart.


    Within moments, the wounded fish was reduced to shreds¡ªfragments of flesh, scales, and limbs floating in the water.


    This sudden development left Luo Wen momentarily stunned, and the follow-up attacks he had prepared lost their targets.


    But what happened next gave him no time for shock. Just seconds after the blood spread, a torrent of abnormal vibrations emanated from the depths of the river.


    It seemed the blood had disturbed something, and countless vibrations raced toward his location.


    From the feedback he received, Luo Wen discerned that they were all the same type of strange fish. The small area around him was about to turn into a battlefield.


    This was an internal conflict among the strange fish, and as an outsider, Luo Wen decided not to get involved. Realizing the three remaining fish were no longer interested in him, he quickly swam away. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After covering a dozen meters, the water behind him began to boil. Dense, frothy waves surged across the surface. Luo Wen had no interest in looking back. After swimming another fifty meters, he cautiously poked his head out near the riverbank.


    The commotion behind him expanded rapidly, and Luo Wen¡¯s swimming speed was too slow to guarantee his safety for long. If the chaos spread further, he might still get caught in it. Compared to the strange fish with their menacing jaws, the flying bugs now seemed almost endearing.


    Faced with a choice between regular danger and extreme peril, the decision wasn¡¯t difficult.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had already gained some distance, and the flying bugs seemed distracted by the turmoil on the water¡¯s surface. Moreover, his impromptu bath had washed away most of the pollen particles.


    Luo Wen slowly climbed ashore, his form gradually blending into his surroundings. Only the hovering water droplets and occasional drips betrayed his movements. But now, no one was paying attention to him.


    Grateful for the respite, Luo Wen darted into the jungle, disappearing from sight.


    The environment around him was familiar; traces of his pheromones lingered. He had scouted this area days ago and remembered a burrow of tail lard rats nearby where he could rest temporarily.


    As for the tail lard rats?


    [T/N: I¡¯m guessing he ate them? It¡¯s not really clear in the source material.]


    The burrow was spacious enough for Luo Wen. The foul stench from before had mostly dissipated over the past few days. His recent exertions had drained a significant amount of his energy, though with his tail lard organ, such consumption was negligible.


    Closing his eyes, Luo Wen sank his consciousness into his mind, uploading the newly acquired flying bug genes to the Swarm Network.


    This was a feature he had discovered recently¡ªhe could back up his genetic data to the network, with only him and the Brood Nest having download permissions.


    It was like switching from local storage to cloud storage.


    This function saved him a lot of trouble; he no longer needed to return to the base each time he acquired new genes to link with the Brood Nest for sharing.


    After completing the upload, he began analyzing the flying bug genes. Now that he could actively select his evolutionary traits, he no longer passively accepted every new ability but instead could pick and choose.


    For instance, from earlier genetic acquisitions, he had only opted for thermal sensing and echolocation, discarding others like web-spinning.


    While web-spinning seemed flashy, it required a new gland to be added to his body. Apart from the toxin glands near the base of his teeth, his abdomen already housed the ¡°Gatling¡± system.


    The ¡°Gatling¡± system consisted of two glands storing different chemical compounds and a reaction chamber, taking up most of his abdominal space.


    Not to mention the recently added tail lard organ.


    Adding a new gland would require reducing his ¡°Gatling¡± ammunition capacity, which was impractical. After careful consideration, Luo Wen realized his interest in web-spinning was largely influenced by movies. In reality, the ability required extensive preparation and wasn¡¯t nearly as miraculous as portrayed.


    Thus, Luo Wen abandoned it. Many of the abilities he discarded were for similar reasons¡ªlike feathers. There was simply no place on his body for such things.


    As he encountered more species, the diversity of his abilities proved adaptable. However, sometimes having too many abilities wasn¡¯t advantageous.


    Many traits required corresponding structural adaptations.


    For instance, his ability to fly relied on anti-gravity wing cover technology because his bulky body couldn¡¯t achieve flight otherwise. Birds and pterosaurs, by contrast, had streamlined forms optimized for flight.


    Similarly, his swimming could only be described as ¡°not drowning¡± compared to the speed and agility of fish.


    Even his echolocation system, derived from bats, fell short. Bats had large ears as receivers, while he had only two small ear holes. The performance gap was self-evident.


    Perhaps the only system in which he surpassed the original was his ¡°Gatling¡± mechanism, where his size provided a clear advantage. But that didn¡¯t obscure the shortcomings of his multi-trait approach.


    Despite these thoughts, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to abandon his multi-talent strategy. It had proven crucial to his adaptability and survival in varied dangers.


    As the Swarm¡¯s Supreme Commander, Luo Wen¡¯s primary task was survival.


    For him, multiple talents were the right choice. However, his musings weren¡¯t about himself but about the future of the Swarm. Should he develop soldiers with versatile abilities or specialize them for specific tasks?


    He had begun to feel the limits of his knowledge and intellect. Yet, there wasn¡¯t much he could do about it. The Queen Ant resembled an intelligent AI, capable of ¡°receiving commands¡± but not ¡°holding discussions.¡±


    Fortunately, their current enemies weren¡¯t particularly strong. With the Swarm¡¯s unique abilities and sufficient resources, overcoming them shouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    This thought circled briefly in Luo Wen¡¯s mind before he set it aside.

 Chapter 112: Diplodocus and Leopard

    The new flying bug genes weren¡¯t particularly useful for Luo Wen himself. However, their template made them suitable for mass production, potentially filling the gap in the Swarm¡¯s aerial forces.


    Perhaps soon, the first tree-based sub-base of the Swarm would be officially established. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still, some revelations in the genetic data caught Luo Wen by surprise. The flying bugs had indeed tracked him using pollen¡ªbut not through scent.


    Instead, the pollen, mixed with saliva, created a unique refractive effect. This allowed the flying bugs to accurately pinpoint him even amidst dense vegetation and blooming flowers.


    In hindsight, the ¡°Gatling¡± smoke barrage wasn¡¯t effective because of its smell but because the rising white smoke obstructed their vision. It was a lucky accident.


    Without understanding this mechanism, relying solely on scent to counter them in the future might have led to disastrous outcomes.


    Now somewhat rested, Luo Wen didn¡¯t feel like stopping. Although the earlier chase seemed perilous, he hadn¡¯t been injured.


    After lingering a bit longer, Luo Wen crawled out of the burrow, intending to continue exploring.


    As he followed the river downstream, the forest gradually became sparser.


    He had scouted this area days ago and had traced the source of the vibrations he had sensed earlier.


    Thanks to multiple rounds of genetic integration, his field of vision was now comparable to his human days. Moreover, his close-range clarity had improved significantly.


    Thus, Luo Wen spotted the massive creature from afar.


    It was a colossal beast, and there was no exaggeration in calling it such. It resembled a Diplodocus from Earth, with a body length exceeding 30 meters, a shoulder height of 7 to 8 meters, a tiny head, and robust limbs.


    While its body was enormous, its neck stretched 7 to 8 meters, and its tail extended about 15 meters. Its main torso wasn¡¯t that large, but even so, its estimated weight exceeded 10 tons. Each step it took reverberated like thunder.


    Judging by its simple head and uniform teeth, it was undoubtedly a herbivore.


    This was confirmed after Luo Wen observed it for a long time. Aside from munching on leaves, it displayed no predatory behavior.


    That made sense. With its size and structure, it was no sprinter. Its long neck would make catching even a tail lard rat a struggle. Luo Wen suspected the sparse vegetation in the area was likely the result of its voracious appetite.


    Although it was the largest creature Luo Wen had encountered, it posed no threat to him. Knowing the source of the vibrations had greatly boosted his sense of security and even helped him sleep better.


    After all, the unknown was always the most frightening.


    Despite its harmlessness, Luo Wen didn¡¯t approach it recklessly. The food source was simply too large; he couldn¡¯t possibly consume it all before it began to rot. For now, it was better to leave it be. The creature wasn¡¯t likely to stray far with abundant food nearby.


    After circling the forest edge and finding nothing new, Luo Wen decided to return to the base.


    Since gaining remote control via the Swarm Network, he hadn¡¯t visited the base in some time. Over this period, especially after the Type III Queen Ant entered production, the Swarm had experienced explosive growth. They now controlled nearly half of the Big-headed Ants¡¯ nest.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before they wiped out the Big-headed Ants entirely and took full control of the area.


    However, the Swarm¡¯s current force composition was imbalanced. Besides Worker Ants, there were only assassin-type Spy Ants, with a glaring lack of frontline soldiers. Previous head-on strategies were no longer viable in the current situation.


    The tracking systems of the ant-based bugs were also outdated. Against fast-moving targets like tail lard rats or small dinosaurs, they were at a clear disadvantage¡ªnot to mention the all-aerial flying bugs and various bird species.


    The Swarm urgently needed new unit types to establish an integrated air-ground cooperative combat system.


    Yet, with resources and production capacity still catching up, Luo Wen had time to deliberate on unit combinations.


    As he contemplated this on his way back, his sharp eyes caught an unusual movement above and to the side. Snapping out of his thoughts, Luo Wen focused on the sight.


    On a thick branch just beneath the canopy, a leopard-like creature crouched in an attack stance.


    The creature measured about two meters long, slightly larger than a tail lard rat. Its body was well-proportioned, with muscular limbs that exuded agility. Its yellow fur was adorned with black ring patterns, and it had a small head, a long tail, and razor-sharp claws.


    Its target wasn¡¯t Luo Wen, whose optical camouflage was now practically a passive skill, continuously active. Despite his mishap with the flying bugs, the system still proved invaluable in fooling most visually-oriented predators.


    A quick glance to the side revealed the leopard¡¯s target: a bird-like creature about 30 centimeters in length. The bird¡¯s plumage was vibrant, and Luo Wen knew from experience it tasted great¡ªhe had eaten plenty before.


    The thought made him slightly hungry. That massive Diplodocus was beyond his capacity, but the leopard should be manageable¡ªand it came with the bonus of fresh genetic material.


    The leopard must have been new to the area; its sudden appearance meant the local birds, accustomed to a predator-free life, were somewhat naive.


    After several moments of patient stalking, the leopard finally found the perfect position. It pounced, pinning the preening bird.


    Just as it lowered its head to enjoy its prize, an opportunist approached silently.


    The leopard, with its assassin-like nature, was highly vigilant. Hearing a faint noise, it froze, twitching its ears.


    The movement was obvious to Luo Wen, whose high-refresh-rate vision captured it instantly. He stopped in his tracks, stabilizing his optical camouflage.


    The leopard scanned its surroundings for a long time but found nothing. Pretending to yawn, it remained tense, its sharp gaze combing the area.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but admire its cleverness, though its performance was too deliberate. If it were in a talent show, it wouldn¡¯t make it past the preliminaries.


    After a while, failing to detect anything amiss, the leopard finally let its guard down. It lowered its head again, just as its jaws opened wide.


    Suddenly, a gust of wind howled. The leopard reacted too late, feeling a heavy weight slam onto its back and a sharp pain at its neck.


    Though the leopard¡¯s body was several times larger than Luo Wen¡¯s, it was lean and lighter in weight.


    Pinned by the sudden weight and increasing pain at its neck, the leopard struggled fiercely, growling threateningly. However, it was perched twenty meters high in the canopy. Though the branch was thick, it lacked space for a full-blown fight.


    With a series of pitiful cries, the leopard tumbled from the branch, Luo Wen clinging to its back. Mid-fall, it cunningly twisted to ensure its back landed first, attempting to use Luo Wen as a cushion.


    But Luo Wen, a self-proclaimed quadrupedal amphibious soldier, planted his legs firmly on the leopard¡¯s back and propelled himself away. In that split second, he even used a limb to snatch the bird from the leopard¡¯s claws.


    The two separated as they fell. Luo Wen¡¯s wing covers snapped open, membranous wings unfurling to stabilize his descent.


    The leopard, however, was merely a tree-climbing terrestrial predator. It hit the ground hard, looking up at Luo Wen in shock.

 Chapter 113: Developing New Frontline Units

    The fall from such a height wasn¡¯t fatal for the leopard, but Luo Wen¡¯s venom certainly was.


    After hitting the ground, the leopard struggled to get up and flee, but the pain in the back of its neck intensified. Its muscle tissues dissolved, its nervous system broke down, and its body lost control, leaving it to collapse helplessly on its side, howling in agony. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To avoid attracting other competitors, Luo Wen didn¡¯t let it suffer long. He dove down from above, pincers outstretched, silencing the leopard forever.


    It took a great deal of effort and time, but Luo Wen finally consumed both the leopard and the bird, bringing their fatal rivalry to an ironic resolution in his stomach.


    Satisfied and full, Luo Wen temporarily lost interest in further excitement. The rest of his journey back to the base was uneventful, and he arrived without issue.


    Back at the base, the number of fully developed insects had surpassed one million. However, there were nearly ten million eggs and larvae still maturing.


    This was because the second batch of 50 Type III Queen Ants had matured late, and their first batch of offspring wasn¡¯t yet fully developed¡ªit would take a few more days.


    But Luo Wen¡¯s primary purpose in returning wasn¡¯t the offspring but the Queen Ants themselves. Although these weren¡¯t the command-specialized Type I Queens, their intelligence was still slightly higher than that of ordinary bugs. They could help Luo Wen test additional functions of the Swarm Network.


    Since the Swarm Network had been established, Luo Wen noticed a significant rise in the insects¡¯ intelligence, especially among the Queen Ants.


    This was likely because communication within the Swarm Network resembled telepathic exchanges. Things that were previously impossible to explain were now understood with minimal effort.


    Perhaps this was the essence of ¡°comprehension beyond words.¡±


    Within Luo Wen¡¯s mental space, the number of nodes had increased by hundreds or thousands of times compared to before.


    Suddenly, one of the nodes began to flash brightly. Luo Wen focused his thoughts, linking to the node. His consciousness descended, and a quick glance confirmed it was the perspective of a Queen Ant he had previously tested.


    Several tests followed, switching between different Queen Ants without any errors. The accuracy of node connections was 100%.


    The Swarm Network truly lived up to its reputation as an interactive system. Apart from the lack of a ringtone, it was almost like a video call.


    Luo Wen also discovered an important piece of information: Queen Ants did not naturally gain command over other insects.


    Since the Type III Queens were mainly tasked with production and because the insect population was still relatively small with only one base, Luo Wen himself handled most of the command tasks.


    If this had been a Type I Queen, the issue might have been noticed earlier.


    However, this didn¡¯t mean the Queen Ants couldn¡¯t lead. They simply required Luo Wen¡¯s ¡°authorization.¡±


    Through the Swarm Network, Luo Wen could establish various hierarchical levels, each granting different degrees of authority.


    In a given area, higher-ranking insects could command those of lower rank. They could even issue orders directly through the Swarm Network.


    This was far more efficient than the pheromone-based command system previously used by the Queens. It also acted as a unique friend-or-foe identification system.


    Luo Wen surmised this was an upgraded version of the Brood Nest¡¯s original identification system. It ensured that no other organisms could infiltrate or exploit the Swarm.


    Still, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t planning to abandon other identification methods. The Swarm Network needed external safeguards as well.


    Perhaps, someday, overconfident infiltrators would think they had bypassed the Swarm¡¯s defenses, oblivious that every insect around them had already identified them. That thought alone was amusing.


    Although it seemed like Luo Wen was overthinking or ¡°outsmarting the air,¡± who could predict the future? With his lifespan no longer limited, there were countless days ahead.


    For now, Luo Wen granted the Type III Queen Ants a basic level of authority, just slightly higher than ordinary bugs. While the Swarm Network¡¯s hierarchical system could support more complex management structures, this feature was overly advanced for the current state of the Swarm.


    The Queens, mass-produced on an assembly line, were closer to intelligent AIs without subjective consciousness. For now, one level of hierarchy sufficed.


    This restored the familiar command system of the Swarm but equipped every insect with a ¡°phone.¡±


    Simultaneously, Luo Wen took the opportunity to reevaluate the Swarm¡¯s military composition.


    In the past, the Swarm consisted of two-dimensional units, with soldiers measuring only 20 to 30 centimeters being considered ultrasized.


    But now, the creatures he encountered often measured over a meter, with some, like the 30-meter-long Diplodocus, being colossal. Slow-moving, outdated Soldier Ants were no longer suitable for the Swarm¡¯s development.


    If the Swarm could return to its pre-hibernation scale, it would dominate easily¡ªunless these terrestrial creatures learned to fly, swim indefinitely, and never return to land. Otherwise, they would all become food.


    Back then, even ¡°strong enemies¡± like the Yellow Earth Ant Legion were exceptional, with millions in number being a big deal.


    But now, Big-headed Ants were at the bottom of the food chain. Birds, Long-Faced Beasts, and Tail Lard Rats, all seemingly weak creatures, included Big-headed Ants in their diets.


    Relying solely on the ant template to conquer the world was now exponentially more difficult. Moreover, Luo Wen had already ¡°beaten the game¡± using the ant template once. Repeating the same strategy would be uninteresting.


    Luo Wen¡¯s ambitions weren¡¯t grand. Years of solitude had left him with little beyond survival and the pursuit of distractions to stave off mental collapse.


    The conclusion was clear: Luo Wen needed to upgrade the Swarm¡¯s military units to better adapt to the current environment.


    During his unknown duration of hibernation, his abilities had reached an incredibly advanced level. The ability to choose genetic evolutions was just the foundation. He could now assimilate genes from not only insects but also amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. As long as there were no fundamental conflicts, he could combine them freely.


    Additionally, Luo Wen could even collect genetic material from plants and fungi. While animal and plant genes were difficult to integrate, he had no such issues combining plant and fungal genes.


    This meant that, with enough time and experimentation, he could enhance the crops within the ant nest to improve their yield and adaptability.


    For instance, he could make them more productive or better suited to various environments.

 Chapter 114: The New Main Combat Species (1)

    The matter of crop improvement wasn¡¯t a high priority and could be left for later when there was more free time to study it leisurely.


    With the swarm steadily expanding in size, it was about to step into the limelight and face various challenges.


    Luo Wen¡¯s urgent task now was to determine the primary combat species for the upcoming period.


    But the question remained¡ªwhat kind of biological template should be chosen?


    Continuing to use the ant template wasn¡¯t impossible. Adding an advanced detection system, equipping it with a powerful heart, overhauling its nutrient supply system, and enhancing its mobility were all feasible modifications. However, there was one critical, unsolvable problem:


    The exoskeleton armor.


    The exoskeleton not only made ants into powerhouses but also improved their defensive capabilities.


    Yet, the exoskeleton was both a blessing and a curse.


    Despite its numerous advantages, the exoskeleton inherently restricted the size of the ants. If they wanted to grow larger, they had to go through repeated molting.


    Take their colossal variant, the Ultra Giant Soldier Ant, for example. To reach its full size, it had to molt twice¡ªthis for a body size of merely twenty to thirty centimeters. Luo Wen himself couldn¡¯t even recall how many pupations and molts he had undergone to grow to a body length of sixty centimeters.


    Molting was an energy-intensive and risky process.


    The solution was straightforward: extend their larval phase. By directly modifying their genes to allow the larvae to grow to the desired size before a single final molding, the need for repeated molting could be eliminated.


    However, growing a larva to over half a meter in length would consume an enormous amount of time and resources. Larvae had no productive capabilities, poor combat ability, and even required worker ants to assist in feeding them.


    Maybe the swarm could afford such larvae in the future, but with its current scale, it couldn¡¯t support even a few.


    And the swarm thrived on numbers. What use were just a handful of large soldier ants?


    Other templates, such as small dinosaur-like creatures, Tail Lard Rats, or Long-Faced Beasts, didn¡¯t face the exoskeleton¡¯s size limitation, but their combat effectiveness didn¡¯t justify their resource consumption.


    The leopard template? That was feasible, but the swarm didn¡¯t have the resources to rear more than a few.


    What Luo Wen needed was a combat species that was both powerful and cost-effective.


    After much deliberation, he thought of the Transport Bug. These creatures, modeled after cliff spiders, were initially created as auxiliary units due to their speed and impressive load-carrying capabilities.


    However, they also boasted considerable combat power, having earned accolades in numerous battles. Their piercing attacks were like reapers for smaller combat units.


    Their multi-jointed legs allowed them to traverse obstacles effortlessly, with remarkable gripping ability that enabled them to scale sheer, glass-like rock faces with ease. This made them well-suited to most harsh battlefield environments.


    Although they also had exoskeletons and required one molt during their growth, Luo Wen could genetically modify them to remove the exoskeleton on their main body, retaining it only on their legs.


    This wouldn¡¯t leave their bodies defenseless, as Luo Wen planned to incorporate genes for tough skin and steel-like fur to bolster their protection.


    Moreover, they rarely fought alone. During hunts, numerous companions would provide mutual support, so the slight loss in defense shouldn¡¯t pose a significant issue.


    This modification freed their bodies from the limitations of the exoskeleton. With the weight reduction from the absent main body armor, they would become even more agile.


    As their body size increased, only the leg exoskeletons would need periodic replacements, significantly reducing energy consumption and associated risks.


    Luo Wen also planned to add a small venom gland at the tip of each leg, hiding a stinger for enhanced attack power. This upgrade would not diminish their combat capabilities¡ªinstead, it would greatly improve them. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, he would incorporate an echolocation system into them. This would allow these new spider combat bugs to locate enemies more swiftly and accurately in jungle environments, better showcasing their potential.


    He also intended to modify their dietary systems, shifting them from carnivorous to omnivorous. This had been an idea Luo Wen had entertained for a long time, but he hadn¡¯t had the ability to implement it until now.


    Furthermore, they would be equipped with hibernation and Tail Lard genes.


    In Luo Wen¡¯s vision, these new spider combat bugs would be about thirty centimeters in size. A small portion would remain active, subsisting on an omnivorous diet to meet daily needs and maintain the swarm¡¯s vigilance. The majority, however, would either feed on dirt or enter hibernation until war broke out. Only during high-intensity conflicts would they be supplemented with meat for energy consumption.


    The Tail Lard gene would allow them to carry additional supplies under certain circumstances, fulfilling special wartime needs.


    Initially, Luo Wen had considered adding an optical stealth system to them, but upon further investigation, he found the cost to be exorbitantly high. The system essentially added a special nano-structure to the surface of the organism, effectively transforming their entire bodies. The energy consumption was staggering.


    After some thought, Luo Wen decided that since the spider combat bugs would be the primary combat species for the foreseeable future and would mainly engage in group battles, stealth wasn¡¯t particularly necessary.


    In the end, Luo Wen drafted a template for Spider Combat Bug (Modified), which included the optical stealth system for limited production as a special operations unit.


    With the primary combat species established, he turned to the auxiliary species. The Ultra Giant Soldier Ants, based on the ant template, would still need to be produced. Their size could even be increased to a range of half a meter to a full meter.


    Given the Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ defensive limitations, they would need ¡°heavily armored infantry¡± to hold the line in direct confrontations.


    With the ground forces mostly sorted, the next focus was the air force.


    This was a completely new venture for the swarm, one with no prior experience. Fortunately, Luo Wen had gained ample insight recently, giving him a rough idea of what to do.


    Currently, there were three candidate templates for the air force: Flying Insect genes, Flying Beetle genes, and Bird genes.


    First, Flying Beetle genes were eliminated. Their body structure made them extremely inefficient at flying. Luo Wen suspected that their evolution of flight wasn¡¯t for combat but simply a workaround for their clumsy terrestrial movement.


    However, their flight mechanism was highly advanced, and Luo Wen believed they would have their moment to shine¡ªjust not now.


    Next, bird genes were dismissed. It all boiled down to cost-effectiveness. While a single thirty-centimeter bird could easily take down a flying insect of similar size, the resources needed to produce one bird could create ten or even dozens of ten-centimeter flying insects.


    One bird was no match for ten flying insects. It might fight to the death and kill most of them, but if it were ten birds versus a hundred flying insects, the birds likely wouldn¡¯t even have the chance to fight to the death.


    Although birds had superior flight capabilities and endurance, those weren¡¯t currently needed. Besides, Luo Wen had better alternatives in mind for such roles in the future.

 Chapter 115: The New Main Combat Species (2)

    The swarm¡¯s first batch of aerial units would use the flying insect template, divided into two versions: Type I and Type II. Type I closely adhered to the original template, with the only significant addition being an echolocation system.


    Their primary roles on the battlefield included aerial reconnaissance, target acquisition, marking, and interception. With the swarm now equipped with a real-time communication system, it was crucial to fully leverage it to achieve true coordinated combat.


    Type II flying insects, on the other hand, would incorporate some genes from the Fart Bug.


    These were slightly larger than Type I, with their abdominal poison sacs replaced by storage sacs and their tail stingers swapped for small cannon-like appendages capable of firing viscous toxin projectiles.


    The Fart Bug, due to its limited mobility and range, was no longer suitable for the current version of the swarm. Type II flying insects were designed as their replacements.


    The role of Type II on the battlefield was to provide aerial fire support and precision strikes. Though their attacks targeted single units, their significantly lower production cost compared to Fart Bugs meant that their numbers could compensate for this limitation.


    The original Fart Bugs would also cease production due to their mobility issues, susceptibility to terrain, high cost, and limited firing angles.


    Additionally, their commander, the Type I Queen Ant, would undergo some modifications. A pair of membranous wings and an optical stealth system would be added to adapt to new combat scenarios.


    Two days later, the swarm established its first tree-based sub-base, which was officially inaugurated on a nearby tree trunk. Two Type III Queen Ants were sent to develop the new base. Given their initial lack of available combat units, some Worker Ants were dispatched to handle their feeding, nest-building, and daily maintenance.


    The quick establishment of the air force base was made possible by Luo Wen¡¯s discovery of a new skill: updating the gene libraries of Queen Ants through direct physical contact. This meant the swarm no longer needed to produce a new batch of Queens every time it acquired new genes.


    However, the drawback was the necessity of physical contact to perform these updates. For now, while the swarm¡¯s territory remained small, this wasn¡¯t a major issue. But if it expanded to its previous scale¡ªspanning thousands of kilometers with tens of thousands of Queen Ants¡ªLuo Wen would have little time for anything else.


    Thus, Luo Wen began experimenting with the swarm network¡¯s cloud storage functionality. If he could master its mechanisms, he could potentially update gene libraries remotely via the swarm network in the future.


    If successful, this would make operations much more convenient.


    With the base arrangements completed, Luo Wen found himself temporarily idle, prompting a desire to wander outside. Staying in the base all the time was a severe drain on the swarm¡¯s resources, given his voracious appetite.


    Over the next period, Luo Wen roamed the forest, steadily expanding his exploration range. While feeding himself, he wasn¡¯t merely aimlessly wandering.


    Ever since discovering his ability to absorb plant genes, he had started consciously observing unusual plant species. Though he hadn¡¯t yet figured out how to harness this ability fully, he was already on the lookout for peculiar flora.


    The forest, with its incredible biodiversity, offered plenty to discover. Luo Wen found many fascinating examples, such as carnivorous plants.


    These plants created various traps with their bodies: some spread open like jaws, others formed pitcher-like structures, and still others utilized sticky secretions. They preyed on insects, while certain larger flower-like species could even capture small animals.


    Some species digested their prey remarkably quickly. For instance, a certain flower-like plant could completely digest a small animal in just one night.


    Fungi also became a collection focus for Luo Wen, as the swarm already had extensive experience cultivating them. Despite their strange appearances and diverse environmental requirements, fungi offered significant potential.


    Some grew directly on tree trunks, others on the ground, underground, or even on rocks, opening Luo Wen¡¯s eyes to previously overlooked possibilities.


    Algae were also within the scope of his collection. As one of the most ancient plant types, their continued survival and prosperity over millennia demonstrated their considerable evolutionary advantages.


    Beyond plants, Luo Wen encountered many novel creatures.


    The vast forest was teeming with life, and the number of species was overwhelming.


    Insects, naturally, were the most abundant. Though relegated to the bottom of the food chain, their sheer numbers ensured their survival.


    Despite this abundance, most insects had only mundane traits, with only a few possessing abilities that caught Luo Wen¡¯s attention.


    For example, a large golden beetle boasted a highly durable, spike-covered exoskeleton and a long, conical spiraled horn on its head resembling a unicorn.


    While its practicality was debatable, its striking and imposing appearance made it incredibly cool. Luo Wen decided that once the swarm developed enough for him to delegate manual tasks, he would fashion himself some golden armor as a showpiece. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Conversely, some insects were utterly unimpressive, with evolutionarily pointless traits.


    One insect species, for instance, had elongated, twisted exoskeletal structures that neither provided defense nor attack capability and were extremely unsightly.


    Initially assuming that such an abstract appearance must indicate some extraordinary ability, Luo Wen¡¯s repeated experiments revealed that it had no practical use other than being an eyesore.


    This challenged Luo Wen¡¯s understanding, as he had always considered insects the epitome of functional evolution until encountering this useless species.


    Besides insects, Luo Wen encountered numerous birds. Their sizes varied greatly, as did their coloration. Some had short, stubby beaks, others long and sharp, and some were both long and robust.


    Their songs ranged from melodious and soothing, like a crystal-clear stream flowing through the soul, to outright obnoxious noise pollution. The latter invariably ended up in Luo Wen¡¯s stomach, becoming sustenance for his wanderings.


    He also encountered various snakes. Smaller ones with vibrant patterns were generally venomous, using heat sensing to hunt prey, rendering optical stealth ineffective.


    Interestingly, Luo Wen discovered that while using his hibernation ability, his slightly stiffened and less flexible body could evade their heat sensing.


    Consequently, snake species had become frequent additions to his diet during this period.


    Some snakes, however, were massive¡ªbetter described as pythons. Their enormous bodies and thick girths were astonishing. The largest one Luo Wen encountered measured over twenty meters in length, making it the second-largest creature he had seen, second only to the Diplodocus.


    Covered in large, scaled armor, these creatures possessed immense strength, easily snapping tree trunks as thick as barrels. They posed a far greater threat to Luo Wen than the herbivorous Diplodocus.


    After assessing his own limitations, Luo Wen wisely chose to keep his distance from these formidable serpents.

 Chapter 116: Real Combat Drills (1)

    The remaining creatures were primarily beasts and dinosaurs.


    The situation for beasts was rather awkward, as most of them occupied the middle to lower levels of the food chain. Even the stronger ones, such as leopards, primarily hunted small birds and various rodents.


    However, one creature deserved special mention¡ªa species resembling wild boars. These creatures were about two meters long, stood approximately ninety centimeters tall at the shoulder, and had sturdy limbs, large ears, and a short tail. Their bodies were covered in black fur, with their backs adorned by a row of rigid bristles. Below that were layers of coarse hair, while the fur on their abdomens was relatively soft.


    Particularly noteworthy were their sharp, robust tusks protruding from both sides of their mouths. Combined with their muscular build, these creatures delivered a formidable charge with incredible destructive power.


    In addition, they would often roll in mud, coating themselves to enhance their defenses. They typically moved in groups, ranging from a dozen individuals to over a hundred.


    While their diet was broad and consisted mainly of plant matter, including branches, fruits, and roots, these wild boars were undeniably dominant within the forest, boasting strength far surpassing that of leopards.


    As for the other beasts, most were weaklings not worth mentioning.


    Next were the dinosaurs. Among them were some formidable entities at the top of the forest¡¯s food chain.


    From afar, Luo Wen spotted two dinosaurs, each about fifteen meters long, engaged in a fierce battle for reasons unknown. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One of the dinosaurs had a dark greenish-black body, resembling the Tyrannosaurus rex from movies. It stood about six meters tall, with a massive skull nearly two meters long. Its enormous head and unique jaw structure gave it a terrifying bite force, reaching an astounding ten tons, with up to twenty tons of force at the rear of its mouth.


    Adding to this were its interlocking, razor-sharp teeth¡ªits most formidable weapon. Its body was densely packed with muscles, its hind legs were extraordinarily thick, and its tail was robust and powerful. However, its disproportionately short and weak forelimbs detracted from its overall ferocious appearance.


    Even so, this dinosaur likely weighed over ten tons, possibly even more than a thirty-meter-long Diplodocus.


    Additionally, its body was covered with a thick keratinized layer, providing excellent defense. Its scars and bite marks indicated extensive combat experience.


    Its opponent was a dinosaur with a crimson body, adorned with black ring-shaped markings. It was slightly larger than the Tyrannosaurus rex but appeared leaner. Its head was relatively long and narrow, suggesting that its bite force might be inferior to the rex¡¯s.


    However, this crimson-striped dinosaur was more agile. While it also stood on two legs, its forelimbs were much more developed than the rex¡¯s, ending in sharp claws that provided significant offensive capabilities.


    In summary, the Tyrannosaurus rex was stocky and powerful, relying mainly on its teeth and tail as weapons. In contrast, the crimson-striped dinosaur was agile and flexible, boasting an additional weapon in its claws.


    The two dinosaurs fought back and forth, evenly matched.


    Luo Wen, who had approached stealthily, initially thought he could take advantage of the situation. However, to his dismay, the two behemoths, seemingly fighting fiercely, were merely sparring. After inflicting minor injuries on each other, they amicably parted ways, leaving Luo Wen empty-handed in his attempt to scavenge.


    The roars of these two titans echoed through the forest, demonstrating their immense power. However, despite their loud voices, they attracted few onlookers, a fact that made Luo Wen, an outsider, realize that these two were likely the apex predators of this forest.


    Sharing the same territory, these two would undoubtedly become obstacles to the swarm¡¯s development in the future. Yet Luo Wen wasn¡¯t overly concerned. Judging by their massive size, their food consumption must be astonishing.


    Perhaps, within a hundred kilometers, there were only three or four such creatures. Against such immensely powerful but numerically inferior entities, the swarm had plenty of methods to turn them into nourishment.


    After wandering outside for some time, Luo Wen returned to find that the base had thoroughly taken over the big-headed ants¡¯ nest. However, the fungi produced by the nest weren¡¯t enough to sustain the swarm¡¯s continued growth.


    Fortunately, the first batch of one hundred Modified Spider Combat Bugs had fully matured and reached combat readiness.


    Two days later, after Luo Wen returned to the base and rested for a night, the swarm launched its first large-scale hunting operation in the forest.


    The expeditionary force consisted of one hundred Modified Spider Combat Bugs, twenty Type I Flying Bugs, and fifty Type II Flying Bugs. The total force of fewer than two hundred made this operation seem rather modest.


    But Luo Wen knew this was a brand-new combat experience. If the new operational system succeeded, the swarm¡¯s expansion would face no bottlenecks in the near future, growing exponentially.


    Luo Wen personally commanded this operation, with all the Queen Ants observing and learning through the Swarm Network.


    A buzzing sound rose as seventy flying bugs took off from the airbase, joining the ground-based spider combat bugs as they advanced into the forest.


    Twenty Type I Flying Bugs split from the main group, scattering forward in a dispersed formation. Using ultrasonic waves generated by their vibrating wings, they formed an invisible sonar net, vividly mapping everything within its coverage.


    As the net pushed forward, the expeditionary force discovered their prey.


    It was a group of small dinosaur-like creatures, numbering about a dozen. These creatures resembled birds more than traditional dinosaurs. Averaging over a meter in length, they had conspicuous red crests on their heads, long necks, short tails, and bodies covered with fine feathers. Their two forelimbs, sparsely adorned with feathers, appeared more decorative than functional.


    At the moment, they remained oblivious to the impending danger, gathered in small groups as they scratched the soil with their hind claws, searching for insect larvae buried beneath.


    Guided by aerial reconnaissance, the spider combat bugs swiftly positioned themselves. Within seconds, the small bird-like dinosaurs were simultaneously ambushed.


    The sky was a blind spot for these bird-like dinosaurs. Although they reacted quickly as the thirty-centimeter-long spiders descended upon them, it was already too late.


    The spider combat bugs used the hooks and adhesive hairs on their legs to latch firmly onto the bird-like dinosaurs¡¯ backs.


    The seemingly defenseless creatures displayed unexpected tenacity. They twisted their long necks into impossible angles, using their sharp beaks to launch counterattacks at the spiders clinging to their backs.


    However, the spider combat bugs were not there to wrestle. Their multi-jointed legs allowed them to maneuver deftly across the dinosaurs¡¯ narrow backs, evading the beaks¡¯ strikes.


    At the same time, they revealed their true weapon.

 Chapter 117: Real Combat Drills (2)

    The stingers hidden within the hooks of the Modified Spider Combat Bugs had silently injected venom into the small bird-like dinosaurs during their brief contact.


    This venom was not the same as Luo Wen¡¯s own toxin. Its primary component was an extremely concentrated digestive fluid.


    Since the spider combat bugs stored their venom in small glands within their legs, the limited space meant these glands held only small amounts. Naturally, the venom capacity was insufficient for Luo Wen¡¯s standard digestive toxin, which required large quantities to be effective. This toxin wasn¡¯t purely a poison¡ªit primarily served to digest food externally. Paralyzing and killing prey was merely a secondary effect.


    Thus, small doses of Luo Wen¡¯s toxin only caused intense pain without delivering fatal results. As the prey¡¯s size increased, its effectiveness further diminished.


    Given these limitations, the spider combat bugs couldn¡¯t rely on such a toxin.


    Instead, Luo Wen had combined the genetic traits of various venomous organisms¡ªsnakes, spiders, insects, and even a type of snail¡ªto create a new, potent toxin.


    This innovative venom acted as a powerful anesthetic while being highly lethal. Its mechanism was simple and effective: once injected into prey, it immediately blocked the transmission of nerve signals. The prey¡¯s heart would stop beating, and its breathing would cease shortly after.


    The time required for the process varied depending on the prey¡¯s size and the amount of venom injected. For the small bird-like dinosaurs, it would take no more than two or three minutes.


    Once the venom was injected, the spider combat bugs avoided prolonged confrontation. After evading a sharp beak attack, they used their eight legs to push off forcefully, leaping backward to disengage from the bird-like dinosaurs.


    One of the dinosaurs, enraged at the audacity of these thirty-centimeter-long bugs, was about to pursue when its body suddenly went numb.


    Simultaneously, a concentrated barrage rained down from above, halting its advance.


    The small projectiles struck its body, causing a searing pain akin to being burned. The dinosaur felt its body grow increasingly numb and unresponsive as the pain subsided.


    The other bird-like dinosaurs suffered a similar fate. Most were paralyzed on the spot, becoming helpless prey. A few, however, chose to flee rather than counterattack after being struck.


    Their escape was short-lived. The Type II Flying Bugs intercepted them with precision, ensuring they lost control of their bodies within moments.


    The battle had barely begun, and in just a few minutes, it was already over.


    Perhaps the opponents were simply too weak. The swarm¡¯s combat forces had barely demonstrated the effectiveness of their coordinated air-ground tactics before the enemy fell.


    In fact, only about a dozen spider combat bugs had participated in the fight, while the rest merely observed.


    Luo Wen felt somewhat unsatisfied; the battle had ended before he could fully engage. It was like preparing for a game, warming up with stretches and finger exercises, only for the opposing player to quit immediately after the game started.


    No sense of fulfillment!


    Still, he was thrilled by the swarm¡¯s initial victory, which validated his current strategy.


    However, upon examining the prey, Luo Wen felt a bit frustrated. Though these bird-like dinosaurs were only about a meter long, their lack of tails meant their bodies contained a considerable amount of meat.


    By Luo Wen¡¯s estimation, each one weighed around fifty kilograms.


    The problem was that in developing the combat units, he had completely neglected the logistics units.


    The Modified Spider Combat Bugs, though originally capable of transport as earlier versions, required assistance from other insects to do so. They lacked the limbs necessary for efficient loading and unloading.


    The flying bugs, as aerial units, prioritized shedding any unnecessary limbs, making them unsuitable for transportation.


    If the new version of soldier ants were available, they could have temporarily served as laborers. However, their production was far down the sequence, with not even a single egg laid yet.


    With no time to rectify this oversight, the task of moving the prey fell to Luo Wen himself. His clawed limbs were well-suited for gripping, and his exoskeletal armor endowed him with immense strength.


    After a long day of hard labor, he finally managed to transport all the prey back to the base. For the time being, they were buried in a pile of decaying leaves near the base. The Burrower Ants were assigned to work overtime, constructing a massive storage chamber. Leaving the prey exposed outside was too risky.


    Meanwhile, an order was placed for the first batch of ten heavy-armored soldier ants, each a meter long. These would require several dozen days to mature, undergoing a pupal stage for their final development.


    Once ready, the heavy-armored soldier ants could temporarily serve as transport workers. Until then, Luo Wen would have to handle the job himself.


    Fortunately, this hunt yielded substantial gains. The few hundred kilograms of food would sustain the swarm for a while¡ªassuming Luo Wen didn¡¯t consume it himself or venture out to find his own food. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The combat units were ordered to retreat. With sufficient food on hand, continuing the hunt would only result in unnecessary killing and waste.


    A small contingent was assigned to maintain vigilance and patrol the area, while the rest entered temporary hibernation. Luo Wen, meanwhile, didn¡¯t linger at the base, heading out alone to forage.


    In this forest, Luo Wen¡¯s ability to obscure his presence¡ªincluding his scent, pheromones, and heat signature¡ªmeant that only a few apex predators posed any threat.


    Moreover, with his superior detection abilities, even those few titans were no match if Luo Wen chose not to provoke them.


    As a result, Luo Wen now occupied a position at the top of the food chain in the forest. Hunting alone posed little danger, and he enjoyed a comfortable life, eating whatever he pleased.


    However, barely two days into his escapades, an urgent call came from the base. Two Queen Ant nodes began flashing. Luo Wen, perched on a tree branch, immediately locked onto the signal and projected his consciousness.


    The mental exchange was swift, and Luo Wen quickly grasped the situation.


    The prey, stored outside temporarily while the storage chamber was under construction, had attracted trouble. Covered in decaying leaves and killed without visible wounds, the prey initially seemed secure.


    Yet, with the recent surge in larval production at the base, the underground plantation could no longer meet their needs. The Queen Ants had naturally dispatched worker ants to cut pieces from the prey to supplement the base¡¯s resources.


    While the worker ants made only small incisions, their sheer numbers gradually expanded the wounds. Inevitably, the scent of blood began to spread.

 Chapter 118: Storage Issues (1)

    The stench of blood had drawn some keen-scented predators toward the swarm¡¯s base. They lurked, observed, and edged closer.


    But as soon as they crossed a certain perimeter, they were detected by the Type I Flying Bugs patrolling the skies. These bugs immediately relayed the situation through the Swarm Network to two Queen Ants stationed in nearby sub-bases.


    The Queen Ants, having received prior authorization to access the vision of lower-ranking insects, assessed the situation. However, unsure of how to proceed, they promptly escalated the matter to Luo Wen. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The entire process happened swiftly. In fact, from the detection of the intruders to Luo Wen receiving the alert, less than thirty seconds had passed. Some of the cautious predators hadn¡¯t even moved from their positions.


    Switching to the perspective of an airborne Type I Flying Bug, Luo Wen observed the intruders. He quickly realized their caution stemmed from weakness.


    Though the creatures were varied in type, they shared a common trait: small size. The largest among them measured barely over two meters in length. Most were beasts with sturdy limbs, whether bipedal or quadrupedal, optimized for running.


    Their offensive and defensive capabilities were unimpressive. Based on Luo Wen¡¯s observations of the local ecosystem, most of these creatures were scavengers, feeding on plant and animal remains¡ªnature¡¯s cleanup crew.


    Among them were Tail Lard Rats, which lacked the strength to hunt but eagerly sought leftovers, and smaller dinosaur-like creatures that occasionally hunted but didn¡¯t mind scraps.


    After scanning the group, Luo Wen concluded that none of them posed a serious threat. He returned the handling authority to the Queen Ants, instructing them to properly ¡°welcome¡± the visitors. Since they had come all this way, they might as well stay for a while.


    The Queen Ants had proven adept at learning and mimicking. Although Luo Wen¡¯s last commanded battle had ended quickly, dozens of Queen Ants had been observing and exchanging insights. This situation presented a perfect opportunity to hone their skills against weaker opponents. It would also help train future Queen Ants, sparing Luo Wen from having to personally demonstrate every time. It was akin to learning to drive: earlier learners would teach the newcomers.


    Returning his consciousness to his body, Luo Wen set off toward the base. While the battle itself didn¡¯t require his intervention, the subsequent task of transporting the spoils was his responsibility.


    By the time Luo Wen reached the base, the battle had been over for quite some time. Corpses of various animals lay scattered around the perimeter.


    This was despite the swarm¡¯s limited manpower, which prevented them from attacking all at once, scaring off many of the intruders.


    Even so, the resulting haul weighed over two tons. Luo Wen spent an entire day transporting it back to the base.


    During this period, two more waves of ¡°food delivery¡± arrived.


    One group consisted of dog-like creatures with mottled black, white, and yellow fur that lacked any aesthetic appeal. Though small in stature, about a dozen of them arrived as a pack. They were muscular, fast, and had impressive stamina. Unfortunately for them, none of these traits mattered against the swarm¡¯s new venom.


    Interestingly, these mottled dogs had a unique jaw structure, boasting the strongest bite force Luo Wen had seen among beasts. Even leopards, slightly larger in size, paled in comparison. The leopards, however, excelled in short bursts of speed but lacked the endurance of these canines.


    Moreover, leopards were solitary hunters, though their tree-climbing ability allowed them to catch birds. Without this skill, they might not even compete with the dogs on land.


    Both species had genetic traits that complemented each other, offering potential as templates for creating a new combat organism.


    The base¡¯s surroundings were dotted with mounds of earth. Without large excavation units, construction of underground storage facilities progressed slowly.


    At this rate, it would be some time before the storage chambers were completed. Meanwhile, the accumulating prey presented a logistical headache. The current wave consisted mostly of small-time scavengers, but who could say when one of the area¡¯s apex predators might show up?


    The amassed food alone was enough to lure those top-tier creatures.


    Should he produce more Burrower Ants to speed up excavation?


    Yet Burrower Ants required a lengthy growth period, taking at least several dozen days to mature. Too many variables could arise in that time. Nonetheless, Luo Wen reluctantly placed an order for a few Burrower Ants, which would likely be completed alongside the Heavy-armored Soldier Ants.


    Even so, Luo Wen felt dissatisfied. This approach merely treated the symptoms, not the root cause. The current genetic reserves were no longer as scarce as they once were. With so many new genetic fragments recently collected and his capabilities enhanced severalfold, surely a better solution existed.


    He calmed himself and began recalling all the creatures he had encountered, analyzing which abilities might prove useful.


    The crux of the issue was the swarm¡¯s small size. Back when the swarm spanned ten kilometers, they had managed to dispose of mountains of insect carcasses in no time.


    Of course, back then, no other creatures dared to covet the swarm¡¯s spoils.


    Reflecting on the past held little value. Luo Wen first considered the saliva preservation method used by Worker Ants, who had once mixed their saliva with formic acid to coat and preserve food.


    Though still effective, this method faced the same limitation: the swarm¡¯s small scale. Millions of Worker Ants were insufficient to process over two tons of food quickly. Moreover, their processing methods inevitably released a lot of scent, compromising safety.


    Luo Wen then contemplated other animal food storage methods. However, most creatures operated on a ¡°meal-to-meal¡± basis, leaving them free of his current worries.


    Others, like Tail Lard Rats, had evolved specialized organs to store food internally. Yet such strategies held little relevance for this situation.


    Suddenly, Luo Wen thought of web-building spiders.


    Some spiders wrapped their prey in silk for preservation, periodically injecting venom to keep them subdued but alive. Luo Wen glanced at the already-dead prey¡ªthis method was clearly impractical. Perhaps it could be tested in the future, but for now, none of the swarm¡¯s insects possessed silk-producing glands.


    Another spider type injected digestive enzymes into prey, turning their bodies into natural containers. Luo Wen had used this approach when processing the Long-Faced Beast, but the dissolved muscle tissue required immediate consumption to prevent rapid decay.

 Chapter 119: Storage Solutions (2)

    Furthermore, this method also emitted odors. Back then, every time Luo Wen held a ¡°private feast,¡± he would use the ¡°Gatling Gun¡± to ¡°sanitize¡± the surrounding area.


    Most critically, only Luo Wen currently possessed the ability to produce compressed digestive enzyme toxins within the swarm. The older version of Transport Bugs once had this capability, but after being upgraded into Modified Spider Combat Bugs, their venom was replaced with neurotoxins.


    Luo Wen¡¯s toxin gland was small, with limited reserves, making it impossible for him to take on this task, even if he did nothing else.


    But thinking about digestive fluids opened Luo Wen¡¯s mind to new possibilities. He recalled encountering carnivorous plants before.


    What if he could create a plant capable of quickly digesting prey while also being edible for the swarm? Such a solution would instantly resolve the problem.


    With this idea in mind, Luo Wen immediately set to work. Although he had a concept, extensive experimentation was necessary to make it a reality.


    Luo Wen had no prior experience manipulating plant genetics, so everything had to be explored from scratch. He began by combining the traits of several carnivorous plants to create prototypes, which he then instructed the Brood Nest to produce.


    The Brood Nest, powerful as always, generated seeds that even came with their own nutrient packs, sufficient to support the seeds during their initial growth phase.


    Finding a small patch of land near the base, Luo Wen planted the seeds. He had no idea how long they would take to sprout and could only wait patiently.


    In the days that followed, Luo Wen, engrossed with his new ¡°toys,¡± lost interest in venturing out. Moreover, every day brought new scavengers trying their luck at the base, effectively delivering themselves to the swarm.


    The swarm now had an overabundance of food¡ªso much that Luo Wen had to help consume some of it to avoid spoilage. He also took on the daily tasks of transporting, burying, cutting, cleaning up, and even ¡°sanitizing and deodorizing¡± the leftovers.


    Time passed, and Luo Wen continued experimenting with new seed prototypes every day. The earliest batch of seeds had long since sprouted. Though they grew at varying speeds and exhibited the ability to digest prey, none met Luo Wen¡¯s expectations.


    The main issue was that the plants were not palatable. They focused solely on their own growth, without considering taste or nutritional value.


    Luo Wen speculated that his experimental approach might be flawed and decided to incorporate genes from edible plants.


    The first candidate he thought of was the white fungal crop grown in the underground farms. Rich in protein and with a sweet flavor, this fungus was one of Luo Wen¡¯s favorite foods.


    Unfortunately, the high-yield and tasty mushroom had long since been lost, with no seeds left.


    However, Luo Wen had recently gathered various mushroom samples from the forest. Many of these were toxic, but such poisons had little effect on Luo Wen, who would quickly evolve antibodies.


    What Luo Wen possessed, the swarm also possessed.


    Adding various fungal genes to the new seeds led to more diverse combinations. Taking it a step further, Luo Wen incorporated genes from various algae species.


    Eventually, the genetic complexity of these seeds surpassed that of many animals.


    Batch after batch of crops sprouted. Luo Wen carefully analyzed their traits, retaining beneficial qualities and discarding flaws, then used the insights to create new seed prototypes.


    The Heavy-armored Soldier Ants and Scorpions had both been successfully produced a few days earlier. The Heavy-armored Soldier Ants, with a body length of one meter¡ªnearly double Luo Wen¡¯s size¡ªboasted extremely thick exoskeleton armor from a single-cast molding process. Their robust and imposing appearance was undeniably striking.


    Their arrival relieved Luo Wen of his transportation duties. Tasks like cutting were no longer his responsibility, giving him more time to refine the seeds.


    As time passed, fewer and fewer invaders dared to approach the base. The steady disappearance of small predators in the area had turned it into an unspoken forbidden zone.


    Luo Wen even went so far as to deliberately spread the scent of blood, but the arrivals were sparse. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this time, the swarm thrived thanks to an ample food supply, steadily increasing in numbers. Between his experiments with plant genetics, Luo Wen also developed several new specialized soldier types designed to counter the apex predators of the area.


    Thus, when Luo Wen bled the prey to lure predators, he wasn¡¯t afraid of drawing these top-tier creatures.


    Fortunately, the swarm had stockpiled plenty of food, and hunting parties, now led by newly produced Type I Queen Ants, regularly ventured out to hunt.


    Freed from food-related duties, Luo Wen continued to immerse himself in the study of plant genetics.


    Watching seeds born from various genetic combinations take root, sprout, and exhibit unique traits felt like an addictive game of ¡°lottery¡± to Luo Wen.


    As the swarm¡¯s hunting range expanded, their food consumption increased. This eventually drew the attention of the area¡¯s apex predators.


    These top-tier creatures noticed the rise of a new, aggressive, and dominant force that consumed vast amounts of prey daily, putting pressure on their survival.


    Although Luo Wen had anticipated that apex predators would eventually confront the swarm, he hadn¡¯t expected the first visitor to be a giant python.


    This enormous snake, far thicker than a barrel and over 30 meters long, arrogantly approached the swarm¡¯s base. It raised its head high, flicking its forked tongue, its gaze filled with disdain.


    While Luo Wen had never encountered this particular python, he had seen many around 10 meters long. These massive snakes were covered in dense, smooth scales that provided robust defense and deflected attacks.


    The venomous stingers of the Modified Spider Combat Bugs were ineffective against these scales, unable to penetrate their defenses. Without penetration, even the strongest venom was useless.


    Luo Wen had long considered these snakes obstacles to the swarm¡¯s territorial expansion, using them as hypothetical enemies to develop countermeasures.


    Recently, specialized weapons designed to combat these pythons had been completed. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t yet gone looking for trouble, but the trouble had come to him instead.


    Though the 30-meter python was unexpected, Luo Wen was confident it would appreciate the ¡°gift¡± he had prepared.


    Several Spider Combat Bugs with visibly swollen abdomens emerged from the base. They differed slightly from standard Spider Combat Bugs, featuring notably slender legs and thin exoskeleton armor that raised them slightly off the ground, giving them a more imposing appearance.


    These special bugs had an exceptionally long name: Anti-python and other large reptile swallowing-type biological suicide explosion spiders, or simply ¡°Self-destruct Spiders.¡±

 Chapter 120: Toxic Explosions and the Giant Python

    Once the Self-destruct Spiders emerged, they immediately moved past the swarm¡¯s ranks, with two heading straight toward the python.


    As they crawled, they gradually shifted into their running mode.


    Using their legs like gymnasts launching themselves into the air, they flipped and rolled forward. Their elongated limbs, bent like powerful slingshots, propelled them forward at speeds nearly double that of their usual crawling pace.


    Upon nearing the python, they leapt high, with their ¡°slingshots¡± catapulting them into the air toward the snake¡¯s head.


    The python, in the middle of relishing its dominance, was caught off guard by this apparent act of self-sacrifice. Did these tiny creatures, awed by its majestic form, intend to pay tribute? Was this their way of currying favor?


    Despite its massive size, the python was incredibly agile. With a swift motion of its head, it precisely caught both Self-destruct Spiders. Measuring just 30 centimeters in length, the bugs were minuscule compared to the snake¡¯s enormous maw and were swallowed whole in one gulp.


    Sliding down the python¡¯s esophagus, the Self-destruct Spiders reached its stomach.


    The thin exoskeleton armor covering the Self-destruct Spiders offered little protection against physical damage. However, it was highly resistant to acid and corrosion, allowing them to survive the gastric acids for an extended period.


    Not that they needed it.


    The swollen abdomens of the Self-destruct Spiders housed not only five toxin glands filled with potent mixed toxins but also an almost complete ¡°Gatling Gun¡± system.


    Inside, two chemical chambers simultaneously injected their stored compounds into a reaction chamber. The chemicals immediately reacted violently.


    However, the reaction chamber lacked an exhaust outlet. When the internal pressure from the chemical reaction reached a critical point, the abdomen of the Self-destruct Spider exploded.


    Deadly heat and a torrent of toxins were released in all directions.


    Outside, the python, still basking in its triumph, suddenly let out an earth-shattering roar of agony. Its massive body writhed in pain, its abdomen convulsing as it attempted to regurgitate its meal.


    But the Self-destruct Spiders had long since detonated into fragments. Even if the snake could empty its stomach, there was nothing left to expel.


    Inside the python, the intense heat had scorched its stomach, allowing the toxins to infiltrate its system. As the snake thrashed, the toxins spread throughout its body.


    The paralyzing agents in the toxins momentarily dulled the python¡¯s pain, enabling it to clumsily lift itself and make a desperate attempt to flee.


    At this moment, some previously overlooked Type I Flying Bugs in the sky launched a concentrated assault.


    A hail of ¡°bullets¡± rained down on the python¡¯s eyes.


    Though the attacks initially seemed ineffective¡ªits eyelids closed to block most of the ¡°bullets¡±¡ªthe projectiles were far more than mere kinetic weapons. They carried potent toxins and a strong adhesive.


    The ¡°bullets¡± stuck to the eyelids instead of bouncing off, and their toxins began corroding the eyelid¡¯s surface.


    As more ¡°bullets¡± adhered to its eyelids, the python¡¯s defenses were breached. The moment the toxins reached its eyeballs, the snake let out another heart-wrenching scream.


    No longer bothering to shield itself from the airborne attackers, the python barreled forward, crashing through the forest in a blind panic.


    Trees too thin to withstand its bulk snapped like twigs, showcasing the python¡¯s immense strength. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen regretted not deploying more Self-destruct Spiders earlier. If he hadn¡¯t been so stingy, the python might already be dead instead of still thrashing around.


    However, after such prolonged torment, the python was on its last legs. The toxins had spread throughout its body, and as it continued its desperate charge, its movements grew increasingly uncoordinated.


    In a final burst of effort, the python demolished another small patch of forest before collapsing lifelessly to the ground, its 30-meter-long body sprawled across the earth.


    The injured python had fled several kilometers from the swarm base before succumbing. Its final resting place lay four to five kilometers away¡ªa result of its impaired vision causing it to repeatedly crash into trees. Otherwise, it might have made it 10 kilometers or more.


    Even four or five kilometers posed a logistical nightmare for Luo Wen. The python¡¯s body, weighing nearly 20 tons and heavier than a Diplodocus, presented a colossal challenge for transportation.


    The entire force of Heavy-armored Soldier Ants was mobilized. These ants, far stronger than Luo Wen had anticipated, exhibited adaptations to support their massive forms. Their legs had thickened, and paired with their heavy exoskeleton armor and low-set chassis, they resembled miniature moving fortresses.


    Unfortunately, their limited mobility confined them to tasks like transportation.


    The Heavy-armored Soldier Ants used their enormous mandibles to grip the python¡¯s head muscles and began dragging it along.


    However, the head muscles couldn¡¯t bear the python¡¯s full weight. The ants frequently stopped to adjust their grip, leaving the python¡¯s head mangled within moments.


    Its scales and muscles were torn open, exposing the bone underneath. The ants hooked their mandibles into the eye sockets, jawbones, and other sturdy areas, finally gaining traction.


    The python¡¯s massive body flattened the ground as it was dragged, leaving a two-meter-wide bloody trail that stretched for kilometers. The scent of blood wafted for miles.


    Even so, few predators dared to approach. The python¡¯s earlier roars had likely scared off any potential scavengers, much like how weaker creatures had avoided the T-Rex¡¯s battle with the black-ringed red dragon.


    Without interference, the Heavy-armored Soldier Ants brazenly dragged the python back to the base.


    Luo Wen, uninterested in overseeing the dismemberment, retreated to his experimental garden to continue tinkering with plants.


    Cutting apart such large prey was a task better suited to the Heavy-armored Soldier Ants, who were already experienced in such work.


    The python¡¯s body provided a timely solution to the swarm¡¯s dwindling resources. The ants cleared a large open area near the base to process the carcass, working in the open without any attempt to hide their activities.


    With no immediate threats in the vicinity and the successful hunt of the python bolstering their confidence, the swarm no longer saw a need to conceal their prey or bloodshed.


    Although Luo Wen¡¯s fascination with developing new crops now seemed unnecessary, it had become a personal obsession. Even if the current circumstances didn¡¯t demand it, he considered it an enjoyable way to pass the time.

 Chapter)

    [T/N: This isn¡¯t a regular chapter but rather a reflection from the author. You can skip it if you¡¯d like, but I¡¯ve included it to maintain the chapter numbering and because it offers an interesting glimpse into the author¡¯s perspective on the story. Also don¡¯t worry I¡¯ll release another chapter to make up for this one.]


    Unknowingly, this book has reached over 250,000 words. First and foremost, I¡¯d like to thank all the readers for their unwavering support.


    This is the author¡¯s first published book. The idea of writing a novel came to me late last year. Initially, I wanted my first book to explore the Zerg (insect swarm) genre. However, when I began drafting, I quickly realized how much knowledge was required. Out of laziness, I temporarily shelved the idea and decided to practice by writing a different story first.


    Thus, my first book was set in an apocalyptic world. I spent a long time crafting a logically consistent setting and began writing in October. After over a month of intense effort, I amassed 200,000 words and started uploading chapters. It was only after publishing that I discovered numerous issues, realizing just how much there is to pay attention to when writing a novel.


    The apocalyptic genre proved difficult, as it involved many sensitive topics that required revisions to avoid issues. Rewriting parts of the story before uploading felt like wasting half the initial effort. As a novice, I struggled to adapt the narrative to meet guidelines effectively. Unsurprisingly, the book¡¯s performance wasn¡¯t great, with the ¡°golden finger¡± (special ability) taking a long time to appear.


    After a few days of uploads, a writing contest was announced on December 1st. Using this as an excuse, I abandoned that book¡ªfortunately, no one was reading it anyway.


    This book was born under such circumstances. Once I started, I realized just how exhausting it is to write, especially in the sci-fi genre. Sometimes, I¡¯d spend hours researching only to produce a few sentences. However, writing this book has significantly expanded my knowledge of biology, which I consider a reward in itself.


    As a newcomer, tackling this story was a real challenge. In the early chapters, the protagonist had no interaction with any intelligent beings, creating a large, isolated environment.


    The protagonist was an ordinary person in their past life, with no special training or survival experience. To accurately depict this, I referenced various social experiments, like spending 30 days in a cabin or survival challenges on deserted islands. However, those scenarios weren¡¯t truly hopeless¡ªthe participants knew they were part of an experiment, could quit at any time, and still existed within human society.


    Even Robinson Crusoe, who survived 28 years on a deserted island, had a companion in Friday and knew he hadn¡¯t left Earth. Across the ocean, human civilization continued, and there was always the chance of rescue, even if it took years.


    But the protagonist¡¯s situation was truly bleak. Transformed into an insect and stranded on an alien planet, just surviving was an extraordinary feat. As a novice writer, I lacked the skill to fully convey the protagonist¡¯s complex emotions¡ªstruggling to survive while battling moments of depression and nihilism whenever they had a moment to rest.


    The lack of dialogue or interaction early in the story was another hurdle. I considered introducing intelligent insects, like Big Black, to interact with the protagonist. This would have added word count and made the story more engaging. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, deviating from the original outline would have required rewriting everything, and suddenly granting the insects advanced intelligence would have been jarring and against the book¡¯s core premise.


    Since this book represents the start of my writing journey¡ªa realization of a dream¡ªI chose to prioritize my vision over chasing trends.


    As a result, the book began with a very niche concept: a protagonist who is an insect, making it hard for readers to immerse themselves. At around 80,000 words, it had only a few dozen collections. Then, a website recommendation brought over 100 new collections in a week, but that was the end of the momentum. The book¡¯s performance was dismal.


    Early on, I connected with other writers through forums and author tools. When they heard about the book¡¯s struggles, they advised me to drop it, saying continuing would be a waste of time.


    However, having already abandoned one project, I worried that cutting this one would set a precedent, making it harder to ever complete a novel.


    So, I resolved that even if no one read it¡ªeven if it was purely for my love of writing¡ªI would finish this book my way.


    As the story progressed, more readers gradually discovered it. I deeply admire these readers because, without recommendations, even I would struggle to find this book without directly searching for its title.


    Over time, collections, comments, and even some tips started trickling in. Whenever I received a system notification, it filled me with joy¡ªa sign of support and encouragement.


    Originally, I thought having a few hundred collections by launch would be a success. But to my surprise, collections have grown significantly in recent weeks, with dozens added daily. Not only did I hit the 1,000-collection milestone, but it¡¯s now surpassed 1,700.


    Though this pales in comparison to books with tens or hundreds of thousands of collections, it far exceeds my expectations. Thank you all for your support.

 Chapter 122: The Queen and the Blade

    The second group to be eradicated was another collective force: the carnivorous fish in the river.


    These fish, relying on their sharp teeth and geographical advantage, had long blocked the river and extorted tolls. Many small to medium-sized creatures crossing the river or coming to drink water would inadvertently pay with their flesh. Their crimes were innumerable, and the forest populace had suffered under their tyranny for too long.


    Given this, as a top-tier force, the Swarm naturally had an obligation to eradicate them, especially since they were located just south of the Swarm¡¯s base, seriously hindering expansion in that direction.


    However, in the water, the carnivorous fish held an absolute advantage. Luo Wen created some crabs and mantis shrimp, but they were no match for the fish. The fish had exceptionally strong bites, capable of crushing the hard exoskeletons as if they were mere snacks. The crabs were devoured before they could escape, and while the mantis shrimp managed to put up a brief resistance, it wasn¡¯t enough.


    With no other options, Luo Wen resorted to his usual tactic¡ªpoison.


    A few small prey were dragged to the riverbank, killed, and filled with neurotoxins before being tossed into the water.


    The spreading scent of blood quickly attracted the carnivorous fish. Ripples darted from all directions toward the bait, and the river surface boiled with activity. Fish bodies churned, water splashed noisily, and waves rose high in a chaotic frenzy.


    The murky river gradually turned red, drawing even more fish into the frenzy. The scent of blood drove them into a mad feeding frenzy, causing them to collide and even injure one another.


    When a fish was injured, it was immediately attacked, torn apart, and devoured by its companions.


    The carnivorous fish were caught in a wild celebration.


    However, their revelry came to an abrupt end. Despite their ferocity, they relied heavily on geographical and numerical advantages. Their small bodies and relatively simple nervous systems left them highly vulnerable to neurotoxins.


    The neurotoxins from the bait had already entered their systems during the scramble, and even the river water, now mingled with trace amounts of toxins, was taking its toll.


    A massive number of fish floated belly-up to the surface. Those who had secured a piece of the bait died on the spot, while others that consumed blood-tainted water struggled in paralysis, on the brink of death.


    Several raft bugs slid into the river, carrying spider combat bugs on their backs. These teams fished out the floating bodies of the carnivorous fish and brought them to shore.


    With the carnivorous fish having low intelligence, the Swarm¡¯s combat units repeated similar operations at multiple points along the river, harvesting abundantly each time. The campaign continued until the fish density was so reduced that they could no longer form large groups.


    By then, the Swarm¡¯s carnivorous fish forces had already matured. Previously, the rivers were entirely under the control of wild carnivorous fish, leaving the Swarm¡¯s aquatic forces unable to descend into the water.


    Now, with the acquisition of the carnivorous fish¡¯s genetic material, Luo Wen tasked the idle burrower ants and scorpions to dig a pond by the river to rear the carnivorous fish larvae.


    With the wild fish nearly exterminated, it was the perfect time for the Swarm¡¯s carnivorous fish to seize control of the river. Their presence would also allow subsequent aquatic units to hatch directly in the river.


    As the Swarm¡¯s territory expanded rapidly, the speed of troop production struggled to keep pace.


    To adapt to the changing environment, the Swarm¡¯s combat units had grown larger. The primary combat species, the modified spider combat bugs, averaged around thirty centimeters, while Type I flying bugs were ten centimeters, and Type II flying bugs reached fifteen centimeters. Larger specialized support units were even more significant.


    In the past, ultra-giant soldier ants only reached twenty to thirty centimeters. Main combat units like various soldier ants and worker ants were only one to two centimeters. Against small insect adversaries, this was perfectly sufficient.


    But now, their opponents often measured seven to eight meters, or even ten to twenty meters. Even their prey typically started at one meter. Consequently, aside from numerous worker ants, burrower ants, and the earlier-produced spy bugs, small and medium-sized soldier ants, once the main combat units, were no longer being produced.


    Previously, after several rounds of optimization, the production cycle for these smaller soldier ants had been reduced to just over ten days, and the Queen Ant could lay a substantial number of eggs daily.


    However, with the main combat units now thirty centimeters in size, the Queen Ant¡¯s unchanged ten-centimeter body struggled to keep up. The eggs it produced were too small, requiring significant time to grow. Producing a single spider combat bug now took over forty days, even after genetic modification to eliminate the need for molting. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was clear that the Queen Ants were no longer sufficient for the Swarm¡¯s current needs¡ªthey needed an upgrade.


    Luo Wen quickly realized this and temporarily set aside his other projects to develop a new Queen Ant.


    Previously, the limitations on Queen Ant gigantification were due to their respiratory systems. Now, this was easily solved with the addition of a powerful heart and circulatory system sourced from large creatures, allowing their bodies to grow beyond ten meters.


    With a heart installed, they no longer used the ant template. The new Queens were designed with a hybrid template of reptiles and mammals, further enhancing their reproductive organs and boosting fertility.


    These new Queens were effectively a new kind of insect-beast. To reflect this, they were no longer designated as versions of the Queen Ant. Instead, they were renamed ¡°Brood Queens,¡± starting a new lineage.


    To accommodate their gigantification, the new Brood Queens abandoned exoskeletal armor for keratin-based plating. Though slightly inferior in thickness and lacking some auxiliary capabilities of exoskeletons, keratin armor grew with the body, eliminating molting issues. As their size increased, the keratin armor would thicken, providing comparable defense.


    The Brood Queens, due to their massive size and resemblance to the Queen Ant III type, were essentially immobile. Hidden in the Swarm¡¯s safest locations, they were unlikely to face attacks.


    These new Brood Queens could directly produce eggs over thirty centimeters in diameter. Spider combat bugs would emerge from these eggs nearly fully grown. Even one-meter-long heavy-armored soldier ants would see their production times drastically reduced.


    This would significantly accelerate the Swarm¡¯s troop generation.


    Moreover, with the Queen Ant¡¯s designation dropped, the Type I Queen Ants, specialized in battle command, would no longer bear reproductive duties.


    These would be reorganized under a new designation: ¡°Blades,¡± retaining their role of assisting Luo Wen in directing battles.


    Additionally, they were granted higher-level Swarm Network access, allowing them to command all Swarm units, including the Brood Queens.

 Chapter 123: Worker Drones

    Currently, the Brood Queen¡¯s eggs have produced five specimens. These will require a lengthy development period before they can fulfill their designated roles.


    The primary reason for this prolonged development traces back to Luo Wen himself.


    Whether it was the previous Queen Ants or the current Brood Queens, they all originated from the Brood Nest, the sole source capable of producing these specialized units with hatching capabilities.


    Although the Brood Nest was separate from Luo Wen, it maintained a connection with him. This link meant that the Brood Nest¡¯s growth was limited by Luo Wen¡¯s sixty-centimeter frame. Once the Brood Nest reached just under seventy centimeters, it hit its growth ceiling.


    As a result, the newly formed Brood Queen eggs were only about ten centimeters in size. Growing such small eggs into massive organisms over ten meters long would naturally take significant time. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen found this situation frustrating. Was he supposed to abandon his highly refined ¡°assassin¡± combat style? If he were to ¡°start over,¡± it would certainly involve selecting a larger biological template. However, the pool of large creatures the Swarm had encountered so far was limited, and Luo Wen couldn¡¯t just settle for something aesthetically unappealing.


    The Diplodocus, with its disproportionate head-to-tail ratio and sluggish movements, was certainly out of the question. The Tyrannosaurus Rex, while majestic and imposing at first glance, was hindered by its comically tiny forearms, a poor selling point.


    The black-ringed red dragon that had once battled the T. Rex was a more viable option, but it was strictly a terrestrial unit. Luo Wen¡¯s current body, refined through multiple adaptations, could operate in air, land, water, and underground¡ªa true ¡°quadri-terrain¡± combatant with unparalleled versatility and survival capabilities.


    Sacrificing most of his combat capabilities just to enlarge the Brood Nest felt far too costly.


    Even the pterosaurs were tempting, as soaring through the skies had always been one of Luo Wen¡¯s dreams. However, the same issue arose: pterosaurs were strictly aerial units. While they could survive on the ground, at best, they were a ¡°one-and-a-half-terrain¡± species with far less survivability than Luo Wen¡¯s current body.


    Besides, once the Swarm acquired the genetic material of the pterosaur, Luo Wen could simply create one, switch his perspective to control it, and achieve his dream of flight without having to inhabit a pterosaur body himself.


    Faced with no ideal solutions, Luo Wen briefly considered simply enlarging his current form. Although it would require continuous molting, he could mitigate the risks by cocooning himself during the molting process. However, this would be incredibly inconvenient.


    Thankfully, enlarging the Brood Nest wasn¡¯t an immediate necessity. Aside from the Brood Queen as a production unit, all other Swarm species could still be produced by the existing Queen Ants or the future Brood Queens.


    The smaller initial size of the Brood Queen eggs only extended their development period. The Swarm had plenty of time to address this; they just needed to pause expansion for about a hundred days, wait for the Brood Queens to mature, and then resume their advance.


    Thus, Luo Wen shelved the problem after a mere two days, redirecting his focus back to experimenting with plant seeds.


    The Swarm slowed its expansion to consolidate its current territory.


    In the meantime, Luo Wen took the opportunity to improve the worker ants. Their exoskeletons were replaced with keratin armor, and their bodies were enlarged to about ten centimeters. Although they lost some strength due to the lack of exoskeletal support, their doubled size significantly enhanced their working capacity and efficiency.


    To distinguish them from the older version, the new worker ants were renamed ¡°worker drones.¡± The old worker ants were still produced but were assigned more delicate tasks.


    Through Luo Wen¡¯s continuous research and experimentation, the Swarm¡¯s crops had undergone several upgrades. The new crops not only had higher yields but also incorporated the genes of parasitic vines, enabling them to extract nutrients directly from other plants.


    This innovation transformed the Swarm¡¯s previously weed-infested environment, covering much of the territory with a purple-red spore plant. However, Luo Wen carefully controlled their growth to prevent damage to surrounding trees. Any vines attempting to invade the trees were promptly removed by worker drones and worker ants and transported back to the base as food reserves.


    Recently, Luo Wen discovered new avenues of research. While he himself was a hybrid of various biological genes, he also possessed mysterious primordial genes. These genes, containing the core secrets of the Iphieash species, were impossible to decode.


    However, they could still be used for experimentation. Luo Wen found that certain primordial gene fragments acted as bridges, creating connections between plant and animal genes, allowing for potential fusion.


    This groundbreaking discovery further engrossed Luo Wen in his research.


    Time passed swiftly, and the Swarm¡¯s production system completed its overhaul. The new Brood Queens took over the production of large-scale combat and operational units. The Queen Ant III types, aside from a few left to produce worker ants, were reassigned to establish tree-based sub-nests for aerial unit production.


    As a result, the number of tree-based sub-nests in the Swarm¡¯s base grew to twenty-one, and the number of flying bugs surpassed one million. These large flying bugs, ranging from ten to fifteen centimeters in length, were mostly equipped with ranged weaponry. In the past, wild flying bugs with just five thousand close-combat units had dominated the forest.


    Now, the Swarm¡¯s flying forces alone could annihilate most of the forest¡¯s wildlife.


    During this period of stable development, the forest¡¯s giant pythons suffered greatly. These creatures were numerous and came in various species, ranging from ten to thirty meters in length.


    Occupying a niche between apex forces and apex individuals, they usually coiled in treetops, living solitary lives with no natural predators. During mating season, they would gather on the ground, but even then, not even a T. Rex would dare provoke them.


    However, once the Swarm killed a thirty-meter-long python and validated the effectiveness of its anti-python self-destruct bugs in combat, the giant pythons lost their deterrent value and were added to the Swarm¡¯s menu.


    Whenever food reserves reached a critical level, the Blades would select an appropriately sized, well-nourished python for a targeted hunt. Despite their ability to hide in the high canopies, they were no match for the Swarm¡¯s flying scouts equipped with echolocation systems.


    Each python provided ten to twenty tons of meat, significantly bolstering the Swarm¡¯s food supplies. The low-intelligence python species had no awareness of the impending crisis and were blissfully unaware they had become livestock raised by the Swarm.


    After a period of steady development, the Swarm once again bared its fangs. Before long, the Swarm¡¯s combat units invaded the territory of a nearby Tyrannosaurus Rex.


    Type I flying scouts spread out like blossoms in the sky, utilizing echolocation systems to quickly map the terrain and upload the data to the Swarm Network.


    Hidden within the T. Rex¡¯s territory, all manner of creatures were revealed to Luo Wen.


    The combat units ignored these smaller creatures; they were merely backup food stocks living under the T. Rex¡¯s rule. Once the territory¡¯s ruler was eliminated, these creatures would automatically switch roles, becoming part of the Swarm¡¯s provisions.

 Chapter 124: Artillery Bugs

    Time passed, and Luo Wen¡¯s seed experiments began to yield promising results. Among them, one creation stood out as his favorite.


    This was a hybrid organism composed of genetic material from various spore plants.


    Spore plants include algae, lichens, fungi, mosses, and ferns. Luo Wen¡¯s new seed combined the genes of all these spore plants into a single entity.


    The resulting organism was highly adaptable, requiring minimal environmental conditions to thrive. It was resistant to cold, heat, and drought, and it could efficiently extract nutrients from the surrounding soil. Remarkably, it could even secrete a specialized acidic substance to corrode and decompose rocks and minerals.


    This made its yield per unit area significantly higher. Most importantly, almost all parts of the plant were edible. It tasted good too¡ªrich in protein and sweet to the Swarm¡¯s palate.


    This new crop had replaced the previous white mycelium plants, greatly enhancing the yield of the underground farms.


    However, it still fell short of Luo Wen¡¯s original goals, necessitating further refinement.


    With the Swarm¡¯s triumph over the giant pythons, they had firmly established themselves as top predators. Their territory was recognized by the surrounding powerful creatures, and no more apex-level creatures came to challenge them at their base.


    Most of these apex predators were solitary beings that staked out their territories. Their daily routines involved filling their bellies, occasionally picking fights with their neighbors for exercise, and then waiting for old age to replace them with a new generation of apex predators.


    Unbeknownst to them, the Swarm was different¡ªa force with an intense drive for expansion. Securing a piece of forest territory for amusement was never their end goal.


    The Swarm expanded rapidly, often attacking before apex predators could mount a defense.


    The first target was the nests of the flying bugs, which had once relentlessly pursued Luo Wen. Strictly speaking, these creatures weren¡¯t true apex predators.


    However, their large numbers, flying capability, and venom made them a force most creatures dared not provoke. The few that could challenge them were either flightless or unable to navigate the dense forest terrain. Smaller airborne creatures were outmatched, while larger ones couldn¡¯t maneuver through the forest.


    These factors had allowed the flying bugs to dominate the forest. But now, they faced a formidable adversary.


    The Swarm¡¯s air force, based on a similar template, matched the flying bugs in speed. But unlike the wild bugs, the Swarm¡¯s air force had a ranged combat variant.


    In a confrontation between melee and ranged units, both with equal speed, the ranged units had a significant advantage. The Swarm¡¯s air force would launch an initial salvo and retreat, maintaining a strategic distance.


    As the flying bugs descended in pursuit, swarms of modified spider combat bugs awaited on the ground. Any flying bugs daring to approach were met with the spider bugs¡¯ devastating sticky claws.


    It¡¯s worth noting that these spider bugs were based on a predatory archetype adapted to ambush small insects from cliff faces. Hunting flying bugs was second nature to them.


    After several skirmishes, the flying bug nests suffered heavy losses, and the Swarm¡¯s air force breached their lairs.


    Only the first nest posed a significant challenge. By the time the Swarm encountered the second nest, their combat forces had undergone several rounds of expansion, bolstered by new specialized units.


    Beneath the second flying bug nest:


    Several large black beetles crawled out from the Swarm¡¯s ranks. These beetles were over a meter long, their robust black bodies sporting a cannon barrel extending thirty centimeters forward from the center of their shoulder carapace.


    Their design resembled living tanks¡ªsleek and imposing.


    These beetles were Luo Wen¡¯s latest creation: large artillery bugs, engineered by integrating genes from various projectile-specialized creatures. Initially, they were intended as anti-pterosaur units.


    However, lofty ambitions often clash with harsh realities. Using ¡°tanks¡± to counter ¡°aircraft¡± proved impractical. Even with enhancements in size, barrel length, and internal reaction chambers, their effective range barely reached one hundred meters. Beyond that, accuracy relied on sheer luck.


    Moreover, their maximum firing angle while stationary was just thirty degrees. Luo Wen had reinforced their front two pairs of legs to act as supports, allowing them to elevate their bodies and achieve a maximum angle of seventy degrees. Despite this, the artillery bugs retained significant blind spots and limited range, hampering their utility.


    Compounding these issues, their production costs were exorbitant. Each artillery bug spent over sixty days in its larval stage before reaching maturity. If not for the expanded underground farms, the Swarm couldn¡¯t have afforded to maintain such units.


    Thankfully, these artillery bugs were engineered with genes enabling them to consume soil and enter dormant states. They remained on standby in the underground base, emerging only when needed.


    Like other specialized units developed for apex predators, their numbers were limited. Their niche functionality rendered them unsuitable for mass deployment.


    While Luo Wen considered the artillery bugs one of his least successful creations¡ªvirtually useless¡ªthe right circumstances allowed them to shine.


    For example, when tasked with stationary targets, they performed adequately.


    The artillery bugs assumed their firing positions, extending their legs to raise their bodies and elevate their cannons.


    Observing remotely through the Swarm Network, Luo Wen sighed. ¡°At this pace, they¡¯d miss even ground targets, let alone anything airborne. Maybe they could take out snails.¡±


    Their ammunition consisted of high-temperature, corrosive gelatinous projectiles. Upon impact, the projectiles adhered to targets, continuously releasing toxins.


    The flying bug nest was suspended twenty meters up a tree trunk, constructed from bug secretions and plant fibers. Once dried, the materials oxidized and hardened.


    Several muffled shots rang out, and dark yellow projectiles streaked through the air. All but one hit their mark, puncturing the nest and leaving holes. Curious flying bugs emerged to investigate, only to be instantly killed by the waiting Swarm air force.


    Another volley followed, this time striking the middle of the nest. The structure split in two, with the lower half crashing to the ground. Dazed flying bugs attempting to crawl out were promptly speared by spider combat bugs.


    The upper half of the nest fared no better. Swarms of flying bugs poured out of cracks and openings, only to be met with a hail of concentrated fire from the Swarm¡¯s air force. Few managed to take flight.


    The battle ended swiftly. Aside from some minor skirmishes near the spider bugs, most areas saw no close combat. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the fight, the artillery bugs returned to the base for storage. While their performance was decent, their practical applications remained limited.


    Should resources grow scarce, Luo Wen considered recycling them.

 Chapter 125: The T-Rex and the Boar Insect Beast (1)

    The T-Rex was slumbering in its lair. As a massive creature, its energy expenditure was substantial, requiring over a hundred kilograms of food daily just to survive.


    However, successful hunts were not guaranteed. To mitigate this, the T-Rex could consume up to a tenth of its body weight in one sitting, storing the surplus as reserves. It minimized activity to conserve energy, spending most of its time sleeping. Even fighting was a rare luxury.


    When intruders came knocking, it reluctantly stirred, letting out a mighty roar to showcase its vocal prowess before leisurely pacing about to warm up its body.


    To the T-Rex, these intruders were mere small fries¡ªhardly worth its attention if not for their numbers. Although small, they might at least serve as a decent meal with some effort.


    The T-Rex had reason to feel confident. Among its kind, it was considered above average in size. A long-time adult, its battle-scarred body bore testimony to its many victories.


    Some scars were left by prey in desperate resistance, but most came from skirmishes with other apex predators. Two stood out in particular. The first was a set of deep claw marks stretching across half its head, inflicted by a rival T-Rex during a fierce fight. The claws narrowly missed gouging out its eye. The T-Rex had retaliated with a tail strike that nearly shattered its opponent¡¯s skull, forcing it to retreat, worse for wear.


    The second was a massive bite mark encircling its neck, earned during its youth in a battle for dominance. The opponent¡¯s powerful jaws had nearly suffocated it. Only its superior strength and resilience had allowed it to break free and counter with a fatal throat bite, ultimately securing its current territory.


    Luo Wen, however, cared little for the T-Rex¡¯s scars or its storied past. The only thing that might have piqued his interest was if the T-Rex were missing a leg¡ªthat much meat, about a ton, would be worth investigating.


    From the Swarm¡¯s ranks emerged several boar-shaped insect beasts, the ¡°Anti-T-Rex Impact Injector Beasts.¡± These were specialized units designed to tackle massive dinosaurs and beasts.


    When hunting such colossal creatures, the most efficient method was poisoning.


    However, due to their size, these beasts had exceptionally durable defenses. Their outer layers¡ªwhether keratin armor, fur, feathers, or tough leathery skin¡ªwere highly resistant. Survival demanded nothing less in their brutal environment of constant clashes and scrapes.


    This made direct attacks ineffective. The modified spider combat bugs lacked the venom reserves to deliver fatal doses, even if they managed to strike weak points like the eyes. And though the self-destruct bugs were effective against pythons¡ªwhose primary attack method was constriction¡ªthey struggled against dinosaurs and large beasts with additional offensive capabilities like stomping, tail strikes, and clawing.


    Recognizing these challenges, Luo Wen developed the boar battle insects. Standing about two meters long and one meter tall at the shoulder, these creatures had formidable short-range burst speed and decent defensive capabilities.


    Their design incorporated genes from the golden-armored beetle, granting them a half-meter-long spiral horn on their foreheads. The hollow horn was connected to a large venom sac located behind the neck. Functionally, the horn acted as an oversized syringe. Its sharp tip, combined with the boar insect¡¯s explosive charge, could penetrate the defenses of most dinosaurs and beasts.


    These boar battle insects were a stopgap measure. Luo Wen had envisioned an ideal template based on a herd of triceratops he had once glimpsed on the forest¡¯s outskirts. Lacking the means to harm these armored giants and with no immediate need, Luo Wen had not acquired their genetic material. When he later sought them out, they had vanished, leaving him to rely on the boar template for the time being.


    ¡ª


    Type II flying bugs initiated the assault, leveraging their aerial advantage to pepper the T-Rex¡¯s eyes with concentrated fire. The T-Rex, helpless against the nimble aerial attackers, attempted to roar in defiance but immediately recoiled in pain as projectiles filled its mouth. The corrosive payload burned fiercely, reducing the T-Rex¡¯s roars to pained whimpers. It kept its mouth shut, emitting low groans, appearing pitifully distressed.


    While the Type II flying bugs provided cover, the spider combat bugs advanced swiftly. Agile and tenacious, they clambered onto the T-Rex¡¯s massive body. Though unable to inflict significant damage, they effectively distracted it.


    The T-Rex thrashed its head and tail in an attempt to dislodge the spider bugs, but their sticky claws and barbed hairs clung tenaciously. No matter how violently it twisted, more spider bugs swarmed its body.


    As the T-Rex struggled, three boar insect beasts began their charge. Their explosive acceleration quickly brought them to top speed, and they barreled toward the T-Rex with their heads down.


    Distracted by the flying bugs and spider combat bugs, the T-Rex couldn¡¯t see the charging boar insects. Although it heard the thundering hoofbeats, it wasn¡¯t accustomed to relying on its ears for hunting.


    In its blind attempts to evade, the boar insects¡¯ spiral horns struck true, driving deep into its hind legs. Blood sprayed as the powerful impact embedded the horns within the T-Rex¡¯s flesh.


    The venom sacs in the boar insects¡¯ necks activated, their fiber-reinforced muscles contracting to forcefully expel venom through the long horns and into the T-Rex¡¯s body.


    The T-Rex¡¯s agonized roar echoed through the forest, coinciding with the venom¡¯s injection.


    However, the boar insects were now stuck, unable to retreat. Enraged, the T-Rex, now flooded with adrenaline, ignored the encroaching paralysis. Unable to deal with the small creatures on its body, it turned its fury on the boar insects lodged in its legs.


    With a single crushing bite, the T-Rex tore one of the boar insects to pieces, then repeated the process with the second. The third boar insect managed to wrench its horn free at the last moment, narrowly escaping with its life. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 126: The T-Rex and the Boar Insect Beast (2)

    Luo Wen¡¯s initial design was inspired by the survival mechanisms of animals and insects that shed limbs to escape danger. He planned to make the spiral horn of the Boar Insect Beast detachable.


    However, this approach compromised the structural integrity of the horn. During an impact, if the enemy¡¯s armor was too strong, the spiral horn could break off before penetrating the defense.


    The sole combat purpose of the Boar Insect Beast was to drive its horn deep into the enemy¡¯s body. Such flaws would hinder its effectiveness.


    Moreover, even if the detachable design worked, the Boar Insect Beast would lose its horn after one collision. Regrowing the horn would take considerable time, during which the beast could not enter dormancy and would need constant food intake.


    With all this in mind, Luo Wen decided to go with a unified structure. Even if the Boar Insect Beast died, as long as its flesh remained intact, the materials could be recycled to produce another one. Cost analysis revealed this approach was more economical than the detachable model.


    Although the T-Rex managed to crush two Boar Insect Beasts, its fate was sealed the moment its body was pierced by a spiral horn. Lacking any resistance to poison, its powerful, rapid heartbeat only hastened its demise. The toxin quickly mixed with its blood and spread throughout its body at an astonishing rate.


    Paralyzed by the venom disrupting its neural signals, the T-Rex collapsed to the ground. It could no longer perceive external stimuli, its consciousness trapped in a dark void as it awaited death.


    Next to the T-Rex¡¯s lair, a branch base of the swarm was established. This marked the swarm¡¯s first terrestrial branch base since Luo Wen¡¯s awakening.


    With improved species, both the size and mobility of the swarm units had drastically increased. Their operational range expanded tens or even hundreds of times. The era when multiple swarm bases crowded a few hundred meters of territory was now a thing of the past.


    Luo Wen remotely commanded this battle via the Swarm Network. Once the fight concluded, he shifted his focus elsewhere. The Blades had remarkable learning capabilities, and they would handle similar enemies on their own in the future.


    The forest¡¯s unique apex creatures and factions were limited in variety. Before the swarm conquered the entire forest, Luo Wen could work undisturbed on his plant seed experiments.


    Recently, he had found a new approach: using the primitive genes of the Iphieash species to bridge the gap between animal and plant genes.


    The results of this new experimental organism exceeded Luo Wen¡¯s expectations. The experiment was heading into uncharted territory, and he could not predict the outcome. However, he had a strong feeling that the results would be positive, and he eagerly anticipated the final product.


    The Brood Nest was now focused on producing Brood Queens. Newly birthed queens were transported to branch bases during their juvenile stage to make relocation manageable.


    As the Brood Queens arrived, swarm bases began multiplying rapidly, and the territory expanded swiftly. Whether giant pythons, large carnivorous T-Rexes, or other predators, none could evade the swarm¡¯s aerial scouts unless they left the forest entirely.


    The timing of their eradication depended solely on the swarm¡¯s food reserves.


    In truth, the swarm¡¯s daily consumption was relatively low. Only a small portion of the army remained in combat readiness; most of the units consisted of aerial scouts. These small, lightweight fliers required minimal food to sustain themselves.


    The majority of combat units would enter collective dormancy. Patrol units sustained themselves by consuming soil to maintain minimal energy levels. When facing battle or invasion, the Blades would use the Swarm Network to awaken select units.


    Thus, the hardest-working members of the swarm were the Worker Drones and Worker Ants. With Luo Wen¡¯s experiments yielding greater spore crop yields, maintaining the swarm¡¯s daily needs became effortless.


    This ushered in a brief period of tranquility in the forest. Although vast tracts of land were being incorporated into the swarm¡¯s domain daily, Luo Wen understood the principles of sustainable development and long-term gains. As a result, the forest¡¯s original ecosystem was largely preserved, with the exception of the previous apex predators and factions, which had now been reduced to one: the swarm.


    Occupying the top of the food chain, the swarm fulfilled its role by periodically culling forest creatures to prevent overpopulation.


    The forest effectively became a massive breeding ground, supplying the swarm with an endless source of sustenance.


    To Luo Wen¡¯s surprise, a group of Triceratops was discovered deep within the forest. After a carefully planned hunt, he successfully acquired their genetic material. This led to an upgrade for the Anti-T-Rex Impact Injector Beast. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The new swarm beast, modeled after the Triceratops, measured 7¨C9 meters in length, stood 2.5 meters tall, and weighed 8¨C10 tons. Beyond equipping its three iconic horns with injection tubes and venom sacs, little was altered.


    Despite being herbivorous, the Triceratops¡¯ sturdy head shield and sharp horns allowed it to counterattack and even kill a T-Rex in combat. With the addition of venom injection, this new beast required no assistance from other swarm units to defeat large carnivorous dinosaurs, achieving a high success rate.


    As a result, the Anti-T-Rex Collision Beast evolved from a disposable unit into a robust main battle tank. Its name was changed to Triceratops Beast.


    With the aid of the Triceratops Beast, the swarm no longer needed to frequently replenish its frontline collision units. In a short time, they had eradicated all carnivorous dinosaur species within a thousand-kilometer radius.


    Numerous Brood Queens were dispatched to establish new bases. The swarm¡¯s rapid territorial expansion and the elimination of apex predators raised concerns about ecological balance. To address this, the dormant combat units were reactivated and, under the Blades¡¯ command, conducted sweeps across the region.


    The abundance of prey led to a surplus of food that the swarm couldn¡¯t consume in time. The forest¡¯s oppressive heat exposed storage issues, as large quantities of food risked spoilage. Although the swarm initiated a new round of mass unit production, the hatching process was still underway, leaving vast amounts of food at risk of rotting.


    It was at this time that Luo Wen made an extraordinary discovery in his experiments.


    He found a hybrid organism that defied categorization as either plant or animal.


    This organism, combining plant and animal genes, exhibited remarkable traits. Genes from algae, ferns, and mosses enabled it to grow rapidly and adapt to various environments, including water surfaces and underwater habitats.


    Lichen genes granted it the ability to break down rocks and minerals, absorbing essential nutrients directly from them.


    Shade-tolerant plant genes allowed it to thrive in dim, lightless underground settings without relying on photosynthesis.


    The incorporation of vine genes enabled it to parasitize other plants, extracting nutrients directly from their hosts.

 Chapter 127: The Fungal Carpet

    Some carnivorous plant genes endowed the new organism with the ability to produce digestive fluids, allowing it to rapidly convert prey into nutrients. At the same time, it drew from various leafy plant genes to strengthen its root system. These robust roots could extend hundreds of meters underground.


    The most remarkable trait, however, came from the integration of biological genes, which enabled the organism to grow large fungal nodes on its surface. These nodes could illuminate points on the Swarm Network.


    This meant that Luo Wen could directly project his consciousness into these fungal nodes and observe their surroundings from their perspective. Additionally, while these fungal nodes lacked intelligence, they could be programmed with reactive options.


    As active nodes on the Swarm Network, they came equipped with friend-or-foe recognition capabilities. When unidentified creatures stepped on or passed near them, the nodes would blink on the Swarm Network to send a warning.


    The new plant also solved the food storage problem effectively. Thanks to its powerful digestive capabilities, prey placed on the organism¡¯s body would be quickly broken down and converted into nutrients. These nutrients were stored within the plant and could be rapidly transported through its body. Any unit registered on the Swarm Network could tap into this resource by opening a ¡°valve¡± on any part of the plant¡¯s body and requesting access to the nutrients.


    In simple terms, the plant¡¯s body functioned like a ¡°plumbing system,¡± where authorized users could install ¡°faucets¡± to draw resources.


    Moreover, in critical situations, the plant itself could be consumed directly as food.


    The practicality of this innovation far exceeded Luo Wen¡¯s original expectations.


    However, it had its downsides¡ªnamely, its unattractive appearance. Its visible portions resembled a grayish-purple carpet spread across the ground. The carpet¡¯s network of veins would occasionally writhe as if alive, transporting nutrients.


    Although Luo Wen understood this movement was part of the nutrient distribution process, the sight of the ¡°carpet¡± twitching still made him uneasy.


    To honor certain memories from his human past, Luo Wen named this new plant Fungal Carpet.


    With the Fungal Carpet, the food storage problem was finally resolved, likely for good. As the Fungal Carpet converted prey into a sap-like substance, spoilage was no longer a concern.


    The seeds of the Fungal Carpet could be produced directly by the Brood Queens. Theoretically, a single seed could lead to infinite growth. However, to expedite the coverage of large areas, scattering more seeds was ideal.


    The Fungal Carpet consumed any organic matter that lacked a Swarm Network identity, absorbing its nutrients. As a result, areas covered by the Fungal Carpet became barren wastelands.


    Additionally, due to its carnivorous plant genes, the Fungal Carpet could autonomously hunt insects and small animals. This disrupted the local ecosystem by eliminating these creatures, which in turn drove away their predators. Thus, its environmental impact was devastating.


    Recognizing this, Luo Wen did not allow unchecked growth of the Fungal Carpet. Instead, he regulated its use, mandating that each base plant it only within a specific radius based on actual needs.


    Even with these restrictions, the increasing number of swarm bases resulted in a steady expansion of the Fungal Carpet¡¯s coverage.


    More coverage meant more fungal nodes, which translated to an increased number of active Swarm Network points. These fungal nodes, unable to distinguish between significant and minor disturbances, would even trigger alarms for passing Tail Lard Rats, causing disruptions to Luo Wen¡¯s daily work.


    To address this issue, Luo Wen reconfigured the permissions system. Each Fungal Carpet was assigned a designated area and linked exclusively to its base¡¯s Brood Queen and Blades. Only in cases of genuine emergencies would the information be escalated to Luo Wen.


    This adjustment resolved the problem of excessive false alarms from the fungal nodes. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With his enthusiasm for genetic tinkering temporarily waning, Luo Wen found himself with more free time. He returned to his familiar ¡°shut-in¡± lifestyle, spending his days in the base and observing his domain through the Swarm Network.


    Under his watch, the swarm¡¯s expansion accelerated significantly. Thanks to the Fungal Carpet, new bases required only a minimal number of Worker Ants for maintenance tasks like cleaning. Feeding the larvae was no longer necessary.


    The bases¡¯ hatcheries were now lined with Fungal Carpet, enabling larvae to tap directly into its resources to supplement their nutrition whenever needed.


    This pre-digested food was highly absorbable, shortening the larvae¡¯s growth cycle considerably.


    The improved efficiency in troop replenishment further accelerated the swarm¡¯s expansion.


    Before long, the entire forest fell under the swarm¡¯s control. This forest spanned over 2,000 kilometers and contained an abundance of mountains, rivers, and resources.


    Following this conquest, the swarm entered a period of stability. The number of swarm bases reached 500, forming a tightly interconnected network that secured their grip on the forest.


    With a solid logistical base established, Luo Wen turned his attention to the forest outskirts.


    Luo Wen had initially crash-landed near the forest¡¯s edge. During the swarm¡¯s infancy, he had scouted the area and encountered both Diplodocus and Triceratops there.


    However, as the swarm prioritized the forest¡¯s conquest, little attention had been given to its outskirts despite the central base being only a step away. The main reason was that the outer forest was sparsely wooded, with fewer trees to shield the swarm from aerial threats.


    Large pterosaurs in the skies posed no threat to smaller units like the Modified Spider Combat Bugs and Flying Bugs, but most of the swarm¡¯s prey were over a meter in size.


    The sparse forest provided little cover, and the region was dominated by large dinosaurs. Occasionally, the swarm caught smaller creatures, but before they could be dragged back to the base, aerial predators would swoop down and snatch the kill.


    Pterosaurs, perched hundreds or even thousands of meters above, had keen eyesight. Since Spider Combat Bugs and Flying Bugs lacked the ability to transport prey, they had to wait for the slower Giant Mandible Soldier Ants to retrieve it.


    During this interval, pterosaurs often intercepted the swarm¡¯s prey. Even if Spider Combat Bugs latched onto the pterosaurs during their dives, there was no guarantee their venom could kill the massive creatures. Even if successful, the carcasses fell far beyond the swarm¡¯s reach, benefitting scavengers while the swarm suffered losses.


    The most intolerable offense was when pterosaurs targeted the Giant Mandible Soldier Ants outside the forest¡¯s cover. These small tanks were slow-moving and defenseless against aerial assaults.

 Chapter 128: Hunting the Pterosaurs

    Fortunately, during one of their attacks, the pterosaurs underestimated the weight of a Giant Mandible Soldier Ant, dropping it after ascending only five or six meters.


    Luo Wen, monitoring the event remotely, immediately ordered the swarm to abandon the prey and retreat.


    In the early stages of the swarm¡¯s development, before the emergence of Brood Queens, every unit was precious¡ªeven the Modified Spider Combat Bugs were difficult to replace. Most importantly, any losses were irreversible, as there was no way to recover the corpses.


    On one occasion, a Modified Spider Combat Bug climbed onto a pterosaur along with its prey. Although the pterosaur appeared to lack significant defenses, its keratinized skin was remarkably thick. The bug struggled to inject its venom, and by the time it reached the pterosaur¡¯s wings, it managed a single injection after considerable effort.


    The pterosaur, noticing the large bug on its body, lowered its altitude and attempted to eat the intruder. In the ensuing struggle, the Spider Combat Bug was dislodged and killed by the pterosaur.


    Luo Wen watched the entire battle through a remote viewing perspective. The pterosaur¡¯s neck, two to three meters long, was incredibly agile and struck with remarkable speed. Even with their advanced dynamic vision and echolocation, the Spider Combat Bugs struggled to evade such attacks.


    When clinging to the pterosaur, the bugs could engage briefly, but once dislodged, they could not survive more than a few rounds of combat.


    Luo Wen could not accept these unrecoverable losses, leading him to avoid the forest outskirts temporarily.


    Afterward, the swarm entered a brief period of surplus troops. However, before Luo Wen could devise a battle plan, a new wave of territorial expansion began, leaving the swarm perpetually short on manpower.


    Now, with the entire forest under control and the swarm in a period of recovery, Luo Wen finally had the time and resources to properly confront the pterosaurs.


    The first priority was to capture a pterosaur and obtain its genetic material. Without it, the swarm would be at a significant disadvantage.


    Due to their unique physiology, pterosaurs could fly at altitudes and speeds far beyond those of birds, let alone insects. Luo Wen¡¯s current flying units were incapable of posing any threat to them, as the pterosaurs could simply ascend out of range to remain untouchable.


    Fortunately, the pterosaurs were not particularly intelligent, making it relatively easy to set a targeted trap.


    A Giant Mandible Soldier Ant dragged the carcass of a wild boar out of the forest. The ¡°wild boar¡± was played by a Boar Insect Beast, which had seen little action since the emergence of the Triceratops Beasts.


    Pterosaurs typically did not consume their prey on-site; instead, they carried it away to eat in an unknown location. Thus, the method of poisoning the prey, which had been effective against predatory fish, was ineffective here.


    To address this, Luo Wen used the Boar Insect Beast as bait, hoping its spiral horn might inadvertently injure a careless pterosaur.


    Pterosaurs¡¯ exceptional eyesight allowed them to spot prey from thousands of meters in the air, provided there were no clouds obstructing their view. The abnormal scene on the ground immediately caught their attention.


    Several pterosaurs descended, circling at an altitude of three to four hundred meters while screeching as if warning each other to stay away.


    After some squabbling, the largest pterosaur appeared to claim the right to strike first. It tucked its head and folded its wings, initiating a dive.


    The Giant Mandible Soldier Ant and Boar Insect Beast were both large targets, but the unarmored Boar Insect Beast was more appealing to the pterosaur.


    Ignoring the soldier ant entirely, the pterosaur extended its wings to slow its descent at around thirty meters above the ground. It adjusted its posture and aimed its talons at the inert Boar Insect Beast.


    To avoid startling the pterosaur, Luo Wen refrained from activating the beast¡¯s spiral horn, as the likelihood of a successful hit was far too low. The Boar Insect Beast remained convincingly motionless.


    Once the pterosaur gripped the Boar Insect Beast, it flapped its massive wings and began to ascend. With a wingspan close to ten meters, this pterosaur was extraordinarily large. Despite the Boar Insect Beast weighing nearly half a ton, the pterosaur managed to lift it off the ground.


    Given the pterosaur¡¯s own weight, likely just over half a ton, its strength was impressive.


    At that moment, the Giant Mandible Soldier Ant activated its propulsion system.


    Although the system¡¯s acceleration effects were diminished by the ant¡¯s heavy frame, overloading it produced a sudden burst of speed. The ant lunged forward and clamped its massive mandibles onto one of the pterosaur¡¯s ankles, pulling it back down and forcing the Boar Insect Beast to fall back to the ground.


    The effort came at a cost: the soldier ant¡¯s rear leg joints sustained severe damage, likely irreparable. It would require reconstruction after the battle.


    Even with its immense strength, the ant¡¯s limited ground traction, supported by only four legs, reduced its effectiveness. The Boar Insect Beast began to lift off again.


    However, the delay was enough. Hidden nearby, a swarm of Modified Spider Combat Bugs equipped with optical camouflage surged onto the pterosaur¡¯s body.


    This specialized unit, outfitted for covert operations, had been enhanced with five-centimeter-long stingers at the base of their abdomens. Designed specifically for pterosaurs, their stingers were thicker and longer to penetrate the creatures¡¯ tough defenses. Large venom sacs were also added to their abdomens for maximum effectiveness.


    The bugs quickly climbed onto the pterosaur, avoiding areas of thick defense already identified by a previous unit¡¯s sacrifice. They reached the wings in moments. Despite the violent flapping, their hooked claws and adhesive hairs helped them maintain their grip.


    Positioning their stingers, the bugs pierced the wing membranes, injecting venom into the pterosaur.


    The pterosaur, attacked, immediately released the Boar Insect Beast and began ascending rapidly.


    Without the additional weight of the beast, the wounded Giant Mandible Soldier Ant could no longer restrain the pterosaur. It was dragged off the ground before losing its grip and falling.


    Freed from its confines, the Boar Insect Beast clumsily attempted to retaliate, but its sluggish movements predictably failed to strike the pterosaur. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ascending higher, the pterosaur fled, but at least a dozen Modified Spider Combat Bugs clung to its body, providing Luo Wen with real-time visuals.


    Tens of thousands of Type I Flying Bugs rose in pursuit, resembling a dark cloud sweeping through the sky. A few Blades mingled among them, directing the operation.


    On the ground, hundreds more Modified Spider Combat Bugs with optical camouflage moved toward the anticipated direction of the fleeing pterosaur. Equipped with sufficient energy reserves, they could sustain prolonged pursuits.

 Chapter 129: The Storm God

    The pterosaur didn¡¯t fly far before succumbing to the venom injected by at least twelve Modified Spider Combat Bugs. The thin, sparse blood vessels in its wing membranes had slowed the toxin¡¯s spread; otherwise, it likely wouldn¡¯t have been able to fly at all.


    The pterosaur crashed roughly 10 kilometers from the initial battlefield¡ªa distance that wasn¡¯t particularly far. Its dramatic fall quickly drew the attention of nearby predators.


    Several pterosaurs circled above, while small ground predators lurked hesitantly nearby. However, before they could approach, a loud buzzing arose in the distance. Soon, a dark cloud of Type I Flying Bugs descended, sealing off the area.


    The pterosaur had likely lost control of its body while in mid-air, plummeting headfirst to the ground without slowing. Though its body wasn¡¯t completely shattered, its bones were largely broken. Even if it hadn¡¯t died immediately, the neurotoxin coursing through its system likely rendered it incapable of feeling pain.


    Surprisingly, the Giant Mandible Soldier Ant that had clung to the pterosaur¡¯s ankle was still alive. As the pterosaur had fallen headfirst, the ant had luckily found a ¡°cushion¡± to break its fall.


    Despite the buffer, the soldier ant was gravely injured. However, its final mission was yet to be completed before being sent for reconstruction.


    With its sharp and durable mandibles, the Giant Mandible Soldier Ant was an excellent cutter. Since its inception, it had served as both a transport and cutting unit.


    Now too injured to drag the pterosaur¡¯s body back to base, the soldier ant began dismembering it on-site.


    Above, the Type I Flying Bugs formed an impenetrable barrier, blocking the view of the pterosaurs circling in the sky. On the ground, the incessant buzzing intimidated would-be predators, keeping them at bay.


    Despite its large size, the pterosaur¡¯s body was lean, and the cutting proceeded quickly. Nearby, Modified Spider Combat Bugs remained hidden, waiting for the dismemberment to finish before transporting the pieces back to the base¡ªa task well within their original function as transport bugs.


    Two hours later, the combat units delivered the pterosaur¡¯s remains to Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen entered a period of seclusion.


    Fifty days later, the swarm¡¯s newly developed Storm God took flight.


    This creature was larger than any pterosaur Luo Wen had previously encountered. With a wingspan of 17 meters and a widened back, it weighed nearly a ton and could carry loads of up to two tons.


    Its primary role wasn¡¯t combat, although it was formidable in battle. Instead, its primary function was long-distance transportation. It could carry 400 Modified Spider Combat Bugs, thousands of Type I Flying Bugs, and even over a dozen Giant Mandible Soldier Ants.


    The Storm God¡¯s body was a marvel of aerodynamic engineering. Its tail was short, its head was long and slender, and its elongated beak was sharp and pointed. The wings were composed of vascular networks, muscles, and microfilaments of actin fibers arranged in parallel. Its forelimbs were sturdy, with thick muscles and tendons, enabling a unique launch mechanism.


    By crouching down, using its forelimbs as leverage, and propelling itself upward with its powerful hind legs, the Storm God could achieve a rapid catapult-like takeoff.


    Once airborne, it utilized subtle air currents to glide efficiently, requiring minimal wing movement. It could ascend to altitudes exceeding 10,000 meters with ease. Equipped with a Tail Lard Organ, its endurance was exceptional, allowing it to fly nearly 20,000 kilometers nonstop when unladen.


    Though it typically glided at a leisurely speed of under 150 kilometers per hour, it could reach up to 500 kilometers per hour during full-powered flight. However, such speeds consumed energy rapidly and couldn¡¯t be sustained for long.


    The Storm God served as both a high-altitude reconnaissance unit and a rapid deployment carrier for the swarm. Dubbed the ¡°airborne mothership¡± of the swarm, its official designation was Storm God.


    With the deployment of the Storm Gods, the swarm finally had a countermeasure against the high-altitude pterosaurs.


    A few days later, two Storm Gods took to the skies. Their immense size allowed them to ascend higher than the circling pterosaurs, granting them a vantage point over their quarry.


    The pterosaurs, drawn by ground-level bait, hovered cautiously, screeching anxiously. Unlike the previous trap, this time the swarm had stationed large numbers of ground and aerial units near the bait, their menacing presence keeping the pterosaurs wary and reluctant to descend.


    The pterosaurs¡¯ cries attracted more of their kind, yet the real danger came not from the ground but from above.


    Several specialized insects leaped from the Storm Gods¡¯ backs.


    These creatures, measuring over 20 centimeters in length, sported robust, smooth horns on their heads, each measuring 6 to 7 centimeters. Their bodies were equipped with feathered wings on either side, though these wings were too small to enable sustained flight. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Indeed, these bugs were head-heavy and bottom-light, with a peculiar streamlined elegance. Their exoskeletons were dense and heavy, making their wings suitable only for brief gliding and minor directional adjustments.


    Their abdomens housed numerous air vents connected to a large internal air sac derived from the genes of a jet fish species. This fish possessed a high-pressure system capable of compressing water and shooting it from its mouth to knock insects off aquatic plants.


    Luo Wen modified this system, replacing the ¡°water bullets¡± with compressed air.


    Using this mechanism, the specialized bugs could expel air at varying pressures from different abdominal vents to change direction mid-air.


    As the bugs leaped from the Storm Gods, they locked onto their targets below. By coordinating abdominal vent expulsions and minor wing adjustments, they steered themselves with precision.


    Once oriented, they folded their wings and entered a steep dive. When visual tracking became unreliable at high speeds, their targeting systems switched to echolocation. Using sonar, they continuously adjusted their trajectory.


    As they neared their targets, they closed all side vents, relying solely on wing adjustments for precision. At the same time, their high-pressure systems expelled air through their largest tail vents, propelling them even faster.


    At this stage, their speed reached a peak, producing a piercing whistle in the air. Within moments, the bugs struck the gliding pterosaurs with devastating force.


    The bugs¡¯ 6 to 7-centimeter horns pierced the pterosaurs¡¯ bodies with ease, propelled by the immense speed. The momentum carried them through their targets, leaving a spray of blood as they continued their descent.

 Chapter 130: Expansion

    As they approached the ground, the bugs unfurled their wings, halting their descent momentarily. Jets of air continuously vented from the spiracles on their abdomens, counteracting the downward momentum until they finally landed smoothly.


    Seconds after the bugs touched down, the pterosaurs that had been struck earlier let out anguished cries before plummeting to the ground.


    One fallen pterosaur wasn¡¯t immediately dead. A massive hole had been blasted into the base of its right wing, taking out half its torso. The grievous injury caused its wails to weaken over time.


    It wasn¡¯t the only casualty. Each bug that had leapt off the back of the Storm Gods had a specific target, and the number of targets perfectly matched the circling pterosaurs.


    The results were spectacular. Every pterosaur was hit, and the severe penetrative injuries left none capable of continuing to fly. Against this new type of combat bug, the pterosaurs were utterly defenseless.


    These bugs had been specifically designed to counter the pterosaurs. Their full designation was ¡°Auto-Locking, Jet-Propelled Collision Flying Bugs,¡± but they were commonly referred to as ¡°Flying Kamikaze Bugs.¡±


    Luo Wen¡¯s initial concept had been to equip these bugs with large toxin sacs in their thoraxes, designed to detonate upon impact with enemy targets. The primary damage output was meant to be from the released toxins.


    However, to ensure that the Flying Kamikaze Bugs could reliably hit their targets, Luo Wen incorporated a slew of advanced technologies. To prevent disintegration from the high-speed dive, he also reinforced their defenses.


    This resulted in such formidable physical damage output that their initial toxin feature became redundant. Despite the pterosaurs¡¯ robust physical defenses, they couldn¡¯t withstand even the first wave of collision damage.


    Deciding to streamline their design, Luo Wen temporarily removed the toxin sacs. This change allowed the Flying Kamikaze Bugs to transition from single-use consumables to reusable combat units, significantly reducing resource consumption.


    Yet, their fatality rate remained high. At such extreme speeds, even slight miscalculations led to catastrophic outcomes. For example, one Flying Kamikaze Bug had struck the spine of a pterosaur¡ªa particularly tough section of its anatomy. Though the impact¡¯s sheer kinetic force shattered the spine, the backlash snapped the bug¡¯s neck, killing it instantly.


    Such losses, however, were deemed acceptable. Exchanging a few pounds of bug biomass for hundreds of pounds of prey was a trade-off Luo Wen was more than willing to make.


    Through this approach, the swarm steadily cleared the skies of nearby pterosaurs, enabling their territory to extend beyond the forest.


    Luo Wen also leveraged the pterosaurs¡¯ high mobility by dispatching several as reconnaissance units, finally gaining a clearer understanding of the planet¡¯s current state.


    This planet appeared to have only one continent, which, despite its irregular shape, was largely interconnected and stretched in an elongated form.


    From south to north or west to east, the furthest distances exceeded 20,000 kilometers. Surrounding it was an endless ocean. Luo Wen tried to locate familiar landmarks but found that most features were either unrecognizable or had shifted over time, likely due to tectonic activity.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t concerned. In this world, he had no attachments or obligations¡ªliving the kind of life where a lone individual needed only to feed themselves. As long as he survived, the swarm could always be rebuilt. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this period, Luo Wen discovered several pterosaur nests. Most were built on sheer cliffs, while others were on small islands by the sea.


    The sky belonged to the swarm, and Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t tolerate any unidentified entities flying above 100 meters without a designated swarm ID.


    One by one, the Storm Gods launched into the air. Thirty Storm Gods formed a flying squadron, adopting a V-formation as they ascended to an altitude of 10,000 meters and soared toward their target.


    Their destination was one of the nearest pterosaur nests, located on cliffs over 2,000 meters high. Hundreds of pterosaurs had built their nests there.


    After over an hour of long-distance flight, the squadron reached the designated location. Without delay, several Flying Kamikaze Bugs leapt off the Storm Gods. The piercing whistle of their dives cut through the air, and several circling pterosaurs were swiftly taken down.


    Next, Modified Spider Combat Bugs leapt from the backs of the Storm Gods. These bugs had been upgraded from the basic Spider Combat Bug model. While they lacked optical cloaking, they featured enhanced stingers and enlarged abdominal toxin sacs. Additionally, their toxin storage capacity had been further increased.


    Their eight legs were connected by thin membrane-like webbing extending from the third joint to the base, enabling them to stretch their legs and spread the webbing during descent, slowing their fall. These were the Spider Combat Bug II, the swarm¡¯s newest airborne infantry.


    The Storm Gods demonstrated their exceptional payload capacity and long-range deployment abilities by delivering 10,000 Spider Combat Bug II to the battlefield.


    A dense cloud of black dots descended from the sky, unfurling their legs and webbing leisurely at 1,000 meters above the mountaintop to reduce their falling speed.


    The Storm Gods above still carried a contingent of Flying Kamikaze Bugs, which they deployed whenever a pterosaur attempted to take off.


    The 10,000 Spider Combat Bug II split into smaller teams and landed across various peaks. Many pterosaurs, startled by the earlier whistles, were ambushed by the descending bugs before they could react.


    The enhanced stingers and enlarged toxin sacs posed a significant threat to the pterosaurs. Just two Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ worth of venom could bring a pterosaur down within 10 kilometers, and five bugs¡¯ worth would prevent one from taking off altogether.


    The battle was swift. The swarm suffered the loss of 11 Flying Kamikaze Bugs and 61 Spider Combat Bug II, but eliminated 639 pterosaurs and secured over 500 pterosaur eggs.


    Hours later, new Storm Gods arrived, bringing a juvenile Brood Queen, over a million Worker Ants, and tens of thousands of Worker Drones. Given the distance from the main swarm base and the logistical challenges of transporting prey, Luo Wen opted to establish a branch base on-site.


    An underground base began to take shape. The pterosaur corpses were piled up beside the base by the Storm Gods, forming a mountain of carcasses.


    A faint purple-gray hue spread from the base of the corpse mountain, quickly enveloping it entirely.


    Wherever the swarm established a base, a fungal carpet was sure to follow. The fungal carpet would digest the mountain of corpses, converting them into nutrients stored within its tissues. Once the Brood Queen matured and formally began base operations, these stored nutrients would be invaluable.


    In the days that followed, the aerial squadrons expanded in number, conducting raids on pterosaur nests across the continent and planting branch bases in their wake.


    Gradually, the entire continent¡ªincluding its surrounding islands¡ªfell under the swarm¡¯s control. The once-dominant apex predators, including the T-Rex, were now little more than livestock under Luo Wen¡¯s rule.

 Chapter 131: Gazing at the Stars

    The Storm Gods¡ªaerial motherships with unparalleled mobility and transport capabilities¡ªhad enabled the swarm to take bold strides forward. However, the pace of expansion had far exceeded the swarm¡¯s troop reserves, making it impossible to simultaneously establish bases across the continent. Fortunately, the swarm¡¯s agility meant that no base required a standing force of millions as before.


    Each location needed only a juvenile Brood Queen, a fungal carpet seed, and a small contingent of auxiliary units. Given time, a swarm base would gradually take shape.


    Even in the face of insurmountable threats, as long as the base could hold out briefly, the airbases constructed with higher priority could quickly deploy reinforcements to the troubled area.


    At worst, retaliation was always an option.


    Gradually, the bases began to develop and expand, radiating their influence outward.


    One apex predator after another, such as the T-Rex, was located, surrounded, and hunted down. These massive creatures, with their voracious appetites, were no longer needed in the swarm¡¯s territory. Initially, they had been left alone to maintain ecological balance, but that was no longer necessary.


    As time passed, the swarm, now unrivaled on land, began to extend its reach into the ocean. Luo Wen already had genetic templates for various marine organisms, such as crabs, prawns, and mantis shrimp.


    During the conquest of the land, he had also acquired numerous aquatic genes, including those of carnivorous fish and crocodiles. Although many were freshwater species, Luo Wen¡¯s mastery of genetic modification allowed him to adapt them to survive and thrive in saltwater environments.


    With its exceptional logistics and resource-gathering capabilities, combined with a diverse array of specialized units, the swarm gradually occupied the coastal shallows around the continent.


    Even the sunless deep ocean was not beyond the swarm¡¯s reach. Exploration teams were dispatched to these depths, where vision was less effective but echolocation¡ªadapted from bat abilities¡ªproved invaluable. This unique adaptation shone underwater, enabling the swarm to extend its territory further into the deep sea.


    Although the swarm¡¯s numbers were significantly smaller than before Luo Wen¡¯s long slumber, its occupied territory had expanded severalfold. With everything running smoothly, Luo Wen found himself growing increasingly idle and bored.


    In the following days, Luo Wen wandered aimlessly across the swarm¡¯s vast domain. Sometimes, he would climb to the peaks of towering mountains to watch the sunrise. Other times, he would sit on a sandy beach, gazing at the moonlight reflecting on the waves.


    His wanderings, however, were not without purpose. Despite the swarm¡¯s advanced transportation system and the fact that Luo Wen had already collected most of the planet¡¯s genetic material, certain organisms and plants were difficult to preserve. Now that circumstances allowed, Luo Wen preferred to sample them fresh.


    Years passed in the blink of an eye. Luo Wen had experienced nearly everything this planet had to offer. Apart from the unexplored depths of the ocean, he had traversed most of the planet¡¯s surface.


    Yet, with time, a growing sense of loneliness gnawed at him. The vastness of the planet felt like a gilded cage¡ªa cage nonetheless.


    Lying on a fine, soft beach, the salty sea breeze brushing his face, Luo Wen gazed up at the starlit sky. Above him, two moons glowed amid countless sparkling stars.


    This planet, untouched by pollution, offered an astonishingly clear view of the night sky. Ever since the first time he had admired the celestial panorama by the sea, stargazing had become one of Luo Wen¡¯s favorite pastimes.


    Looking at the dazzling stars, he often wondered: Where was this place? Was one of those distant lights Earth? Were there aliens out there? If he could return to Earth, would he now be considered an alien himself?


    Such thoughts often brought a lump to his throat.


    Soon, his thoughts shifted. Now that he had essentially mastered this planet, with an unknown lifespan ahead, how should he spend the endless years? Could he truly live out his days as the ¡°planetary lord¡±?


    If so, how would he endure the boundless stretches of time?


    He recalled an old adage from his previous life: ¡°Our journey lies among the stars and the seas.¡± Perhaps he could set his sights beyond this world.


    But was that even possible?


    Luo Wen, though lacking astronomical knowledge, knew enough to understand how hostile outer space was to life. The vacuum, extreme cold, and relentless radiation were more than enough to obliterate any living being.


    Moreover, even contemplating such ambitions was premature¡ªhe had no idea how to reach outer space. The Storm Gods had a maximum flight altitude of less than 20,000 meters. Using them to breach the atmosphere was nothing short of a fantasy.


    As for relying on his evolutionary talent to develop such capabilities, the time required was incalculable. His talent wasn¡¯t omnipotent; it merely accelerated evolution.


    The specialized abilities of a species usually required tens of thousands, even millions of years to evolve. Even if Luo Wen shortened this timespan by a thousand or ten thousand times, the effort required would still be daunting.


    This was why Luo Wen often practiced what he called ¡°the doctrine of borrowing.¡± Many biological abilities were the result of eons of refinement¡ªproven and perfected. If ready-made solutions were available, why reinvent the wheel?


    For example, species with low offensive capabilities often evolved defensive traits. Hardened carapaces were the most common, but regenerative abilities and toxins were also defensive adaptations. Predatory species, on the other hand, always had sharp fangs and claws. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Iphieash¡¯s strength lay in its ability to absorb such genes, combine them, and enhance both offense and defense¡ªthen improve further from that baseline.


    However, evolving spacefaring capabilities from scratch? Luo Wen had never heard of a creature achieving such a feat. Attempting it himself was not only time-consuming but might even prove impossible.


    Nevertheless, he had noticed during some of his genetic experiments that understanding specific theories could make it easier to acquire or derive certain abilities.


    For instance, he had extensively used toxin sacs in the past and was familiar with their mechanics. This familiarity allowed him to refine and miniaturize the sacs, integrating them into the legs of the Spider Combat Bugs with ease.


    Perhaps if he had learned rocket science in his previous life, he might now be able to accelerate the genetic evolution needed for space exploration.


    In his former life, he had indeed built rockets¡ªand even spacecraft¡ªbut only in video games. Gathering resources, clicking ¡°build,¡± and waiting for a progress bar to fill was his entire process. The finished product would then appear magically before him.


    He knew nothing of the underlying principles.


    Reality wasn¡¯t a game, and such shortcuts were impossible.


    Here, there was no Baidu, no libraries, and no books or research materials. Even if Luo Wen wanted to become self-taught, he had no means to do so. And expecting him to independently discover and develop those theoretical frameworks? That was laughably optimistic.


    Those theories represented the collective efforts of entire civilizations, billions of people, and centuries of work.

 Chapter 132: A New Idea Emerges (1)

    Luo Wen fell into deep contemplation.


    On this beach, he remained still for a full three days, neither eating nor drinking. Thanks to the reserves stored in his Tail Lard Organ, not only could he endure three days, but he could go as long as three months without needing sustenance.


    As for the dampness of the seaside or issues like arthritis, Luo Wen could replace his appendages at any time. Would something as trivial as arthritis even matter to him?


    During these three days, he focused on a single question. This planet, while lacking apples, had similar fruits. His question revolved around what thoughts came to mind when these fruits fell from the tree to the ground.


    In the end, his musings led to a jumble of disorganized thoughts. While he had heard of universal gravitation, he couldn¡¯t form any coherent theories.


    The truth was that developing rockets on his own was less realistic than biding his time, relying on luck, and evolving the necessary traits through his innate abilities.


    Examining his genetic library, he found that advancing into outer space presented specific challenges. Wings, effective only within the atmosphere, were practically useless in outer space, where the absence of air reduced their functionality to almost nothing.


    Perhaps wings would ultimately be less effective than a high-pressure jet propulsion system.


    Of course, the most promising solution was the anti-gravity system of beetle elytra. However, this system currently served only to reduce weight. Still, further development in this area might yield meaningful progress.


    But venturing into outer space wasn¡¯t as simple as just flying out.


    How would he harvest energy in outer space? How would he breathe? How would he survive in ultra-low temperatures? How would he navigate the cosmos¡ªwould he truly rely on jet propulsion? He had no desire to become a piece of floating space debris.


    There were too many problems to consider. Even a single unresolved issue could pose a threat to his survival.


    After several more days, Luo Wen had a sudden epiphany: perhaps he could create some helpers.


    As the saying goes, ¡°Three humble tailors can outwit Zhuge Liang.¡±


    If he created more Blades, perhaps they could pool their ideas.


    Months later, he realized he had overestimated the potential of the Blades. While they lacked any sense of creativity, his tinkering did enhance their learning and adaptability.


    The Blades became more akin to intelligent AIs. The more they experienced and learned, the ¡°smarter¡± they became. These traits could also be passed down through the Swarm Network.


    Over time, their intelligence would continue to grow.


    However, intelligence was not the same as wisdom, and their lack of creativity remained their greatest flaw. They could serve as excellent commanders but were incapable of becoming scientists. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once again, his train of thought hit a dead end.


    After some time, Luo Wen suddenly realized that if the Swarm was unsuitable, he could develop other species. Other species might not have the same limitations.


    With this new idea in mind, Luo Wen immediately set to work, searching for groups suitable for cultivation.


    He sought species with traits such as adaptability, intelligence, and strong reproductive abilities. After rigorous screening, two species emerged as the top candidates.


    These two species were ones Luo Wen was already very familiar with. They were old acquaintances of the Swarm from the earliest days: Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs.


    The Tail Lard Rats reproduced rapidly, birthing 5¨C10 offspring per litter. The pups could begin foraging for food within just a few days. Being omnivorous, they ate almost anything and occupied the very bottom of the food chain. While creatures like ants were weaker, their low meat content made them less appealing prey. In contrast, the Tail Lard Rats, with their larger size and poor combat ability, were a favorite target for predators.


    However, the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ unique energy-storage organs made them exceptionally resilient. When pursued, they could sometimes hide motionless for over ten days, outlasting their predators. They were also relatively intelligent compared to other species.


    The small dinosaurs, despite being predators, were also prey due to their size. They occupied a slightly higher position in the food chain than the Tail Lard Rats. These creatures could lay seven or eight eggs at a time. While the incubation period for these eggs was longer, their hatchlings could forage for food shortly after hatching.


    As for their intelligence, their cooperative hunting tactics and basic strategies demonstrated significant cleverness.


    With two experimental species chosen, Luo Wen began cultivation efforts.


    He first extracted their genetic templates, enlarging their brain capacity. Having watched videos on human evolution, Luo Wen knew that bigger brains were the key to progress.


    He then implemented some unconventional methods.


    Capturing wild Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs, Luo Wen introduced them to the experimental specimens for interbreeding.


    Although Swarm-produced Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs lacked intelligence, their offspring with wild counterparts might inherit the enhanced brain capacity.


    This approach aimed to accelerate their cognitive evolution and foster the emergence of smarter offspring.


    However, things didn¡¯t progress smoothly. Despite prolonged captivity together, no offspring were produced.


    This left Luo Wen perplexed. As a non-specialist, he lacked expertise in these matters. Could it be that Swarm-produced Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs had undergone species changes?


    Aside from brain enhancements, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t altered any other parts of their genetic templates. For other enhanced Swarm creatures, sterility was common, but these specimens were not supposed to have that issue.


    Unwilling to give up, Luo Wen persisted. With nothing else pressing, this research became a way to pass the time.


    Time passed, and his experimental field expanded severalfold. It was divided into numerous compartments, each housing different combinations of specimens.


    The skies above were patrolled by Type I Flying Bugs, while Modified Spider Combat Bugs monitored the perimeter. Even underground, Worker Ants and Fungal Carpets maintained vigilance. With half of the experimental specimens being Swarm-produced, the laboratory operated with perfect order, with no incidents of escape.


    After rounds of testing, several months later, a breakthrough finally came. A wild Tail Lard Rat became pregnant.


    A month later, it gave birth to a litter of five.


    Armed with this newfound knowledge, Luo Wen conducted more experiments based on this set of data. Once again, he achieved successful reproduction, confirming the problem¡¯s source.


    It turned out Luo Wen had been too hasty, attempting to enlarge the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ brains too significantly in one step. This had caused reproductive isolation from their wild counterparts, preventing offspring.


    By scaling up his experiments, dividing the specimens into multiple groups with varying brain capacity enhancements, Luo Wen finally made progress.


    Using these successful cases, Luo Wen refined the process, identifying the maximum amount of brain capacity enhancement that would avoid triggering reproductive isolation.


    With this insight, the pace of experimentation accelerated.

 Chapter 133: A New Idea Emerges (2)

    Not long after, the newly adjusted small dinosaurs successfully produced offspring as well. The successive successes of both experimental species greatly boosted Luo Wen¡¯s confidence.


    With the nutritional support of the Fungal Carpet, the newborns grew rapidly. Their brain capacity, inherited from their modified parents, had slightly expanded. They were then paired with the enhanced experimental specimens for further breeding.


    Generation after generation, through continuous reproduction, the brains of the new Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs grew progressively larger and more intelligent. After some training, they could already understand some of Luo Wen¡¯s instructions.


    During this period, Luo Wen discovered an additional feature of the Swarm Network. Its essence seemed to be a form of awakened psychic power that had undergone mutations due to a sacrificial infusion of special energy. However, it still retained some general abilities associated with psychic power.


    For instance, Luo Wen could forcibly link to certain individuals with lower psychic strength than his own, transmitting information directly via telepathy.


    In one of his experimental fields, two Tail Lard Rats crouched in front of Luo Wen. One was bred naturally, while the other was produced by a Brood Queen. Under the demonstration of the Swarm-bred Tail Lard Rat, the naturally bred one quickly learned several commands, such as sitting, shaking hands, and eating.


    But such accomplishments seemed trivial. On Earth, domestic animals like pet dogs could easily learn these tricks with some basic training. Some even exhibited abilities like counting, yet none had ever developed scientific theories.


    Luo Wen began seriously recalling human evolutionary history. After brain expansion, the next milestone was mastering the use of tools, wasn¡¯t it?


    Thus, for a time, the experimental fields were filled with the sight of Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs wandering around with small wooden sticks, banging on things.


    In this regard, the Tail Lard Rats had a natural advantage. Their forelimbs were closer to human hands, with four highly flexible fingers. With minimal training, they quickly learned to use various tools.


    The small dinosaurs, on the other hand, had only three clawed fingers with stiff joints. While they could use tools, their precision in delicate operations lagged far behind the Tail Lard Rats.


    Still, Luo Wen adhered to the philosophy that the more options, the better. The thought of cultivating a race of ¡°little dino people¡± was undeniably intriguing.


    While training the experimental subjects, Luo Wen continued the work of incrementally expanding their brain capacities.


    Interestingly, he discovered that because half of the experimental subjects¡¯ direct ancestors were Swarm creations, the offspring retained trace amounts of Swarm traits. Though they lacked Swarm Node identities, they harbored a natural affinity toward Luo Wen.


    This made subsequent training significantly easier. Luo Wen even set up a hunting ground where the subjects could wield rudimentary weapons to hunt.


    In these scenarios, the Tail Lard Rats performed better. Perhaps due to their naturally non-combative physiology, they displayed a stronger reliance on tools. The small dinosaurs, however, despite generations of breeding, still retained their predatory instincts. When hunting, especially against weaker prey, they preferred to rely on their sharp teeth and claws.


    However, Luo Wen soon encountered another challenge. He wanted to teach the experimental subjects language and writing. The birth of civilization required continuity, and their experiences and culture needed a means of preservation.


    Luo Wen had no experience teaching such concepts to non-human creatures.


    Writing was less problematic, as it was inherently flexible and could be explained in various ways. Language, however, posed a greater challenge. The anatomical differences between the two species resulted in significant variations in their speech capabilities. Furthermore, Luo Wen had no memory of the human vocal structure and thus couldn¡¯t modify them to have ¡°better voices.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t possibly invent two entirely new languages tailored to their vocal characteristics, could he? Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Knowing his limitations, Luo Wen dismissed the idea. It simply wasn¡¯t a task he was equipped to handle.


    Feeling mentally drained, Luo Wen decided to take a trip to unwind. Recently, he had devoted all his energy to experiments and hadn¡¯t taken a break in ages. He still had plenty of time, and no one was pressuring him to meet deadlines. There was no need to push himself so hard.


    He returned to the familiar seaside, located in the Northern Hemisphere. The climate was pleasant, the scenery beautiful, and during the day, many seabirds soared nearby.


    Sprawled on the fine, pale-yellow sand, Luo Wen basked in the sunlight. After enjoying a hearty meal at a nearby base, he came here to wait for nightfall and stargazing.


    Watching the brilliant Milky Way had become one of his few remaining pastimes.


    But why were stars appearing in broad daylight? A star grew in his field of vision, becoming larger and larger until it turned into a massive fireball.


    ¡°That¡¯s a meteor,¡± Luo Wen jolted as he realized what he was seeing. He recalled a time when he had woken up in the middle of the night to watch a meteor shower, only to wait for hours in vain. Later, he checked the news online and learned that his location had been at the wrong angle to see it.


    Meteors were usually visible at night. Seeing one during the day was rare. But this fireball kept growing larger.


    Instinctively, Luo Wen believed meteors were harmless. He even remembered the superstition that if one made a sincere wish upon seeing a meteor, it might come true.


    ¡°I wonder if daytime meteors work,¡± Luo Wen muttered as he closed his eyes and made a wish.


    When he opened them again, something seemed off. The fireball continued to grow, its blazing tail streaking through the atmosphere. Behind it, countless smaller fireballs began to appear.


    ¡°Damn it.¡± Luo Wen cursed as the largest fireball rapidly filled his field of vision. In mere moments, it seemed to encompass everything.


    Only then did Luo Wen realize the problem. This meteor was far too large. Moreover, its trajectory was heading straight toward him. Even if it missed, it would crash somewhere nearby.


    Even with his limited knowledge, Luo Wen knew being hit by a meteor wouldn¡¯t be a pleasant experience.


    As the meteor drew closer, Luo Wen could feel the surrounding air heating up. With his current speed, whether flying or running, he wouldn¡¯t be able to escape far enough.


    Calling for his Storm God mount would take too long.


    With no other options, Luo Wen scrambled a few steps forward and dove headfirst into the ocean.


    At the same time, the Swarm Network searched for nearby nodes. In an instant, waves erupted around him as several Big-headed Monster Fish surged to his side. They clamped onto his appendages and dragged him toward the depths.


    The Big-headed Monster Fish moved with incredible speed. Even pulling Luo Wen, they created a visible wake underwater. As the sunlight above dimmed, Luo Wen exhaled in relief.


    At hundreds of meters below the surface, he should be safe now.

 Chapter 134: A Natural Disaster (1)

    What Luo Wen didn¡¯t know was that the massive fireball was a small asteroid over ten kilometers in diameter. The smaller fireballs trailing behind it were meteors it had captured while wandering through the cosmos.


    Now, the asteroid and its entourage had arrived at this planet. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The asteroid¡¯s ¡°followers¡± were less concerning. As they passed through the atmosphere, most disintegrated and failed to cause significant damage to the planet.


    The asteroid, however, was a different story. Traveling at over 70,000 kilometers per hour and blazing with light and heat, it slammed into the surface.


    Upon impact, the asteroid exploded, most of it vaporized instantly. The energy released was equivalent to the simultaneous detonation of millions of nuclear bombs.


    The shockwaves radiated outward from the point of impact, sending massive rock fragments hurtling into the sky and triggering catastrophic tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.


    Within minutes, areas thousands of kilometers away were affected.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen was not far from the impact site. Despite having fled to a depth of several hundred meters underwater and continuing to dive deeper, his location remained within the core blast zone.


    The shockwave instantly stripped away hundreds of meters of seawater. Before the water could travel far, it was vaporized. Though Luo Wen¡¯s defenses were formidable, they were utterly ineffective against this apocalyptic force.


    Even the heat-resistant nanomaterials in his mantis shrimp-like appendages extended his survival by only 0.01 seconds before he, too, was vaporized.


    As the explosion hurled rocks skyward, they began to rain down as fiery meteors across areas over a thousand kilometers away. Any lifeforms that had survived the initial blast were now pummeled by this infernal barrage, many crushed to death.


    The asteroid¡¯s effects continued to spread. The dust and debris thrown into the atmosphere began to blanket the planet, blocking sunlight and darkening the skies. The once-brilliant Milky Way was now obscured by a suffocating haze.


    The friction within the dust clouds generated intense heat, igniting wildfires worldwide and incinerating vast swaths of life. Burning rocks continued to rain down, and tsunamis swallowed the land.


    Yet this was merely the beginning of the disaster.


    After the explosions subsided, the molten rock from the impact covered an area spanning thousands of kilometers. Surface temperatures, initially exceeding tens of thousands of degrees, gradually dropped to around 300 degrees Celsius but remained unbearably high for months.


    Life in the surrounding region was utterly unsustainable. Even creatures that escaped the initial devastation could not endure such hostile conditions.


    Other parts of the world fared little better. The atmospheric dust prevented sunlight from reaching the surface. Plants that had miraculously survived the wildfires could no longer photosynthesize and began to wither.


    As temperatures plummeted due to the lack of sunlight, frost blanketed the land outside the impact zone. Large herbivorous dinosaurs, particularly those requiring substantial amounts of food, began to perish en masse. Without herbivores to sustain them, carnivorous species soon followed into extinction.


    Only a handful of lifeforms, those sheltered deep underground, managed to survive.


    Luo Wen, who had been vaporized, entered a state of confusion. Remarkably, he had not died.


    His consciousness had appeared within the Swarm Network.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t feel his body anymore. That was hardly surprising¡ªafter all, it had been vaporized. Being able to feel it would have been more perplexing.


    After a brief adjustment, he realized he had become a ¡°network being.¡± Except for the lack of a physical form, everything else felt nearly the same as before.


    Just as he usually accessed the Swarm Network, Luo Wen could still sense its nodes. Though the number of nodes in his mental space was rapidly dwindling, he could use his consciousness to descend upon surviving Swarm entities. Even if his host body died, his consciousness could return to the network.


    Did this mean that as long as the Swarm Network existed, he would not perish? Despite the ongoing apocalypse, extinguishing the Swarm seemed nearly impossible.


    Take the Fungal Carpet, for instance. Its adaptability was unparalleled, thanks to the fusion of countless genes. Unless the entire planet was reduced to dust, the Fungal Carpet was sure to endure.


    Moreover, the large fungal clusters on the carpet also possessed node identities. As long as these clusters persisted, the Swarm Network would remain operational. Did this imply that Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness could exist indefinitely?


    Whether this was true would require time to confirm. Still, discovering this hidden ability was an unexpected boon, though Luo Wen would have preferred not to learn about it in such a way.


    For a brief moment, Luo Wen had genuinely believed he was dead.


    Since the Swarm had taken control of the continent and life had stabilized, Luo Wen often used consciousness descent to perform tasks in other Swarm bodies. Direct action, especially personal hunting, had become exceedingly rare.


    Now that he had lost his physical body, it seemed not to matter much in practice. Yet the situation felt undeniably strange.


    His body had contained the innate talents of the Iphieash. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure what his current state represented, but he was certain the Iphieash¡¯s predecessors had never encountered anything like this.


    After all, the Swarm Network was a unique mutation of his.


    After a brief moment to collect himself, Luo Wen began examining the Swarm¡¯s current state. All nodes near the impact site had been annihilated. Even the Fungal Carpet had been obliterated¡ªtotal devastation.


    However, the Brood Nest had been located in the earliest Swarm base, far from the impact site. Though its situation was precarious, it had been deeply buried underground and remained unaffected.


    Luo Wen attempted to connect with the Brood Nest and found no abnormalities. Everything worked as usual. He could still access the genetic library and use the gene manipulation functions.


    To his surprise, he discovered another hidden feature.


    Previously, he had noticed the Swarm Network¡¯s cloud storage capabilities. He could upload his genetic library, allowing the Brood Nest to receive it remotely without requiring physical contact.


    The genetic library contained not only the genes he had collected but also his entire genetic blueprint, including the enigmatic Iphieash primal genes.


    When Luo Wen instructed the Brood Nest to produce a body based on his genetic template, the process proceeded smoothly. The surrounding Fungal Carpet began supplying nutrients.


    Due to the complexity of Luo Wen¡¯s genes, it took a long time before the Brood Nest finally extruded an egg measuring 30 centimeters in diameter. Such a large egg pushed the Brood Nest to its production limits, leaving it noticeably depleted.


    However, with the powerful support of the Fungal Carpet, it should recover quickly.

 Chapter 135: A Natural Disaster (2)

    The external environment continued to deteriorate, showing no signs of recovery in the short term. Most of the Air Force bases located atop mountain peaks had suffered devastating blows.


    Under such atmospheric conditions, the Storm Gods were unable to sustain high-altitude flight. The pervasive heat and ash wreaked havoc on their respiratory systems, leading to heavy casualties. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Left with no choice, Luo Wen ordered them to fly at low altitudes and seek shelter in nearby underground bases. However, their massive bodies were never accounted for when the passageways were originally designed, making access impossible.


    Luo Wen considered the situation for a moment but ultimately decided not to concern himself further. The foundation and logistics of the Swarm had improved significantly since his initial awakening. Even if all the Storm Gods perished, it wouldn¡¯t take long to regenerate their ranks.


    Near the testing grounds, which were closer to the impact site, falling fire and rock had ignited the forest. Experimental units produced by the Swarm were being directed by the Blades to evacuate collectively. Now that the Storm Gods were no longer available as transport, the survival rate of these units was uncertain.


    As for the wild specimens, some had followed the Swarm¡¯s experimental units in retreat, but many escaped amidst the chaos. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t spare attention for them at the moment; if they ran, so be it.


    The Brood Queens, Worker Ants, and Worker Drones¡ªbeing situated outside the impact core zone¡ªsurvived for the most part. Their long-term activity within underground bases shielded them from the first wave of shockwaves and meteorite showers. Currently, they were digging tunnels to extend the base deeper underground while relocating the Brood Queens to safety.


    The Modified Spider Combat Bugs and airborne units also began migrating underground. However, with limited subterranean space and no digging capabilities of their own, they could only follow the Blades to locate caves for temporary shelter.


    Days passed, yet the disaster outside showed no signs of abating. The skies remained dark, and both flora and fauna were crying out in anguish.


    Since the Swarm took over the surface, the underground sections of newly established bases were relatively small, mainly designed to house Brood Queens and nurture larvae. Bases farther from the impact site could manage with new excavations, but those nearby failed to accommodate their populations in time. The fortunate ones found caves to hibernate in, while the less fortunate¡­


    With fewer active bugs outside, Luo Wen¡¯s control over certain areas of the continent weakened. Yet, considering that most lifeforms were barely clinging to existence, territorial control became irrelevant.


    Ten days later, Luo Wen¡¯s new body hatched. Transferring his consciousness into it, he took over the new form. This body measured only thirty centimeters in length, significantly smaller than before. Yet, it retained all its abilities. After a brief period of adjustment, Luo Wen found no abnormalities.


    If he wished to restore his former size, he would only need to replenish energy and molt a few times. But he had no intention of doing so.


    Too many unexpected events had occurred. Once believing himself the absolute ruler of the planet, the sudden calamity nearly claimed his life.


    Now, he managed most of the Swarm¡¯s affairs through the Swarm Network, transferring his consciousness to the bodies of bugs when necessary. Aside from lacking the Iphieash¡¯s innate talents, these bugs were almost indistinguishable from his own body. There was no need for him to handle everything personally.


    With his main body reduced in size, it became more agile. He could now fit into narrow crevices that were previously inaccessible. Luo Wen decided to separate his main body from the Brood Nest, hiding them to avoid being wiped out in one fell swoop.


    Since his main body could reconstruct a Brood Nest, and the Brood Nest could produce his body, as long as either survived, he could regenerate, and the Swarm would endure.


    Moreover, Luo Wen planned to delve deeper into this aspect. If the Brood Queens could also download his genetic database, wouldn¡¯t that mean any surviving Brood Queen could create his body or a new Brood Nest?


    Alternatively, he might find a way to produce more Brood Nests or backup bodies.


    If any of these breakthroughs succeeded, his survival capability would be exponentially enhanced. With his consciousness existing in the network and his body infinitely reproducible, he would achieve true immortality.


    The external disaster persisted. While Luo Wen wanted to separate from the Brood Nest as soon as possible, now wasn¡¯t the right time. For the moment, he remained with the Brood Nest, instructing it and the two Brood Queens in the base to focus on producing Burrower Ants and Worker Ants.


    These two units consumed less energy, and Burrower Ants excelled at digging tunnels, while Worker Ants could assist in digging, care for larvae, and tend to the Fungal Carpet. They were the most essential bugs in the current situation.


    The experience of nearly being vaporized had left Luo Wen jittery, especially when confined to the same location as the Brood Nest.


    Since relocation was out of the question, he ordered the tunnels to be dug deeper.


    The Fungal Carpet, infused with diverse genetic traits, could thrive even without sunlight. Its robust roots penetrated hundreds of meters underground, extracting deeply buried nutrients. Additionally, it could break down rocks and minerals to absorb their nutrients, an extraordinarily resourceful process.


    With the Fungal Carpet¡¯s support, the number of Burrower Ants and Worker Ants in the underground base had reached ten billion within a short span. The two Brood Queens played a pivotal role, each capable of producing tens of millions of micro eggs daily.


    Meanwhile, the Brood Nest appeared somewhat drained, possibly due to the strain of producing Luo Wen¡¯s new body or its reduced size, shrinking from sixty centimeters to fifty.


    Currently, the Brood Nest¡¯s main task was producing Brood Queens. Compared to the Brood Queens, its ability to produce other units was negligible.


    Under the relentless efforts of the Burrower Ants, the underground base had reached a depth of 500 meters. Though the environment was stifling and occasionally waterlogged, Luo Wen felt a shred of security.


    While his consciousness could persist within the Swarm Network as long as bugs remained, the loss of his main body and Brood Nest would strip him of his innate talent, preventing him from adding new genes. This would effectively cap his potential.


    With lofty ambitions of exploring the stars, losing his talent now would confine him to being a mere ¡°planetary lord.¡± The vastness of outer space would become unattainable¡ªa devastating blow.


    Though the means of venturing into space were still unclear, Luo Wen believed time alone would eventually lead him to escape this planet as long as he retained his talent.


    The asteroid impact had also brought into sharp focus his insignificance. His previous pride in conquering a planet had been shattered. In the grand scale of the universe, even a planet was a trivial entity, and being its ¡°lord¡± was a perilous occupation.


    If the Swarm continued to be confined to a single planet, it would be defenseless against cosmic hazards. Conversely, spreading the Swarm across the cosmos would make it nearly indestructible.


    Such an expansion would also guarantee Luo Wen¡¯s safety.

 Chapter 136: The Escaping Test Subjects

    After a prolonged period of intense heat, the external environment began to cool significantly, with temperatures soon plummeting below freezing. The combination of darkness and cold caused a mass die-off of vegetation.


    Large herbivores, such as Triceratops, relied on consuming hundreds of kilograms of plants daily to sustain their massive bodies. Once the plants withered, it wasn¡¯t long before these giants began succumbing to hunger one by one.


    Their corpses became the final feast for carnivorous dinosaurs.


    After the large herbivores perished, smaller plant-eaters followed closely, dying in droves from starvation and cold. Once the carnivorous dinosaurs finished their feast, they too faced extinction due to the lack of food.


    In contrast, small omnivorous creatures managed to survive. Feeding on leftover carcasses, buried plant roots, and insect larvae, they found ways to endure.


    From his underground haven, Luo Wen monitored the outside world daily through the eyes of surviving bugs scattered across the globe. His primary focus was on the escaping experimental subjects.


    The conditions near the impact zone were particularly harsh, given the proximity of the test site to the asteroid¡¯s core. The small dinosaurs, despite their sharp teeth, communication abilities, and tool usage, lacked the ability to dig burrows.


    Some of the smarter individuals tried to use sticks and stones to dig pits, but their claw structures rendered such efforts inefficient.


    Unable to stay in one place for long, the harsh environment forced them into constant flight. Along the way, they found temporary refuge in caves or the burrows of other animals.


    After the vegetation died out, they encountered the remains of large herbivorous dinosaurs. These colossal creatures had previously been beyond their reach as prey.


    The taste of such prey inflated their confidence, as the top predators had long been eradicated by the Swarm. The small dinosaurs saw themselves as the apex hunters of the surface.


    However, their arrogance was short-lived. Soon, the lack of food forced them into a dire predicament, and their narrow dietary habits put them on the brink of annihilation.


    The situation for the Tail Lard Rats was similar. Although weaker in combat, these creatures were natural diggers. Instead of seizing other animals¡¯ burrows, they survived the initial disaster by digging their own.


    During their subsequent escape, they consumed whatever was available¡ªmeat, plants, and even occasional dinosaur carcasses. Despite the dangers of their journey, they managed relatively well.


    As meat became scarcer, they relied on their omnivorous nature and the reserves in their tail-lard organs to scrape by.


    The turning point came when the Tail Lard Rats encountered the desperate small dinosaurs.


    The small dinosaurs, blinded by hunger and delirium, attacked the rats without hesitation, ignoring the fact that they had once been fellow experimental subjects in the same facility.


    During the early days of their escape, the dinosaurs¡¯ inability to dig led to significant losses. Now, about a hundred small dinosaurs remained.


    In contrast, the Tail Lard Rats, with their higher reproduction rates and lesser losses during the escape, still numbered over 300.


    On the surface, the rats seemed no match for the dinosaurs. Their genetic predisposition to see the dinosaurs as predators should have caused them to flee.


    However, the small dinosaurs were now nearly exhausted, while the rats retained some strength. Additionally, the rats could wield weapons and, through Luo Wen¡¯s experiments and education, had developed a degree of intelligence. They could comprehend their predicament.


    Instead of retreating, the Tail Lard Rats rallied under the leadership of a few particularly robust individuals and charged toward the small dinosaurs.


    The ensuing battle of prey versus predator was unexpectedly intense.


    The small dinosaurs maintained an advantage in combat strength, with their speed and coordination in small-scale skirmishes. They killed over ten Tail Lard Rats during the clash. However, the rats didn¡¯t emerge unscathed either. Despite their hasty response and lack of weapons for all members, they managed to gang up on and kill four small dinosaurs.


    The conflict wasn¡¯t aimed at annihilating the opposing side. The small dinosaurs sought food. After obtaining several rat carcasses, their leader gave a few shrill cries, and leveraging their superior speed, the dinosaurs swiftly retreated with their spoils.


    The Tail Lard Rats, being forced into the fight, naturally didn¡¯t pursue them blindly.


    Thus, this skirmish, lasting over twenty minutes, abruptly came to an end.


    Although the initial clash was over, the war between the two groups had only just begun.


    The small dinosaurs, having fed, regained some clarity. Drawing on their experiences, they began trailing the Tail Lard Rat group by following their tracks.


    A group of hundreds of Tail Lard Rats found it impossible to hide their trail. Nor could they outpace the faster dinosaurs. This left them unable to shake their pursuers.


    With their intelligence restored, the small dinosaurs avoided large-scale conflicts. Instead, they used their speed to launch opportunistic attacks on the rats. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After suffering several losses, the Tail Lard Rats began traveling in tight formations and avoiding solitary movement. They also started crafting weapons during their journey.


    A few days later, every Tail Lard Rat had a sharpened spear. Standing upright on their hind legs with spears in hand, they presented an imposing image. Moreover, their unified march deprived the small dinosaurs of opportunities to strike, leaving the predators starving for days.


    Life wasn¡¯t easy for the rats either. Grouping together reduced their ability to scavenge food, leaving them to rely on the reserves in their tail-lard organs.


    Unable to endure their hunger any longer, the small dinosaurs launched another attack on the main rat group. This time, armed with weapons, the rats held their ground. Both sides incurred heavy losses, with the rats losing nine members and the dinosaurs losing eight. The dinosaurs left with several rat and dinosaur carcasses as spoils of war.


    The small dinosaurs, satiated, temporarily ceased their attacks, allowing the rats to gather food and replenish their energy.


    A few days later, another battle occurred. This time, the rats lost ten members, while the dinosaurs suffered seven casualties.


    In yet another clash days later, the rats lost nine members, while the dinosaurs lost eleven¡ªa first where dinosaur losses exceeded those of the rats. This shift stemmed from the rats¡¯ newfound understanding of traps.


    One rat, for reasons unknown, had begun digging pits around the group¡¯s rest areas and covering them with rudimentary camouflage.

 Chapter 137: Miracles

    During one of the small dinosaurs¡¯ assaults, an unfortunate individual stepped into a trap. Though the trap was crude and only about thirty centimeters deep, it sent the sprinting dinosaur tumbling forward. Unluckily for it, the fall landed it right in front of the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ formation.


    Before the dinosaur could recover, seven or eight spears pierced its body.


    When the small dinosaurs attacked again a few days later, the surroundings of the Tail Lard Rat group were littered with similar improvised traps. This skirmish proved disastrous for the small dinosaurs, resulting in the loss of 13 individuals, while the Tail Lard Rats lost only 7.


    After the battle, the small dinosaur population had dropped below a hundred, leaving them with double-digit numbers. At this rate, complete annihilation seemed inevitable.


    It was then, as the small dinosaurs licked their wounds, that they stumbled upon a group of over fifty wild counterparts. Relying on their superior numbers and intelligence, they successfully absorbed the wild group, restoring their numbers to over 150.


    Such coincidences don¡¯t happen by chance. These fifty-odd wild dinosaurs had been sent by Luo Wen.


    Although both groups had initially escaped the experimental site and vanished from Luo Wen¡¯s surveillance for a while, once Luo Wen had stabilized his situation and resumed control, these escapees were once again within his sight.


    With little else to do underground, Luo Wen had been closely observing the battles between the two groups.


    Through this observation, Luo Wen noted that under constant threat and crisis, both types of experimental subjects¡ªparticularly the Tail Lard Rats¡ªwere exhibiting explosive growth in intelligence.


    Luo Wen found this understandable. During the experimental phase, the original version of the Tail Lard Rats already had larger brains than the small dinosaurs. If brain size increased by 10% with each generation, the Tail Lard Rats would far surpass the small dinosaurs after an equal number of experimental cycles. Moreover, the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ shorter growth cycles meant they had undergone more experimental rounds.


    A large brain alone was just the foundation; the life-and-death crises they faced acted as the catalyst, activating their potential. The rapid development of their intelligence became evident when the Tail Lard Rats began making traps and applying them effectively.


    This discovery thrilled Luo Wen. He had gone to great lengths to build the experimental site precisely for such results.


    To maintain the pressure on the Tail Lard Rats, Luo Wen ensured the small dinosaurs remained a formidable threat. However, he couldn¡¯t go overboard; if the small dinosaurs became too numerous and wiped out the rats, it would undermine his experiment.


    After calculating the balance, Luo Wen sent over the additional wild dinosaurs.


    From then on, the small dinosaurs launched periodic assaults on the Tail Lard Rat group. The experimental subjects noticed that the newly joined ¡°wild¡± individuals lacked their honed instincts, recklessly charging during attacks and even sacrificing themselves at critical moments.


    Within a few battles, these new members were almost entirely wiped out, while the experimental dinosaurs remained intact.


    Just as this wave of recruits was depleted, another group of ¡°wild¡± dinosaurs appeared, easily integrating into the experimental group.


    Similarly, the Tail Lard Rats encountered their own ¡°miraculous¡± reinforcements. During their escape, they absorbed several wild counterparts who fought fearlessly. With their addition, the experimental rats stopped suffering any losses.


    Despite this, the tension between the two groups remained high. Neither side knew the meaning of ¡°actors,¡± much less those risking their lives for a staged performance.


    The two groups continued their struggle, traversing over a thousand kilometers. This endurance alone was a ¡°miracle.¡±


    By now, the environment had shifted from scorching heat to biting cold. The Tail Lard Rats ceased their flight and settled in a defensible ravine, where they began digging burrows.


    While excavating, they also set up numerous traps outside the valley. When the pursuing small dinosaurs arrived, their smarter leaders assessed the situation and decided against rashly charging into the trap-laden area. Nor did they retreat.


    With food becoming increasingly scarce, leaving the area presented too many uncertainties. They chose instead to claim nearby territory, encouraged by a particularly clever ¡°wild¡± dinosaur among them.


    However, settling down wasn¡¯t easy for the small dinosaurs, who lacked burrowing skills. It was then they ¡°miraculously¡± discovered a cave of suitable size and location.


    The cave was small at the entrance but widened as it extended underground, revealing a series of larger chambers. Additionally, they found two more exits, both small and concealed, making them easy to defend or block. The cave was also well-insulated and warm.


    Each group now had a base of operations. As their lives stabilized, their reproductive instincts surfaced. Soon, some of the Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs became pregnant.


    With their populations replenished, a prolonged war began. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The small dinosaurs continued their intermittent raids on the rats¡¯ base, though the terrain limited their success. Whenever they were on the brink of starvation, they would ¡°stumble upon¡± some food.


    The Tail Lard Rats scoured the underground for plant roots and insect larvae, but their yields dwindled over time. Even the branches and leaves covering their valley traps were consumed, leaving them in dire straits. Then, under the guidance of a ¡°wild¡± counterpart, they learned to farm.


    Through trial and error, they identified a shade-tolerant crop. With this crop, they managed to scrape by.


    As the weather grew colder, the newborn generations of Tail Lard Rats and small dinosaurs became increasingly intelligent. Yet, they could only imagine the sun based on descriptions passed down from their elders.


    The two experimental groups¡¯ emerging societal structures created a need for more efficient communication. Some brighter individuals began developing languages based on the writing Luo Wen had initially taught them.


    Naturally, the Tail Lard Rats progressed faster than the small dinosaurs.


    After mastering farming, the rats achieved a degree of self-sufficiency. The small dinosaurs, however, would have faced extinction without Luo Wen¡¯s ¡°miraculous¡± interventions.


    Luo Wen had already made his decision internally. For now, the small dinosaurs still had value. The Tail Lard Rats needed sustained pressure to accelerate their evolution and development, so the small dinosaurs would continue to receive ¡°miraculous¡± assistance.

 Chapter 138: The Evolution of Civilization (1)

    The dust from the initial impact and the volcanic ash from subsequent eruptions lingered in the atmosphere for decades before gradually settling back to the ground.


    As the air cleared and the dust thinned, the earth once again basked in sunlight. Temperatures began to rise, and the frost on the ground melted. After a few heavy rains, life started to flourish again, and the airborne particles rapidly diminished.


    Early in the morning, a few juvenile Tail Lard Rats crawled out of their burrows. Although the PM2.5 levels in the air remained high, they were no longer a barrier to outdoor activity.


    [T/N: PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter. These tiny particles can remain suspended in the air and are harmful to health when inhaled.]


    These younglings were fortunate. The ancestors of their ancestors had only imagined what the sun looked like, and now, they could see it for themselves.


    The Tail Lard Rats reproduced rapidly but lived short lives, rarely surviving beyond a decade. Over these decades, countless rats perished from natural causes, not to mention those lost to wars and accidents.


    Their greatest enemy at the time had disappeared in the historical tide after battling them for over two decades during the calamity.


    With no predators left, the population of the Tail Lard Rats exploded. They expanded their underground burrows and farms repeatedly, yet it was never enough to contain their growth.


    Then, internal wars broke out.


    In just a few decades, over a dozen civil wars erupted among the Tail Lard Rats, each costing countless lives. After every war, resources became abundant again, leading to a period of peace. However, this cycle of population explosion and civil conflict continued.


    Until they discovered the light.


    The surviving Tail Lard Rats could not comprehend the meaning of ¡°light.¡± Just as they couldn¡¯t understand the concept of the sun or the divine beings their ancestors had spoken of.


    These tales, along with their language and script, were passed down from their forebears.


    Legends told of their race and their ancient adversaries being primitive beasts before a ¡°god¡± took pity on them, granting them intelligence and teaching them knowledge.


    However, their ancestors were too foolish, angering this ¡°god,¡± who then punished them.


    A colossal fireball descended from the heavens, obliterating their homeland.


    Much of what happened afterward is unrecorded, as few written accounts survived that time. Many were lost during civil wars. What remains now is largely oral tradition.


    The legends describe the ¡°god¡± as compassionate and merciful. In his later years, the sage who introduced agriculture revealed the truth: agriculture was not his invention but a gift from the ¡°god,¡± who had not forsaken them.


    Perhaps their infighting had once again angered the ¡°god,¡± leading to his disappearance. Today, the younger generations only hear these tales as stories, dismissing the existence of the ¡°god.¡±


    The Tail Lard Rats emerging from their burrows faced a vast expanse of land, unrestrained by population limits.


    At this time, there were over a hundred thousand Tail Lard Rats underground. After some deliberation, they divided into dozens of groups and set off in different directions.


    The Tail Lard Rats had entered the tribal age.


    Luo Wen carefully nurtured this seed of civilization. He realized that excessive interference might hinder their development. Thus, beyond some necessary guidance and assistance, he refrained from intervening in their affairs, including their civil wars.


    After several generations, the Tail Lard Rats had become more intelligent than their ancestors. They had grown accustomed to using tools and adapted to walking upright. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In them, Luo Wen saw echoes of Earth¡¯s early hominids.


    The post-catastrophe planet was in ruins, but with no natural predators, the Tail Lard Rats rapidly spread across the continent. Their expansion was astonishingly swift.


    The previous experimental area was now too small to contain this burgeoning civilization. Luo Wen decided to broaden the scope of his experiment, designating the entire continent as their new field of development.


    To avoid disrupting the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ growth, Luo Wen removed all large insect beasts and fungal carpets from the continent, leaving only small ants and flying insects to serve as observational aids.


    As for Luo Wen himself, he wasn¡¯t idle. He headed to the ocean to further develop the swarm. At the very least, he aimed to maintain the strength needed to control the situation should the experiment spiral out of control.


    The planet¡¯s oceans were several times larger than its landmass, and despite the calamity, the seas still teemed with genetic samples.


    Over the years, Luo Wen had not been idle, aside from observing his experimental subjects. He had gained new insights into his abilities and genetic composition.


    However, escaping this planet remained a distant goal. Luo Wen was not one to pin his hopes on a single method. Within his capabilities, he explored multiple paths: self-evolution, discovering unique genes, and nurturing civilizations were just a few.


    Heading to the sea to collect samples was only part of the plan. His second goal was to separate himself from the Brood Nest. Luo Wen had long been uneasy about being near the Brood Nest.


    For the sake of the swarm¡¯s future, he decided to leave the Brood Nest in an underground base that had been excavated to a depth of 2,000 meters over many years.


    This task had not been easy for the swarm. Beyond a certain depth, each additional meter of excavation required extensive reinforcement work, which was exceedingly tedious.


    Luo Wen¡¯s main body, meanwhile, would move toward the ocean depths. He recalled his earlier knowledge that the challenges of developing the deep sea were on par with venturing into space.


    Resisting the intense pressure of the deep sea was no simpler than surviving in space. Since space exploration was temporarily out of reach, he would first conquer the deep sea.


    The immense pressure of the ocean depths, Luo Wen believed, would serve as a catalyst to push his innate abilities to their limits, enhancing his strength.


    The rapid reproduction of the Tail Lard Rats also accelerated the progress of their civilization. With no natural predators, their population surged from a hundred thousand to over a billion.


    This population boom strained resources and led to the emergence of social classes. Some clever Tail Lard Rats began employing others for labor.


    Subsequently, trade practices emerged, leading to the birth of commerce.


    At this point, the legendary ¡°god¡± reappeared.


    Several tribal chieftains and wise men claimed to have received the ¡°god¡¯s¡± favor, stating that the ¡°god¡± had taught them numbers for calculation and trade.


    They also claimed the ¡°god¡± resided on the moon, and if they could reach it, they might meet him.


    When asked what the ¡°god¡± looked like, their descriptions varied widely. Some said it was a beautiful bird, others a kind of flying insect, and still others a giant ant.


    The Tail Lard Rats doubted their claims, believing the ¡°god¡± to be a fabrication. Yet the knowledge of numbers spread, facilitating trade. Meanwhile, the desire to reach the moon quietly took root in their hearts.

 Chapter 139: The Evolution of Civilization (2)

    According to incomplete statistics, inventors among the Tail Lard Rats suddenly multiplied. Publicly or secretly, they employed various methods in an attempt to fly.


    Although they vocally denied believing in the existence of a ¡°god,¡± their actions betrayed their curiosity.


    Unfortunately, the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ tools were still primitive. Those who built large slingshots to launch themselves into the air were considered advanced thinkers. Most rats simply climbed the tallest trees in their vicinity and leapt off in acts of ¡°faith.¡±


    This led to a significant number of casualties.


    Luo Wen, who was always observing, couldn¡¯t help but laugh and cry at their antics. Fortunately, with the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ large population, these losses were manageable.


    Surprisingly, this wave of experimental failures ignited a certain passion among the rats. A flurry of inventions and creations emerged, reminiscent of bamboo shoots sprouting after rain. While most ideas were laughable, a few proved practical.


    One such breakthrough was the wheel. Its invention quickly gave rise to carts, significantly improving transportation efficiency among the Tail Lard Rats.


    Besides the Tail Lard Rats, other animals had also survived the catastrophe. Among them was a creature that resembled a cross between a dinosaur and a bird. Its forelimbs had evolved into small, plump wings, rendering it flightless, while its strong hind legs made it an excellent runner.


    Some Tail Lard Rats discovered and domesticated these creatures to pull carts. Inspired by this, many other animals suffered similar fates. After much trial and error, the rats identified species suitable for domestication and breeding, using them as food sources or labor.


    With their productivity greatly enhanced, the Tail Lard Rats experienced another population explosion. However, as per-capita resources dwindled, wars erupted once again.


    It is often said that war is a catalyst for technological progress. This might be nonsense when both sides possess city-destroying nuclear weapons, but in primitive societies, there is some truth to it.


    During wartime, rulers invested heavily in manpower and resources to develop weapons. Numerous military inventions emerged, including war chariots and crossbows.


    In the later stages of war, even metal tools made their debut.


    At this stage of civilization, Luo Wen found himself out of depth. He had been an ordinary person in his previous life, and most of the knowledge he had learned over the years had long been forgotten. Furthermore, as an alien world, it was uncertain how applicable Earth¡¯s knowledge would be here.


    Although he could no longer assist the Tail Lard Rats in advancing scientific knowledge, he could still guide them in other areas. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a result, the rulers of the Tail Lard Rats gradually learned about concepts such as ¡°family planning¡± and ¡°eugenics,¡± and came to understand their significance.


    Over the next decade, the Tail Lard Rats fought several more wars. Afterward, the thousands of tribes were consolidated into five major powers.


    By this time, Luo Wen had reached the seabed at a depth of 8,000 meters. The atmospheric pressure here was astonishing, with nearly a ton of weight pressing down on an area the size of a fingernail. Luo Wen had drawn inspiration from various sea creatures to reach this point.


    First, after several molts, he replaced his exoskeleton with a soft cartilage structure. This spongier material was more resistant to pressure than hard bone, though its defense capabilities were poor. Luo Wen was experimenting with combining the strengths of both to create a new type of armor.


    Furthermore, the immense pressure here could collapse even the protein structures at the cellular level. To combat this, his body produced a high concentration of oxidized compounds that stabilized his physical structure.


    In addition to these adaptations, Luo Wen acquired many other fascinating skills. For example, in the lightless deep sea, many organisms produced their own light. Their unique understanding of bioelectricity proved invaluable.


    Luo Wen quietly absorbed these discoveries. Deep-sea resources were scarce, so he prioritized modifying the Fungal Carpet. Its inherent adaptability made it ideal for integration with deep-sea genes, allowing it to take root and provide Luo Wen with a steady energy supply.


    Meanwhile, the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ civilization evolved rapidly. Some rulers recognized the power of technology and, guided from the shadows, began to promote education and nurture talent.


    However, due to their short lifespans, Tail Lard Rats leaders changed frequently. Some resisted progress, but they invariably met with strange ¡°accidents.¡±


    The same lifespan issue plagued the rats¡¯ intellectuals. Advanced scientific knowledge required time to learn and accumulate, and the Tail Lard Rats¡¯ mere decade-long lives made such accumulation impossible.


    Consequently, their technological progress stagnated after reaching a certain level.


    Luo Wen, observing this issue, quickly deployed a batch of swarm-modified Tail Lard Rats carrying longevity genes.


    Thanks to their incredible reproductive efficiency, the gene spread rapidly. The rats¡¯ maximum lifespan increased steadily, enabling technological progress to resume.


    However, the longer-lived rats faced severe population pressure, and soon resource conflicts led to war once more.


    The five major powers were eventually reduced to two: the Kingdom of Kerrigan and the Kingdom of Merrican.


    The Kerrigan royal family consisted of a mutant strain of white-furred Tail Lard Rats. Their pure white fur made them rare and striking, granting them a natural charisma among the predominantly mottled rats.


    Luo Wen had discovered their ancestors long ago and given them the surname Kerrigan as a tribute. The white-furred rats, believing themselves to be divinely chosen, eagerly established their power base.


    Their rise to prominence was not without Luo Wen¡¯s covert assistance.


    In contrast, the Kingdom of Merrican reached its current status entirely through its own efforts. Its royal family, with solid gray fur, produced several visionary and capable leaders, building their strength over time and achieving their present-day stability.


    The two kingdoms, one in the north and the other in the south, divided the continent between them. Equally matched, they eventually chose to cease hostilities.


    With five powers reduced to two, resources were consolidated, spurring another wave of technological advancement.


    Yet, the population problem persisted. Shortly after the war, both kingdoms experienced another population surge, leading to resource scarcity once again.


    Luo Wen, observing from the shadows, tirelessly managed the situation. Another batch of genetically modified Tail Lard Rats was discreetly introduced. These rats were engineered with limited fertility¡ªproducing a maximum of 1-3 offspring annually¡ªand extended lifespans, raising the maximum age to 60 years, four to five times the original.


    Thirty years passed quickly. The two kingdoms fought two more wars due to various disputes. Most of the old population without the new genes had died off, and those remaining were too old to reproduce.


    The birth rate gradually declined, and after years of adjustment, the population finally stabilized at an optimal level.

 Chapter 140: Dialogue

    The two great kingdoms, whose populations had sharply declined, no longer needed to resort to war to reduce their numbers. However, the conflicts between them, forged over years of relentless warfare, had become irreconcilable.


    Although no open battles occurred, a cold war emerged as both sides sought to outdo each other in other fields. Influenced by certain unknown factors, both kingdoms began to prioritize education, establish schools, and nurture talent.


    In this environment, the technological advancement of the rat people progressed at a staggering pace. New and innovative theories were proposed almost daily, leading to the invention of the steam engine, trains, and airplanes.


    Perhaps the enduring legends of the ¡°Gods¡± continued to influence the rat people in subtle ways, as they maintained an extraordinary fascination with the two moons in their sky.


    One day, a rat person proposed the idea of a ¡°Moon Landing Program,¡± and the situation spiraled out of control. The term seemed to ignite a fire within the populace, unleashing unprecedented enthusiasm.


    Public demand for the ¡°Moon Landing¡± grew louder by the day. The royal families of both kingdoms, especially the Kingdom of Kerrigan, did not go against the tide of public opinion. Legends passed down by the Kerrigan ancestors made them even more determined to unravel the mysteries of the moons.


    Thus, with the rulers going along with the tide, related research institutions were quickly established, and resources were directed toward these efforts. A vast number of students began studying fields related to the program.


    The ¡°Moon Landing¡± quietly became the new focal point of competition between the two kingdoms.


    In the vast plains, patches of farmland stretched as far as the eye could see. At the center of the plain stood a grand city. Its towering walls bore the marks of time, evidence of its ancient history.


    This city was the royal capital of the Kerrigan family. It had been their stronghold since their tribal era and had undergone continuous expansion by successive generations to achieve its current grandeur. Named the City of Glory, it spanned 4,500 mu (approximately 750 acres). Including its surrounding satellite towns and villages, the area housed a population of over a million rat people.


    Within the city stood an ancient fortress. Outside the fortress, elite soldiers clad in opulent, well-fitted uniforms stood guard day and night. Armed with a variety of weapons, they patrolled diligently, maintaining a formidable defense.


    This was the Kerrigan Royal Palace. Three years earlier, the previous King of Kerrigan had passed away, and the throne was inherited by the eldest princess of that time.


    The Kerrigan family¡¯s rise to prominence was attributed to their unique white fur, a trait that had earned them a bestowed name from the ¡°Gods.¡± As a result, they placed great importance on their bloodline. The position of power was always passed down to the purest-blooded members of the family, in the hopes of continuing to receive the Gods¡¯ favor.


    Curiously, though the Kerrigans had not encountered these so-called ¡°Gods¡± in generations¡ªand many members of the family even doubted the authenticity of the ancestral stories¡ªtheir method of succession persisted. Throughout the years, whenever the family faced calamity, they always inexplicably found a way out, narrowly escaping disaster.


    Thus, whether one believed in the legends or not, the system endured. Over time, intermarriage diluted the Kerrigan bloodline, and pure white-furred family members became increasingly rare. In the current generation, only the eldest princess bore the unblemished white fur.


    As such, there was little need for a struggle for succession; the eldest princess received unanimous support and ascended the throne without opposition.


    In a large room of the royal palace, tall, dark wooden bookshelves lined the walls. Two ladders leaned against the shelves, which were packed with books of varying materials, many of which appeared to be original manuscripts. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In one corner of the room, an incense burner emitted a subtle fragrance that calmed the mind. Against another wall stood the skeleton of a colossal creature.


    At the center of the room was an ancient long table, upon which lay a massive stone tablet etched with intricate patterns. An elderly male rat person, wearing a monocle, held a magnifying glass as he carefully examined the tablet.


    Suddenly, the room¡¯s large doors swung open, and a female rat person stepped inside. She was dressed in a luxurious robe of red and gold. Though young, she carried an air of authority. Her pure white fur and striking red eyes gave her an elegant and refined appearance.


    ¡°Teacher Morgan, have you uncovered another treasure?¡± the female rat asked as she glanced around the room. Noticing only the old scholar was present, her stern demeanor softened. She bounded forward and cheerfully addressed him.


    ¡°Your Majesty, you should mind your decorum,¡± the elder rat said, adjusting his monocle and giving a slight bow.


    ¡°Teacher, haven¡¯t I told you to just call me by my name when Tella isn¡¯t around? Ever since I took the throne, you and I have grown distant,¡± the female rat replied. She pulled out a chair and sat down without a care for her image.


    Morgan shook his head helplessly, indulgently replying, ¡°Fine, fine. Sarah, where have you sent Tella this time?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s at the door. I told her I needed to discuss some private matters with you and didn¡¯t let her in.¡± The queen¡¯s full name was Sarah Kerrigan, formerly the eldest princess and now the reigning monarch.


    The Kerrigan family¡¯s naming tradition was unique. After their ancestors received their divine name, all descendants took on the name Kerrigan. However, as the rat people¡¯s prolific birthrate quickly led to hundreds of Kerrigans, it became impossible to distinguish between individuals.


    One Kerrigan solved this problem by adopting a personal name, and others soon followed suit. Over time, Kerrigan transitioned from a given name to a surname.


    While many others adopted this practice, most rat people still preferred simpler names.


    Morgan raised an eyebrow in resignation, resuming his study of the stone tablet. Tella, the queen¡¯s captain of the guard, was an extremely rigid female rat. Sarah likely had no pressing business here and had simply come to relax. Such visits had occurred numerous times before.


    ¡°Teacher, you still haven¡¯t answered my question.¡± Seeing Morgan ignore her, Sarah got up and moved closer to the stone tablet, her curiosity piqued.


    Morgan furrowed his brow in thought before recalling her earlier question. Without looking away from the tablet, he said, ¡°This is a relic from the Great Cataclysm, a stone tablet that survived from that time. Back then, the world was shrouded in darkness, and people consumed whatever they could find. Our ancestors used these tablets to record events, even though written language was not yet fully developed. Very few such relics remain, making this one a treasure.¡±


    ¡°The royal treasury has plenty of these things. Didn¡¯t you examine them all before? I¡¯ve never seen you make any breakthroughs,¡± Sarah teased. The Kingdom of Kerrigan, ruling half the continent, had no shortage of treasures, but such artifacts didn¡¯t interest her.


    Morgan was briefly taken aback but quickly recovered. As a renowned scholar, he wasn¡¯t used to being spoken to so bluntly, yet he couldn¡¯t afford to get upset with the white-furred queen. Huffing slightly, he twitched his whiskers and begrudgingly explained, ¡°This one is different. It¡¯s older than any other tablet I¡¯ve studied.¡±

 Chapter 141: Speculations

    ¡°Look here,¡± Morgan pointed to a pattern on the stone tablet and said, ¡°Early writing combined peculiar textual styles with some pictographic expressions. This pattern represents a burning fireball.¡±


    He then pointed to another part of the tablet. ¡°These small figures¡ªlook closely¡ªthere are subtle differences. They likely represent two different races. Over here, this glowing insect-like pattern appears to rule over these small figures. These record what seem to be natural disasters, processes of escape, and even conflicts between two races.¡±


    Morgan enthusiastically expounded on his findings for a while before concluding, ¡°The ancient legends are true¡ªthere really were ¡®Gods¡¯.¡±


    Sarah pursed her lips skeptically. ¡°Teacher, you just said these are legends. Everything you¡¯ve described could easily be guessed by any child with a vivid imagination.¡±


    Morgan patted the stone tablet. ¡°But now we have evidence. Everything is clearly recorded here.¡±


    ¡°Maybe the ancients were just bored and carved their stories onto stone tablets for fun.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± Morgan¡¯s whiskers bristled as he glared at her. ¡°The ancients weren¡¯t as idle as you think!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not an ancient yourself, so how can you be sure they weren¡¯t?¡±


    For the sake of his health, Morgan decided not to argue further. Sarah, however, was far from finished. Since she was young, Morgan had been her tutor, practically raising her like a father. In his presence, she could be her true self¡ªbantering, nitpicking, and showcasing her sharp tongue. Beyond this room, however, she transformed into the solemn and authoritative queen.


    Unfortunately, Morgan knew her too well. Just as she started to enjoy their verbal sparring, he would always put an end to it, leaving her unsatisfied.


    Glancing at Morgan, who pretended to be engrossed in his research, Sarah discreetly rolled her eyes and asked softly, ¡°Teacher, do you truly believe in Gods?¡±


    Morgan sighed, leaning back in his chair. Removing his monocle, he wiped it with his sleeve and replied, ¡°I didn¡¯t at first. But as I¡¯ve learned more, I¡¯ve begun to believe.¡±


    Sarah¡¯s curiosity was piqued. Morgan, a renowned scholar, had once been the epitome of rationality and scientific thought. In his prime, he had served as the head of the Royal Academy of Sciences and had scoffed at legends, dismissing them as baseless fabrications.


    After retiring from active duties, Morgan had shifted his focus to studying myths and history, even enlisting Sarah¡¯s help in accessing the royal archives. Since her ascension to the throne, Sarah¡¯s visits to Morgan had grown infrequent, and their interactions were usually limited to their playful bickering.


    To her surprise, the man who once staunchly believed in science was now entertaining the idea of divine beings.


    After a pause, Morgan continued, ¡°A few years ago, someone proposed a theory of biological evolution¡ªa hypothesis about the origins of species. I found it intriguing and began researching it. But the deeper I delved, the more peculiar things I discovered.¡±


    ¡°According to the theory, all species evolve over long periods through natural selection.¡±


    Sarah straightened in her seat, a sign to those familiar with her that the topic had captured her interest. ¡°Oh? And what¡¯s strange about that?¡± S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The oddity lies in us, the rat folk. We suddenly developed language and writing and, in just two or three hundred years, propelled our civilization to its current heights.¡±


    Before Sarah could respond, Morgan pressed on. ¡°Many species have existed for tens of thousands, even millions of years. Why, then, are we so special? How did we emerge as a dominant race so quickly?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps our history extends far beyond what we know,¡± Sarah suggested. ¡°Maybe the great catastrophe from centuries ago wiped out our ancestors¡¯ civilization, and what we¡¯re building now is merely a reconstruction.¡±


    Morgan nodded thoughtfully. ¡°That¡¯s a reasonable hypothesis. I¡¯ve considered it myself. But through my studies of these tablets, I¡¯ve found that the language and writing from that period were still in their infancy, lacking any structured system.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that support the idea of a previous civilization? The calamity might have destroyed it, leaving behind remnants for our ancestors to rediscover and build upon,¡± Sarah countered.


    Morgan smiled approvingly. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. But consider this: First, if we were truly rebuilding civilization, there should still be some records from the earlier era. Second, look at this skeleton. Observe its sharp teeth and massive claws¡ªevidence of a large carnivorous creature.¡±


    ¡°This skeleton is surprisingly well-preserved, dating back only a few centuries. Calculations indicate that its owner lived around the time of the great catastrophe.¡±


    ¡°And what does that imply?¡± Sarah asked.


    ¡°A great deal. Without weapons, we rat folk couldn¡¯t possibly have stood a chance against such creatures. If we coexisted with them, we would have been nothing more than their prey.¡±


    ¡°But we could have used weapons to defeat them,¡± Sarah argued.


    ¡°Such creatures required substantial amounts of food¡ªeating at least ten rat folk per meal. Moreover, numerous similar creatures have been unearthed. If a civilization like ours had existed then, these predators wouldn¡¯t have been allowed to thrive¡ªthey would have been eradicated. Even if kept for observation, their numbers wouldn¡¯t have been so vast.¡±


    Morgan¡¯s voice interrupted her thoughts again. ¡°There¡¯s more. Historical records indicate that centuries ago, rat folk had extraordinarily high fertility rates, commonly birthing seven or eight offspring at a time, with some cases exceeding ten. They could reproduce every two to three months. Many wars were triggered by population explosions.¡±


    ¡°During the same era, the average lifespan of rat folk was barely over a decade. But suddenly, our fertility rates plummeted, and our lifespans increased dramatically. From an evolutionary standpoint, these changes are highly irregular.¡±


    ¡°What if evolution itself is wrong?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps. But other species adhere to evolutionary principles. It¡¯s only us rat folk who seem anomalous. Then there¡¯s the matter of our ancestors¡¯ supposed nemesis¡ªscarce in number and even more mysterious. We know almost nothing about them.¡± Morgan looked visibly fatigued.


    ¡°Maybe they never existed,¡± Sarah offered consolingly.


    Morgan nodded, then shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. There are too many contradictions in our history.¡±


    The two fell silent for a long time before Morgan muttered to himself, ¡°But if you introduce an omnipotent God into the narrative, everything begins to make sense.¡±

 Chapter 142: The Door

    The revered scholar, former head of the Royal Academy of Sciences, and mentor to the queen, Morgan, met with an unexpected tragedy. While climbing a ladder to retrieve materials in the library, he fell and passed away at the age of 56.


    Upon hearing the news, the queen was devastated. She ensured Morgan was given a grand funeral and declared a day of national mourning.


    Although Morgan had long retired from the frontlines of research and spent his later years pursuing seemingly ¡°unscientific¡± endeavors, his contributions were monumental. With no family of his own, he had dedicated his life to science. Most of the personnel in the kingdom¡¯s scientific community were either his direct disciples or students of his students.


    Morgan¡¯s death left a significant impact, not only on the queen but also on many researchers, causing delays in scientific progress.


    Time, however, could heal all wounds. People grieved but eventually resumed their lives and work.


    Then, the maintenance staff at the library discovered something startling: the broken rung of the ladder from which Morgan had fallen bore signs of deliberate tampering.


    The revelation was like a bomb exploding in a hornet¡¯s nest.


    The entire scientific community of the kingdom erupted in outrage.


    Before the researchers could organize a formal petition, the equally incensed queen ordered the Kingdom¡¯s Security Bureau, Investigation Bureau, and Police Force to conduct a thorough inquiry.


    With the three agencies working under mutual supervision and pressure, the truth gradually came to light.


    Morgan had been assassinated. A spy from the Kingdom of Merrican had bribed an insider to engineer what appeared to be an accident. This investigation also uncovered numerous other ¡°accidents¡± that had been deliberate acts of sabotage.


    The motive behind these actions was singular: to slow down the Kingdom of Kerrigan¡¯s scientific progress and give Merrican an edge in the moon landing competition.


    The revelation triggered an uproar, not just within the scientific community but throughout the entire Kerrigan Kingdom. While spies and traitors were being rooted out, the nation began mobilizing troops along its borders, demanding justice from Merrican.


    Merrican, guilty and fearing retaliation, had already begun covertly deploying its forces near the border when Kerrigan started its investigation.


    Soon, the armies of both kingdoms were locked in a tense standoff at the frontier. The long-standing peace seemed poised to break, with war imminent.


    For years, Luo Wen had sensed strange changes within the Swarm Network. Periodically, external entities would attempt to invade, but Luo Wen had always easily repelled these intrusions.


    On this particular day, he encountered another attempted invasion. However, this time, the situation was unusual. The entity attempting to breach the network conveyed a clearer message.


    Although Luo Wen couldn¡¯t initially understand the information, the Swarm Network¡¯s translation functions soon made it comprehensible: the entity was requesting permission to join the network.


    Luo Wen was stunned. He had always believed the Swarm Network was uniquely his¡ªa closed internal system. How could someone apply to join it?


    He was momentarily shaken but realized the matter required an immediate decision. After careful consideration, he decided to grant the request.


    The entity was hidden in the shadows; Luo Wen had never detected its existence before. Even when it attempted to breach the Swarm Network, his extensive swarm intelligence network had failed to locate any anomalies.


    If he rejected the request, the entity would likely vanish again. Luo Wen reasoned it would be better to let it in and determine its identity, purpose, and allegiance. At the very least, it would provide a chance to understand the entity better.


    Confident in his control over the Swarm Network, Luo Wen believed he could neutralize any malicious intent or expel the entity if necessary.


    Before approving the request, he summoned all the Blades into the network. There was strength in numbers, after all.


    Once preparations were complete, Luo Wen granted access. An unknown energy immediately flowed into the network.


    As the energy entered, the Swarm Network underwent a sudden update and upgrade, simultaneously transmitting a vast amount of information to Luo Wen.


    The sheer influx of data overwhelmed him like a thunderclap.


    It took Luo Wen a while to process the information. Once he did, he realized the supposed intrusion had been a colossal misunderstanding.


    The incident traced back to the Swarm Network¡¯s origin. It had been created through Luo Wen¡¯s innate talent, combined with the sacrificial energies of countless bugs. These energies, encompassing life, spirit, and soul, had imbued the network with unique properties and abilities. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As an extension of Luo Wen¡¯s talents and abilities, the Swarm Network naturally inherited these traits. Luo Wen¡¯s bond with the Brood Nest meant the nest also shared these capabilities.


    The civilization of the rat folk had unknowingly carried remnants of this connection. Their ancestors had once been Luo Wen¡¯s experimental subjects, leaving them with subtle Brood Nest markers in their biology.


    For instance, Luo Wen could establish telepathic connections with rat folk and dinosaur people but not with other species, partly due to these markers.


    As the intelligence of the rat folk advanced, some individuals began exhibiting extraordinary mental capabilities.


    The Brood Nest marker granted them a kind of identity verification, while their burgeoning mental strength served as the ¡°key¡± to use it.


    However, having a key wasn¡¯t enough; they needed to find the ¡°door.¡±


    Finding the ¡°door¡± was relatively straightforward. It required resonating with Luo Wen or the Swarm Network¡ªa complex interplay of emotions, including longing, belief, and reverence.


    When these feelings reached a threshold, the ¡°door¡± became apparent.


    Simply put, when a rat person died, the physical cessation often triggered a brief surge in mental energy. In their final moments, the sublimation of emotions allowed them to sense the ¡°door.¡±


    The ¡°door¡± was, in fact, the outer security and identification system of the Swarm Network.


    The Brood Nest marker gave rat folk the right to knock on this door. What Luo Wen had previously dismissed as ¡°unknown biological intrusions¡± was merely their attempt to gain entry.


    Once Luo Wen granted access, the entity would enter the network, its mental form restructured to serve as a node. This process would integrate it into the Swarm Network and equip it with a friend-or-foe recognition system.


    As a Swarm Network node, the entity would pledge unwavering loyalty to Luo Wen. Other than this allegiance, their personality and consciousness would remain unchanged.


    Whether they were still the same individual post-transformation was a philosophical question Luo Wen chose not to dwell on.

 Chapter 143: Discussion Begins

    Having understood the context, Luo Wen was left speechless. Before encountering this spiritual entity, he had experienced numerous ¡°invasions.¡± However, it seemed that the Rat Folk simply lacked sufficient mental strength. They could find the ¡°door,¡± but couldn¡¯t explain the reason for doing so, leaving Luo Wen unnecessarily paranoid for a long time.


    It was akin to someone knocking on a door, and when the homeowner asked, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± the person outside remained silent but kept knocking. Naturally, the homeowner wouldn¡¯t easily open the door. This time, though, the visitor responded with a vague ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± While not offering much information, it opened the possibility for dialogue. Weighing the situation, the homeowner might just decide to open the door.


    Yes, that was the general idea¡­ right?


    Once the spiritual entity merged into the Swarm Network and acquired the status of a ¡°node,¡± it became indistinguishable from other Swarm units. Due to its absolute loyalty to Luo Wen, he could effortlessly delve into its mind using telepathy to examine its past life.


    Upon investigation, Luo Wen discovered that this spiritual entity was once Morgan, a mentor to the Queen of the Kingdom of Kerrigan and the former director of the royal research institute.


    After confirming that this energy posed no further threat, Luo Wen released his restraints on it and granted it network access¡ªalbeit at the lowest level.


    However, the recent activity seemed to have drained Morgan significantly, and he had not yet awakened.


    Still, it wasn¡¯t feasible to leave him perpetually confined within the Swarm Network, was it? Staring at the spiritual entity before him¡ªa rare experimental subject¡ªLuo Wen¡¯s scientific curiosity ignited¡­


    When Morgan had fallen off the ladder, darkness gradually enveloped him. He knew death was imminent. Although many things weighed on his mind, he had long come to terms with mortality, having lived a long life by Rat Folk standards.


    What he regretted most was dying without ever knowing if ¡°gods¡± truly existed¡ªa deeply dissatisfying end.


    At that moment, however, he felt something guiding him. Following this intangible sensation, he lost all awareness.


    When he regained consciousness, everything had changed. He had become a bug!


    It took him a while to accept this reality and adapt to his new body. Reflecting on his last, blurry moments before death, he wondered: Could this be the realm of the gods?


    Luo Wen was unaware of the Rat Folk¡¯s complex inner monologues. Although he could forcefully peer into their minds, he refrained from doing so. It had been far too long since he conversed with a sentient being. His previous encounters with the Rat Folk and Dinosaur People were more about playing tricks and less about true communication.


    This Rat Folk might be the first subordinate capable of holding a normal conversation with him. For the sake of future cooperation¡ªand out of respect for a fellow intelligent life form¡ªLuo Wen decided not to invade Morgan¡¯s thoughts.


    Still, while Morgan was unconscious, Luo Wen had conducted a few experiments. He hoped Morgan would appreciate the body he had gifted him.


    Morgan, untainted by exposure to web novels, had a relatively constrained mindset. Assuming he had entered the divine realm, he reasoned that many depictions of ¡°gods¡± in historical records involved insect-like appearances.


    After acclimating for some time, Morgan crawled through a passage and emerged from an exit, where he spotted a bug resembling him, silently watching.


    In an instant, a profound sense of authority washed over Morgan. His body and soul both screamed that the bug before him held supreme importance. Instinctively, he linked to the other entity, receiving its approval.


    Excited, Morgan exclaimed, ¡°Are you God?¡±


    Luo Wen was satisfied with Morgan¡¯s attitude. He had waited for this moment for so long. Clearly, the Swarm Network¡¯s modifications had been effective.


    Just as he was deliberating his next words, Morgan continued, ¡°No, you must be Her Majesty the Queen! I served the Queen in life and now serve another in death. What an honor!¡±


    Had Luo Wen¡¯s face not been covered by the exoskeletal armor of this bug body, it would have been contorted with confusion.


    Dismissing his deep, mysterious act, Luo Wen addressed Morgan directly. Morgan was the first intelligent life form converted and was still in an experimental phase. Clearly, something had gone awry for him to spout such nonsense.


    ¡°What queen?¡± Luo Wen demanded.


    ¡°My body and soul tell me that you are the origin of our Swarm. Therefore, you must be¡­¡± S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Luo Wen cut him off sharply, clearing his throat before introducing himself. ¡°I am the Swarm Overlord, codename F2A. From now on, I do not want to hear any other titles.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯d prefer to be remade, by all means, continue.¡±


    Morgan, a Rat Folk well-versed in court and workplace politics, wisely decided against unnecessary trouble and promptly responded, ¡°Understood, Overmind. I get it.¡±


    Relieved, Luo Wen no longer fixated on titles. Listening to Morgan¡¯s self-introduction, he cross-checked the details with his own knowledge. Everything seemed transparent¡ªMorgan had concealed nothing and answered every question without hesitation. The Swarm Network had proven reliable, and this conversion was a complete success.


    Originally, Luo Wen¡¯s intention was simply to cultivate a civilization in secret, leveraging their capabilities for technological research. This unexpected development, however, prompted him to reconsider his plans.


    Luo Wen began transmitting details about the Swarm¡¯s structure and future goals to Morgan. Given Morgan¡¯s previous status as a scholar, additional input could be invaluable.


    After some time digesting the information, Morgan pondered aloud, ¡°Overmind, under current circumstances, I believe a unified Rat Folk empire would greatly benefit our future progress.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Explain,¡± Luo Wen prompted.


    ¡°The technological competition between the two major kingdoms accelerates development but wastes immense human and material resources through redundant research. If we could consolidate their resources, it would dramatically advance your plans.¡±


    Luo Wen deliberated for a moment before asking, ¡°Without external threats or kingdom rivalry, how would we ensure that the new empire continues investing in relevant research? Should the Swarm play the role of antagonist? That might encourage technological advancement, but it would likely focus on weaponry. I¡¯ve gone to great lengths to push space exploration¡ªnot to inspire anti-Swarm armament. Moreover, while the Swarm is powerful, we¡¯re still confined to this planet. A hasty reveal could be risky.¡±


    Morgan twitched his antennae thoughtfully. ¡°Overmind, your concerns are valid. However, if the ruler of the new empire were one of us, all these issues would be moot.¡±

 Chapter 144: Ongoing Discussion

    Luo Wen had once considered secretly replacing a Rat Folk ruler. Technically, it posed no difficulty. After all, the Rat Folk had reached their current form thanks to his clandestine introduction of Swarm experimental subjects, which had propagated across generations.


    Creating a Rat Folk body and transferring his consciousness into it would be entirely feasible.


    However, this wasn¡¯t some video game where you simply clicked through a few options. It was an entire lifetime to live through¡ªnot just managing governance, but also dealing with all the extended familial relationships, such as third aunts and eighth cousins.


    As the dignified Swarm Overlord, Luo Wen had no interest in acquiring a large clan of Rat Folk relatives. While great ambitions require pragmatism, Luo Wen had been a recluse in his former life. If he were adept at navigating such complexities, he wouldn¡¯t have been a shut-in.


    Besides, all he cared about was the progress of the Rat Folk¡¯s aerospace technology. He had no interest in other matters. The true reason, ultimately, was his advanced-stage laziness.


    In the past, he had opted to work behind the scenes, quietly guiding events, and the results had been excellent¡ªfar better than if he had taken direct control. This only reinforced his decision not to get personally involved.


    Hearing Morgan¡¯s suggestion now, Luo Wen¡¯s first thought was: Could the old guy be suggesting a role-play scenario? Upon further consideration, it occurred to him that Morgan, being a Rat Folk, had an intimate understanding of their society. Moreover, he was intelligent, experienced, and had even served as a royal tutor. If Morgan took on the role, it might actually work.


    The complication was that Morgan had previously been aligned with the Kingdom of Kerrigan, whose current ruler was a female Rat. Was the old man suggesting some sort of cross-dressing scheme? A man pretending to be a woman? Luo Wen was surprised¡ªhe had reviewed Morgan¡¯s life and hadn¡¯t noticed any such tendencies.


    Or was Morgan proposing to replace the ruler of the Kingdom of Merrican? That ruler was male, but Morgan seemed less familiar with their political environment. Taking over that role might make things harder to manage.


    Setting these thoughts aside, Luo Wen decided to hear Morgan out. ¡°So, which king are you suggesting we replace to unify the Rat Folk?¡±


    Morgan was momentarily confused by Luo Wen¡¯s line of thought, pausing before responding, ¡°Replace? What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you just say that if the new empire¡¯s ruler was one of us, the problems I¡¯m worried about wouldn¡¯t arise?¡±


    After a moment of reflection, Morgan replied, ¡°Overmind, what I meant was that the Queen of the Kingdom of Kerrigan was once my student. I¡¯m confident I can persuade her to support our cause.¡±


    This discrepancy in understanding stemmed from their differing perspectives. Luo Wen had lived for centuries, even discounting his periods of hibernation. In terms of age, he far surpassed Morgan. Over such a long span, his worldview had completely transformed. To him, only those with a ¡°node¡± status in the Swarm Network could qualify as ¡°one of us.¡± The network ensured their absolute loyalty, sparing Luo Wen from political maneuvering¡ªan arrangement perfectly suited to his lazy nature.


    Morgan, being the only other intelligent life form with ¡°node¡± status in the Swarm, was naturally considered trustworthy. When Luo Wen heard Morgan¡¯s suggestion, his immediate assumption was that Morgan was volunteering to play the ruler himself.


    For Morgan, however, the term ¡°one of us¡± extended to anyone with aligned or non-conflicting goals and interests.


    Luo Wen quickly grasped the misunderstanding. While he trusted Morgan due to his established node status, relying solely on the old man¡¯s past student-teacher relationship with a queen was far too precarious. He couldn¡¯t entrust the future of his long-laid plans and the Swarm¡¯s destiny to such uncertain terms.


    Morgan noticed Luo Wen¡¯s hesitation and offered further explanation. ¡°Overmind, your previous strategy of minimal interference worked well. Your mysteriousness allowed you to engage with the Rat Folk effectively. Perhaps you could maintain this approach while interacting with them. But before proceeding, I¡¯d like to ask a few questions to refine my idea.¡±


    Luo Wen twitched his antennae, signaling Morgan to continue.


    ¡°Overmind, after my death, how did I end up in this bug body? When you mentioned replacing a king, does that mean I could leave this body and transfer into a new Rat Folk body?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± Luo Wen asked.


    Seeing the confusion in Morgan¡¯s compound eyes, Luo Wen recalled that Morgan had been unconscious when his consciousness was integrated into the Swarm Network and then placed in this body. During the earlier data transmission, Luo Wen had only shared information about the current situation and future plans, omitting details about the Swarm Network.


    Moreover, Morgan¡¯s network access was restricted to the lowest level, allowing only basic communication with higher-ups. This oversight was likely Luo Wen¡¯s mistake¡ªbut he wouldn¡¯t admit it.


    Shifting perspectives, Luo Wen brought Morgan into the Swarm Network, letting him view the data now embedded in his consciousness and experience his new form as an energy entity.


    ¡°I can place your consciousness into the body of another Swarm unit, including a Rat Folk,¡± Luo Wen explained. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then why did you put me in a bug¡¯s body?¡± Morgan asked.


    Would Luo Wen admit it was simply a whimsical experiment to see how an intelligent being would react upon discovering they had become a bug?


    ¡°Because there were no spare Rat Folk bodies¡ªonly bug bodies available,¡± Luo Wen said after some thought, crafting a plausible excuse.


    Morgan, though skeptical, didn¡¯t press the issue and instead asked, ¡°If the body I inhabit dies again, will I return here?¡±


    This question stumped Luo Wen. Even transferring consciousness into other Swarm bodies had been a first-time experiment with Morgan. He had no idea if the process could be repeated after another death.


    ¡°As the first outsider to arrive here, I can¡¯t say for certain,¡± Luo Wen admitted. ¡°But you could test it. When you leave, find a spot far away and try self-terminating. That way, we¡¯ll know for sure.¡±


    Morgan chuckled dryly. ¡°Overmind, while I¡¯m much younger than you, I¡¯m still considered old among the Rat Folk. I believe younger individuals, more suited to this task, will eventually come along to test this question. For now, let¡¯s leave it a mystery.¡±


    The two exchanged knowing smiles, both recognizing a shared reluctance. In this moment of mutual understanding, no further words were needed.

 Chapter 145: Conclusion of the Discussion

    Although their encounter was brief and their exchanges limited, Luo Wen found himself quite fond of Morgan, particularly because he considered the Rat Folk elder as one of ¡°his own.¡±


    Perhaps this fondness stemmed from how long it had been since Luo Wen had meaningful interaction with anyone.


    Morgan¡¯s earlier remark about leaving such questions for the younger generation gave Luo Wen an idea. Since Morgan had managed to find the ¡°door,¡± it stood to reason that more Rat Folk could eventually locate it too. If Luo Wen hadn¡¯t mistakenly interpreted those earlier intrusions as hostile, Morgan wouldn¡¯t have been the first to succeed.


    This realization addressed the Swarm¡¯s deficiency in intelligent life forms. Moreover, thanks to the Swarm Network, these individuals would remain absolutely loyal to him, allowing him to proceed without concerns of betrayal.


    In time, the Swarm¡¯s intelligent members would grow in number. Luo Wen could even establish a dedicated research institute, allowing him to pursue any scientific inquiry without relying on the Rat Folk civilization. Such an arrangement would be far more convenient than covertly guiding their development.


    Even so, Luo Wen decided to continue nurturing the Rat Folk civilization. They served as resources, after all¡ªessential for producing the Swarm¡¯s own intelligent life forms. Additionally, they provided a useful cover. Should alien species visit this planet, the Swarm, still confined to its homeworld, was too vulnerable. Having an overt civilization in place would reduce the chances of the Swarm being discovered.


    The probability of such an encounter was slim, but Luo Wen prided himself on his expertise in caution.


    With these thoughts, Luo Wen lost interest in unifying the Rat Folk under a single empire.


    When Luo Wen shared his ideas with Morgan, the elder paused to consider before responding. ¡°If that is your goal, Overlord, then unifying the Rat Folk Empire becomes even more critical.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Why¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°If you wish to establish a Swarm research institute, you¡¯ll require a great many scientific talents.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong,¡± Luo Wen agreed.


    ¡°However,¡± Morgan continued, ¡°I recall that for outsiders to connect to the Swarm Network, they first need to find the ¡®door.¡¯ To find the door, they must harbor strong emotional ties¡ªperhaps reverence or attachment¡ªtoward you or your alternate identity.¡±


    Luo Wen nodded in agreement, gesturing for Morgan to elaborate.


    Drawing on his experiences, Morgan explained, ¡°In my case, it was curiosity about the origins of the Rat Folk, which gradually developed into a mix of emotions: curiosity, awe, aspiration, faith, and so on. These emotions led me to the door and ultimately transformed me.¡±


    Morgan paused, appearing deep in thought, then resumed, ¡°Among researchers, cases like mine are rare. Most who manage to find the door are likely to be those who blindly believe in myths and worship you unconditionally. While their loyalty to the Swarm is guaranteed, their contributions may be limited.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, while we are absolutely loyal to you and would never harm the Swarm or your interests, we remain independent individuals in terms of consciousness. This means that internal conflicts could arise. Disputes over research topics might be tolerable, but petty rivalries and infighting are not something you¡¯d want, I assume.¡±


    Luo Wen was somewhat irritated by Morgan¡¯s bluntness¡ªwhy describe faith in him as blind devotion? Even so, he understood the elder¡¯s underlying concerns and acknowledged the realities they reflected. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Morgan didn¡¯t know that pure faith alone wouldn¡¯t suffice. Even if someone reached the door, without unique mental talents, they couldn¡¯t complete the journey. At present, individuals with such talents were exceptional in many ways, which meant they wouldn¡¯t be mediocrities. Still, as Morgan suggested, their numbers among researchers might indeed be limited.


    Luo Wen shared this aspect of mental aptitude with Morgan, who considered it thoughtfully. ¡°Researchers are generally intelligent; their mental talents might be quite strong. If there¡¯s a way to train these talents, it would be beneficial. Unfortunately, that¡¯s beyond my expertise¡ªit would depend on you, Overlord.¡±


    Luo Wen wanted to explain that this talent of his had developed instinctively during a period of hibernation, and he had no idea how to train it. Nevertheless, since no one else was equipped to take on this task, he resolved to explore potential methods in the future.


    Shifting back to the topic of unifying the Rat Folk, Luo Wen realized their discussion had veered off track. He motioned for Morgan to return to the earlier point.


    Morgan sighed briefly before continuing from where he left off. ¡°If we collaborate with the Kingdom of Kerrigan to unify the Rat Folk, we could guide their scientific endeavors. Moreover, we could screen capable researchers and teach them how to find the door and knock. This way, they could continue contributing to the Swarm after their deaths.¡±


    ¡°How would we make these researchers believe in me? And how could we ensure that the Kingdom of Kerrigan doesn¡¯t betray us afterward? Are you relying solely on your former student-teacher relationship with the queen?¡± Luo Wen voiced his doubts.


    Morgan smiled faintly. ¡°Overlord, you may not realize this, but my current state is something many would dream of: retaining one¡¯s individuality while gaining a new lease on life after death. If researchers knew that faith in you could grant them more time to pursue their passions, they¡¯d flock to you.¡±


    ¡°As for ensuring the Kingdom of Kerrigan¡¯s loyalty, relying solely on my relationship with the queen would be insufficient. But combining that with material incentives and a demonstration of force should be enough.¡±


    ¡°Practically speaking, we have no conflicting interests with the Rat Folk kingdoms. All we require is increased investment in aerospace research and deceased researchers. Trading these for the support of a powerful ally is a fair deal.¡±


    ¡°Sarah is my brightest student and a highly capable queen. I trust she¡¯ll recognize the advantages of this arrangement. Additionally, at the right moment, we could reveal information about the door and the path to her. Such knowledge would be irresistible to a monarch.¡±


    ¡°Most importantly, we don¡¯t need to expose the Swarm¡¯s existence. Overlord, you¡¯ve always appeared in legends as a god. We can depict the Swarm Network as your divine realm¡ªfaith in you would grant access to this realm after death, where one could be reborn.¡±


    ¡°And I would serve as living proof of this promise.¡±

 Chapter 146: Spore Capsule

    Luo Wen found himself increasingly impressed with Morgan¡¯s ingenuity. After careful consideration, he determined there were no issues with the elder¡¯s proposal. Within the Rat Folk¡¯s understanding, Luo Wen was already a mysterious and intangible figure. As long as he maintained his previous approach, the risk of exposure was minimal.


    The two discussed and finalized various details of the plan.


    Morgan then returned to the physical world, re-entering his insect body. The bug opposite him was no longer under Luo Wen¡¯s control. After a brief moment of confusion, it found its place and scurried off to resume its tasks.


    Morgan clicked his tongue twice in amusement before setting off to explore the underground brood nest. However, his unsteady gait made it clear he was still adapting to his insect body.


    Two days later, a custom Rat Folk body emerged from its egg. It resembled Morgan¡¯s original form with eight or nine parts similarity, though it appeared significantly younger. This rapid production process required the Brood Queen to gestate the experimental subject to near maturity within her body. While energy-intensive and unsuitable for mass production, it was feasible for occasional use.


    By now, Morgan had become proficient at using his insect body, frolicking about the brood nest. Without warning, his consciousness was pulled out remotely, then unceremoniously thrust into the new Rat Folk body.


    It took him a while to regain his senses. He stood, inspected his body, and muttered to himself, ¡°Such means¡­ how are they any different from the gods we know?¡±


    Surveying his surroundings, he noted the deep mountain location, surrounded by towering trees. Nearby, a rock bore a neatly arranged set of clothes and a small stash of Rat Folk currency.


    Luo Wen had upgraded Morgan¡¯s Swarm Network permissions, enabling him to perceive the nearby lower-ranking Swarm units. Through this connection, he discerned a hidden brood nest underground, likely the origin of his new body.


    Morgan dressed and attempted to navigate his way out but soon found himself lost. Using the Swarm Network, he inquired with Luo Wen, who advised him to wait patiently.


    As dusk fell, a sudden gale swept through, and a pterosaur materialized before Morgan. This large airborne transport unit was something Morgan had only read about in the data Luo Wen had transmitted. Seeing it in person was an awe-inspiring experience.


    The pterosaur opened its mouth and expelled a fleshy, meatball-like object. This was one of the byproducts of Luo Wen¡¯s earlier fungal carpet research. When fully energized, it could proliferate rapidly, enveloping living beings or objects to shield them from harm. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen had later fused it with certain large fungal strains to develop it into a functional node unit, naming it the Spore Capsule. In earlier times, it had been used to transport Brood Queen larvae, protecting them from cold and strong winds due to their weak defenses.


    Morgan, with higher network permissions than the Spore Capsule, quickly understood its use. Activating it, he watched as the meatball rapidly proliferated, forming a layer of plant-like flesh around him.


    Moments later, Morgan was entirely encased, leaving only a purple-gray capsule about a meter tall in his place.


    The pterosaur grasped the capsule with its hind claws, spread its wings, and took off. Both it and the capsule quickly blended into the surroundings, vanishing from sight.


    This was a new model of the pterosaur, equipped with an optical camouflage system.


    While the Rat Folk¡¯s technological tree was skewed¡ªthanks to Luo Wen¡¯s manipulations¡ªleaving their radar technology severely underdeveloped, their reliance on visual observation could not be underestimated. The sudden appearance of a mythical creature like this could cause a significant uproar, potentially distracting scientists from their research.


    The optical camouflage system had also been improved over the years. By integrating various related genes, the system¡¯s response time was now faster, avoiding delays that previously created mosaic-like distortions at high speeds.


    Morgan¡¯s network permissions, slightly higher than the pterosaur¡¯s, allowed him to borrow its perspective. After some fumbling, he successfully switched views. However, the pterosaur was already flying above the clouds in the pitch-black night, rendering visibility nearly zero.


    A wild pterosaur would have been similarly blind in such conditions. But the Swarm¡¯s mental network was far more sophisticated. To regard it merely as a video feed would grossly underestimate its capabilities.


    Over the years, the Swarm had reconstructed a mental map of reality, meticulously populating it with global coordinates. Ground-level node units served as guides, ensuring no Swarm entity would ever lose its way.


    The number of nodes across the planet? Luo Wen could only say that even the ants outside an ordinary Rat Folk household might host hidden nodes.


    Did anyone truly believe that someone as cautious as Luo Wen would leave vast swathes of the continent freely available for Rat Folk development? Should they step out of line, they might very well vanish from history overnight.


    Of course, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t about to share this secret with anyone.


    Guided by the nodes, the pterosaur swiftly reached the skies above the City of Glory. After consulting Morgan, it landed on a nearby hill to replenish the Spore Capsule¡¯s energy and attach an airbag module.


    The fungal carpet, a unique Swarm auxiliary unit, had produced countless byproducts during its development. Over the years, Luo Wen had tinkered with these, creating numerous small yet useful tools. The airbag module was one such innovation.


    Thanks to the fungal carpet¡¯s inherent adaptability, its byproducts could be modularized. This not only made their combinations more versatile but also reduced unnecessary energy waste.


    Taking flight once more, the pterosaur carried the Spore Capsule high above the Kerrigan royal palace, hovering at 10,000 meters before releasing its payload.


    The Spore Capsule descended silently. Equipped with an optical camouflage system and shrouded in darkness, it went unnoticed.


    At 3,000 meters, the airbag module activated. Its algae-fused genes rapidly produced hydrogen, inflating the airbag. As the airbag expanded, the Spore Capsule¡¯s descent slowed.


    By the time it reached 1,000 meters, the descent halted completely, leaving the capsule to hover in mid-air.

 Chapter 147: Secret Meeting

    Floating spore sacs adjusted their direction as they descended slowly. Tiny holes opened around the membrane of the air bag module, venting hydrogen gas from within.


    Finally, a spore capsule containing Morgan landed quietly on the lawn before one of the palace¡¯s buildings. It swiftly contracted into a small ball and fell to the ground.


    Morgan ignored it, knowing other units of the swarm would handle it shortly.


    This was the entrance to the Queen¡¯s study. Morgan was well-acquainted with this place, where the Queen reviewed governmental matters each night. In the early days of her reign, she often invited him here for advice.


    For a moment, Morgan was lost in thought. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was only a few days ago that the Queen had sought his counsel in this very room. Yet after a brush with death, time felt like it had stretched endlessly for him.


    The surroundings were eerily quiet. As the heart of the palace, the area should have been heavily guarded. Yet Morgan stood boldly for some time without being questioned or triggering an alarm.


    Lying haphazardly in the nearby corners, both lit and shadowed, were numerous Ratfolk guards dressed in combat attire. They had not abandoned their posts but had been preemptively neutralized by the swarm.


    All were still alive. This mission was to forge an alliance; demonstrating a show of force was sufficient¡ªthere was no need for unnecessary bloodshed.


    A small flying insect completed the neutralization task. Equipped with stingers laced with potent hypnotic toxins, they only needed a light jab at the nape of the unsuspecting Ratfolk guards to render them unconscious for about two hours.


    In front of the study door stood a gray-and-white-furred female Ratfolk, fully armed. Even in her unconscious state, she leaned against the wall as though still on duty.


    Seeing her, Morgan sighed in relief. This was Tella, the Queen¡¯s chief bodyguard, who rarely left her side. Her presence confirmed that the Queen hadn¡¯t wandered off today.


    The swarm¡¯s scouting units had already confirmed that the Queen was in her study. Yet Morgan, still unaccustomed to the swarm¡¯s precise and coordinated operational methods, harbored a trace of doubt.


    The swarm, embodying Luo Wen¡¯s will, operated with a level of discipline and unity unimaginable to Morgan, whose experience was limited to the Ratfolk military.


    Even the most elite Ratfolk troops could not achieve such synchronization.


    Inside the study, Queen Sarah Kerrigan sat quietly at her desk, waiting. She had long noticed the anomaly outside. However, she chose not to act rashly. Since the intruders had already dealt with her guards and even disabled the monitoring room without triggering any alarms, they clearly had extraordinary methods¡ªor an inside collaborator.


    She leaned towards the latter theory, unable to fathom how the guards could be subdued so silently without internal betrayal.


    Given this, any action on her part would likely be anticipated. It was better to stay put and confront the intruders directly, to discover their purpose¡ªand to unmask the traitor. Even in death, a queen must not lose her dignity.


    When Morgan pushed open the door, their eyes met immediately, and the atmosphere seemed to freeze. The two exchanged their first unspoken confrontation.


    ¡°Have you come to kill me?¡± Queen Kerrigan broke the silence after a moment, her voice calm but laced with complex emotions. Her gaze was sharp but devoid of killing intent.


    ¡°You¡¯re overthinking, Your Majesty. I mean you no harm.¡± Morgan observed the Queen, whose expression bore a trace of resignation to death, and spoke without theatrics. Removing the hood of his cloak, he revealed his face.


    The face was vaguely familiar, but Queen Kerrigan could not place him immediately. She hesitated. ¡°You are¡­?¡±


    ¡°Morgan greets Your Majesty,¡± he said, performing an elegant bow in the manner of a nobleman.


    At the mention of his name, her mind drew a connection between the figure before her and a shadow in her memory. Their mannerisms were identical. However, the person she remembered was someone she had personally ordered buried. Could he be a relative of her deceased mentor? A resemblance would be reasonable, but his purpose in coming here was unclear.


    Questions flooded her mind.


    ¡°And you are¡­ what relation to Master Morgan? What brings you here?¡± she asked. If he wasn¡¯t here to kill her, he clearly had some other objective. The lengths his forces had gone to, with such a calculated show of strength, suggested his intent was significant. She dismissed the thought of her old mentor himself¡ªit was impossible.


    Morgan smiled faintly. ¡°Do you recall, Your Majesty, when you were four years old, hiding under the desk on the right after being punished for the first time? Or when you were five¡­ and just a few days ago, my musings about the gods. Do you remember?¡±


    As Morgan recounted each moment, Queen Kerrigan¡¯s face darkened. Finally, she trembled and asked in disbelief, ¡°Master Morgan? How can this be?¡±


    Morgan remained silent. After a brief pause, Queen Kerrigan absorbed the revelation and steadied herself, her intellect reasserting itself.


    She asked, ¡°Could it be¡­?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Morgan confirmed.


    ¡°But that¡¯s just a legend.¡±


    ¡°Legends often have roots in truth.¡±


    ¡°Then, Teacher, you¡­?¡±


    ¡°After death, I was fortunate to meet the gods. I offered my faith, and they resurrected me.¡±


    The brief exchange shook Queen Kerrigan profoundly. Even the silent subdual of her guards hadn¡¯t impacted her as much as this revelation.


    Morgan observed her expression and said softly, ¡°I understand how you feel. Not long ago, I was as shaken as you are now. But this is reality.¡±


    Queen Kerrigan took longer to process this revelation, quickly reviewing every piece of information in her mind.


    Was it possible that an internal traitor had merely found someone resembling Morgan to confuse her? Or was the Morgan before her truly the one from her past?


    The details Morgan revealed were things only she and her mentor had known. If he was indeed telling the truth, then the situation was far more complex than she imagined.


    If the intruders were merely from the Kingdom of Merrican allied with a traitor, at least the fight would remain on familiar terms. But if the man before her truly had divine backing, this was an entirely different level of conflict.


    She had no experience dealing with gods. Against such inscrutability, she was at an inherent disadvantage.


    For a moment, she felt utterly at a loss.

 Chapter 148: The Unexpected

    However, as the Queen of the Kingdom of Kerrigan, Sarah Kerrigan would not avoid what she must face. Steadying herself, she asked, ¡°So, Teacher, you didn¡¯t come here just to see me, did you?¡±


    Morgan was pleased with her composure. After all, she was his student, and her performance brought him a sense of pride.


    ¡°Of course not. While I did want to see Your Majesty, I also have a proposal for cooperation to discuss.¡±


    The Queen furrowed her brow. ¡°And, Teacher, in what capacity are you proposing this cooperation? As Morgan, or as a representative of the one behind you?¡±


    Morgan smiled faintly. ¡°Your Majesty sees clearly. I am here as a representative of my God.¡±


    ¡°Then please, speak plainly. I¡¯m curious¡ªwhat sort of cooperation could a legendary god propose to a mere mortal like me?¡±


    ¡°After my rebirth, I learned that my fall was no accident. Moreover, it pushed the two nations to the brink of war. Therefore, I petitioned my God to aid the Kingdom of Kerrigan in annexing the Kingdom of Merrican and establishing a unified Ratfolk empire.¡±


    Queen Kerrigan hadn¡¯t anticipated such an ambitious proposal. While unifying the Ratfolk had been the dream of her and her ancestors, the scale of the offer was almost overwhelming¡ªtoo good to be true.


    She didn¡¯t doubt Morgan¡¯s capabilities. The demonstration outside had been proof enough. If even the most secure location in her kingdom could be infiltrated so thoroughly, other places might as well have no defenses at all.


    ¡°And what would I need to offer in return?¡± she asked.


    ¡°It¡¯s quite simple. After unifying the Ratfolk, we need Your Majesty to allocate additional personnel and resources to continue advancing the lunar exploration project. Additionally, we ask for permission to spread faith among the researchers.¡±


    The Queen was stunned by the simplicity of the conditions. They were so modest that they hardly seemed worth mentioning compared to uniting the Ratfolk.


    ¡°That¡¯s all?¡±


    ¡°Of course, for the sake of harmonious cooperation, Your Majesty would also need to offer your faith.¡± This was a last-minute addition by Morgan. If the terms seemed too light, his student might grow suspicious, so it was better to include some additional requirement.


    As expected, Queen Kerrigan¡¯s tension eased slightly at his words. So, they did have other motives. She had anticipated as much and immediately began forming countermeasures. She would set up fail-safes to ensure that if she ever acted out of character or against the kingdom¡¯s interests, someone would be ready to eliminate her.


    Tella, her chief bodyguard, was unlikely to carry out such an act, but other candidates for the job quickly came to mind.


    The proposal was monumental, and in just a few exchanges, the fate of another kingdom was sealed. Once the terms were finalized, Morgan bowed and prepared to leave.


    Watching his retreating figure, Queen Kerrigan hesitated before calling out, ¡°Teacher, are you still Morgan?¡±


    ¡°Of course, Sarah,¡± Morgan replied with a smile before leaving gracefully.


    As Morgan exited the study, he knew¡ªthough he couldn¡¯t see it¡ªthat the Spore Capsule was already waiting for him.


    Shrouded as if by an invisible cloak, Morgan slowly disappeared from the Queen¡¯s view. The hydrogen within the air sac had remained balanced in a suspended state. Once it enveloped Morgan, a slight increase in hydrogen allowed the Spore Capsule to ascend gradually.


    High above, an invisible claw grasped the Spore Capsule and whisked it away.


    A living person vanishing before her eyes was beyond the Queen¡¯s comprehension. She had intended to observe how Morgan would leave but was unprepared for such an uncanny departure.


    Later, when the next guard shift arrived, Queen Kerrigan ordered a lockdown to prevent news of the night¡¯s events from spreading. Even a review of surveillance footage revealed only guards collapsing into sleep without warning. At the time of the incident, even the guards in the monitoring room had been neutralized.


    Without exposing the existence of a god, she had no plausible explanation for such bizarre events.


    Ultimately, she confided only a small portion of the truth to her most trusted aide, Tella. Together, they reframed the incident as a drill: a test of the guards¡¯ vigilance through tampered meals. Tella scolded the guards harshly, and the matter was swept under the rug.


    Although she believed Morgan¡¯s story, Queen Kerrigan maintained a cautious stance. She insisted the other side take the first action and provided a list of names¡ªmembers of the Merrican royal family and their loyalists. If these people were eliminated, the Kingdom of Merrican would crumble into chaos, allowing the Kingdom of Kerrigan to annex it with minimal cost.


    Morgan wasted no time. In the following days, the Kingdom of Merrican was thrown into upheaval. Members of the royal family and key officials across various sectors began dying mysteriously in their sleep. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cause of death was universally attributed to acute cardiac conditions, but the sheer volume of fatalities¡ªnumbering in the tens of thousands over just a few days¡ªmade it clear this was no coincidence.


    Investigations yielded no leads. Even isolating potential targets under tight security failed to prevent the deaths.


    The chaos was caused by a minuscule creature known as the Anti-Ratfolk Poison Stinger Bug. Barely 1 millimeter long and nearly invisible to the naked eye, it resembled a spider with eight adhesive, hook-tipped legs for climbing any surface.


    The bug¡¯s abdomen was almost entirely filled with a venom sac containing a Ratfolk-specific toxin. A mere drop of this venom paralyzed the Ratfolk nervous system, halting the heart as the brain mistakenly concluded the body was dead.


    The bug¡¯s stinger was a curled appendage that extended to 1 centimeter¡ªten times its body length¡ªwhen deployed. The design was adapted from the Chameleon Bug.


    The bug infiltrated the targets¡¯ environment with ease, exploiting even the tiniest gaps. Once in position, it would inject venom through the root cavity of a coarse hair, administering the toxin over several minutes. This process usually occurred during the victim¡¯s sleep.


    The venom contained anti-inflammatory agents to prevent redness or swelling at the injection site, leaving virtually no trace.


    Originally devised by Luo Wen as a defensive measure, a single small flying insect could carry and deploy hundreds of these venomous bugs. With ten brood queens producing poison stinger bugs daily, an entire Ratfolk civilization could be eradicated.


    This was merely a test of their capabilities.


    As panic spread and the Merrican Kingdom descended into chaos, even the military stationed at the Kerrigan border was not spared. High-ranking officers succumbed in their sleep, dismantling the army¡¯s chain of command.


    The Kingdom of Kerrigan was stunned by the neighboring kingdom¡¯s turmoil. Many feared the ¡°accident¡± might spread to their own country. However, a few days later, Queen Kerrigan personally issued orders for an offensive, sending the command to her frontline troops.

 Chapter 149: Aftermath of War

    The war concluded more smoothly than expected. Without a functioning command system, the Kingdom of Merrican had virtually lost all ability to resist.


    Strangely enough, whenever the Kerrigan army occupied a territory, the ¡°incidents¡± would cease. Toward the end, Merrican cities practically left their gates wide open, welcoming the Kerrigan forces with celebratory processions.


    The Kerrigan Kingdom¡¯s army advanced with little resistance, quickly conquering most of Merrican territory. Only some remote regions remained unattended due to the rapid pace of their progress and a lack of personnel to secure them.


    Both nations¡¯ sharpest minds speculated about the peculiar turn of events but dared not delve too deeply. All manner of opportunists, schemers, and rebels retreated into the shadows, too terrified to act. Sarah Kerrigan¡¯s reputation soared, cementing her authority over her domain.


    Even Queen Kerrigan herself was deeply shaken by the eerie ¡°incidents.¡±


    ¡°So, this is the power of a god?¡± she wondered. Despite being a collaborator, she had no understanding of how her allies had orchestrated these events, ultimately attributing it to divine intervention.


    The display of power served a dual purpose: it crippled the Kingdom of Merrican and subdued the Kingdom of Kerrigan. The demonstration was even more fearsome than what had unfolded outside her study door.


    Until a countermeasure could be devised, the partnership was secure. Any lingering doubts or reservations the Queen harbored were dispelled. After all, her collaborators¡¯ demands were modest¡ªthere was no reason to jeopardize the alliance over such trifles.


    Three months later, following intense preparations, the newly formed Kerrigan Empire was officially established. Sarah Kerrigan ascended as its first emperor, earning the title of Empress Kerrigan I, or Sarah the Great.


    This monumental achievement¡ªuniting the Ratfolk¡ªetched her name deeply into their history.


    Rather than reducing investment in aerospace technology following unification, the Ratfolk Empire doubled down. The former scientific academies of both kingdoms were merged into the Imperial Space Research Institute, consolidating all aerospace-related personnel under one banner. Resources and manpower were allocated generously, with no expense spared, leaving analysts baffled.


    The appointment of the institute¡¯s first director only deepened the confusion. A complete unknown parachuted into the position, bypassing all conventional processes.


    According to insiders, the new director was a relative of Morgan, the Empress¡¯s late teacher and former head of the academy. Allegedly, the position was secured through personal connections with the Empress herself.


    The appointee¡¯s credentials were non-existent, an egregious example of nepotism. Many questioned how the Empress, renowned for her intelligence, could make such a decision.


    Yet, with the momentum of unification and unprecedented public approval, no one dared raise the issue before her.


    Though the scientific community bristled at the decision, they begrudgingly accepted it, many planning to make life difficult for the outsider. If he stumbled badly enough, he might resign out of shame.


    However, when the new director finally appeared, his uncanny resemblance to the late Morgan stirred memories among many. Their hostility softened somewhat¡ªmany were students, prot¨¦g¨¦s, or colleagues of the old academy head. They resolved to give him a chance, provided he wasn¡¯t utterly incompetent.


    To their surprise, the new director quickly won them over. Despite his youth, he demonstrated seasoned leadership, extensive knowledge, and an uncanny familiarity with his team. Time and again, he intuitively addressed their concerns, earning widespread admiration.


    The newly crowned Empress, meanwhile, was basking in her triumph but frequently found time to consult the new director. Rumors began to swirl about an improper relationship between the two.


    The gossip eventually reached the Empress¡¯s ears, prompting her enforcer, Chief Guard Tella, to find the worst offenders and mete out punishment over trivial pretexts. Left with broken bones and months of hospital recovery, the chastened gossips dared not whisper another word.


    The Empress knew the director¡¯s true identity and had no intention of pursuing any romantic entanglement. Since ascending to the throne, she had lived in constant fear that the enigmatic figure behind Morgan would come to collect on their deal.


    Yet, Morgan only claimed the role of director for the space institute and never sought anything more¡ªnot even the faith offerings he had initially mentioned.


    At first, the Empress was convinced the demands were a smokescreen for a larger scheme. Surely the true intent was to manipulate her through faith, to brainwash her and seize control of the empire from the shadows.


    But as time passed, it became evident that the supposed smokescreen was their genuine goal. This only deepened her confusion. Why would a god care so much about space technology?


    Could the stories of gods living on the moon be true? Perhaps they had left and couldn¡¯t find their way back?


    With no further pressure from her allies, her fear gave way to curiosity. She began visiting Morgan frequently, driven by a need to uncover why his benefactor was so fixated on lunar exploration.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen continued to expand his network of followers. Among his newest recruits were two former merchants.


    Thus, a company called ¡°Starlight Enterprises¡± was soon established, specializing in mineral exploration and development.


    Starlight, an unassuming startup, seemed almost divinely blessed. Every exploration site it picked yielded rare minerals and valuable resources. The company expanded at an astonishing rate.


    Naturally, such success drew envy, and opportunists sought to undermine it. However, these rivals mysteriously succumbed to the same inexplicable ¡°sleep deaths¡± that had plagued the Merrican Kingdom. The connection to the royal family¡¯s earlier actions deterred most challengers, and the few who persisted soon met the same fate.


    Starlight¡¯s operations continued smoothly, but what puzzled observers was its allocation of profits. All earnings were funneled into building research laboratories.


    These labs tackled diverse fields: biology, mechanics, environmental science, and aerospace. The company welcomed talent from all walks of life, funding projects regardless of commercial potential. As long as an idea was sound, Starlight offered unwavering support.


    Suddenly, misfit researchers, fringe theorists, and underfunded scientists flocked to its doors.


    Rival corporations were baffled. ¡°This isn¡¯t a business¡ªit¡¯s a charity!¡± S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 150: Development

    The Ratfolk¡¯s currency was utterly useless to Luo Wen, and their mineral resources held little value to the Swarm at present. Without the capability to leave this planet, the minerals were worthless; and once off-planet, minerals were abundant in the universe.


    Thus, Luo Wen decided it was better to exchange these relatively worthless assets for technology or ideas. If even one or two proved useful, it would be worth the effort.


    During this time, Luo Wen had been exploring methods to enhance his mental strength. Relying solely on luck to recruit followers was far from sufficient for his ambition to establish a Swarm Research Institute. At this rate, who knew how long it would take to reach that goal?


    However, his understanding of this ability was limited. It was akin to how humans naturally use their arms but struggle to comprehend the underlying mechanics. Luo Wen, being an ordinary individual in this regard, found it challenging to fully grasp the concept. Therefore, he avoided doggedly pursuing this single path without alternatives.


    While researching ways to enhance his mental strength, he also sought other methods. His foundation in genetics proved helpful, and it led him to discover a relatively clever workaround.


    He developed a potion whose primary ingredient was the Brood Nest¡¯s blood, diluted countless times. This potion could effectively increase the recipient¡¯s compatibility with the Swarm Network. Simply put, it shortened the ¡°distance¡± on the path to connection.


    For example, enhancing mental strength was like improving stamina, enabling one to walk farther along the path to find the ¡°door.¡± Similarly, if someone had poor stamina but the distance to the door was shortened, the result would be the same.


    Due to the significant dilution of Brood Nest blood, the potion was inexpensive to produce but had a notable drawback: it required an extended fermentation period. Simply put, the earlier it was administered, the better. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Morgan began selecting suitable candidates from the Imperial Space Research Institute. His initial targets were his old acquaintances, though he spoke vaguely about the so-called ¡°cult¡± recruiting members.


    Unexpectedly, these individuals thought they had caught him in some sort of scheme and secretly reported him to the Empress. To their surprise, not only was Morgan not punished, but those accusers received a harsh reprimand.


    Morgan hadn¡¯t anticipated this outcome, realizing his secrecy had gone too far. He then discreetly revealed more details to these people, identifying himself and using past connections to gain their trust. Though most remained skeptical, he managed to coax or convince them into administering the potion.


    Meanwhile, the Empress also received a vial of the potion. Despite her busy schedule, she had nearly forgotten the matter of offering devotion. Now presented with this next step, she wasted no time injecting the potion in Morgan¡¯s presence.


    She had already taken precautions. Although unmarried and childless, she had designated an heir. Should anything go awry, she was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice.


    As fate would have it, two months later, a scientist who had received the injection suffered a severe lab accident, dying instantly in an explosion that left his body shattered.


    This scientist, Kovi, was a renowned authority in engine technology. Being older, he was among those more inclined to trust Morgan and had extensive interactions with him. The allure of a second life was too great¡ªnot because he feared death, but because there was still so much unknown to explore.


    Although the injection had been recent, Kovi¡¯s strong mental attributes and fervent desire for rebirth resulted in his finding the ¡°door,¡± allowing him to become part of the Swarm.


    A few days later, a rejuvenated Kovi returned to the research institute, sparking fervent discussion within a small circle of colleagues. They began actively inquiring how they could devote their faith to the ¡°god.¡± Morgan instructed them to read legends and imagine the god¡¯s majesty and omnipotence. Sincere faith, he explained, would allow the god to sense their devotion.


    It wasn¡¯t that Morgan didn¡¯t want to explain more¡ªit was because neither he nor Luo Wen fully understood the mechanics of this faith. In truth, faith was merely a fa?ade, one of many emotions that could connect to the Swarm Network. Luo Wen didn¡¯t care about their beliefs as long as they found the ¡°door.¡±


    Reading legends and engaging their imagination to evoke awe, curiosity, hope, and reverence might align them with the Swarm Network. Whether their expectations matched reality didn¡¯t matter¡ªonce connected, Luo Wen controlled their fate entirely.


    Within the Swarm Network, Luo Wen could effortlessly dominate their destinies. They couldn¡¯t hide any secrets from him. If he wished, he could obliterate their consciousness, take over their minds and bodies, or sift through their memories. However, such drastic measures were unnecessary. Influenced by the Swarm Network, they were absolutely loyal and incapable of harboring thoughts detrimental to Luo Wen.


    To this day, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t certain whether those assimilated into the Swarm Network were true replicas or their original selves fundamentally altered.


    The Ratfolk soon began subtly inquiring whether Morgan could provide more of the potion for their relatives. Morgan reported this to Luo Wen, who, after careful consideration, instructed him to establish a reward system: recruiting skilled researchers or making significant breakthroughs would earn potion rewards.


    Given the potion¡¯s simplicity to produce, this approach motivated the Ratfolk while allowing them to include their families. Luo Wen reasoned that once the Swarm expanded into outer space, he wouldn¡¯t be able to oversee everything himself. Having intelligent individuals to assist in management would be advantageous.


    As for any unsavory individuals that slipped through, they could be given a basic body to fend for themselves. If they caused trouble, they¡¯d be transferred into Worker Ant bodies and assigned to menial tasks.


    Ordinary Ratfolk without value wouldn¡¯t burden the Swarm, but as the foundation of civilization, their descendants might one day reach the standards for Swarm nodes.


    Thus, Luo Wen decided to let them live happily on this planet for the rest of their lives.


    The reward system quickly transformed the Ratfolk¡¯s work ethic. Within no time, nearly all researchers over forty at the institute had been converted. Under collective pressure, Morgan lowered the age threshold to thirty and emphasized strict confidentiality. He warned that any breach of secrecy would result in the loss of rewards or eligibility altogether.


    Morgan didn¡¯t need to stress this point further; the Ratfolk tightly guarded the secret.

 Chapter 151: Anaerobic Survival Experiment

    As time passed, the number of intelligent entities within the Swarm Network grew. Under Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate selection, most of them were scientists. Some were given new identities and returned to the Imperial Space Research Institute, continuing their previous projects. Others joined Starlight Enterprises, heading private laboratories under its banner.


    One day, in a Starlight Enterprises laboratory specializing in extraterrestrial environments, a new experiment began.


    The Ratfolk currently lacked any means to explore outer space and thus had no knowledge of its conditions. However, Luo Wen, being educated, knew the basics: low temperatures, lack of oxygen, microgravity, and pervasive cosmic radiation.


    These experiments, being difficult to justify officially, couldn¡¯t gain approval in the Ratfolk¡¯s official space research institute. As a result, they were relegated to private labs funded and staffed by Luo Wen¡¯s recruits. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thanks to unlimited resources and funding, this lab had made notable progress. They developed devices capable of simulating vacuum environments and generating various forms of space radiation.


    Space radiation¡ªa dangerous mix of gamma rays, high-energy protons, and cosmic rays¡ªwas exceedingly harmful to living organisms. The lab publicly claimed its research aimed to develop protective suits that could provide oxygen and shield wearers from radiation.


    This explanation served as a cover story, as Starlight Enterprises, which conducted mineral explorations, needed such suits to enable workers to delve deeper underground and endure radiation emitted by certain ores.


    For Luo Wen, exterminating the Ratfolk was a simple option, but leveraging their intelligence to develop technology was far more valuable. As such, he preferred deception when possible.


    On this particular day, the lab received a rare 30-centimeter-long arthropod. Allegedly caught by a fishing vessel, this marine creature could swim yet had wings. Though beetle-like in appearance, it also possessed pincers and eight spider-like legs. Its exoskeleton, made of a unique material, could withstand immense deep-sea pressure.


    This previously unknown organism was acquired through the lab owner¡¯s extensive connections. With researchers specializing in biological materials, the lab routinely studied various organisms to observe their behavior under space radiation, hoping to find nature-derived solutions to counteract such conditions.


    When the researchers saw this beetle, they were awestruck. Its appearance defied conventional understanding. While dissection could yield significant discoveries, or at least a few research papers, the specimen was too valuable to destroy. Starlight Enterprises had gone to great lengths to procure it specifically for extreme environment testing.


    Luo Wen found the situation frustrating. He couldn¡¯t risk revealing his true form as a test subject for research. Yet, his progress through other avenues had been slow. Achieving space travel in the short term seemed unlikely, and the most viable solution appeared to be manufacturing spacecraft through the Ratfolk¡¯s ingenuity.


    But Luo Wen wasn¡¯t planning a leisurely trip to space. He needed to survive in the harsh conditions of outer space for extended periods. Space¡¯s extreme environment made rushing in unprepared a recipe for failure.


    Over the years, he had accumulated countless genetic fragments, but these were all derived from Earth-like conditions. Whether they would remain functional in space was uncertain. Therefore, he required a simulated space environment to test and evolve his genes under vacuum, radiation, and anaerobic conditions.


    This research base included a small number of ¡°insiders¡± loyal to Luo Wen. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t want an entirely loyal team, but the Swarm Network¡¯s ability to recruit intelligent individuals had been discovered too recently. The network still lacked the numbers needed for a fully ¡°in-house¡± lab.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t afford to wait decades for this ideal. Simulating and evolving new abilities in such an environment wasn¡¯t a quick process, and waiting for a fully loyal lab might take a century. He wasn¡¯t willing to accept such delays.


    Instead, he prioritized reducing the timeline. Although the lab¡¯s reliance on outsiders compromised security, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t irreplaceable¡ªprovided the Brood Nest was safeguarded.


    Moreover, the researchers were tightly monitored to prevent leaks. Without their knowledge, parasitic organisms had also infiltrated their bodies. These parasites, derived from iron wireworms found in mantises, could release special chemicals into their host¡¯s nervous system when necessary. These chemicals disrupted protein synthesis, mimicked neural signals, and sent erroneous commands to the host¡¯s body.


    If someone attempted to divulge secrets, their vocal system would fail, rendering them mute. Persistent attempts could trigger uncontrollable self-destructive behavior. In this way, these researchers could be considered half-loyal to Luo Wen.


    The test chamber was soon prepared. Luo Wen wasted no time stepping into the enclosed space.


    The chamber, a sealed environment spanning a few square meters, had 99% of its air evacuated. Luo Wen¡¯s first challenge was to adapt to surviving without oxygen.


    The initial test results exceeded his expectations. After merely sleeping in the chamber, his body underwent subtle yet significant internal changes.


    The fiber-like structures in his body, originally developed after being disemboweled by the Yellow Earth Ants to rapidly seal wounds, evolved further into a valve-like structure.


    These valves partitioned his body into isolated compartments. Normally functioning like sieves, they didn¡¯t impede bodily systems. In emergencies, they could seal all external openings, transforming his body into a completely sealed environment.


    Additionally, the energy stored in his tail lard organ could sustain his body for extended periods. This energy cycled within his body with minimal waste, producing only trace amounts of gas. These gases could be funneled into isolated chambers within his body for eventual release.


    Remarkably, these chambers could form anywhere in his body using the valve structures. By releasing gases, they could even provide propulsion for directional changes during flight. With modifications to key muscle groups, such as enhancing powerful sphincters, these gases could accelerate flight. While current speed limits remained low, the absence of atmospheric drag in space promised greater efficiency.


    Having solved the issues of bodily insulation and internal circulation, Luo Wen now needed to address energy acquisition. With this, he could survive in anaerobic environments for extended periods.


    However, outer space presented more than just a lack of oxygen. And oxygen deficiency was the easiest problem to solve.

 Chapter 152: Experiments Underway (1)

    Despite starting strong, Luo Wen¡¯s subsequent experiments didn¡¯t go as smoothly. His next challenge was testing his survival in cold environments.


    Luo Wen¡¯s body already possessed genes for cold resistance, allowing him to endure ordinary frigid conditions with ease. However, the extreme cold of outer space was an entirely different matter. Luo Wen vaguely recalled space temperatures being around minus 200 degrees Celsius, but the exact figure escaped him.


    The Ratfolk¡¯s industrial limitations meant their laboratory could simulate temperatures only down to about minus 150 degrees Celsius.


    Even at this threshold, Luo Wen faced a significant setback. Shortly after entering the simulated environment, his body began losing heat rapidly. Frost formed on his surface, and his bodily fluids started to freeze.


    At this point, his emergency systems activated, putting him into hibernation mode. His metabolism slowed drastically, nearly halting fluid flow and paralyzing his body.


    Had Luo Wen not already been a ¡°Networked Being,¡± his consciousness would likely have been forcibly shut down into a dormant state, leaving his body to slowly succumb to the cold¡¯s ravages.


    However, hibernation couldn¡¯t halt the damage caused by extreme cold. Within five minutes, his body began deteriorating at the cellular level. In the past, such circumstances would have meant death, his consciousness fading painlessly in slumber.


    Now, he was able to alert the ¡°insiders¡± monitoring the experiment to halt the test and extract his body.


    Afterward, his body cocooned itself for three days to repair the damage. This remarkable recovery left the ¡°semi-insiders¡± astonished.


    During this recovery period, Luo Wen reflected deeply. He realized his overconfidence, inflated by the success of the anaerobic experiment. Even with his exceptional talents, evolution required time. Plunging into an environment beyond his limits meant his body would collapse before his abilities could manifest.


    In simpler terms, he had overstepped his bounds.


    Taking this lesson to heart, the second experiment was conducted with the chamber temperature set between minus 50 and minus 60 degrees Celsius.


    After filling his tail lard organ with energy reserves, Luo Wen entered the chamber. The lowest temperature he had previously endured in nature was around minus 20 to minus 30 degrees. Dropping an additional 30 degrees was uncomfortable but bearable.


    His internal hibernation gene attempted to force him offline. As his limbs gradually numbed, Luo Wen didn¡¯t resist, allowing himself to enter hibernation. His body cocooned itself, while his consciousness returned to the Swarm Network.


    Two days later, his body emerged from the cocoon.


    In the third experiment, Luo Wen¡¯s hibernation system no longer triggered warnings upon entering the chamber. This time, several genes fused during his hibernation, though their exact origins were unclear given the sheer number of samples he had accumulated over the years.


    The resulting fusion prompted his body to secrete an oily substance. This substance mixed with his bodily fluids, lowering their freezing point. As secretion continued, its concentration in his fluids increased, further reducing their freezing point.


    Previously, in similar conditions, his bodily fluids had begun to crystallize. But now, thanks to the oily substance, this did not occur. His fluids continued to flow normally, maintaining his bodily functions.


    In subsequent tests, the chamber¡¯s temperature was gradually lowered while the oily substance concentration increased. However, at minus 100 degrees Celsius, the substance¡¯s effectiveness waned, and crystallization began.


    As the temperature dropped further, Luo Wen¡¯s hibernation system reactivated, forcing him offline. His body entered hibernation but failed to cocoon itself.


    At this point, his genetic repository lacked anything capable of countering such extreme cold. Yet, as the temperature continued to plummet, his body avoided destruction.


    Instead, his innate talents initiated the evolution of his hibernation ability. His cells began shrinking, expelling non-essential materials outside their walls. The expelled material crystallized outside the cells, forming a protective layer.


    When the chamber reached the Ratfolk¡¯s technological limit, Luo Wen¡¯s cells had expelled 90% of their contents, retaining only their core components. The external crystallization also provided some protection.


    At this point, Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness forcibly returned to his body. However, with his fluids completely frozen and circulation halted, he couldn¡¯t move.


    He signaled the laboratory to cease energy input, allowing the chamber temperature to gradually rise. As the crystals outside his cells melted, they were reabsorbed, and his cells began to regain activity. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When the temperature reached minus 100 degrees Celsius, the oily substance resumed secretion, restoring fluid circulation and returning his body to normal.


    Afterward, Luo Wen confirmed that his body hadn¡¯t sustained any damage from this test. Yet, he found little cause for celebration. Beyond minus 100 degrees, he lost all mobility.


    He wasn¡¯t venturing into space to sleep. This outcome fell far short of his requirements. Moreover, the oily substance had reached its evolutionary limits, offering no further potential. Luo Wen needed to explore alternative methods to combat extreme cold.


    For now, there was no need to stubbornly pursue this avenue. While the Ratfolk worked on upgrading the chamber¡¯s capabilities, Luo Wen would dispatch numerous bugs to the planet¡¯s poles in search of rare organisms capable of surviving and functioning in ultra-low temperatures.


    After a few days of rest, Luo Wen began his experiments with space radiation adaptation.


    While the experiments simulated space radiation, Luo Wen lacked precise knowledge of the specific types of radiation in space. The Ratfolk hadn¡¯t yet sent spacecraft beyond the atmosphere, leaving them unable to measure such conditions.


    As a result, the radiation used in these tests primarily came from mineral samples or byproducts of other experiments. Although not identical to space radiation, they served as a starting point for finding countermeasures.


    In reality, any object in nature with a temperature above absolute zero emits radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves and particles. Luo Wen¡¯s concern was with harmful radiation levels exceeding safety thresholds, which could cause decay in his body, damage his nervous system, and harm other organ systems.


    In the first test, after one hour of exposure to harmful radiation, Luo Wen¡¯s body began cocooning. However, this cocoon offered little protection against radiation penetration.


    As time passed, the cocoon¡¯s internal temperature rose under continued radiation exposure. After 20 hours, irreversible cellular damage began to occur.

 Chapter 153: Experiments Underway (2)

    In the past, Luo Wen would never have dared to conduct such risky experiments. However, his Brood Nest body had become more like a tool¡ªa uniquely irreplaceable tool, but one that could serve as an ideal experimental subject.


    Over the years, as a Swarm Network entity, Luo Wen had mostly operated by projecting his consciousness into temporary hosts among the network¡¯s nodes. His original body often remained hidden deep under the ocean, rarely utilized.


    This shift in perspective had profoundly changed Luo Wen¡¯s mindset. He now saw himself as a mecha pilot, with the nodes¡ªincluding his original body¡ªacting as his mechas. Depending on the situation, he could switch between various ¡°mechas¡± such as insects, birds, pterosaurs, dinosaurs, beasts, or even Ratfolk, all tailored from genetic templates.


    If a mecha broke down? He could simply replace it. The Brood Nest, while special, was just another mecha.


    Of course, he still prioritized the protection of his Brood Nest and his original body, as they represented the Swarm¡¯s ultimate potential and could not be destroyed simultaneously. But sacrificing one occasionally was acceptable.


    As it was now.


    Prolonged exposure to high-intensity radiation provided Luo Wen with valuable data, but it caused irreparable damage to his original body. Under the mournful gazes of the ¡°semi-insiders,¡± the body was incinerated. A month later, an identical creature was delivered to the lab.


    The ¡°semi-insiders¡± were baffled. Wasn¡¯t this specimen supposed to be extremely rare?


    Radiation protection experiments involved a wide variety of radiation sources, making them a lengthy endeavor. Luo Wen understood this and focused on ensuring progress wasn¡¯t hindered by human factors. Beyond that, he could only wait.


    Meanwhile, the Imperial Space Research Institute saw significant developments.


    With the strong support of the Kerrigan Empress, the institute expanded rapidly, influencing many young scholars¡¯ career choices.


    Within five years, its staff grew to over twenty times its initial size. It had originally been established by integrating experts from the Kingdom of Kerrigan and the Kingdom of Merrican, with nearly 20,000 personnel at its inception.


    The collaboration of so many brilliant minds accelerated progress on the Lunar Exploration Project. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ratfolk had been developing aerospace technology for years, but concepts alone weren¡¯t enough. Under Luo Wen¡¯s guidance¡ªthough he was no academic¡ªtheir technological priorities were severely misaligned. Lacking a robust industrial foundation and a complete system, building a lunar rocket was a pipe dream.


    In previous years, the Ratfolk had launched numerous prototype rockets, all of which failed. To Luo Wen, some didn¡¯t even outperform firecrackers.


    Still, failure is the mother of success. Through repeated setbacks, the Ratfolk gained valuable experience and refined their designs to resemble rockets from Luo Wen¡¯s memories.


    However, they eventually hit a wall. Theoretical blueprints could no longer be realized:


    Supersonic flight demanded strong, pressure-resistant, heat-tolerant, and lightweight materials, which the Ratfolk¡¯s material sciences couldn¡¯t provide.


    Increasingly precise rocket engines exceeded the capabilities of Ratfolk machinery.


    The refinement of rocket fuels, oxidizers, and accelerants was beyond their technological reach.


    Many associated technologies faced similar challenges. Without external intervention, the project might have been abandoned due to its immense cost.


    But the Kerrigan Empress, being a ¡°Networked Being,¡± proposed a groundbreaking solution: consolidating all related fields under the research institute¡¯s jurisdiction.


    This bold move shocked many. The space institute already consumed a significant portion of the empire¡¯s budget with minimal results, mostly launching overpriced fireworks for public entertainment.


    Jealous of its funding, critics had repeatedly called for its dissolution, only to be overruled by the Empress. As the founding monarch, her authority was unparalleled, leaving dissenters little recourse.


    The Empress¡¯s latest expansion plans sparked a wave of rumors and slander. Some claimed she was infatuated with a handsome researcher; others questioned her sanity. There were even whispers of the Merrican Kingdom¡¯s remnants attempting to exploit the situation to restore their monarchy.


    People quickly forgot how Kerrigan had unified the empire. Or perhaps the enormous stakes encouraged selective amnesia.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen was a ¡°helpful bug.¡±


    Those spreading the wildest rumors¡ªwhether overtly or covertly¡ªbegan dying in their sleep. Luo Wen¡¯s intervention rekindled memories of the fear once instilled by ¡°unfortunate accidents.¡± The rumors swiftly disappeared, restoring peace and harmony to the empire. Ordinary citizens, bewildered by the rapid turn of events, could only marvel at how quickly the tide shifted.


    The institute¡¯s expansion proposal passed with unprecedented speed, facing no further resistance. Many of the tens of thousands of personnel now in the institute came from fields merged during this restructuring.


    As supporting systems improved, a prototype rocket based on conceptual blueprints was finally constructed five years later. Around the same time, Luo Wen resumed adaptation experiments in Starlight Enterprises¡¯ private lab.


    Once assembled and inspected, the new rocket underwent its first launch test two months later. Unfortunately, shortly after liftoff, it exploded into a spectacular firework, witnessed by officials and citizens across a 100-kilometer radius.


    While the test failed, it revealed numerous issues. Six months later, a new rocket was built.


    The new rocket measured 15 meters tall and weighed 13.5 tons.


    Its nosecone housed gyroscopes, an inertial navigation computer, and a radio command receiver.


    The middle section contained fuel and oxidizer tanks, using a combination of alcohol fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. The tail housed the engine and fins.


    The system worked by pumping fuel and oxidizer through separate pipelines into the engine¡¯s combustion chamber, where they mixed, ignited, and burned. The high-temperature, high-pressure gases expelled from the bottom generated thrust.


    When Luo Wen examined the system and blueprints, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.

 Chapter 154: Experiments Underway (3)

    Upon seeing the rocket¡¯s design blueprints, Luo Wen inexplicably thought of the ¡°Gatling System.¡± Both designs involved two chambers working in tandem with a reaction chamber.


    However, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t yet find genetic organs capable of producing the necessary fuel and oxidizers, nor could biological structures achieve the strength required for a rocket combustion chamber. Otherwise, Luo Wen might have been able to create a biological rocket based on this theoretical framework and the blueprints.


    The rocket¡¯s direction was adjusted not only by movable air rudders on its four tail fins but also by four gas rudders installed within the nozzle, which directed the rocket¡¯s exhaust flames.


    After ignition, the rocket flew smoothly and ascended to an altitude of 500,000 meters before running out of fuel and falling back to the ground.


    This marked the first time that the rat folk¡¯s flying machine had reached such heights. Previous prototypes had struggled to even cross the 10,000-meter mark.


    The sudden leap in altitude represented a significant breakthrough and greatly excited the rat folk. Empress Kerrigan declared a two-day national holiday to celebrate the achievement.


    The launch also provided a wealth of data. The rat folk devised multiple improvement plans based on the shortcomings identified during the launch.


    The dramatic advancement of the new rocket had a significant impact on the Kerrigan Empire. For the first time, the rat folk saw the possibility of success. Empress Kerrigan capitalized on this momentum by increasing funding to the Imperial Space Research Institute.


    The researchers at the institute were the most motivated by this success. With unlimited resources and full departmental cooperation, they managed to create an improved rocket within just one year.


    The main navigation and propulsion systems of the new rocket had shown no issues in the previous test. The failure was due to running out of fuel, so the new prototype focused on addressing this problem.


    The new rocket retained its streamlined design, narrow at the top and wider at the base, but was significantly larger¡ª34 meters tall with a diameter of 3 meters. Additionally, four booster rockets, each 19 meters long, were strapped to the lower half of the main body, making the new rocket resemble the previous generation encircling a new central core. This unique configuration brought the total weight to an astounding 280 tons.


    The fuel was also upgraded, switching from alcohol to kerosene.


    The sheer size of the new rocket made it visually imposing even when stationary. However, the larger size and the inclusion of five propulsion systems meant that the fueling and oxidizer-loading processes were time-consuming and complex.


    On the launch day of the new rocket, thousands of rat folk gathered outside the three-kilometer exclusion zone to witness the event. Excitement gave way to fatigue and hunger as the lengthy preparations dragged on. Finally, the launch was ready.


    Empress Kerrigan personally gave the launch order. Flames erupted from the rocket¡¯s base, accompanied by billowing smoke that quickly obscured the rocket.


    In moments, the rocket pierced through the smoke and soared skyward. The rat folk watched as the rocket, trailing a fiery plume, shrank into a distant speck before vanishing entirely.


    The crowd stared skyward for a while longer before erupting into deafening cheers.


    The four boosters propelled the massive rocket to an altitude of 1,500 kilometers, successfully breaching the atmosphere before detaching. The primary stage¡¯s thruster was remotely ignited, and the rocket¡¯s navigation system recalibrated its trajectory. With renewed propulsion, the rocket continued toward the moon.


    Having escaped the atmosphere, the rocket faced significantly less air resistance. With only one engine left, it traveled nearly 100,000 kilometers before losing power. Captured by planetary gravity, it became an orbiting satellite.


    The launch plunged the rat folk into a frenzy of celebration. Luo Wen, too, was thrilled. Although the rocket was still far from reaching the moon, breaking through the atmosphere was a critical milestone. The remaining challenges of expanding the fuel capacity and increasing thrust were far easier to tackle than the initial development of a rocket.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen¡¯s experiments had also made progress.


    First, his optical stealth system was functional. Its principle relied on nanometer-scale crystalline structures in his skin, forming specialized pigment cells. By controlling the spacing between the crystalline structures, these cells reflected different wavelengths of light. Over the years, Luo Wen had gained full control over this ability.


    Since many forms of radiation were transmitted via light, Luo Wen¡¯s eyes¡ªwhich could perceive a broader spectrum than human eyes¡ªclearly detected wavelengths invisible to others.


    Through continuous experimentation and observation, Luo Wen identified several wavelengths harmful to his body and adjusted his crystalline structures to reflect them.


    As for the remaining types of radiation, Luo Wen had no immediate solution and could only endure them by thickening the keratin layers on his outer body.


    His experiments on cold resistance, however, were at a standstill. While he could survive extreme cold by stalling his biological functions, this method lacked practicality.


    Yet, breakthroughs often came unexpectedly.


    After the new rocket breached outer space, several more launch tests followed. Though they didn¡¯t achieve further breakthroughs in flight distance, they successfully sent satellites and observation devices into space.


    Data from these devices revealed that outer space was cold, oxygen-deprived, and filled with various types of radiation. Without solutions to these challenges, the rat folk couldn¡¯t venture beyond their planet.


    Luo Wen realized early on that with relevant theoretical knowledge, he could conduct more effective experiments.


    For instance, with the theory behind rocket fuel and oxidizer systems, Luo Wen only needed to address a few key issues to develop a biological rocket. This approach was far more efficient and reliable than blindly relying on innate talent. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In terms of time, evolving abilities for lunar travel through pure imagination would take an unmeasurable amount of time.


    But with theoretical knowledge and targeted evolution to address critical issues, Luo Wen estimated it might take only a century.


    Had he possessed this knowledge earlier, there would have been no need to cultivate the rat folk civilization. However, a mature rat folk civilization now proved invaluable.


    Not only did they continuously convert more members into the Swarm, but they also provided Luo Wen with theoretical insights, serving as highly effective tools.


    The discovery of space radiation spurred numerous research efforts, with many experimental results and papers published.


    One paper, in particular, inspired Luo Wen greatly.

 Chapter 155: Experiments Underway (4)

    Compared to cosmic radiation, the radiation Luo Wen dealt with in the laboratory was child¡¯s play. According to calculations, unless he thickened his keratin layer to over three meters, he would be unable to withstand such radiation.


    A three-meter-thick keratin shell would require his body size to reach at least 20 meters to support the armor, and the weight would likely exceed 100 tons.


    Given the rat folk¡¯s current level of technology, even another century might not suffice to send him to the moon.


    Thus, the idea of enduring radiation physically was no longer feasible.


    The paper Luo Wen read discussed the hypothesis of planetary magnetic fields shielding against cosmic radiation. The author speculated that planets naturally generated a massive protective field, deflecting or neutralizing harmful radiation from space, as evidenced by the ability of life to thrive on planetary surfaces.


    The paper concluded with a proposal to research this field and replicate it in a small-scale magnetic device, which could be installed on rockets or personal protective suits to counter space radiation.


    Through the Swarm Network, Luo Wen quickly tracked down the author, who turned out to be working in a private laboratory under Starlight Enterprises.


    Unbeknownst to this rat folk, they were suddenly entrusted with a critical mission: promoted to lead a new laboratory, granted unlimited funding and personnel, and tasked with a single goal¡ªdeveloping the magnetic device envisioned in the paper as quickly as possible.


    Luo Wen¡¯s genetic library contained numerous organisms with unique understandings of magnetic fields, but none offered a complete framework. Even his anti-gravity wings (Beetle Elytra) were merely a rudimentary application of magnetic fields. Thus, Luo Wen needed a comprehensive theory to integrate and enhance these capabilities.


    Developing a magnetic organ was far more feasible than enduring cosmic radiation directly.


    Time flew by, and in just a few years, the rat folk¡¯s aerospace industry made remarkable strides. Rockets underwent continuous propulsion system upgrades, bringing them closer to reaching the moon.


    Two years ago, they even managed to send a four-clawed beast into space. Unfortunately, their rockets still lacked re-entry systems. The creature contributed a wealth of data before becoming a permanent fixture in planetary orbit.


    Last year, a rat folk was sent into low Earth orbit and successfully returned. Although they suffered numerous ailments afterward, they survived. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen was intrigued but frustrated. After studying the equipment used by the astronaut, he found little of immediate value.


    For instance, the rat folk¡¯s protective suit had multiple layers, including a vacuum layer to mitigate extreme temperatures in space. However, Luo Wen had no idea how to grow a vacuum layer within his body.


    There was good news, though. The radiation protection technology used in the rat folk¡¯s space suits originated from a private laboratory under Starlight Enterprises.


    The researcher, a rat folk named Karen, did not disappoint. They successfully developed a compact magnetic field protection device, which was further refined with ample resources and support. Eventually, the technology was streamlined into a metallic fiber material.


    The outermost layer of the rat folk¡¯s space suits was composed of this material. By forming a closed loop, it generated an induced current that produced a counter-electromagnetic field to block radiation.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t coat his body with such material, but he could use the theory to evolve an organ or ability with similar functionality.


    After a period of research and experimentation, he was nearing success.


    First, Luo Wen utilized genes from an electric fish species, whose specialized muscle tissue formed a natural electric organ. These fish also had numerous energy storage cells functioning like miniature stacked batteries. When the nerve center acting as a discharge hub sent signals, the electric organ released electricity, connecting the energy storage cells in series to generate high voltage.


    This structure could power a small magnetic field generator.


    To construct the generator, Luo Wen turned to the genes of a metal snail species that lived at depths of 3,000 meters, near hydrothermal vents and undersea volcanoes.


    Luo Wen had discovered these snails during a deep-sea exploration. While they didn¡¯t taste particularly good, their genes were worth collecting.


    The snails had metallic scales on their footpads and metal shells with natural magnetic properties, giving them a futuristic appearance.


    Using this trait, Luo Wen incorporated metal particles into his shell, arranging them into a biological magnetic field generator. The electric organ provided energy, successfully creating a small magnetic field on his body¡¯s surface.


    Not only did this magnetic field effectively block radiation penetration, but it also provided an unexpected bonus. The magnetic field¡¯s containment effect significantly reduced heat dissipation, stabilizing Luo Wen¡¯s ambient temperature.


    This serendipitously solved the problem of extreme cold in space, a longstanding concern for Luo Wen. Though unsure of the exact mechanism behind this result, Luo Wen chalked it up to an evolutionary anomaly.


    There was, however, a drawback. The system required a substantial intake of minerals to function. To make it viable for the Swarm, the Queen Ants¡¯ diet would need to include specific minerals. Alternatively, Luo Wen considered enhancing the fungal carpet by integrating the metal snail¡¯s genes. Since it could already break down rocks and minerals, this genetic addition might enable it to extract the required materials more effectively.


    With the challenges of oxygen deprivation, low temperatures, and cosmic radiation resolved, Luo Wen made significant progress toward spacefaring capabilities. The remaining hurdle was energy acquisition. Once solved, Luo Wen would evolve into a true space-dwelling organism, with the Swarm following suit.


    Another year passed. The rat folk¡¯s rocket propulsion research hit a bottleneck. Returning to old methods, they increased the number of thrusters¡ªfrom 1+4 to 1+6, and then to 1+8¡ªbringing their rockets ever closer to the moon.


    Over the same year, Luo Wen delved into numerous research papers and discovered a new application for the Swarm Network. He could extract and clone specific memories from the rat folk¡¯s collective intelligence. It felt like forcibly downloading a book into his mind, allowing him to sift through the useful parts.


    While this saved time compared to traditional reading, it came with downsides. The memory extraction captured an entire timeframe, including potentially unsavory personal experiences.


    After a particularly embarrassing incident, Luo Wen expunged the cloned memory with great effort and resolved to use this method sparingly.


    Still, a year of study provided Luo Wen with ideas on how to harvest energy in space.

 Chapter 156: The Internal Ecosystem Chamber

    With setbacks in rocket propulsion research, some of the rat folk proposed building a space station in planetary orbit as a means of collecting data and conducting further studies. This idea inspired a subset of researchers to pursue related projects.


    One article suggested creating a self-sustaining ecosystem chamber aboard the space station. Plants could absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, while rat folk would breathe the oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, establishing a closed-loop system.


    Although implementing such a system would be far more complicated than the article implied, the concept gave Luo Wen a new direction for his experiments.


    Previously, Luo Wen had focused on directly harnessing cosmic radiation. He had made some progress¡ªcertain thermal radiation could provide large amounts of heat energy¡ªbut he had yet to find a method to convert that heat into biological energy, leaving him stuck in a dead end.


    Now, he had a fresh idea.


    Luo Wen already had the ability to integrate plant cells into his body, even incorporating chloroplasts. The ecosystem chamber concept seemed feasible for internal adaptation.


    Driven by inspiration, he began working immediately. His body was already sealed into an airtight structure from prior experiments with survival in oxygen-deprived environments, making it a natural closed chamber.


    He added numerous chloroplasts to his skin cells but quickly ran into compatibility issues. His optical stealth system and magnetic field generation system were also located in the skin. Adding chloroplasts risked disrupting their functions.


    Unable to resolve this, Luo Wen relocated the chloroplasts to a lower part of his body. However, this introduced a new challenge: limited light exposure. He experimented with using the nanocrystals from the optical stealth system to reflect light to the chloroplasts¡¯ new location.


    This required creating dedicated light pathways and adding additional nanocrystals inside his body to enhance reflection. Otherwise, the small contact area would result in inefficient energy conversion¡ªa highly inconvenient solution.


    Luo Wen resigned himself to this approach until a few days later, when he came across another paper. It suggested that plants could grow under artificial lighting or bioluminescence.


    The revelation hit Luo Wen like a bolt of lightning. Though he knew little about bioluminescence, this solution seemed promising.


    While installing artificial lights inside his body was out of the question, bioluminescent organisms provided an ideal alternative. Many insects and deep-sea creatures naturally emitted light.


    Luo Wen began experimenting immediately. Bioluminescent organisms typically contained a special gene that produced light cells. These cells housed two chemicals that reacted under specific catalysts, releasing energy almost entirely as light with minimal heat¡ªa highly efficient illumination method.


    Luo Wen relocated the chloroplasts to an internal cavity surrounded by light cells. He then modified his respiratory system to direct carbon dioxide into the cavity, where the chloroplasts absorbed it and released oxygen.


    The result? Luo Wen became a glowing organism¡ªor perhaps, a bio-mecha with built-in lighting.


    This system was far more reliable than his earlier design but still fell short of a perfect cycle, requiring periodic replenishment of water and other materials. Thanks to his tail lard storage organ, however, this ¡°periodic¡± replenishment could be measured in years.


    Thus, Luo Wen had addressed almost every challenge posed by space travel. All that remained was acquiring a suitable vessel. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Overlord, don¡¯t you think our latest masterpiece is stunning?¡± Morgan asked, his tone full of self-admiration.


    Luo Wen, observing the rocket remotely through Morgan¡¯s perspective, replied via the Swarm Network: ¡°Stunning? I¡¯m speechless.¡±


    ¡°Your praise is most gratifying, Overlord.¡±


    ¡°That wasn¡¯t praise, you fool. Can¡¯t you tell I¡¯m being sarcastic?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s a limitation of consciousness communication; I cannot detect tone.¡±


    Luo Wen briefly considered ¡°retraining¡± the rat folk scientist before turning his attention back to the rocket.


    Admittedly, the design left him astonished. The rat folk had devised a novel approach, strapping 36 secondary thrusters onto a single rocket. As a self-proclaimed intellectual, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but criticize the design¡¯s absurdity. The drag in the atmosphere alone would be monumental, and directional control seemed nearly impossible.


    Regret bubbled within him¡ªhe had entrusted his body to this mission.


    Yes, this was the vessel that would carry Luo Wen to the moon. It represented the pinnacle of rat folk ingenuity, resembling nothing more than a giant stick bound with over thirty grenades.


    This was the rat folk¡¯s first serious attempt to land on the moon. Even Empress Kerrigan had arrived at the command center to personally oversee the launch ceremony.


    ¡°Can this contraption really fly?¡± Luo Wen asked, skeptical.


    ¡°Rest assured, Overlord,¡± Morgan replied confidently. ¡°We are highly experienced with strapped booster rockets. While the drag is indeed significant within the atmosphere, it becomes irrelevant once we breach it. Our calculations confirm that 36 secondary thrusters can definitely propel the rocket¡¯s core to the moon.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Your verbosity convinces me.¡± Luo Wen felt a sliver of relief after Morgan¡¯s detailed explanation.


    Luo Wen¡¯s body, secured under the guise of a ¡°volunteer organism,¡± had been placed in a transparent box filled with observation instruments and loaded onto the rocket. Accompanying him were other equipment and an all-terrain rover.


    Shortly afterward, Morgan confirmed via intercom, ¡°Overlord, the special organism has been secured on the rocket.¡±


    Luo Wen nodded, then remembered this was consciousness communication and replied, ¡°Understood.¡±


    The connection between Luo Wen¡¯s main body and the Brood Nest remained his closely guarded secret. Even the most loyal and network-integrated rat folk had no access to this information.


    It wasn¡¯t a matter of mistrust but of caution. Luo Wen had long believed he wasn¡¯t the universe¡¯s only exceptional being. Who knew what other peculiar abilities might exist?


    Better safe than sorry¡ªparanoia was the ultimate survival skill.

 Chapter 157: Ignition

    Once everything was ready, Empress Kerrigan issued the command, and the rocket launch countdown began.


    Ten seconds later, amidst billowing smoke, the rocket¡ªresembling a cluster grenade¡ªspewed flames as it shot toward the sky.


    The rocket steadily gained altitude. Its bundled secondary boosters, grouped in sets of four, detached from the main body once their fuel was depleted.


    Perhaps due to the rocket¡¯s overly unique design and significant air resistance, Luo Wen experienced violent vibrations while confined in the cargo bay at the rocket¡¯s nose. The ride was exceedingly uncomfortable. Were it not for his resilient body, he might have been smashed to pulp within the cramped confines.


    Fortunately, the rocket¡¯s speed was commendable. After twenty minutes, utilizing a total of three sets of twelve secondary boosters, it successfully exited the atmosphere.


    The rocket then employed another set of boosters to reach planetary orbit. The boosters shut down as the rocket was captured by the planet¡¯s gravity.


    This planet had two moons, both similar in size and mass. The yellow-white moon appeared larger than the red-white one due to its closer proximity. Luo Wen¡¯s target this time was the yellow moon. After several failed attempts, the rat folk had calculated a precise and feasible landing trajectory through meticulous computations.


    The rocket remained in orbit for more than ten hours, circling half the planet. Then, the boosters reignited, propelling the rocket onto a lunar-bound trajectory.


    The next two days were uneventful. Luo Wen spent this time in idle stasis, sparing himself the misery of enduring the cramped space.


    ¡°Vitals of the test subject are normal, but signs of low activity suggest potential injuries from severe vibrations during atmospheric exit,¡± a uniformed female rat folk reported to Morgan while monitoring the instruments.


    Empress Kerrigan had left shortly after the rocket exited the atmosphere. Now, Morgan, the director of the Imperial Space Research Institute, was overseeing operations.


    Morgan was well aware of the test subject¡¯s nature. It was undoubtedly one of the Swarm Overlord¡¯s specially engineered bodies. Morgan also knew about the Overlord¡¯s experiments in private laboratories, and this body was likely one of the results. This mission served to test its performance in space.


    Two days later, through Morgan¡¯s perspective, Luo Wen learned that the rocket was approaching the yellow moon¡¯s orbit. In three hours, it would collide with the yellow moon.


    Yes, collide. With no atmosphere on the yellow moon to slow descent, the rocket¡¯s impact would be direct and unmitigated. This meant Luo Wen was in for a hard-core landing.


    As the rocket approached, tension mounted in the control center. The rat folk responsible for monitoring data didn¡¯t dare blink.


    The rocket, now with only four secondary boosters left, was running out of fuel. Thirty minutes before impact, the last four boosters exhausted their fuel and began detachment procedures.


    The metal framework securing the boosters to the rocket was remotely unlocked.


    This 1+32 configuration was being used for the first time, and this was also the first time a rat folk spacecraft had traveled this far. Inevitably, a malfunction occurred.


    One of the secondary boosters failed to eject properly due to a malfunction in its release mechanism. As a result, it collided with the rocket¡¯s main body during separation, damaging the rocket¡¯s engine base.


    In the ground control center, piercing alarms blared. Observation devices showed damage to the rocket¡¯s engine on the right side, though the extent was unclear.


    Shortly thereafter, black smoke began billowing from the rocket¡¯s base. After limping along for several more minutes, the engine exploded, followed by the fuel tank.


    The rocket¡¯s nose, along with the cargo bay, was blasted away from the plume of smoke, veering off its planned trajectory.


    Panic erupted among the rat folk as they frantically recalculated the trajectory.


    Luo Wen recalled an old adage from a wise man: ¡°Ugly weapons are usually unreliable.¡± Thinking back to the rocket¡¯s cluster grenade-like design, he realized why he¡¯d doubted its reliability from the beginning.


    Given its catastrophically ugly design, an accident seemed almost inevitable. Luo Wen was speechless. His body was now tumbling and spiraling through deep space, potentially destined to become a mere speck of decoration in the cosmic void.


    However, he could always self-destruct his body and regenerate back on the planet, so losing one insect form wasn¡¯t a major issue. The real problem was the lengthy delay for another lunar mission, and the bitterness of seeing his long-awaited hopes dashed.


    Time ticked away. After intense calculations, the rat folk gathered new information.


    ¡°Overlord, are you still there?¡± Morgan asked.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡± Luo Wen¡¯s voice echoed in his mind.


    ¡°Overlord, the outlook is grim.¡±


    Luo Wen had anticipated this outcome. It seemed another delay was inevitable.


    ¡°However, there¡¯s still a chance to salvage the situation,¡± Morgan added after a pause.


    Luo Wen was momentarily irritated, suspecting Morgan was deliberately being cryptic, though he had no proof. Perhaps he could just dig into Morgan¡¯s mind to find out.


    ¡°The rocket¡¯s nose and cargo bay will be captured by the yellow moon¡¯s gravity in ten minutes, entering its orbit,¡± Morgan quickly continued, sensing Luo Wen¡¯s ominous thoughts. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But before Luo Wen could relax, Morgan added, ¡°However, although the rocket¡¯s propulsion system was destroyed, its initial speed was too high. With minimal resistance in space, it will exceed the escape velocity of the yellow moon after being captured, remaining in orbit for thirty-four minutes before being flung into deep space.¡±


    Luo Wen became serious, understanding the gravity of Morgan¡¯s statement.


    ¡°So, I need to control the insect form to detach from the rocket within this thirty-four-minute window?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Overlord.¡±


    ¡°What are your suggestions?¡±


    ¡°There are two options. First, after detaching from the rocket, the insect form¡¯s speed will be 3.5 km/s. You¡¯ll need to decelerate to and maintain a speed of 2 km/s to stay in orbit. Then, at the right moment, accelerate to 2.5 km/s to leave orbit and head for the yellow moon.¡±


    ¡°And the second option?¡±

 Chapter 158: Separation

    ¡°The second option is to detach from the rocket and, instead of decelerating, accelerate inward toward the yellow moon. The rocket will be flung out of lunar orbit, while the insect body accelerates toward the moon¡¯s surface,¡± Morgan explained, stroking his whiskers. Although the gesture seemed incongruous with his younger body, it had become a habit.


    ¡°What are the pros and cons of each plan?¡± Luo Wen asked after some thought.


    ¡°The first option offers higher safety. Staying in lunar orbit provides ample time for observation and finding the right moment. The downside is the difficulty of accelerating the insect body by an additional 0.5 km/s during detachment.¡±


    ¡°The second option¡¯s advantage is immediate action¡ªyou can proceed to the moon landing without delay. However, the opportunity is fleeting, and the descent carries significant risk due to high speed. What will you choose, Overlord?¡±


    Luo Wen pondered. His primary body¡¯s Gatling system had been replaced with a jet propulsion system during anaerobic tests. He wasn¡¯t confident in its ability to increase speed by 0.5 km/s. Failure would mean being trapped in lunar orbit and forced to self-destruct, awaiting another chance.


    The second option appeared riskier, but its challenges were mainly in timing and deceleration during the landing. With his reaction speed and ultra-high-resolution vision, he was confident he could manage timely deceleration.


    After conveying his decision to Morgan, Morgan immediately mobilized personnel to recalculate trajectories.


    Ten minutes later:


    ¡°The rocket has been captured by the yellow moon¡¯s gravity and is entering lunar orbit,¡± a researcher monitoring the screens reported.


    ¡°The rocket has entered lunar orbit and will leave it in thirty-four minutes.¡±


    ¡°The rocket has been in orbit for nineteen minutes. Calculations remain unchanged. It will leave orbit in fifteen minutes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s begin, Morgan,¡± Luo Wen¡¯s voice echoed in Morgan¡¯s mind.


    Luo Wen would need to focus entirely on controlling his insect body, leaving ground operations to Morgan.


    Morgan, through the Swarm Network, pulled trusted personnel into a private channel and began directing. Plans originally reserved for post-lunar landing had to be implemented ahead of schedule.


    Suddenly, alarms blared in the ground control center.


    ¡°Report! Monitoring in the rocket¡¯s cargo bay has failed!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the cause?¡± Morgan asked, maintaining a calm expression that betrayed no hint of the unfolding chaos.


    ¡°Likely the result of the earlier fuel tank explosion, which destabilized the cabin. The rocket remains under the moon¡¯s gravitational pull, accelerating as the cabin deforms,¡± a researcher speculated.


    Before Morgan could respond, another observer shouted, ¡°Report! The test subject¡¯s life-support pod has lost contact! Vital signs are gone!¡±


    ¡°Report! The cargo bay is compromised! The rocket¡¯s nose has separated from the bay, and internal gases are leaking!¡±


    The control room descended into chaos, red lights flashing as bad news piled up.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen, after the ¡°monitoring failure,¡± easily opened the transparent container restraining him. Smashing a protective case on the cabin wall, he revealed a red button inside.


    Feigning a deep breath, Luo Wen pressed the button.


    With a loud ¡°bang,¡± the rocket¡¯s nose cone was ejected. Since the cabin contained air, sound traveled, making the ejection noise audible. The connection between the nose cone and the cargo bay revealed a large circular hole. Through it, the pitch-black expanse of space was visible.


    Before Luo Wen could appreciate the view, the cabin¡¯s escaping air swept him and various debris out through the opening.


    As he tumbled, Luo Wen increased the refresh rate of his vision. To him, the surrounding debris, the rocket¡¯s nose cone, and the cargo bay seemed to drift away in slow motion.


    Now adrift in space without any external protection, he immediately felt the extreme conditions. The side of his body facing the sun soared above 300 degrees Celsius. Thankfully, he had anticipated this, incorporating nano heat-resistant materials from a mantis shrimp¡¯s hammer into his carapace. Without them, the high temperature would have inflicted severe damage.


    The side facing away from the sun plunged to -200 degrees Celsius, creating a temperature gradient of several hundred degrees. Meanwhile, his body continued to spin uncontrollably, producing a uniquely unpleasant sensation. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His internal power system activated, supplying energy to his magnetic field generator. Blue electrical arcs danced across his carapace as a small magnetic field enveloped his body.


    Simultaneously, small vents on his body released jets of gas, gradually reducing his spin until he stabilized.


    Once his body stopped spinning, the vents closed immediately. In the vacuum of space, where replenishing air was impossible, the expelled gas came from his reserves.


    His muscles vibrated, bioluminescent organs lit up, and chloroplasts began working. The reserves in his tail fat organ rapidly depleted. Though wasteful, this generated copious amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide necessary for both directional changes and deceleration during descent.


    The rocket and debris, though initially near him, maintained the same velocity, drifting away slowly. Five minutes later, Luo Wen glanced back at the rat folk creation one last time. Silently bidding it farewell, he acknowledged that they might never cross paths again in the vastness of space.


    Farewell complete, Luo Wen turned around. With the aid of his vents, he adjusted his trajectory by about 30 degrees toward the yellow moon. His propulsion system lacked the power for a perpendicular descent, which would only slow him down.


    Instead, he altered his angle slightly, allowing his current velocity to carry him toward the moon.


    In the featureless void of space, movement felt imperceptible, though his velocity was immense. As soon as he adjusted his angle, the rocket and debris disappeared from view.


    His course set, all that remained was to wait. He needed to travel for more than ten hours, orbiting the moon one and a half times before impact.


    This plan, meticulously calculated by several of Morgan¡¯s trusted aides, was now in motion. Unfortunately, without his monitoring equipment, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t precisely track his speed or position. From the moment he left the rocket, everything depended on his instincts.


    Thankfully, with the Swarm Network, he didn¡¯t have to stay inside his body for the entire journey. Instead, he could collaborate with Morgan and the others to refine the next phase of their plan.

 Chapter 159: Landing

    Time passed, and Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness returned to his primary body. According to calculations, he was still two hours away from ¡°impacting¡± the yellow moon. However, given the numerous unexpected variables, these calculations were no longer reliable.


    From this moment onward, he could land at any time. He had to remain vigilant, as his current velocity was near 3.5 km/s. A single moment of carelessness could result in a catastrophic crash on the moon¡¯s surface.


    To avoid distractions, Luo Wen connected over a hundred Blades to the Swarm Network, sharing his body¡¯s perspective with them. He doubted any mishaps could occur with such robust support.


    The view in space was stunning, but over time it became monotonous, with unchanging scenery and utter silence. Thankfully, with the Blades acting as high-level AIs to monitor his surroundings, Luo Wen had the luxury of some lighthearted banter over the network to stave off boredom.


    He even took the opportunity to name the nearby planet ¡°Genesis Planet,¡± as it was the birthplace of the Swarm. Luo Wen reasoned that as an insect destined to conquer the stars and seas, having a compelling backstory was essential. Titles like ¡°Zhao Zilong of Changshan¡± or ¡°Zhang Yide of Yan¡± inspired him.


    Now that Genesis Planet had a name, he could proudly declare in future encounters, ¡°I am Genesis F2A.¡± With some accomplishments under his belt, perhaps this name alone would strike fear into his enemies.


    Before his imagination could spiral further, the Blades raised an alert. Luo Wen realized his trajectory was veering toward the moon. He quickly abandoned his banter with the rat folk and focused his full attention on the task at hand.


    His orbital position was about 120 kilometers above the moon¡¯s surface, and at his current speed of 3.5 km/s, a direct descent would take just over half a minute.


    However, since he was approaching at an oblique angle, the time would be slightly longer.


    The lunar surface expanded rapidly in his vision. Luo Wen needed to time his deceleration perfectly. Decelerating too early could leave him stuck in orbit; too late, and he¡¯d end up a splattered mess on the surface.


    At 20 kilometers from the surface, Luo Wen¡¯s black insect body suddenly opened all forward-facing vents, expelling gas at full force.


    His body, moving at extreme speed, was violently decelerated. The opposing forces of momentum and thrust nearly crushed his frame. Fortunately, his carapace had been reinforced with flexible cartilage inspired by deep-sea creatures. While this made him less resistant to physical attacks, it significantly enhanced his structural resilience under pressure.


    Moreover, metallic ions within the carapace ensured his physical defenses were not entirely compromised.


    Though 20 kilometers seemed far, at Luo Wen¡¯s speed it passed in less than six seconds. Even with the intense braking, his landing velocity was still near 1 km/s.


    A plume of lunar dust erupted from a vast crater on the moon¡¯s surface, forming a hazy ring before gradually settling. The scene resembled a silent film, devoid of any sound.


    ¡°Overlord, what¡¯s your status?¡± Morgan inquired. Luo Wen hadn¡¯t shared his perspective with the rat folk. The sudden silence during their conversation hinted that Luo Wen was focused on his landing.


    Morgan mentally calculated the time. The landing¡ªwhether successful or disastrous¡ªshould have concluded by now. Yet Luo Wen¡¯s prolonged silence left him uncertain, eventually compelling him to ask.


    At that moment, Luo Wen was assessing his injuries. Despite using his back¡ªhis strongest and most impact-resistant area¡ªfor the landing, the impact had still taken a toll.


    Cracks marred the back armor, the magnetic field structure sustained damage, and a small section lost its protective field. Fortunately, the crater he created wasn¡¯t deep, and his relatively compact body fit snugly within it.


    Using surrounding lunar soil for cover, he could shield himself from radiation, though the extreme cold seeped through. His segmented structures near the damage site closed in time, but the chill was still uncomfortable.


    Luo Wen flexed his appendages. Both claw arms and his eight legs were intact, but many joints were damaged and required repair.


    Elsewhere, his condition wasn¡¯t critical, but the energy reserves in his tail lard storage organ had dropped by over 50%. Repairing his injuries would deplete them further, and in his current situation, replenishing energy on the moon wasn¡¯t an option. Rapid depletion was an ominous prospect.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had contingency plans for such situations.


    ¡°Somewhat dicey, but I¡¯m alive,¡± Luo Wen quipped, sparing a moment to reassure Morgan before mobilizing his body.


    Turning to the crater he had created, Luo Wen began digging deeper. Excavation was second nature to him, and his movements were efficient and fluid. However, the moon¡¯s surface consisted of only a thin layer of soft regolith, underlain by solid rock.


    Luckily, his think tank had anticipated this. His claw arms had been upgraded with metallic particles, increasing their hardness significantly. They now excelled at both digging and breaking through rock.


    Despite the enhancements, breaking rock was far more challenging than digging through soil. After laboriously extending the crater by two to three meters, Luo Wen paused.


    After a brief moment of retching, his body expelled a small spore capsule, the seed for a Fungal Carpet. This enhanced version, designed for space environments, would determine Luo Wen¡¯s ability to thrive in the cosmos. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had meticulously prepared for this moment, choosing the genetic traits of a beast with four stomachs. This creature could rapidly consume large amounts of food and regurgitate it later in a safe location for gradual digestion.


    While Luo Wen found the process distasteful, he valued its storage capabilities. Of the four stomachs, only one produced gastric acid; the other three functioned as storage spaces. This feature made it easy to store and retrieve items, even if the process was a bit unappealing.


    For the dream of conquering the stars, Luo Wen was willing to accept such compromises.


    Placing the Fungal Carpet seed at the bottom of the crater, Luo Wen covered it with loose stones and dust. Though the conditions were far from ideal¡ªno water or fertilizer¡ªthe seed had a built-in nutrient pack stored within its capsule. This starter resource would allow it to take root and grow.


    After ensuring the seed was buried, Luo Wen moved on to the next task at hand.

 Chapter 160: The Second Brood Nest

    Out of responsibility for the Swarm¡¯s future development¡ªand admittedly, a bit for his own safety¡ªLuo Wen had long been researching ways to enable the Brood Queens to download his primary genetic code. Alternatively, he sought methods to produce additional bodies or brood nests.


    After exhaustive research and experimentation, he concluded that having the Brood Queens download his original genetic code via a cloud storage system was currently beyond his capabilities.


    However, he had gained insights into creating more bodies or brood nests.


    Through trial, error, and some creative leaps, Luo Wen discovered that forcibly severing a body or brood nest from the Swarm Network effectively granted him the authority to produce another part.


    Simply put, disconnecting them from the network and simulating their ¡°death¡± allowed him to incubate replacements.


    While the concept seemed straightforward, implementation was extraordinarily challenging. He needed to focus all his energy on severing a body or brood nest from the network, a process requiring tens of hours of uninterrupted effort until the new entity was fully incubated.


    Luo Wen positioned his body over the spore capsule, using surrounding dust to seal the pit before beginning his cocooning process.


    Meanwhile, on Genesis Planet, deep within a subterranean nest 3,000 meters below the surface, a Brood Nest began secreting viscous fluid from its surface. Its massive body rapidly shrank as the liquid hardened, encasing the Brood Nest in an amber-like shell.


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s first formal attempt at regenerating a brood nest. Previous efforts were purely theoretical, so he had no guarantee he could sustain his focus for the necessary tens of hours. To mitigate risks, he prepared multiple contingencies.


    The Brood Nest utilized a pseudo-death ability derived from specific insect species. These creatures could expel most of their bodily fluids to encase themselves in an amber-like shell that was incredibly resilient, capable of withstanding most external threats. Within the shell, the creature entered a pseudo-death state, with its life force nearly extinguished. Without external stimulation, it could essentially die.


    While this ability was typically disastrous¡ªturning pseudo-death into actual death¡ªit was ideal for Luo Wen¡¯s purpose. The Brood Nest¡¯s pseudo-death significantly eased the energy drain required to isolate it from the Swarm Network.


    Surges of energy coursed through the Swarm Network, forcibly severing the pseudo-dead Brood Nest¡¯s connection. Simultaneously, the energy reserves in Luo Wen¡¯s tail lard storage organ began to deplete rapidly.


    Since Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness had decoupled from his physical body, he remained fully alert while his body entered its cocooned state. He redirected all available energy to the incubation process, entirely deprioritizing the repair of his injuries.


    As time passed, Luo Wen concentrated on severing the Brood Nest¡¯s connection to the Swarm Network. Meanwhile, on the yellow moon, his cocooned body began developing a bulge at the rear, which grew steadily larger.


    During this period, the Fungal Carpet seed beneath his body also came to life. Supported by the external spore capsule, it rapidly sprouted roots that extended deep underground.


    Luo Wen felt a wave of relief upon observing the Fungal Carpet¡¯s progress. Given the limited payload of the rocket and his body¡¯s size constraints, he had brought only one seed. If it failed to take root, the entire lunar mission would have been for naught.


    The Carpet¡¯s roots secreted a substance called lichen fluid, which efficiently dissolved the hard rock below. The yellow moon contained water resources, though they were unevenly distributed and existed primarily as solid ice due to the frigid temperatures.


    Luck favored Luo Wen. His crash had created a crater about a meter deep, and his subsequent digging extended it by another two to three meters. Within five days, the Fungal Carpet¡¯s roots had penetrated roughly ten meters further, eventually discovering solid ice crystals.


    As the roots penetrated the rocky layers, they also absorbed various metals.


    The enhanced version of the Fungal Carpet incorporated Luo Wen¡¯s advanced space technology. With access to water, it transitioned from relying on the spore capsule to becoming self-sufficient.


    Equipped with modules for producing metallic particles, magnetic field generators, and self-illumination systems, the Carpet accelerated its growth.


    A root from the Fungal Carpet extended into the cracked cocoon enveloping Luo Wen¡¯s body. Incubating a Brood Nest demanded immense energy. With his tail lard reserves nearly depleted, the Carpet¡¯s timely intervention prevented Luo Wen from resorting to consuming his own flesh to sustain the process.


    Having overcome the initial challenges, the Fungal Carpet not only supported Luo Wen but also continued to expand its infrastructure.


    By the time the Brood Nest incubation was complete, the Carpet¡¯s main body had spread throughout the pit, glowing with multicolored light that flickered and shifted.


    This illumination system, an enhancement designed by Luo Wen, replaced the monotonous yellow-green glow of its predecessors with a more diverse palette inspired by marine bioluminescent creatures.


    However, gazing at the vibrant, nightclub-like lights within the pit, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but think of certain Earthly entertainment venues. He briefly considered reverting the lighting system to something less gaudy. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once the new Brood Nest completed incubation, it conducted a self-diagnostic before detaching from Luo Wen¡¯s body and interfacing with the Fungal Carpet to begin producing space-adapted Swarm units.


    These units required specialized components for surviving in space, making them significantly more complex and costly to produce. For example, magnetic field generators necessitated metal resources, driving up their production cost to many times that of their terrestrial counterparts.


    Despite their expense, the emergence of these space-adapted units marked the Swarm¡¯s expansion beyond its homeworld. The harsh conditions of outer space would no longer confine the Swarm.


    To distinguish them, Luo Wen named the original Brood Nest on Genesis Planet the Genesis Brood Nest, while the newly created one on the yellow moon was christened the Yellow Moon Brood Nest, reflecting their respective birthplaces.


    After the Yellow Moon Brood Nest came online, the Genesis Brood Nest initiated its reawakening sequence. The amber encasing it began to dissolve as pre-prepared nutrients flowed from the Fungal Carpet. The Brood Nest¡¯s desiccated body swelled like an inflating balloon, regaining its full form within an hour.


    Reawakened, the Genesis Brood Nest seamlessly integrated with the Yellow Moon Brood Nest. Luo Wen noted that the Swarm Network seemed to grow stronger as a result.

 Chapter 161: Shift of Focus

    The transport capabilities of rockets were simply too poor. Using them to deploy the swarm into space would be unimaginably inefficient and costly. From the very beginning, Luo Wen¡¯s plan was to use a rocket to send himself to the moon and then redevelop the swarm there.


    This plan had been decided even before Luo Wen began cultivating the Ratfolk and small dinosaurs. He had even considered an all-or-nothing gamble: once his main body reached the moon, he would destroy the Brood Nest still on the Genesis Planet. If successful, the starting point of the swarm would leap forward by several levels.


    With its low gravity and lack of atmosphere, the moon was an ideal base for launching into the stars, significantly reducing the difficulty of such an endeavor.


    Of course, this plan was initially extremely risky. At that time, Luo Wen was not yet a ¡°Networked Being,¡± had not discovered that the Brood Nest could also hatch his main body, and was unaware of the forced logout function.


    It¡¯s easy to imagine how much thought, cautious Luo Wen put into this plan before deciding on it.


    Perhaps it was his cautious mindset that influenced his talents, or maybe luck played a role. One by one, new abilities were discovered, gradually reducing the risks associated with this plan.


    By the end, even in the event of failure, the loss would be minimal¡ªjust some time wasted.


    And for the current Luo Wen, time was the cheapest resource. As long as he could endure it, even tens of thousands of years were a trivial matter.


    Luo Wen¡¯s main body took some time at the Fungal Carpet to replenish the reserves of his Tail Lard Storage Organ. Then he entered a cocooning state to repair his body.


    Meanwhile, the Yellow Moon Brood Nest began producing mature Worker Ants. However, given the brood nest¡¯s size, the initial development of the lunar base would be slow. With little to do for now, Luo Wen returned his consciousness to the Genesis Planet.


    ¡°Morgan, the lunar base has been established,¡± Luo Wen announced.


    In the command hall of the rocket launch center, some Ratfolk were still busy. They were researchers who had unfortunately died over the years for various reasons. After undergoing modifications via the Swarm Network, they were given young bodies, followed Morgan¡¯s example, and infiltrated the Imperial Space Research Institute once more.


    After the rocket engine and fuel tank explosion, researchers without node identities had been sent by Morgan to write up their experiences elsewhere. Those who remained were all ¡°insiders,¡± helping Luo Wen calculate data.


    Although they couldn¡¯t observe Luo Wen directly, the remnants of the rocket had accompanied him for a long time. The rocket was equipped with various positioning instruments.


    Thanks to their data, Luo Wen was able to precisely time his accelerations and turns. While there were slight errors in the data, the overall result was a successful landing, largely due to their efforts.


    ¡°Excellent, Lord Overlord. The swarm has finally taken this step and is on the path to becoming a stellar race. As a member of the swarm, I feel deeply honored,¡± Morgan said.


    Morgan, who had once been a teacher to the Empress, was a master of flattery. Though he had grown somewhat rusty with age and authority, a little practice quickly restored his finesse.


    ¡°Alright, you¡¯ve all done well this time. However, as insiders, a verbal commendation is enough,¡± Luo Wen replied.


    Actually, even verbal commendations weren¡¯t necessary. Being an insider carried significant weight. Among them, the only one who was still somewhat impure was the current Empress Kerrigan.


    But considering the lifespan of Ratfolk, it would only take another twenty to thirty years before she became entirely ¡°pure.¡±


    Morgan showed no objection to verbal praise, as if it was entirely expected.


    ¡°What is the next plan, Lord Overlord?¡± Morgan asked.


    Luo Wen considered for a moment. Having established a base on the moon, there was little use in further rocket research. He had painstakingly nurtured the Ratfolk civilization, but not to allow them to advance their own agenda.


    ¡°Rocket development can continue, but all personnel involved must either become insiders or backups. Going forward, the Ratfolk¡¯s focus should shift to other disciplines. Their previous technological trajectory has been rather skewed. It¡¯s time to encourage balanced development.¡±


    ¡°Lord Overlord¡¯s insight is unparalleled. As the director of the Imperial Space Research Institute, I¡¯ve realized that devoting excessive resources to aerospace technology has been highly inappropriate. This has squeezed out other disciplines, creating unnecessary conflicts. To promote harmony among the Ratfolk, I¡¯ll propose to Her Majesty that aerospace funding be reduced in favor of other fields.¡±


    ¡°Excellent reasoning¡ªlogical and convincing,¡± Luo Wen replied. If this weren¡¯t a telepathic exchange, he would have applauded Morgan.


    Several days later, on the lunar base, the brood nest had produced mature Worker Ants, Worker Drones, and their eggs. It had also created a Queen Ant egg, which Luo Wen relocated before it hatched.


    The egg was moved to a new base on the moon¡¯s far side and had since hatched into a larva. Once it matured, the swarm¡¯s ability to mass-produce forces on the moon would increase significantly.


    After all, this was the swarm¡¯s classic opening strategy: produce farmers, then rapidly expand bases.


    Future development would focus on the moon¡¯s far side. Since the Yellow Moon had no rotation, it always showed the same face to the Genesis Planet.


    If the Ratfolk¡¯s technological trajectory eventually led to widespread telescope use, it was better for their mental well-being that they didn¡¯t see anything ¡°unusual¡± on the moon.


    In the following days, Luo Wen shifted his focus to the lunar base.


    Under his leadership, the swarm discovered two mines rich in mineral resources. The extracted metal particles were suitable for manufacturing magnetic field generators. With the help of Worker Drones, the Fungal Carpet quickly spread across the mining areas.


    With light, water, and metal resources secured, the swarm¡¯s production needs were met. The population of insects on the moon increased rapidly. Since there were no hostile forces on the moon, no combat units were produced initially. Instead, all resources were devoted to Worker Drones and support units. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Due to the moon¡¯s low gravity, many unit designs could be scaled up without modifying their templates.


    For example, Burrower Ants could easily exceed ten centimeters in length under the original template. By slightly strengthening their leg bones and muscles, they could grow to over a meter in size.


    However, their external skeletons required them to spend more time in the larval stage to achieve larger sizes.

 Chapter 162: A Stepping Stone

    The Burrower Ants were tasked with heavy labor, so their external skeletons had to be retained. Fortunately, on the moon, the Fungal Carpet was growing even faster than the insects, already covering a vast area.


    The lunar base currently had an abundance of resources. Raising some larger insects wouldn¡¯t be a burden.


    As time passed, various models of Burrower Ants emerged from their cocoons. Once their exoskeletons hardened underground, they quickly began their intensive work.


    Since insect eggs and larvae lacked magnetic field generators, they had to be shielded from radiation deep underground during their early growth stages.


    The initial production of Burrower Ants was aimed at this goal. With their increased size, their work became much more efficient. Over three months, five simple, large underground bases had been roughly excavated. The subsequent finishing work would wait until more small Burrower Ants and Worker Drones were available to refine them gradually.


    During this time, the number of Brood Queens increased to ten, with two stationed in each base, working tirelessly to replenish the workforce.


    The lunar base gradually entered a stable development phase. As its supply systems and production units became more complete, its growth would only accelerate.


    Thus, it was time to prepare for the next phase of plans.


    Conquering a small moon was certainly not the swarm¡¯s ultimate goal. If that were the case, Luo Wen might as well remain on the Genesis Planet and become a planetary lord.


    The moon was merely a stepping stone. With no atmosphere, it was an ideal launch site for the swarm.


    However, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t establish a rocket launch base on the moon. It lacked any industrial foundation and was devoid of certain critical raw materials. The Ratfolk¡¯s rocket technology system was not applicable here.


    Currently, the swarm could utilize a jet propulsion system to fly in zero-gravity environments until its energy reserves were exhausted. It could also glide a short distance using inertia.


    But space was vast. A flight range capable of circling the Genesis Planet several times was negligible on a cosmic scale. Even though jet-propelled flight was several times faster than the Storm God¡¯s flight speed on the Genesis Planet, it was still laughably slow when considering the distances between celestial bodies.


    Naturally, Luo Wen would not choose such a mode of transportation. Otherwise, by the time his jet-propelled bugs left the star system, the Ratfolk might already have spacefaring ships.


    Of course, this scenario would never happen. If the Ratfolk ever developed the ability to threaten the swarm, they would face extermination long before that. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Returning to the main topic, Luo Wen¡¯s current idea revolved around the mantis shrimp dubbed the ¡°Alien Mecha.¡±


    This creature possessed several black technologies ideal for space travel.


    For instance, the hyperbolic system on its hammer. Studies showed that if this system were magnified dozens of times with sufficiently strong materials to support its operation, it could generate kinetic energy so immense that it could hurl rocks directly to the moon in the absence of atmospheric resistance.


    Luo Wen¡¯s dual pincers utilized this system in a weakened form. It significantly enhanced their flexibility and, when fully powered, provided formidable attack strength. Although its activation required a substantial energy cost each time, its capabilities were undeniable. Luo Wen had relied on it to survive many life-or-death situations.


    However, due to material limitations, even Luo Wen¡¯s so-called full-power usage only unleashed a fraction of its potential.


    But on the moon, with no air resistance and only minimal gravity, a well-designed version of this system could become the swarm¡¯s most suitable transportation method.


    The structure of the system required no modifications¡ªfor now, Luo Wen lacked the ability to enhance its capabilities. Instead, he focused on the materials.


    Luo Wen chose to integrate plant cells into the hammer cannon¡¯s material alongside its existing components.


    Plant cells, with their thick, sturdy, and slightly elastic cell walls, could maintain their shape, increase mechanical strength, regulate osmotic pressure, and provide excellent defense.


    Even so, the new material could only withstand one full-power operation of the hyperbolic system before self-destructing under severe overload.


    Thus, Luo Wen designed the components as disposable modules attached externally to the Fungal Carpet.


    The initial launch device resembled a massive fleshy lump, placed at strategic locations and connected to the Fungal Carpet. Nourished by the carpet¡¯s nutrients, the device would grow into something akin to a single-armed trebuchet.


    The Fungal Carpet anchoring it ensured stability, while the device¡¯s own extensive root system penetrated up to a hundred meters underground for additional support.


    When ready to launch, the Fungal Carpet would channel sufficient energy into the device to activate its hyperbolic ejection system, propelling the payload at an astonishing velocity.


    After firing, most of the device¡¯s structure would be destroyed by the extreme overload. Given its high cost, this method of launching was undeniably extravagant.


    However, with the moon¡¯s resources freely available to the swarm and no need to produce many combat units, most resources could be allocated to manufacturing these launch devices.


    Because of its retro design and resemblance to a single-armed trebuchet, Luo Wen named the device the ¡°Orbital Sling.¡±


    The Orbital Sling¡¯s payloads were also specially designed.


    The payload consisted of a Spore Capsule encased in a lichen-like structure made from various rocky materials. This design gave the capsule the appearance of a meteor during its space flight.


    This was a byproduct of Luo Wen¡¯s earlier radiation experiments. While the material provided excellent radiation resistance, its rigidity and poor ductility made it unsuitable for mobility armor. However, it was perfect for camouflage.


    Beneath the lichen layer was a heat-resistant nano-structure to protect against atmospheric friction during reentry on planets with atmospheres.


    Inside was a highly concentrated nutrient layer encasing Fungal Carpet seeds, several Worker Drone eggs, and one Brood Queen egg.


    Since the Spore Capsule lacked a magnetic field generator, the contents would enter a dormant state to endure extreme external conditions.


    This design allowed the swarm to quickly establish a rudimentary base in new environments.


    The research, manufacturing, and preparation of these devices took Luo Wen over a year.


    Now, on the moon¡¯s far side, three Orbital Slings ¡°grew¡± atop a slightly elevated hill on the purple-hued ground.


    Around one of the Orbital Slings, a dozen Ratfolk busily worked on final adjustments.


    After so much preparation, it was time to test the system in action.

 Chapter 163: Take a Shot

    These rat folk had already been converted into node units, effectively becoming ¡°allies.¡± Luo Wen had prepared some space-adapted rat folk bodies on the moon beforehand, then extracted their consciousnesses from their bodies on the Genesis Planet and transferred them into the lunar bodies. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This instantly achieved the milestone of rat folk¡¯s first, second, third¡­ all the way to the eleventh lunar landing.


    The Orbital Sling had a long-standing issue that had persisted since Luo Wen acquired the Hyperbolic System¡ªits accuracy was dreadful.


    It epitomized the saying, ¡°brute force works wonders.¡± Unless used for point-blank shots, its accuracy was so poor that hitting a target felt miraculous.


    In space, where distances are measured in light-years, even a one-millimeter deviation at the start could result in unimaginable off-target impacts over a light-year¡¯s span.


    Thus, there was significant room for improvement. The rat folk researchers had been specifically brought here by Luo Wen to address this issue.


    Unfortunately, the rat folk¡¯s technological development was heavily unbalanced. Rocket engine technology and related fields were leaps and bounds ahead, while radar, computing, and communication technologies lagged significantly.


    Their calculations required a substantial amount of practical data to back them up.


    After a flurry of intense debugging, various initial data points were recorded, and the Orbital Sling entered its launch countdown.


    ¡°Overlord, do you think this experiment will succeed?¡± Through the Swarm Network, Luo Wen had included Morgan, a few rat folk intelligences, and some Blades into a group chat.


    Everyone shared the visual feed of several Scout Bugs with eagle-like vision, closely monitoring the entire launch process.


    The Eagle-Eye Bug was a new reconnaissance insect developed by Luo Wen, inspired by the principle of telescopes. Shaped like a giant eyeball, it lacked limbs, mouth, or nose. It relied on internal hydrogen generation and jet propulsion for mobility and received sustenance through a rear connection to the Fungal Carpet.


    Its eyeball incorporated the genes of multiple organisms, and while it appeared to have just one eye, it hid dozens of pupil structures of varying sizes. This allowed it to auto-focus and switch between modes like thermal imaging and night vision.


    The projectile¡¯s speed upon launch was incredibly high, making it impossible for standard imaging systems to capture its trajectory. However, Luo Wen had added a type of light-bending coating to the Spore Capsule, derived from the Mantis Shrimp¡¯s 20-color imaging system. This allowed the Eagle-Eye Bug to quickly detect the light distortion and lock onto the target.


    The bug¡¯s powerful dynamic vision system then kicked in, presenting a clear image of the projectile¡¯s flight path. Since Luo Wen and his subordinates shared the Eagle-Eye Bug¡¯s vision, they could observe the entire process in real time.


    Moreover, the Eagle-Eye Bugs were numerous, and Luo Wen had temporarily granted his subordinates the ability to switch camera angles freely.


    ¡°Failure is the mother of success. Failure isn¡¯t scary as long as we can learn from it and make improvements. Success will eventually come.¡± Luo Wen watched the observation screen intently, casually replying to Morgan¡¯s question.


    ¡°The Overlord speaks wisely,¡± Morgan responded.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The countdown ended, and the Hyperbolic System activated. The Spore Capsule inside the Orbital Sling instantly vanished. The immense recoil reduced most of the Orbital Sling¡¯s structure to ash and even tore up a large section of the Fungal Carpet anchoring it to the ground.


    A few seconds later, the Fungal Carpet slammed back down, sending up clouds of dust through its torn seams. Multiple horrifying gashes appeared across its surface.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t have time to worry about the damage to the Fungal Carpet. Unlike typical living organisms, the Fungal Carpet¡¯s injuries, while appearing severe, were minor as long as its main body wasn¡¯t massively burned or obliterated. These surface tears, though terrifying, were essentially superficial wounds that could heal in minutes.


    The first target for the Orbital Sling wasn¡¯t a distant planet but the Red Moon, a fellow satellite of the Genesis Planet. After some calculations by the rat folk, today was the day when the Yellow Moon and Red Moon crossed paths, reducing their distance to under 200,000 kilometers.


    In space terms, this was practically point-blank range.


    Two or three seconds after the projectile disappeared, the Eagle-Eye Bug reacquired the target. By then, the ¡°projectile¡± had already covered half the distance. A minute later, it impacted the Red Moon¡¯s surface. The entire moon seemed to tremble slightly as the impact site formed a deep crater, throwing up massive amounts of dust.


    The impact point was tens of thousands of kilometers off the intended target, but at least it successfully landed on the Red Moon.


    ¡°Damn!¡± Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but mutter in astonishment. He wasn¡¯t surprised by the off-target distance or even the fact that it hit. What shocked him was how little time the flight had taken.


    While he already knew the Hyperbolic System was powerful, he hadn¡¯t expected it to be this potent.


    Covering 200,000 kilometers in just over a minute meant the projectile had reached 1% of light speed. Did that mean it could reach a nearby star system in just a few centuries? Well, this made it clear¡ªfurther improvements to the Orbital Sling¡¯s performance were necessary. Although Luo Wen¡¯s perception of time was becoming increasingly vague, even he thought centuries were too long.


    These thoughts quickly passed as Luo Wen connected to the Spore Capsule on the Red Moon via the Swarm Network.


    The Spore Capsule¡ªno response.


    Brood Queen eggs¡ªno response.


    Worker Drone eggs¡ªno response.


    Even the Fungal Carpet¡ªno response.


    After repeated attempts, Luo Wen concluded that the excessive speed had caused too strong an impact, destroying the Spore Capsule and all the insect eggs inside.


    Was this experiment a success?


    There was no time to ponder. With the two moons still close, Luo Wen hurriedly prepared for a second launch.


    Fortunately, three Orbital Slings had been prepared. One was destroyed, but two remained operational. Although the previous Sling¡¯s destruction had slightly tilted the remaining two, concentrated resources had allowed one of them to be repaired.


    Under the assistance of Burrower Ants and Worker Drones, its base was straightened and repositioned.


    Without wasting time, the second projectile was loaded. With experience from the first attempt, the rat folk researchers adjusted their settings before the countdown for the second launch began.


    This time, Luo Wen learned from the previous mishap and capped the Sling¡¯s performance.


    When the countdown ended, the ¡°projectile¡± vanished. With the reduced performance, the Orbital Sling wasn¡¯t destroyed, nor did it tear up large portions of the Fungal Carpet.


    It sustained only minor damage. Given its significant plant-cell composition, it could be easily repaired with the Fungal Carpet¡¯s help, making it reusable after simple maintenance.

 Chapter 164: Red Moon Base

    This time, the flight duration was significantly longer. The spore capsule projectile flew for over two hours before kicking up a spray of lunar dust upon impact on the Red Moon¡¯s surface. However, due to the restricted performance of the Orbital Sling, which made it easier to control, the accuracy greatly improved. The impact site was only about 100 kilometers off the calculated landing point.


    Learning from the previous crash-test data, the spore capsule¡¯s main structure was redesigned using the skeletal framework of deep-sea creatures combined with the hammer-like appendages of the mantis shrimp. Coupled with its inherent plant-cell composition, its resistance to pressure and impact was vastly superior to Luo Wen¡¯s original designs.


    Additionally, the impact this time was relatively mild. Although the lichen-like outer structure of the spore capsule was severely damaged, the main body of the capsule remained largely intact.


    Luo Wen easily established a connection with the capsule via the Swarm Network and remotely activated it.


    Within the crater created by the impact, the side of the spore capsule facing the ground cracked open, releasing fungal carpet seeds along with some nutrients.


    The crack then sealed, shielding the fungal carpet seeds from the sparse but harmful cosmic radiation penetrating the moon¡¯s surface.


    Once the fungal carpet seeds landed, they activated immediately, consuming the surrounding nutrients at a frenzied pace.


    As the nutrients dwindled, a streak of purple-gray began to emerge.


    The roots of the fungal carpet rapidly developed, burrowing into the ground in search of frozen water and mineral resources. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Soon, a magnetic field generator was formed, creating a small field that enveloped the crater.


    Having completed its temporary shielding role, the spore capsule was absorbed into the fungal carpet through an opening.


    Over a brief development period, the purple-gray fungal carpet fully enveloped the crater. Its roots burrowed dozens of meters underground, eventually uncovering a small water source.


    With access to water, the fungal carpet¡¯s growth accelerated. The main body of the carpet filled the crater entirely, while some of its branching structures fused with lunar dust to seal the crater¡¯s entrance completely.


    This precaution was implemented by Luo Wen as a potential defense mechanism for future spore capsule deployments on inhabited planets. While it seemed premature, Luo Wen programmed this camouflage as part of the system.


    The crater, now camouflaged by the fungal carpet, was no longer easily noticeable. Without deliberate investigation, it was easy to overlook.


    Inside the sealed, dark crater, a soft purple glow began to emanate. This was the newly adjusted lighting system, designed with a monochromatic scheme. The combination of the purple-gray fungal carpet and the gentle purple glow created a luxurious and mysterious atmosphere, finally eliminating the garishness reminiscent of a karaoke bar.


    As time passed and energy accumulated, some underground roots of the fungal carpet began to converge and press outward, displacing surrounding lunar soil to form a hollow cage-like structure.


    The fungal carpet wriggled briefly and deposited the spore capsule into the hollow structure.


    The spore capsule split open, revealing insect eggs of the Brood Queen and Worker Drones within.


    Some of the fungal carpet¡¯s main body extended through the gaps in the cage to supply nutrients to the eggs.


    At this point, the spore capsule¡¯s task was complete. On the Red Moon, the Swarm now had the foundation of a base.


    What followed was a period of patient waiting.


    The consciousnesses of the rat folk on the Yellow Moon had been sent back to the Genesis Planet by Luo Wen to analyze their data. Their space-adapted bodies were stored within the fungal carpet for maintenance.


    Ten days later, the Worker Drones emerged from their cocoons. With their assistance, the underground base¡¯s expansion accelerated. However, since Worker Drones weren¡¯t specialized for excavation, their efficiency was limited. Luo Wen considered including some Burrower Ant eggs in the next spore capsule.


    Thirty days later, the Brood Queen¡¯s egg had grown to five or six meters tall and was ready to hatch.


    Luo Wen, however, let it remain in the egg for a few more days until it grew to eight meters before allowing it to emerge.


    A larger size indicated stronger hatching capabilities. While the Brood Queen could continue to grow post-hatching, most of its energy would then be directed toward hatching, slowing its growth.


    The arrival of the Brood Queen finally provided the base with a cornerstone production unit, making its structural ecosystem complete.


    The first batch of Burrower Ant eggs was hatched in large numbers. Since the base was situated on the side of the Red Moon facing the Genesis Planet, its main development would remain underground, necessitating a substantial number of specialized digging ants.


    Later, during the second conjunction of the two moons, Luo Wen used the Orbital Sling to send several more spore capsules to the Red Moon. Upon landing, these capsules were retrieved by Swarm units and transported to the far side of the Red Moon.


    Finally, during the third conjunction, Luo Wen launched a large spore capsule containing a Brood Nest.


    Since the Red Moon orbited farther from the Genesis Planet, its weaker gravitational pull made it a more suitable location for spore capsule launches.


    Following the gasification of his original body during a natural disaster, Luo Wen¡¯s new body had remained a compact 30 centimeters tall due to its lack of manual labor requirements.


    Subsequent adaptability experiments in the Starlight Enterprises laboratory had led to several additional losses of his body. As a result, his current form was under 30 centimeters in size.


    The Yellow Moon Brood Nest, produced based on Luo Wen¡¯s current body size, was similarly scaled at around 30 centimeters, only slightly larger than a Brood Queen egg.


    Thanks to numerous experiments conducted between the two moons, the Swarm¡¯s slow-projection technology had reached a highly refined level. Thus, transporting the Brood Nest, encased in amber-like material, to the Red Moon via a spore capsule was considered a safe process.


    Given that only a Brood Nest could produce Brood Queen eggs, the Red Moon, as the Swarm¡¯s primary launch base, required a Brood Nest to anchor its operations. Otherwise, relying on imports from the Yellow Moon would be too cumbersome.


    With the Brood Nest in place, the Swarm¡¯s development on the Red Moon quickly outpaced that on the Yellow Moon. On the far side of the Red Moon, numerous Orbital Slings were constructed.


    However, the name ¡°Orbital Sling¡± was met with strong objections from Morgan and other intelligences. They argued that such an important space-launch tool deserved a more imposing name.


    After some discussion, Luo Wen agreed. The name ¡°Orbital Sling¡± was indeed a bit plain and unworthy of the grandeur of a space delivery system. Hence, after much deliberation, it was renamed the ¡°Swarm Meteor Launcher,¡± or simply ¡°Launcher.¡±


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t feel the new name was much more dignified than the old one but couldn¡¯t think of a better alternative, so he accepted it for the time being.


    The spore capsules were also renamed ¡°Swarm Meteors¡± due to their lichen-clad structure, which made them resemble small meteors. Without closer inspection, their true nature would remain undiscovered.


    With numerous launches between the two moons, the Swarm¡¯s mastery of slow-projection technology reached maturity.


    Thus, the next phase of the Swarm¡¯s plans began implementation.

 Chapter 165: The Observation Center

    When Morgan first created the ¡°Deity Faith Sect,¡± its doctrines were remarkably lax. Beyond a requirement for secrecy, there were virtually no binding commandments. It simply preached that those who, in life, believed in, revered, and drew close to the divine might find the Kingdom of God after death and gain rebirth there.


    Initially, many rat folk dismissed this as a hoax. However, over the years, more and more rat folk who had supposedly died returned to society with new bodies. These bodies often looked similar to their original forms but appeared significantly younger.


    Moreover, these individuals displayed no abnormalities. Their thoughts were coherent, their values aligned with their pre-death selves, and they remained dedicated to their former professions, showing no signs of mind control or brainwashing.


    As a result, what once required Morgan¡¯s considerable effort to promote turned into something rat folk fervently pursued. The ¡°Deity Faith Sect¡± became an open secret in certain circles.


    Over time, people from various walks of life, including many royals and nobles, sought ways to join. However, only those with scientific, managerial, or military command experience had a realistic chance of reaching the divine realm.


    This dynamic significantly reduced the prevalence of idle aristocrats among the rat folk. Many who had access to inside information pursued specialized careers, hoping to increase their chances of finding the Kingdom of God after death¡ªand perhaps achieving immortality.


    Even Empress Kerrigan, despite having injected the affinity serum in her youth, took a keen interest in military command in her spare time. She often engaged in simulated battle games with military staff outside her administrative duties.


    While the ¡°Deity Faith Sect¡± consistently maintained a low profile, as time passed, the number of deceased rat folk who returned grew steadily. These individuals often held positions of power before their deaths¡ªteachers, superiors, royals, nobles, or leaders of influential families.


    Having been integrated into the Swarm Network, these returning rat folk subtly extended the influence of the ¡°Deity Faith Sect¡± across every facet of society.


    Although some insightful rat folk raised alarms and issued warnings, they lacked the power to change the tide.


    The returning individuals behaved obediently because Luo Wen needed a stable rat folk civilization to cultivate new talent for his purposes. However, should Luo Wen ever issue questionable orders, these individuals would carry them out without hesitation. The concerns of the insightful few were thus well-founded, yet the overall trend left them powerless to resist, often leading to their reluctant acceptance.


    Since its inception, an unknown factor seemed to have guided rat folk civilization toward a distinct preference for scientific research. Entertainment and leisure activities were sparse, and young rat folk aspired to careers in science, with researchers forming a substantial portion of the population.


    Years earlier, Empress Kerrigan had embraced Morgan¡¯s proposal to reduce funding for rocket-related technology and prioritize other underdeveloped fields.


    The empire¡¯s reallocation of resources led many rat folk students to focus on previously neglected areas of science. Over the years, this shift produced a new wave of outstanding researchers and numerous breakthroughs.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s direction, the rat folk¡¯s vast power structure began implementing various policies and measures in secret. Computing and radar-related technologies were prioritized, resulting in rapid advancements.


    However, astronomical research remained tightly controlled by Swarm-affiliated ¡°insiders.¡± Letting outsiders witness the frequent ¡°ball tossing¡± experiments between the two moons could incite widespread panic.


    The rat folk¡¯s latest refracting telescope technology offered superior image quality and a broader field of view compared to reflecting telescopes. However, large refracting telescopes required extensive industrial capabilities to construct. The immense size and weight of their lenses made them difficult to operate. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen had no such constraints. No longer limited to passively using foreign gene fragments, he developed a new observational bug species through cellular reconfiguration.


    Unlike the Eagle-Eye Bug, this new bug, designed for large-scale refracting telescope purposes, was massive in size.


    Resembling a giant toad, it stood 30 meters tall. Its head was replaced by an enormous cylindrical telescope made of biological ¡°lenses¡± crafted from crystalline cells, transparent scales, cartilage, and other materials.


    The creature¡¯s other organs were concentrated in its chest and abdomen. It lacked a mouth, relying on a connection to the Fungal Carpet for sustenance. Its limbs were extraordinarily thick, containing a high proportion of plant cells to support its massive body. Additionally, it was equipped with an anti-gravity magnetic module at its base.


    Even with these adaptations, the bug could only function on the Moon¡¯s surface; the significantly stronger gravity of the Genesis Planet would crush it instantly.


    This non-combative, purely auxiliary bug¡¯s sole purpose was to observe celestial bodies in real time and provide alerts for unidentified objects or phenomena.


    Due to its appearance, Luo Wen named it the Giant-Eye Bug.


    The Swarm gradually produced over a dozen Giant-Eye Bugs for deployment across the two moons. To ensure timely reception of their observations, Luo Wen assigned a Blade to coordinate with them.


    Simultaneously, he established an observation center on the Moon.


    Over the years, as more intelligent rat folk were assimilated into the Swarm Network, not all chose to return to rat folk society. Many, devoted to research, remained within the Swarm¡¯s secret laboratories, which hosted a growing number of insiders.


    In certain scientific fields where progress was slow due to a lack of personnel, Luo Wen forcibly reassigned these insiders to critical projects.


    For instance, in the Red Moon¡¯s observation center, Luo Wen mandated that over 80% of insiders in relevant fields work there.


    To accommodate those needing legitimate identities within rat folk society, Luo Wen devised a unique clock-in system.


    On the Genesis Planet, these individuals were officially employed by Swarm-affiliated laboratories. Each workday, they would report to a designated location and lie in prepared Fungal Carpet chambers.


    With a ¡°whoosh,¡± their consciousnesses would transfer to their space-adapted bodies at the lunar observation center. At the end of their shifts, they would return the same way.


    However, the proportion of rat folk choosing this arrangement steadily decreased. Only recently deceased individuals harbored lingering attachment to their previous lives. Over time, even these attachments faded entirely.

 Chapter 166: The Swarm Meteors

    The star system containing the Genesis Planet was named the Genesis System by Luo Wen.


    Long-term observations from the lunar observation center revealed that the Genesis System comprised eleven planets. Luo Wen named them sequentially from the star outward as A1, A2, A3¡­ A11, with A5 being the Genesis Planet.


    Of these planets, A1 to A3 had no moons, A4 had two, A5 (the Genesis Planet) also had two, A6 had three, A7 had thirty-six, A8 had five, and A9 had four. The presence of moons around A10 and A11 remained uncertain due to their extreme orbital distances.


    To better organize these celestial bodies, Luo Wen devised a new naming system. The moons of the A-series planets were given grouped identifiers. For example, A5B1 referred to the Yellow Moon, and A5B2 refers to the Red Moon. The ¡°A¡± with a number indicated the parent planet, while ¡°B¡± and its subsequent number represented the moon¡¯s designation, ranked from closest to farthest.


    Over the years, the Swarm had honed its expertise in slow-projectile launches through its ¡°ball-tossing¡± experiments between the two moons. Combined with rapid advancements in computing and trajectory calculation technologies thanks to the rat folk, the accuracy of the launchers significantly improved. Now, spore capsules launched between the moons could land within a kilometer of the target location.


    With technical proficiency secured, the Swarm was ready to implement the next phase of its plan.


    This second phase was ambitious: to colonize the entire Genesis System. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The first step involved launching spore capsules toward the planets and their moons to establish subsidiary bases.


    While the varied environments of these celestial bodies presented challenges, long-term observations indicated no signs of existing civilizations within the system. This eliminated the primary risk. Environmental factors would be addressed by the Swarm¡¯s magnetic field protection systems, with extreme cases managed as they arose.


    Although described as ¡°slow,¡± the spore capsules still achieved a velocity of 30 kilometers per second, a speed roughly 10,000th of the speed of light¡ªseveral times faster than the rat folk¡¯s rockets.


    Achieving a successful launch, however, required extensive calculations. For instance, the nearest planet to the Genesis Planet, A4, was about 60 million kilometers away at its closest approach and over 400 million kilometers at its farthest. During the latter, the star would obstruct the path, making a launch impossible.


    The optimal launch window, therefore, was during the closest approach, when the spore capsule, traveling at 30 kilometers per second, would take about 23 days to reach A4.


    However, both planets orbited the star at high speeds. Accurate targeting required accounting for lead angles, gravitational influences from various celestial bodies, planetary rotation and revolution, and even the star¡¯s motion.


    Luo Wen alone couldn¡¯t handle these calculations, but with a team of 15,000 rat folk researchers, the benefits of cultivating rat folk civilization became evident.


    A4, the closest planet to the Swarm, was just the beginning. The system¡¯s outermost planet, A11, required over 300 years to complete one orbit around the star and came no closer than 8 billion kilometers to the Genesis Planet. A spore capsule would take roughly ten years to reach it. The complexity of lead angle calculations over such distances was staggering, requiring consideration of multiple planetary orbits.


    Given these challenges, colonizing A11 would rely heavily on luck, so Luo Wen decided to focus on closer targets first.


    Luo Wen also opted to temporarily forego A1 to A3, as their proximity to the star made their environments extremely hostile, posing significant colonization challenges with minimal reward.


    Over more than a decade, the Swarm launched spore capsules to planets A4 through A8 and their moons. The extended timeline was partly due to missing the closest approach to A8 when the plan was first formulated, forcing the Swarm to wait ten years for the next alignment¡ªmeasured in billions of kilometers of separation.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm successfully landed and expanded on A4 and A6.


    A4, being closer to the star than the Genesis Planet, had higher temperatures, lacked an atmosphere, and was subjected to intense radiation. Surface temperatures reached over 200¡ãC. Despite these harsh conditions, the Swarm adapted by utilizing genes from deep-sea organisms found near undersea volcanoes. Such temperatures were trivial by comparison.


    However, A4¡¯s limited water resources restricted the growth of the fungal carpet, slowing the base¡¯s development.


    In contrast, A6, located farther from the star, was coated in frost and had abundant water resources. Despite temperatures dropping to nearly -100¡ãC, Luo Wen¡¯s experiments with enhanced glycerol secretion systems allowed Swarm organisms to function normally. Magnetic field generators further stabilized their internal temperatures, rendering the cold a non-issue.


    With plentiful water, the fungal carpet spread rapidly, supporting a thriving Swarm base.


    Observations indicated that A7 was a gas giant, the largest planet in the system, nearly 1,500 times the size of the Genesis Planet. It boasted 36 moons.


    Even at its closest, A7 was about 1.5 billion kilometers from the Genesis Planet. Two years earlier, the Swarm capitalized on this proximity, launching over 100 spore capsules toward A7 within a year. Factoring in other influences, the capsules traveled over 2 billion kilometers. They were now approaching A7 and its moons, with their arrival expected in a few days.


    Luo Wen eagerly anticipated this milestone, marveling at how, in the vastness of space, the Genesis Planet and A7 could still be considered ¡°neighbors.¡± Yet even a neighborly visit required travel times measured in years.


    Thankfully, Luo Wen no longer perceived time as a constraint. For the rat folk, however, a trip to a distant neighbor might take so long they¡¯d perish of old age before arriving.

 Chapter 167: Sarah (1)

    Over the years, Luo Wen not only delivered gifts to his neighbors within the Genesis solar system but also undertook other endeavors.


    On the far side of the Red Moon stood dozens of massive launchers. These devices were much larger than standard models, reaching a staggering height of forty to fifty meters.


    These oversized launchers possessed significantly enhanced launching capabilities. Once activated, they could accelerate ¡°projectiles¡± to speeds of 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers per second, with a maximum speed reaching one-tenth of the speed of light.


    Of course, their accuracy was correspondingly poor. Even attempting to lob objects between the Yellow Moon and the Red Moon would yield unpredictable results.


    However, Luo Wen dared not attempt using these giant launchers between the two moons. After all, velocity equaled mass, and he had no idea to what extent the spore capsule¡¯s mass might increase at one-tenth the speed of light. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen figured that neither the Yellow Moon nor the Red Moon would appreciate being struck by such a projectile.


    In truth, these giant launchers were not intended for use within the solar system. They had missions befitting their names¡ªthey were true Swarm Meteor Launchers.


    Their ¡°projectiles¡± were also enlarged versions of spore capsules, approximately ten meters long, three to four meters high, and about five meters wide. The ¡°projectile¡± was encased in a thick layer of meteoric material. Inside, besides containing nutrients, queen ants, worker drones, and burrower ant eggs, the spore capsule itself was tasked with far more.


    Although technically a byproduct of the fungal carpet, this type of spore capsule resembled a living organism. Its body was equipped with multiple eyes¡ªnot quite to the extent of the Giant-Eye Bug, but reaching the level of the Eagle-Eye Bug.


    These exceptional visual abilities allowed the capsules to observe their surroundings through deliberately left openings in their meteoric exteriors.


    Furthermore, they were equipped with a more advanced propulsion system. Luo Wen didn¡¯t intend to use them merely as ¡°projectiles.¡± At such high acceleration speeds, without proper safety mechanisms, the capsules would inevitably crash and be destroyed.


    These Swarm Meteors were entrusted with exploration missions beyond the Genesis solar system. Their accuracy was irrelevant¡ªwhat mattered was simply launching them outward and hoping for the best.


    With good fortune, they might enter other solar systems, getting captured by the gravity of stars or planets, and then find a way to land. With average luck, they could encounter a comet or the like and hitch a ride. And if unlucky, they would drift through space until their energy was depleted, becoming actual meteors.


    Their propulsion systems were primarily used to alter trajectories. During flight, the capsules would periodically make slight course adjustments.


    Luo Wen was uncertain whether advanced civilizations existed in the neighboring solar systems. If a Swarm Meteor happened to crash into an inhabited planet and damaged flora or property, it could lead to someone tracing the trajectory back to him, which would be quite awkward.


    As a master of strategizing against the unknown, Luo Wen naturally considered such scenarios.


    Over the past decade, the Swarm had launched over a thousand such Swarm Meteors into the cosmic void.


    Most of the resources extracted from the two moons were dedicated to producing these giant launchers and Swarm Meteors.


    Luo Wen even assigned a special team of Blades, granting them authority to monitor the trajectories of these meteors in shifts around the clock.


    However, it seemed unlikely that any feedback would be received in the short term. Based on calculations, the nearest solar system to the Genesis solar system was over five light-years away.


    Even if the Swarm Meteors reached their maximum speed, it would still take decades, or even centuries, for them to make the journey.


    Nevertheless, this nearest solar system received special attention from Luo Wen. More than half of the launched Swarm Meteors were directed toward it.


    ¡°Teacher, am I going to die?¡± In the opulent royal palace of the Ratfolk Empire, a lavishly decorated bedroom housed a massive, dark wooden bed. The bed was crafted from fine materials, intricately carved, and emitted a faint, soothing fragrance.


    The bedroom doors and windows were tightly shut. All servants had been dismissed, leaving only the young Morgan seated by the bedside, gazing at the frail and aged Empress Sarah Kerrigan lying upon it.


    ¡°Judging by your appearance, it seems that¡¯s the case.¡± Over the decades, Morgan had watched the Empress from birth to her final days. Their bond had grown exceptionally close. Now, with no outsiders present, their conversation was not one of sovereign and subject, nor superior and subordinate, but that of teacher and student, allowing for a level of informality and even teasing.


    ¡°Teacher, do you think I will find the Divine Kingdom after I die?¡± she asked.


    ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be a problem. You have experience managing an empire and are adept at strategy games. Our God would likely need someone like you,¡± Morgan replied.


    ¡°Teacher, there¡¯s no need to emphasize the games.¡±


    ¡°Haha, my mistake,¡± Morgan chuckled. The Empress sighed in exasperation at such a flippant response¡ªbarely convincing for even a child. Knowing Morgan well, she understood he was merely trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°Teacher, I¡¯m on the verge of death. Can you take this seriously?¡±


    ¡°All right. Honestly, there¡¯s not much to it, Sarah. Just close your eyes, and before you know it, you¡¯ll awaken again. It¡¯ll be quicker than a nap.¡± Perhaps because he understood that entering the Swarm Network posed little actual risk, Morgan didn¡¯t feel much of the sorrow typically associated with parting.


    ¡°Yes, I know. As I¡¯ve aged, seeing you has only deepened my envy. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be young again? In truth, I¡¯ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,¡± Sarah said softly.


    Her eyes, now clouded and lifeless, stared blankly at the ceiling as she murmured to herself, ¡°Ever since you reappeared in my life, Teacher, I¡¯ve been pondering: What kind of being is the god? Did he truly create the Ratfolk? If so, why? Does he seek faith? Has he returned to the moon?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll soon have the answers, Sarah,¡± Morgan reassured.


    But the Empress, now on the brink of death, seemed not to hear him. She continued murmuring, ¡°Over the years, I¡¯ve witnessed the empire¡¯s changes. I¡¯ve seen what you¡¯ve done. To be honest, I have some regrets. Your covert influence has already rendered the royal family powerless. But even if I had disagreed, what could I have done? The Merrican Kingdom¡¯s sudden and mysterious downfall was a stark reminder. Had I refused, would I have inexplicably died in the palace the next day?¡±


    Morgan remained silent.


    ¡°In the end, God is too enigmatic and too powerful. We have no means of resistance. We can only hope he is benevolent and treats the Ratfolk kindly. After all, I am their Empress,¡± Sarah whispered.


    ¡°Rest assured, Sarah. God¡¯s ambitions are not confined to this small planet. Otherwise, there wouldn¡¯t even be Ratfolk,¡± Morgan said softly, as if lost in thought.


    Hearing this, the Empress¡¯s wrinkled lips curved into a faint smile, and she fell silent.


    After a long pause, Morgan stood and murmured, ¡°My student, your skill in emotional manipulation has surpassed even mine. Just now, I almost shed tears.¡±

 Chapter 168: Sarah (2)

    ¡°Teacher, is this the Divine Kingdom?¡± Sarah asked Morgan as they stood within the Swarm Network.


    Over the years, the Swarm Network had undergone several updates. The most notable improvement was the ability for intelligent beings within the network to manifest physical forms, rather than appearing as mere glowing orbs.


    As the Deity Faith Sect grew increasingly powerful and more Ratfolk discovered the ¡°door¡± to the network, Luo Wen could no longer personally oversee every individual entering it. He didn¡¯t want to end up playing the role of a doorman.


    To address this, Luo Wen assigned a team of Blades to handle the Ratfolk Intelligent Entities entering the Swarm Network. To distinguish them from the combat-commanding Blades, he renamed this group Lookouts.


    Luo Wen established a set of rules for the Lookouts to evaluate each Intelligent Entity knocking on the ¡°door.¡± Those who met the criteria were granted access to the network.


    However, since the Lookouts¡¯ rigid thinking and inflexible methods could miss certain exceptional talents, Luo Wen also appointed a secondary review team composed of Intelligent Entities to ensure no valuable souls were overlooked.


    As the former Empress of the Kerrigan Empire, Sarah possessed extraordinary talent and had been injected with Affinity Serum. She easily found the door and, with her abilities, effortlessly met the entry standards, gaining access to the Swarm Network.


    Morgan, as the first Ratfolk Intelligent Entity to enter the Swarm Network, had served as a steward for Luo Wen over the years, completing numerous tasks. His network privileges had been upgraded multiple times, granting him the ability to freely traverse between the Swarm Network and physical space.


    Thus, the seemingly final farewell between teacher and student lasted less than two minutes. The two reunited within the Swarm Network.


    Sarah¡¯s exceptional talent was evident. When Morgan had first entered the network, he had been unconscious for a long time, only waking up after Luo Wen had implanted his consciousness into an insect body. As the first Ratfolk to enter the network, Morgan was no slouch in terms of aptitude.


    Yet Sarah not only maintained consciousness upon entry but was able to casually chat with Morgan as if nothing had happened. Morgan felt a mix of awe and resignation¡ªhad he possessed such prowess, his initial experience wouldn¡¯t have been so nerve-wracking.


    ¡°Yes, you can also call it the Swarm Network. We¡¯re all part of it now,¡± Morgan explained.


    ¡°Amazing,¡± Sarah remarked as she tested her youthful virtual body. ¡°It¡¯s even more remarkable than I imagined. I¡¯ve been looking forward to this for decades.¡±


    Morgan shrugged. ¡°Wait here a moment. I¡¯ll make arrangements for your¡­ affairs. Meanwhile, here¡¯s some information for you to review¡ªthere are decisions you¡¯ll need to make soon.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a rather awkward way to put it,¡± Sarah muttered as she accepted the data packet. Despite her protest, she began reading.


    Morgan, meanwhile, disconnected from the network and returned to his body in the Kerrigan Empire¡¯s palace.


    An hour later, Morgan re-entered the network and appeared beside Sarah. ¡°Sarah, everything has been arranged. Your funeral will be exceptionally grand.¡±


    ¡°Of course, it was planned by me personally. But please, don¡¯t overdo it.¡±


    ¡°I was merely trying to lift your spirits. After all, you¡¯ve only just died¡ªit must be quite distressing.¡±


    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯d be even happier if you would stop talking,¡± Sarah replied with a graceful bow.


    Morgan shrugged, ending their first round of banter within the Swarm Network. His expression turned serious. ¡°Sarah, you should now have a general understanding of the situation. What is your decision?¡±


    Sarah appeared to have made up her mind. Without hesitation, she replied, ¡°I won¡¯t return to the empire to make trouble for my nephew, who¡¯s waited so long for me to pass. He was quite adorable as a child. I¡¯ve dedicated my life to the Ratfolk. Now that I have a new identity, I¡¯ll contribute to my new kin.¡±


    ¡°Well said, Sarah. Perhaps it¡¯s time for you to meet the Overlord, the being you¡¯ve long considered your god.¡±


    ¡°It would be an honor, Teacher.¡±


    ¡°Although the Overlord can reach us instantly within the Swarm Network, it¡¯s only fitting for us to meet in person given our status,¡± Morgan explained.


    Guiding Sarah through the Swarm Network, Morgan led her to the Red Moon Base. There, within one of the spore capsules, lay a body prepared for Sarah.


    With Morgan¡¯s assistance, Sarah entered a spore capsule containing a well-equipped female Ratfolk body with white fur.


    When the capsule opened, Sarah stood up. She gazed at her body in a daze, gently stroking her fur. Although she had experienced a youthful form within the Swarm Network, the physical sensation of this body was far more impactful.


    She opened her mouth but made no sound. Remembering Morgan¡¯s earlier explanation that the lunar surface lacked air, Sarah recalled the method of telepathic communication he had taught her¡ªa unique form of interaction among Swarm nodes.


    With her exceptional talent, Sarah quickly mastered telepathic dialogue. Linking to Morgan, she said, ¡°As incredible as it may sound, I must repeat how amazing this all is. Does this mean I¡¯ve truly come back to life?¡±


    ¡°Of course. This is the Overlord¡¯s immense power. Consciousness is your true self; the body is merely clothing. Your current body, for instance, is specially designed for space¡ªit may look like a Ratfolk on the outside, but its internal structure is entirely different,¡± Morgan explained, pointing to her body¡¯s protective magnetic field. He added, ¡°Think of it this way: when clothing is damaged, it can always be replaced. As long as consciousness remains intact, we can achieve immortality.¡±


    ¡°What an awe-inspiring ability,¡± Sarah said with admiration. ¡°No wonder the Deity Faith Sect is unstoppable. The allure of immortality alone is enough to drive many to abandon everything in pursuit of it.¡± S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°You¡¯ll grow accustomed to it, Sarah. The Swarm¡¯s potential far exceeds your imagination.¡±


    ¡°So, Teacher, are we going to meet the god now? Does he have any taboos I should know about?¡± Sarah inquired earnestly.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, Morgan replied, ¡°Don¡¯t call him a god. Address him as ¡®Overlord¡¯ instead. And whatever you do, never refer to him as ¡®Queen.¡¯ That will incur punishment.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Sarah asked, curious.


    ¡°The Overlord is the source of the Swarm and, by our understanding, suited to maternal titles. But for some reason, he strongly rejects such names,¡± Morgan explained.


    ¡°What would happen if I called him that?¡± Sarah pressed.


    ¡°Oh~¡± Morgan drawled. ¡°You might want to try it out¡ªperhaps you¡¯ll develop an appreciation for the cute little green bugs and their secretions.¡±


    ¡°Thanks for the warning. I¡¯m officially not interested,¡± Sarah said, shaking her head. She wasn¡¯t about to fall for such an obvious trap.


    After chatting for a while, the two exited the spore capsule chamber and walked through a passageway.


    In a massive chamber, they met Luo Wen. This time, Luo Wen was using a temporary insect body, as his original body was stored away with no pressing research tasks requiring its use.


    Luo Wen had little impression of the Ratfolk¡¯s first Empress. Most negotiations and subsequent dealings had been handled by Morgan. Knowing she was an unmarried old monarch, Luo Wen speculated that such individuals tended to be temperamental.


    To avoid unnecessary trouble, he decided to adopt a slightly more imposing demeanor for their meeting.

 Chapter 169: A7

    Thus, this meeting ended quickly under an atmosphere of solemnity. Both sides merely introduced themselves, with Sarah making herself known to Luo Wen.


    ¡°Teacher, the Overlord is truly awe-inspiring. Compared to him, I, as the former Empress of the Ratfolk, am far inferior,¡± Sarah remarked.


    Morgan appeared puzzled as he replied, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s going on with the Overlord today. He¡¯s usually much more approachable. But there¡¯s plenty of time in the future; once you get to know him better, you¡¯ll understand.¡±


    Sarah chose not to pursue the topic. ¡°Teacher, what¡¯s next?¡±


    ¡°Since you don¡¯t plan to return, why not focus on a career within the Swarm? Right now, we have plenty of personnel in management, but we¡¯re severely lacking in military commanders. Perhaps you could give that a try,¡± Morgan suggested after some thought.


    ¡°But I only have experience in games,¡± Sarah replied. Since the unification of the Ratfolk, and under the deterrence of ¡°unexpected events,¡± no skirmishes involving more than 100 individuals had occurred for years. Even if Sarah had wanted to hone her skills, she couldn¡¯t find the opportunity and had to resort to practicing through games.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. The Swarm¡¯s combat strategies are entirely different from those of the Ratfolk. Besides, the Swarm currently has no enemies, so there¡¯s plenty of time to learn. As long as you¡¯re interested, it won¡¯t be an issue.¡±


    After considering for a moment, Sarah said, ¡°I¡¯ll take your suggestion, Teacher.¡± In her younger days as the eldest daughter, she had led small-scale skirmishes against the Kingdom of Merrican. She had enjoyed those days of commanding far more than her time as Empress, though the later years of peace had left her with no opportunities to shine.


    The two chatted as they walked. Due to the weak gravity of the Moon, every step they took sent them soaring a considerable distance. Before long, they exited the underground base and arrived on the Red Moon¡¯s surface.


    Looking at the vast expanse of purple-gray Fungal Carpet and the towering launchers scattered across the landscape, Sarah remarked wryly, ¡°The empire¡¯s observatories must have been completely taken over by the Swarm. Otherwise, how could I, as the Empress, have been unaware that the Moon had transformed into this?¡±


    ¡°This is the far side of the Moon, invisible from the Genesis Planet. Moreover, the empire¡¯s observatories are indeed under the Swarm¡¯s control. Don¡¯t dwell on it, Sarah¡ªit¡¯s for the Ratfolk¡¯s protection,¡± Morgan said seriously.


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right, Teacher,¡± Sarah said after some thought, quickly grasping the underlying logic. The Ratfolk¡¯s safety depended on their harmlessness. If they stumbled upon something that caused unrest, given the disparity in strength between the two sides, it would be the Ratfolk who suffered in the end.


    Soon, she adjusted her mindset. After all, she was already dead, so there was no point in worrying about such things. Shifting focus, she asked curiously, ¡°Teacher, what are those giant structures?¡±


    She had already asked about the purple-gray Fungal Carpet back in the spore capsule room. Now, her interest was piqued by the massive launchers rising from it.


    ¡°Those are our Swarm Meteor Launchers. The smaller ones handle precise launches within the solar system, while the larger ones are used for random launches toward other star systems. We have a batch of meteors nearing contact with Planet A7. Perhaps that¡¯s why the Overlord is so serious today¡ªanother planet is about to reveal its secrets to the Swarm, which is always an exciting prospect.¡±


    Indeed, Luo Wen was closely monitoring developments concerning Planet A7. Over the coming days, 31 Spore Capsules would make contact with the planetary system.


    To oversee the operation, Luo Wen had deployed 300 Blades and over 100 Intelligent Entities, dividing them into 31 teams to manage the capsules¡¯ landings one by one.


    This was only the vanguard. Due to A7¡¯s immense size and its numerous satellites with varying orbital speeds, capsules could only land when the satellites rotated to face the Genesis Planet.


    Launching the capsules had taken nearly a year. Likewise, over the year following the vanguard¡¯s arrival, an additional 81 capsules would gradually reach A7¡¯s satellites.


    Of the 31 capsules in this batch, 15 were directed at A7¡¯s primary planet, while the remainder targeted its satellites. Depending on satellite size, two capsules each were assigned to A7B3, A7B9, A7B15, A7B23, and A7B25. The larger satellites, A7B7 and A7B21, were allocated three capsules each.


    Two hours later, it was estimated that within just over an hour, the first two Spore Capsules would make contact with A7B25. Luo Wen and the team responsible for these capsules were on high alert. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although this was a slow-speed launch within the star system, the Spore Capsules still traveled at speeds of 30 km/s. With the Swarm¡¯s current technological capabilities, no armor could guarantee the survival of the seeds and eggs inside upon collision with a planet at such velocity.


    Thus, deceleration procedures needed to begin an hour before contact.


    For hyper-speed random launches aimed at targets outside the system, deceleration had to start a year or two in advance. At speeds of one-tenth the speed of light, collisions would obliterate the capsules regardless of the target¡¯s condition.


    One must remember that the asteroid that struck the Genesis Planet and caused mass extinction¡ªand vaporized Luo Wen¡¯s original body¡ªhad a speed of only 19.5 km/s, far slower than even the ¡°slow¡± Swarm launches. Yet its impact was devastating.


    If the Swarm could ensure accuracy and craft projectiles of unparalleled durability, it might one day create planet-penetrating weapons capable of obliterating smaller celestial bodies with a single shot¡ªfar surpassing the destructive power of nuclear weapons.


    However, while the Swarm had mastered slow-speed hyperbolic launches, their maximum velocity remained at 30 km/s. Hyper-speed random launches reached one-tenth the speed of light¡ª30,000 km/s. The numerical difference alone was a thousandfold, but the technological gap was exponentially greater. Each incremental speed increase required exponentially more effort.


    Consider the difficulty of increasing a bicycle¡¯s speed from 5 km/h to 50 km/h versus increasing it from 50 km/h to 500 km/h. Both represent a tenfold increase, yet they are worlds apart.


    Moreover, developing materials capable of withstanding planetary penetration required unparalleled advancements in material science, rivaling the challenges of creating hyper-speed launch systems.


    Thus, for the foreseeable future, hyperbolic planetary annihilators remained a distant dream for Luo Wen. By the time such weapons were developed, the Swarm might have grown to a scale where they were no longer necessary.

 Chapter 170: A7B25

    From the perspective of the Spore Capsule, the enormous Planet A7 loomed ahead, dominating the entire field of view. Its elliptical surface was layered with bands of various colors, resembling a multilayered cake.


    A7¡¯s rotational speed was astonishing. Despite being over a thousand times larger than the Genesis Planet, it completed one rotation in less than half the time, causing the colored bands to visibly swirl as they moved.


    In the vastness of space surrounding the massive planet, several smaller, dimly lit spheres were faintly visible. One of these was growing steadily larger¡ªthe target of this Spore Capsule¡¯s journey: A7B25.


    Located in A7¡¯s outer orbital zone, A7B25 became the first celestial body in the A7 system to be visited by the Swarm. Smaller than Yellow Moon, it was roughly one-tenth its size.


    Ordinarily, the Swarm could conquer such a small satellite with a single Spore Capsule. However, for this mission, Luo Wen had decreed that every satellite, regardless of size, would receive at least two capsules for redundancy.


    Inside the Spore Capsule, the propulsion system activated. Unlike the older jet-based deceleration and steering mechanisms, the Swarm had made significant technological advancements with the help of its growing number of Intelligent Entities.


    This capsule featured a new hydrogen propulsion system.


    Historically, Spore Capsules had been equipped with an external hydrogen balloon module. Morgan had even once used this feature to bluff Sarah into astonishment.


    The upgraded system consisted of two storage chambers and a reaction chamber. One storage chamber housed special algae cells capable of generating hydrogen, while the other connected to the capsule¡¯s internal ecological recycling system. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During operation, the chloroplasts in the ecological system released large amounts of oxygen into one chamber. Simultaneously, the other chamber produced hydrogen. These gases were fed into the reaction chamber through specialized conduits, where a chemical reaction occurred.


    The reaction chamber, lined with heat-resistant and insulating materials, withstood the intense heat generated without compromising the integrity of the capsule¡¯s other internal components.


    The energy from the reaction was expelled through propulsion nozzles, enabling the Spore Capsule to fly or adjust its trajectory. Additionally, the water produced as a byproduct of the reaction was recycled back into the ecological system, ensuring resource efficiency.


    Although the new propulsion system was more powerful than the older jet-based systems, it had its limitations. In space, its maximum velocity barely reached 3 km/s¡ªjust enough to escape the Moon¡¯s gravitational pull.


    This speed was far slower than Ratfolk rockets, leaving the system in an awkward position. For short-range space travel, the Swarm¡¯s Meteor Launchers were far more efficient and reliable. For long-range journeys, despite its resource efficiency, the propulsion system¡¯s lack of perpetual motion meant it would deplete its energy long before leaving the Genesis Solar System.


    Furthermore, with the Genesis Planet¡¯s orbital speed at 30 km/s, any such ¡°spaceship¡± that left the planet¡¯s gravitational influence would be incapable of returning under its own power.


    Still, the system represented an alternate pathway. The Swarm couldn¡¯t rely solely on ballistic launches forever; it needed conventional spacefaring technology. This propulsion system might just be the beginning of the Swarm¡¯s journey toward functional spacecraft.


    A7¡¯s orbital positioning had delayed the launch of the Swarm Meteors until two years prior. Luo Wen assigned the hydrogen propulsion system as a deceleration mechanism for this mission, intending to evaluate its performance.


    To mitigate potential risks, a second Spore Capsule equipped with the traditional jet-based deceleration system was launched for each target. This redundancy was the primary reason for the minimum of two capsules per satellite.


    As the capsule approached A7B25, the lichen coating its exterior opened up preconfigured vents and observation holes. The forward vents began expelling energy, initiating deceleration.


    The docking team, comprising Intelligent Entities and Blades, worked diligently. Given the vast distance between the Genesis Planet and A7, numerous variables rendered the initial calculations less precise. The team constantly recalculated the capsule¡¯s trajectory based on live feed data and made minor adjustments using the side vents.


    As the capsule neared A7B25, its velocity gradually dropped to 5 km/s. Over the next two minutes, it would decelerate further to 2 km/s, eventually colliding with the satellite at just 1 km/s.


    A7B25 was a frigid world. The frost covering its surface testified to its extreme cold. Situated even farther from the star than A6, it was unsurprising that A7B25 was essentially a frozen wasteland.


    The landing proceeded without incident. With the Swarm¡¯s prior experience on planets like A4 and A6, the operation had become routine. Apart from the need to significantly reduce speed for ice-covered worlds, there were few special considerations.


    Upon impact, shards of ice and rock flew in all directions. The front half of the capsule¡¯s lichen structure was obliterated, but the interior remained intact.


    Moments later, the Fungal Carpet seeds were ejected and activated. Once they connected to the Swarm Network, the landing was declared a success. The seeds of a Swarm base had been sown, ready to expand and grow.


    Not long after, the second Spore Capsule equipped with the jet-based deceleration system landed 200 kilometers away. Its Fungal Carpet seeds also successfully connected to the network.


    The Intelligent Entities in the docking team collectively sighed in relief, while the Blades remained emotionless.


    In the following hours, Spore Capsules successfully landed on A7B3, A7B7, A7B9, A7B15, A7B21, and A7B23.


    Remarkably, several of these satellites had thin atmospheres¡ªlikely a result of A7¡¯s immense gravitational influence. However, the atmospheres were too sparse to hinder the landings.


    Even more astonishing were the abundant water resources discovered on the satellites. On A7B15, for instance, the Fungal Carpet¡¯s roots penetrated just 10 meters of rock before reaching vast reserves of liquid water.


    The presence of such water allowed the Fungal Carpet to proliferate rapidly, accelerating the establishment of Swarm bases.


    With the satellites secured, the main event awaited: the landing of fifteen Spore Capsules on A7 itself within the next hour.


    Luo Wen reassigned members from teams that had completed their tasks to reinforce the groups managing the capsules bound for A7. Landing on a gas giant of such size was uncharted territory for the Swarm, and the operation would undoubtedly generate a wealth of data. Adequate manpower was essential to handle the unprecedented challenges ahead.

 Chapter 171: Sudden Descent onto A7

    A7, a massive gas giant, boasts an unimaginably thick atmosphere. Its rapid rotation causes immense centrifugal forces to fling equatorial material outward, only to be held in place by the planet¡¯s tremendous gravity. This results in A7¡¯s unusual oblate shape, rarely seen among celestial bodies.


    The planet emits an extraordinarily strong magnetic field, with its atmosphere perpetually roiled by enormous superstorms. On the Genesis Planet, such a storm would spell extinction for entire ecosystems, yet on A7, it is merely routine.


    Due to limited understanding of gas giants, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t even sure if A7 had water resources, let alone a rocky core. Thus, he was uncertain about the feasibility of landing on it.


    The vanguard of the Swarm Meteor cluster, spore capsules, had begun interacting with A7. Originally decelerated to a speed of 1 km/s, they experienced a slight acceleration under the planet¡¯s immense gravitational pull.


    The leading spore capsule, equipped with cutting-edge propulsion, met disaster as soon as it entered A7¡¯s atmosphere.


    The atmosphere turned out to contain abundant hydrogen. Upon contact, the high-temperature energy emitted by the spore capsule ignited the hydrogen.


    Fortunately, for reasons unknown, the explosion was not large. It left behind a puff of steam and slightly veered the spore capsule off course. However, the resulting blast significantly reduced the capsule¡¯s speed, prompting Luo Wen to order its propulsion system to shut down and rely on inertia alone. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A team of intelligent entities swiftly analyzed the cause of the explosion. The experts gathered for this mission, though limited in data, pooled their insights to propose a plausible explanation.


    A7¡¯s atmosphere, while rich in hydrogen, contains no oxygen. However, the energy jets from the spore capsule carried trace amounts of unreacted oxygen from its reaction chamber. Upon release, this residual oxygen reacted with the surrounding hydrogen, causing an explosion.


    The explosion consumed the available oxygen instantly, producing steam as the byproduct. This explained why, despite the hydrogen-rich environment, there was no large-scale detonation around the capsule.


    The seemingly endless clouds swallowed the spore capsule, which descended over 200 kilometers within minutes. The environment grew increasingly hostile.


    Despite facing the sun, the thick clouds blocked all light. The temperature plunged below -100¡ãC. Without oxygen, no frost formed on the capsule¡¯s surface.


    Inside the spore capsule, the fungal carpet seeds and queen brood eggs endured the cold through dormancy. However, they were bombarded by unprecedented levels of intense radiation.


    Even the radiation-resistant outer shell of the capsule began to degrade. Without a magnetic shielding system, the spore capsule¡¯s integrity was rapidly failing. If the shell broke, the seeds and eggs inside would lose viability in no time.


    Immediate action was necessary. The fungal carpet seeds needed to be planted to generate magnetic shielding, but the infinite cloud layers offered no place to take root. The fungal carpet couldn¡¯t grow mid-air.


    A7¡¯s rapid rotation also meant extreme winds. Around the spore capsule, wind speeds exceeded 500 km/h, swirling with vortices.


    The high-speed clouds clashed, creating awe-inspiring electrical storms. Lightning bolts, tens of meters thick, slashed through the atmosphere. Compared to this, the phrase ¡°thin as lightning¡± became an ironic joke.


    These flashes illuminated the dense clouds in eerie bursts, projecting a sense of cosmic dread that chilled the group sharing the capsule¡¯s vision.


    The storm drastically slowed the capsule¡¯s descent but simultaneously tore at its outer shell.


    Descending another 100 kilometers, the atmospheric pressure soared. The shell, already strained by the storm, began to crumble.


    Fortunately, the spore capsule¡¯s internal structure excelled at withstanding such pressures. As it continued to fall, the pressure eventually rivaled the depths of Genesis Planet¡¯s deepest oceans.


    Strangely, the temperature rose above freezing. However, this offered little comfort. The storm¡¯s fleeting lightning revealed only more clouds, with no land in sight.


    As time passed, the capsule descended further. Temperatures climbed rapidly, exceeding hundreds of degrees Celsius. The thickened atmosphere became almost viscous, resembling a turbulent liquid.


    Under the dual effects of the superstorm and dense air, the spore capsule¡¯s descent halted. The atmospheric pressure far surpassed that of Genesis Planet¡¯s deep-sea depths. The dense air acted like a swamp, preventing further descent.


    Finally, the capsule¡¯s shell shattered and vanished. The spore capsule endured for another ten minutes before succumbing to intense radiation, its signals silenced.


    The group fell into a stunned silence. Subsequently, the remaining fourteen spore capsules, arriving at similar altitudes, also lost contact.


    Though this outcome was anticipated, its stark reality still stung.


    The Swarm, as a novice in cosmic exploration, couldn¡¯t expect smooth sailing every time. This failure marked gas giants as temporarily unviable for Swarm landings.


    Luo Wen composed himself. This setback was insignificant in the grand scheme.


    The teams, having labored tirelessly for days, took a brief respite while brainstorming solutions for conquering A7¡¯s challenges.


    Despite the pause, the group remained intact. Over the next year, dozens more meteors would reach A7¡¯s moons, albeit at a slower pace.


    The plan was to establish numerous observation posts on these moons, gathering comprehensive data¡ªessential for knowing one¡¯s enemy to secure victory.


    If no viable solutions emerged, Luo Wen had a bold backup plan: launch a Brood Nest into orbit around A7. It would continually regenerate a new body and attempt endless descents onto A7 until the planet yielded.

 Chapter 172: Unknown Lifeform

    Time flew by. Although the attempt to land on A7 was unsuccessful, the missions on its many moons, excluding the A7B5 satellite, were all executed smoothly.


    Dozens of Swarm Bases were established, and many smaller moons were now shrouded in the characteristic purplish-gray fungal carpet.


    Even the landing operation on A7B5 was technically a success, though it encountered a small but unexpected incident during the descent and subsequent development.


    The Spore Capsule, during its descent, was attacked by an unknown lifeform. This brought Luo Wen immense excitement¡ªhis genetic database hadn¡¯t been updated in a long time.


    A7B5, the fifth ¡°satellite¡± of A7, was the largest among its moons. Though it was A7¡¯s subordinate, its sheer size and mass made it a behemoth. It accounted for over 80% of the total mass of A7¡¯s satellite system, making it only slightly smaller than the Genesis Planet.


    From its orbital path, one could see a thick atmosphere enveloping its spherical body, with clear outlines of land and oceans visible on the surface.


    If not for the atmosphere¡¯s high concentration of toxic gases and the relatively low temperatures, it might have nurtured life forms similar to those on the Genesis Planet.


    Yet life¡¯s evolution often defies expectations. While A7B5¡¯s environment didn¡¯t produce Earth-like life, it gave rise to a different, unique kind of life.


    As the Spore Capsule passed A7B5¡¯s orbit and entered its atmosphere, the composition of the air¡ªremarkably similar to that of the Genesis Planet¡ªcaused the capsule¡¯s meteoric shell to heat up due to friction, glowing red like a fireball descending toward the surface.


    A7B5¡¯s atmosphere, though similar in composition to Genesis Planet¡¯s, was denser and more viscous, with the addition of toxic gases.


    The capsule¡¯s braking system required minimal thrust to drastically reduce its speed. The friction-heated front cooled down, and the meteoric shell returned to its normal coloration.


    Suddenly, a nearby white cloud came to life.


    The movement revealed its true nature. It resembled an abstract, enormous octopus or jellyfish, stretching 30 to 40 meters in length. With a massive head and countless elongated, cloud-like tendrils trailing behind, it dwarfed the Spore Capsule.


    The now-living white cloud seemed to mistake the capsule for food. Despite its massive size, the creature was surprisingly agile. Even though the Spore Capsule was traveling at approximately 2,000 kilometers per hour¡ªslow by space standards¡ªthis cloud entity confidently pursued it.


    The creature¡¯s body was incredibly soft and pliable. Contracting its body and flexing its tendrils, it suddenly propelled itself forward with explosive force, mimicking an octopus swimming in water. However, instead of water, it swam through the air, with its cloudy form emitting rhythmic, blue, arc-shaped electrical discharges.


    Luo Wen and the team of intelligent entities, witnessing this scene through shared vision, were momentarily stunned. The white cloud organism, wingless, moved by ¡°swimming¡± and steadily closed the gap with the Spore Capsule.


    Its seemingly fluffy, cloud-like form showed no signs of dispersing, even at such high speeds. Its enormous head resembled a giant cotton candy puff, accented by the glow of blue electrical arcs¡ªan endearing sight from afar.


    However, as it neared and its immense size became apparent, the sense of oppression erased any semblance of cuteness.


    Nature often provides examples of such phenomena: a pet pig can be adorable, but a wild boar is terrifying. Similarly, tiny insects might be charming, but larger ones are horrifying.


    The ¡°cute¡± giant took no time to demonstrate its true nature. It made no attempt to slow down, relying on its speed advantage as it streaked past the Spore Capsule, its dozens of glowing tendrils coiling toward the capsule¡¯s meteoric shell.


    Strangely, the cloud-like tendrils, appearing weightless and insubstantial, adhered to the shell.


    The creature abruptly halted, tightening its tendrils as blue arcs intensified in brilliance. However, it had clearly overestimated its strength. The capsule barely decelerated before breaking free and continuing its descent.


    As it disentangled itself, several tendrils were torn off, spilling transparent fluid. These severed tendrils vanished in an instant, their destination unknown.


    The white cloud emitted a silent roar, its entire body glowing brighter with electrical arcs, accompanied by a faint hum. It surged forward again, catching up to the Spore Capsule within moments and entangling it once more.


    The process repeated: the creature halted, the tendrils tightened, and then they were ripped apart.


    However, this time, the capsule¡¯s speed dropped more significantly, reducing its velocity to approximately 1,500 kilometers per hour. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The creature¡¯s repeated attempts had cut the capsule¡¯s speed nearly in half. Luo Wen noted that with the considerable distance remaining to the surface, the likelihood of the cloud entity succeeding in fully stopping the capsule was high.


    Though its intentions were unclear, the creature¡¯s actions were unlikely to be friendly. Luo Wen needed to find a solution before the entity completely subdued the capsule.


    The team of intelligent entities began a frantic discussion. This novel lifeform was a first encounter for everyone, and with limited data, their speculations were tentative at best.


    Time was running out. The white cloud entity was already making a third attempt, preparing to grapple the Spore Capsule once again.


    The preliminary hypothesis suggested that the creature was an exceptionally low-density organism, enabling it to navigate air as if it were water. To the entity, the atmosphere was its ocean.


    The blue arcs emitted from its body likely signified an electromagnetic field, which it used for propulsion.


    Despite its size and behavior, the Spore Capsule was almost certainly not a part of its natural diet. Survival couldn¡¯t hinge on consuming falling meteors.

 Chapter 173: Calling for Help

    Faced with the situation, the astronomy, astrophysics, and computational experts on hand were at a loss. Perhaps specialists in marine biology and atmospheric studies could offer more informed suggestions.


    No one had anticipated this scenario. The Swarm had landed on numerous planets without detecting any signs of life, yet this single moon concealed living organisms.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t even sure if any of the Intelligent Entities in the Swarm were experts in these fields. In the early days, he had overseen the ¡°gatekeeping¡± role for new recruits, but as their numbers grew, he had delegated this task to the Lookouts.


    Thankfully, the Lookouts maintained detailed records. With a mere thought, Luo Wen connected to the Swarm Network without delay, accessing the information instantaneously.


    The Lookouts, creations of the Brood Nest, performed their assigned duties with strict precision. They quickly provided a list of relevant experts and pinpointed their network nodes within the Swarm.


    ¡°Hey, Monte, you¡¯re here too?¡± A male Ratfolk with gray-white fur looked in surprise at another male Ratfolk with black-gray fur seated nearby.


    ¡°Carlos, I¡¯m an aeronautics designer. Attending a public lecture on aerodynamics isn¡¯t unusual for me. But you¡¯re studying atmospheric environments¡ªwhat are you doing here?¡± Monte scoffed.


    ¡°This lecture is by Professor Guna. She¡¯s young but exceptionally knowledgeable. While the focus is aerodynamics, she might include some extras. Her last lecture covered atmospheric layering, which is helpful for my field,¡± Carlos said as he casually seated himself beside Monte, humming contentedly.


    ¡°Hah! You¡¯re attending this just for a slim chance of hearing something relevant? You¡¯re never this enthusiastic about your core subjects,¡± Monte teased.


    Carlos retorted, ¡°If I wasn¡¯t here for the lecture, why else would I come?¡±


    ¡°Come on, look around. This room¡¯s full of male Ratfolk. Besides the serious listeners, the rest are clearly here for the same reason. Do I need to spell it out?¡± Monte sneered.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that? Professor Guna is only a few years older than us, she¡¯s pretty, kind, and brilliant. Why not appreciate her while learning something?¡± Carlos replied confidently.


    If Luo Wen were present, he¡¯d undoubtedly be speechless. Guna, having lived an entire previous life, was old enough to be these Ratfolk¡¯s grandmother, and then some. He wondered how they¡¯d react upon learning this truth. Should they excel in their fields and uncover the world¡¯s true nature, their stunned expressions might be worth witnessing.


    For reasons unknown, Swarm Intelligent Entities returning to Ratfolk society tended to favor young adult bodies: females typically chose forms around 20 years old, while males preferred 30 to 40 years old.


    To Luo Wen, apart from their fur colors, they all looked alike. Without the node identity markers, he couldn¡¯t distinguish one from another.


    As the two young Ratfolk whispered, a poised female Ratfolk entered the classroom, placing her materials on the lectern. She smiled softly at the students and clapped her hands to get their attention. Before she could speak, however, she suddenly collapsed without warning.


    The previously lively classroom fell silent as if paused. A moment later, the stunned students erupted in chaos, rushing toward the podium.


    ¡°Call an ambulance! Professor Guna has fainted!¡±


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    Amid the clamor, the scene descended into complete disorder.


    Similar incidents occurred simultaneously across the Ratfolk Empire. Numerous experts in atmospheric and marine studies suddenly lost consciousness.


    Later, they all regained consciousness at nearly the same time. While some considered the coincidence suspicious, the Empire¡¯s higher-ups suppressed any public uproar. Dissenters were swiftly silenced.


    These individuals, all Swarm Intelligent Entities who had re-entered Ratfolk society, had their consciousness forcibly extracted by Luo Wen and brought into the group dedicated to the A7B5 mission.


    Summoned by their Swarm Overlord, these entities felt no resentment¡ªonly pride in being chosen.


    After learning about the situation, they joined the ongoing discussions.


    Specialists quickly proposed new insights based on their expertise.


    ¡°Overlord, we hypothesize that since this organism can swim through air like a marine creature in water, it might have a specific adaptive range,¡± one Ratfolk entity suggested.


    ¡°Go on,¡± Luo Wen prompted.


    ¡°Just as shallow-sea fish cannot survive in deep-sea conditions and vice versa, this organism¡¯s body is likely adapted to its environment. If it lives in the less dense air of high altitudes, its structure must be extremely lightweight. Denser, low-altitude air could act as an impenetrable barrier, akin to solid rock. If the Spore Capsule descends further, the organism might be unable to continue its pursuit.¡±


    Communication through thought was rapid. Despite pulling in reinforcements and having extensive discussions, only a brief amount of time had passed.


    The Spore Capsule, under the atmospheric creature¡¯s fourth grappling attempt and the increasing viscosity of lower-altitude air, had its descent speed reduced to 500 kilometers per hour.


    One or two more attacks could enable the creature to fully capture and drag away the capsule. If it could maintain pursuit, even landing on the surface wouldn¡¯t guarantee safety. The fungal carpet seeds and brood eggs were in a dormant state upon landing, and the capsule lacked defensive systems, leaving them highly vulnerable.


    However, if the hypothesis about low-altitude air hindering the creature was correct, there was still hope.


    Although the Spore Capsule had no built-in defenses, it could feign intimidation through other systems.


    As the capsule continued descending, the atmospheric creature displayed signs of agitation. The blue arcs along its body became more active, flashing more frequently.


    This behavior lent credence to the specialists¡¯ hypothesis. At that moment, the atmospheric organism caught up for the fifth time, extending its tendrils to ensnare the Spore Capsule.

 Chapter 174: The Descent

    The atmospheric creature¡¯s illusory body, whether due to its structure or electromagnetic field, demonstrated strength far exceeding expectations. The Spore Capsule Meteor, launched at low speed within the Genesis System, measured three meters long and weighed over two tons. With velocity factored in, its effective mass was immense.


    Yet the atmospheric creature had, through successive tugs, significantly reduced its speed. Though its body incurred damage, its feat was nothing short of astonishing.


    During its fifth attack, its lightning-laden tendrils quickly ensnared the Spore Capsule Meteor. The creature momentarily halted, briefly suspending the capsule mid-air.


    This attack exhausted the momentum the creature had built, leaving it under the sole influence of A7B5¡¯s gravity. While several tendrils snapped, the creature maintained its grip, aided by more tendrils latching on. The capsule¡¯s descent was entirely arrested, and under the creature¡¯s pull, it began to ascend.


    Meanwhile, in the Swarm Network, Luo Wen and the intelligent entities concluded their discussion. Under Luo Wen¡¯s command, the capsule¡¯s propulsion system activated.


    The system rapidly generated hydrogen and oxygen, releasing them in a partially reacted state, along with significant heat, through its exhaust vents. The partially combusted gases continued to ignite as they exited the capsule, creating powerful external explosions.


    The capsule, covered in exhaust vents, erupted into a fireball as explosions simultaneously detonated around its surface.


    The explosions scorched and buffeted the atmospheric creature¡¯s tendrils. While its tendrils had repeatedly snapped during prior assaults, the sudden intensity of the light and sound startled it. It swiftly retracted its tendrils, even propelling its body upward to distance itself from the capsule.


    Seizing the opportunity, the Spore Capsule redirected all combusting gases to its rear vents, using the thrust in conjunction with gravity to accelerate its descent.


    The explosive feint was a one-time tactic. The capsule¡¯s internal systems were too compromised to attempt it again. The vents, while designed to withstand high temperatures, weren¡¯t built for explosions. Many were already damaged or clogged from the previous outburst.


    Another attempt could result in an internal detonation, reducing the capsule to a firework.


    Moments later, the atmospheric creature seemed to realize it had been duped. Furious, its blue arcs flared to an intensity that painted its entire body electric blue, obscuring the details of its cloud-like structure.


    It now resembled a 30-meter-long thundercloud avatar, radiating a suffocating aura of menace as it charged toward the capsule.


    However, the brief delay allowed the capsule to put significant distance between them. As the capsule descended to lower altitudes, the denser air became a barrier. The creature¡¯s brilliant arcs intensified, yet its movements grew sluggish, as though trapped in quicksand.


    Finally, it reached a critical point. The creature¡¯s downward momentum abruptly ceased, its body compressing as if colliding with an invisible wall.


    The hypothesis was correct¡ªdenser, lower-altitude air acted like solid ground to the atmospheric creature, rendering it incapable of pursuit.


    Despite repeatedly slamming against the invisible barrier, its body couldn¡¯t penetrate. It was akin to a human attempting to dive 2,000 meters underwater without protection¡ªan impossible feat. Frustrated, it could only hover above, its arcs dimming slightly, as though reluctantly bidding farewell to the capsule.


    The Spore Capsule hit the ground with an explosive impact, kicking up a cloud of icy debris and sandy dust. The crash formed a radial pattern on the surface, marking its landing.


    Despite the damage sustained during its descent, the capsule¡¯s interior remained intact. The fungal carpet seeds and brood eggs were protected by layers of nutrient-rich material, shielding them from harm.


    Following standard procedures, the fungal carpet seeds were expelled, taking root and beginning to sprout.


    Due to uncertainties about other potential life forms on A7B5, the fungal carpet¡¯s rhizome cage was embedded deep underground. There, the queen brood and auxiliary bugs could safely begin preliminary development.


    A7B5¡¯s massive size had warranted the deployment of four Swarm Meteors. Two were equipped with hydrogen-oxygen propulsion systems, while the other two relied on simpler jet systems.


    With one capsule successfully landed, the team could proceed with more confidence. However, they were still concerned about the two capsules lacking advanced propulsion. If either encountered the atmospheric creature, survival seemed unlikely.


    Thirty minutes later, the second Spore Capsule Meteor entered A7B5¡¯s atmosphere. This capsule also carried a hydrogen-oxygen propulsion system, and Luo Wen, alongside the intelligent entities, stood vigilant, ready for an imminent assault.


    To minimize time spent in the atmospheric creature¡¯s range, the capsule maintained a speed higher than the standard descent rate. It would rely on full-thrust combustion to decelerate after clearing the danger zone, even at the cost of internal damage.


    After all, once the capsule landed, its task was complete. Whether intact or scorched, it would eventually be absorbed into the fungal carpet. Luo Wen doubted the fungal carpet would be particular about taste or texture.


    Fortunately, the atmospheric creatures appeared to be scarce. The second capsule streaked through the skies unscathed and landed safely 200 kilometers southeast of the first. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The team breathed a collective sigh of relief and took a brief rest before preparing for the third capsule¡¯s entry an hour later.


    This third capsule, lacking a hydrogen-oxygen propulsion system, posed a fresh challenge for the group. How to ensure its safe landing would be a new test of their ingenuity.

 Chapter 175: Playing or Fighting?

    For Luo Wen, the safe landing of just two Spore Capsule Meteors was sufficient to achieve his strategic goals. Adding more bugs would simply accelerate the development speed.


    As such, even if the remaining two Spore Capsule Meteors were destroyed, it wouldn¡¯t significantly impact his plans.


    However, having the Spore Capsule Meteors traverse through regions inhabited by atmospheric organisms presented an excellent opportunity to observe their behavior. Their genetic material held immense research value and should ideally be integrated into the Swarm Genetic Bank to aid the Swarm¡¯s future evolution.


    Therefore, Luo Wen was almost hoping the latter two Spore Capsule Meteors would encounter atmospheric organisms and provoke their attacks. This would allow him to better study these creatures and develop strategies to hunt them down.


    The third Spore Capsule Meteor entered the atmosphere. Compared to the hydrogen-oxygen propulsion system, the braking performance of its jet propulsion system was significantly inferior.


    Despite engaging its jets at full throttle to decelerate, the Spore Capsule Meteor streaked across the sky at astonishing speed.


    White clouds floated lazily in the sky, utterly indifferent to the fireball streaking past. Luo Wen and his Intelligent Entities knew far too little about atmospheric organisms. If they didn¡¯t actively attack, it was nearly impossible to distinguish them from ordinary clouds.


    After a period of anxious anticipation, the Spore Capsule Meteor landed without encountering any attacks, leaving Luo Wen and his team disappointed.


    An hour later, the fourth Spore Capsule Meteor finally entered the atmosphere of planet A7B5.


    Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, as soon as it began igniting flames in the atmosphere, three distinct clouds in its vicinity started to move.


    These three clouds transformed into atmospheric organisms, rushing toward the Spore Capsule Meteor.


    Luo Wen observed that these atmospheric organisms seemed to lack a fixed form. All three looked distinctly different.


    One resembled an abstract giant bird, about forty meters long. Its triangular limb structure at the front could barely pass for a head, followed by a long, cloud-like neck. Its flat, elongated body extended to asymmetrical ¡°wings,¡± with no apparent tail.


    Another looked like a massive whale, over thirty meters long, though still abstract in shape. Its overall edges were jagged, giving it a soft, billowing appearance.


    The last cloud creature was simply unclassifiable, resembling an irregularly shaped cloth spread out. Its size, however, was the largest, exceeding fifty meters.


    Luo Wen soon realized these creatures were not randomly shaped but seemed to be some form of soft-bodied organism. When idle, they coiled and compressed, creating bizarre shapes. However, when they moved, their forms gradually morphed into an octopus-like structure with a large central body and dozens of trailing, tentacle-like limbs.


    As they accelerated, faint blue arcs of electricity began to ripple across their bodies.


    Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities speculated that these blue arcs represented many things.


    For example, the simplest and most verifiable hypothesis was that the frequency and brightness of the blue arcs correlated with the creatures¡¯ output power. When they exerted greater force, the arcs became more frequent and intense. At a certain threshold, these arcs could envelop their entire bodies.


    Another theory posited that the arcs might serve as a form of communication among the atmospheric organisms. The Spore Capsule was equipped with Eagle-Eye Bugs capable of detecting most wavelengths of light, as well as hidden cochlear and sensory hairs capable of picking up a wide range of sounds.


    Based on their observations thus far, the Intelligent Entities had not identified any behavior suggesting the creatures communicated using light signals. As for sound, while the first atmospheric organism had roared when intercepting a Spore Capsule, no actual soundwaves were detected.


    Even though the Spore Capsule¡¯s cochlear structures were integrated with multiple superior genetic traits, enabling them to detect extremely high and low-frequency soundwaves, it remained possible that the creatures emitted soundwaves outside the capsule¡¯s detectable range¡ªalbeit unlikely.


    Additionally, during earlier encounters, when the first atmospheric organism failed to intercept the Spore Capsule, losing several limbs in the process, and when it was completely blocked by an ¡°air wall,¡± its body emitted abnormal flashes of blue arcs.


    This suggested that, at the very least, the flashing frequency of the blue arcs served as an emotional indicator for these creatures. It was possible that their peers could glean information from these displays.


    The Spore Capsule Meteor, under the relentless attacks and tugs of the three atmospheric organisms, was soon halted mid-air and captured. Its own weight was insufficient to escape their grasp.


    What happened next reshaped Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities¡¯ understanding of these organisms.


    Initially, when the largest of the three¡ªmeasuring over fifty meters¡ªsecured the Spore Capsule Meteor, the two-to-three-meter-long object looked like a basketball in its grasp.


    Luo Wen had assumed the creature would immediately consume the Spore Capsule Meteor. After all, why else would they expend so much effort to capture it?


    Reality proved otherwise. The atmospheric organism treated the Spore Capsule Meteor more like a fascinating new ¡°toy.¡± It dragged the capsule along, flying back and forth through the air.


    Blue arcs flickered frequently across its body. While Luo Wen couldn¡¯t discern how these flashes differed from the ones during its enraged state, he speculated that the creature was feeling excitement or joy rather than anger.


    The other two organisms, which had failed to secure the ¡°toy,¡± also emitted flickering blue arcs as they floated and swirled around the largest one.


    Luo Wen guessed they, too, were experiencing joy, given that they had jointly captured the ¡°toy.¡± However, he was quickly proven wrong.


    The blue arc frequencies on the two ¡°toy-less¡± organisms began to spike, as did those on the largest one.


    Just as Luo Wen assumed they were reveling in excitement, the three organisms suddenly began fighting. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two smaller ones teamed up to attack the largest one. For a moment, the intense flashes of electricity left Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities utterly dumbfounded.


    Was this play or combat? Luo Wen could no longer tell.


    The intensity of their battle had far surpassed the boundaries of mere playfulness.

 Chapter 176: Games

    The largest atmospheric organism, constrained by many of its tentacle-like limbs still wrapped around the Spore Capsule Meteor, was at a disadvantage. Coupled with the loss of limbs it had suffered earlier while intercepting the meteor, it found itself in a precarious position. Despite its immense size, it had fewer limbs available for defense and attack.


    In contrast, the two smaller atmospheric organisms, though also damaged during their initial interception attempts, were unburdened and outnumbered it¡ªnot by much, but their combined limbs exceeded the largest one¡¯s by several dozen.


    As the fierce brawl between the three unfolded, their limbs were torn apart, splattering transparent liquid into the air, making it seem as though a localized drizzle had begun.


    Before long, the largest atmospheric organism suffered severe injuries. Finally, with only a dozen or so limbs remaining, it relinquished its grip on the Spore Capsule Meteor, flinging it away.


    The two smaller atmospheric organisms immediately ceased their assault on the largest and turned their attention to the now unclaimed Spore Capsule Meteor.


    The slightly larger of the two managed to secure the meteor, leveraging its size advantage. It began to drag the meteor around, wobbling back and forth in midair. However, it hadn¡¯t played with its ¡°toy¡± for long before the smallest atmospheric organism attacked it.


    Soon, the largest organism reentered the fray, and a chaotic melee ensued.


    As the battle continued, more cloud-like atmospheric organisms appeared, joining the struggle.


    By the end, over 100 atmospheric organisms were involved, rolling through the sky like a massive storm of clouds, with blue electric arcs flashing incessantly. The sheer scale of the battle, accompanied by its dazzling light and sound effects, was a spectacle rarely seen.


    This event shattered Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities¡¯ previous assumptions about the rarity of these creatures. Initially thought to be scarce, their numbers turned out to be unexpectedly large.


    The Spore Capsule Meteor, in comparison to these colossal beings¡ªeach averaging over thirty meters in length¡ªtruly resembled nothing more than a toy, constantly contested.


    Fortunately, the low-density structure of the atmospheric organisms¡¯ bodies meant their attacks were not particularly destructive. Otherwise, the Spore Capsule Meteor would likely have been crushed long ago.


    The battle, which Luo Wen expected to last longer, ended surprisingly quickly. In less than an hour, the numerous atmospheric organisms had exhausted their interest.


    While the time was short, many organisms suffered severe injuries, with some reduced to just two remaining limbs.


    Yet, the wounds didn¡¯t appear as critical as they seemed. During the scuffle, Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities had meticulously counted their numbers. By the time the battle ended, not a single atmospheric organism had perished.


    The Spore Capsule Meteor, due to its weight, required active support from the atmospheric organisms to remain airborne.


    Through their continuous observation, Luo Wen and his team deduced that these creatures could float effortlessly in the sky, much like genuine clouds, solely due to their ultra-low-density bodies.


    However, when they held onto the Spore Capsule Meteor, their natural buoyancy was insufficient, and they had to rely on an unknown electromagnetic mechanism to maintain altitude.


    Sustained use of this mechanism seemed to be a burden for them. Perhaps now, having tired themselves out in their competitive play, not one of the atmospheric organisms was willing to take responsibility for ¡°keeping the toy.¡±


    Thus, the Spore Capsule Meteor was abandoned. The once fiercely contested object was now discarded like an insignificant roadside pebble.


    The abandoned meteor streaked through the sky, covered in a layer of unidentified liquid, and plummeted toward the ground.


    This liquid, splattered from the atmospheric organisms¡¯ injuries, was likely either blood or some other biological fluid. While the quantity of this substance was quite minimal¡ªonly spraying out during the severing of limbs¡ªthe large number of participants ensured it accumulated. Positioned at the epicenter of the scuffle, the Spore Capsule Meteor ended up thoroughly coated.


    For Luo Wen, this was an immense waste. If his main body had been present, he would have likely licked the meteor clean, collecting the genetic secrets hidden within these fluids for integration into the Swarm Gene Bank.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen¡¯s main body was countless miles away, far too distant to reach the meteor in time.


    Thankfully, with so many living atmospheric organisms still present, genetic material was hardly in short supply.


    But Luo Wen¡¯s regret was short-lived. As the Spore Capsule Meteor descended into the lower atmosphere, the liquid clinging to it appeared to hit an invisible barrier, suspended mid-air.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen¡¯s main body, previously hidden on the Yellow Moon, had been unearthed, sent to the Red Moon, and subsequently launched into space from a facility on its far side.


    This was part of a last-minute launch mission. Missing the optimal launch window meant that waiting for the next opportunity would require seven to eight years, in addition to more than two years of travel.


    Impatient, Luo Wen ordered the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities to recalculate trajectories, factoring in the rotational and orbital data of planet A7, the Genesis Planet, satellite A7B5, and the Red Moon. A longer yet faster route was chosen, requiring approximately five years of travel through space¡ªcurrently the shortest available option.


    The perception of time in space vastly differed from that on planets. On a planet, a journey spanning several days might be considered long. In space, even modest distances were measured in years.


    Being a long-lived species, Luo Wen no longer felt strongly about time. Reflecting on past events on the Genesis Planet, he experienced a ¡°heavenly day, earthly year¡± sensation.


    On the Genesis Planet, Luo Wen had lost interest in the Ratfolk civilization. After Sarah¡¯s nephew ascended to power, he initially worried about her reclaiming authority. However, Sarah showed no intention of returning.


    Humans often believe in what others abandon. Sarah¡¯s nephew assumed her absence meant life in the Divine Kingdom was better, thus intensifying his support for the Deity Faith Sect.


    In truth, his devotion didn¡¯t matter. Over decades of development, the Ratfolk¡¯s upper echelons were either Swarm node units or their descendants.


    Even if the Swarm publicly tossed meteors between the moons, which some civilians might spot using homemade telescopes, legions of experts would dismiss it as a peculiar astronomical event.


    Though Sarah¡¯s nephew held supreme power among the Ratfolk, Luo Wen could deny him access to any truthful information if he so desired. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, Luo Wen had no interest in petty power plays. To him, the Ratfolk were merely a domesticated species that provided Intelligent Entities for the Swarm¡ªa source no longer worth his attention.


    Interestingly, the Ratfolk¡¯s gaming industry had flourished in recent years. Providing common Ratfolk with diversions seemed prudent. Legends even claimed that Empress Sarah had once been addicted to competitive gaming.


    The truth was that Luo Wen, bored, had subtly guided this development. As a former gamer himself, he found it a pleasant distraction.


    Unsurprisingly, the Ratfolk¡¯s largest gaming company was one Luo Wen secretly founded. Back when Sarah was enthralled with a certain competitive game, several of the top-ranked IDs belonged to Luo Wen¡¯s secret accounts.


    Given Sarah¡¯s status, she had neither overly revered nor underestimated Luo Wen. After growing familiar, she even challenged him to a duel in the game.


    Frankly, Luo Wen had long grown bored with such trivial pursuits. Invincibility brought solitude. But when invited, he graciously accepted the duel, if only to demonstrate the Overlord¡¯s omnipotence.

 Chapter 177: Vanished

    The outcome of the game left Sarah Kerrigan doubting her life choices. Once a top-tier player, she was utterly crushed by Luo Wen in over a dozen matches.


    Under Sarah¡¯s incredulous and admiring gaze, Luo Wen smugly hummed in triumph.


    The truth, however, was that Luo Wen had fabricated a Ratfolk body to play the game but secretly equipped it with a pair of absurdly high-refresh-rate eyes.


    Coupled with his formidable mental power and reaction speed, it was as if Sarah, a normal person, was competing against someone perpetually in bullet time. It was no surprise she was thoroughly defeated.


    Naturally, Luo Wen kept these details to himself.


    These days, Luo Wen spent little time gaming. First, the loneliness of being unmatched made it dull. Second, he was now engrossed in various research pursuits, which he found far more captivating than games.


    As the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities grew in number, innovations in technology and theoretical knowledge emerged continuously, and Luo Wen eagerly absorbed them all.


    If manipulating genes was like piecing together a puzzle, then genes were the individual pieces, and the technologies and knowledge were the blueprint. Without a blueprint, he could only assemble simple patterns. With one, he could create intricate and complex designs.


    While immersed in this intellectual endeavor, Luo Wen was suddenly interrupted by an urgent message: one of the Swarm Meteors had inexplicably lost contact.


    Luo Wen immediately summoned the Blades responsible for overseeing the matter into a group session to investigate.


    The lost Swarm Meteor was among the earliest batch launched randomly beyond the Genesis Star System over a decade ago.


    Based on its trajectory, the meteor had traveled approximately one light-year away, far beyond the Genesis Star System, and was drifting in the void.


    If it had been within the star system, it might have collided with one of the countless asteroids or meteors. However, in the interstellar void between star systems, where almost nothing existed, any anomaly was likely artificial.


    Could aliens have attacked the Swarm Meteor?


    Luo Wen quickly retrieved the observational records maintained by the Blades.


    A dedicated monitoring team had been assigned to oversee these meteors, and the Blades operated in shifts, ensuring uninterrupted 24-hour surveillance with zero errors.


    Their records indicated that the meteor¡¯s shared visual link had suddenly ceased, and contact was lost. Before the disruption, there were no anomalies, and no obstacles were detected along its flight path.


    This ruled out the possibility of a collision.


    While Swarm Meteors generated no propulsion energy, making them almost undetectable, and their dormant eggs were nearly imperceptible as life forms, the Spore Capsules they housed retained biological activity and could potentially be exposed.


    Given the absence of any observed anomalies, Luo Wen concluded that either the Swarm Meteor had encountered an unforeseen accident, or its adversary¡¯s technological capabilities far surpassed the Swarm¡¯s observational techniques.


    Neither scenario boded well for Luo Wen or the Swarm.


    Faced with this enigma, Luo Wen was momentarily stumped. However, he was no longer alone in his efforts.


    Searching the Swarm Network, Luo Wen quickly assembled a virtual meeting.


    Within moments, Morgan and other Intelligent Entities had their consciousnesses remotely summoned. Luo Wen briefed them on the situation, sparking an intense debate.


    As the saying goes, ¡°Two heads are better than one,¡± and Luo Wen¡¯s group now comprised over a hundred members. Ideas clashed and hypotheses abounded, producing a few promising sparks of insight.


    Unfortunately, each theory was ultimately disproven.


    The situation grew increasingly dire. The unknown was always the most terrifying, and whatever entity disrupted the Swarm Meteor seemed far from friendly.


    As a precaution, Luo Wen ordered all Swarm bases on colonized planets to retreat underground, ceasing all surface activity. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even the launch platforms on the Red and Yellow Moons were dismantled and absorbed into the Fungal Carpet, leaving no trace.


    Days turned into weeks, but the discussions yielded no substantial breakthroughs.


    Then, without warning, another Swarm Meteor vanished.


    Curiously, the second missing meteor was not near the first; the two were almost in opposite directions, separated by several light-years.


    This was peculiar. While it was conceivable for a civilization to traverse such distances in days, the missing meteors were surrounded by hundreds of other Swarm Meteors, particularly those heading toward the nearest star system.


    Why were these two specific meteors singled out?


    Yet, the loss of a second meteor presented an opportunity for analysis. By comparing the two incidents, Luo Wen and his team hoped to uncover useful patterns.


    Indeed, the Intelligent Entities soon proposed a plausible theory¡ªone that left Luo Wen speechless.


    Their calculations revealed that both missing meteors had been in relatively isolated positions, with no other Swarm nodes within 1.052156 light-years of their vicinity.


    From this, the Intelligent Entities hypothesized that the meteors were not attacked but had instead exceeded the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage range and effectively ¡°disconnected.¡±


    Further evidence supporting this theory lay in the other meteors launched toward the neighboring star system. Over the past decade, hundreds of Swarm Meteors had been sent out.


    The farthest among them had traveled over 1.1 light-years, while the nearest were still within the Genesis Star System. The meteor at 1.1 light-years remained within network coverage, suggesting that while the Swarm Network had a finite range, node units could extend it.


    Testing this theory was straightforward: the Intelligent Entities identified a meteor expected to reach the network¡¯s coverage limit in one month. It, too, would have no nearby nodes within 1.052156 light-years.


    The waiting game began, with anticipation mounting as the days crept by.

 Chapter 178: Five Years

    A month later, as everyone monitored it intently, the Swarm Meteor in question suddenly lost contact¡ªexactly as the previous two had.


    It became clear that the hypothesis was correct. Having spent nearly two months in suspense, Luo Wen found himself both relieved and bemused.


    The Swarm Network had always exhibited overwhelming capabilities since Luo Wen discovered it upon waking.


    He suspected it hadn¡¯t been this powerful initially. Rather, during his extended slumber¡ªits duration still a mystery¡ªthe network had grown to its current strength.


    Even after his awakening, centuries had passed. Luo Wen had observed the Swarm Network growing stronger but hadn¡¯t identified specific improvements due to a lack of reference points.


    Now, at least one aspect was clear: its range had expanded. As for other improvements, those would require continued observation.


    When he first awoke, Luo Wen had considered the network¡¯s coverage limits. However, as the Swarm¡¯s exploration area grew, the network never encountered any such issues.


    The breakthrough came when the Swarm developed the Storm God. This greatly accelerated exploration efforts, and soon, the Genesis Planet was teeming with Swarm units.


    Even at that stage, the Swarm Network showed no signs of range limitations.


    Following the lunar expedition and colonization of other planets, the issue faded from Luo Wen¡¯s mind¡ªuntil now.


    Fortunately, for the modern Swarm, this problem was manageable. Developing a new bug species to act as stationary relays in key locations could easily resolve it.


    Moreover, the Swarm Network¡¯s capabilities continued to grow. Given Luo Wen¡¯s now-immortal lifespan, it was only a matter of time before he could extend the network¡¯s signal to cover the entire universe without relying on relays.


    Two months later, the loss of a fourth Swarm Meteor confirmed the hypothesis.


    Though the scare had been unnerving, Luo Wen acknowledged that the Swarm was not yet equipped to face such advanced adversaries. A false alarm was, perhaps, the best possible outcome.


    Six months later, after confirming it was indeed a false alarm, Swarm colonies resumed normal activities. On the far side of the Red Moon, meteor launchers were reassembled, and operations restarted.


    Over the following months, the Swarm launched dozens of new meteors toward the locations of the lost ones, hoping to reestablish connection.


    However, this was unlikely to succeed.


    The Swarm¡¯s launch technology had not advanced in recent years, meaning the newly launched meteors traveled at similar speeds to the lost ones.


    Given that the new meteors were launched nearly a year later, the distance gap between them was insurmountable. If the lost meteors didn¡¯t stop, the new ones would never catch up.


    If they had stopped, their situation was undoubtedly dire.


    The dormant eggs within the meteors required Luo Wen¡¯s remote activation to awaken, and without it, they would remain in stasis indefinitely.


    While the Spore Capsules themselves were active, they lacked the adaptability to respond effectively without oversight from Luo Wen or the Intelligent Entities. If they encountered celestial bodies, collision was inevitable.


    Their sole hope of survival lay in drifting through the void, avoiding obstacles, and waiting for the Swarm¡¯s navigation technology to improve enough for faster units to reach and reconnect them.


    Time flew by, and five years passed in the blink of an eye. Luo Wen¡¯s Spore Capsule Meteor was nearing satellite A7B5, ready for descent.


    The massive A7 planet remained as turbulent as ever. Its extreme rotational speed fueled superstorms visible even from deep space.


    Meanwhile, satellite B5 was emerging from A7¡¯s shadow and rotating into view. In five days, Luo Wen¡¯s meteor would enter its atmosphere.


    The monotony of stargazing in space was mitigated by Luo Wen¡¯s ability to multitask via the Swarm Network.


    While engrossed in forum discussions, Luo Wen received a Blade¡¯s alert: his meteor was about to enter B5¡¯s atmosphere.


    He sprang into action, assembling a large group for tight monitoring and coordinated oversight of the upcoming descent.


    Satellite A7B5¡¯s geography bore some resemblance to the Genesis Planet. However, its lower temperatures meant its liquid oceans were encased in thick ice.


    Frozen seas enveloped one large and two smaller continents, with scattered islands dotting their peripheries.


    During the initial deployment, the Swarm had launched four Brood Queens onto A7B5. To minimize risks, all were sent to the largest continent.


    While Spore Capsules could establish bases even in the ocean, the unfamiliar environment had prompted caution. Concerns about hidden marine life led to the decision to land all capsules on land.


    If attacked, the units could still be observed by others on nearby satellites. In the ocean, such monitoring would have been difficult.


    Ironically, the initial threats had come from the sky.


    Thankfully, whether by luck or after minor ¡°playful¡± interference, all four capsules landed safely on solid ground.


    Over the next five years, the Swarm developed cautiously. Initially, fearing unknown surface threats, the four Brood Queen bases remained underground, with even the Fungal Carpet refraining from spreading to the surface.


    After producing small scout flyers and discovering that the continent was utterly barren¡ªeven of plants¡ªthe bases abandoned their caution.


    With no threats, the four bases began an explosive expansion.


    In five years, they had transformed A7B5¡¯s largest continent into a purple-gray expanse and had started extending into the frozen oceans.


    S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 179: Battle in the Sky

    Through the fungal carpet and various Swarm units, simple reconnaissance and contact in the ocean revealed no signs of life in the waters.


    It seemed that the only lifeforms on this planet existed in the sky.


    Over the past five years, the Swarm¡¯s repeated probes confirmed that these atmospheric organisms could only survive at high altitudes and were incapable of descending to lower elevations.


    However, in the skies, these atmospheric organisms held several advantages. In terms of size, speed, strength, and attack methods, they surpassed the Swarm¡¯s aerial units in every aspect.


    As a result, over these years, the Swarm and the atmospheric organisms kept to their respective domains: the atmospheric organisms disguised themselves as clouds in the sky, while the Swarm focused on developing on the ground.


    Before Luo Wen arrived, the Swarm had no need to engage in battles on an unfavorable battlefield.


    That said, they weren¡¯t entirely idle. Within the Swarm Network, a specialized Blade team was tasked with 24/7 surveillance using the insects and fungal carpets spread across A7B5.


    Although atmospheric organisms could mimic clouds, remaining motionless for months or even years, the Swarm managed to track some of them through subtle clues.


    This time, the spore capsule meteor carrying Luo Wen deliberately chose a route teeming with atmospheric organisms. If the meteor were to be ¡°toyed with¡± again, leaving behind plenty of translucent bodily fluids as before, Luo Wen could simply lick his fill and easily complete his mission.


    To attract the attention of the atmospheric organisms, the spore capsule meteor did not reduce its speed to a safe level. Instead, it streaked through the atmosphere at high speed, igniting a trail of fire.


    Unfortunately, things didn¡¯t go as planned. The spore capsule meteor carrying Luo Wen streaked brazenly through the sky, glowing red and passing by white clouds, more than half of which were camouflaged atmospheric organisms. Yet, even as the meteor hit the ground and Luo Wen climbed out of the capsule looking puzzled, no attack came.


    Had the atmospheric organisms gone dormant?


    Luo Wen and the intelligent entities pondered for a long time but couldn¡¯t figure out a concrete reason due to insufficient information. It didn¡¯t matter, though. If Plan A failed, there was always Plan B.


    Over five years, the four Brood Queens, along with the energy accumulated by the fungal carpet sprawling across the entire continent, had been working on far more than just monitoring and identifying atmospheric organisms.


    Suddenly, the boundless purple-gray fungal carpet split open, revealing hidden underground passages.


    One by one, massive Storm Gods crawled out of the tunnels. Their numbers reached tens of thousands, packed densely together.


    Once they emerged onto the surface, the Storm Gods stretched their long-dormant bodies, stiff from prolonged hibernation. With a powerful push of their forelimbs against the ground, their wings began to flap, propelling them toward Luo Wen¡¯s location.


    These tens of thousands of Storm Gods represented only a portion of the results achieved by the four Swarm bases over the past five years. Thanks to the lower gravity of A7B5 compared to the Genesis Planet, the same templates allowed for larger constructs on this planet.


    Compared to their counterparts on the Genesis Planet, these Storm Gods were larger, with wingspans exceeding 20 meters. To avoid mid-flight conflicts with atmospheric organisms, the Storm Gods flew at extremely low altitudes.


    Like a fleet of fighter jets, the Storm Gods converged from all directions. Their low-altitude flight cast vast shadows over the ground, their wingbeats whipping up fierce winds that stirred dust into massive clouds, creating an awe-inspiring scene.


    Above Luo Wen, 75 atmospheric organisms were confirmed, with a possible total of no more than 80 based on the number of nearby clouds. Though they held a decisive edge in aerial combat capabilities, their numbers were drastically inferior.


    Eighty versus over 10,000. Luo Wen didn¡¯t even need a prolonged battle; he only needed to risk everything to obtain a new body. That alone would signify victory.


    Half an hour later, the entire force was in place. These colossal creatures, each over ten meters tall when standing on the ground, surrounded a tiny insect just 30 centimeters in size. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After a brief preparation, Luo Wen gave the command. Thousands of Storm Gods took to the skies, charging toward the camouflaged atmospheric organisms.


    The atmospheric organisms, possibly in a dormant state, were caught completely off guard. Nearly half of them were torn apart by the overwhelming numbers of Storm Gods before they could retaliate.


    From the Swarm meteor¡¯s previous encounters with atmospheric organisms, it was clear that while the composition of their bodies remained unknown, they were still destructible.


    If they could be damaged, they could be injured; if they could be injured, they could be killed. Luo Wen was confident they didn¡¯t possess the same backup ¡°black tech¡± as he did¡ªthe Swarm Network. Even if his body were destroyed, he could simply switch to a new one.


    Several Storm Gods opened their mouths to devour the shattered remains of the atmospheric organisms. These organisms¡¯ bodies were extremely low in density and weight. If left alone, they would float in the air rather than fall to the ground.


    The Storm Gods tasked with this were equipped with specialized storage stomachs to preserve the atmospheric organisms¡¯ body tissues intact.


    On the ground, the fungal carpet behind Luo Wen split apart, revealing a massive underground passage. Luo Wen entered it first, his mission accomplished and no longer interested in the ongoing battle.


    Meanwhile, a group of hundreds of intelligent entities and Blades within the Swarm Network were observing the combat in detail. Even if Luo Wen didn¡¯t watch, any new discoveries would be meticulously documented.


    Subsequently, the Storm Gods that had consumed atmospheric organisms descended and entered the tunnels.


    The battle in the sky grew increasingly intense. The awakened atmospheric organisms displayed formidable combat prowess. While they might not excel at moving rocks, they were highly effective against the flesh-and-blood Storm Gods.


    Storm Gods relied on wingbeats and air currents for flight and maneuvering, making them significantly more agile than many mechanical constructs.


    However, when facing atmospheric organisms, which operated on electromagnetic propulsion, they were utterly outclassed in agility.


    It was akin to the difference between old-fashioned jet fighters and fifth-generation advanced combat aircraft¡ªa massive disparity in combat effectiveness.


    For instance, the Storm Gods¡¯ gliding speed was barely over 100 kilometers per hour. With sustained acceleration over long distances, they could reach 500 kilometers per hour, but not for long.


    In contrast, the atmospheric organisms could easily match the 2,000-kilometer-per-hour diving speed of the spore capsule meteor. The sheer difference in these figures alone highlighted the gap between them.

 Chapter 180: A New Template

    So far, the fastest speed demonstrated by the atmospheric organisms was during their pursuit and interception of the Swarm meteors. However, the Swarm still wasn¡¯t certain whether that was their upper limit.


    Logically, with their extremely low-density bodies, the air resistance they would encounter at high speeds would be unimaginable. It should be impossible for them to accelerate to such velocities.


    Yet, the reality was undeniable¡ªthey had achieved it.


    Luo Wen no longer needed to speculate. Whatever secrets they held, he would soon uncover them.


    In an underground chamber, a special room awaited.


    The room was vast, spacious enough to allow five or six Storm Gods to dance inside. Its walls had undergone special treatment, reinforced bit by bit with unique adhesives secreted by the insects.


    The walls were smooth as mirrors, waterproof and toxin-proof. However, the room¡¯s tight seal meant that air could only circulate through the entrance passage, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen¡¯s body came equipped with its own ecological circulation system, eliminating any need to rely on external air. This detail made little difference to him.


    The Storm Gods that entered the cavern performed a series of indescribable actions, ¡°retrieving¡± the atmospheric organisms¡¯ limbs stored in their specialized stomachs.


    These materials no longer resembled white clouds but instead took on the appearance of translucent liquids. Once exposed, they floated toward the ceiling of the room. Unfortunately for them, the ceiling had been reinforced and specially treated, preventing their escape. Ultimately, they could only drift at the room¡¯s uppermost limits.


    Unbothered by the peculiar transportation method, Luo Wen mentally steeled himself and, after a few calming thoughts, spread his wings and lunged toward the floating materials.


    Meanwhile, outside the cavern, the battle raged on.


    The atmospheric organisms crackled with blue electrical arcs, forming a barrier capable of inflicting paralysis, burns, and stinging pain on the Storm Gods.


    Thankfully, the Storm Gods were massive and protected by their own magnetic shields. Even when briefly paralyzed, they quickly recovered, avoiding non-combat casualties.


    The atmospheric organisms wielded dozens of long, powerful tendrils capable of gripping and pulling down Swarm meteors. Though many tendrils were torn off in the process, they successfully halted the spore capsule meteors. This alone highlighted their incredible strength.


    Once entangled, it was nearly impossible for a Storm God to break free through brute force, especially with the tendrils conducting electricity.


    Charred Storm God bodies continually plummeted from the sky, landing on the purple-gray fungal carpet below. After half an hour, over a thousand Storm Gods had perished, their corpses forming a thick layer on the ground.


    This, however, was inconsequential. The first massive bodies to fall had already begun sinking into the fungal carpet.


    These Storm Gods were disposable creations designed specifically for this battle. Once it ended, the Swarm¡¯s aerial forces were slated for an extensive upgrade. These outdated models would lose their value; even if they survived, they would likely be recycled or sent to confront atmospheric organisms in other regions.


    As such, even if the entire fleet of over 10,000 Storm Gods were wiped out in this battle, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t be distressed.


    Still, the Storm God template, derived from a dominant aerial species of another planet, wasn¡¯t without merit. After losing over a thousand of their own, the Storm Gods had inflicted heavy losses on the atmospheric organisms, reducing their numbers to just over a dozen.


    Despite their superior attributes, the atmospheric organisms were critically outnumbered and lacked endurance. In combat mode, their bodies glowed with flickering blue arcs, a state that placed enormous strain on them. The energy expenditure of this mode was unsustainable. After such a prolonged fight, the few remaining atmospheric organisms had dimmed significantly.


    As the blue arcs faded, their speed, strength, and other attributes diminished drastically. In mere moments, they were torn apart by the Storm Gods.


    It became clear that the atmospheric organisms hadn¡¯t stopped ¡°playing¡± with the spore capsule meteors earlier because they had lost interest¡ªthey had simply run out of energy.


    With the battle concluded, the surviving Storm Gods descended to the ground, briefly replenishing themselves from the surrounding fungal carpet before taking flight again in search of new missions.


    Their numbers were still substantial. Rather than recycling them immediately, it was better to let them make further contributions.


    In an instant, the once-chaotic battlefield fell silent. The towering piles of corpses had gradually disappeared, revealing the purple-gray fungal carpet below. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Deeper underground, a cocoon measuring several dozen centimeters lay quietly.


    Having transferred to the Swarm Network, Luo Wen uploaded the genetic material of the atmospheric organisms the moment his body had analyzed it. The Yellow Moon Brood Nest, hidden on the far side of the Red Moon, downloaded the data.


    Ten days later, a massive atmospheric organism, five or six meters long, emerged on the Red Moon.


    Joint research between Luo Wen and numerous intelligent entities revealed that the atmospheric organisms¡¯ body structures were primarily composed of a low-density aerogel-like material.


    This material weighed only 0.15 milligrams per cubic centimeter, making it significantly lighter than air. As a result, these creatures could float effortlessly and swim through the air like fish.


    Although atmospheric organisms appeared white like clouds, they were closer to being transparent. Their higher refractive index compared to air prevented them from becoming invisible. Instead, their environment¡ªsurrounded by reflective clouds¡ªgave them their cloud-like appearance.


    On a resource-scarce planet like A7B5, their immense bodies couldn¡¯t rely solely on feeding to meet their energy needs. Thus, they evolved an entirely different energy acquisition and recycling system.


    Unlike organisms on the Genesis Planet, they lacked organs for feeding and digestion. Instead, their bodies generated electricity through friction and collected lightning from cloud collisions to recharge themselves, functioning as giant airborne power stations.


    Remarkably, they could also absorb radiation, converting it into energy for their needs. This system was vastly more efficient than Luo Wen¡¯s ecological circulation system. Conveniently, A7B5¡¯s proximity to a massive radiation source provided them with a continuous supply of energy.


    The 15 Swarm meteors that initially invaded the A7 planetary system succumbed to the overwhelming radiation, their protective spore capsule shells penetrated, and the insect eggs and fungal carpet seeds inside perished.


    This radiation, lethal to the Swarm, was a bountiful resource for the atmospheric organisms. For them, A7 was nothing less than a colossal charging station.

 Chapter 181: Strengths and Weaknesses

    The limbs of the atmospheric organisms were composed of segmented ¡°cartilage.¡± When in standby mode, these ¡°cartilage¡± segments were connected only by the organism¡¯s soft tissues, making them extremely fragile.


    However, once powered, the cartilage generated a special electromagnetic field. These fields mutually attracted each other, forming a unified binding field.


    At that point, the entire limb was enveloped by this binding field, making it nearly indestructible unless an overwhelmingly powerful force could disrupt the field in an instant.


    Thus, when the Storm Gods attacked what they assumed were dormant atmospheric organisms, their unreactive bodies were extremely vulnerable, allowing the Storm Gods to shred more than a dozen of them in moments.


    But once the atmospheric organisms activated their binding fields, the limbs transformed into indestructible whips with powerful offensive capabilities, almost impossible to damage.


    Additionally, the limbs and main body also acted as a unique propulsion system. When the limb¡¯s magnetic field was active, it ionized the gases within, creating plasma. The plasma was then funneled into a specialized organ within the main body, where electromagnetic interactions accelerated it axially, producing high specific impulse.


    The internal magnetic forces propelled the plasma at high speed through an open cavity at the tail of the main body, generating thrust for rapid movement.


    Because thrust was proportional to the square of the electric current, higher current and power input increased the propulsion efficiency. This allowed atmospheric organisms to regulate their speed by adjusting power output.


    Interestingly, due to the high temperatures of the plasma, Luo Wen and his team discovered that the aerogel material constituting the organisms had excellent thermal resistance and insulation properties.


    The material also proved capable of withstanding extreme cold, making it ideal for constructing Swarm space units, aside from its low defensive properties.


    Moreover, Luo Wen noted that these limbs were akin to auxiliary components for the atmospheric organisms. As long as their heads and main bodies remained intact, losing some limbs would not significantly harm them. These limbs also possessed remarkable regenerative capabilities; with sufficient energy, they could regrow rapidly.


    This explained why the atmospheric organisms, though appearing heavily damaged during their playful encounters, rarely died.


    The head of the atmospheric organisms was encased in a massive ¡°cartilage¡± shell capable of generating its own binding field. When activated, this field formed a protective shield around the head, reducing air resistance.


    In their default state, the organisms swam through the air like fish. Their speed was impressive but not extraordinary. However, with the binding field activated, air resistance ceased to hinder them, and the propulsion system enabled them to achieve staggering speeds.


    The framework of the atmospheric organisms was so well-suited to space travel that it required almost no modification. The Swarm¡¯s version of the atmospheric organisms, hatched on the far side of the Red Moon, adapted effortlessly to its environment.


    Luo Wen wondered why these naturally space-faring creatures weren¡¯t ubiquitous across the Genesis Star System. This intriguing question was left to the Intelligent Entities for further research, as he, too, was curious.


    While the atmospheric organisms had numerous advantages, their weaknesses were equally apparent.


    First, in the presence of similar technology, magnetic field conflicts could arise, diminishing or neutralizing the effects of their fields. This was why their limb fields were easily worn down during mutual combat.


    Second, they lacked organs capable of storing large amounts of energy, severely limiting their endurance. It was akin to a car with a fuel tank the size of a soda can.


    Although atmospheric organisms could store some energy internally, it wasn¡¯t substantial. To sustain their massive bodies, they spent most of their time floating in the air, absorbing radiation.


    However, any use of electromagnetic mechanisms¡ªwhether for rapid flight, limb attacks, or defense¡ªcaused their energy reserves to deplete rapidly.


    Their energy output capacity was impressive, as seen in their plasma propulsion system. Higher energy input led to greater thrust, higher speeds, and stronger binding fields for their limbs. With enough power, their limbs could hold hundreds of tons without snapping, compared to just a few tons under normal conditions. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The intensity of their energy output was evident from the frequency, brightness, clarity, and scale of the blue electrical arcs on their bodies.


    Unfortunately, their lack of predators and a complacent environment resulted in low intelligence. They had no concept of energy management.


    They could charge themselves for hours, only to exhaust their energy reserves in a few minutes of activity¡ªstandard behavior for them.


    For example, the dozens to hundreds of atmospheric organisms that played with the Swarm meteors barely lasted an hour before retreating. It wasn¡¯t that they lost interest; they simply ran out of energy.


    Likewise, they didn¡¯t attempt to keep the Swarm meteors for future amusement. Without their electromagnetic fields, their limbs couldn¡¯t hold onto the meteors and were forced to let go.


    Luo Wen now understood why these atmospheric organisms, despite their space-traversing capabilities, remained confined to A7B5.


    Addressing the shortcomings of the atmospheric organism template wasn¡¯t straightforward. Luo Wen possessed genes for energy-storing cells, but these cells offered no substantial advantage over the organisms¡¯ natural capabilities.


    Moreover, compatibility issues arose. While the cells could store electricity, they couldn¡¯t directly supply energy to the organisms. Implementing such cells in the template would necessitate additional nutrient supply systems, making the solution inefficient.


    Still, Luo Wen had ample time and a vast research team. He was confident in developing a better energy storage organ, even if it took centuries.


    After all, without interference from intelligent civilizations, the Swarm¡¯s conquest of the entire Genesis Star System was merely a matter of time.


    As days passed, the Swarm captured all the satellites of A7. Intelligent Entities frequently used the Swarm Network to remotely control their manufactured bodies for investigations, research, and experiments¡ªsuch as deploying Swarm versions of atmospheric organisms into A7¡¯s depths.


    With increasing data, the mysteries surrounding the atmospheric organisms gradually unraveled.

 Chapter 182: Restructuring (1)

    Atmospheric organisms, with their extremely low density, truly became ¡°clouds¡± upon death, slowly evaporating in the sky. Because they left no remains that would fall to the ground, such as fossils, there was no trace of their existence on other planets.


    However, with the deployment of the Swarm¡¯s version of atmospheric organisms, the Swarm now had units capable of regular interstellar navigation. Investigations of A7¡¯s satellite clusters revealed signs of atmospheric organism activity on several satellites with discernible atmospheres.


    Yet, because these planets had incomplete, extremely thin atmospheres unsuitable for atmospheric organisms, their populations were very sparse.


    Simultaneously, the Swarm sent a large number of its atmospheric organisms to scout A7 itself, but they found no evidence of atmospheric organisms on the planet.


    This was because A7¡¯s atmosphere was constantly ravaged by high-energy storms, requiring atmospheric organisms to maintain their electromagnetic fields at all times to withstand the storms¡¯ destructive forces.


    Although A7¡¯s atmosphere was rich in lightning and intense radiation, allowing for faster energy recharge, the rate of consumption still far exceeded replenishment.


    If atmospheric organisms failed to leave A7 in time, they could survive at most ten days before running out of energy, losing their protective fields, and being torn apart by the storms. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Decades passed, and the Genesis Star System had become far busier. Between the Red Moon and Yellow Moon, small Swarm ships frequently shuttled back and forth. Larger ships also traveled between the system¡¯s planets and satellites.


    Through decades of research and with the assistance of the Intelligent Entities, Luo Wen upgraded the fungal carpet template. Using plant cells as a foundation and incorporating genes from deep-sea jellyfish, electric eels, and atmospheric organisms, he developed a highly efficient energy storage cell.


    These cells not only stored energy but also directly absorbed it to sustain themselves. This eliminated the need for a separate energy production and conversion system.


    By replacing non-functional components of the atmospheric organisms with these energy storage cells, their operational time at maximum output increased from just a few minutes to several hours¡ªan enormous improvement.


    Moreover, the modified atmospheric organisms, now denser, could take off and land on planetary surfaces. However, this came at the cost of their ability to float naturally within atmospheres.


    While their performance in space remained unaffected, this limitation impacted their combat capabilities within atmospheric environments.


    The Storm Gods, once the Swarm¡¯s main force for aerial combat and long-range delivery as airborne motherships, had fallen behind in every performance metric. An upgrade was necessary.


    Despite their modifications, the new atmospheric organisms could still rely on their plasma propulsion systems to achieve rapid flight within atmospheres. However, they had to keep moving and couldn¡¯t hover, leading to increased energy consumption¡ªa notable flaw.


    To address this, Luo Wen revisited an earlier ¡°black tech¡± that had enabled his first flight: the anti-gravity system of the beetle¡¯s elytra.


    Research revealed that the beetle¡¯s anti-gravity mechanism was, in fact, a specialized application of magnetic fields. While it only lightened the body by partially countering gravity, it couldn¡¯t achieve true anti-gravity lift.


    Though innovative, it was less practical than simple wings at the time and was ultimately abandoned.


    Now, however, this technology proved perfect for the upgraded atmospheric organisms.


    With an added anti-gravity system, the revised atmospheric organisms could hover and float with minimal energy output, much like their predecessors. They could even charge themselves mid-air by absorbing solar radiation, though at a slower rate.


    The upgraded atmospheric organisms were essentially a variant of the fungal carpet¡ªa massive, flying collection of fungal colonies.


    This redesign made them more versatile and compatible with additional features, such as optical camouflage, visual and radar systems, and more. These enhancements greatly expanded their functionality, allowing for modular upgrades to refine their template.


    However, their nature as a non-autonomous organism limited their intelligence. To counter this, Luo Wen mass-produced Blades to manage them.


    Blades had evolved from Type I Queen Ants.


    In earlier Swarm development stages, the lack of command units posed a significant challenge. Queen Ants, naturally adept at managing and directing various ant species, provided an effective solution. Their intelligence and adaptability made them invaluable.


    Based on these traits, Luo Wen specialized the Queen Ants, enhancing their mobility and reducing their reproductive ability, creating a new breed specialized for command and combat coordination.


    When the Swarm Network emerged, Type I Queen Ants were renamed Blades, becoming a flexible unit type. Whether monitoring, directing, calculating, guarding, or overseeing fungal carpet conditions, Blades were omnipresent in the Swarm.


    Their AI-like nature¡ªdevoid of emotions¡ªmade them ideal for monotonous tasks. From their inception, Blades became indispensable to Luo Wen.


    As the Swarm expanded, the demand for Blades grew. Most now relinquished their physical bodies to join the Swarm Network, becoming virtual entities.


    However, the increasing number of Blades made the term too generic and potentially confusing. Luo Wen introduced subdivisions for clarity.


    For example:


    Blades monitoring the Swarm Network were renamed Lookouts.


    Those observing Ratfolk civilizations, colonies, surface bases, or fungal carpet conditions became Listeners.


    Blades tracking celestial mechanics, Swarm meteor trajectories, and maintaining observation equipment were called Celestial Monitors.


    Blades responsible for data collection, recording, and logistics in preparation for potential intelligent adversaries were renamed Adjutants.


    Blades controlling low-intelligence fungal carpet warships and fighters via the Swarm Network were termed Knights.


    The title ¡°Blade¡± was retained by Swarm Intelligent Entities specializing in interstellar and legion warfare, led by Sarah Kerrigan.

 Chapter 183: Restructuring (2)

    The new generation of spore-based fungal carpet bio-ships has been subdivided by size.


    Ships under 10 meters in length are classified as ¡°Flying Ant-class¡± small fighters.


    Those between 10 and 20 meters are termed ¡°Wasp-class¡± large fighters.


    Ships ranging from 20 to 50 meters are known as ¡°Hawk-class¡± small warships. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ships from 50 to 100 meters are designated ¡°Falcon-class¡± medium warships.


    Those measuring 100 to 200 meters are labeled ¡°Golden Eagle-class¡± large warships.


    Any ship exceeding 200 meters is uniformly referred to as a ¡°Dragon-class¡± colossal warship.


    These bio-ships resemble octopi in general structure, each equipped with over a dozen tentacle-like appendages. Although fewer in number than natural atmospheric organisms, these appendages are significantly strengthened individually.


    Thus, compared to their original atmospheric counterparts, these ships possess substantially superior offensive and defensive capabilities.


    The rationale behind such meticulous classification, despite the lack of standardized dimensions, lies in the nature of these bio-ships: they are identical upon hatching.


    Each bio-ship originates from an egg approximately half a meter tall, with hatchlings initially measuring only half a meter in length. Once hatched, they are systematically exposed to sunlight.


    Lacking a digestive system, they derive energy solely through sustained exposure to sunlight, radiation, and lightning. This biological design enables them to grow and develop as they absorb energy.


    Initially, they function as Flying Ant-class or Wasp-class fighters, but as they mature, they progress through the Hawk-class and Falcon-class stages. If they avoid destruction in combat, they eventually evolve into Dragon-class colossal warships.


    Their increasing size allows for greater energy storage, enabling the incorporation of additional modules.


    For instance, based on the power systems of atmospheric organisms, the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities devised a series of electromagnetic principles. Luo Wen, leveraging these principles, developed biological electromagnetic cannons.


    The cannon barrels, crafted using fungal carpet templates, employ the soft cartilage structures of atmospheric organisms. When electrified to create a magnetic field, these structures generate powerful attraction forces, interacting to form a confinement field.


    Luo Wen first integrated genes from deep-sea metallic snails into this module. These genes enable the extraction of minerals from ore, forming metallic projectiles.


    These projectiles are magnetized within the field, transforming into ferromagnetic materials.


    Luo Wen then harnessed the magnetic field¡¯s pulling force to propel the projectiles. As the projectile is drawn toward the magnetic field, the generating cartilage structure temporarily deactivates. This cessation eliminates the magnetic pull, preventing the projectile from sticking to the field.


    Meanwhile, the path ahead of the projectile is lined with numerous magnetic rings. The combined effects of inertia and magnetic pull accelerate the projectile to terrifying speeds, endowing it with immense kinetic energy and destructive power.


    The greater the number of magnetic rings, the faster the projectile, and the more devastating its impact. Consequently, the cannon¡¯s minimum viable size exceeds ten meters.


    Given the massive energy demands during activation, electromagnetic cannon modules cannot be installed on fighter-class bio-ships, either due to size limitations or energy reserves.


    When Wasp-class fighters evolve into Hawk-class warships, they are supplied with a fungal strain seed at nearby bases.


    This strain contains all the data required to develop the electromagnetic cannon module. Since both bio-ships and the cannons originate from fungal carpet templates, their shared lineage facilitates seamless integration.


    Once integrated, the bio-ship ¡°grows¡± an electromagnetic cannon from its underbelly. Moreover, this cannon matures alongside the bio-ship, eliminating the need for replacements.


    Due to the regenerative properties endowed by the fungal carpet templates, bio-ships are highly resilient. Unless completely destroyed or rendered inactive, they can regenerate lost parts, including electromagnetic cannons, given sufficient energy.


    Even if an electromagnetic cannon is entirely destroyed, the bio-ship can regrow it as long as it survives.


    Fighter-class bio-ships are swift and capable of penetrating planetary atmospheres for aerial combat.


    While they can operate in space, the extended engagement ranges of space combat and limited energy reserves necessitate deployment via carrier platforms.


    These ships rely on speed to approach targets, using their tentacles for melee combat. Primarily tasked with eliminating small aerial units, they also disrupt and ambush larger enemy units or, in some cases, strike ground targets.


    Warship-class bio-ships, larger than fighters, possess long-range attack capabilities to support allied forces. They can also engage in melee combat, with their larger tentacles providing enhanced attack strength.


    In addition to these combat-focused bio-ships, the Swarm operates transport ships classified as Egret-class, Swan-class, and Albatross-class, in small, medium, and large sizes. These are tasked with transporting supplies and ground troops for rapid aerial deployment.


    Despite the Swarm¡¯s expansion into space, ground forces remain indispensable. Their relatively low cost and ability to swiftly clear ground-based anti-air units and other targets make them invaluable.


    These advancements reflect contributions from Luo Wen, as well as ideas synthesized by the Blades and adjutants. Luo Wen¡¯s expansive perspective, unmatched by the native inhabitants of the Genesis Planet, played a pivotal role. Having been educated on the various types of civilizations, they conceptualized numerous hypothetical adversaries and derived strategic tactics.


    Luo Wen supported these developments, seeing the Swarm as an extension of his will. He viewed the Swarm as more than beasts, deeming meaningless slaughter unnecessary.


    Having evolved beyond the days of playing in the mud with ants and dinosaurs, Luo Wen recognized the Swarm¡¯s multiple energy acquisition methods. Of these, hunting for bio-energy is the least efficient.


    Thus, once a target¡¯s genetic material is harvested, further killing is deemed unnecessary.


    However, Luo Wen harbored no illusions that others share his perspective. His past exposure to relentless information overload taught him the brutal reality of the ¡°dark forest¡± law in the cosmos.


    For instance, when confronting less intelligent species like ants, dinosaurs, atmospheric organisms, or even moderately intelligent but technologically inferior civilizations like the Ratfolk, he may refrain from slaughter but ensured he had absolute control to prevent potential threats. He will corral, manage, and dominate them to neutralize risk.


    Conversely, when facing forces comparable to or stronger than the Swarm, only two options remain: war or flight.


    For equally matched opponents, ideological divergence demands the annihilation or suppression of the other, reducing their strength to a subordinate level for eventual control.


    As for superior forces, the Swarm¡¯s subjugation of the Ratfolk offers a stark reminder¡ªLuo Wen has no intention of becoming someone else¡¯s Ratfolk civilization.

 Chapter 184: Megastructure Concept

    To this day, Luo Wen still couldn¡¯t give the Swarm a precise definition. He wasn¡¯t sure if the Swarm was a civilization, a species, or even an individual entity.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t the type to get caught up in such philosophical dilemmas. So, he simply referred to the Swarm as a faction.


    The Swarm was, in essence, an extremely exclusive faction.


    The Swarm¡¯s primary method of resource acquisition relied on the Fungal Carpet. The carpet¡¯s extensive coverage and its mild toxicity made it nearly impossible for other organisms to coexist on it.


    Unless, of course, they adopted the approach of the Ratfolk Civilization, where Luo Wen had designated specific zones off-limits to the carpet.


    However, the Ratfolk Civilization had been cultivated by Luo Wen himself. Other civilizations were unlikely to choose to coexist with such a faction. In fact, the Swarm¡¯s survival methods might make it a target for enmity, potentially leading to a unified attack against it.


    With this in mind, Luo Wen once again found amusement in strategizing against the universe¡¯s odds. It was clear the Swarm needed to grow even stronger.


    As time passed, disguised Swarm units began appearing throughout the Genesis Star System¡ªon the various planets, their satellite orbits, and even in the void between them.


    These units, varying in size, were hidden within meteorite-like structures. Inside these meteors, electromagnetic cannon modules lay concealed. Equipped with energy absorption and storage components, these modules could operate independently.


    They were scattered across the star system, forming a rudimentary defense network. Though still weak and largely ineffective at present, it would have been wasteful not to harness the ambient radiation emitted by celestial bodies.


    Moreover, the electromagnetic cannons¡¯ capacity to grow over time would ensure that this defense system became increasingly formidable.


    Surrounding Planet A7, in addition to its original 36 satellites, were now countless floating units. These orbited in its gravitational pull, forming a dense band of activity around the planet.


    Planet A7 was a powerful radiation source¡ªa perfect charging station for the Swarm¡¯s bio-ships. Consequently, the bases on its 36 satellites had become the Swarm¡¯s main ship production facilities.


    Once Swarm eggs hatched, the bio-ships, roughly half a meter long at first, absorbed sunlight and Planet A7¡¯s radiation on the planetary surface to grow. Once they reached a certain size, they would ascend to Planet A7¡¯s orbit for closer exposure to radiation.


    Since the Swarm had no active conflicts, there were no losses to their bio-ships. This led to an ever-increasing number of these ships accumulating in Planet A7¡¯s orbit.


    Moreover, as time went on, these bio-ships grew larger and larger.


    In another century or so, these bio-ships might completely enclose Planet A7¡ªeffectively becoming a planetary-scale Dyson Sphere.


    Among the countless smaller units in Planet A7¡¯s orbit, one stood out as a veritable giant¡ªa creation of the Swarm unlike any other.


    This was an ultra-massive electromagnetic launch platform, which constantly fused with primal fungal strains to develop more growth points. Additionally, every bio-ship exceeding 200 meters in length supplied it with collected energy to accelerate its growth.


    Currently, the platform stretched over a hundred kilometers long. Once fully constructed, it was projected to reach over 5,000 kilometers in length, 300 kilometers in height, and 500 kilometers in width.


    Without this behemoth, the number of bio-ships in Planet A7¡¯s orbit would have been several times higher.


    The platform¡¯s name hinted at its purpose.


    Once fully developed, it would be capable of accelerating projectiles to over one-tenth the speed of light, with commendable accuracy¡ªat least accurate enough to not deviate disastrously.


    In the future, it would replace the current Swarm Meteor Launchers as the primary means of launching Swarm Meteors toward neighboring star systems.


    Speaking of the Swarm Meteor Launchers, their reliability left much to be desired. Over the years, the Swarm had launched thousands of Swarm Meteors toward nearby star systems.


    Yet most ended up destroyed mid-flight due to unpredictable obstacles, random trajectories, or their excessive speeds. If they collided with large objects like comets or asteroids, it wasn¡¯t so bad. However, smaller meteors were much harder to detect and avoid, making collisions almost inevitable.


    When such collisions occurred, the destruction rate was nearly 100%.


    The future electromagnetic launch platform, while still exceedingly fast, offered relatively precise targeting. This would allow the Swarm¡¯s increasingly advanced intelligent entities to map out safer trajectories in advance, significantly reducing collision rates for Swarm Meteors.


    Despite the high destruction rate of Swarm Meteors in the past, their mission of establishing network nodes had been quite successful.


    Now, in the void outside the Genesis Star System, thousands of network node units were scattered every light year, expanding the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These node units came in two versions. The first generation, equipped with eco-circulation systems, was bulkier, limiting the number of units each Swarm Meteor could carry.


    Later, after assimilating genetic templates from atmospheric organisms, the Swarm developed a second-generation node. These upgraded nodes could directly absorb radiation to sustain themselves, eliminating the need for eco-circulation systems. This drastically reduced their size and allowed each Swarm Meteor to carry several times more nodes.


    As a result, while the first-generation nodes had been launched decades earlier, the second-generation nodes now far outnumbered them in space.


    Of course, the electromagnetic launch platform wasn¡¯t limited to launching meteors¡ªit could also serve as a powerful weapon. Its projectiles packed devastating power, capable of obliterating satellites the size of Yellow Moon or Red Moon with a single shot.


    This was, however, merely Luo Wen¡¯s estimation. He hadn¡¯t actually tested it.


    Despite its immense firepower, the superweapon platform faced limitations. It was practically useless unless an enemy attacked the Genesis Star System directly.


    Even if an enemy were just outside the star system, the platform¡¯s projectile speed meant it would take at least an hour to hit its target. Any moderately advanced opponent could easily evade it.


    Thus, the platform¡¯s utility was confined to engagements near Planet A8 or A9.


    Fortunately, this megastructure was also a superorganism, giving it exceptional adaptability. As Swarm technology advanced, it might one day be equipped with propulsion systems for rapid movement, granting it true combat potential.


    For now, however, adding propulsion modules wouldn¡¯t suffice. Moving such a colossal structure would require immense energy. Without Planet A7¡¯s radiation acting as a giant charging station, the platform wouldn¡¯t travel far before exhausting its energy¡ªlet alone firing its projectiles, which consumed vast amounts of power.

 Chapter 185: A Megastructure?

    Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, several decades had passed.


    ¡°Good day, everyone! Welcome to the live broadcast of our daily science segment. Today, we have the renowned astrophysicist, Professor Staffin, here to address some of the public¡¯s pressing questions.¡±


    ¡°Good day, Professor Staffin.¡± sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Good day to you, host.¡±


    ¡°Recently, we¡¯ve received numerous letters from viewers intrigued by the shadow clusters around Planet A7. Many speculate that they might be artificial structures created by aliens. What are your thoughts on this matter?¡±


    ¡°Haha, this is a classic question. People have asked about this many times in the past. In truth, it¡¯s a simple matter to explain. Those objects are natural formations that have existed there for ages. As you know, Planet A7 is a gas giant with an immense volume and equally immense gravity. Its gravitational pull captures numerous passing meteors, trapping them in its orbit over time. This accumulation forms what we call the meteor belt¡ªwhat you¡¯ve referred to as the shadow clusters.¡±


    Professor Staffin, an elderly male Ratfolk with white and brown fur¡ªa sign of his partial Kerrigan royal lineage¡ªwore a tailored suit and black-framed glasses. His speech, combined with his refined appearance, exuded an air of credibility that naturally engendered trust in his words.


    ¡°Then why have we only recently discovered this meteor belt?¡± the host¡ªa young female Ratfolk dressed in a floral dress¡ªpressed further. Her tail, adorned with a decorative bow, peeked out from the folds of her skirt. Clearly unsatisfied with Staffin¡¯s explanation, she continued probing.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ve known about it for quite some time. However, it was previously only of interest to specialists in certain circles. The claim that it was recently discovered arises from the broader public now having access to advanced observational tools. Many consumer-grade telescopes today are capable of spotting the meteor belt,¡± Staffin explained, pausing briefly before adding:


    ¡°So, the meteor belt wasn¡¯t recently discovered; it¡¯s just that the general public has only recently started paying attention to it.¡±


    The host nodded thoughtfully, though her refined features still betrayed a hint of skepticism. She pressed on: ¡°So, do they have any impact on us?¡±


    Staffin discreetly smirked to himself, thinking: Such an ignorant pretty face will never understand the greatness of the Overlord, nor the true nature of the world.


    Although he¡¯d been spouting nonsense with an air of authority, anyone with basic logic could follow his reasoning and avoid asking such questions. Still, to protect his cover for the Overlord, Staffin maintained his persona.


    After a moment of contemplation, he replied, ¡°The meteor belt has always been there. The fact that we¡¯ve observed it now doesn¡¯t change anything. So, compared to when we hadn¡¯t noticed it, what difference does it make?¡±


    He continued: ¡°However, without Planet A7, they might indeed pose a threat to us. Many of those meteors were initially on a trajectory toward our planet but were captured and held in orbit by Planet A7¡¯s gravity. In this way, Planet A7 serves as our protector. Without it, the likelihood of meteor strikes on our world would increase severalfold.¡±


    As Staffin elaborated, the conversation veered further from its original course.


    Finally, as the program drew to a close, Staffin left his audience with an enigmatic remark: ¡°Our Ratfolk have already reached the moon. From Genesis Planet, one can occasionally catch glimpses of our spacecraft through telescopes. And on the moon, with its unobstructed view unimpeded by an atmosphere, observations are even clearer. For those interested in such matters, I encourage you to pursue related studies. Who knows? Someday you might join us and uncover the true nature of the world.¡±


    With that, the broadcast concluded. Neither the host nor the bewildered viewers realized that the ¡°we¡± Staffin spoke of was not the ¡°we¡± they understood.


    Only when they experienced it firsthand would they come to comprehend the true meaning of ¡°we.¡±


    Such incidents were but the tip of the iceberg in Ratfolk society. The Swarm had assimilated the brightest minds from the Ratfolk, while the rest were relegated to a controlled existence, unwittingly reduced to mere breeding machines.


    Their offspring underwent the same selection process, generation after generation, in an endless, repeating cycle.


    The originally planned ultra-massive electromagnetic launch platform halted its growth upon reaching 500 kilometers in length, following Luo Wen¡¯s orders.


    This wasn¡¯t due to concern that ordinary Ratfolk might uncover anything unusual. If that were the case, it could easily be addressed by the countless Ratfolk experts fabricating plausible explanations.


    The real reason for halting its growth was its increasing gravitational influence.


    At 500 kilometers, the platform was already longer than many of A7¡¯s moons in diameter. If it grew to 5,000 kilometers, it would become second only to A7B5 among A7¡¯s orbiting bodies.


    Such a massive structure would cause unpredictable gravitational tidal effects, posing potential risks not only to the megastructure itself but also to Planet A7 and its many moons.


    After extensive research and discussions, Luo Wen decided to rebuild the electromagnetic launch platform elsewhere.


    Since the existing platform was already enormous and difficult to move, it was left in Planet A7¡¯s orbit.


    The new platform¡¯s construction site was chosen away from Planet A7. With advancements in Swarm technology, Luo Wen had found an even better location: the system¡¯s sun.


    The star, whose mass accounted for over 99% of the Genesis Star System¡¯s total mass, was far superior to Planet A7 as a power source. Even the colossal A7, thousands of times larger than Genesis Planet, was dwarfed by the sun.


    Constantly emitting vast amounts of light energy, the sun far surpassed A7¡¯s charging capabilities.


    The new electromagnetic launch platform was positioned in the synchronous orbit of Planet A2, much closer to the sun, where it could absorb a plethora of energies. For the platform¡¯s fungal carpet, the environment was ideal for growth.


    With support from Swarm bases on A2, A4, and the moons Red Moon and Yellow Moon, the primal fungal strains were continuously deployed to designated locations, where they absorbed energy and began to grow.


    After years of development, the new platform had already reached over 3,000 kilometers in length¡ªfar surpassing its predecessor.

 Chapter 186: Fifty Years

    The new location for the electromagnetic launch platform was specifically chosen on the far side of the sun. Even though the platform had grown into a mega structure, it remained obscured from observation on Genesis Planet due to the sun¡¯s positioning.


    This reduced the workload for the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities; after all, crafting plausible explanations required effort.


    Over the years, the first batch of Swarm Meteors, based on their speed, should have reached the nearest star system. For simplicity, this system was designated as the Neighboring Star System.


    Unfortunately, apart from the earliest Swarm Meteors that lost contact, the majority encountered accidents en route and were destroyed mid-journey.


    However, these successive waves of meteors paved navigation routes with their sacrifice. Along the way, they deployed numerous node units, serving as routers.


    These nodes, camouflaged as small meteors and fused with various observational genetic templates, not only extended the Swarm Network but also monitored vast areas around them.


    From the collected data, the Intelligent Entities identified numerous hidden dangers, such as debris fields, which were too small to detect from a distance and could only be observed up close.


    Additionally, they mapped the trajectories of large celestial bodies and obstacles.


    Gradually, they compiled several relatively safe routes and began launching new Swarm Meteors along these paths.


    Over the years, as Swarm observational technology advanced and their interference with the Neighboring Star System increased, Luo Wen confirmed that no high-level civilization existed there.


    Although the distance made direct observation of planetary surfaces impossible, the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities could infer the technological state of any civilization by analyzing their space activities.


    For instance, from the Neighboring Star System, one could observe significant changes in the Genesis Star System over the past century. The number of objects in space had increased dramatically, and Planet A7¡¯s brightness diminished annually, clearly obscured by something.


    Such details could indicate the presence of a spacefaring civilization in the Genesis Star System¡ªsomething that would require long-term observation and comparison to confirm.


    Conversely, decades of Swarm surveillance of the Neighboring Star System revealed no significant changes, indicating that if intelligent life existed there, its technological level remained rudimentary.


    With no threat from the Neighboring Star System confirmed, the Swarm became increasingly bold. Many Swarm Meteors were launched straight toward the system without even adjusting their trajectories.


    Luo Wen decided to take a more aggressive approach.


    By temporarily severing his primary consciousness or a Brood Nest, he could produce a new counterpart. Luo Wen had calculated that he could suppress up to three such entities simultaneously.


    This meant that at maximum capacity, the Swarm could operate five primary bodies or Brood Nests at once.


    Currently, with his own primary body, the Genesis Brood Nest, and the Yellow Moon Brood Nest, Luo Wen had three in operation, leaving room for two more.


    Two new primary bodies had since been created. They were set to embark on their journey aboard two Egret-class transport ships, each 50 meters long, bound for the Neighboring Star System.


    Although the electromagnetic launch platform hadn¡¯t fully matured, it had already grown to 3,000 kilometers in scale. Thanks to its biological nature, its growth was proportionally scaled¡ªmuch like the difference between a large fish and a small fish.


    In other words, while it hadn¡¯t reached its intended size, all its functions were fully operational.


    With 3,000 kilometers of electromagnetic acceleration, the platform could propel ¡°projectiles¡± to roughly one-fifteenth the speed of light. At this speed, the journey to the Neighboring Star System was estimated to take about 80 years.


    This timeline was faster than waiting for the platform to grow to 5,000 kilometers and then launching the projectiles.


    However, to prioritize the platform¡¯s growth and efficiency, energy-intensive launches were kept to a minimum. For this mission, Luo Wen planned only to launch two Egret-class transport ships carrying the primary bodies, seeds, and Swarm eggs.


    Thanks to advancements in Swarm technology, the electromagnetic launch platform could directly fire bio-ships as projectiles. By equipping these ships with pressure-resistant genetic components, they could withstand the stresses of such high-speed travel.


    Moreover, the transport ships were equipped with advanced kinetic systems, offering far greater maneuverability compared to the Swarm Meteors, which only had braking mechanisms. This significantly improved the safety of Luo Wen¡¯s primary bodies and the eggs.


    Luo Wen¡¯s decision to send two primary bodies to the Neighboring Star System wasn¡¯t a whim. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Conquering the entire system would require numerous Swarm bases and extensive support from Brood Queens.


    Since only Brood Nests could produce Brood Queens, relying on the Genesis Star System to supply them via Swarm Meteors or transport ships would drastically slow down the Swarm¡¯s expansion and prove highly inconvenient.


    Additionally, if the Neighboring Star System harbored any peculiar life forms, only a Brood Nest or primary body could assimilate their genetic material and integrate it into the Swarm¡¯s gene pool.


    For these reasons, it was essential to establish a Brood Nest in the Neighboring Star System. As for sending two primary bodies, this was due to their inherent adaptability and combat capabilities.


    Whether during transit or upon arrival, the survival chances of primary bodies were far higher than those of Brood Nests.


    Once a foothold was secured in the Neighboring Star System and safety was confirmed, one of the primary bodies would self-destruct, allowing the other to produce a Brood Nest.


    Time flew by, and fifty years passed in a flash. During this time, the Swarm had completely dominated the Genesis Star System. Apart from the gas giant A7, which had no Swarm bases, all planets and satellites hosted Swarm outposts.


    Even Planet A1, the closest to the sun with a surface temperature exceeding 3,000 degrees year-round, saw the construction of a base in recent years. The organisms and Fungal Carpet on this planet were specially engineered with heat-resistant and insulation genes.


    Luo Wen¡¯s daily routine now consisted of studying, reviewing reports, and occasionally indulging in some online games to crush Sarah for fun.


    Just as Luo Wen assumed this tranquility would last for decades, the Celestial Monitors responsible for overseeing the Swarm Meteors relayed an unexpected message.

 Chapter 187: The Neighboring Star System

    A Swarm Meteor launched randomly over a century ago, after numerous course adjustments, was now miraculously on the verge of entering the Neighboring Star System.


    If it had maintained its optimal speed, it should have reached this position more than 30 years ago. However, repeated deceleration events had significantly delayed its progress.


    Despite its reduced speed, the meteor required less than two months to reach the outermost planetary orbit of the Neighboring Star System.


    This was the closest any Swarm Meteor had come to the system.


    A response team of 20,000 members was assembled, consisting of experts in fields like astrophysics, spectroscopy, mathematics, physics, and environmental sciences.


    Since these experts were all Swarm Intelligent Entities, the assembly process was highly efficient. Entities without physical bodies simply transmitted themselves into the Swarm Network¡¯s dedicated research spaces, while those with bodies stored them in nutrient chambers at nearby Swarm bases or facilities before returning to the network. Luo Wen then pulled their consciousnesses into the task force. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Codenamed ¡°Visit,¡± the team swiftly took control of the Swarm Meteor, referred to as ¡°Greeting Gift.¡±


    All data collected by the meteor¡¯s observational organs¡ªspectral readings, radiation levels, and information about surrounding celestial bodies¡ªwas continuously transmitted back for analysis.


    The team faced challenges due to the meteor¡¯s outdated technology from a century ago. Its radar system was particularly primitive, capable of detecting smaller asteroids or meteors only at very close ranges.


    To ensure safety, the Swarm Meteor began decelerating more than a month before its arrival.


    Although this extended the time needed to reach the outermost orbit from a few weeks to over a year, the denser obstacles within the star system required slower speeds to allow sufficient reaction time.


    Navigating the Outer Asteroid Belt


    Months later, the Swarm Meteor cautiously approached the outer asteroid belt of the Neighboring Star System. This belt, a chaotic field of small obstacles, formed the system¡¯s first line of defense. Careless navigation could easily result in collision and destruction.


    During this phase, the ¡°Visit¡± team expended immense effort analyzing and calculating trajectories. The workload became so heavy that the team expanded to 100,000 members. Eventually, the Swarm Meteor safely identified a less congested route and successfully traversed the belt.


    The belt was over 10 million kilometers wide. Although the Swarm Meteor successfully crossed it, multiple unavoidable deceleration maneuvers reduced its speed to 20 km/s¡ªonly a fraction (1/1,500) of its initial 30,000 km/s. This further extended the time required to reach the outer planetary orbit.


    Such complications stemmed from the outdated technology onboard the meteor. Its propulsion system, a simple hydrogen-oxygen reaction thruster, was vastly inferior to current Swarm bio-ships.


    Modern bio-transport ships, like the one Luo Wen used, could detect obstacles from much greater distances and react with far greater agility. Even when forced to decelerate, their powerful propulsion systems could easily regain speed afterward.


    The latest bio-ships, equipped with electromagnetic propulsion systems, could reach 20 km/s effortlessly in space and exceed 50 km/s under higher power. Within planetary atmospheres, their speeds ranged from 1 to 10 km/s depending on their size and air density.


    In contrast, the Swarm Meteor¡¯s outdated technology meant that once its speed decreased, regaining momentum became nearly impossible.


    Targeting the Neighboring Star System


    The Neighboring Star System was slightly smaller than the Genesis Star System, with only seven planets. Based on spectral analysis, the Swarm aimed to land the meteor on the third planet.


    This planet, slightly larger than Genesis Planet at 1.2 times its volume, had an atmosphere and temperatures ranging from -30¡ãC to 50¡ãC. Spectral data indicated the presence of abundant liquid water on its surface.


    These characteristics strongly suggested that the planet, named Neighboring A3 or ¡°Great Genesis,¡± might harbor life. For Luo Wen, alien genetic material was an enticing prospect.


    The Swarm Meteor was approximately 6 billion kilometers away from this planet. At its current speed, it would take nearly 10 years to arrive.


    Fortunately, the gravitational influence of celestial bodies ahead cleared the space significantly, improving safety.


    Although the extended mission duration posed challenges, the ¡°Visit¡± team remained active. According to projections, several other Swarm Meteors would navigate through obstacles to reach the Neighboring Star System in the coming years.


    The team¡¯s responsibilities expanded to include trajectory planning and landing site selection for these incoming meteors. Members without physical bodies remained permanently assigned to the team, while those with bodies rotated shifts for rest.


    Ten Years Later


    As a decade passed, the ¡°Greeting Gift¡± Swarm Meteor was joined by three more meteors under the ¡°Visit¡± team¡¯s guidance, successfully crossing the outer asteroid belt and entering the Neighboring Star System.


    The seventh planet in the system, named Neighboring A7 or ¡°Great Valley Planet,¡± served as a resting point for one of the meteors.


    Unlike the Genesis Star System, which included the gas giant A7, the Neighboring Star System consisted entirely of terrestrial planets. Such planets were ideal for establishing Swarm bases.


    Great Valley Planet, composed mainly of rock and ice, was only about one-tenth the size of Genesis Planet and lacked an atmosphere. Despite its small size, it boasted three small moons¡ªone more than Genesis Planet.


    However, its distance from the sun resulted in surface temperatures averaging -200¡ãC.


    Although the Swarm had experience constructing bases on similarly harsh planets, such as Genesis A11, Great Valley Planet¡¯s conditions posed unique challenges.


    When the meteor was launched, Swarm technology was still lacking. While the Fungal Carpet could withstand such environments, it could not directly absorb radiation for sustenance. It relied on an internal ecosystem for energy, which was highly inefficient.


    Additionally, the Brood Queen egg carried aboard the meteor had a gene pool barely adequate for establishing a base on Great Valley Planet. However, it lacked the capability to produce new combat units, making its presence only marginally meaningful.


    Updating the gene pool required a direct link with Luo Wen¡¯s primary consciousness. Fortunately, Swarm technology had advanced significantly since then. In about 20 years, Luo Wen¡¯s primary body would pass through Great Valley Planet¡¯s orbit, updating the gene pool and establishing a Swarm base on the planet.

 Chapter 188: The Great Dawn Planet

    Within the Swarm Network, all genetic information belonging to Luo Wen, as well as the genes he has acquired, are stored. However, only the Brood Nest currently has the authority to remotely download this genetic data.


    For example, when Luo Wen¡¯s primary body absorbed the genes of atmospheric organisms on Genesis Planet A7B5, he uploaded the data to the Swarm Network. Immediately, the Yellow Moon Brood Nest, currently located on the far side of the Red Moon, could begin producing a new species based on the atmospheric organisms¡¯ genetic template.


    A long time ago, after Luo Wen¡¯s primary body was vaporized by a falling meteor, he began researching how to grant the Brood Queens similar access.


    Even though Luo Wen himself had become a ¡°Swarm Overlord¡±, ensuring that as long as there were Swarm units left alive, he would not perish, losing his primary body along with a Brood Nest would severely compromise the Swarm¡¯s ability to evolve rapidly. If this potential for evolution were lost, it would make the Swarm easier to destroy and reduce his own security.


    Thus, if the Brood Queens could, like the Brood Nests, directly download the genetic library from the Swarm Network, then even if his primary body were destroyed, any one of the Brood Queens could recreate it. This would greatly enhance both the Swarm¡¯s potential and his personal safety.


    Unfortunately, Luo Wen failed to achieve this. Instead, he resorted to a forced ¡°disconnect¡± workaround to marginally improve his security.


    Moreover, granting Brood Queens the ability to directly download the genetic library would allow them to remotely update their genetic databases, similar to the Brood Nests.


    Previously, this limitation was not a significant issue because the Swarm was confined to the Genesis Star System, where Luo Wen could personally link to update the Brood Queens¡¯ genetic libraries.


    Given the Swarm¡¯s advancing navigation technologies and the static nature of genetic information over long periods, updating these libraries seemed trivial. Luo Wen¡¯s primary body had little else to do, so updating them occasionally wasn¡¯t a burden. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The introduction of Bio-ships, capable of transporting Brood Queens no larger than a dozen meters, further reduced the inconvenience. Luo Wen no longer needed to act personally; the queens could be sent to him for updates.


    However, as the Swarm extended its reach into other star systems, the limitations became apparent. Managing updates was feasible for the Neighboring Star System alone, where Luo Wen¡¯s five primary bodies and Brood Nests could function as before.


    But the Swarm¡¯s ambitions wouldn¡¯t stop there. In the future, when they might occupy ten, twenty, or even more star systems, if navigation technology did not improve, updating the genetic libraries of all Brood Queens might take thousands or even tens of thousands of years.


    Thus, Luo Wen needed to continue researching methods to enable the Brood Nests to download genetic libraries remotely.


    The Greeting Gift was now less than 300 million kilometers from the Great Dawn Planet, and in about six months, it would enter the planet¡¯s outer orbit.


    At such proximity, even the outdated observation organs aboard the Greeting Gift could collect much more detailed information.


    The Great Dawn Planet had five satellites. Among them, Satellite One and Satellite Three were similar in mass to the Yellow Moon, while Satellite Two and Satellite Five were smaller. Satellite Four, however, was larger. None of these satellites showed evidence of atmospheres or biological activity.


    On the Great Dawn Planet itself, obscured by its atmosphere, five continents were visible, with the rest of the surface covered by oceans. It rotated once every 48 hours and orbited its star once every five hundred-plus days.


    The Visit Team had already used this information to plan the Greeting Gift¡¯s trajectory. In 162 days, it would reach the front orbital path of the Great Dawn Planet, avoiding its five satellites and initiating contact with the planet.


    Time flew by, and soon, 162 days had passed. The Greeting Gift was about to enter the planet¡¯s atmosphere. Following it were two Swarm Meteors, stationed in the Neighboring Star System and ready to act.


    If the Greeting Gift landed successfully and encountered no resistance, the two Swarm Meteors would find nearby landing sites or remain in orbit, awaiting Luo Wen¡¯s arrival.


    Conversely, if resistance arose, the Swarm Meteors would alter their course to provide support.


    The Swarm now possessed extensive experience in rapid planetary descent, particularly on planets with atmospheres. With the combined assistance of atmospheric drag and the Swarm Meteors¡¯ deceleration systems, along with their moderate initial velocity, the meteors quickly reduced speed.


    The chosen landing site was the second-largest continent of the Great Dawn Planet, closer to the meteor¡¯s trajectory, minimizing the need for course adjustments.


    The older models of Swarm Meteors had less effective propulsion systems, so a nearby and stable landing was preferable.


    The Visit Team, composed of over ten thousand Intelligent Entities, was on high alert within the Swarm Network. Every observation device hidden in the Spore Capsules was monitored by dedicated personnel, who didn¡¯t dare relax.


    The airspace and surrounding areas near the landing site were under constant surveillance.


    Fortunately, unlike the events on Genesis A7B5, no attacks from the sky occurred this time. Although some distant moving black dots resembling birds were spotted in the sky, they did not approach the landing zone.


    This indicated that the Great Dawn Planet¡¯s environment had indeed fostered life¡ªa welcome discovery for Luo Wen and the Swarm. Despite the Swarm¡¯s ability to develop biological technology independently, borrowing from existing templates was always advantageous.


    Alien lifeforms from other star systems represented valuable acquisitions. After all, one of the Swarm¡¯s expansion goals was to find such treasures.


    The bird-like creatures, perhaps due to their distance, made no attempts to approach the descending Swarm Meteor. Luo Wen speculated that even if they wanted to, they were too far away to do so.


    Having dominated an entire star system and begun interstellar expansion, the Swarm now reached a medium-level civilization status.


    As the Swarm Overlord, Luo Wen¡¯s concerns spanned star systems, celestial bodies, and interstellar navigation, with speeds measured in millions of kilometers per hour, tens of kilometers per second, or fractions of the speed of light.


    Confronted with the sight of primitive organisms within a planet¡¯s atmosphere, moving sluggishly compared to the Storm God of yore, Luo Wen felt a momentary disconnect. He looked at the weak and leisurely flying creatures with disappointment.


    If this was the extent of life on the Great Dawn Planet, it would hardly bring him any surprises.

 Chapter 189: Command Authority

    Although those flying creatures were visible as small dots even from a great distance, suggesting their large size, Luo Wen estimated they were, at most, only slightly stronger than creatures from the dinosaur era.


    Such a level no longer piqued Luo Wen¡¯s interest.


    In Luo Wen¡¯s view, the battles during the dinosaur era were among the easiest and most leisurely he had ever experienced.


    Although the creatures of that era possessed formidable individual combat power, their capacity for group coordination was abysmal. Individual entities were easily countered, and even group-oriented species rarely reached populations of tens of thousands.


    The difficulty of fighting them paled in comparison to the epic battles of the prehistoric era of insect dominance, where hundreds of millions, billions, or even tens of billions of creatures clashed. By comparison, battles during the dinosaur era were trivial.


    Thus, after overcoming its initial vulnerability, the Swarm quickly conquered Genesis Planet during that era.


    Luo Wen chose not to act as the overall commander for this mission, instead allowing the Intelligent Entities of the Swarm to take the reins.


    As one of Luo Wen¡¯s rare ¡°command-oriented talents¡± and a figure of immense prestige among the Intelligent Entities, Sarah Kerrigan, the first Empress of the Ratfolk, naturally stepped into the role of commander.


    Luo Wen was more than happy to see this. After all, as the saying goes, ¡°A general¡¯s success is built on countless sacrifices.¡± The Swarm had plenty of resources to groom ¡°legendary generals,¡± and it was time for Sarah, who had only practiced simulated command, to gain real-world experience.


    Sarah was granted temporary high-level intelligence permissions by Luo Wen. Without this authorization, even with her high prestige, she wouldn¡¯t have the authority to command others of equal status without his explicit orders.


    Her first move upon receiving authority was to form a staff group, enlisting Morgan, Tella, and others.


    The Great Dawn Planet, being closer to its parent star than Genesis Planet, had a higher surface temperature, averaging around 50 degrees Celsius. While this posed no issue for Swarm units, few species from Genesis Planet would survive such conditions.


    The extreme heat, however, fostered unique lifeforms. As the Swarm Meteor approached the surface, the scenery below became clearer.


    The planet¡¯s atmosphere had a notably high oxygen content, with Intelligent Entities estimating it exceeded 35%. This elevated oxygen concentration allowed lifeforms to grow to considerable sizes.


    The Swarm Meteor landed in a red forest.


    The forest¡¯s towering trees, often over a hundred meters tall, featured dark red trunks and vibrant red, crystal-like leaves that glistened with moisture, creating an almost magical ambiance.


    Analyzing the planetary temperature and environment, the Intelligent Entities deduced in minutes that the tree leaves were likely coated with a thin film that helped retain moisture in the extreme heat. This coating minimized water evaporation, leaving the leaves looking exceptionally glossy. Combined with their natural red hue, this gave the forest its striking appearance.


    A cacophony of cracking sounds echoed as the Swarm Meteor crashed through the red branches and trunks, finally striking the black, muddy ground with a thunderous boom.


    Beneath the dense canopy, the temperature was slightly lower. The specialized coating on the canopy¡¯s leaves trapped moisture, making evaporation difficult. Water vapor condensed beneath the canopy, creating a humid, sauna-like atmosphere.


    This unique environment supported a thriving ecosystem where countless animals lived and reproduced.


    However, the harmony was disrupted by the massive, flaming object that crashed into the ground. The shockwave from its landing flung soil and debris in all directions, frightening the local fauna into a panicked retreat.


    ¡°Sarah, the seeds have landed. Please activate them,¡± said a voice. Luo Wen had withdrawn into the background, observing from the shadows. Of the thousands of Intelligent Entities present, only Sarah, with her special permissions, could activate the fungal carpet seeds and Brood Queen eggs.


    While all Intelligent Entities were absolutely loyal to Luo Wen, they each possessed independent thoughts. Some of the younger Entities were skeptical of the newly promoted commander.


    After all, Sarah had been deceased for over a century. While many of her contemporaries held her in high regard, newer Intelligent Entities, converted in the past few decades, had little connection to her. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although all were part of the Swarm, their work was often dispersed across reality and the network, with few overlaps in responsibilities with Sarah¡¯s command structure.


    This lack of familiarity bred some discontent among the younger Intelligent Entities toward their first Empress.


    Morgan, aware of this dynamic, deliberately spoke up to remind everyone who was in charge. As the Swarm¡¯s first Intelligent Entity, a prominent researcher, and a favorite of the Swarm Overlord, Morgan¡¯s reputation among the scientific-minded Intelligent Entities far surpassed Sarah¡¯s.


    By lowering himself and declaring his allegiance to Sarah, Morgan set an example, ensuring the Entities fell in line and fully supported her.


    No one dared defy the Overlord¡¯s orders, as the Swarm Network¡¯s safeguards would quash any rebellious ideas. Even without those restrictions, none would risk exile to the aphid pastures.


    Sarah, having ascended from queen to empress and governed cautiously for decades, understood the subtleties of power dynamics. Grateful, she nodded slightly at her mentor before closing her eyes to focus.


    Under her activation command, the Spore Capsule released the fungal carpet seeds, initiating their standard growth cycle.


    Luo Wen, once overwhelmed by intellectual property theft, understood the importance of protective measures. As such, the fungal carpet seeds and Brood Queen eggs housed within the Swarm Meteors were equipped with advanced anti-theft protocols.


    Without proper activation, they would remain inert, even in optimal conditions. Attempts to forcibly dismantle them would trigger self-destruct mechanisms, causing cells to disintegrate. This safeguard was designed to prevent advanced civilizations from capturing Swarm Meteors and tracing them back to Luo Wen.


    Having just emerged from the ¡°starter zone¡± of their home star system, the Swarm was cautious in navigating the unknowns of the broader universe. Such proactive defenses were Luo Wen¡¯s forte.


    The Meteor¡¯s atmospheric entry generated intense frictional heat, igniting the surrounding forest. The high oxygen levels in the air further fueled the flames, which spread rapidly with the help of the wind and shockwave.


    Fire spread quickly across the forest, carrying embers far and wide.

 Chapter 190: A New Ecosystem

    The surface temperature of the Great Dawn Planet remained around 50 degrees Celsius year-round. Combined with its oxygen-rich atmosphere, fires were likely a common occurrence.


    The flora had evolved advanced fire-resistant systems. Those that hadn¡¯t adapted had already been eliminated by time.


    Thus, although the fire caused by the Swarm Meteors appeared overwhelming, with flames towering high and an intimidating presence, it didn¡¯t burn much. The dark red trunks and fiery red branches valiantly resisted the blaze, secreting copious amounts of water to avoid ignition.


    Soon, after consuming the dried leaves and branches mixed in the soil, the fire began to lose momentum, eventually dwindling and extinguishing.


    In the end, aside from a few severed and ignited trees, most of the forest withstood the blaze.


    Hours later, the forest had only gained a small patch of charred ground. The usual sounds of life returned among the trees.


    At this point, the Fungal Carpet had fully absorbed the contents of the Spore Capsule. From the crater left by the meteor, a purplish-gray mass emerged.


    Earlier, during close-range observations in space, the Swarm had confirmed that the Great Dawn Planet¡¯s orbit showed no signs of artificial constructs. Furthermore, while passing through the atmosphere and surveying thousands of kilometers of surface terrain, no evidence of advanced civilizations was found.


    A subsequent data analysis reaffirmed that the Great Dawn Planet lacked any traces of advanced civilizations.


    Additionally, Great Dawn Planet¡¯s atmosphere filtered out significant amounts of harmful radiation, sparing the Fungal Carpet from the need to build magnetic field generators for self-protection.


    Under such favorable conditions, the Fungal Carpet began growing recklessly, no longer needing to hold back.


    Amidst the dark red and fiery tones of the landscape, an incongruous purplish-gray hue began to spread.


    Days later, in an underground cavern, the Brood Queen¡¯s egg had grown to a size of three meters. Although it was still relatively small, under Sarah Kerrigan¡¯s orders, it cracked open prematurely.


    The forest harbored many dangerous creatures. Coupled with the oxygen-rich environment, the fauna here grew to massive sizes.


    For instance, a species resembling short-haired monkeys typically grew over two meters in adulthood. Their agile figures leaped effortlessly between towering trees, their long, powerful arms easily grabbing branches and vines.


    Their fiery red fur allowed them to blend seamlessly into the similarly colored forest.


    Moreover, these large monkeys were highly curious.


    While most creatures had fled in terror following the Swarm Meteor¡¯s impact, too frightened to return, these monkeys, driven by curiosity, came in groups only two days later, emitting strange calls as they approached the Fungal Carpet.


    They were intensely curious about the purplish-gray Fungal Carpet in the crater. The monkeys tested it with various methods¡ªthrowing sticks and stones. Finding no immediate danger, they eventually began tearing at and biting into the carpet.


    Though tender and nutrient-rich, the Fungal Carpet contained toxins, albeit only mildly poisonous.


    However, these alien toxins inflicted severe consequences on the native monkeys.


    Within minutes, the monkeys that consumed parts of the Fungal Carpet began showing adverse reactions such as bloating, nausea, and vomiting.


    Several gluttonous monkeys succumbed to their ailments within a dozen hours, while the others were left utterly drained by the ordeal.


    Two days later, the monkeys recovered. Fueled by a strong sense of vengeance, they launched frenzied attacks on the Fungal Carpet.


    Without additional modules, the Fungal Carpet only possessed its innate weak toxins and lacked other defensive mechanisms. It could only endure the monkeys¡¯ assault. Fortunately, while they destroyed the surface layer, they were powerless against its subterranean portions.


    Observing covertly, Luo Wen shook his head. ¡°Sarah is still too inexperienced. If it were me, I wouldn¡¯t dare to expand the Fungal Carpet so boldly without amassing a thousand troops underground first.¡±


    However, he refrained from intervening. Some lessons were best learned through failure. As the Swarm¡¯s territory expanded, he wouldn¡¯t be able to handle everything personally. It was crucial to nurture capable subordinates.


    Sarah faced a significant setback in her first practical mission. Consequently, the three-meter-tall Brood Queen was deployed prematurely.


    The Fungal Carpet began channeling maximum nutrients into it. While developing itself, the Brood Queen also diverted energy to produce additional eggs. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Swarm Meteor carrying this Brood Queen was among the earliest launched, having spent over a century in space. Its genetic library was severely outdated.


    It lacked advanced electromagnetic propulsion systems and bio-ship templates, not even equipped with hydrogen-oxygen propulsion devices. Apart from basic ecological circulation systems and radiation shields, most of its genetic makeup came from primitive lifeforms of the Genesis Planet.


    Yet, these genes represented billions of years of evolution on a single planet. Even as the Swarm advanced into the space age, many of these genes remained in use.


    Back when Luo Wen was hiding in the ocean and secretly guiding the Ratfolk civilization over centuries, he had plenty of idle time. Without games to distract him, he entertained himself by creating biological templates.


    Sadly, these templates never saw the light of day, as the Swarm quickly advanced beyond their scope, rendering them obsolete.


    Perhaps fate had other plans. An unknown higher-dimensional force gave these templates a second chance to shine.


    While insignificant in the vastness of space, they seemed more than sufficient to handle the primitive creatures on the Great Dawn Planet.


    Although Luo Wen had boasted during games with Sarah about the superiority of his creations, her actual experience proved frustrating. The selection of templates was too limited. It wasn¡¯t that Luo Wen hadn¡¯t created enough but that his designs were tailored for the Genesis Planet. These creatures excelled in that environment but were ill-suited for Great Dawn Planet¡¯s challenges.


    With surface temperatures averaging 50 degrees Celsius, the conditions didn¡¯t bother the current Swarm. But for Luo Wen back then, such an environment was extreme.


    Although he had considered scenarios requiring templates for high and low temperatures and had created some for these conditions, their proportion was minimal.


    After thorough analysis, Sarah and her advisors determined that the available templates could manage the current situation. Luo Wen¡¯s designs often featured integrated unit systems, ensuring that even with limited numbers, each unit type complemented the others.


    Learning from her rashness, Sarah decided to proceed cautiously. Days later, flying insects emerged from underground caves, dispersing in all directions.

 Chapter 191: The Beginnings of a Base

    The shells of these reconnaissance Flying Bugs were dark red, incorporating genetic material from the ecosystem of deep-sea volcanic zones, granting them exceptional heat resistance. While their shells provided excellent natural camouflage, their status as reconnaissance units meant optical stealth systems were standard.


    As they flew, they seamlessly blended into their surroundings, vanishing from sight.


    These bugs were larger than standard template insects, with body lengths reaching over 20 centimeters. Their increased size allowed for the installation of more reconnaissance modules. Each possessed eight eyes, arranged in four pairs around their heads.


    Each pair served a distinct function: high-resolution close-range vision, long-range ultra-wide-angle imaging, thermal imaging, and refracted light detection. This array enabled them to perceive nearly all visual information.


    Additionally, each bug had two pairs of cochlea. One pair received standard sound spectrum information, while the other processed ultrasonic feedback generated by wing vibrations colliding with objects.


    Given their uncertain working environments, their circulatory systems were fully enclosed. They housed miniature ecological circulation systems internally to supply energy. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Beneath their wing membranes, nanostructured anti-gravity pyramids reduced flight energy expenditure.


    Their only weakness was their vulnerability to strong winds. Their size, weight, and wing structure left them ill-suited to resist high winds. Fortunately, Great Dawn Planet¡¯s internal regions were relatively calm, with wind forces ranging from 3 to 5 on the Beaufort scale.


    These reconnaissance Flying Bugs quickly completed a survey of the surrounding area, relaying 3D terrain maps. Even the native creatures lurking in hidden corners were exposed by their echolocation systems.


    Numerous specialized Intelligent Entities focused on biological anatomy began analyzing the features of nearby creatures. The untouched native species revealed much through their forms¡ªdietary habits, aggressiveness, and preferred attack methods were often deducible from physical traits alone.


    For example, the large monkeys from before had long, slender arms with prominent musculature, indicating considerable strength. The muscle distribution suggested frequent use, and their joint structure implied a proficiency in sweeping and throwing attacks.


    Their long claws, flexible joints, and arm construction hinted at excellent climbing skills. Their robust hind limbs, habit of squatting, and spinal structure suggested poor running ability.


    This analysis suggested the monkeys¡¯ optimal territory was the upper branches near tree trunks, where they likely built their nests.


    Their canine teeth were diminished, but their incisors were sharp like guillotines, capable of cutting through highly resilient plant fibers. Their molars were equally well-developed for grinding food. This dental structure was a hallmark of omnivorous species, implying that the monkeys not only consumed the Fungal Carpet but could also handle meat.


    Other physical traits and their behavior revealed that this species was highly aggressive, often initiating attacks on other creatures.


    While some of this could already be inferred from the monkeys¡¯ previous attacks on the Fungal Carpet, the forest wasn¡¯t limited to them alone. Systematic analyses by the Intelligent Entities identified which species posed threats to base development. Such species would be targeted for elimination in the near future.


    From these investigations, it became clear that the large monkey group posed the greatest threat to the base¡¯s current development. Although they weren¡¯t the strongest or largest in size, other dangerous creatures were too far from the Fungal Carpet to pose an immediate concern.


    The monkey troop¡¯s proximity to the base, combined with their communal nature, volatile temperament, and the established hostility between the two sides, ensured continued conflict.


    Indeed, despite having destroyed the surface layer of the Fungal Carpet, the monkeys wouldn¡¯t let up. They regularly returned to inspect the area, much to Sarah Kerrigan¡¯s frustration as she monitored them constantly.


    Fortunately, after ten days, the Brood Queen had grown to a size of five meters, and the first batch of Spider Combat Bugs had hatched.


    These heat-resistant fiery red spiders measured 30 to 50 centimeters in length. They carried multiple toxins, had agile eight-segmented limbs, and were equipped with barbs, hooked claws, and impressive jumping abilities. Combined with dynamic vision and optical stealth, they were perfectly suited for combat in the forest¡¯s complex, multi-layered environment.


    The results spoke for themselves. Within days, the monkey troop, numbering over a hundred, had been reduced to a few survivors. Their short fur provided no defense against the piercing toxic barbs.


    Moreover, their reliance on visual detection was completely countered by the Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ optical stealth systems. While the monkeys were faster thanks to their size advantage, the Swarm¡¯s echolocation-based 3D mapping system ensured no escape unless the monkeys fled over 100 kilometers in one go. Coordinated assassinations prevented any such retreats.


    The combined forces of ground-based and specialized combat demonstrated the Swarm¡¯s battle prowess to the planet¡¯s native lifeforms. Creatures relying solely on instinct were no match for a systematic combat approach.


    As the Brood Queen continued to grow and the base expanded, the number of combat units surged, and the Swarm¡¯s territory began to expand at an alarming rate.


    The latest Swarm units had evolved to absorb radiation directly to sustain their vital systems. Comprising hybrid bio-plant structures, many of these new units lacked conventional digestive organs altogether, subsisting entirely on absorbed radiation.


    In contrast, older Swarm units still relied on ecological circulation systems, requiring complex energy conversions with lower efficiency.


    Nonetheless, even the older units were capable of surviving in space, their vital systems requiring only sunlight and minimal water to sustain activities for extended periods.


    This adaptability had drastically reduced the number of logistics-focused bugs in the Swarm. Resource collection tasks were now largely handled by the Fungal Carpet, leaving only a few Worker Drones responsible for hygiene and a handful of Burrower Ants tasked with base expansion.


    Looking back, when he played with ants in the mud, millions would march to battle, supported by three to four hundred million bugs handling logistics. Reflecting on those times left Luo Wen feeling a wave of nostalgia.


    The Spider Combat Bugs were a mainstay combat unit that Luo Wen had meticulously designed during the age of dinosaurs. Their practical effectiveness had been proven in countless battles. While they were weak in direct confrontations, this wasn¡¯t a duel¡ªit was warfare, and all strategies, no matter how underhanded, were fair game.


    Predatory and omnivorous creatures often prioritized attack power over defense, making them poorly equipped to handle hidden assassins. Against such adversaries, they were utterly defenseless.

 Chapter 192: Creatures from the Great Dawn Planet (1)

    There was, however, one species that caused significant trouble for the Swarm.


    This species resembled bats, with sturdy wing membranes spanning 2 to 5 meters. Their bald heads and ferocious, grotesque appearances were reminiscent of the mythical gargoyles.


    They lacked vision and were strictly nocturnal. They detected prey through thermal sensors and used echolocation generated by ultrasonic vibrations in their bones during flight.


    These capabilities effectively countered the Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ optical stealth systems. Coupled with their size advantage, the bats inflicted substantial casualties on the Spider Combat Bugs.


    Sarah Kerrigan ordered the Flying Bugs to locate their roosts, hoping to strike their nests during the day. However, the reconnaissance revealed that the bats sheltered in dark caves during daylight hours, where many remained active and alert.


    The caves were so silent that even the faintest sounds made by Spider Combat Bugs walking along the cave walls would alert the bats. Thus, the plan for a daytime ambush was abandoned before it even began.


    However, through further observation, the Intelligent Entities discovered a critical weakness in the bats: they struggled to differentiate friend from foe. Lacking vision, they relied solely on thermal sensors and echolocation for targeting, which proved problematic.


    During their nighttime hunts, the bats secreted a unique toxin that numbed pain but made them exceedingly aggressive. When they encountered one another mid-hunt, they often couldn¡¯t control their tempers, leading to frequent clashes even after realizing they were fighting their own kind.


    By day, the bats adhered to a different pattern: only one or two would attack intruders entering their caves, while the rest remained still. A single Spider Combat Bug sent into the cave during an earlier reconnaissance had resisted briefly before being torn apart, which initially masked this behavior. Despite the delayed discovery, this information proved invaluable.


    The next day, while the bats rested in their lair, a swarm of Flying Bugs invaded the cave. Mimicking the bats¡¯ ultrasonic frequencies, they caused chaos.


    Many bats awoke, confused and agitated. Those already awake grew increasingly irritable. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instinct, however, does not equate to intelligence. When the ultrasonic signals reverberated wildly through the cave, disrupting their echolocation, the bats abandoned their typical rule of limited flight responses.


    A massive swarm of bats took to the air, attacking the Flying Bugs. Some of the bugs were instantly shredded, but the survivors continued deeper into the cave, emitting more ultrasonic signals.


    As more bats took flight, the confined cave space descended into chaos. Each bat¡¯s flight triggered ultrasonic vibrations, which ricocheted throughout the cave. The overlapping waves rendered their echolocation systems useless, forcing them to rely solely on thermal detection.


    But the Flying Bugs, small and emitting negligible heat, effectively became invisible. The bats instead detected their fellow creatures, and the incessant ultrasonic noise drove them into a frenzy.


    Their toxin production accelerated, eroding what little rationality they had. Soon, one bat attacked another. Within moments, more joined the fray.


    A few bats managed to escape the cave, but most remained trapped in a violent melee. Hours later, with the bats severely weakened or dead, the Spider Combat Bugs entered to finish the job.


    The bats that escaped were intercepted by the Swarm, which had the capability to eliminate them but chose not to.


    This decision wasn¡¯t out of mercy. Luo Wen¡¯s main body was still about 20 years away from arriving. Though these creatures¡¯ genes held limited practical value for the Swarm, Luo Wen had a compulsive habit from his gaming days: an obsession with collecting.


    Since the Swarm¡¯s genetic database had no capacity limits and these genetic samples were easily obtainable, Luo Wen decided it was worth preserving them.


    The will of Luo Wen was the will of the Swarm. Even if Sarah and the Intelligent Entities had reservations, they executed his orders without hesitation. As a result, the Swarm focused on driving off aggressive species rather than eradicating them.


    Herbivores near the base were left alone as long as they didn¡¯t consume the Fungal Carpet. After all, their carbohydrate-based bodies yielded less energy than the Fungal Carpet could extract from the ground through chemical synthesis.


    After surviving its initial vulnerable phase, the base quickly established itself in the forest. As combat units increased, the Swarm¡¯s territory expanded rapidly.


    Under the army¡¯s protection, the Fungal Carpet spread at an astonishing rate. After several encounters, the forest creatures recognized it as an invincible force. Reluctantly, they abandoned their ancestral homes and migrated elsewhere.


    Though the Swarm had only explored a small part of Great Dawn Planet, the lack of formidable native species was evident. The Visit Team relaxed, no longer needing reinforcements.


    The next two Swarm Meteors did not land on Great Dawn Planet for support. Instead, under Sarah¡¯s guidance, they waited in orbit around neighboring planets.


    The Neighboring Star System only had the Great Dawn Planet as a habitable world, where older-generation Swarm units still had a role. Other planets were barren, lacking atmospheres, and any bases built there would likely need to be dismantled and recycled once Luo Wen¡¯s main body arrived. It was more efficient to wait.


    On Great Dawn Planet, the red forest had been completely overtaken by the Swarm. The ground turned purplish-gray, and the native fauna vanished, forced to retreat far away. The fiery red trees, though still thriving, were immobile and became the Swarm¡¯s reserve food supply, ready for harvest at any time.


    With abundant resources, larger creatures began production. Months later, 200 Storm Gods took to the skies. This deployment was a precaution after witnessing large aerial creatures during the Swarm Meteor¡¯s descent.


    Having learned from the monkey debacle, Sarah approached aerial exploration cautiously. But with 200 Storm Gods, a top-tier species that had once dominated the skies of the Genesis Planet, she was confident they could handle any challenges posed by the planet¡¯s native aerial species.

 Chapter 193: Creatures from the Great Dawn Planet (2)

    The Storm Gods, with their 20-meter wingspans, were ill-suited for maneuvering within the forest. Their domain was the sky above the treetops.


    Upon taking flight, the Storm Gods quickly noticed distant figures circling in the sky. They regrouped into formation and flew toward the unidentified creatures. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As they approached, the true forms of these figures gradually came into focus. The creatures resembled large birds.


    Perhaps due to the intense heat of the Great Dawn Planet, many creatures here lacked head fur to aid in cooling. The monkeys were bald, the bats were bald, and even these large birds were bald.


    Their elongated necks made them look like oversized vultures, magnified dozens of times.


    Though slightly smaller than the Storm Gods, with wingspans of around 15 meters, their robust bodies suggested a heftier weight. Their sharp beaks and massive talons gave them an intimidating combat appearance.


    Soon, these giant birds noticed the approaching Storm Gods. A confrontation between two planetary aerial dominators seemed imminent.


    However, the ensuing events deviated from expectations.


    After emitting a series of sharp cries, the giant birds flapped their wings vigorously and fled.


    Luo Wen, observing from the shadows, found the scene amusing. The formidable Storm Gods, with their 20-meter wingspans, darkened the sky with their sheer numbers. The opposing flock, smaller in size and numbering only about a dozen, had no choice but to retreat when faced with such overwhelming odds.


    Sarah Kerrigan quickly understood the issue. The Storm Gods split into smaller groups, dispersing in various directions. If battle was temporarily off the table, gathering intelligence became the priority.


    By the next day, a basic topographical map of the continent was laid out before Sarah.


    Beyond the forest stretched an expansive plain¡ªa grassland of interwoven red and green hues, dotted with sporadic massive trees.


    The forest occupied a small patch in the lower-left corner of the continent. The grassland spanned the rest, its edges bordered by the ocean.


    The lush grassland supported a greater abundance of life, much of it concealed by vegetation averaging over two meters tall. Without the echolocation systems of the Flying Bugs, many creatures would have been challenging to spot.


    Amid the thriving biodiversity, several large species stood out.


    One particularly striking species, codenamed ¡°Bull Demons,¡± resembled water buffalo. They measured 15 meters in length and stood 7 to 8 meters tall. Their backs arched high, adorned with sturdy bony spikes along their tops and sides. Their heads bore two pairs of thick, curved horns.


    With densely packed muscle and massive bodies weighing over a hundred tons, their short, thick limbs bore tremendous weight. These allowed for limited agility, enabling them to swing their heads and horns effectively. However, they were incapable of running, moving only at a slow shuffle.


    These herbivorous behemoths relied on their formidable defenses, akin to walking fortresses on the grassland.


    The challenge of sustaining such massive bodies with plant-based energy alone meant that Bull Demons spent their lives in an endless cycle of eating. They continued eating until they could no longer consume enough to sustain themselves, ultimately succumbing to starvation and becoming a feast for the grassland¡¯s carnivores.


    Watching the seemingly endless supply of fresh grass around the Bull Demons, Luo Wen mused that only such an extraordinary environment could give rise to these creatures.


    Another notable species, dubbed the ¡°Great Dawn Giant Lizard,¡± bore a resemblance to crocodiles. Adults reached 20 meters in length and were covered in keratinous scales. Their heads, a hybrid of bird and demon, were sharp and elongated. Unlike the flat mouths of demons, their snouts resembled cones.


    Their tongues were long, slender, and highly flexible, capable of lashing out nearly 50 meters to snatch smaller prey. Unlike crocodiles, their more slender bodies and longer limbs allowed for greater agility. They could not only crawl quickly but also leap short distances.


    These creatures were relatively rare, typically inhabiting rivers and swamps. They primarily hunted Bull Demons, one of which could sustain a Giant Lizard for an extended period. Occasionally, they preyed on smaller creatures for variety.


    Most remarkable, however, was the true ruler of the grassland: a species codenamed ¡°Feral Direwolves.¡±


    Though called wolves, they bore a greater resemblance to smaller Tyrannosaurs from the Genesis Planet. Their heads resembled those of birds but featured carnivorous dinosaur-like mouths filled with sharp teeth. Their jaw structures suggested immense biting power.


    With slightly arched backs covered in coarse, spiny fur, their slim waists, powerful legs, and lizard-like tails were optimized for running and leaping.


    Unlike Tyrannosaurs, the Direwolves had unique forelimbs. Though they primarily relied on their hind legs for movement, their forelimbs were long and slender, resembling those of primates. These limbs were capable of delivering powerful strikes, ending in sharp claws for added lethality.


    Direwolves lived in packs ranging from 50 to tens of thousands, spread throughout the grasslands. Like biological harvesters, they consumed vast swathes of life. At the same time, they demonstrated an awareness of ecological balance. While they couldn¡¯t domesticate prey, they reduced predator numbers to sustain their food sources.


    Despite their size¡ªranging from 2 to 5 meters¡ªpack tactics and coordinated strategies ensured even the Giant Lizards avoided provoking them lightly.


    However, Direwolves¡¯ recognition of kin extended only to their own packs. When two packs encountered each other, battles were inevitable. The larger pack annihilated the smaller, while evenly matched groups fought until half their members perished.


    This behavior might well have been a method of controlling predator populations.


    Other species on the grassland were deemed unremarkable, unworthy of detailed mention.


    Initially, the Intelligent Entities had planned to remain confined to the forest, waiting for Luo Wen¡¯s main body to arrive. While species like the Bull Demons, Giant Lizards, and Direwolves seemed formidable, they would be no match once the Brood Queen updated its genetic library.


    For now, preserving these species for their genetic material took precedence. The Swarm avoided causing excessive damage to their habitats.

 Chapter 194: Training Grounds

    The spread of the Fungal Carpet caused severe disruption to native ecosystems. If it expanded beyond the forest into the vast grasslands, the once-green expanse would soon turn purplish-gray. Most plants would vanish, harvested as nutrients for storage.


    Under such circumstances, even without the Swarm actively targeting the native creatures, they would inevitably be displaced, just as the forest¡¯s ecosystem had been. With the Fungal Carpet¡¯s continued expansion, their habitat would shrink until extinction became a certainty¡ªan outcome Luo Wen wished to avoid.


    Under the directive of the Swarm Overlord, the Swarm halted its aggressive territorial expansion, redirecting its focus to stockpiling resources.


    Instead of pressing into the grasslands, the Fungal Carpet began to extend toward the ocean floor along the coastlines.


    Meanwhile, to provide Sarah Kerrigan with combat experience, the Swarm organized skirmishes targeting carnivorous species.


    The encounter with the predatory bats on Great Dawn Planet had revealed a critical weakness: the bats¡¯ capabilities effectively countered the Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ optical stealth.


    Reflecting on potential future opponents¡ªpossibly spacefaring civilizations with access to similar bionic technologies¡ªit became evident that assassin units might face limited utility. Confrontations would likely rely on direct engagements.


    The current Brood Queen¡¯s production rate was painfully slow, particularly given its underdeveloped state. It took Sarah a full year to assemble a usable force.


    The new combat unit was based on a medium predator from the dinosaur era, considered an ancestor of both wolves and dogs.


    These creatures resembled ferocious giant wolves, measuring over two meters in length and standing more than a meter tall at the shoulder. Surviving among dinosaurs required at least one exceptional trait.


    Their endurance was remarkable, allowing them to sustain speeds of 60 kilometers per hour for over 30 minutes. If not for their inefficient cooling systems, they could have run for hours.


    On top of this template, Luo Wen integrated feline genetics, granting them explosive power. They could sprint at up to 90 kilometers per hour over short distances. The feline genes also enhanced their agility and jumping ability. Their forelimb claws became sharp and curved like a cat¡¯s, complementing the canine jaw structure, making their strikes and bites highly lethal.


    However, their hind limb structure¡ªmore canine than feline¡ªrendered them poor climbers. Fortunately, the open grasslands suited their capabilities perfectly.


    Their sensory abilities were exceptional. They possessed keen dynamic vision and heightened reflexes from feline genes, allowing them to anticipate enemy moves. Their olfactory cells numbered over 200 million, granting them the ability to detect tens of thousands of distinct scents, while their auditory faculties combined the strengths of both canine and feline biology. Though not as refined as echolocation, their hearing enabled precise sound discrimination in complex environments.


    Named Terror Wolves, these units were built almost entirely from biological tissue. Designed to adapt to diverse alien environments, they featured sealed internal systems with self-contained ecological circulation.


    While cost-efficient due to their lack of advanced technology, their large size necessitated massive initial eggs, resulting in slow production rates. After much effort, Sarah finally amassed a force of 10,000.


    With her forces ready, Sarah used reconnaissance from high-altitude Storm Gods and low-altitude Flying Bugs to identify a target.


    The chosen target was a pack of over 5,000 Feral Direwolves, one of the strongest predator clans on the grassland. Occupying hunting grounds spanning millions of hectares, they thrived largely due to the abundance of Bull Demons¡ªa vital food source.


    The Terror Wolves, numbering in the thousands, raced across the grasslands. Though concealed by the tall grass, the thunderous pounding of their paws echoed from all directions, striking fear into the hearts of nearby creatures, which quickly fled.


    One Great Dawn Giant Lizard, unwilling to back down, blocked their path.


    At over 20 meters long, the Giant Lizard posed a formidable challenge for the Terror Wolves. Their claws and teeth struggled to penetrate its robust defense, while its casual tail swings and head shakes inflicted significant casualties.


    Eventually, sheer numbers overwhelmed the lizard, which was torn apart¡ªbut at the cost of over 100 Terror Wolves. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While the losses were significant, the 10,000 Terror Wolves were primarily intended as Sarah¡¯s practice units, expendable if necessary.


    This campaign did not escape Luo Wen¡¯s attention.


    Future wars would not be confined to space. Planetary invasions and suppression of resistance would require extensive ground forces.


    Alongside assassin units like Spider Combat Bugs, the Swarm needed robust combat units capable of direct confrontation. Practical engagements provided critical data to refine these units and identify weaknesses.


    The battle with the Giant Lizard highlighted a glaring issue: insufficient attack power. Facing heavily armored foes¡ªor potential future enemies like large mechanical units¡ªrelying solely on teeth and claws would be ineffective. Luo Wen contemplated equipping main combat units with cutting or piercing weapons to address this shortfall.


    The Terror Wolf army continued its advance, eventually encountering the Direwolf pack. Despite their shared lupine names, the two species were unrelated.


    There were no pre-battle taunts. Both sides charged headlong into a brutal melee.


    The spectacle bored Luo Wen.


    While smaller than the Direwolves, the Terror Wolves, with their hybrid genetic advantages, excelled against enemies only slightly larger than themselves. The two sides clashed with ferocity¡ªpouncing, biting, and tearing at each other. Blood and flesh flew as casualties mounted rapidly.


    However, this exercise was intended to train coordinated tactics. When the battle reached a stalemate, Sarah called for air support.


    Over a hundred Storm Gods arrived overhead, releasing thousands of Flying Kamikaze Bugs.


    Originally designed as air-to-air bio-missiles for exterminating pterosaurs, these units had been repurposed for ground targets. Recent technological upgrades significantly improved their accuracy.


    With a series of piercing whistles, the Kamikaze Bugs struck, wiping out half of the Direwolf pack in moments. Primitive creatures like these had no defense against such coordinated air-ground assaults.


    Massive casualties among their kin had not deterred the Direwolves¡ªdeath was commonplace on the grasslands. But the screeching whistle of the missiles instilled sheer terror. Driven by fear, they scattered, turning a pitched battle into a chaotic pursuit.


    Agonized howls echoed across the plains.

 Chapter 195: The Behemoth

    Luo Wen no longer paid attention to the situation. Terror Wolves were effective in combat against smaller or similarly-sized foes, or even slightly larger enemies.


    With some further modifications when time allowed, they could serve as a main combat unit.


    But for now, he had no time to indulge in creating new units, because the Swarm¡¯s scouting units in the ocean had discovered an extraordinary entity.


    Although the Great Dawn Planet had five continents, its oceans covered several times the land area. So, when the Swarm¡¯s influence reached the coasts, the exploration of the oceans began immediately.


    The Swarm hatched several scout units in the ocean, modeled after the Odd-Headed Fish. However, with only one Brood Queen, the production of these scouts was limited to just over 3,000 due to the need to prioritize essential units and also the eggs of Terror Wolves.


    [T/N: Odd-Headed Fish was previously translated as Monster Headed Fish.]


    Since the Brood Queen was immobile for now, the eggs were transported to the coast by the Storm God after hatching inland. Fortunately, several fungal carpet seeds had been planted in advance along the coastline, ensuring their early supply lines.


    Thousands of Odd-Headed Fish released into the ocean were but a drop in the bucket. Their numbers were insufficient for thorough reconnaissance, providing only a rudimentary survey of the ocean¡¯s environment and species. A detailed exploration would have to wait until Luo Wen¡¯s main body arrived, establishing a Brood Nest and bolstering the ranks of the Brood Queens.


    The marine ecosystem of Great Dawn Planet was peculiar. Along the coastal forests, the shallow seas seemed relatively normal, home to small-sized organisms.


    But the shallow waters near the grassland regions were different. Odd-Headed Fish discovered a massive, octopus-like creature a few dozen meters offshore.


    These creatures measured an astonishing 30 to 40 meters in length. Their tentacle count wasn¡¯t limited to eight but hovered around ten. Based on prior experience, such enormous beings shouldn¡¯t be able to find enough food in the shallow seas.


    This observation held true to some extent. However, these colossal octopuses had developed a unique solution: their robust tentacles enabled them to hoist their bodies ashore to hunt.


    Through the perspective of a scouting flying bug, Luo Wen witnessed one of these octopuses crawl onto land and drag a Bull Demon back into the water.


    Despite the Bull Demon¡¯s formidable defenses, they seemed useless against this predator, rendering it a mere source of meat. It wasn¡¯t just land creatures; even marine organisms forcibly integrated the Bull Demons into their diets.


    Luo Wen wondered about the design of the octopus template¡ªwhy was it so universally favored? It seemed that regardless of the planet, atmospheric and aquatic creatures were particularly inclined toward this form.


    Yet, from Luo Wen¡¯s extensive knowledge, these giant octopuses didn¡¯t yet qualify as ¡°extraordinary.¡±


    That title belonged to another creature¡ªone that treated these octopuses as mere playthings.


    A colossal shadow emerged from the deep sea, resembling a small island rising from the depths. The shadow spanned about 100 meters in length, with a pointed head, a massive and rotund body, sturdy limbs, and a long tail. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This behemoth had been slumbering approximately 2,000 meters below the ocean¡¯s surface. How long it had slept was unknown, as its body was entirely concealed beneath layers of rock and coral, making it appear lifeless.


    Odd-Headed Fish had passed the area multiple times, detecting faint radioactive emissions but no signs of life. Intelligent Entities hypothesized the presence of high-energy minerals.


    Such minerals were highly prized by the Swarm. Once harvested and stored in the embryonic chambers of bio-ships, they significantly accelerated growth, with the rate of development varying depending on the mineral¡¯s radiation level, but at least two to three times faster than sunlight exposure.


    Upon detecting this potential mineral site, the Swarm transported a fungal carpet seed and hundreds of Worker Drones to the location. The fungal carpet¡¯s robust roots penetrated the ground, secreting lichen liquid to dissolve the rock and coral, gradually extending toward the radiation source.


    The roots eventually reached a peculiar, scale-like fossil, though it felt no different from ordinary rock. The fungal carpet, lacking intelligence, ignored this anomaly. However, the Listeners monitoring the Swarm Network noticed the irregularity and reported it.


    Despite its novelty, the Visit team¡¯s Intelligent Entities had not yet made sense of it when the area suddenly displayed signs of life.


    The bio-signatures grew increasingly intense. The ground trembled, and masses of rock and coral were lifted and scattered as a gargantuan creature emerged from the radiation source.


    Its head was seven to eight meters long, six meters wide, and five meters high¡ªlarge, yet small compared to its 100-meter-tall frame.


    Its neck was exceptionally thick, almost the size of its head, giving the impression of a face and eyes embedded in its throat.


    The neck featured prominent gill-like structures, and its muscular body was covered in coarse, hard keratinous scales. Its robust forelimbs appeared incredibly powerful, with four massive claws nearly the size of its head that could flexibly grip and release.


    The creature¡¯s immense body, verging on obesity, was supported by disproportionately thick hind limbs, making its forelimbs appear relatively short.


    A long tail extended nearly 100 meters, equal to its height, while sharp dorsal fins lined its back, glowing faintly blue since its awakening.


    When the monster rose, Luo Wen¡¯s attention shifted entirely from Sarah¡¯s game. The Visi¡± team¡¯s Intelligent Entities exclaimed in disbelief, declaring the sight ¡°scientifically impossible.¡±


    Luo Wen scoffed inwardly. They held meetings inside the pinnacle of ¡°scientific impossibility¡± and yet judged others. Still, the monster indeed defied conventional understanding.


    Judging from its appearance, surface structure, musculature, and the water currents and geological shifts it caused, its body mass likely reached tens of thousands of tons.


    Within the Swarm¡¯s technological framework, it was inconceivable how such a massive creature could sustain itself. While bio-ships surpassed this monster in size, most of their structure consisted of ultra-light aerogel materials.


    It would take over a thousand similarly-sized bio-ships to match the weight of this single behemoth.


    But that was a good thing¡ªunknowns represented opportunities for advancement. When Luo Wen¡¯s main body arrived, uncovering its secrets would be as simple as taking a few bites, leaving no mysteries unsolved.


    Still, why did this creature¡¯s design feel so strangely familiar?

 Chapter 196: The Breath

    The monster, its slumber interrupted, awoke with a foul temper. Coupled with what seemed to be an inherently violent disposition, it began venting its frustration the moment its bodily senses returned.


    Due to its corpulent physique, bending over was impossible for the creature. Instead, it utilized its tail. With a swift motion, the tail whipped through the water at a speed exceeding 1,000 kilometers per hour.


    The tail¡¯s sheer force created a cavitation effect in the water, and the purple-gray fungal carpet had no means of resistance. The fungal carpet and the ground it clung to were obliterated in a single strike.


    The monster followed up with several more attacks, churning the seabed into a cloud of silt and debris. Despite its overwhelming strength, however, the creature¡¯s assault had little effect on the fungal roots that had already extended tens of meters underground.


    After a brief frenzy, the murky waters seemed to agitate the beast further. It paused momentarily and used some unknown means to sense the direction of land.


    Soon after, a massive shadow emerged from the depths, making its way toward shallower waters.


    Though the creature¡¯s body was tremendously heavy, it displayed an unexpected agility in swimming, employing what appeared to be a form of field propulsion. The blue light along its dorsal fin flashed rhythmically from top to bottom, generating a magnetic field to propel its body through the water.


    The Intelligent Entities speculated that the creature¡¯s unnatural body proportions might also be linked to this magnetic field.


    The monster quickly reached the shallows, where the massive octopuses scattered in panic. However, their speed was no match for the black-tech-powered monster.


    One of the giant octopuses was soon caught, becoming the monster¡¯s first victim. Despite its 30-meter length, the octopus was nothing more than a toy in the creature¡¯s claws.


    The octopus suctioned its tentacles onto the monster¡¯s arm, but the strength difference was laughable. With ease, the creature ripped off several tentacles and stuffed the octopus¡¯s main body into its maw, tearing it apart.


    Ink mixed with the octopus¡¯s bodily fluids dripped from the monster¡¯s sharp teeth. Curiously, it didn¡¯t eat its prey, instead discarding the lifeless carcass and moving on to chase the next octopus.


    The giant octopuses, unable to escape underwater, became easy targets. After two more were killed, they fled haphazardly toward land in desperation.


    The monster followed, drawing ever closer to the shore. As it approached, its massive body gradually emerged from the water. Soon, the seawater only reached its waist, and the level continued to drop rapidly. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Without the buoyancy of water, the monster¡¯s unique physiology allowed it to support its immense weight, though its movements became significantly slower.


    Each step it took sent tremors across the ground, akin to a minor earthquake or the detonation of hundreds of kilograms of TNT.


    Its slow march left deep, enduring footprints in its wake. Meanwhile, the land-bound octopuses, despite their aquatic nature, managed to outpace the lumbering behemoth. Driven by sheer survival instinct, they disappeared from the monster¡¯s view.


    The disappearance of its prey only exacerbated the monster¡¯s irritation.


    Coincidentally, Sarah¡¯s gaming area was just over ten kilometers from where the monster had made landfall.


    The monster¡¯s hearing seemed far more acute than its vision. The howls and growls of dueling wolves quickly drew its attention.


    However, given its sluggish pace on land, the battle would likely conclude long before the monster arrived at the scene.


    The beast seemed to understand this, its frustration mounting as its slow speed thwarted its curiosity.


    Suddenly, the blue light along its dorsal fin began emitting a low humming noise, and a magnetic field enveloped its massive form. Its immense belly started glowing faintly red.


    ¡°Wooo~~~ woooo~~ woo~ woooooo,¡± the hum grew louder and faster. As the noise reached a crescendo, the monster locked onto the direction of the sound, opened its gaping maw, and the red glow surged upward from its abdomen.


    A beam of red energy shot forth from its mouth, traveling over ten kilometers to the battlefield.


    Though much of the energy dissipated during its journey, it still managed to detonate into a mushroom cloud upon impact.


    ¡°Atomic breath? Thermonuclear breath? God¡­ Godzilla?¡±


    Luo Wen finally realized why the creature¡¯s design felt so familiar. It bore a striking resemblance to Godzilla. Although it couldn¡¯t possibly be the real thing, the resemblance was uncanny.


    Far away, aboard a drifting mechanical spaceship in outer space, a pale-blue humanoid being emerged from a stasis pod.


    The extended slumber had left his body weak and his mind groggy. He shook his head slightly and glanced at the timer beside the pod.


    ¡°Celia, there are still over ten years until our destination. Why have I been awakened early? Has something happened?¡±


    ¡°Captain, the monitoring instruments have once again detected a fusion reaction on Planet T853. Due to our closer proximity, the detection is exceptionally clear. This is confirmed to be non-natural in origin,¡± replied a mechanical female voice.


    ¡°Non-natural, then it¡¯s artificial? It¡¯s been over fifty years¡­ I didn¡¯t expect the Academy¡¯s hypotheses to be accurate after all. An emerging civilization, perhaps? Ha!¡± The captain chuckled wryly. Once ostracized and assigned to this perilous mission as a form of exile, his fortunes now seemed to be turning.


    If he truly discovered an intelligent civilization on T853, the wealth it would generate would be astronomical. As the captain of the exploratory vessel, his name would be etched into Riken history.


    Shaking his head to clear the residual effects of stasis, he exhaled deeply and addressed the empty room. ¡°Celia, which team is currently on duty?¡±


    ¡°Captain, the third navigation team is currently handling duties. They are en route and will arrive in approximately 51 seconds,¡± the mechanical voice responded.


    ¡°Good. Awaken the fourth navigation team, the first and second research teams, and the captain and vice-captain of the guard unit. Notify them to gather in the conference room in two hours,¡± the captain ordered after a moment¡¯s thought.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Celia replied before falling silent.


    Moments later, after a series of verification sounds, the room¡¯s doors slid open, and several pale-blue humanoids in yellow-and-white uniforms entered.


    ¡°Captain Reggie, you¡¯ve awakened. I assume you¡¯ve received Celia¡¯s briefing. What are your next orders?¡± asked the lead humanoid.


    ¡°Lieutenant Frick, let this old man recover first,¡± Captain Reggie said, still regaining his strength. After a deep breath, he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve already instructed Celia to wake the others. We¡¯ll discuss further in two hours during the meeting. For now, can you tell me if anything unusual has happened during your team¡¯s watch?¡±


    ¡°Captain, the third navigation team took over from the second two years ago for a five-year rotation. Since then, operations have been smooth. Energy levels are at 76.1%, speed has been maintained at one-ninth light speed, and no abnormalities have been observed,¡± Frick promptly reported.


    ¡°Excellent. Frick, it seems you¡¯ve done well these past years. Now, let¡¯s wait for the others to wake,¡± Captain Reggie said with a faint smile.

 Chapter 197: The Meeting

    Two hours later, in the conference room at the bow of the spaceship, Captain Reggie, clad in a sleek uniform, surveyed the 20-odd crew members present.


    With a serious expression, he began, ¡°Everyone, apart from the first and second navigation teams and the security team, all other personnel are now gathered here. This marks the first time since our mission began that so many of us have been awakened at once. I believe you all already understand the reason for this emergency assembly.¡±


    After a brief pause, Captain Reggie continued, ¡°Over sixty years ago, our most advanced observation technology detected an anomalous energy burst on Planet T853 in the T85 star system. The news brought us both excitement and anxiety. We were thrilled because, amidst the vast cosmic sea, we are not alone. But we were also uneasy because we know nothing about the nature of these potential neighbors.¡±


    ¡°Judging by our own history, and considering that this is an entirely unknown species, we can imagine the range of possibilities. While a small minority called for peaceful coexistence, fortunately, most of us remained rational. That¡¯s why we initiated Operation Cat¡¯s Ear and built this very Cat¡¯s Ear spacecraft.¡±


    ¡°Over fifty years ago, each of you, elites among the Riken people, boarded this ship for various reasons to embark on a mission estimated to take about 130 years. Although most of your time has been spent in stasis, life for our loved ones on our home planet has continued to move forward.¡±


    His gaze swept across the room, where many crew members were lost in thought, their memories stirred. He continued, ¡°Even though the Riken people¡¯s lifespan has extended to over 300 years thanks to advances in genetic technology, and our homeworld¡¯s science and technology may have advanced further during our journey, things will inevitably have changed when we return. It will no longer be the world we left behind.¡±


    ¡°But if we succeed in this epic mission, wealth, power, and everything we¡¯ve sacrificed will be returned to us many times over.¡±


    Captain Reggie painted a grand vision for the crew, stirring their enthusiasm. The adrenaline of those just awakened began to surge as they imagined the future.


    Once he had lifted their spirits, he continued, ¡°After the initial energy burst observation, the Federation took this matter seriously and convened a team of nearly 10,000 experts across various fields. Their analysis concluded that the energy burst on Planet T853 was likely a small-scale nuclear explosion caused by intelligent beings.¡±


    ¡°While some speculated that the species might already possess advanced fusion technology that we had previously failed to detect, the consensus among most analysts was optimistic. Judging by the intensity and frequency of the bursts, it was inferred that the species was still in the early stages of studying fusion reactions.¡±


    ¡°Based on our own technological timeline, this placed their technological development roughly 300 years behind ours. Our mission, therefore, is to confirm this hypothesis.¡±


    ¡°However, after we departed, there were no further energy bursts observed from Planet T853. This was highly unusual. A civilization undergoing development invariably produces experimental anomalies that register abnormal energy signatures.¡±


    ¡°I have maintained communication with the homeworld after each awakening. Over time, as interest in the anomaly waned, some scholars even proposed that the initial energy burst was a rare natural phenomenon. The lack of subsequent bursts led to declining attention, and perhaps soon, we might have been completely forgotten.¡±


    The room, initially brimming with optimism, grew somber as Reggie revealed classified information. Only the captain and the ship¡¯s primary AI had access to such knowledge.


    ¡°But fate has smiled upon us. Recently, Planet T853 exhibited another energy burst. This time, at a closer range, our data collection was more comprehensive. We can now confirm that this is not a natural phenomenon¡ªit is artificial. If we seize this opportunity and uncover more information, the Riken people may gain an extraterrestrial colony, heralding a new chapter for our civilization. And every one of you here will be immortalized in history.¡±


    The room erupted into applause as the crew rose to their feet, energized by the captain¡¯s words.


    Reggie motioned for silence and continued, ¡°Before we celebrate prematurely, let us focus on our mission. Victory is within reach, but complacency is not an option.¡±


    The crew nodded solemnly. The examples of others who had failed at the final hurdle were fresh in their minds. Completing this mission would make them heroes of their civilization, granting them immunity to any future repercussions.


    ¡°Captain Reggie, should we transmit the collected data back to the homeworld?¡± someone inquired. Given the immense energy costs of interstellar communication, only the captain had the authority to decide.


    ¡°During the time before all of you were awakened, I instructed Celia to transmit the observed data to the homeworld. The homeworld should soon detect this anomaly as well and send us a response. However, considering our communication speed, it will take years for their message to reach us,¡± Reggie explained.


    The Riken people¡¯s communication relied on electromagnetic waves traveling at the speed of light. While delays were negligible within their home star system, interstellar communications faced significant latency.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear ship, the pinnacle of Riken technology fifty years ago, housed a range of facilities: observation rooms, communication rooms, the captain¡¯s quarters, command centers, rotational crew rooms, weapon bays, and various recreational areas including gyms, restaurants, baths, cinemas, and hospitals.


    Its weapons system, limited by its non-combat designation, comprised space torpedoes, close-defense cannons, two laser main guns, and multiple secondary guns. Its propulsion relied on massive solar sails crafted from ultra-thin, self-repairing imide resin, capable of gradually accelerating the ship to one-eighth the speed of light.


    Having traveled 4.3 light-years from their home star system, a one-way message took over four years to reach home. Round-trip communications now required about nine years due to their continued travel.


    ¡°Captain, what are our immediate tasks?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°We are currently 1.1 light-years from Planet T853. In five years, we will begin decelerating, requiring a total of 11 years to reach the planet. During this time, I want all of you to stay vigilant. Navigation teams three and four will merge, as will teams one and two, each rotating every three years. Research teams must maintain at least one active group. The security team will fully awaken in eight years for recuperative training. As for me, I will alternate six months of wakefulness with six months of stasis. Are there any questions?¡± Reggie outlined the tasks.


    ¡°Captain, no questions,¡± the crew replied in unison.


    Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 198: Big Brother Godzilla

    On the Great Dawn Planet¡ªknown to the Riken people as Planet T853¡ªLuo Wen remained completely unaware that a reconnaissance ship from another civilization had approached within one light-year of the Neighboring Star System.


    The Swarm¡¯s observational technologies were all based on Luo Wen¡¯s implementation of mature theories into biological frameworks. Early on, much of this knowledge came from the Ratfolk¡¯s theoretical systems. Only decades later, as more Intelligent Entities specialized in these fields, did the Swarm begin developing its own research methodologies.


    However, due to the guided technological development of the Ratfolk, their scientific advancements were heavily skewed, leaving them severely lacking in observational capabilities. Thus, despite the Genesis Star System being slightly closer to the Neighboring Star System than the Riken Star System, no energy signatures had ever been detected there.


    That is, until Luo Wen saw it firsthand through the perspective of a Scout Bug.


    ¡°Nuclear breath? Godzilla?¡±


    Luo Wen was stunned. This was utterly unscientific.


    Here, on this world, existed a creature strikingly similar to one from his memory.


    He promptly named the beast ¡°Godzilla.¡±


    After unleashing one long-range nuclear blast, Godzilla seemed unsatisfied. The blue glow along its dorsal fins, which had only just started to dim, began flickering faster again.


    The air filled once more with the intensifying hum.


    After about ten seconds, energy gathered, and Godzilla opened its maw to unleash another thermonuclear breath. Another mushroom cloud erupted several kilometers away.


    The twin mushroom clouds wiped out most of the Feral Direwolves and Terror Wolves. Only a few were thrown far enough by the blast wave to survive, but they were contaminated by nuclear radiation, their survival prospects uncertain.


    A year¡¯s worth of ¡°toys¡± painstakingly raised were decimated by two blasts of radioactive spit from an unknown creature. The enraged Ratfolk Empress nearly teleported to the scene to fight Godzilla herself. Naturally, Luo Wen stopped her from throwing her life away.


    This behemoth could not die yet. Such an existence, beyond the apex of the food chain, might not have a second counterpart on this planet. Luo Wen and the Intelligent Entities even suspected it was not a native species. With Luo Wen¡¯s primary body still about 20 years away from arrival, he needed Godzilla alive to keep the ¡°ingredients¡± fresh and their flavor intact.


    That said, a probing attack was necessary.


    Luo Wen doubted the current unit combinations of the Swarm on Great Dawn Planet could pose any meaningful threat to this heavily armored monstrosity. However, attacking it could still yield valuable data.


    The Storm Gods, having just returned to base to reload after their ¡°bombing run,¡± were now airborne again.


    Soon, over a hundred Storm Gods hovered above the beast, their 20-meter wingspans casting a massive shadow on the ground below. Godzilla sensed the anomaly above but, due to the design of its head and neck, found looking upward a challenge.


    After its two venting blasts, Godzilla¡¯s temper had calmed somewhat, but it was quickly riled up again.


    The beast¡¯s grotesque dorsal fins began flashing ominously, and the humming intensified. Godzilla strained to tilt its head upward, then unleashed another nuclear breath.


    The Storm Gods, having already dispersed and ascended as soon as Godzilla began its telltale pre-attack motions, mostly escaped the blast zone. Only a few unlucky ones were caught within the explosion, while the rest were merely blown far away by the shockwave, sustaining minimal damage.


    During Godzilla¡¯s attack interval, the Storm Gods regrouped and returned, each deploying Flying Kamikaze Bugs from their backs. This was currently the Swarm¡¯s most powerful offensive strategy on Great Dawn Planet.


    The sky filled with the distinctive whistling sound of the diving kamikaze units. While this sound struck terror into the Feral Direwolves, it did little to faze Godzilla.


    In an instant, the Flying Kamikaze Bugs detonated upon Godzilla¡¯s massive body, creating countless explosions. Yet, despite their formidable impact, the blasts failed to penetrate Godzilla¡¯s armor.


    The attack, however, pushed Godzilla into a berserk rage. It let out a deafening roar, and its dorsal fins seemed to transform into glowing blue crystals. The red light in its belly spread across its entire abdomen, nearly seeping through the gaps in its scales.


    Then, it unleashed a nuclear breath far more potent than its previous three. As Godzilla swung its head, the beam carved a fiery line across the sky.


    The resulting explosion caused catastrophic damage, far exceeding the earlier blasts. Many Storm Gods caught in the aftermath were reduced to ash. Seeing that even their most powerful attack couldn¡¯t harm Godzilla¡¯s armor, Luo Wen deemed further testing pointless.


    The Storm Gods, having completed their ¡°bombing mission,¡± began their retreat.


    Godzilla, too cumbersome to match their speed, could only vent its frustration by firing two more thermonuclear breaths in their direction.


    Finally, it surveyed its surroundings. The grassland, regardless of where its inhabitants ranked in the food chain, had fallen silent.


    The once vibrant plain was eerily still, save for the sound of the wind rustling through the grass. With no more targets, Godzilla vented two final nuclear blasts before retreating into the sea, swimming back toward the deep ocean.


    Watching Godzilla¡¯s massive form disappear, Luo Wen mused that he would have to wait until his main body arrived to deploy large Bio-ships. He refused to believe Godzilla¡¯s armor could withstand electromagnetic cannon fire.


    Even if it could resist the small calibers of Hawk-class ships, could it survive the firepower of Flying Dragon-class ships? And if those failed, what about the Megastructure-level weapons?


    For now, Luo Wen decided to let Godzilla roam freely for a few more years.


    All nearby Odd-Headed Fish were summoned to tail Godzilla, ensuring it was under constant surveillance.


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve detected another series of energy reactions on Planet T853. In just 30 minutes, there were six fusion reactions,¡± the mechanical voice of Celia suddenly announced.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Could an unknown civilization have initiated nuclear warfare? What kind of experiment would require such frequent nuclear detonations? Celia, summon all awake personnel to the conference room in 30 minutes,¡± Captain Reggie ordered with a frown.


    ¡°Understood, Captain.¡±


    The recently adjourned crew was quickly reassembled.


    ¡°Everyone, I apologize for the inconvenience, but the situation is urgent. Celia has briefed you on the general context. Now, let¡¯s hear your thoughts,¡± Captain Reggie said.


    ¡°Captain, with so little information, our best guess is that an unknown civilization is waging war. The frequency of fusion reactions suggests as much. However, if the conflict were quickly quelled, there might not be further detonations,¡± one Riken member suggested.


    ¡°Agreed. Given their presumed research progress, it¡¯s improbable they would require such frequent fusion reactions for experiments. Moreover, if they were conducting tests within laboratories or specialized equipment, we wouldn¡¯t detect such energy signatures. Only open-air detonations yield such precise data,¡± a researcher added. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°These repeated bursts likely indicate warfare. Combining this with earlier data, it seems the unknown civilization¡¯s fusion research has stagnated over the years. I suspect their technological progress lags far behind the timeline we initially estimated. Not every civilization is as exceptional as us Riken,¡± the researcher concluded smugly.


    His statement garnered widespread agreement, especially the last remark, which filled the crew with pride.


    Captain Reggie nodded, aligning with this conclusion. ¡°If this is true, all the better. Let us, the superior Riken people, guide this primitive civilization toward enlightenment.¡±


    The room erupted into applause.

 Chapter 199: The Discovery

    On Great Dawn Planet, the Swarm shifted its strategic focus to the oceans. The production of the Odd-Headed Fish scouting units skyrocketed, with Storm Gods tirelessly ferrying their eggs to the seas.


    Luo Wen intended to thoroughly survey the planet¡¯s oceans in the years leading up to his primary body¡¯s arrival. The appearance of Godzilla suggested the potential existence of other monsters, like a Skull Island kaiju or King Ghidorah.


    But as time passed, it became clear his fears were unfounded. Thanks to the low production cost and compact size of Odd-Headed Fish eggs, their numbers grew to hundreds of thousands.


    These marine scouts, working tirelessly, mapped the ocean floor. Whenever they detected anomalous radiation, a fungal carpet seed was sent to ¡°stir up trouble.¡±


    Unfortunately, they found no trace of monsters akin to Ghidorah¡ªor even a second Godzilla.


    Meanwhile, the continent where the Swarm¡¯s base was located had been thoroughly explored, along with the other four continents, thanks to large numbers of Scout Bugs ferried over by Storm Gods.


    These smaller, cheaper flying scouts worked diligently like their aquatic counterparts. Sadly, the land yielded no significant discoveries either¡ªaside from some large primates that fell woefully short of kaiju status.


    With her ¡°toys¡± annihilated by two nuclear breaths, Sarah could no longer train new units since the production sequences were filled with scout orders. Left with little to do, she turned her focus to monitoring Godzilla, waiting for Luo Wen¡¯s arrival. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Since its rampage years ago, Godzilla had returned to its resting place. It seemed to survive solely on radiation and only killed to vent its frustration.


    Having recently awakened, Godzilla appeared unable to resume hibernation immediately. Instead, it emerged periodically, seemingly holding a grudge against the purple-gray fungal carpet that had disturbed it. Each time it surfaced, it destroyed large patches of the carpet along the coastline.


    However, its rampages only damaged the surface layers of the fungal carpet. The roots remained mostly intact, allowing the carpet to regrow swiftly once Godzilla retreated.


    Luo Wen shifted his focus away from Great Dawn Planet, leaving the ¡°Visit¡± team to oversee operations. Confident no major issues would arise, he concentrated on self-improvement.


    As the pool of gene templates available for adaptation dwindled, the Swarm¡¯s technological advancements increasingly relied on Luo Wen¡¯s ingenuity. He needed to bolster his knowledge base to sustain progress.


    Life settled into a peaceful routine.


    Luo Wen assumed this calm would last until his primary body arrived on the Great Dawn Planet in over a decade. But an unexpected development disrupted all his plans.


    A previously lost Swarm Meteor suddenly reconnected to the network.


    During its initial flight, it had collided with a piece of space dust weighing only a few grams. Yet the high velocity of the collision caused severe damage to both sides.


    The dust disintegrated into finer particles, while the Swarm Meteor shattered into fragments.


    A larger spore capsule fragment decelerated and altered its trajectory, eventually captured by the gravitational pull of a passing comet.


    The comet consisted primarily of solid ice with a substantial amount of gaseous water on its surface. This provided the spore capsule with enough moisture to sustain its biological form.


    As the comet traveled, it entered the communication range of a secondary-generation Swarm Meteor launched later. The lost capsule, after decades of drifting, was finally reintegrated into the Swarm¡¯s network.


    Upon inspection, the spore capsule¡¯s Brood Queen egg was missing. However, the fungal carpet seed remained intact and functional. Unfortunately, the nearby Swarm Meteor relied on hydrogen-oxygen propulsion and was over a light-year away, making direct assistance impossible.


    Luo Wen decided to activate the fungal carpet seed, allowing it to establish itself on the comet. The spore capsule would remain concealed and act as a mobile surveillance unit and network node as the comet roamed through space.


    Initially, Luo Wen viewed this as a minor event, unworthy of further attention. But during a study break, curiosity prompted him to review the spore capsule¡¯s records, particularly the high-speed collision¡ªthe only instance where a Swarm unit had survived such an event.


    Though much of the spore capsule was gone, several observation devices remained operational. After considerable tinkering, Luo Wen retrieved its historical data.


    What he found was astonishing.


    The records revealed that an alien spaceship had once passed within a few million kilometers of the comet.


    The spore capsule¡¯s surviving optical systems, designed as highly advanced ¡°super-telescopic eyes,¡± typically struggled to discern distant objects.


    But this spaceship was impossible to miss.


    It was blindingly bright, radiating immense light like a miniature sun, demanding the attention of the observation systems.


    Shocked, Luo Wen convened an emergency meeting of the Intelligent Entities. In addition to the standby ¡°Visit¡± team, specialists in sociology, psychology, and other fields were summoned, amassing nearly 3,000 participants. With the ¡°Visit¡± team included, the total number of Intelligent Entities neared 30,000¡ªan indication of how seriously Luo Wen regarded this matter.


    This marked the Swarm¡¯s first encounter with an alien civilization. Judging by the ship¡¯s capacity for interstellar travel, its technological level was undoubtedly advanced.


    Analysis of the video footage suggested their technology might even surpass the Swarm¡¯s. Calculations based on the spore capsule¡¯s observational distance and the size of the luminous object indicated that the alien ship was at least tens of kilometers long and capable of traveling at over one-tenth the speed of light.


    While the Swarm could achieve such speeds for small Bio-ships using electromagnetic launch platforms or traditional orbital slingshots, it was incapable of propelling larger ships at those velocities.


    Moreover, the footage showed the alien vessel utilizing its own propulsion system, unlike the Swarm¡¯s reliance on external accelerators.


    The Swarm¡¯s Bio-ships, even with their electromagnetic propulsion, could neither sustain such speeds nor maintain interstellar travel outside their home star system.


    The alien ship¡¯s location¡ªbetween two star systems in interstellar space¡ªindicated it had likely originated from at least a neighboring star system.


    If it had come from a distant system, the implications were even more concerning.


    Even considering just the ship¡¯s size, propulsion, and range, the alien civilization¡¯s technological capabilities far exceeded those of the Swarm. If the technological gap spanned several generations, a single one of their ships could annihilate the Swarm¡¯s current forces.


    And that was a scenario Luo Wen could not afford to let unfold.

 Chapter 200: Speculations (1)

    At the moment, the displayed footage didn¡¯t reveal what kind of weapons the opposing side might have. Surrounded by a glowing energy field, it was impossible to discern whether it was a mechanical construct or a biological entity.


    ¡°Overlord, based on the data extracted from the footage, our calculations suggest that the target is heading toward the Neighboring Star System. At its observed cruising speed, it would take approximately five years to reach the outskirts of the Great Valley Planet. And that is assuming the ship doesn¡¯t accelerate. Currently, we have no information on the target¡¯s maximum speed, so we can¡¯t estimate its fastest arrival time to the Neighboring Star System,¡± reported an intelligent entity specializing in stellar observation.


    As the leader of a 200-person research team, he was adept at deducing various data points from celestial angles and positions.


    Luo Wen nodded, signaling the others to continue.


    ¡°Overlord, the alien vessel in the footage lacks a visible exhaust trail, making it impossible to determine the propulsion technology behind it. Perhaps their engine technology surpasses our current understanding,¡± said Covi.


    Luo Wen recalled Covi as one of the first to integrate into the Swarm Network. In life, he had been the chief engineer for the first-generation rocket engines of the Rat Folk. After becoming an intelligent entity, he now led research in related fields. His conclusion reflected the consensus of his propulsion research group. The situation appeared increasingly unfavorable.


    ¡°Overlord, our analysis indicates that the unknown civilization likely detected the energy burst from Godzilla¡¯s breath on the Great Dawn Planet. Such abnormal energy emissions would be highly conspicuous to advanced observational instruments,¡± Morgan interjected.


    He paused before continuing, ¡°Our Swarm¡¯s technological capabilities in this area were previously underdeveloped, with limited observational range. That¡¯s why we didn¡¯t detect similar energy bursts on the Great Dawn Planet before.¡±


    ¡°As a living organism, Godzilla must have used such a thermonuclear breath attack before. However, we can¡¯t determine how long ago it happened or which specific emission the unknown civilization detected, prompting them to send a ship for investigation,¡± Morgan added, glancing at Luo Wen. ¡°It¡¯s possible they observed an energy burst from centuries ago, and after a prolonged journey, have only now arrived. Alternatively, they may have detected it while passing by and decided to investigate.¡±


    After Morgan spoke, a discussion erupted among the intelligent entities, with group leaders taking turns to voice their opinions.


    ¡°But this theory is contradictory. Technology cannot reach advanced levels with severe imbalances in development,¡± one intelligent entity argued.


    ¡°Indeed, if a civilization can observe such energy bursts from vast distances, its technological level must be extraordinary. Moreover, given their travel speed, it¡¯s unlikely they are merely passing by. At such speeds, interstellar travel must have specific goals, as their technology wouldn¡¯t allow for aimless wandering,¡± another entity concurred.


    ¡°How is that impossible? Have you forgotten about our Swarm Meteors? They use random trajectories,¡± a different entity countered.


    ¡°Our Swarm is an exception. Sociologically and economically, only a civilization with a supreme will like ours can afford to waste resources so extravagantly,¡± another entity retorted.


    ¡°Are you accusing the Overlord of wastefulness?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re twisting my words! That¡¯s not what I meant!¡±


    ¡°Then what did you mean?¡±


    Luo Wen recognized the two entities, who had frequently clashed even before becoming intelligent entities. Now, their arguments often teetered on the edge of escalation. Sensing the rising tension, Luo Wen intervened. With a thought, he assigned one to an aphid and the other to a worker ant, putting them to work harvesting and licking sugar. The menial tasks were designed to foster camaraderie and resolve their differences.


    The lesson was effective. Other intelligent entities with similar disputes suddenly found common ground, the atmosphere shifting into a camaraderie of shared purpose. Even the two quarrelsome entities, once returned to the meeting room, were visibly changed, united in mutual understanding and refraining from mentioning the incident.


    ¡°Overlord,¡± one of them began, ¡°there¡¯s merit to Tumani¡¯s argument. A highly developed civilization would naturally consolidate resources to drive progress. Such an approach demands unified ideology. If the opposing side is an advanced civilization, there¡¯s a significant chance their ideology aligns with our Swarm.¡±


    ¡°Agreed, Overlord,¡± Tumani echoed. ¡°The brief observation period doesn¡¯t confirm their observed speed as their maximum. If they are an advanced civilization using special means to traverse vast distances, then the data we have could be entirely misleading.¡±


    ¡°That scenario seems unlikely. If their technology allows spatial traversal, they should have come to investigate long ago. However, we can¡¯t rule out the possibility that their technology only recently achieved a breakthrough,¡± an entity remarked.


    ¡°My group also believes the probability of them being an advanced civilization is low. If their technology were that advanced, they would only need to send a reconnaissance unit instead of deploying such a massive vessel.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps this is their reconnaissance ship? A creation of some giant biological civilization?¡±


    ¡°Though unlikely, we cannot discount the possibility.¡±


    ¡°But if they could traverse space directly, why not jump straight into the Neighboring Star System instead of stopping in the void?¡±


    ¡°Maybe solar system environments are unsuitable, with too many obstacles. We don¡¯t understand the principles of spatial traversal, so there could be unknown limitations.¡±


    ¡°Then why are they so far away? At its current speed, the ship will take five years to enter the Neighboring Star System.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a valid question. Could it be another limitation?¡±


    ¡°At this point, we can¡¯t confirm that they are an advanced civilization. It might be something entirely different. Let¡¯s not get sidetracked.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t shake the feeling that their ship embodies contradictions,¡± someone mused. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Same here.¡±


    ¡°To accelerate a ship several kilometers long to a tenth of the speed of light would require extraordinary technology. But their vessel emits an intense glow, indicating severe energy leakage. Advanced technology shouldn¡¯t exhibit such inefficiencies.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. I felt something was off before as well.¡±


    ¡°Yes, advanced civilizations shouldn¡¯t waste energy this way. They should harness every ounce efficiently.¡±


    One entity¡¯s observation quickly gained widespread agreement.


    ¡°But this is all speculation. We don¡¯t know what technology at that level truly looks like. It could be a work in progress, an experimental model.¡±


    ¡°Why would they send an experimental model here?¡±


    And so, the intelligent entities delved further into a whirlwind of hypotheses.


    [T/N: 200 chapters, I never thought I would get this far when in started translating this novel. It¡¯s definitely been a journey lol. What are your thoughts so far? Are you guys enjoying the novel or?]

 Chapter 201: Speculations (2)

    Luo Wen quietly observed everything without interfering too much. However, his mind was racing, collecting and summarizing all the information.


    As the data accumulated, his anxiety began to ease. The likelihood that the other party belonged to an advanced civilization seemed extremely low. As long as their technology didn¡¯t completely overpower the Swarm, there would still be a chance for a fight.


    At that moment, an intelligent entity raised a hand to request to speak. Luo Wen nodded, and the room fell silent.


    The intelligent entity, named Tikas, was a prot¨¦g¨¦ in Morgan¡¯s extended academic lineage. Once a Rat Folk prodigy in his era, Tikas had specialized in mathematics and dabbled in numerous cutting-edge technologies.


    ¡°Overlord, based on our group¡¯s calculations, the opposing party likely originates from the M37 Star System, 9.7 light-years from the Genesis Star System and 5.1 light-years from the Neighboring Star System.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your reasoning?¡± Luo Wen asked.


    ¡°By tracing the unknown civilization¡¯s vessel trajectory in reverse, the path points directly to the M37 Star System. Furthermore, they¡¯ve made virtually no course corrections along the way,¡± Tikas explained.


    ¡°How can you be sure they didn¡¯t intentionally detour through the M37 Star System and then reemerge from there?¡± another intelligent entity asked.


    ¡°We¡¯ve all fallen into a common misconception¡ªthat the entire luminous structure is their ship. But what if this is only their propulsion device?¡± Tikas proposed, requesting Luo Wen¡¯s authorization to display supporting visuals.


    ¡°Take a look. This is from one of our previous research projects, theorizing a propulsion system. We know that light consists of massless photons with kinetic energy. When photons strike a smooth surface, they can rebound, much like a ping-pong ball hitting a wall, exerting force on the impacted object,¡± Tikas paused to let everyone absorb the information before continuing.


    ¡°The thrust produced by a single photon is extremely minute¡ªwithin a square meter, it would barely amount to the weight of an ant. Therefore, to achieve meaningful acceleration from sunlight, the surface area of the propulsion mechanism must be extraordinarily large and lightweight. For instance, a vessel using such a system would require an enormous sail.¡±


    As the other intelligent entities pondered this, Tikas elaborated further: ¡°This type of propulsion system doesn¡¯t require fuel and can accelerate continuously. However, the acceleration process takes an exceptionally long time.¡±


    ¡°If we assume the unknown civilization¡¯s vessel uses such a propulsion system, many previously puzzling aspects become logical.¡±


    ¡°Firstly, regarding the ship¡¯s size¡ªwe may actually be observing an enormous solar sail. Its operating principle would involve absorbing photon impacts and using the reactive force to propel forward. Simultaneously, it would reflect photons outward. Given our reliance on optical detection, which is highly sensitive to photons, this would explain why the observed image appears so dazzling.¡±


    Scanning the room and seeing many entities nod in agreement, Tikas continued, ¡°Additionally, since this propulsion system doesn¡¯t require fuel, it wouldn¡¯t produce an exhaust trail, which matches what we¡¯ve observed.¡±


    ¡°But this is only a theoretical hypothesis. Is such a solar sail even feasible?¡± one entity questioned.


    ¡°This technology was deemed unsuitable for our species and discarded before any prototypes were developed. However, its theory is sound. With advances in computational technology, we¡¯ve conducted simulated experiments that confirm its feasibility,¡± Tikas replied.


    The room buzzed with murmurs. Solar sail technology was a niche topic, and most entities had only a superficial understanding of it. However, Tikas¡¯s argument was compelling.


    Luo Wen cleared his throat, restoring order to the room. He motioned for Tikas to continue.


    Bowing to Luo Wen, Tikas resumed, ¡°If we assume this is indeed a light-sail-driven vessel, then reaching its current speed from a stationary start would take decades of continuous acceleration. The distance traveled during this time aligns almost perfectly with the journey from the M37 Star System to its current location, with a margin of error under 1%.¡±


    ¡°Given the acceleration constraints of this propulsion method, mid-course adjustments are highly unlikely, as any course correction would significantly reduce their hard-earned speed. The idea that they traveled to the M37 Star System first and then diverted to the Neighboring Star System is even less plausible; their propulsion method doesn¡¯t support such a maneuver.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Furthermore, if they can detect abnormal energy fluctuations in the Neighboring Star System, their observational technology must be extremely advanced. They would likely assess the system¡¯s conditions and, finding no threats, have no need for such a convoluted approach,¡± he concluded, muttering under his breath, ¡°Unless, like the Overlord, they specialize in outsmarting the air itself.¡±


    As the godlike figure in the Swarm Network, Luo Wen naturally overheard Tikas¡¯s mutterings. However, given the solid reasoning behind his analysis, Luo Wen decided to let it slide¡ªfor now.


    Realizing Luo Wen¡¯s attention was on him, Tikas hurriedly continued.


    ¡°Moreover, by estimating the dimensions of the solar sail and considering the travel distance, we can deduce that the ship¡¯s actual size might only be a few hundred meters. Although we lack specifics on the sail¡¯s thickness or the M37 Star System¡¯s stellar conditions, this margin of error is negligible. The opposing ship isn¡¯t as formidable as we initially thought.¡±


    After finishing his presentation and bowing again to Luo Wen, Tikas returned to his seat.


    Luo Wen sank into contemplation. Tikas¡¯s analysis was logical and addressed previous inconsistencies, making it perhaps the most plausible hypothesis.


    However, inter-civilization interactions couldn¡¯t rely solely on speculation. Luo Wen needed confirmation of these findings. Any unexpected variables could lead to catastrophic consequences.


    While the other entities continued to discuss enthusiastically, no additional constructive suggestions emerged.


    Having made his decision, Luo Wen left the entities to deliberate further and began preparing a response strategy.


    It was now certain that the unknown civilization¡¯s vessel was heading straight for the Neighboring Star System. The priority was to ascertain their true capabilities and intentions.


    Yet, the Swarm¡¯s forces in the Neighboring Star System were insufficient to conduct effective reconnaissance.


    It seemed they would need to remain patient for a while longer.

 Chapter 202: Arrival

    Fortunately, when the Swarm initially settled on the Great Dawn Planet, they refrained from making large-scale ecological changes. Only the Red Forest, home to the Swarm¡¯s base, had undergone significant alterations.


    At this moment, the purple-gray Fungal Carpet covering the forest floor began retracting beneath the surface, revealing the original color of the ground.


    Although the Fungal Carpet was hidden, the local wildlife was no longer under the Swarm¡¯s control. Luo Wen hoped they could return to their natural habitats in the coming years.


    Otherwise, a forest devoid of life would be far too conspicuous.


    Flying Bugs patrolled the forest repeatedly, directing Worker Drones to meticulously remove all traces of the Swarm¡¯s presence, restoring the area to its pre-Swarm state.


    Unnecessary combat units, such as the Terror Wolves, were systematically reclaimed. Though their external appearances remained intact, their internal ecological circulatory systems were glaringly alien. Such anomalies would risk exposing the Swarm, a cost too great to bear.


    Even large aerial transport units like the Storm God were mostly withdrawn after completing their tasks. Only a small number were hidden deep underground in hibernation.


    The Odd-Headed Fish in the oceans weren¡¯t reclaimed but retreated beneath the surface along with the Fungal Carpet, avoiding the vicinity of Godzilla¡¯s hibernation site.


    It was clear the unknown civilization had been drawn to the thermonuclear breath emitted by Godzilla. A major battle might occur near the area, so it was prudent to steer clear of the location.


    However, to prevent Godzilla from being captured, Luo Wen prepared several Swarm units equipped with storage stomachs. If the opposing civilization¡¯s technology didn¡¯t completely overpower the Swarm, he would find opportunities to collect some of Godzilla¡¯s biological material, even if exposure became inevitable.


    Of course, this plan depended on Godzilla suffering physical damage during a battle. Without such an occurrence, it would remain unfeasible.


    Given the other party¡¯s speed, they would arrive only seven or eight years ahead of Luo Wen¡¯s main body. If Luo Wen could seize even a small sample of tissue and store it in the extreme cold of the polar regions, Godzilla¡¯s unique biological properties might preserve it for those years without deterioration.


    Even if the tissue degraded, Luo Wen would still use it for the Swarm¡¯s advancement. After all, in his early days as a mere bug, he had done far worse for survival.


    Half a month later, preparations were complete. The Swarm seemed to have vanished from the Great Dawn Planet. Animals began reappearing in the Red Forest, and the forest once again echoed with the calls of wildlife, teeming with vitality.


    Across the outskirts of the Neighboring Star System, all active Swarm Meteors focused their observational organs on the incoming alien ship, hoping to confirm whether it was indeed powered by a solar sail.


    Time passed tensely. Several years went by in the blink of an eye.


    Over the decades, the Swarm had launched numerous Swarm Meteors toward the Neighboring Star System. As the alien ship approached, it inevitably came within the monitoring range of the Swarm¡¯s observation units.


    With their preparations in place, the alien ship never escaped the Swarm¡¯s watchful gaze after entering its range.


    However, due to the vast distance and the outdated observational organs aboard the Swarm Meteors, they couldn¡¯t penetrate the dazzling light emitted by the ship to discern its nature.


    Fortunately, these older models emitted negligible energy signals, allowing them to observe the ship without being detected.


    Nonetheless, the Swarm gleaned some information from various signs.


    For instance, the ship¡¯s size had decreased, and its speed had slowed slightly.


    The intelligent entities speculated that the ship was preparing to enter the more complex spatial environment of the Neighboring Star System by reducing the size of its solar sail and decreasing its velocity.


    These observations further validated Tikas¡¯s earlier hypothesis that the unknown civilization was employing solar sail propulsion.


    This indicated that while the opposing technology might be slightly more advanced than the Swarm¡¯s, the gap wasn¡¯t insurmountable.


    Even though the hypothesis seemed confirmed, the cautious Luo Wen still felt the need for direct observation.


    Several days later, the ship crossed the outermost debris field of the Neighboring Star System. Its size had shrunk by 90%, and its speed had dropped to less than one-hundredth of its original.


    At that moment, Planet A5 in the Neighboring Star System rotated into a position just ahead of the ship.


    When the ¡°greeting gift¡± had landed on the Great Dawn Planet, two additional Swarm Meteors had remained on standby. After determining that the Great Dawn Planet required no support, these meteors settled into planetary orbits, awaiting Luo Wen¡¯s arrival.


    One of these meteors was stationed in orbit around Planet A5, providing the Swarm its first close observation of the alien ship.


    Although ¡°close¡± in space meant a distance of approximately 2 billion kilometers, it was still remarkably near in astronomical terms compared to the 94 trillion kilometers in a light-year.


    There were no dramatic surprises¡ªthe reality matched the predictions. The ship used an extremely thin solar sail to propel itself forward.


    Behind the solar sail was a ship that seemed minuscule in comparison. Measuring roughly 300 meters in length, it had a narrow cylindrical shape, giving it a peculiar appearance akin to a chopstick.


    Luo Wen exhaled in relief. A ship this unsightly hardly seemed capable of formidable combat capabilities. This flexibility in the Swarm¡¯s strategy opened up many tactical possibilities.


    Even if the aliens managed to capture Godzilla without leaving behind any tissue samples, the solar sail¡¯s slow initial acceleration meant Luo Wen¡¯s bio-ships could catch up and forcibly retrieve the organism once his main body arrived.


    However, Luo Wen remained cautious. Determining the true extent of the other party¡¯s technological capabilities would still require careful investigation.


    For now, he would observe their actions closely.


    ¡°Captain, we are approaching Planet T853. The ship¡¯s speed has reduced to 10 km/s. We are expected to reach our designated orbit in thirty minutes,¡± a mechanical female voice announced in the control room.


    ¡°Excellent. Celia, notify all crew members to take their positions.¡±


    At this point, the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, with its massive solar sails retracted, advanced toward the Great Dawn Planet. Energy streams periodically burst from various parts of its elongated hull, making fine adjustments to its orientation.


    ¡°10, 9¡­ 3, 2, 1. The ship has reached its designated position. Orbit alignment successful. Thrusters offline.¡±


    As the mechanical countdown concluded, the ship trembled slightly before stabilizing in its orbit around the Great Dawn Planet. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For a civilization capable of interstellar travel, such maneuvers were routine, leaving little room for mishap.

 Chapter 203: Discovery

    ¡°Celia, notify the repair crew to perform a final check on the satellites, then deploy them,¡± Captain Reggie ordered once the ship stabilized.


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship measured 360 meters in length but had a diameter of less than 10 meters. Since it relied primarily on a solar sail spanning tens of kilometers for propulsion, maneuvering was extremely challenging, necessitating a design that minimized its collision surface. As long as the ship itself avoided impacts, minor solar sail damage was acceptable, as those components were repairable.


    About ten minutes later, a hatch on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship opened, releasing a small 20-meter-long craft. It deployed satellites, each approximately three meters in size, into their designated orbits.


    With the satellites in place, the command center became a hub of activity. Dozens of crew members busied themselves at their stations, carefully analyzing the incoming data displayed on their monitors and reporting their findings to Captain Reggie, seated at the center of the hall.


    ¡°Strange,¡± Captain Reggie murmured to himself.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship was coated in an advanced stealth material. Unlike the Swarm¡¯s optical camouflage, its primary function was to absorb various electromagnetic waves, making radar detection ineffective. However, it offered little advantage against visual observation.


    Reggie had expected Planet T853¡¯s civilization to have reached a level of technological sophistication capable of utilizing radar systems, given its use of fusion reactors. Thus, the approach had kept him somewhat on edge.


    Despite his confident demeanor earlier, he wasn¡¯t entirely sure the Riken¡¯s technological edge would completely overwhelm T853¡¯s civilization. If the stealth coating failed and they were detected, a barrage of nuclear missiles might prove too much for the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s limited evasive capabilities.


    Yet, as the ship approached the planet, Reggie grew increasingly perplexed.


    The eerie silence in orbit was unnerving¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a single piece of space debris to be found.


    Initially, his plan had been to approach slowly, observe at a safe distance, and maintain ample time to respond in case of an attack.


    But as the ship drew closer, one cautious step after another was abandoned, and eventually, they boldly docked in planetary orbit without any resistance.


    Even now, after safely aligning their orbit, Reggie struggled to believe how easily it had been accomplished.


    Could it be that this civilization was uninterested in the skies above them? Was such a thing even possible?


    As data from the satellites began streaming back to the ship, Captain Reggie¡¯s confusion deepened.


    ¡°Captain, Satellites 1 and 5 report no signs of civilization on the surface of Planet T853.¡±


    ¡°Captain, Satellites 2 and 3 also report no traces of civilization.¡±


    ¡°Captain, Satellites 4 and 7 confirm the same.¡±


    ¡°Captain, the same¡­¡±


    Reggie¡¯s forehead creased, question marks practically flashing above his head. Had they arrived at the wrong place? That couldn¡¯t be possible¡ªthey weren¡¯t navigating by sight!


    ¡°Celia, are our navigation systems functioning correctly?¡±


    Seconds later, the mechanical voice responded, ¡°Captain, the deviation between the actual and planned course is less than 0.01%. Navigation data is normal, and we have not veered off course.¡±


    Then what was happening? If there were no signs of civilization on the planet, where had the fusion reactions come from? Reggie¡¯s head filled with even more questions.


    ¡°Captain, radiation remnants detected in two locations on Continent 3,¡± a crew member suddenly reported, breaking the tense atmosphere.


    Everyone in the room stiffened. The unsettling silence earlier had confused not just Reggie but the rest of the crew as well.


    Finally, a clue had surfaced, corroborating their earlier observations of fusion reactions on the planet. The atmospheric interference had obscured the specifics, leaving them with incomplete data. The reality, however, seemed to diverge from their expectations.


    ¡°Send the security team along with the research group to investigate,¡± Reggie ordered.


    The ship was equipped not only with its standard crew and research team but also with a 500-strong rapid-response military unit for protection.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, with its unconventional design, was incapable of atmospheric entry. However, it carried smaller escort ships and transport vessels suited for such tasks.


    Soon, a side hatch opened, releasing an escort vessel and a transport craft toward the anomalous radiation sites.


    ¡°They¡¯re here.¡±


    The Swarm had been monitoring the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship all along. However, due to limited observational units in the neighboring star system, their surveillance was restricted to tracking the ship¡¯s general location without precise detail.


    While the Genesis Planet¡¯s Brood Queens had the capability to produce orbital slings and Swarm Meteors, using such devices within the atmosphere was a self-destructive endeavor. The immense kinetic energy generated during deployment turned the surrounding air into an impenetrable barrier, leading to catastrophic failure.


    The Swarm¡¯s strategic position at planets A5, A6, and A7 had allowed them to station Swarm Meteors capable of descending, spreading fungal carpets, and launching further meteors toward Planet A3¡¯s orbit. Yet, uncertainties about the enemy¡¯s technology and time constraints had led Luo Wen and the intelligent entities to veto such actions, fearing unnecessary complications.


    Nevertheless, while the Swarm had sparse reconnaissance units in space, the Great Dawn Planet was their stronghold.


    Despite withdrawing many conspicuous combat units earlier, they had retained scout bugs, worker ants, and drones, which had woven an intricate three-dimensional surveillance network in non-radiation zones.


    Now, the prey had arrived.


    Two 20-meter-long mechanical ships descended with a roar, flattening the two-meter-high grass beneath their energy streams. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One ship featured visible weaponry, marking it as an armed escort vessel, while the other carried only two mounted machine-gun-like weapons, indicating it was a transport craft.


    Once they landed, the transport ship¡¯s hatch opened, and a group of humanoids cautiously disembarked.


    Under the bright daylight, scout bugs concealed among the flora advanced stealthily, providing Luo Wen and the others with a clearer view.


    The team comprised over 50 individuals, with about 20 carrying various instruments and dressed in fully sealed yet lightweight protective suits. The light-diffusing visors on their helmets obscured their faces.


    The rest of the team bore rifle-like weapons and wore visibly thicker protective suits, suggesting superior defensive capabilities. These individuals were noticeably taller, ranging from 2.3 to 2.7 meters.


    Luo Wen, familiar with countless ¡°blockbusters,¡± easily identified them as a research team under the guard of a military escort.


    Unfortunately, the radiation levels in the area were too high for typical creatures to approach. Otherwise, Luo Wen could have driven some beasts to attack and test their weaponry to understand their combat capabilities.

 Chapter 204: Investigation

    The Riken had deployed a dozen small satellites in stationary orbit around the Great Dawn Planet, establishing a rudimentary communication network.


    A leading researcher tapped a few commands on the portable computer strapped to his left arm, opening a communication link to the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.


    ¡°Captain, the atmosphere of Planet T853 contains numerous toxins that we cannot withstand. Exposure to the air for more than five minutes without protection would be fatal. However, we should be capable of terraforming the environment. Given a few centuries, it might become suitable for the Riken to inhabit.¡±


    ¡°Lute, you know I don¡¯t care about that. Just tell me something I¡¯d find interesting,¡± Captain Reggie replied, watching the main screen on the ship¡¯s bridge.


    ¡°Fine, Reggie, you¡¯re always so impatient.¡± Dr. Lute, who had been a close friend of Captain Reggie for many years before this mission, spoke casually. ¡°At the target area, we detected significant radiation remnants, confirming this is indeed the site of a nuclear explosion.¡±


    ¡°But I have no idea what caused this nuclear detonation or what it was targeting. I need your authorization to use the Hive Drone System for further investigation.¡±


    ¡°Celia, grant Dr. Lute permission to use the Hive Drone System.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Captain,¡± the mechanical female voice replied.


    ¡°Lute, I look forward to your good news.¡±


    Dr. Lute nodded as the image disappeared from the screen, and Captain Reggie gazed out at the Great Dawn Planet in contemplation.


    On the planet¡¯s surface, the turret-mounted ship opened a top hatch, releasing drones about 30 centimeters in size. Over thirty drones emerged before the hatch was sealed again.


    The drones circled above the ship for a moment before dispersing in all directions.


    These drones were equipped with a variety of detection systems and advanced imaging capabilities. They conducted low-altitude, grid-like searches for any anomalies, flying just 50 meters above the ground. Dr. Lute meticulously reviewed the data transmitted by the drones, ruling out abnormalities one by one.


    ¡°Celia, filter the drone footage for all non-natural anomalies,¡± Dr. Lute instructed. The number of anomalies flagged by the drones was overwhelming due to this being their first visit to an alien world. Everything seemed abnormal to the drone systems.


    The drones, with their basic artificial intelligence, lacked the sophistication to differentiate these anomalies, leaving Dr. Lute swamped. He had no choice but to turn to the advanced AI for assistance.


    ¡°Permission granted. Beginning analysis of drone footage,¡± the mechanical voice spoke through the communicator in Dr. Lute¡¯s helmet, taking over the tedious task.


    Although Celia was not a true artificial intelligence, it was an advanced AI with highly complex calculations. However, it could only filter out the most obviously irrelevant footage, forwarding uncertain findings to Dr. Lute for further review.


    The area had long since been scoured by the Swarm. Even the carbonized remains of the Terror Wolves, reduced to ashes by nuclear flames, had been thoroughly collected and disposed of. The only remains left behind were the corpses of native Feral Direwolves.


    As expected, the drones soon captured multiple images of what appeared to be carbonized biological material. These were flagged by Celia¡¯s initial filter and forwarded to Dr. Lute¡¯s terminal.


    ¡°Excellent, Celia. Instruct the drones to collect these carbonized samples. Oh, heavens, there¡¯s a nearly intact skull here! That¡¯ll make our work significantly easier. Have the drones prioritize retrieving it.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Dr. Lute.¡±


    Several drones returned, bringing back carbonized samples. A short while later, a drone finally delivered the skull Dr. Lute had been eager to examine.


    The skull had been flung a considerable distance by the explosion, delaying its retrieval. Though the left side was shattered and much was missing, it remained largely intact.


    Examining the half-meter-long skull, Dr. Lute sighed, ¡°What a massive creature this must have been.¡±


    He called over an assistant to scan the skull¡¯s structure and reconstruct its original appearance.


    ¡°Doctor, our portable equipment cannot analyze the DNA of these carbonized samples. That will require processing aboard the ship. However, the skull scan is complete, and we¡¯ve attempted to reconstruct its external features,¡± reported his young female assistant, transferring the reconstructed image to Dr. Lute¡¯s terminal.


    ¡°Hmm, a ferocious-looking face. Not something to mess with lightly. Celia, use the low-orbit satellites to search the planet for creatures resembling this one.¡±


    ¡°Dr. Lute, you do not have authorization to access the low-orbit satellites,¡± the mechanical voice replied.


    ¡°Then request authorization from your captain!¡± Dr. Lute snapped, frustrated by the rigid protocols of the intelligent AI.


    ¡°Dr. Lute, your request has been approved. Beginning the search. Please wait.¡± sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Dr. Lute, the search found an 85% similarity match.¡± A video showing a pack of Feral Direwolves resting on a plain appeared on Dr. Lute¡¯s terminal.


    ¡°These must be them. Wow, there are quite a few of them,¡± Dr. Lute remarked. Since the Riken lacked prior data on the Great Dawn Planet¡¯s fauna, the reconstructed image wouldn¡¯t perfectly match the original. Still, an 80% similarity was enough for confirmation.


    ¡°Satellite data indicates that these creatures are spread across 325 locations on this continent, with a total population exceeding 500,000.¡±


    ¡°That many? What do they eat?¡± Dr. Lute was stunned. The sheer size of the Direwolves and their carnivorous dentition suggested a significant food requirement.


    The AI promptly responded, ¡°Based on calculations, these creatures are likely a food source for others. Probability: 79%.¡± A picture of a Bull Demon appeared on Dr. Lute¡¯s display.


    ¡°Oh, what an intriguing species. If we could breed them on our homeworld, they¡¯d surely sell for a high price. But plant resources are incredibly scarce on the homeworld.¡±


    Dr. Lute quickly realized the economic potential of the Bull Demons. Millennia of industrial pollution had devastated the Riken homeworld¡¯s environment. From birth, his diet had consisted almost entirely of synthetic meat, with rare occasions of real meat being a luxury.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, Lute. These creatures are indeed valuable, but unfortunately, our homeworld no longer has any grasslands to sustain them,¡± Captain Reggie¡¯s voice suddenly interjected through Dr. Lute¡¯s communicator.


    ¡°Hey, Reggie, eavesdropping is a bad habit,¡± Dr. Lute quipped.


    ¡°I¡¯m merely monitoring the progress of your work. It¡¯s my duty as the captain and mission leader,¡± Captain Reggie replied flatly, showing no reaction to Dr. Lute¡¯s jab.


    Dr. Lute shrugged. Having known Reggie for years, he understood the captain¡¯s personality. Continuing the topic would strain their friendship and only frustrate him further. ¡°I need your authorization to command the security team¡ªjust the group accompanying me.¡±


    ¡°What do you plan to do?¡± Captain Reggie asked, puzzled.


    ¡°I need them to capture a few native creatures and bring them back to the ship for detailed analysis.¡±


    ¡°All right, but be careful.¡±

 Chapter 205: Observing in Secret

    ¡°Sergeant Hasmu, I need you to lead your team to this location and capture several native creatures. The target images and coordinates have been sent to you,¡± Dr. Lute instructed.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship carried a 500-member security force divided into ten squads. Opposite Dr. Lute was one of the squad leaders, Sergeant Hasmu, responsible for ensuring the safety of this planetary expedition. Half of his team had disembarked to provide protection, while the other half remained on the ship, ready to offer covering fire if needed. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Sergeant Hasmu was also the tallest Riken among those who landed on the planet. Equipped with his gear, his 2.7-meter frame towered over Dr. Lute¡¯s comparatively diminutive 2.1-meter stature, making the latter seem almost childlike in comparison.


    ¡°Understood, Dr. Lute. But what about your safety?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about us. The other non-combat personnel and I will take the transport craft back to the ship. You, however, must exercise caution. The situation here is extremely peculiar, and we don¡¯t know what might be lurking in the shadows,¡± Dr. Lute emphasized.


    ¡°Understood,¡± Sergeant Hasmu replied with a nod. The strangeness of the situation was not lost on him; even as a soldier, he could sense it.


    They had expected to find a civilization here, yet discovered nothing. Then, when they suspected a navigational error, they stumbled upon radiation remnants on the planet¡¯s surface.


    After escorting Dr. Lute and the others back to the transport craft and watching it ascend, Sergeant Hasmu gathered his team and returned to the gunboat.


    The 20-meter-long gunboat was cramped with 50 personnel aboard. On the journey down, half had traveled aboard the transport craft, which alleviated the crowding. Fortunately, Captain Reggie had dispatched an additional transport craft to assist them. Otherwise, even if they managed to capture their targets, there would have been no way to transport them back.


    The gunboat took off, heading toward the designated coordinates. Meanwhile, the Swarm, concealed in the shadows, shifted its focus onto the gunboat.


    This vessel was clearly on a mission. As it departed the radiation zone, it presented the Swarm with an opportunity. If the Riken weren¡¯t planning to entertain themselves, the Swarm might have driven some native creatures to stir up trouble.


    However, this time, it seemed unnecessary for the Swarm to act directly. The gunboat¡¯s destination was clear¡ªa direct flight to the nearest Feral Direwolf den located near the radiation zone.


    Luo Wen immediately directed all nearby Swarm units to maintain a safe distance while establishing comprehensive surveillance over the area.


    The Riken gunboat traveled quickly, covering the 50 kilometers in about three minutes, a feat attributed to the short distance that barely allowed the vessel to reach full speed.


    The ensuing skirmish was brief, lasting only a few minutes before the security team overpowered the Feral Direwolf den.


    The operation began with the deployment of 30 armed personnel a kilometer away from the den. The gunboat then ascended, releasing both reconnaissance and armed drones. While the number of armed drones was small¡ªfewer than ten¡ªtheir one-meter-long frames, mounted machine guns, and four missiles each, provided formidable firepower.


    The reconnaissance drones reached the den first, providing the team with a visual overview and marking targets. With their aid, the security team initiated long-range attacks from their position a kilometer away.


    They employed energy weapons¡ªrifle-like devices that emitted ten-centimeter-long red beams. Upon contact, the beams inflicted burn damage and triggered explosions for secondary effects.


    Though these weapons packed a punch, their firing rate was relatively slow, at about three to four shots per second. The upside was that they appeared to require minimal reloading; Luo Wen observed each gun firing over a hundred rounds without anyone swapping magazines.


    Against the primitive Feral Direwolves, such ranged weaponry was more than adequate.


    The fiery explosions seemed to awaken a primal fear buried deep in the Direwolves¡¯ genes. While the scenes differed somewhat from their inherited memories, the destructive force bore enough similarity to evoke terror.


    The den, home to over 300 Feral Direwolves, scattered after leaving behind several dozen corpses. The security team did not pursue them but instead consolidated their spoils and established a defensive perimeter to await the arrival of the transport craft.


    Meanwhile, within the Swarm Network, a discussion about the skirmish and its implications was underway.


    ¡°Overlord, their technology, while different from ours, is not beyond our understanding. These firearms likely use some mechanism to process energy into beam-like projectiles,¡± an Intelligent Entity began.


    ¡°Indeed. Moreover, these energy weapons should be susceptible to our optical cloaking systems. Our cloaking technology utilizes nanocrystals on the surface to mimic environmental light reflections, blending into the surroundings. By analyzing the spectrum of their weapons, we should be able to adjust the nanocrystals to deflect the beams,¡± another Intelligent Entity suggested.


    ¡°I disagree,¡± interjected Tikas. ¡°While the projectiles are fast, they don¡¯t surpass our visual threshold. We can still see them streaking through the air. If these truly were light-based weapons, they would travel at the speed of light, making them invisible to the naked eye.¡±


    The Intelligent Entities murmured amongst themselves, exchanging views. Luo Wen found himself leaning toward Tikas¡¯s perspective. Having lived on the Genesis Planet for years and absorbed much knowledge, he now considered himself a quasi-intellectual.


    These firearms likely condensed energy into projectiles that resembled beams but were in fact energy aggregates. This explained why their flight paths were visible.


    If that were the case, optical cloaking would be ineffective against these weapons, as it couldn¡¯t deflect such energy.


    However, the bright nature of the projectiles made them easier to detect than the nearly invisible trajectories of metallic bullets. Luo Wen speculated that with the Swarm¡¯s advanced dynamic vision systems and enhanced reflexes, there was a reasonable chance of evading these projectiles.


    In any case, practical tests would be required to confirm their efficacy. For now, Luo Wen had no means to act directly without his physical body on-site.


    With the weaponry discussion settled, the meeting shifted to the next agenda: devising strategies to confront this civilization from the M37 Star System.

 Chapter 206: Clues

    ¡°Overlord, we currently lack sufficient information. I believe it¡¯s not appropriate to engage the other party directly at this time,¡± Morgan stated.


    ¡°Indeed, Overlord,¡± another Intelligent Entity agreed. ¡°Although the technology on their ship isn¡¯t particularly advanced, we don¡¯t know its status within their civilization. Is this a collective asset or an individual endeavor? Is this mission state-sponsored or privately initiated? These factors are unclear, making it difficult to judge.¡±


    ¡°Do they have allies? Are they a subordinate civilization to a higher-level society?¡±


    ¡°Is there any possibility of forming an alliance?¡±


    ¡°The Swarm only requires technological theories, something they are unlikely to share. There is no foundation for an alliance or trade.¡±


    ¡°Non-Swarm species cannot be trusted!¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Our strategic depth is limited to a single star system. We cannot tolerate the existence of an uncontrollable civilization on our doorstep!¡±


    ¡°What is their territorial range? Population size? War potential?¡±


    ¡°We need to gather more information.¡±


    The Intelligent Entities voiced their opinions in rapid succession. Luo Wen appreciated this lively exchange. The adage ¡°Three humble cobblers make a genius strategist¡± rang true here. From the myriad perspectives presented, he could extract the insights necessary for his decisions.


    The Swarm was still a newcomer in the vast cosmic community, knowing far too little about external affairs. It would be disastrous if this M37 civilization turned out to be part of some Pan-Galactic Alliance, where attacking one would provoke the ire of several others.


    Clearly, it was time for another round of role-playing, though this time, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t be posing as a ¡°god¡± but adopting a different identity.


    Before that, however, he needed to stall for time until his physical body arrived, allowing him to better play this game.


    The Riken operation proceeded smoothly. Sergeant Hasmu¡¯s squad completed their mission with distinction and received reinforcement from an additional transport craft.


    The team loaded several relatively intact Feral Direwolf carcasses onto the ship. On their way out, they also hunted down several Bull Demons, bringing them aboard as well.


    The Bull Demons, against ranged weapons, were essentially perfect targets. Their sluggish movement made any counterattack impossible, while their strong defenses allowed them to endure energy attacks, giving the long-idle security team an excellent shooting practice session.


    ¡°Lute, are you telling me that two groups of wild beasts fought, and then some unknown entity dropped a couple of small nukes?¡± Captain Reggie said, his expression skeptical.


    ¡°As ridiculous as it sounds, that¡¯s what the analysis of the site, samples, and other data indicates. Furthermore, there were two core explosion points, meaning two nukes were deployed,¡± Dr. Lute shrugged, disavowing any responsibility. Science had reconstructed the scene, and he was merely reporting the results.


    ¡°Who would do something so absurd? Were those beasts special in some way?¡±


    ¡°No. While those creatures are apex predators on this planet, there¡¯s nothing remarkable about them other than their large size and numbers.¡±


    ¡°Large numbers?¡± Captain Reggie pondered for a moment before suggesting, ¡°Could it be that their overpopulation disrupted the ecological balance, prompting their eradication?¡±


    Dr. Lute looked visibly shocked. ¡°Are you joking? Waste is disgraceful. If there were too many of them, why not just eat them instead of nuking them?¡±


    ¡°Eat them?¡±


    ¡°Yes. They contain only trace amounts of toxins. During a brief break, I developed a neutralizing agent to eliminate these toxins. Honestly, their meat is excellent¡ªfar superior to synthetic meat,¡± Dr. Lute said with a satisfied expression.


    ¡°You ate it?!¡± Captain Reggie exclaimed in shock.


    Dr. Lute shrugged and gave Reggie a knowing look. ¡°Want to try some?¡±


    ¡°No! That¡¯s against regulations!¡± Reggie said sternly. ¡°Unless you¡¯re still alive a month from now, I won¡¯t consider it.¡±


    Dr. Lute rolled his eyes.


    ¡°Any other anomalies?¡± Captain Reggie asked, steering the conversation back on track.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Dr. Lute nodded. ¡°We found no remnants of any projectile casings at the explosion site. Normally, even with the extreme temperatures¡ªmillions of degrees¡ªthat can vaporize most materials during a nuclear detonation, some fragments or traces of the delivery system usually remain due to the brief duration of the heat. However, we¡¯ve thoroughly searched the site and found no evidence of artificial constructs. I even dispatched teams for additional searches with more drones and expanded the search area, but we still found nothing.¡±


    The two men fell silent.


    After a moment, Captain Reggie asked, ¡°Do you have any other suggestions?¡±


    ¡°We must continue searching, with more personnel and a broader scope.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯ve already confirmed via satellite that there¡¯s no trace of civilization on the surface,¡± Captain Reggie countered.


    ¡°Even so, we need to comb through the area thoroughly. We might uncover other clues.¡±


    ¡°With our current manpower, that would be an enormous undertaking and would take a significant amount of time,¡± Captain Reggie noted.


    ¡°What choice do we have? With no other leads, are we supposed to just walk away?¡± Dr. Lute said, leaving the room without waiting for a response.


    As he watched Dr. Lute depart, Captain Reggie fell into deep thought. Returning empty-handed wasn¡¯t an option. Though they might gain some recognition for the journey, this century-long mission had far greater aspirations than mere accolades.


    ¡°Overlord, the M37 inhabitants have begun a grid search of the continent. Based on their methods and identification features, we¡¯ve determined they¡¯ve deployed five armed ships and six transport vessels, with a total of 423 personnel,¡± a deputy reported to Luo Wen.


    ¡°Ensure all our bugs remain hidden. They must not be exposed. Permit self-destruction if necessary,¡± Luo Wen commanded.


    For the alien civilization¡¯s small-scale operation, even with advanced technology, completing a search of five continents would take an extraordinarily long time. This worked in the Swarm¡¯s favor.


    The Swarm had a comprehensive understanding of the planet¡¯s conditions and knew this search would yield no significant results. For now, they needed only to remain hidden, maintaining their cover. The longer the alien civilization wasted time, the better it was for the Swarm.


    With just a few hundred personnel tackling the enormous task of surveying five continents, years passed in the blink of an eye. Day after day, the Riken research team and security forces repeated the same tasks.


    Every animal and plant species on the surface required sampling and preservation as specimens. Even rocks, sand, and water samples were collected and analyzed. Limited manpower and equipment slowed their progress. Despite running equipment 24/7, a backlog of samples awaited testing.


    However, as these samples were cataloged into the central computer, a comprehensive ecological database of the Great Dawn Planet gradually took shape.

 Chapter 207: Gradually Unveiling the Truth

    ¡°Overlord, Knight 3857 is honored to serve you,¡± greeted the Knight controlling the Bio-ship, sensing Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness descend.


    A year earlier, two Egret-class transport ships carrying Luo Wen¡¯s physical body had traversed the outermost asteroid belt of the Neighboring Star System and arrived near Planet A5.


    The two Bio-ships, disguised as meteors, didn¡¯t head directly for the Great Dawn Planet. For a Bio-ship to reach the Great Dawn Planet, it required multiple deceleration maneuvers and orbital adjustments¡ªbehaviors inconsistent with a natural meteor.


    Additionally, the Swarm lacked information about the observation capabilities of the alien civilization¡¯s shipborne systems. Such maneuvers could expose anomalies in the meteor disguise.


    To remain cautious, the two meteors simulated being captured by the gravitational pull of Planet A5, following a natural trajectory to impact Satellite 2 of Planet A5.


    After landing, Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness descended to inspect his physical body, which had been dormant for decades but remained in good condition. Satisfied, he directed the fungal carpet to begin its work and ordered the hatching of ten Brood Queen eggs.


    Thanks to advancements in Swarm technology, the Egret-class transport ships, which no longer required an ecological recycling system, featured significantly larger internal spaces than older Swarm Meteors. These spaces could carry much more cargo.


    Luo Wen¡¯s personal transport ships alone housed dozens of Brood Queen eggs, each of which had been in close proximity to his physical body and was encoded with the latest gene library version.


    A month later, the Swarm base on Satellite A5B2 began to take shape. Besides hatching auxiliary worker species for excavation, the Brood Queens focused on producing Bio-ship eggs.


    During the egg development period, the Swarm discovered a radiation-rich mining area on the satellite. Though the Neighboring Star System lacked giant gaseous planets that could serve as massive energy sources, certain radiation deposits were adequate substitutes.


    Once hatched, the Bio-ship larvae thrived in the radiated caverns, which had been excavated into vast chambers. When the larvae reached a size of three to four meters, they were sent into space to absorb cosmic radiation directly.


    These Bio-ships, primarily composed of transparent aerogel-like materials, were further camouflaged with a coating of nanocrystals. Without close-range, focused detection, they were nearly impossible to spot.


    While the Swarm continued amassing strength near Planet A5, the Riken¡¯s investigations on the Great Dawn Planet yielded initial results.


    ¡°Reggie, after years of effort, we¡¯ve mapped out the planetary surface and constructed a comprehensive model. However, apart from a few more sites with radiation remnants, we¡¯ve found nothing else,¡± Dr. Lute reported in the Captain¡¯s quarters.


    Besides Dr. Lute, the room also held Captain Reggie and Major Camis, who oversaw the mission¡¯s security. These three were the most powerful figures aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, representing administration, military, and science respectively.


    Though the meeting appeared informal, it carried significant weight.


    ¡°So, the anomalies must be hidden underground or underwater? A subterranean or deep-sea civilization?¡± Captain Reggie speculated.


    ¡°It¡¯s too early to conclude that. For years, we¡¯ve been operating openly on the surface without encountering any attacks. If a civilization is hidden here, their restraint is extraordinary,¡± Dr. Lute reasoned.


    Captain Reggie nodded in agreement. If he were in their position, he would have at least attempted contact.


    He glanced at Major Camis, whose expression betrayed the military¡¯s impatience. They would likely resort to force rather than wait.


    ¡°Still, I believe the possibility of a subterranean civilization is higher,¡± Captain Reggie remarked. ¡°I¡¯ve allocated most satellite resources to monitoring oceanic anomalies and directed Celia to focus processing power on analyzing these areas. Yet we¡¯ve found nothing.¡±


    ¡°Given the lack of artificial evidence in planetary orbit, it seems they haven¡¯t ventured into space. Surveillance from ten kilometers above the surface should be undetectable. If we still can¡¯t find anything, they¡¯re likely not underwater.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible, but I have another hypothesis,¡± Dr. Lute interjected, pausing before nodding, then shaking his head as if deliberating.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°What if the nuclear explosions were caused by a creature, a biological entity stronger than the beasts we¡¯ve seen? A predator that usually hibernates but emerges to hunt when hungry. That would explain the anomalies quite well.¡±


    ¡°I thought you were a scientist, but it turns out you¡¯re a fantasist. Do you have any idea what temperatures such a creature would need to endure internally? It¡¯s impossible,¡± Captain Reggie retorted, his expression shifting as Dr. Lute remained serious. ¡°You¡¯re not joking?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. The universe is vast and filled with unknowns. We shouldn¡¯t define it with our limited understanding of science,¡± Dr. Lute replied confidently.


    ¡°Have you discovered something?¡±


    ¡°Near the two initial radiation sites, I found several shallow pits along the coast, about ten kilometers away. These pits are remarkably uniform in size and shape. Analyzing the surrounding environment and sediment layers suggests they are footprints of some kind of creature. Initially, the footprints were likely much deeper but became shallow due to the high water content in the sand near the sea. I estimate their formation to be about ten years ago.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying these footprints coincide with the timeline of the observed fusion reactions?¡± Captain Reggie immediately grasped the implication.


    ¡°Exactly. Imagine two groups of beasts clashing on the plains. Suddenly, a massive creature emerges from the sea, fires two fusion blasts at them from a distance, and then returns to the ocean.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ beyond imagination,¡± Captain Reggie admitted, stunned by the concept of a creature capable of firing fusion attacks. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a theory. But if true, the creature would be colossal¡ªover a hundred meters tall and weighing tens of thousands of tons,¡± Dr. Lute explained.


    Captain Reggie¡¯s lips moved, but he hesitated to voice the phrase ¡°That¡¯s unscientific.¡±


    If Luo Wen were present, he would have applauded Dr. Lute¡¯s deduction. Aside from the exact parties involved in the plains battle, the doctor had almost perfectly reconstructed the events.


    Seeing his friend¡¯s astonished expression, Dr. Lute chuckled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if it¡¯s true, it¡¯s just a creature. We¡¯re a spacefaring civilization. Are we really afraid of one monster?¡±

 Chapter 208: Meteor Shower

    Lute understood that his old friend wasn¡¯t afraid of the potentially powerful beast. Instead, it was the impact on his perception that had shaken him. Once he noticed Reggie calming down, Lute continued, ¡°This is our opportunity. Compared to a lower civilization, perhaps this beast could be of greater help to us. It could elevate our biotechnology system significantly, potentially even extending our species¡¯ life expectancy once more.¡±


    Hearing this, not only did Captain Reggie start to breathe heavily, but even Major Camis, who had previously been playing the role of a background figure, showed signs of a physical reaction.


    If Lute¡¯s words were true, they would be heroes among the Riken people. Not only would their names be etched in history, but they would also enjoy immense wealth and prestige upon their return. Whether in commerce, politics, or the military, they would have endless capital and credentials to back them.


    ¡°So, do you have any suggestions for the next steps?¡± Captain Reggie asked.


    ¡°The equipment we brought isn¡¯t sufficient to survey all the ocean areas. If we do nothing, we¡¯ll likely have to wait for the beast to appear on its own again. And who knows how long that could take? Considering the decades-long interval between the two fusion reactions we detected, none of us wants to wait that long,¡± Lute replied.


    ¡°Is there any way to quickly verify your hypothesis?¡± Major Camis suddenly interjected, clearly deeply moved by Lute¡¯s words. This was no surprise, as no one would volunteer for a mission spanning over a hundred years without a good reason.


    ¡°Not for now. I need time to think. What you need to do now is gather more information. Start by surveying the land, then see if there are any underground caverns. If there¡¯s a beast hidden underground, that would be ideal. If not, we can consider how to lure it out of the ocean,¡± Lute explained.


    Captain Reggie and Major Camis exchanged glances and nodded.


    ¡°Major Camis, the next phase will be tough on you and your team,¡± Captain Reggie said.


    ¡°It¡¯s part of the job!¡± Major Camis saluted sharply before turning to leave.


    Lute shrugged at Reggie, pulling a humorous face, and left the captain¡¯s quarters as well.


    After establishing a concealed base on Great Ursa Planet in the Neighboring Star System, the Swarm faced a dilemma on how to infiltrate Great Dawn Planet. The alien spaceship hovered in orbit around Great Dawn Planet, accompanied by a dense array of satellites. The Swarm found it challenging to approach the planet without alarming the aliens.


    ¡°Overlord, they only have one spaceship, and their technological level is limited. They shouldn¡¯t be able to monitor the entire Neighboring Star System comprehensively. Perhaps we can create a meteor shower as a distraction to infiltrate Great Dawn Planet,¡± an Intelligent Entity suggested. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Great Ursa Planet played a role in the Neighboring Star System comparable to that of a gas giant like A7 in the Origin Star System. Although not a gas giant, Great Ursa Planet had the largest mass among the planets in the Neighboring Star System.


    As a result, its gravity captured numerous asteroids and meteors from beyond the system. While some crashed directly onto its surface, the rest became trapped in its orbit, forming a ring of debris over time.


    The Intelligent Entity¡¯s suggestion had merit, but the orbital debris wouldn¡¯t leave their trajectories without external influence. Implementing this plan would require careful planning.


    Six months later, a Swarm meteor, traveling at nearly one percent of the speed of light, crashed into Great Ursa Planet.


    The incredible velocity caused the meteor to vaporize upon impact. However, the collision still inflicted massive damage on the planet. A crater over a hundred kilometers wide formed on the surface, and the shockwave kicked up towering waves of dust and debris.


    The impact caused a brief disruption in Great Ursa Planet¡¯s gravitational balance. This interference extended to its many moons and the countless meteoroids in its orbital ring, altering their gravitational interactions.


    As a result, over 300 meteoroids of varying sizes were ejected from their original orbits and began hurtling toward Great Dawn Planet.


    ¡°Beep¡­ Beep¡­¡±


    Flashing red lights and a piercing alarm suddenly rang out aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. Crew members, previously resting, rushed back to their stations.


    ¡°Celia, what¡¯s going on? Did Major Camis and his team find the beast?¡± Captain Reggie asked as he hurriedly donned his uniform and emerged from the lounge.


    ¡°Captain, a meteor collision just occurred on T855 Planet. Three hundred twelve meteors have been dislodged from the orbital debris ring and are projected to reach T853 Planet in 1,472 hours,¡± Celia¡¯s mechanical voice reported.


    Realizing it wasn¡¯t a beast-related discovery, Reggie¡¯s anxious excitement immediately waned. After a quick calculation, he roared, ¡°Damn it, there are still over two months left! Why the hell are you triggering an emergency alert now?¡±


    ¡°According to the Federation Aerospace Safety Memorandum, I am obligated to sound the alarm and alert all personnel on the ship under such circumstances,¡± Celia replied with unwavering precision, unaffected by Reggie¡¯s outburst.


    ¡°Have Dr. Lute¡¯s research team prepare a response report. And turn off that infernal noise!¡± Reggie barked.


    ¡°Authorization verified. Complying with your instructions.¡±


    The red light and alarm ceased immediately. Reggie took a deep breath, shed his uniform, and returned to the lounge.


    Hours later, in the captain¡¯s quarters of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.


    ¡°Lute, what¡¯s the situation? Celia¡¯s report claims that while the gravitational disruption caused by the meteor collision on T855 was brief, it shouldn¡¯t result in a meteor shower,¡± Reggie asked.


    ¡°Calm down, Reggie. This is perfectly normal. We don¡¯t know T855¡¯s exact mass or geological structure, so we can¡¯t accurately simulate the outcomes. The impact might have hit a geological cavity, causing effects far greater than we anticipated,¡± Lute replied casually as he reviewed the data.


    ¡°Have you prepared a response plan?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s too much data. Our ship¡¯s main computer is already overloaded with other tasks and can¡¯t spare the computational power to simulate the trajectories of over 300 meteors,¡± Lute explained. Noticing Reggie¡¯s frustration, he quickly added, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. When the meteor shower arrives, we¡¯ll hide the ship behind the planet. At most, we¡¯ll lose a few insignificant small satellites.¡±


    ¡°Those satellites are irreplaceable while we¡¯re so far from home,¡± Reggie countered. He understood the ship would be safe¡ªthe planetary shield and two months of preparation time ensured that. If the ship were damaged in the meteor shower, he might as well jump off the bridge himself. What concerned him were the satellites, as their loss would mean no chance of repair or replacement.


    Lute, sensing his friend¡¯s concern, thought for a moment and said, ¡°Even if the ship¡¯s computer could handle it, calculating the trajectories of over 300 meteors would be incredibly complex. The lack of data about the gravitational interactions between the planets and moons further complicates matters.¡±


    ¡°So, if you want to save the satellites, the only solution is to temporarily retrieve them using transport shuttles. We might lose some satellite monitoring range, but communication won¡¯t be affected. However, this will increase Major Camis¡¯s workload.¡±


    ¡°Those soldiers are always brimming with energy; they¡¯ll enjoy a bit of fresh air. Don¡¯t we need to monitor the meteor shower?¡± Reggie asked.


    ¡°If you¡¯re willing to sacrifice the satellites, I¡¯d be happy to collect some data.¡±


    ¡°In that case, forget it. You shouldn¡¯t waste your time on such things.¡±

 Chapter 209: Arrival

    The Swarm was unaware of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s plans. If Luo Wen and the intelligent entities knew that Great Dawn Planet¡¯s response to the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship involved temporarily collecting its satellites, their actions would have been much bolder.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s onboard computer was not wrong in its analysis; a simple meteorite impact could not have caused this meteor shower. However, with missing data and no knowledge that someone was targeting them, it was impossible to detect the anomaly. All of this was within the Swarm¡¯s expectations.


    Each of these meteorites had hollowed-out interiors that contained Swarm bio-ships. Although they were only small Flying Ant-class ships due to time constraints, they were fully functional aside from the inability to carry electromagnetic cannon components.


    When Great Ursa Planet¡¯s gravitational tides became chaotic, these ships activated their plasma thrusters from within the meteorites. Despite their small size of 5-10 meters, the thrust they generated made a difference.


    Sometimes, a slight additional force can change everything. As a result, more than 300 meteorites deviated from their original trajectories and headed toward Great Dawn Planet.


    In total, the Swarm had prepared over a thousand meteorites, of which only around 300 succeeded in changing course.


    Inside these meteorites, apart from the bio-ships, were two of Luo Wen¡¯s avatars and dozens of Brood Queen eggs. If they managed to land on the Great Dawn Planet, it wouldn¡¯t take long for the Swarm to develop a staggering force.


    At that point, Luo Wen¡¯s role-playing game would officially begin.


    Meanwhile, on Great Ursa Planet, efforts to produce more bio-ship eggs continued at full capacity. Even if Luo Wen¡¯s plan failed, backup contingencies were in place.


    Two months later.


    ¡°Overlord, the meteorite cluster is about to reach Great Dawn Planet. To avoid alerting the alien spaceship, the meteorites¡¯ courses cannot be altered. Of the 312 meteorites in this wave, 306 will impact the planet¡¯s surface, while six will strike its first moon,¡± an intelligent entity reported to Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen nodded. This was unavoidable; everything needed to appear as a natural phenomenon. If the alien spaceship collected trajectory data and noticed any unexplained changes, it would raise suspicion.


    ¡°Overlord, no traces of artificial satellites have been detected along the planet¡¯s orbit facing the meteorite shower.¡±


    Luo Wen recalled how, hours earlier, intelligent entities had reported that the alien spaceship had deployed ten transport ships, busied itself in orbit, and then retreated to the far side of Great Dawn Planet.


    At the time, ground-based observation conditions were poor, leaving the purpose of the transport ships unknown. The intelligent entities had speculated that some devices were being set up, but it turned out they were simply retrieving the satellites.


    ¡°Such frugality! They even take their satellites back?¡± Luo Wen mused, reflecting on his own practices. Had he been too wasteful, recalling outdated or inefficient Swarm units without much thought? Though he reasoned that little had been wasted and that the Swarm, being composed of intelligent entities and brood nest creations, required no salaries or rations. Many combat units even operated on radiation energy systems, virtually eliminating their food requirements.


    ¡°Perhaps only a civilization like the Swarm has the potential to develop to such heights. At least in terms of resource utilization, we¡¯re light-years ahead of most,¡± Luo Wen thought, silently praising the Swarm.


    With the satellites gone, there was no longer any worry about the meteorites being noticed as they passed close by.


    Hundreds of massive fireballs, trailing fiery tails, plummeted from the sky. Most fell into the ocean, while a smaller number aimed for the two continents facing the meteorite shower.


    Initially, Luo Wen had prepared a meticulous ground reception team to handle any inspections the alien spaceship might conduct after the meteorites landed. However, with the satellites gone, Luo Wen felt no need for such caution.


    Hidden within the meteorites destined for the continents were bio-ships. Shielded by the firelight, they emerged¡ªeither alone or carrying Brood Queen eggs¡ªfrom the meteorites.


    Equipped with optical cloaking systems and avoiding any energy emissions, these ships were nearly impossible to detect.


    Rather than using electromagnetic drives, they relied on their low-mass bodies to free-fall. Once on the ground, they remained stationary. Moments later, cloaked Storm Gods arrived to pick them up and move them away.


    Although outdated models, the Storm Gods relied on winged flight, which produced no energy emissions. Combined with their optical cloaking, they offered exceptional stealth capabilities. Originally deemed obsolete, they were called back into service precisely because the satellites had been withdrawn.


    Transferring from the ground always left some traces, after all.


    ¡°Dr. Lute, we¡¯ve collected most of the meteorite fragments that fell to the ground. The materials are nothing special, though it¡¯s strange that many of them have hollow interiors,¡± an assistant reported.


    ¡°Perhaps their peculiar structure is why they were flung away by T855,¡± Lute speculated. Unaware of hidden factions at work, he dismissed the meteorites¡¯ odd structures as unimportant. These matters could be studied later when the Riken fully occupied the planet. For now, finding the rumored monster was his top priority¡ªhis future prosperity depended on it.


    ¡°Have the detection devices I ordered set up gathered any useful data?¡± Lute inquired. With surface searches nearing completion, the next phase involved exploring underground and oceanic regions. To investigate underground structures, the plan had been to deploy seismic charges. However, limited spaceship capacity meant few charges could be brought. Lute had even considered crafting makeshift explosives from local materials on Great Dawn Planet.


    Learning of the meteor shower, Lute had instructed his team to install numerous observation devices on land alongside Major Camis¡¯s search team.


    By analyzing the seismic impact of the meteorites, they hoped to locate large underground cavities¡ªor at least narrow down future search areas. Either way, it was a worthwhile effort. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°About to report, sir! Instruments on the second and third continents have detected anomalies resembling large subterranean cavities. I¡¯m sending the coordinates now,¡± the assistant replied.


    Lute nodded, checked his terminal, and headed toward the captain¡¯s room.

 Chapter 210: The Elite Squad

    ¡°Drip¡­ drip¡­¡±


    Water trickled down through cracks in the rock ceiling, dripping off stalactites to the cave floor below. A team of around 30 individuals cautiously advanced through the underground cave passage. Tactical flashlights mounted on their helmets illuminated the dark tunnel, casting flickering beams of light. Shadows from the numerous stalagmites created an eerie and unsettling atmosphere.


    However, this team consisted of elites among elites; they were unfazed by such surroundings.


    ¡°Captain, do you know what we¡¯re really looking for?¡± asked a heavily armored guard.


    The squad leader was none other than Staff Sergeant Hasmu, who had been ordered to lead his team in investigating a suspicious underground cavity.


    ¡°Search all potential targets,¡± replied Hasmu tersely. It wasn¡¯t that he was inherently cold; this was simply his nature. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have answered such questions from his subordinates at all.


    ¡°Come on, Captain, you must know more than us. We¡¯ve been searching on land for seven or eight years without finding anything. We thought we¡¯d get a break, but now we¡¯re down here searching underground.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Captain, how long are we going to keep at this?¡±


    ¡°When do we get to go home?¡±


    ¡°Captain, did you sign a confidentiality agreement?¡±


    Voices chimed in over the comms as the team members peppered Hasmu with their questions.


    Feeling a headache coming on, Hasmu cut them off with irritation. ¡°It¡¯s not about confidentiality. After all, we¡¯re so far from home. Even if one of you were a spy, without the captain¡¯s authorization to use the star system communication device, no message could be sent back anyway.¡±


    Hasmu himself had been holding back frustration; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have said so much.


    ¡°As for what exactly we¡¯re looking for, I honestly don¡¯t know. Even the captain doesn¡¯t seem certain. Maybe it¡¯s some underground civilization, or perhaps¡­ a monster.¡± S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°A monster?¡±


    ¡°I get the civilization part¡ªthat¡¯s why we¡¯re here. But why is it about a monster now?¡±


    ¡°Could those nuclear radiation levels have been caused by a monster?¡± a sharp guard ventured a guess.


    ¡°Wow, monsters like that only exist in movies, don¡¯t they?¡±


    ¡°Come on, Captain, even as a guard, I¡¯ve had a higher education. Don¡¯t joke about this,¡± another chimed in.


    Hasmu finally had enough of the noisy chatter over the comms and bellowed, ¡°Enough! Quiet! Don¡¯t let your guard down just because things have gone smoothly so far. This planet hides dangers stranger than we can imagine.¡±


    Though they couldn¡¯t see Hasmu¡¯s expression through his helmet, his tone conveyed enough to make the team fall silent. The earlier lax attitude was replaced by renewed caution, and their movements as they advanced became more deliberate.


    Hasmu silently nodded in approval. After years of continuous searching, the initial vigilance of the team had waned when it became clear the planet was mostly primitive. The local wildlife posed no threat to them, leading to some complacency. His warning served as much for himself as for his team. In a crisis, the only things he could rely on were these soldiers and their weapons.


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve found a downward passage ahead. Should we proceed?¡± one member operating a piece of equipment in the middle of the team suddenly reported.


    Hasmu hurried over and examined the instrument. It was a device that mapped enclosed spaces based on sound waves, similar to echolocation. The readings showed a passage leading deeper underground, extending several hundred meters.


    He gestured for a teammate to step forward. The soldier unpacked a large backpack, which unfolded into a makeshift workstation complete with joysticks and screens.


    Under the operator¡¯s control, several mechanical spiders emerged from the platform. After stretching their legs, they quickly scuttled into the passage ahead.


    Given the uncertainty of the underground terrain, drones were less practical, while mechanical spiders proved ideal for these conditions.


    Although significantly more advanced than drones, the Riken had managed to develop and miniaturize these spider robots. Equipped with cameras, the spiders transmitted real-time footage back to the workstation. The passage ahead was about five to six meters in diameter, its walls slick with moisture from constant water flow over the years.


    Thankfully, Riken technology was up to the challenge. The mechanical spiders crawled steadily along the slippery stone walls, descending further and further.


    After traveling over 500 meters down, the vertical shaft transitioned into a sloped tunnel. The spiders continued for another hundred meters before their transmissions began breaking up into static.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hasmu demanded.


    ¡°Captain, the terrain is too complex. There¡¯s too much interference. This is as far as the spiders can transmit. Beyond this, they¡¯ll lose contact,¡± the operator explained.


    ¡°Captain, what now? Do we go down?¡± another team member asked.


    Hasmu¡¯s face clouded. Descending would require using ropes to lower the team one by one¡ªa time-consuming process. Moreover, with the unknown dangers below, a quick retreat would be nearly impossible, making the operation highly risky.


    After much deliberation, Hasmu couldn¡¯t decide and opted to consult his superiors.


    ¡°Conis, can you reach the spaceship?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No, Captain. We¡¯re already 300 meters underground, and our equipment isn¡¯t powerful enough to penetrate this far,¡± the communications officer, Conis, replied.


    Out of options, Hasmu ordered the team to maintain their position while he, the communications officer, and two other members headed back toward the surface.


    Half an hour later, Hasmu returned, and the team replenished their rations. After nearly two more hours, the remaining 20 members of their squad stationed outside joined them, forming a reinforced unit of 50.


    The team silently checked their weapons and ammo before logistics personnel unraveled two ropes down the pit.


    Each rope, cobbled together from multiple lengths, stretched 500 meters but had limited load-bearing capacity. With each soldier and their gear weighing about 150 kilograms, each rope could only support two soldiers at a time.


    Thankfully, the descent proceeded without incident. After nearly two hours of rappelling, the entire squad finally reached the bottom of the pit.

 Chapter 211: Encounter

    The team had barely resumed their march when a loud, piercing noise erupted from their communicators, causing intense discomfort and disorientation. Hasmu quickly turned off his communicator.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he asked, adjusting his helmet to public mode before directing his question to the communications officer beside him.


    The communications officer shook his head, switching his dialogue mode to public as well. ¡°It seems to be some kind of unknown electromagnetic interference. Our communicators won¡¯t work here.¡±


    Hasmu nodded and signaled the team to activate their public communication modes. The squad continued forward cautiously.


    ¡°Watch the ceiling!¡± Hasmu warned.


    Since descending, the cavern had grown increasingly spacious. They had traveled less than a kilometer, and the passage¡¯s diameter had expanded from five meters to over a hundred. Such vast caves at depths of over a kilometer were a rare sight.


    Inside the enormous, pitch-black tunnel, the beams of their tactical flashlights seemed feeble, unable to adequately illuminate their surroundings.


    ¡°Captain, should we use a couple of flares?¡± one soldier whispered.


    The oppressive darkness and unknown environment naturally created a chilling atmosphere. Even these hardened mercenaries spoke in hushed tones, their voices carrying an involuntary edge of unease.


    But in this enclosed space, where even dripping water echoed loudly, their whispers seemed exaggeratedly loud.


    ¡°Shut up, idiot,¡± Hasmu scolded softly, then gestured for silence.


    The team members nodded and turned off their tactical flashlights. They activated the infrared night-vision mode and infrared spotlights on their helmets. Instantly, the glaring white beams disappeared, replaced by the faint red glow of scattered dots.


    While the infrared lights could potentially expose their position to an enemy during combat, making them unsuitable for battlefield use, in this scenario, they proved invaluable.


    Although visibility remained limited, it was an improvement, and their pace increased slightly.


    Suddenly, a soldier tapped Hasmu on the shoulder and pointed upward.


    Hasmu¡¯s heart skipped a beat as he looked up. Far above, near the ceiling of the cavern, something was moving.


    Adjusting the focus of his night-vision goggles, he zoomed in to discover a colony of bat-like creatures hanging upside down. They appeared to be asleep, occasionally shifting or stretching their wings.


    Hasmu wondered how so many creatures had come to inhabit this place. Where had they entered from? And were they hostile?


    Erring on the side of caution, Hasmu tapped the shoulders of the soldiers around him, signaling with a series of hand gestures. The commands were relayed silently in all directions.


    The team quickly noticed the anomaly above, carefully disengaging the safeties on their weapons.


    Hasmu shook his head and gave the signal to retreat.


    The squad began to withdraw, their weapons subtly aimed toward the ceiling as they moved.


    After retreating 200 meters, the squad set up a simple defensive perimeter with remarkable efficiency, showcasing their elite training.


    The operator controlling the mechanical spiders unpacked his gear once again. The spiders scuttled forward, while a few drones silently took flight.


    With the wide-open space enabling better signal transmission, the machines were sent ahead to scout. Given the limited manpower aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡ªjust 500 combat personnel¡ªlosing even one soldier would be a significant blow.


    One soldier turned on the internal light within his helmet, making his head appear to float eerily in the darkness¡ªa somewhat humorous and unsettling sight.


    The soldier moved his mouth deliberately, conveying a message.


    All 500 members of this escort team had been handpicked from the elite, with no compromises in their qualifications. Lip-reading and sign language were part of their basic skillset. In conditions where night-vision goggles blurred rapid movements and traditional signals were impractical, precise lip-reading proved invaluable.


    ¡°Captain, ever since we came down here, I¡¯ve had a bad feeling, like something¡¯s watching us,¡± the soldier ¡°said¡± through his lip movements.


    Hasmu glanced twice to confirm the message. Other helmet lights flickered on, and soon everyone adopted this new form of communication.


    ¡°Yeah, Captain, I feel it too.¡±


    ¡°Same here.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    The soldiers¡¯ instincts were razor-sharp. Though nothing seemed out of the ordinary, the pervasive sense of being watched made their skin crawl.


    Hasmu felt the same unease. However, it wasn¡¯t unique to this situation. Even during surface missions, he had often experienced a similar sensation.


    When he reported it, the ship¡¯s medic dismissed it as anxiety-induced delusion, and his concerns were not taken seriously by the higher-ups.


    Lacking evidence, Hasmu had stopped raising the issue after a few visits to the ship¡¯s psychologist. But now, with so many others feeling the same, it couldn¡¯t simply be a case of mass anxiety. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the situation grew more unsettling, the operator reported that the electromagnetic interference was also affecting the mechanical spiders and drones. They could only scout about 500 meters before losing functionality and were forced to return to avoid losses.


    Hasmu realized that whatever was hidden here might be precisely what the captain and their mission sought.


    Unlike previous cave explorations, this one was full of anomalies.


    ¡°We¡¯re pulling out,¡± Hasmu decided swiftly.


    He signaled the squad to prepare for retreat. Though puzzled by the sudden order, the soldiers complied without question, packing up while maintaining a defensive formation.


    It had taken two hours to descend 500 meters by rope, and climbing back up would likely take longer. Sweat began to bead on Hasmu¡¯s forehead. If an incident occurred, how many of his team could make it out alive was uncertain.


    He silently prayed that his concerns were unfounded.


    But whether he¡¯d heard of Murphy¡¯s Law or not, he was about to experience it firsthand.


    Noticing the squad¡¯s movements, the bat-like creatures hanging from the cavern ceiling suddenly took flight, screeching as they swarmed toward the retreating team.


    These creatures resembled the bats discovered by the Swarm in the red forest but behaved differently. Unlike their wild counterparts, these bats did not fight among themselves or interfere with one another. Their coordinated actions and clear targets hinted at a different origin.


    Alert to every detail, Hasmu was the first to notice the threat. Abandoning stealth, he shouted, ¡°Prepare to engage!¡±

 Chapter 212: The Bats

    ¡°Flares!¡±


    The soldiers quickly disabled their night-vision devices and switched to normal mode. Two shells fired skyward, bursting into twin miniature suns that bathed the cavern in blinding light, turning the darkness into a blinding white day.


    The sudden illumination revealed a horrifying sight. A dense, black swarm of bat-like creatures formed an impenetrable wall, surging toward them like an unstoppable tide.


    Fear rippled through the team.


    ¡°Attack!¡± Hasmu shouted, his voice cutting through the tension as the swarm closed within 100 meters.


    His order jolted the stunned soldiers back into action. Years of combat training snapped them out of their fear, and they swiftly engaged.


    Red energy beams streaked through the air, intermingling with the flares¡¯ bright white glow. Shadows of soldiers and bat-like creatures danced chaotically on the cavern walls like a macabre ballet.


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    The Riken firearms had two firing modes. The default mode emitted concentrated energy beams capable of penetrating even the thick armor of Bull Demons. The explosive mode, however, discharged unstable energy that detonated upon impact, creating small shockwaves. It was particularly effective against swarm assaults like this one.


    This mode came at the cost of the weapon¡¯s lifespan, but in a life-or-death situation, none of the soldiers hesitated to make the trade-off.


    In normal mode, the energy beams often pierced through the frontmost bats and continued through two or three more before dissipating. However, the bats¡¯ massive size¡ªeach over two meters long¡ªmeant that such wounds rarely proved fatal unless vital organs like the head or heart were hit. As a result, the swarm¡¯s advance remained relentless, closing the distance to just 50 meters within seconds.


    Switching to explosive mode significantly improved their effectiveness. The blasts not only caused greater damage but also disrupted the bats¡¯ formation, pushing them back slightly.


    Despite this, the swarm pressed on undeterred, their numbers seemingly endless. Soon, they were within 40 meters.


    ¡°Shock grenades! Brace for impact!¡± Hasmu commanded as he fired his weapon. These creatures, adapted to survive in sunless caves, likely relied on senses other than sight.


    On their homeworld, the Riken had dealt with similar creatures. As a seasoned warrior, Hasmu instinctively deployed an effective countermeasure.


    Several cylindrical ¡°cans¡± were hurled into the air. As they detonated, the soldiers activated the sound-blocking systems integrated into their helmets.


    The ensuing explosions produced an earsplitting roar that echoed throughout the cavern, amplified several times by the enclosed space. Stalactites rained down from the ceiling, and the entire passage seemed to tremble.


    Even with the helmet¡¯s protections, Hasmu¡¯s head swam from the intense noise. He shook it off, muttering to himself that they¡¯d come dangerously close to becoming victims of their own tactic.


    Looking at the aftermath, however, he felt the risk had been worth it.


    The bats flailed wildly like headless flies, their formation shattered. The shock grenades had inflicted severe harm; dark red blood trickled from their ears and eyes.


    ¡°Finish them off!¡± Hasmu barked.


    The team seized the opportunity, unleashing explosive energy beams that decimated the swarm. Corpses piled up, and the swarm retreated further. Yet suddenly, the bats regrouped, as if regaining their senses, and charged once more.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Hasmu growled. Creatures that relied on sound for navigation shouldn¡¯t recover this quickly from a sonic attack. It was as if someone were providing them with vision and directing their actions.


    ¡°Angulo, figure it out!¡± Hasmu shouted.


    A scout retreated to the backline, adjusting his helmet. Unlike the others, his helmet was larger, ringed with an array of sensors connected to a miniature computer. Each sensor was specialized for detecting specific phenomena.


    Angulo rotated the sensors, scanning the area for any hidden threats. The process was slow due to the poor visibility and numerous obstacles.


    ¡°Hurry up, Angulo!¡±


    ¡°Working as fast as I can!¡± he snapped, though his hands moved even quicker under pressure.


    ¡°We can¡¯t hold them much longer! Bring out the flamethrowers!¡± Hasmu yelled.


    Two burly soldiers, each equipped with a flamethrower, stepped forward. Setting aside their rifles, they adjusted their equipment before unleashing twin columns of fire, each nearly two meters wide.


    The flamethrowers discharged a highly flammable, adhesive substance that clung to whatever it touched. Once ignited, the only way to extinguish it was to sever the affected area entirely¡ªa nearly impossible task in the chaos of battle.


    The bats, despite their size and ferocity, were still flesh-and-blood creatures. They burned easily, and the flames spread rapidly among them as they flew into one another in panic.


    In moments, the swarm suffered heavy casualties.


    However, the flamethrowers had significant drawbacks. The fuel was heavy and difficult to carry, limiting their operational time. Only a reinforced squad like Hasmu¡¯s 50-man team had access to such weapons; smaller ten-man units couldn¡¯t afford the luxury.


    Moreover, the burning fuel consumed large amounts of oxygen and produced toxic fumes. While the helmets¡¯ filtration systems handled the toxins easily, the dwindling oxygen posed a serious problem. Already deep underground, the air was thin to begin with.


    Each soldier carried only two small oxygen canisters for emergencies, which wouldn¡¯t last long. Under normal circumstances, they relied on breathing the planet¡¯s atmosphere, which, despite its toxicity, was easily filtered by their helmets.


    ¡°Cease fire!¡± Hasmu ordered as the bats¡¯ assault faltered. If the flamethrowers continued for another two minutes, the entire squad could suffocate.


    ¡°Captain, I¡¯ve found it! There¡¯s an abnormal magnetic field behind the column to the upper left!¡± Angulo suddenly shouted.


    Elite training left no room for hesitation. The instant Angulo reported the location, the team unleashed a barrage of explosive beams, engulfing the indicated area in a blaze of destruction.

 Chapter 213: The Bugs

    ¡°Did anyone see what it was?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Angulo, report!¡±


    ¡°Captain, the magnetic field response is gone. The target seems to have optical camouflage but no thermal signature,¡± Angulo replied.


    ¡°Two of you, check it out!¡± Hasmu ordered, shaking off his own unease and pointing to two team members.


    The soldiers nodded without hesitation and prepared to step out of the formation.


    ¡°Wait! Captain, I¡¯m detecting multiple lifeforms approaching!¡±


    ¡°More bats?¡±


    ¡°No! They¡¯re coming from the ground¡­ wait, they¡¯re on the walls too,¡± Angulo said, suddenly looking up. ¡°And the ceiling! Watch out, they¡¯re coming!¡±


    ¡°Check your equipment! Defensive formation! Fire two more flares!¡± Hasmu bellowed. The team quickly checked their weapons, replaced energy sources, and aimed from behind their makeshift cover.


    Two flares arced into the air, reigniting the dim cavern with brilliant light. Wisps of smoke rose from the ground, accompanied by a burnt odor. Despite the helmets¡¯ integrated filters, the stench was nauseating.


    As the rustling noises grew louder, the team finally saw their attackers.


    They were bizarre insect-like creatures about 40 centimeters in size, resembling oversized spiders with four pairs of robust legs. The front two pairs were mutated into blade-like appendages.


    Encased in metallic exoskeletons that shimmered under the light, the bugs exuded lethality. Just from their appearance, it was evident they were adept at stabbing attacks.


    Hasmu eyed the blade-legs, which were 30-40 centimeters long, and realized the danger. If these creatures got too close, the soldiers¡¯ protective suits would offer little defense.


    The bugs were small but agile, capable of moving effortlessly across the slick cavern walls and even leaping considerable distances. Their segmented legs were paired with membranous wings, enabling short glides that made their movements even more erratic and unpredictable.


    ¡°Attack!¡± Hasmu ordered preemptively, opening fire from 300 meters away. Red beams lanced through the air.


    Almost immediately, the team realized a horrifying truth¡ªthese bugs could dodge bullets.


    Their physiology allowed them to dart laterally in quick bursts, while their four dynamic eyes offered exceptional motion tracking. Though the narrow terrain and sheer numbers meant some were still hit, they were far more troublesome than the bats.


    Within seconds, the bugs had closed the gap to just 50 meters.


    ¡°Conis, can you reach the ship yet?¡± Hasmu yelled. Since the bat attack, he had been urging the communications officer to call for backup, but the underground interference and unknown magnetic fields rendered their equipment useless.


    Conis shook his head, despair evident on his face.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Hasmu cursed. ¡°Bring out the flamethrowers! Use up all the fuel! Maintain formation and retreat! Save whoever you can!¡±


    Flames roared to life as twin columns of fire erupted once more. The elite squad fought a tactical retreat, but the diminishing oxygen made breathing increasingly difficult.


    ¡°Switch to oxygen tanks! Save yourselves!¡± Hasmu ordered.


    Just as the soldiers adjusted their tanks, Angulo, trembling and pale, pointed at his instrument. ¡°Captain¡­ they¡¯re everywhere. We¡¯re surrounded¡­¡±


    Hasmu glanced at the screen. Red dots swarmed every side, eliminating any escape route.


    ¡°Damn it, this is a trap!¡± he growled.


    ¡°Sneva, take ten men and cut a path through the rear! Cover Conis!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain!¡± Sneva, a towering Riken, saluted and led his team toward the rear.


    ¡°Conis!¡±


    ¡°Captain?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll cover you. Get this information back to the ship. Let the captain know what¡¯s down here. If we die, avenge us!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± Conis replied, his voice quivering but resolute. He saluted, hoisted his communication gear, and sprinted away.


    A bloodcurdling scream cut through the air.


    With Sneva and his group retreating, a section of their line faltered, allowing several bugs to breach their defenses. One leaped forward, its bladed leg piercing a soldier¡¯s visor.


    The soldier¡¯s agonized scream was followed by a violent collapse. Blood trickled from the damaged visor as his body twitched, then stilled.


    A nearby comrade rushed to his side, yanking the bug off and pinning it to the ground with a tactical knife.


    ¡°Emil! Emil!¡± he cried, shaking the fallen soldier. Frantically, he removed the visor to reveal a lifeless blue face, frozen in an expression of disbelief.


    A gaping wound ran from the side of Emil¡¯s nose to the back of his skull. Even with the Riken¡¯s advanced medical technology, such an injury was beyond saving.


    This was the squad¡¯s first casualty, but it wouldn¡¯t be the last. The grim reality weighed on them, though they were seasoned elites who had accepted the possibility of death long ago. Yet, facing it was another matter entirely. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Hasmu roared, his frustration boiling over. ¡°Throw grenades! Let these bugs taste our little presents!¡±


    Previously, Hasmu had avoided using grenades, fearing the massive shockwaves would destabilize the cavern. But with the narrow passage offering little room to maneuver, he abandoned caution.


    Explosions rocked the cave. Shards of rock flew in every direction, their unpredictable trajectories causing more damage to the bugs than the grenades themselves.


    Yet, it was too late. The dense smoke and debris obscured vision, hindering both sides.


    Screams echoed through the chaos.

 Chapter 214: Despair

    Amid the swirling dust and debris, more members of the escort team were overwhelmed by the bugs. The grenades, instead of achieving their intended effect, disrupted their own formation, compounding the chaos.


    After a barrage of desperate gunfire, the assault was momentarily repelled.


    In the aftermath, a grim inventory revealed five more casualties.


    ¡°Captain, it feels like they¡¯re toying with us.¡±


    ¡°Or trying to exhaust our ammo.¡±


    ¡°But why? They could have wiped us out earlier.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I noticed too¡ªit wasn¡¯t us driving them back just now. They retreated on their own.¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Hasmu snapped. ¡°Whatever they¡¯re planning, it¡¯s not inviting us for a meal. Set the timers on all our bombs to five minutes and move faster!¡±


    Realizing they would be gradually picked apart if they lingered, Hasmu decided to use the bugs¡¯ temporary retreat to accelerate their withdrawal.


    The team quickly set their explosives, tossing them haphazardly onto the ground. Without the extra weight, they felt slightly lighter and, after checking their remaining ammunition, began a fighting retreat.


    The passage gradually narrowed to about 20 meters wide, concentrating their firepower. In the tighter space, their defensive line seemed to hold stronger, giving the team a sliver of hope for escape.


    That hope was dashed after retreating another fifty meters, where they unexpectedly encountered Sneva¡¯s advance team.


    ¡°Sneva, what¡¯s going on?¡± Hasmu called without turning, too preoccupied with the bugs¡¯ renewed charge to look back.


    ¡°Captain, the rear is completely blocked! The passage is swarming with bugs¡ªwe can¡¯t get through!¡± Conis, the communications officer, shouted, his voice strained with panic. Sneva himself was too embroiled in battle to respond.


    ¡°Damn it! What are these bugs trying to do?¡± Hasmu cursed. He¡¯d uttered more expletives in one day than in the past year combined.


    Before he could devise a plan, a series of explosions rocked the tunnel, their concussive force hurling the team through the air.


    Each soldier had carried several pounds of adhesive explosives; collectively, over two hundred pounds of ordnance detonated within the confined space. The destruction was catastrophic.


    Massive chunks of rock and clouds of dust rained down, partially sealing the tunnel. The entire cavern trembled for what felt like half a minute before settling.


    Hasmu groaned as he pushed away the rubble pinning him down, shaking his head to clear the disorientation. Dust covered his visor, and after wiping it clean, it quickly became obscured again.


    Switching his helmet to thermal imaging mode, he spotted humanoid heat signatures nearby.


    After a moment¡¯s pause, he struggled to his feet. His rifle was nowhere to be found, likely lost in the blast, so he reluctantly drew the pistol strapped to his back and cautiously approached the heat sources.


    On the way, he encountered several bugs, either stunned or dead from the explosion. Though lacking expertise in biology, Hasmu didn¡¯t take any chances, stabbing each one to ensure it wouldn¡¯t rise again.


    The bugs¡¯ leg armor was incredibly tough, resisting even his alloy knife, but their backs and abdomens were more vulnerable, allowing him to dispatch them with relative ease.


    Gradually, he uncovered a few teammates from the debris. As some regained consciousness and regrouped, their search efforts quickened.


    After several minutes, Hasmu conducted a headcount. Of the original team, only 32 remained. They found three bodies, but the others¡ªover a dozen¡ªwere missing.


    At this depth, anyone unaccounted for was likely either buried under rubble or taken by the bugs, their survival slim to none.


    Fortunately, the blocked tunnel now reduced the number of directions from which the bugs could attack, slightly improving the survivors¡¯ chances.


    However, with much of their equipment lost and no time to recover it, Hasmu ordered a rapid retreat toward their original entry point.


    Unbeknownst to them, the bugs in the rear passage had suffered minimal damage from the explosion. Even if affected, their recovery was far quicker than that of the humans.


    If the bugs had wanted to eliminate the team, they could have done so several times over during the brief period the soldiers lay unconscious. But instead, they waited. Observing.


    This realization made Hasmu feel like a clown performing a grim dance for an audience.


    Yet, he knew there was no choice but to keep moving forward. Survival demanded it, even though he suspected the bugs would not allow them to escape. The closer they got to the exit, the closer they would come to death.


    On the way, a few soldiers were tackled by bugs. Their comrades no longer stopped to help; survival instincts overrode camaraderie.


    As they neared the vertical shaft, fear took root among the survivors. The air grew thick with despair, as if the darkness itself pressed down on them.


    The passage narrowed to just five meters wide, and at last, they reached the 500-meter vertical shaft.


    Remarkably, the reconnaissance specialist Angulo was still alive, and his equipment was intact. He almost wished it wasn¡¯t.


    The instruments displayed countless red dots above them. His hands trembled as he adjusted a set of helmet-mounted probes and looked upward into the shaft.


    What he saw drained the last vestiges of hope from him. Angulo collapsed, his legs giving out beneath him.


    ¡°Angulo, what¡¯s wrong? Are you injured?¡±


    ¡°Captain¡­ it¡¯s over. We¡¯re finished,¡± Angulo muttered, his voice hollow.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°Above us¡­ above us¡­¡± Angulo stammered, his once-steady demeanor shattered by the psychological torment of their ordeal.


    ¡°Spit it out! What¡¯s above us?¡± Hasmu shouted, shaking Angulo violently by the shoulders.


    Hasmu was no fool. He had already suspected the truth but clung to a shred of hope that he might be wrong.


    But there was no miracle.


    ¡°They¡¯re everywhere! Those magnetic-field creatures! The entire shaft is filled with them!¡± Angulo screamed, his eyes momentarily regaining focus before his voice broke into despair.


    His words didn¡¯t bring clarity or courage; instead, they crushed what little resolve the team had left. One by one, the soldiers slumped to the ground, consumed by an overwhelming sense of doom.


    Despair hung heavy in the air.


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 Chapter 215: Experience

    As elite soldiers, the squad was not typically so fragile. When Hasmu first ordered the rear guard to protect the communications officer, they had shown no hesitation, fully embodying a resolve to sacrifice themselves if needed.


    However, even the toughest individuals have limits. The bugs¡¯ seemingly playful torment wore them down. Despite having countless opportunities to annihilate the squad, the bugs always stopped just short, forcing the soldiers to repeatedly endure the terror of impending death.


    It was like having a blade lowered to their necks, only to be lifted away again¡ªa truly harrowing ordeal.


    The creatures harassing the squad were indeed Swarm combat units, but this was not Luo Wen¡¯s doing out of cruelty.


    From the Swarm¡¯s inception, they had never experienced a true war between civilizations. Even the Ratfolk¡¯s civil wars were limited to melee combat; they had not developed large-scale battles involving advanced weaponry before their unification.


    Thus, neither Luo Wen nor the intelligent entities had any real experience with modern warfare. All military strategies had only existed in theory.


    Now, after investing significant effort to create the perfect battlefield deep underground¡ªwhere retreat was impossible, signals were blocked, and the outside world would never know what transpired¡ªthe Swarm finally had a chance to conduct live trials.


    Drawing in a fully equipped elite team was like recruiting expert trainers and whetstones. The Swarm could test the combat effectiveness of its units, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and refine their battle strategies and coordination.


    Moreover, observing the Riken soldiers¡¯ responses to ambushes provided valuable lessons in small-scale unit coordination, tactical leadership, and emergency measures. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It also offered insight into Riken weaponry. By collecting data and analyzing the technology¡¯s strengths and limitations, the Swarm could expand its knowledge base.


    Luo Wen even brought in linguists to study the Riken soldiers¡¯ command phrases and interpret their language through context and gestures.


    Linguistics was an underdeveloped field for the Swarm. Intelligent entities were created from Ratfolk souls, and Ratfolk history was short and simplistic. Their language had evolved from Luo Wen¡¯s teachings, leaving them with no diverse linguistic foundation or multilingual specialists.


    Fortunately, deciphering attack commands paired with corresponding actions was relatively straightforward.


    Given the numerous advantages of keeping the soldiers alive, exterminating them outright was never an option. They were to be repeatedly, methodically exploited.


    Of course, the Swarm never factored in the psychological impact on their ¡°test subjects.¡±


    The sealed tunnel suddenly stirred as sand and gravel trickled down. A bug emerged, briefly breaking the oppressive atmosphere.


    This new type of Spider Combat Bug had been designed by Luo Wen after observing Riken physiology and equipment. The old Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ short venomous fangs were ineffective against protective suits.


    Moreover, the current adversaries were not wild beasts; injecting venom and waiting for the target to succumb was no longer viable. Soldiers equipped with firearms could unleash dozens of bullets during that waiting period.


    The updated Spider Combat Bugs prioritized immediate lethality. Their segmented legs were reinforced for better piercing capabilities, while the venom sacs and stingers were removed to reduce production costs and lighten their bodies.


    Additionally, like the earlier bat-like creatures, these bugs adopted a respiratory and circulatory system modeled on Great Dawn Planet¡¯s native fauna. This adaptation allowed them to breathe the planet¡¯s air directly.


    This approach saved significant resources and enabled the rapid formation of Swarm armies with limited supplies.


    The Swarm currently employed two space-adapted templates.


    The first, featuring an internal ecological chamber system, was Luo Wen¡¯s earliest design. These organisms sustained themselves through a miniature ecosystem within their bodies, enabling survival in oxygen-free environments.


    However, the energy conversion efficiency of this template was poor. While it supported basic life functions, combat exertion quickly outstripped its energy supply, limiting endurance and power. As a result, this template had been retired.


    The second template was derived from atmospheric organisms. It boasted abundant energy reserves, powerful bursts of strength, and even the ability to overclock temporarily.


    However, its drawbacks included limited operational range and high production costs. The specialized structures needed to generate and control electromagnetic fields or plasma required rare minerals and significant resources.


    The Swarm could only afford to produce juvenile versions of these units, which then absorbed energy to grow. Producing a single electromagnetic Spider Combat Bug cost as much as fifty standard Spider Combat Bugs of the same size.


    If, instead, they were hatched as fingernail-sized larvae and allowed to mature over time, costs would drop significantly¡ªbut at the expense of time.


    To expedite production, the bugs¡¯ exoskeletons were replaced with keratinous armor capable of growing with their bodies.


    Building a full army using this method would take time, but it was cost-effective.


    Upon landing on Great Dawn Planet, Luo Wen had immediately destroyed one of his avatars to establish a Brood Nest. Once it matured, it began producing Brood Queens en masse.


    Alongside the dozens of Brood Queens that descended with Luo Wen, the Swarm¡¯s presence on Great Dawn Planet grew substantially.


    The ecological-chamber bugs were recalled, and all scouting units were replaced with those adapted to the planet¡¯s native biology.


    This transition allowed the Swarm to operate more openly. Even if captured by the Riken, dissections would reveal nothing out of the ordinary.


    Reflecting on this upgrade, Luo Wen realized the local templates were far cheaper to produce, requiring no special minerals.


    For example, the updated Spider Combat Bugs could be mass-produced as eggs and, with current Swarm technology, would hatch fully combat-ready in just seven days, provided resources were sufficient.


    These bugs¡¯ reliance on native energy systems eliminated supply concerns. Their combat effectiveness and endurance were more than adequate, and their one-piece exoskeleton armor matched the strength of their electromagnetic counterparts.


    Field tests proved these updated Spider Combat Bugs to be exceptional, particularly in complex terrains.


    Satisfied with their performance, Luo Wen found his conviction in these new strategies growing ever stronger.

 Chapter 216: The Explosion

    Luo Wen believed that species capable of surviving directly in space were exceedingly rare, even among advanced civilizations. The Swarm itself had only achieved such capabilities through relentless evolution and development.


    The Swarm¡¯s methods, however, were difficult for other civilizations to replicate.


    Most civilizations, Luo Wen assumed, would inhabit environments similar to natural or terraformed habitable planets, such as Genesis Planet or Great Dawn Planet.


    Even the Riken, Luo Wen theorized, likely hailed from a habitable planet. Their use of protective suits and filtration masks suggested a dependence on atmospheric respiration for internal circulation.


    Although the atmospheric composition of such planets might vary, they invariably nurtured diverse life forms, each civilization adapting to its specific habitat.


    If the Swarm were to clash with these civilizations, capturing their biological templates and deploying Brood Queens to their home planets could potentially produce low-cost local combat units. These units might effectively tie down enemy forces, gradually wearing them down and undermining their resources.


    Would this strategy allow the Swarm to secure victory while preserving hidden strengths? Could it offer a decisive edge in interstellar conflict?


    The feasibility of this plan, Luo Wen realized, would require practical testing. If the Riken lacked powerful allies, they would serve as ideal test subjects.


    Caution, however, was paramount. The Swarm was still a sub-light-speed power, weak compared to civilizations operating at or beyond light speed. Provoking such entities would leave no room for escape.


    In the vast universe, even a dominant species like the Swarm needed to tread carefully.


    Until certainty could be achieved, the Swarm would continue playing its current role.


    But plans rarely go smoothly.


    Luo Wen had intended to exhaust the escort squad¡¯s ammunition and capture them alive as experimental material. Unfortunately, unforeseen events disrupted this strategy.


    Whether it was a surge of valor, a sense of duty, or the mental backlash of despair, Hasmu unexpectedly regained his composure.


    ¡°Brothers,¡± Hasmu addressed his team, his voice steady, ¡°it seems we¡¯re not getting out of this one. Dragging this out any longer serves no purpose. We must get the message out. If we disappear without a trace, the Captain will send others to search for us. Without knowing what¡¯s here, they might face the same fate as us.¡±


    Glancing at the battered, dirt-covered soldiers around him, Hasmu¡¯s grim expression was hidden beneath his dust-caked visor.


    ¡°Our escort team only numbers 500. We can¡¯t afford to lose any more men. The Captain needs every remaining soldier if he¡¯s going to avenge us!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan, Captain?¡±


    ¡°Tell us what to do!¡±


    ¡°Death is no big deal.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. When I boarded this ship, I didn¡¯t expect to come back alive!¡±


    The hardened soldiers, recovering from their fear, displayed their unyielding resolve.


    ¡°Good. Then let¡¯s take some interest on our way out.¡±


    A blazing white light erupted within the cavern, its intense heat turning the walls into glass before a powerful shockwave shattered them.


    The underground cavern collapsed, burying the attacking bugs in a devastating avalanche. Most were vaporized instantly.


    The explosion was so intense that, even a kilometer underground, its tremors could be felt on the surface.


    Aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship


    The command bridge lit up with red warning lights, accompanied by piercing alarms.


    An unkempt Reggie rushed out of his quarters.


    ¡°Celia, what now?¡± he barked, pulling on his captain¡¯s uniform as he went.


    ¡°Captain, a fusion reaction was detected in the E5 sector of the third continent,¡± a mechanical female voice replied.


    ¡°Have we found the creature?¡± Reggie¡¯s grogginess disappeared instantly, replaced by sharp alertness.


    ¡°Confirmation pending.¡±


    ¡°Which escort team is closest?¡±


    ¡°Hasmu¡¯s team is operating in the area, approximately 500 meters from the blast site.¡±


    A sinking feeling gripped Reggie¡¯s heart.


    Five hundred meters¡ªsurely within the blast radius. He demanded, ¡°What was the estimated yield of the explosion?¡±


    ¡°Between 2,700 and 3,200 tons of TNT.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Reggie swore. At that yield, survival at such a distance was improbable.


    ¡°Contact Hasmu immediately!¡± Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hasmu¡¯s team is unresponsive.¡±


    ¡°When did we lose contact? Pull up their mission logs!¡±


    ¡°Hasmu¡¯s team was tasked with exploring underground caverns in the E5 sector. The mission included 50 personnel, supported by three transport ships and one gunboat. Approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes ago, Hasmu requested reinforcements.¡±


    ¡°He requested reinforcements!? Why wasn¡¯t I informed?¡±


    ¡°The request was classified as Level B and handled by Major Camis, the current duty officer.¡±


    ¡°Where is Major Camis now?¡±


    ¡°He is currently on the second level of the bridge.¡±


    Reggie strode onto the bridge, spotting Major Camis from afar. The major¡¯s grim expression confirmed the gravity of the situation.


    ¡°Major Camis, what¡¯s going on?¡± Reggie demanded.


    ¡°The details are still unclear, Captain, but I fear the news isn¡¯t good.¡± Camis met Reggie¡¯s probing gaze. ¡°You¡¯ve been briefed on the basics?¡±


    Reggie nodded.


    Camis continued, ¡°Hasmu¡¯s team was assigned to investigate the area¡ªa routine cavern search. They had successfully completed similar missions before, but this time, they encountered something unusual: a vertical shaft extending approximately 500 meters down.¡±


    ¡°Hasmu exercised caution, requesting reinforcements before proceeding. However, with other teams occupied, I instructed him to take the personnel from his transport ships and gunboat. The vessels were left under Celia¡¯s control and placed on standby in orbit.¡±


    ¡°Shortly after descending, Hasmu¡¯s team lost communication. This wasn¡¯t unusual, given the interference within the caves and the depth they were exploring.¡±


    ¡°Then the explosion occurred. Based on its depth and yield, I suspect they detonated a tactical nuclear device. The explosion matches the specifications of the Engineer II tactical nukes they were equipped with.¡±


    ¡°What!? That was a fully staffed elite unit! What could have forced them to use a nuke?¡± Reggie exclaimed, his shock palpable.


    ¡°It must have been a formidable enemy. Unless faced with complete despair, they wouldn¡¯t resort to such measures. A nuclear explosion in an underground cavern is catastrophic, especially without sufficient depth for protection. Survival would be nearly impossible,¡± Camis said with a heavy sigh.


    ¡°Whatever it was, it¡¯s likely been destroyed along with the squad. I¡¯ve dispatched two additional teams to investigate. Hopefully, they¡¯ll recover some useful information.¡±

 Chapter 217: Emergence

    Luo Wen hadn¡¯t expected the alien squad to be so extreme, detonating a small nuclear bomb in the end. The explosion not only annihilated most of the Swarm in the cave but also woke up Godzilla.


    Godzilla was highly sensitive to nuclear explosions. Odd-Headed Fish near its resting place had detected its awakening within minutes of the detonation. Godzilla left its nest and began swimming toward the blast site.


    The explosion occurred over 2,000 kilometers in a straight line from Godzilla¡¯s resting place, with over 3,500 kilometers to traverse by sea. At Godzilla¡¯s speed, it would take approximately 30 hours to reach the coastal waters near the blast zone.


    Luo Wen¡¯s original plan had been to slowly weaken the alien forces and drive them away while keeping Godzilla¡¯s existence hidden.


    But the self-detonation of the nuclear bomb had disrupted everything.


    Despite the many Brood Queens on Great Dawn Planet and the presence of a Brood Nest, they had only recently arrived and had just begun hatching combat units, most of which had been destroyed in the explosion.


    Now, Luo Wen was at a disadvantage. He couldn¡¯t take on either the aliens or Godzilla. In 24 hours, when Godzilla confronted the aliens, the outcome would be anyone¡¯s guess.


    The situation had spiraled out of control. Even if this scenario had unfolded a month later, Luo Wen would have been in a much stronger position.


    But it was too late for regrets. For now, he could only watch from the shadows, accumulating strength.


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve detected an unusual energy signature in the ocean. After locking onto the target with the satellite, we captured this.¡± A crew member reported to Reggie, displaying a video feed on the large screen.


    The image showed a shadow cutting through the azure sea, moving rapidly underwater.


    ¡°What in the world is that?!¡± Reggie exclaimed. ¡°What do the data say?¡±


    ¡°Based on calculations, the shadow is about 100 meters long. It appears to be some kind of large creature moving swiftly beneath the surface.¡±


    ¡°Where is it headed?¡±


    ¡°Unknown at this time.¡±


    ¡°I know where it¡¯s going.¡± A voice interjected.


    Reggie turned to see Dr. Lute had entered the bridge at some point. He stared intently at the screen, murmuring under his breath.


    ¡°Lute, do you know what this is?¡± Reggie snapped, frustration building from a day of nonstop crises. Major Camis also looked at Lute with curiosity.


    ¡°Reggie, Major Camis, remember the creature I mentioned?¡± Lute replied with a peculiar smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ this is it?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. It must have been drawn out by the nuclear explosion. It¡¯s been lonely for a long time, it seems¡ªso eager to seek company.¡± Lute¡¯s deduction was based on a few telling details.


    Reggie and Camis exchanged fiery glances at Lute¡¯s words.


    If they could capture this creature, the century-long mission would be worth it, and they could return home ahead of schedule.


    ¡°So, its target is the blast site?¡±


    ¡°If my guess is correct, yes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope you¡¯re right.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, gentlemen. We¡¯ll have answers soon enough. But I suggest you focus on planning how to handle this behemoth.¡±


    Reggie and Camis exchanged another glance before nodding.


    ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s just a beast. The escort teams can handle it easily,¡± Major Camis declared with confidence. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡±


    Despite his bravado, Camis wasn¡¯t taking any chances. In addition to the two squads already dispatched for investigation, he deployed five more.


    Of the 500 combat personnel on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, organized into ten elite squads, one¡ªHasmu¡¯s squad¡ªwas missing and presumed wiped out. Camis had redirected most of the remaining forces to the mission, a testament to the gravity of the situation.


    To ensure the teams took the mission seriously, he shared some of Dr. Lute¡¯s insights, emphasizing the importance of vigilance.


    Time crawled as anticipation mounted.


    Thirty-one hours later, Godzilla, the star of the show, finally arrived on stage, monitored every step of the way by both sides.


    In the shallow coastal waters, massive octopuses, sensing danger, fled frantically. Most of these 30-meter giants avoided Godzilla¡¯s path in the sea, while a few clambered onto land in a panic, retreating inland.


    No one paid attention to this rare spectacle¡ªexcept Celia, the AI, who dutifully recorded everything.


    ¡°It¡¯s here!¡±


    On the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s bridge, everyone¡ªfrom the captain to the scientists and crew¡ªstared unblinkingly at the screens. Satellite and gunship footage provided real-time, multi-angled coverage.


    As Godzilla neared the coastline, its shadow began to surface.


    Brilliant blue bioluminescence rippled across the water, and the first to break the surface were the dorsal fins¡ªjagged like blades. As Godzilla swam closer, more of its massive form emerged. Its spine and back, glowing like an LED light show, came into view.


    ¡°Amazing,¡± Dr. Lute whispered, captivated by the sight on the screen.


    Reggie and Camis took a cautious step away from him.


    Lute didn¡¯t notice. His attention was entirely absorbed by the colossal creature.


    ¡°So, my hypothesis was correct. It¡¯s really it! Look at its dorsal fins¡ªthe blue glow indicates some kind of mechanism at work. For a creature of this size to move so quickly, it must be using an advanced propulsion method. This is an extraordinary discovery. Can evolution truly achieve such a feat?¡±


    ¡°Should we start celebrating?¡± Reggie asked, unable to hide his excitement. As the overall leader of the century-long mission, the confirmed discovery of such a significant lifeform was cause for joy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so hasty,¡± Lute suddenly cautioned. ¡°Warn the escort teams to exercise extreme caution. This creature isn¡¯t as simple as it appears.¡±


    ¡°What did you find?¡± Camis asked, recognizing Lute¡¯s expertise.


    ¡°Just a hunch. The fact that it¡¯s utilizing advanced energy mechanisms suggests it won¡¯t be easy to handle.¡±


    Camis nodded and stepped aside to issue further instructions through his communicator.


    A moment later, he returned. ¡°I trust our boys can handle it. They¡¯re the best of the best.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m eager to see them succeed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s coming.¡±


    On-screen, Godzilla stood upright, its massive upper body rising from the ocean. Letting out a thunderous roar, it began wading toward the shore, creating towering white waves with each step.


    ¡°It seems quite clumsy on land. That¡¯s good news for us.¡±


    ¡°Send the gunships in for a closer look,¡± Reggie ordered.

 Chapter 218: Striking Godzilla

    Two gunboats quickly approached. These 20-meter-long steel behemoths looked insignificant compared to Godzilla¡¯s towering figure, standing over 100 meters tall.


    Godzilla paid no attention to the metal boxes circling nearby. As the undisputed ruler of Great Dawn Planet for countless millennia, it had every reason to disdain lesser beings.


    It continued moving toward the explosion site, entirely focused on its goal.


    This disregard gave the two gunboats a chance to circle it at a distance of two or three kilometers, meticulously observing the colossal creature.


    ¡°Incredible,¡± Dr. Lute murmured in awe once again. ¡°When do we take action?¡±


    ¡°Once it¡¯s farther from the shore. With our current equipment, we can¡¯t do much to it in the water,¡± Major Camis replied. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Lute nodded in agreement. Their manpower was limited, and given the beast¡¯s speed and the ocean¡¯s vast depths, if it retreated into the sea after being attacked, they would have little recourse.


    If the creature decided to stay submerged, the mission would end in one of two undesirable outcomes: either they returned home with mere data instead of the creature itself, or they waited decades for reinforcements.


    Both scenarios were unacceptable. Bringing back a living specimen was exponentially more valuable than bringing back reports. And waiting for reinforcements could take so long that by the time they returned, their loved ones on their homeworld might have already passed away.


    Two hours later, Godzilla had trudged 20 kilometers inland. Despite its slow gait, its immense stride length allowed it to cover significant ground.


    During this time, the two gunboats had filmed Godzilla from every angle, capturing even close-ups of the soles of its feet whenever it lifted them.


    Major Camis had deployed all nine remaining squads. Seven were positioned behind Godzilla to form a defensive line, preventing it from returning to the ocean. The remaining two operated the gunboats, providing fire support.


    Transport ships had delivered heavy artillery, vehicles, and other armaments to reinforce the frontlines. These elite troops, proficient in various combat equipment, quickly prepared for battle.


    On the inland side, no defensive points were established. As long as Godzilla didn¡¯t return to the sea, it was seen as a fish on the chopping block¡ªready for slaughter.


    An additional hour passed. Godzilla was now 30 kilometers from the coast. Its relentless march toward the explosion site underscored its fascination with the nuclear blast. Otherwise, such a creature would likely have avoided such an exhausting journey.


    ¡°Begin,¡± Camis ordered softly into the communicator.


    The escort squads, long impatient, opened fire instantly.


    Over a dozen long-range cannons launched massive energy beams. These weapons resembled scaled-up rifles, with firing rates only marginally slower than handheld versions. On a cannon, such speed was astonishing.


    Simultaneously, the ten gunboats joined the assault, raining down red energy beams from above. Five squads of ground troops, positioned two kilometers from Godzilla, added their firepower, their weapons blazing.


    A storm of red energy beams filled the sky.


    Caught off guard by the sudden barrage, Godzilla hesitated. How long had it been since anything dared to attack it? The answer would require a moment of thought¡ªthough now was hardly the time for contemplation.


    ¡°What?!¡± Exclamations of disbelief echoed across the bridge, the artillery posts, the gunboats, and the forward lines.


    The energy beams inflicted far less damage than anticipated. Although the Riken forces experimented with two firing modes, the results were disheartening. In penetration mode, the beams struggled to pierce Godzilla¡¯s thick outer armor, leaving only small dents.


    The explosive mode fared even worse. The minor blasts and burns were laughable to a creature that could bathe in lava and generate nuclear fusion within its body.


    As for the infantry¡¯s small arms, they were less than a nuisance, not even qualifying as an itch.


    Godzilla was not a creature to endure an attack in silence.


    Its dorsal fins began to glow, emitting a faint hum as the surrounding air grew noticeably hotter.


    Alarms blared across the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, gunboats, and portable reconnaissance devices.


    ¡°Fusion strike detected! Beware!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s about to attack!¡±


    A red glow traveled upward from Godzilla¡¯s abdomen, lighting up its torso and neck. When it opened its massive jaws, a beam of concentrated energy erupted forth.


    The artillery positions, over 20 kilometers away, avoided being the first target due to their distance despite their ferocious firepower. The gunboats, having ascended rapidly upon the first alarms, evaded the initial strike thanks to their mobility.


    Unfortunately, the infantry squad closest to Godzilla bore the brunt of the attack.


    The Riken had speculated that Godzilla possessed long-range capabilities, but Major Camis had gambled on overwhelming it with concentrated firepower. This led him to risk deploying infantry armed with personal weapons.


    His gamble failed spectacularly.


    Although he ordered a retreat as soon as their weapons proved ineffective, he underestimated Godzilla¡¯s rapid counterstrike.


    The squads clustered near the transport ships for evacuation became easy targets.


    One squad won the ¡°lottery.¡±


    A single nuclear breath blast descended upon their position. Before they could react, the explosion obliterated them, creating a mushroom cloud.


    Those outside the transport ship were vaporized instantly, their protective suits offering no resistance. The ship itself was flung into the air, its remains heavily damaged. Whether there were survivors inside would require post-battle rescue efforts.


    One blast was not enough for Godzilla. The alarms continued as it unleashed a second nuclear breath, annihilating another squad.


    Thankfully, the remaining three squads managed to board their ships and retreat before Godzilla could fire a third time.


    Losing a fifth of the escort force in mere moments was a tactical disaster. Without significant justification or results, Major Camis risked facing a military tribunal rather than receiving accolades upon returning home.


    Aware of this, Camis felt his mouth go dry.


    ¡°Camis, pull yourself together and command the battle. If we capture this creature, Lute and I will ensure this setback is omitted from our reports,¡± Reggie assured him.

 Chapter 219: Nuclear Fusion Counterstrikes

    Major Camis considered the situation and agreed: far from their homeworld, with only the 1,800 crew aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, there were no oversight officials to dictate otherwise. If they succeeded, they could frame the narrative however they wished.


    With renewed resolve, he refocused on commanding the battle.


    However, his options were limited. The violent energy cannons (VECs) were already the most powerful conventional weapons the ship carried.


    It wasn¡¯t that the Riken lacked more potent weaponry¡ªrather, the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship simply didn¡¯t have the capacity to carry them. Bringing ten cannons was already a logistical stretch.


    When they embarked, the mission¡¯s focus had been reconnaissance, not high-intensity combat. Naturally, they had not packed many heavy weapons.


    But now, even the VECs were ineffective against Godzilla. Camis was at a loss and reported the predicament to Reggie and Lute. The two looked equally grim. The treasure stood before them, unclaimed, yet they lacked the means to seize it.


    ¡°Should we try tactical nukes?¡± Reggie suggested. ¡°What do you think, Lute?¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s give it a shot. The creature must have strong resistance to nuclear radiation. We can only hope the intense heat will kill it.¡± Lute turned to Camis.


    ¡°It¡¯s our best chance,¡± Camis replied, issuing orders via his communicator.


    Meanwhile, the VECs continued firing, trying to wear Godzilla down.


    Godzilla retaliated, firing two nuclear breaths toward the artillery positions. However, the attack dissipated significantly over distance, its maximum effective range capped at 15 kilometers, leaving the artillery, situated 20 kilometers away, unscathed.


    The VECs, though barely scratching Godzilla¡¯s thick hide, slowly chipped away at it. Yet the process was excruciatingly slow, requiring an inordinate amount of time.


    Frustrated, Godzilla redirected its fury toward the mobile gunboats in the sky, unleashing several nuclear breaths. When these too failed to produce results, it seemed to reconsider its priorities.


    Looking toward the direction of the nuclear explosion¡ªwhere Hasmu¡¯s squad had detonated the bomb¡ªGodzilla hesitated. After deliberation, it chose self-preservation over curiosity, turning back toward the sea.


    Weakened by its earlier outbursts, its dorsal fins dimmed slightly, evidence of depleted energy reserves.


    The VECs wouldn¡¯t be able to kill or critically injure Godzilla before it reached the ocean.


    ¡°Commander, we have authorization to deploy Engineer Type II tactical nuclear missiles.¡±


    Onboard the transport ship, the three squads evacuated earlier had been idle spectators for some time. Surviving by sheer luck in a five-to-two lottery, they had avoided their comrades¡¯ grim fate.


    The deaths of their fellow soldiers filled them with frustration and a sense of powerlessness.


    Now, they had a chance to fight back, and their spirits surged with determination.


    Several transport ships carefully approached, landing just outside Godzilla¡¯s range.


    Simplistic launch platforms were quickly assembled.


    The Engineer Type II tactical nukes offered versatile deployment options: close-range launch via specialized tubes, medium-to-long-range launches from platforms, or gyro-equipped air drops from ships.


    The escort forces chose platform launches. Though slightly less accurate, Godzilla¡¯s massive size left little room for error.


    Each 50-member squad carried two tactical nukes. To maximize the attack¡¯s impact, Camis ordered them fired simultaneously.


    Six missiles streaked toward Godzilla, leaving white contrails in their wake. The 20-kilometer journey took mere moments. Godzilla, oblivious to the approaching danger, ignored the smoking projectiles.


    BOOM x6!


    The six nuclear detonations merged into a single massive mushroom cloud. The resulting shockwave scoured layers off the plains, sending sand and debris billowing skyward.


    ¡°Did we get it?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°Unclear. Visibility is zero.¡±


    ¡°What about sensor readings?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s still a biological signal. It¡¯s not dead. In fact, its energy levels haven¡¯t even dropped significantly.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ wait. They¡¯re increasing!¡±


    ¡°Brace yourselves! Detecting a massive energy surge. It¡¯s about to attack!¡±


    Amid the swirling dust, a growing hum resonated, building in intensity. Then, a colossal energy beam¡ªfar larger than the earlier nuclear breaths¡ªerupted from the cloud.


    The fiery-red beam tore through the air, aimed at the artillery positions 20 kilometers away. Though it fell just short of reaching its target, it exploded two kilometers shy, unleashing a devastating shockwave.


    The blast tossed the VECs into the air and sent the lighter escort troops flying.


    While their suits offered some protection against radiation and minor physical damage, they were woefully insufficient under such conditions.


    ¡°This creature can directly absorb energy from nuclear explosions to recharge itself? And it can weaponize the radiation to enhance its attacks?¡± Lute exclaimed in disbelief from the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s bridge.


    ¡°What do we do now?¡± Reggie demanded. ¡°Major Camis?¡±


    ¡°With the artillery compromised, we lack the means to contain it. To prevent further losses, I¡¯m ordering the escort teams to retreat,¡± Camis replied grimly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t we have the ship¡¯s main cannon?¡± Lute asked.


    ¡°That¡¯s designed for space combat, mainly to target meteors. By the time its energy passes through the atmosphere, its power will be significantly diminished¡ªprobably weaker than a single VEC shot,¡± Reggie explained. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A heavy silence fell. Camis turned to issue evacuation orders.


    Under gunboat cover, transport ships launched emergency rescue missions. From the earlier explosion, the two artillery-operating squads suffered nine confirmed deaths, thirteen critical injuries, and five missing soldiers. The rest sustained fractures or minor injuries.


    Of the nine fatalities, three died from impalement by debris hurled by the shockwave. The remaining six suffocated due to damaged face shields or were buried under rubble, preventing timely rescue.


    Remarkably, none were directly killed by the explosion itself.


    ¡°This is beyond our capabilities. We¡¯ll need to report this to the homeworld,¡± Reggie admitted, his face dark with frustration.


    ¡°Such a bitter defeat,¡± Lute sighed.


    Camis, his expression even grimmer, remained silent. Unlike Reggie and Lute, who would retain some credit as the mission¡¯s administrators and researchers, Camis faced scrutiny for his tactical errors. At best, he could hope for his merits to offset his failures.


    ¡°How many years will we need to stay here?¡± Lute asked.


    ¡°That depends on the homeworld¡¯s response,¡± Reggie replied thoughtfully.


    ¡°Should we enter stasis?¡± Communicating with the homeworld would take a significant amount of time. Without other pressing tasks, stasis was the best way to preserve lifespan during the wait.


    ¡°We can put some personnel into stasis. Do you have other suggestions?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Lute replied. ¡°I¡¯m still intrigued by what happened to Hasmu¡¯s squad. The ecosystem here defies understanding. If creatures can manipulate magnetic fields and harness fusion energy, could some even reach space?¡±

 Chapter 220: Retreat

    Reggie quickly grasped Lute¡¯s implications and concerns.


    Indeed, while the planet¡¯s surface ecosystem appeared relatively normal, something unfathomable seemed to lurk beneath.


    Was that giant creature an anomaly, or merely the tip of the iceberg? If an entirely separate, hidden ecological system existed, then using that monster¡¯s capabilities as a baseline, encountering creatures capable of leaving the planet didn¡¯t seem implausible.


    If such entities emerged, could the spaceship in orbit still be considered safe?


    And if too many of the crew entered stasis, a sudden threat could spell disaster.


    ¡°Major Camis, does the escort team still have the capability to investigate the site where Staff Sergeant Hasmu detonated the nuke?¡± Reggie inquired.


    Camis deliberated before responding, ¡°We suffered heavy losses earlier because we were unprepared. Now that we are forewarned, a preliminary survey of anomalies should be manageable. However, conducting an in-depth investigation might be beyond our current capacity.¡±


    ¡°That will suffice. For the time being, Major Camis, focus on gathering as much useful intelligence as possible. The more we uncover, the greater our accomplishments. Lute, assist Major Camis with your team.¡±


    Lute and Camis exchanged glances and nodded. With their interests aligned, cooperation was natural.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, reinforcements might arrive sooner than expected.¡± Reggie offered an enigmatic reassurance. Lute and Camis both pondered the remark, their thoughts unreadable.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Overlord, it seems the aliens have given up on killing Godzilla,¡± Morgan reported. He still didn¡¯t understand why the Overlord had named the creature ¡°Godzilla,¡± as it was out of character for his usual naming style.


    Through the shared vision of various Swarm entities at the scene, Godzilla was seen retreating toward the ocean. The Riken vessels and personnel had withdrawn, even abandoning their VECs.


    Luo Wen let out a quiet sigh of relief.


    Godzilla must not fall into Riken hands. If it faltered, Luo Wen was prepared to intervene.


    Thousands of the latest Type II Spider Combat Bugs had already been stationed nearby, lying in ambush. If Godzilla showed signs of defeat, Luo Wen would have ordered the destruction of the artillery positions, even at the cost of exposing the Swarm prematurely.


    Fortunately, Godzilla had proven resilient enough to escape the predicament on its own.


    ¡°Overlord, should we confiscate the alien weapons?¡± Morgan asked.


    After a moment of thought, Luo Wen rejected the proposal.


    The Swarm¡¯s priority was to wait for the right opportunity to annihilate the Riken spaceship. Sacrificing secrecy for a few weapons wasn¡¯t worth alerting the aliens prematurely.


    ¡°Have the bugs withdraw and clean up all traces.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Overlord.¡±


    Some bugs had ventured too close and were caught in the periphery of the battle. Though none were killed outright, a few unlucky ones lost limbs. All traces needed to be removed.


    Godzilla returned to the ocean without incident, but instead of heading back to its lair, it lingered in the shallow waters nearby. Satellites and reconnaissance bugs hovering overhead often captured its shadow swimming below the surface. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Riken made no further moves.


    ¡°It seems they¡¯ve run out of options.¡±


    ¡°After all, it¡¯s just a reconnaissance ship with limited weaponry.¡±


    ¡°What a shame. Hopefully, we can glean something useful from their spaceship.¡±


    ¡°Overlord, should we dispatch reconnaissance units toward the M37 Star System?¡±


    Luo Wen shook his head. It wasn¡¯t the right time. The Swarm¡¯s foothold in the neighboring star system was too weak, lacking the Megastructure Electromagnetic Launchers necessary for rapid deployment.


    For now, any action would rely on older hyperbolic launchers to randomly fire Swarm meteors toward M37. While this would help establish a monitoring network along the way, the approach was imprecise.


    In the Genesis Star System, however, the Swarm had already launched numerous reconnaissance units toward M37. Given the 9-light-year distance, it would take nearly a century for these units to arrive.


    Fortunately, the M37 Star System¡¯s civilizations seemed to lag in engine technology, potentially granting the Swarm an early advantage in intelligence.


    In orbit, the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship unfurled part of its solar sail. Beyond aiding propulsion, the sail served as a massive energy collector and signal amplifier.


    Interstellar communication consumed enormous energy. Reggie needed to prepare in advance.


    The Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities quickly deduced the Riken¡¯s intentions.


    ¡°They¡¯re transmitting a message back to their home system.¡±


    While the Swarm wished to prevent this, they lacked the capability.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had been cautious, maintaining a low profile. Aside from minor anomalies in the underground cavern, the Swarm had left no visible evidence of its presence. The Riken would only be aware of Godzilla and might suspect the existence of other subterranean creatures, but they remained oblivious to the Swarm.


    Time passed, and the Riken escort teams resumed activity after recuperating. Instead of aimlessly searching, they focused their efforts around the underground cavern where the nuclear explosion had occurred.


    Bringing in excavation equipment and instruments, they attempted to dig a tunnel to investigate further. However, with the explosion site located nearly a kilometer underground, the task proved daunting.


    ¡°Captain, the transmission equipment is ready,¡± a communications officer reported.


    Reggie nodded, handing over the prepared data.


    Outside the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, the solar sail spanned several kilometers despite being only partially deployed. Acting as a colossal energy transmitter, its shimmering brilliance was visible even to Swarm reconnaissance units stationed on Great Ursa Planet.


    The energy waves, carrying encoded information, were amplified and transmitted across a 5.1-light-year span, relaying the message back to the homeworld.


    As the energy fluctuations subsided, the transmission was complete.


    ¡°Recall the escort and research teams. It¡¯s time for us to prepare to leave.¡±


    After deliberation, Reggie, Lute, and Camis decided to move the spaceship to the orbit of Planet T855, over a hundred million kilometers from T853. This position allowed for remote monitoring of the Great Dawn Planet while maintaining a buffer from potential threats. It also provided an opportunity for the crew to enter stasis in shifts.


    Watching the spaceship detach from orbit and drift away, Luo Wen was filled with questions.


    ¡°They¡¯re leaving already?¡±


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s propulsion system was slow, designed primarily for interstellar travel. Even with its solar sail extended, its acceleration was minimal.

 Chapter 221: Ambush

    The Solar Sail requires a long acceleration process.


    However, the distance between Great Dawn Planet and Great Ursa Planet was so short that the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship reached its destination before fully accelerating.


    Luo Wen initially assumed the alien spacecraft was returning to its home planet. But as he observed its gradual repositioning, he realized he had miscalculated.


    Why was it heading toward the Great Ursa Planet?


    When Luo Wen¡¯s avatar had previously docked a bio-ship at Great Ursa Planet, he left behind dozens of Brood Queens, which produced a large number of bio-ships. The meteorite strike had used only a fraction of them, and they were quickly replenished. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    On Great Dawn Planet, bio-ship production was slow due to the need for secrecy, as the ships couldn¡¯t leave to absorb radiation. On the Great Ursa Planet, such limitations didn¡¯t exist.


    Hidden within the asteroid belt, bio-ships there freely absorbed cosmic radiation to grow.


    Over time, their numbers had increased significantly. The oldest of these bio-ships had grown to 20 meters or more, reaching Hawk-class status and outfitted with electromagnetic cannon components.


    However, the distance between Great Dawn and Great Ursa made deploying these reinforcements difficult without detection. Luo Wen had planned to wait until Great Dawn¡¯s bio-ships grew in sufficient numbers before engaging the alien spacecraft.


    But now, the aliens were effectively delivering themselves to his doorstep.


    Self-delivery? No, more like walking into a trap.


    No matter what it was called, Luo Wen felt a peculiar mix of surprise and delight. If they were so eager, he would ensure they received a proper welcome.


    After a month of travel, the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship finally reached the Great Ursa Planet, also known as T855.


    The asteroid belt surrounding the planet was hostile to the Solar Sail. To avoid damage, the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship navigated above the belt, settling into a suitable orbit. Most of the Solar Sail was retracted, leaving only a one-kilometer segment exposed to absorb solar energy.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait here. I¡¯ve already sent our coordinates back with the last transmission. They won¡¯t miss it,¡± Reggie announced.


    ¡°What¡¯s next? Rotational hibernation for the crew?¡± Lute inquired.


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve been out here for over eighty years and still don¡¯t know when we¡¯ll return. If we don¡¯t conserve our lifespans, enjoying our wealth back home will be meaningless.¡±


    ¡°Pity our achievements have diminished somewhat.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it. We¡¯ve already exceeded expectations with this mission. Everything else is just bonus.¡±


    ¡°True enough.¡±


    ¡°Do you have anything left to do? If not, I¡¯ll put you in the first hibernation group.¡±


    Lute hesitated. ¡°There¡¯s one thing that bothers me. If T853 has spacefaring organisms, could they have reached other planets before we arrived? For instance, this one¡ªT855?¡±


    ¡°Ha, you could investigate it yourself. We¡¯re free to act as we please.¡±


    ¡°I intend to. So leave me off the first hibernation list. If I find anything here, our achievements might grow further. I hope they exist¡ªand aren¡¯t too scarce.¡±


    ¡°Should Major Camis assist you?¡±


    Before Lute could respond, a piercing alarm erupted.


    ¡°Celia, what¡¯s happening?¡± Reggie demanded.


    ¡°Captain, there¡¯s significant magnetic activity in the asteroid belt 2,000 kilometers below the ship,¡± Celia reported.


    ¡°What kind of activity?¡±


    Several videos streamed to Reggie¡¯s personal terminal. The footage showed faint blue arcs of electricity flickering in the darkness, resembling writhing tentacles. Switching to electromagnetic imaging revealed hundreds of dense magnetic fields converging on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.


    ¡°Those are space creatures! They¡¯re here!¡± Lute exclaimed. The irony of discussing them moments before the attack was not lost on him.


    ¡°They don¡¯t look rare at all. Celia, activate the automated defense system and authorize firepower. Alert the escort squads to assist!¡± Reggie ordered.


    ¡°Acknowledged. Automated defense system activated. Targeting unidentified lifeforms. Preparing to fire.¡±


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s 300-meter-long hull bristled with turreted cannons on its underside. These weapons swiveled to aim, unleashing fiery red energy beams.


    With a range of only 1,000 kilometers, these cannons were built more for decoration than function. Despite their impressive energy supply and firepower, their limited range and sparse numbers suggested the designers never anticipated their actual use.


    Yet now, they faced a swarm of close-combat specialists.


    The incoming magnetic lifeforms were Swarm space combat units¡ªjuveniles under 20 meters in length, unequipped with electromagnetic cannons but incredibly agile. After a brief acceleration period, they reached speeds of 10 kilometers per second, crossing the 2,000-kilometer gap in mere minutes.


    Their tentacle-like appendages flexed and twisted, allowing for precise, multi-directional propulsion. Despite the ferocity of the cannon fire, only a few were hit, and fewer still were destroyed.


    ¡°Take them down! Don¡¯t let them near the ship!¡± Reggie barked.


    At first, he assumed these creatures were mere beasts, their smaller size making them seem manageable. After all, the decorative cannons were significantly more powerful than terrestrial artillery and should have sufficed to eliminate such ¡°wildlife.¡±


    What Reggie hadn¡¯t accounted for was their extraordinary agility in zero-gravity conditions.


    Though uncertain if these creatures could harm the spaceship¡¯s reinforced hull, Reggie wasn¡¯t keen to find out. A damaged ship would spell disaster, as survival in deep space without a functioning vessel was impossible.


    Reality, however, seldom aligns with wishes.


    Within minutes, the creatures reached the ship. Several juveniles latched onto the cannon barrels, tentacles writhing as blue electrical arcs danced across the metal. With increasing force, the barrels began to bend. Some cannons were wrenched entirely from their mounts.


    Meanwhile, countless juveniles swarmed the Solar Sail, tearing through the delicate 0.0005-millimeter material with ease. Their frenzied movements quickly reduced the exposed section to shreds.

 Chapter 222: The Trap

    Hatches on the spaceship¡¯s hull opened, and several members of the escort team emerged in bulky space suits, armed with personal weapons aimed at the swarm of juvenile bio-ships.


    However, these space suits, far heavier than the ones used within planetary environments, severely hampered their mobility. In zero gravity, their movements were even clumsier.


    Even as elite soldiers, they were no match for the agile juveniles under such conditions.


    The escort members had barely fired a few shots when writhing tentacles snaked out of nowhere, disarming them and shoving them into the bodies of certain juveniles.


    Some of these juveniles were modeled after transport ships, with their internal chambers temporarily modified into holding cells¡ªperfect for imprisoning captives.


    The juveniles couldn¡¯t do much to the heavily armored ship¡¯s exterior, but the open hatches the escort team had used provided a perfect entry point.


    A flood of juveniles surged through the openings, dragging out the remaining escort members before advancing deeper into the ship along its corridors.


    ¡°Celia, seal all compartment doors immediately!¡± Reggie shouted after seeing the situation unfold on the monitors. He hadn¡¯t expected things to escalate so quickly.


    Minutes ago, they had been discussing the possibility of spacefaring creatures in the area. Now, the ship¡¯s defenses had been breached, and the enemy was inside.


    Thick, specially designed compartment doors began to shut throughout the ship. These doors, spaced every ten meters, were originally meant to isolate damaged areas in case of hull breaches. However, they now served as effective barriers against the intruders.


    The juveniles were stopped by the sealed doors. Despite the blue arcs of electricity crackling along their tentacles as they pounded against the barriers, they made little progress.


    Seeing the creatures stymied, Reggie exhaled in relief.


    He turned to Dr. Lute, whose expression was grim. ¡°Lute, don¡¯t worry. They can¡¯t break through the doors. Maybe they¡¯ll leave soon.¡±


    Lute shook his head, his face dark. ¡°Reggie, it¡¯s not that simple. These aren¡¯t mindless beasts.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Reggie asked, his demeanor turning serious.


    ¡°Look at the internal surveillance footage,¡± Lute said. ¡°Since they entered, they¡¯ve only targeted the doors blocking their way. They¡¯ve completely ignored the walls on either side. That¡¯s not something wild animals would do.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying they¡¯re being controlled?¡± Reggie asked, his unease growing. The compartment doors were seamlessly integrated into the ship¡¯s design, making them hard to distinguish from the walls. Even Riken personnel might struggle to identify them without prior knowledge. Wild creatures would have no concept of such features.


    ¡°Perhaps there truly is an intelligent civilization hidden in the T85 star system,¡± Lute speculated. ¡°This might be a trap.¡±


    His suspicion deepened as he reviewed earlier footage. Suddenly, his eyes widened.


    ¡°If they are intelligent, their actions must have purpose. Look here¡ªsince the attack began, they¡¯ve avoided causing random damage to the ship. Instead, they focused on destroying the gun turrets and the Solar Sail. Doesn¡¯t this further suggest intelligence?¡±


    Reggie nodded grimly, piecing together the evidence. ¡°If they have a purpose, dismantling the gun turrets makes sense. But why target the Solar Sail?¡±


    The two fell into a heavy silence before realization struck them simultaneously.


    ¡°They¡¯re cutting off our contact with the homeworld!¡± they shouted in unison.


    ¡°This is a trap! We can¡¯t let them succeed!¡± Reggie roared.


    ¡°We must transmit this information back to the homeworld immediately. If our people arrive unprepared, they¡¯ll suffer greatly!¡± Lute added urgently.


    ¡°Celia! Transmit my conversation with Dr. Lute to the homeworld now!¡± Reggie commanded.


    ¡°Acknowledged, Captain. Preparing to transmit. External signal amplifiers are damaged; additional energy authorization required,¡± Celia¡¯s mechanical voice responded.


    ¡°Do it! Use all available energy if necessary!¡± Reggie ordered. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Authorization confirmed. Transmission commencing.¡±


    ¡°Overlord, we¡¯ve detected a massive energy surge from the alien spaceship!¡±


    ¡°What are they doing? Preparing to self-destruct?¡±


    ¡°Their radio transmitter has been activated. They¡¯re trying to send a message back to their homeworld!¡±


    The Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities had previously calculated that without the Solar Sail¡¯s amplification, the ship would need to exhaust nearly all its energy to transmit even a fraction of information.


    A ship drained of energy would be a sitting duck, its life support systems failing due to the power shortage.


    Luo Wen was impressed by the alien captain¡¯s decisiveness. From the moment the attack began, mere minutes had passed before this drastic order was given.


    ¡°No intelligent species should ever be underestimated,¡± Luo Wen mused.


    Despite his respect, he couldn¡¯t allow the message to be transmitted.


    While only a fraction of the juveniles had infiltrated the ship, the vast majority remained outside. These external units abruptly ceased their aimless movements. Blue electric arcs flashed across their bodies, forming a massive interference field.


    This was the same field that had disrupted the escort team¡¯s communications in the underground cave, forcing them to rely on lip-reading.


    Although hastily deployed, the interference field was partially effective.


    ¡°Captain, unknown magnetic interference detected. 69.3% of the message failed to transmit,¡± Celia reported flatly.


    ¡°Ship energy reserves critically low. Beginning shutdown of recreational areas. Shutting down gym facilities. Shutting down¡­¡±


    Reggie slumped into his captain¡¯s chair, barely registering the AI¡¯s announcements. ¡°So, it really is a trap. They were prepared all along. Lute, you were right¡ªthere¡¯s an intelligent species here. A civilization.¡±


    Lute¡¯s face twisted with frustration. ¡°If only we¡¯d realized a few minutes earlier. What difference would it make now? We¡¯ve been outplayed!¡±


    ¡°Do you think the fragments of data we managed to transmit will be enough for the homeworld to understand the danger?¡± Reggie asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Lute replied bitterly. ¡°Out of billions, there will be some bright enough to figure it out.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ even if they don¡¯t, there¡¯s nothing more we can do. We¡¯ve done our best.¡± Reggie¡¯s voice grew heavy. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll end up like Hasmu¡¯s squad?¡±


    Lute fell silent, lost in thought. As the seconds ticked by, his expression contorted, revealing the fierce inner turmoil of his mind.

 Chapter 223: The Spoils

    When his old friend posed the question, Dr. Lute fell into deep thought. As time passed, his expression grew increasingly twisted, as if he were wrestling with his conscience.


    What should they do now?


    He felt a flicker of resentment toward his friend for forcing him to confront such a dilemma.


    Lute had always been a clever, rational man, yet in the face of death, he was no different from anyone else. Seeing his friend¡¯s contorted face, Reggie found it oddly amusing; the dark mood that had gripped him began to lift.


    ¡°Lute, since the enemy possesses intelligence, do you think it¡¯s possible to communicate with them?¡± Reggie asked.


    The question struck Lute like lightning, jolting him to his senses. Though he had acknowledged their intelligence in words, he had subconsciously categorized them as mindless beasts.


    But if they truly were intelligent, communication had to be a possibility.


    ¡°What¡¯s your plan?¡± Lute asked.


    ¡°Demonstrate our value and buy time. Do you remember what I said about reinforcements possibly arriving sooner than expected? If we can delay things, we might actually survive until help arrives.¡±


    ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that I¡¯m withholding information¡ªI¡¯m just not certain. Remember when we reached the T85 Star System and detected that energy burst? We managed to relay a message back to the homeworld then.¡±


    Lute nodded, prompting Reggie to continue.


    ¡°Years ago, we received a reply. It briefly mentioned technological advancements. Apparently, some external force helped them achieve breakthroughs, though the details were vague.¡±


    Lute understood. Interstellar communication rarely conveyed complete details. If something made it into the report, it was undoubtedly significant.


    ¡°So, what now? Wait and see? Judging by the fact they haven¡¯t destroyed the ship, it seems they want to take us alive. Should we surrender outright?¡±


    ¡°No, no. Let¡¯s observe first. If they can¡¯t even breach these bulkheads, our bargaining position will only improve.¡±


    As they spoke, the surveillance feed showed the alien creatures emerging in full view. Their large, bulbous heads were ringed with a dozen writhing appendages.


    ¡°They look like some sort of mollusk.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to imagine they¡¯re intelligent.¡±


    Suddenly, the creatures retreated, clearing the space. Then, a larger one crawled into the chamber.


    ¡°What are they doing?¡±


    ¡°No idea.¡±


    In the footage, blue electrical arcs flashed.


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    An irregular circular hole was blasted through the bulkhead. The mollusks worked together to enlarge the breach, allowing a swarm of them to pour in.


    On the bridge, Reggie, Lute, and the rest of the crew watched in stunned silence.


    ¡°Lute, you¡¯re the expert. Are these really living organisms?¡±


    ¡°They¡­ they should be. If a monster capable of deploying nuclear weapons exists, why not creatures that can function as electromagnetic cannons?¡± Lute replied, though his wavering voice revealed his struggle to process the absurdity. Internally, he cursed, What the hell is this?!


    The Riken had chosen an energy-focused path for their technology, though they had a thorough theoretical understanding of electromagnetic weapons. Seeing such a weapon integrated into a living organism was mind-boggling.


    ¡°It seems we should prepare for surrender. Let¡¯s hope they offer a dignified process,¡± Reggie remarked with a bitter smile. ¡°Celia, open communications with the entire crew.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain. Communications are live.¡±


    ¡°My fellow Riken, it seems our first encounter with an alien intelligence has led us to this. To minimize casualties, I have decided to surrender. Take care of yourselves, but never compromise the honor of our people.¡±


    ¡°Celia, unlock all bulkheads.¡±


    Given their intent to take captives, the aliens would likely use the ship as a holding area since it was already equipped to sustain Riken life. By opening the bulkheads themselves, Reggie hoped to ensure better treatment in captivity.


    With the Riken presence in the neighboring star system neutralized, Luo Wen turned his attention to reaping the rewards.


    First, Luo Wen organized a team of 50,000 Intelligent Entities to reverse-engineer the alien technology. While the Riken¡¯s advancements were only slightly ahead of the Swarm, their unique strengths presented valuable opportunities.


    Weaponry: Mastering their designs could enable the Swarm to develop bio-organs for long-range attacks, reducing reliance on melee combat.


    Observation Technology: The Swarm¡¯s initial neglect in this area had left them behind. Riken expertise could fill this gap.


    Artificial Intelligence: Although overlapping with the Swarm¡¯s Blade systems, Riken AI offered potential performance enhancements for Swarm units.


    Solar Sail Technology: While not particularly advanced, it inspired Luo Wen to consider developing a space-adaptive fungal carpet to absorb radiation more efficiently. Modifications to energy transmission systems could accelerate the growth of Swarm space units.


    Other Riken technologies, such as protective suits and communication systems, were deemed inferior to the Swarm¡¯s and only warranted minimal analysis. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the ship secured, Luo Wen¡¯s focus shifted to the prize still waiting on Great Dawn Planet ¨C Godzilla.


    The creature¡¯s genetic material could unlock controlled fusion technology for the Swarm. Additionally, its mysterious abilities¡ªsuch as its magnetic propulsion and weight-reduction mechanisms¡ªpresented opportunities for further breakthroughs. Whether these were physical adaptations or electromagnetic phenomena, they promised valuable insights.


    The banquet was prepared, and the Swarm was ready to feast.

 Chapter 224: The Observer Bugs

    In addition to technological pursuits, Luo Wen organized a team of Intelligent Entities specializing in language, culture, and psychology to interrogate the captured Riken. Their goal was to extract as much relevant information as possible.


    However, the Rikens¡¯ mental resilience proved formidable. Beyond language breakthroughs, little progress was made. Any information they disclosed was either trivial or of no intelligence value.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen was in no hurry. The Intelligent Entities were instructed to play the long game, wearing down the prisoners over time. Meanwhile, the Swarm occasionally selected Rikens for experimental purposes. Survivors were returned, while fatalities were deemed acceptable losses.


    This practice exerted tremendous psychological pressure on the Riken captives, accelerating the interrogation process significantly.


    Over five years, the Swarm consolidated its strength in the neighboring star system. Every planet and its satellites now hosted a stationed Brood Queen.


    During this period, a large number of Swarm Meteors were launched toward the M37 Star System. These meteors carried countless surveillance units called Observer Bugs.


    The Observer Bugs evolved rapidly, incorporating Riken monitoring technologies absorbed and transformed into biological components. These upgrades enhanced their ability to detect a wide range of energy types and increased their surveillance range.


    The Observer Bugs were equipped with advanced observation systems, radiation emission systems, and a layer of lichen coating to disguise them as small meteorites.


    As the meteors approached the M37 Star System, the Observer Bugs were scattered throughout the interstellar space between the two systems. They served not only as information-gathering units but also as network nodes for the Swarm.


    Meanwhile, Swarm combat units underwent an overhaul, spurred by feedback from the Blades. Previously, bio-ships were divided into warship and transport categories, with multiple subclassifications. This naming convention was deemed cumbersome and impractical for command purposes.


    A new hierarchy was introduced:


    Units under 20 meters, incapable of mounting electromagnetic cannons, were collectively termed the Larval bodies.


    Units between 20 and 500 meters were designated the Mature bodies.


    Units exceeding 500 meters were classified as Primordial bodies. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Roles such as Lookouts, Celestial Monitors, Listeners, Knights, and Adjutants retained their specific designations but were collectively referred to as Hive Queens.


    Spider Combat Bugs with toxin sacs and stingers kept their original name, while upgraded versions with reinforced limbs and no toxin sacs were renamed Raiders.


    On the Great Dawn Planet, Godzilla had remained dormant for years after its initial clash with the Rikens. Following its failed search for kin, it had wandered the nearby seas for months before returning to its lair. It vented its frustrations by obliterating two packs of unlucky Feral Direwolves with nuclear breath before retreating into slumber.


    Five years later, it was time for Godzilla to awaken once more.


    The Swarm¡¯s expansion had led to the deployment of over 300 Brood Queens on Great Dawn Planet, with more than 100 bases established along the coastline. This bolstered the Swarm¡¯s aquatic forces significantly, far surpassing the meager 3,000 Odd-Headed Fish initially available.


    To rouse Godzilla, dozens of fungal carpet seeds were sown near its lair, rapidly sprouting into sprawling growths. The same method had been used years ago to wake Godzilla, whose slumber had been disrupted by the invasive root systems.


    The strategy remained unchanged.


    The fungal roots, though harmless to agile creatures, were highly effective against the immobile Godzilla. They crept into the armored crevices of its body, causing sharp, familiar pain. Godzilla awoke in a rage, tearing apart the encroaching roots.


    However, the pervasive purple-gray fungal carpet surrounding it left Godzilla disheartened. It pondered whether its lair had become cursed. If the plants could not be eradicated, perhaps it was time to move to one of its other known nesting grounds. But wouldn¡¯t that tarnish its reputation as the planet¡¯s invincible overlord?


    While Godzilla reminisced about its glory days, tens of thousands of Odd-Headed Fish swarmed toward it. These 30-40 cm-long creatures surrounded the 100-meter behemoth, exploiting their sheer numbers.


    Designed as cheap cannon fodder, these fish lacked complexity but featured formidable steel jaws infused with high-bite-force genetic material. They could penetrate Godzilla¡¯s tissues, though their small size limited the damage they could inflict individually. Yet, with enough numbers, even Godzilla could be worn down.


    Godzilla¡¯s claws and jaws proved ineffective against the swarming fish. Only its powerful tail served as a reliable weapon, sweeping through the waters at supersonic speeds. Direct hits obliterated the fish, leaving behind only clouds of blood and debris. The shockwaves from these strikes killed or stunned others nearby.


    However, the Odd-Headed Fish were too numerous. For every sweep of Godzilla¡¯s tail that decimated hundreds or thousands, tens of thousands more swarmed in to replace them. Many nestled in Godzilla¡¯s blind spots, exacerbating its predicament.


    Desperate, Godzilla¡¯s dorsal fins began to glow blue as its abdominal core brightened red. It unleashed a devastating nuclear breath.


    The underwater explosion created a blinding flash, followed by a shockwave that pulverized the Odd-Headed Fish, compressing them into a fine mist.


    Yet, the close-range detonation inflicted collateral damage on Godzilla. While immune to the radiation, it couldn¡¯t escape the physical shock. Blood seeped from its nostrils and eyes, though the bothersome fish were finally gone.


    Godzilla had barely relaxed when, moments later, another wave of tens of thousands of Odd-Headed Fish approached.

 Chapter 225: Fusion Organ

    Facing the strange fish that blatantly screamed ¡°suicidal attack,¡± Godzilla¡¯s eyes also turned red, and the LED lights on its dorsal fins lit up wildly.


    Then, with a sudden motion, it dove in the opposite direction of the strange fish, attempting to escape.


    However, before it got far, another group of strange fish charged toward it from ahead, forcing Godzilla to turn around quickly.


    In this manner, the strange fish formed a fan-shaped encirclement, relentlessly driving Godzilla toward a specific direction.


    The strange fish moved fast, but Godzilla¡¯s propulsion system was no slouch either. The two sides engaged in a chase, raising the water level rapidly, and soon approached a shallow sea area.


    An idea struck Godzilla¡¯s clever brain: these strange fish surely couldn¡¯t come ashore. If it managed to reach the land, wouldn¡¯t it be safe from their pursuit?


    Although Godzilla still had no idea where these strange fish had come from or why they seemed to bear such a deep grudge against it, this didn¡¯t stop it from grasping the wisdom of retreating when faced with overwhelming odds.


    Using unprecedented speed, Godzilla clambered onto the shore. As expected, the strange fish could not continue their chase. Turning back, Godzilla unleashed two blasts of thermonuclear breath, venting its earlier frustrations.


    Suddenly, alarm bells rang in Godzilla¡¯s mind, a visceral instinct warning of a life-threatening danger, even more severe than the sense of peril it felt when confronting the strange fish earlier.


    Frantically scanning its surroundings for the source of this danger, it soon spotted strange creatures slowly materializing in the void. Their appearance reminded Godzilla of its old toys¡ªthose octopuses with long tentacles it used to tear apart in the shallow seas for fun. Watching them flail their tentacles to support their bodies as they scrambled ashore in a panicked retreat always amused it.


    But why were these creatures so enormous? They dwarfed even Godzilla by a significant margin. And since when could they fly? Even Godzilla couldn¡¯t master that skill.


    The flying creatures crackled with blue arcs of electricity, which emanated from either their backs or a long cylindrical structure underneath their bodies, where blue lights flickered on and off in rapid succession.


    As beautiful as this display was¡ªreminiscent of the glow of Godzilla¡¯s dorsal fins¡ªit only intensified its sense of crisis.


    Before Godzilla could devise a strategy, something shot out from the cylindrical structures beneath the flying creatures.


    In the next instant, Godzilla lost consciousness.


    Directly hit by dozens of electromagnetic cannon blasts, Godzilla¡¯s massive body froze mid-motion but didn¡¯t collapse outright. Its head, however, had been blown into a bloody mist.


    The dozens of mature entities tasked with executing this strike had been meticulously selected by Luo Wen from the neighboring star system. Each was about 200 meters in length, and the electromagnetic cannon barrels on their bodies stretched over a hundred meters long.


    Even with Godzilla¡¯s formidable defenses, being struck by so many gigantic cannons at once left it with no choice but to succumb. From the moment the strange fish drove Godzilla to the coastline, the battle¡¯s outcome had already been sealed.


    A larval body hovered over Godzilla¡¯s headless corpse. Its surface tissues split open, revealing a half-meter-long beetle that crawled out¡ªLuo Wen¡¯s true form.


    Godzilla was a rare treasure, an exceedingly precious ingredient that required the utmost care in handling. Such high-end fare needed no elaborate cooking; it could be consumed as-is.


    Unable to wait any longer, Luo Wen burrowed directly into Godzilla¡¯s wound. To ensure he absorbed every bit of Godzilla¡¯s genetic fragments, he resolved to consume as much as possible.


    Godzilla¡¯s entire body was a treasure trove, brimming with black-tech marvels. However, even after several days of devouring Godzilla¡¯s flesh, Luo Wen only managed to acquire some basic genetic materials related to its bodily structure and skeletal composition.


    While these genes were incredibly powerful¡ªessential to Godzilla¡¯s unparalleled defenses and its ability to grow to such a colossal size¡ªthey were not what Luo Wen urgently needed. Luo Wen already possessed the means to achieve similar effects through the Swarm¡¯s existing genetic repertoire.


    This anomaly left Luo Wen deeply perplexed. It was the first time he had encountered such a situation.


    Was it possible that Iphieash¡¯s abilities were ineffective against such organisms? Could it be that only ordinary genetic fragments could be absorbed? Or was it simply a matter of not having consumed enough?


    Yet, other highly advanced genetic materials, such as those from atmospheric organisms, had posed no such issues in the past.


    As he continued to consume and analyze over the next half-month, Luo Wen began to doubt whether Godzilla was even a biological entity. But suddenly, a new genetic fragment was successfully assimilated.


    Excited, Luo Wen immediately examined it and finally found the gene fragment he had been yearning for, letting out a sigh of relief.


    Upon reflection, Luo Wen realized the complexity of this particular gene fragment¡ªit operated on an atomic level. Even Iphieash¡¯s abilities required time to parse it.


    This gene fragment, named the ¡°Atomic Furnace,¡± described an organ resembling a fleshy sphere made of a special nanomaterial highly resistant to heat, capable of withstanding temperatures exceeding billions of degrees.


    Within the Atomic Furnace, reactive materials were heated under electromagnetic forces until they reached a plasma state. Once in this state, electrons were stripped from atomic nuclei, allowing the nuclei to move freely and collide directly.


    The collisions were tightly constrained by magnetic fields emitted from the Atomic Furnace¡¯s walls. When the atomic nuclei collided, they released massive amounts of energy, which was absorbed by the furnace¡¯s interior walls and distributed throughout the body via a unique energy system.


    This process essentially created an artificial sun encased in biological material, akin to a portable Dyson Sphere, capable of generating unimaginable amounts of energy.


    This was why Godzilla could remain active despite long periods of hibernation and fasting. Sustaining its multi-thousand-ton body on carbohydrates alone would require consuming thousands of tons of food daily, an impossibility.


    With the Atomic Furnace, Godzilla only needed periodic refueling with reactive materials. This also explained its preference for nesting in high-radiation areas.


    This single gene fragment allowed the Swarm to bypass nuclear fission and leap directly into the era of controlled nuclear fusion¡ªa monumental enhancement. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for its offensive capabilities, Luo Wen found them secondary. Godzilla¡¯s thermonuclear breath, while potent, had limited range, making it somewhat lackluster for use even on planetary surfaces, let alone in outer space.


    Thus, Luo Wen had no intention of replicating Godzilla as a Swarm combat unit. It was simply an expensive and underwhelming target, with short range and limited utility¡ªbarely sufficient to intimidate early-stage civilizations.


    Any civilization capable of interstellar travel would have countless methods to easily neutralize it.


    If not for the Riken sending only a single reconnaissance vessel, the Swarm wouldn¡¯t have had a chance to intervene. Thankfully, it turned out this way; otherwise, the Swarm would have had to engage in a large-scale space interception battle.


    In situations where information was unclear, rushing into conflict was not something Luo Wen desired to see.

 Chapter 226: The Riken

    Beyond its role as a weapon, the true value of the Atomic Furnace lay in its energy supply system. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the Atomic Furnace, the Swarm¡¯s bio-ships could finally overcome their shortcoming of limited endurance. Long-distance, high-output acceleration flights now became feasible. Where previously, a full charge allowed only a few electromagnetic cannon shots, now, unrestricted usage was possible. The energy expended in one thermonuclear breath could be converted into electromagnetic force to fire multiple projectiles.


    However, the materials required to construct this device were exceedingly rare, demanding large quantities of specific minerals, and the reactor also needed periodic refueling. Fortunately, with the Swarm¡¯s expansive fungal carpets and the vast number of planets under its control, mining opportunities were plentiful.


    Over another half-month, Luo Wen unexpectedly acquired a new genetic fragment¡ªone even more advanced than the technology behind the Atomic Furnace.


    Indeed, this genetic fragment concealed the secret behind Godzilla¡¯s ability to freely move its tens-of-thousands-ton body without collapsing under its own weight.


    Initially, when Luo Wen obtained the genetic data related to Godzilla¡¯s skeletal structure and body composition, he noted that while they contributed to its massive size, they alone could not possibly support such a colossal frame.


    He had theorized that Godzilla used electromagnetic field manipulation to counteract a portion of its weight. Its body did contain certain tissues capable of generating magnetic fields, which it employed for rapid movement underwater.


    But this newly discovered genetic fragment proved his hypothesis wrong. Godzilla didn¡¯t rely on pseudo-antigravity through magnetic repulsion to offset its weight; instead, it directly manipulated gravity itself. The technology was true antigravity manipulation.


    This level of sophistication was previously absent from the Swarm¡¯s arsenal. If Luo Wen could decipher and master it, the Swarm would undergo another monumental upgrade.


    Mastery in this context meant far more than Godzilla¡¯s rudimentary application; it required deeper exploration, supported by robust theoretical frameworks and imaginative innovation. Luo Wen allocated tens of thousands of intelligent entities to begin research on the subject, while he himself spent years transforming the Atomic Furnace into a fungal carpet module.


    The fungal carpet, known for its extreme versatility and compatibility, was an ideal medium. After modularizing the Atomic Furnace, individual units could be cultivated directly from the fungal carpet and then integrated into existing bio-ships.


    Due to material constraints, the Genesis Star System¡ªhome to a large stockpile of bio-ships¡ªonly equipped Primordial Bodies over 500 meters in length with Atomic Furnaces. Meanwhile, in the Neighboring Star System, where development was still nascent, Mature Bodies over 200 meters long could be outfitted with these reactors.


    The Swarm entered a period of steady development. On Great Dawn Planet, the brood nest named ¡°Great Dawn¡± operated continuously, producing brood queens. These queens were dispatched across various locations, generating vast numbers of larval bio-ships that remained hidden throughout the star system.


    A great war might await the Swarm in the future. Though Luo Wen believed he had done an excellent job maintaining a fa?ade as a native apex predator, the last attack on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship had leaked some information. He was unsure what kind of ripple effects this might cause.


    Thus, Luo Wen began preparations early. He even contemplated self-destructing the Red Moon Brood Nest in the Genesis Star System and relocating to the Neighboring Star System. However, he reconsidered. The Genesis Star System, being the Swarm¡¯s stronghold, was fully conquered, and with the development of space-based Swarm units, operations there were far less constrained.


    For example, in the Genesis Star System, larval and mature bio-ships could grow by clustering directly around the star. In the Neighboring Star System, however, the Swarm had to remain hidden as they were still uncertain about the Riken¡¯s full capabilities. Space units had to disguise themselves as asteroids or hide within them, slowing their growth compared to their counterparts in the Genesis Star System. Moreover, the larger the numbers, the harder they were to conceal.


    After careful consideration, Luo Wen decided to leave the Red Moon Brood Nest in the Genesis Star System to accumulate forces.


    The Neighboring Star System was only one sector adjacent to the Genesis Star System. Beyond it lay other systems, typically seven to eight light-years away. Who knew what civilizations might be lurking there? And if they existed, how advanced were they?


    Therefore, the Swarm¡¯s megastructure near the star in the Genesis Star System not only launched Swarm Meteors toward the M37 Star System but also scattered them in other directions to extend the Swarm Network and broaden its monitoring range.


    In a grand office, the intricate wood-paneled doors creaked open. A sharply uniformed Riken male entered, addressing the figure seated behind an opulent desk.


    ¡°President, General Monroe requests an audience.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s so urgent that he bypassed scheduling? The military is growing increasingly disrespectful,¡± the President, a middle-aged male Riken with light blue, wrinkled skin, remarked as he set down his documents with a touch of annoyance.


    The uniformed Riken lowered his head, feigning deafness to the comment.


    ¡°Very well, Ram. Check my schedule and reschedule the upcoming engagements. Bring General Monroe in.¡±


    ¡°But sir, there is a critical meeting shortly concerning the demands of the elected representatives from the Trinbrian District.¡± Trinbrian was a crucial vote base for the President, indirectly influencing numerous stakeholders and serving as a vital partnership.


    ¡°Those insufferable people¡­ Postpone the meeting. Compared to having Monroe barge in during a session, dealing with the representatives later seems the lesser evil.¡± Between two unwelcome options, the President chose the path of least resistance.


    Ram once again ignored the choice of words and quietly responded, ¡°Understood,¡± before exiting the room.


    Alone in the office, President Derlin sank into the comfort of his plush chair, gazing at the ornate ceiling adorned with floral motifs. He sighed.


    The Riken Federation, established five centuries ago as a union of many nations, had achieved formal unification, yet its underlying tensions persisted to this day.


    The Federation¡¯s highest executive, the President, was elected every ten years due to the Riken¡¯s extended lifespan, with a maximum of three terms.


    Six years ago, with the support of various factions, Derlin had fortuitously ascended to this position. He had initially believed he had reached the pinnacle of his career, but within a few short years, he found himself utterly drained. At only 170 years of age, he was already suffering from insomnia, headaches, and other minor ailments.


    These chronic issues stemmed from overwhelming stress, which even the Riken¡¯s advanced medical technology couldn¡¯t fully alleviate. The root cause lay in his obligations. To gain the support of so many factions, he had made numerous promises, and now the time had come to deliver.

 Chapter 227: The Visitor

    Certain promises he had made back then were merely expedient moves to secure votes. After all, the Riken were not an autocratic species. His authority as President wasn¡¯t as substantial as one might imagine. Passing proposals that were contentious was far from simple.


    Take, for example, the Trinbrian District. This area was the most chaotic region on the entire Riken planet. Though it spanned only 300 square miles, it was teeming with violent elements.


    Gangs, drug dealers, mercenaries, and other dark professions thrived here. Petty thieves were practically upstanding citizens by comparison. The owner of a corner store might very well be a retired gangster kingpin. Ordinary people had no way of surviving in this place.


    In his bid to defeat his competitor, he had recklessly promised certain conditions to the Trinbrian people. For instance, he had vowed to push for drug legalization reforms, reduce criminal penalties, and exempt low-value robberies from being considered crimes once he became President. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This not only secured him votes from the Trinbrian District but also garnered support from professionals in related fields, enabling him to ascend to his current position.


    Now, despite his desire to fulfill those promises, the proposals, no matter how he dressed them up, were too blatant for the average Riken citizen to overlook.


    If he were to insist on pushing these agendas through, whether they succeeded or not was uncertain, but in four years, his role in the election would likely be that of a mere spectator.


    A single-term President would surely become a laughingstock in Riken history, and that was not a legacy he wanted.


    However, the Trinbrian people were no pushovers. They weren¡¯t ordinary civilians but the kind who slept with a loaded gun under their pillow. Breaking promises to such individuals was no small matter. He had delayed for six years and had received countless death threats from unidentified sources.


    Just a few days ago, a military-grade bomb was discovered near his residence. Its origins were unknown, and although the bomb squad had been involved, the case ultimately went unresolved.


    The perpetrators had made their stance clear¡ªit was the work of the Trinbrian District. But that area was a fortress of vice, so well-defended that even the regular army hesitated to intervene.


    If something were to happen to him, the culprits could easily slip back into the Trinbrian District, where no one would risk investigating for the sake of a dead man.


    Caught between his own life and career prospects, President Derlin was torn. Even his so-called team of elite advisors couldn¡¯t offer a viable solution.


    Just as his recurring migraines began to surface again, the door to his office was pushed open.


    A robust middle-aged Riken man with a stern face strode in. His upright posture and vigorous stride revealed him to be a military man.


    ¡°President Derlin, pardon my intrusion.¡±


    ¡°General Monroe, what urgent matter brings you here today?¡± President Derlin thought to himself that someone who claimed to understand etiquette would have made an appointment. But with someone like General Monroe, there was no need for excessive pleasantries. Getting straight to the point was more effective, which suited Monroe¡¯s personality perfectly.


    True to form, General Monroe nodded. A slight smile appeared on his chiseled blue face, as he too disliked idle chit-chat. President Derlin¡¯s straightforwardness earned his approval.


    General Monroe glanced at the secretary, Ram, who had followed him into the room.


    ¡°President, General, I¡¯ll go prepare some refreshments for you,¡± Ram offered tactfully, using the excuse to leave the room and close the door behind him.


    ¡°President Derlin, here¡¯s a file for you to review,¡± General Monroe said, placing a folder on the President¡¯s desk.


    President Derlin picked up the document and glanced at it. ¡°The ¡®Cat¡¯s Ear Plan¡¯?¡±


    Flipping through it casually, he realized it was a plan from nearly a century ago. His memories began to stir¡ªhe had been young then and vaguely recalled such a project.


    At the time, leveraging the Riken¡¯s cutting-edge technology, a spaceship had been launched toward a neighboring star system. Its exact mission had not been disclosed to the public, only that it was searching for potentially habitable planets.


    The crew aboard had been lauded as heroes by the media, celebrated as the first colonial pioneers to leave their home star system. Everyone dreamed of discovering a new habitable planet to expand the Riken territory.


    But as years passed, public interest waned. With the project managed by the military, no updates ever surfaced, and eventually, people forgot about it.


    Even he, the President, had not recalled it until seeing this file.


    ¡°Energy bursts of non-natural origin detected?¡± As he continued reading, his expression grew increasingly grave.


    ¡°Communication logs? Discovery of mysterious lifeforms capable of conducting nuclear fusion reactions within their bodies? Creatures that could unleash energy blasts to trigger nuclear explosions?¡± Each question from him was more incredulous than the last. Finally, he looked up sharply. ¡°General Monroe, are you trying to pitch me a movie script? Parliament doesn¡¯t handle that. You should go to a film studio. They¡¯d love this¡ªit¡¯s a great story. I was completely engrossed.¡±


    General Monroe shook his head, his voice calm. ¡°This is the complete record of the Cat¡¯s Ear Plan from the past ninety years. Every word is genuine.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re not joking?¡± President Derlin remained skeptical. The claims in the file were utterly astonishing, and anyone would struggle to accept them at face value.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t come all this way to waste your time. I¡¯m busy too.¡± General Monroe¡¯s tone was unwavering.


    President Derlin stared into General Monroe¡¯s eyes, and Monroe returned the gaze without flinching. After several seconds, the President finally looked down again to review the file.


    He saw the seriousness in General Monroe¡¯s demeanor. This was no joke.


    ¡°If this is true, it¡¯s a monumental discovery. But can we trust the data from the ship? It¡¯s just fragments of a report.¡±


    General Monroe nodded, then produced a miniature storage device from his pocket and handed it over. ¡°View this. It self-deletes after one viewing.¡±


    President Derlin chuckled and shook his head. ¡°Is that necessary? This office has the highest level of security.¡±


    Seeing Monroe¡¯s silence, he sighed and plugged the device into his computer. Moments later, the device initiated playback.


    The footage showed Godzilla emerging from the water, with Riken forces intercepting it. Conventional weapons were ineffective. A nuclear missile was launched, but Godzilla retaliated amidst the smoke and debris, unleashing energy blasts that obliterated the artillery before retreating into the sea.

 Chapter 228: Negotiations

    ¡°This is real?¡± After watching the video, President Derlin rubbed his face. The scenes were like something out of a science fiction movie. To be told they were real was hard to accept.


    ¡°Doubt is normal. We, too, questioned the authenticity of the footage at first. However, after rigorous expert analysis, there were no traces of tampering or post-production. Moreover, the video contained the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s AI, Celia¡¯s verification code, confirming its authenticity.¡±


    ¡°What can it bring us?¡±


    ¡°A lot.¡±


    ¡°For instance?¡±


    ¡°We formed an expert team that studied the footage and data transmitted by the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. Using computer simulations, we reconstructed the ecosystem of Planet T853. Except for this creature, all other lifeforms perfectly fit into the ecosystem,¡± General Monroe paused before continuing:


    ¡°Thus, this creature wasn¡¯t born within the current ecological environment. It might have originated in an earlier era of T853¡¯s ecological cycle, or it could be from elsewhere. After careful calculations, we lean towards the former because the creature¡¯s displayed capabilities don¡¯t suggest it has interstellar travel potential.¡±


    ¡°So, we theorize it¡¯s a super-ancient species¡ªa living fossil.¡± General Monroe stopped suddenly, fixing his gaze on President Derlin. After ensuring the President¡¯s full attention, he resumed, ¡°And its body may hold the secret to immortality.¡± S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    President Derlin began to understand why the military was treating this so cautiously. The implications were indeed earth-shattering. His breathing quickened.


    ¡°Then why have you come to me? Apart from discussing military budgets, I can hardly offer you much help.¡± Derlin¡¯s feelings were complicated. Though Riken technology had advanced rapidly over the past century, even if he served a full term as President, he only had about 20 years left in office.


    Once he retired, his influence would fade. Even if significant discoveries were made on T853, he would have little chance of securing a share of the spoils.


    Yet, since Monroe had approached him and shared such classified information, there must be a role for him to play. The question was what price Monroe would offer.


    ¡°We need to organize a large-scale expedition to the T85 Star System.¡±


    ¡°Large-scale? How large?¡±


    ¡°A million strong.¡±


    President Derlin nearly fell out of his chair. ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°Mr. President, you heard correctly. The military intends to organize an expedition of one million personnel,¡± General Monroe said calmly, unbothered by the President¡¯s shock. After all, he had reacted similarly when he first learned of the number.


    ¡°This is impossible. Considering the creature¡¯s displayed capabilities, a single 300-meter standard-class battleship would suffice. It doesn¡¯t warrant an expedition of this scale!¡± Derlin snapped, ¡°You¡¯re delusional. Even if I agreed, the council would never approve, and the citizens would never accept it.¡±


    A million-person expedition was an astronomical endeavor. Even without an economics background, Derlin understood the financial implications.


    Even if the council approved, taxpayers would storm the capitol.


    This plan was utterly unrealistic.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dismiss it so quickly, Mr. President. In the current context, it¡¯s indeed unfeasible. But what if the aliens strike first, and we¡¯re forced to retaliate?¡±


    ¡°Are you planning to fabricate an alien civilization?¡± Derlin began considering the feasibility of such a ruse but still found the likelihood of success low.


    ¡°Not fabricate. Mr. President, please review this additional footage and data.¡±


    Monroe produced another miniature storage device, leaving Derlin speechless. Taking the device, he plugged it into his computer, and audio and video began playing.


    The video was fragmented, appearing to have been heavily edited. It showed the Swarm attacking the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, along with Captain Reggie exhausting the ship¡¯s power reserves to transmit some final messages.


    ¡°This is¡­?¡± In the video, Derlin barely recognized Captain Reggie and Chief Science Officer Lute, their identities clear only because of the prior footage. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have recognized them as they belonged to a bygone era.


    ¡°This is the last footage transmitted by the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. Much of the data was lost, so it has been edited to include all decipherable visuals,¡± Monroe said, his tone grave. ¡°The footage suggests that an alien force attacked them and intercepted their transmissions. The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship likely met a grim fate.¡±


    ¡°Are you certain?¡±


    Monroe nodded firmly.


    ¡°Was it a native T85 civilization or outsiders that attacked the spaceship?¡±


    ¡°That remains unclear, but it¡¯s most likely a hidden native force. Their need for a sneak attack suggests their technological level is significantly below ours. Military strategists believe they pose little threat and that a large-scale expedition could easily subdue them.¡±


    ¡°But attacking our spaceship alone isn¡¯t enough to justify a million-person expedition. The public won¡¯t support it,¡± Derlin said. Losses in a distant star system would hardly resonate with the Riken people. Convincing them to tighten their belts to fund an expeditionary fleet seemed nearly impossible.


    ¡°They will agree, but it will require some maneuvering. When the time comes, we¡¯ll need your full support, Mr. President.¡±


    Seeing Derlin¡¯s hesitation, Monroe added, ¡°Rest assured, Mr. President. We have many allies. Keep in mind, there¡¯s a habitable planet there. With minor modifications, it could support Riken life. It¡¯s unclaimed territory¡ªyou understand the implications?¡±


    Derlin felt a jolt of realization.


    A habitable planet? If the families and corporations learned of it, they would fight tooth and nail for their slice of this new frontier.


    It was a realm far from centralized control, where even the Federation¡¯s authority would be weak. The colony Riken had established decades ago on a neighboring planet was already experiencing independence movements, let alone a system so far removed.


    Fighting aliens and capturing ancient creatures were secondary; their true goal was to establish dominion. Derlin quickly grasped their intent.


    With this understanding, it was clear they had plenty of natural allies. However, a misstep could lead to irreparable disaster, leaving his name tarnished in history. But if he refused, he might not even remain in office for the next election.

 Chapter 229: Shock

    ¡°Who do you represent?¡± President Derlin asked.


    ¡°Many. Likely most of those you can think of, if not all.¡±


    Derlin nodded in understanding. It seemed this was inevitable, a tide he could not stem.


    Seeing that Derlin was beginning to grasp the situation, General Monroe finally revealed his offer: ¡°Mr. President, after your term ends, the military would like to hire you as a political consultant. Our structure greatly lacks someone of your caliber. At that time, you might continue your leadership journey elsewhere.¡±


    The offer was tempting, but Derlin wondered if it was poisoned. Regardless, he had little choice but to accept. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°General Monroe, what did you mean earlier by the right timing?¡±


    ¡°All you need to do is wait. When the time comes, you¡¯ll understand,¡± General Monroe said cryptically, a faint smile breaking through his stern expression. ¡°You¡¯ll like it. It will even solve a major problem you¡¯re currently facing. Consider it a gift from us.¡±


    Though Monroe¡¯s expression was somewhat unsettling, Derlin didn¡¯t press further. He stood and extended his hand.


    ¡°Pleasure working together.¡±


    Their hands clasped firmly over the desk.


    ¡°Pleasure working together.¡±


    Time flew, and six months passed in a blur. Initially, President Derlin anticipated the promised opportunity daily, eager to uncover the source of General Monroe¡¯s confidence.


    However, months of calm followed. Nothing resembling a breakthrough occurred.


    If not for subtle hints from his secretary, Ram, confirming Monroe¡¯s visit that day, Derlin might have thought it was all a dream.


    As time wore on, his curiosity diminished.


    The Riken had a home planet and three major colonies, with a total population exceeding 20 billion. As the nominal supreme leader, Derlin¡¯s workload was immense.


    Recently, the Trinbrian District¡¯s escalating provocations had severely disrupted his daily life and work, leaving him perpetually overwhelmed.


    Surprises often come unannounced¡ªor in this case, shocks.


    A small asteroid, three kilometers in diameter, inexplicably evaded layers of defense and monitoring systems. By the time it was detected, it was already within 300,000 kilometers of the home planet.


    At that distance, it could close in almost instantaneously.


    Before the Riken leadership could get out of bed and reach the war room, the asteroid entered the atmosphere. The resulting fiery blaze was visible across an entire hemisphere.


    The military scrambled to intercept it. However, the suddenness of the incident left only limited forces within range. Streaks of red light shot into the sky as small-caliber anti-aircraft weaponry chipped away at the asteroid¡¯s surface, inflicting minimal damage.


    While the home planet had orbital defense systems, these energy-intensive weapons required significant time to charge. The unexpected nature of the event rendered them useless.


    Under normal circumstances, with the Riken¡¯s advanced observational technology, an asteroid like this would have been detected billions of kilometers away. Its trajectory would have been calculated, and defenses prepared well in advance.


    But this asteroid was detected far too late, leaving most defensive measures unavailable.


    As experts sat down to discuss the environmental impact of detonating a nuclear bomb in the atmosphere, the asteroid pierced through and barreled toward the surface with overwhelming momentum.


    The military activated emergency protocols, bypassing all approval processes. Several special operations teams were deployed, launching over a dozen man-portable tactical nuclear missiles at the asteroid.


    Amid deafening explosions, the sky seemed to sprout additional suns. The remaining two kilometers of the asteroid¡¯s core were successfully shattered.


    Most of the asteroid¡¯s structure fragmented into hundreds of pieces, creating a meteor shower. Many fragments were too small to pose any threat.


    However, a portion of the asteroid, approximately 500 meters in diameter, comprised a metallic core further tempered by intense heat. This section struck the ground with devastating force.


    The impact ripped the earth apart, sending dust soaring skyward. A mushroom cloud rose into the air, and the shockwave ravaged an area over 100 kilometers wide.


    ¡°Rest assured, Mr. President. Security levels here have been raised to the maximum. All surveillance devices are offline. Even if you were to run around naked, no information would leak,¡± General Monroe said calmly, watching President Derlin inspect the office for hidden cameras.


    ¡°Are you insane?¡± Derlin roared, leaning close to Monroe and hissing through clenched teeth.


    The incident had multiplied his workload overnight¡ªcoordinating relief efforts, investigating the cause, and addressing the media. It was a nightmare.


    Yet Monroe had suddenly appeared to ask if he liked their ¡°gift.¡±


    Derlin wanted to shout, ¡°Like hell I do!¡± but the sheer audacity of these lunatics made him hold his tongue. At the same time, he finally understood what Monroe meant by ¡°opportunity.¡±


    These madmen had obliterated the Trinbrian District¡ªthe cesspool of crime and corruption that had been his worst headache¡ªusing an asteroid. Half an hour earlier, it had been reduced to history.


    Initially, Derlin truly believed it was an accident and secretly felt overjoyed. But Monroe¡¯s words revealed the truth¡ªit was deliberate.


    When Derlin first heard this, he thought it was an April Fool¡¯s joke. But Monroe¡¯s deadpan expression made it hard to dismiss as such.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t worried about hitting the wrong place?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Monroe replied confidently. ¡°The entire operation was meticulously calculated. The asteroid¡¯s selection, modification, flight speed, entry angle, and the detonation sites were all monitored. Even the weather conditions were simulated hundreds of times using supercomputers to ensure success.¡±


    ¡°Mr. President, you should be pleased with this gift. We¡¯ve solved a major problem for you.¡±


    In some ways, Monroe wasn¡¯t wrong. But while one problem had been resolved, it created a far greater one.


    This incident had irreversibly tied Derlin to their cause. If he refused to align with them, he might find himself scapegoated for the entire plan by morning.


    Evidence, witnesses, and testimony would conveniently surface, leaving him defenseless.


    Derlin couldn¡¯t say whether cooperating with these madmen was the right choice, but he no longer had a choice.


    ¡°What happens next?¡± Derlin asked, dejected.


    ¡°Just carry on as usual. Everything will fall into place. Remember, we have many allies. Everyone will contribute,¡± Monroe said, gesturing a wide circle with his hands.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope so.¡±

 Chapter 230: The Incident Escalates

    The asteroid impact caused a massive uproar.


    After numerous technological upgrades, the Riken had fully conquered the M37 Star System, surrounding their home planet with advanced observational devices and space defense weapons. While perhaps not an ironclad fortress, it was at least a sturdy wooden barrel.


    For an unremarkable asteroid to bypass these layers of defenses was a colossal embarrassment.


    Was it a case of equipment falsification or staff negligence?


    Regardless, someone had to be held accountable.


    The media erupted with coverage, experts clamored with analyses, and everyone cited data and comparisons to emphasize how advanced Riken defenses were. For an asteroid to breach these systems unnoticed was utterly inconceivable.


    It was deemed a major failure¡ªa dereliction of duty by the Federation.


    The anger of the Riken people ignited, and soon all fingers pointed at the Federation¡¯s top official, President Derlin.


    Protests broke out across the home planet and the three colonies, with demonstrations escalating daily. The people demanded an explanation from the President.


    For Derlin, the current chaos was a hundred times worse than the harassment from the Trinbrian District. Compared to this, even death threats back then felt like a gentle breeze.


    He called General Monroe, demanding to know how things had spiraled out of control and what the plan was.


    The response was little more than a series of placating phrases like, ¡°Stay calm,¡± and ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    As someone who knew the truth, Derlin was unable to offer the people a satisfactory explanation. The longer it dragged on, the more public anger grew, like oil fueling a blazing fire, waiting for the tiniest spark to explode.


    But just as this fury reached its breaking point, events took a sudden turn.


    The military¡¯s investigation report was released.


    The findings shocked the entire Riken populace.


    The asteroid, it turned out, was a long-range weapon deployed by an alien force¡ªa deliberate attack on the Riken home planet. Equipped with advanced anti-detection systems, it had slipped through the layers of defense and breached Riken territory.


    The people were stunned, and a new narrative began to take shape.


    ¡°So that¡¯s it! I knew the Federation and military couldn¡¯t have been so careless. Even if one station failed, it¡¯s impossible for all of them to fail at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! Experts have said that our outer space defenses cover billions of kilometers with densely packed weapons and orbital platforms. Under normal circumstances, something like this couldn¡¯t happen.¡±


    ¡°My uncle¡¯s brother-in-law¡¯s nephew works for the Federation¡¯s space defense force. He says every protocol is strictly followed, but none of the observation stations detected this asteroid in advance.¡±


    ¡°Of course not¡ªit was designed by aliens to bypass our systems!¡±


    ¡°Those aliens are despicable! Why would they attack us out of the blue?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! But who are these aliens? Any insider info?¡±


    ¡°If there were, it would be classified. Do you think they¡¯d tell me?¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t do. I pay taxes; I have the right to know! I¡¯m going to protest in front of the Federation Assembly!¡± S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The protests demanding an investigation into internal corruption continued, but the slogans shifted. Now, the people demanded transparency and their right to know the truth.


    In response to public pressure, the military began releasing fragments of ¡°classified¡± information.


    This included the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship Project and edited footage of its battle with Godzilla.


    People were reminded of the project from ninety years ago. Many had assumed it was a forgotten endeavor, only to learn it had a sequel¡ªand that aliens had indeed been discovered.


    Experts dissected the footage, offering interpretations and commentary.


    It became clear that the aliens followed a biological technology path. The creature in the footage was one of their bio-weapons. Given this, their use of asteroids as weapons instead of conventional steel constructs made sense.


    A wave of mourning followed for the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship and its crew. The Federation established a memorial site with pristine gravestones for all its members. Crowds flocked to pay their respects to these heroes who had ventured light-years away to carve out a new home for their people.


    Subsequently, more videos and information were ¡°leaked.¡±


    These revealed that the military, having learned from the incident, intercepted thousands of alien asteroids targeting the home planet and its colonies.


    The public was astounded to learn this wasn¡¯t a one-off attack. Thanks to the Federation¡¯s vigilance, they had been spared further devastation.


    President Derlin¡¯s approval ratings soared, and his reelection in three and a half years became a foregone conclusion.


    However, voices of concern began to emerge.


    ¡°The tragedy of the Trinbrian District is still fresh. Relief efforts have barely begun. We can¡¯t celebrate yet; we need to ensure this doesn¡¯t happen again.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Defense alone isn¡¯t enough. We must strike back.¡±


    ¡°Offense is the best defense!¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s take the fight to the T85 Star System and show them the Riken are not to be trifled with!¡±


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s cage those wretches in a zoo.¡±


    ¡°Bring civilization to these beasts!¡±


    Public sentiment reached a fever pitch.


    No one had anticipated that the aliens would fire thousands of asteroids. If even one had landed intact, as seen in the Trinbrian District¡¯s devastation, the consequences would have been catastrophic.


    The people demanded a powerful retaliation from the Federation.


    Some skeptics raised concerns:


    ¡°How could the aliens¡¯ attack arrive so quickly after the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship incident? If they¡¯re that advanced, can we truly oppose them?¡±


    ¡°What about the thousands of intercepted asteroids? Could the figures be exaggerated? Why haven¡¯t civilian observation organizations detected such large-scale actions?¡±


    ¡°Why are some military personnel unaware of these events?¡±


    These voices, however, quickly disappeared without a trace.


    As time passed, the military continued to release videos and information about intercepting alien attacks, aided by deliberate narrative shaping.


    Whether out of self-preservation, racial pride, or other motives, most Riken citizens now supported an expedition to the T85 Star System.


    Online polls showed 97% of the population in favor of military action.


    But if they were to launch an expedition, the question arose: Where would the funding come from?


    President Derlin addressed this issue in a live broadcast aired simultaneously across the home planet and the three colonies. All radio stations were mandated to carry the broadcast.


    Thus, the vast majority of the Riken people tuned in to hear his speech.

 Chapter 231: Military Funding and Technological Surge

    With eloquence and historical references, President Derlin began by summarizing the Riken¡¯s development over time. He then addressed the grave challenge they now faced.


    This was different from the past.


    Previous wars had been internal conflicts. Even in defeat, there was always a retreat.


    But this time, it was a war against an alien species. Failure could mean the extinction of their entire race.


    ¡°In a broken nest, no egg is left intact.¡±


    He emphasized that there was no room for wishful thinking. This war against the aliens must be fought and won decisively, ideally with a single, crushing blow to eliminate the enemy entirely.


    After rousing the populace to a state of unified indignation, Derlin shifted the discussion to the critical issue at hand: money.


    Wars required funding¡ªan immense amount of it.


    A regular war demanded a colossal starting budget.


    But this was no ordinary war; it was an interstellar expedition, a clash of civilizations.


    The required resources would reach astronomical levels.


    The Federation government alone could not shoulder such an enormous burden.


    However, this war concerned everyone. Whether for themselves, their families, or their race, every Riken citizen had a duty to support the expedition.


    In closing, President Derlin called on everyone to contribute to the cause, urging them to donate whatever they could afford toward military funding.


    Of course, voluntary contributions wouldn¡¯t suffice.


    The Federation Parliament seized the opportunity to introduce a wartime tax, imposed on all citizens.


    Under normal circumstances, such a measure would never pass. Even if it did, the enraged populace would likely raze the parliamentary building. But at this moment, the timing was impeccable. Amid widespread fury, dissenting voices were drowned out. Media narratives cast opposition as treason against the species.


    Thus, the tax was smoothly implemented.


    Simultaneously, major corporations and prominent families made substantial donations.


    As staggering sums were publicized, many Riken citizens, initially grumbling about the war tax, were stunned. They couldn¡¯t understand why these typically stingy entities were now so generous. Were they truly acting out of a newfound sense of responsibility?


    Regardless, the wave of donations spurred a nationwide trend. With subtle guidance from various factions, the movement grew until it reached a point where donating less became a source of embarrassment.


    The vast funds amassed were safeguarded with an iron hand. Anyone attempting to misappropriate funds was swiftly eliminated. Every credit was allocated to military development.


    For the first time, all financial records were made public. The transparency of fund usage far surpassed any previous project. Citizens were delighted to see the government genuinely taking action. Alongside their praise for the current administration, they speculated that the crisis might be more severe than it seemed. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This speculation sparked yet another donation surge.


    The Riken star system, known to the Swarm as the M37 Star System, comprised ten planets. The Riken home planet was the fourth, accompanied by two moons.


    A century ago, before the launch of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, the Riken had established their first space city on the primary moon. Over time, this moon evolved into their first colony.


    Not long after the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship departed, construction began on the second moon.


    While building the third space city on the second moon, the Riken made a shocking discovery:


    They unearthed a spaceship.


    This vessel, over 500 meters long, was made of an unknown metal. Geological analysis suggested it had been buried for tens of thousands of years.


    Though its origin remained a mystery, its long abandonment indicated it was unclaimed.


    After years of effort, the Riken finally breached the ship¡¯s doors. Its defensive systems had long been deactivated due to energy depletion.


    It was a windfall straight out of a novel.


    The ship¡¯s technology was leagues ahead of the Riken¡¯s. Reverse-engineering its equipment spurred unprecedented advancements.


    In just a few decades, their technological capabilities had multiplied several times over.


    For instance, where earlier spacecraft relied on solar sails and prolonged acceleration to achieve one-tenth light speed, new propulsion engines could easily reach that speed. The latest engines even achieved one-fifth light speed.


    With these new engines, journeys to the neighboring star system now took only twenty years.


    This rapid progress allowed the Riken to terraform the third planet in the newly named Cloud Return Star System into their third colony, maintaining firm control over it.


    Currently, orbiting the fifth planet in the same system¡ªdesignated the Riven Planet¡ªnumerous spaceyards had been completed.


    Construction on these yards had started over a decade ago, around the time the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship neared the Neighboring Star System and detected Godzilla¡¯s thermonuclear breath.


    It seemed preparations for this operation had begun long ago. Perhaps the previous President had been involved. Even without the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship incident, they might have fabricated a different pretext to achieve similar goals.


    If Luo Wen were here, he would undoubtedly quip, ¡°That¡¯s absolutely right.¡± After all, Swarm meteors had only recently departed from the Neighboring Star System, traveling just one light-year.


    They still required decades to reach the Riken system. The Riken¡¯s fabricated asteroid strikes were essentially a form of ¡°Fraud.¡± using the Swarm¡¯s tactics.


    Their maneuvering, however, had hit the mark. Yet one had to wonder how they would react upon discovering a genuine biological civilization in the Neighboring Star System, complete with bio-weapons comparable to or even surpassing Godzilla.


    Their response would likely be quite¡­ visceral.


    The once-quiet Cloud Return Star System now bustled with activity. Ships from countless corporations, organizations, and individuals arrived to sell asteroids to the spaceyards.


    To these capital-driven entities, the vast war funds represented a feast. No one wanted to miss the opportunity to claim a share.


    Asteroids were melted in space foundries, their metal extracted using magnetic fields. The molten material was cast into modules and parts, which were then assembled into various spacecraft.


    With the collective effort of over ten billion Riken citizens, warships of all sizes were rapidly constructed, delivered to the military, and staffed for training.


    Time passed. Amid this, President Derlin crushed all opposition to secure a second term in office.

 Chapter 232: Departure

    The shipyard¡¯s construction progress had been livestreamed the entire time. As one warship after another launched, the Riken people¡¯s excitement soared. Thanks to coordinated efforts, enthusiasm had remained high over the years.


    Each warship, depending on its size, required a crew of 20 to 200 personnel to operate, assisted by artificial intelligence. Adding maintenance and combat staff brought the total number of required personnel to staggering heights.


    Thus began a new round of recruitment campaigns.


    ¡°Do you want to protect your homeland? Join the army!¡±


    ¡°For the glory of the Riken people! Join the army!¡±


    ¡°Do you want to crush alien invaders? Join the army!¡±


    ¡°Do you want to pioneer a new era? Join the army!¡±


    ¡°Massive warships! Journeying through the stars! Dreamed of it? Join the army!¡±


    ¡°Young one, join the army!¡±


    Backed by both the Federation and corporate interests, a massive number of Riken enlisted. Troops were transported to the colonies, where military camps sprang up, training recruits into qualified soldiers.


    At the same time, mercenaries, captured criminals, and even hardened convicts were secretly sent to the colony barracks.


    With the loss of the Trinbrian District, these leaderless individuals became prime cannon fodder candidates. Even if they survived the war, they would become the first wave of settlers on any captured ecological planets¡ªpaid only in food, a cost-effective labor force.


    Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.


    Soon enough, Derlin began his third term as President.


    ¡°Reggie, are you saying this Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship represented the pinnacle of Riken technology?¡±


    ¡°Overlord, to be precise, it once did.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re certain the Riken didn¡¯t have external backing?¡±


    ¡°Overlord, at the time of our departure, yes.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Luo Wen was speechless. Damn that meticulous phrasing. ¡°You mentioned earlier that intercepted communications from the Riken indicated their technology had advanced rapidly due to external factors?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Overlord.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what those factors were?¡±


    ¡°Unclear. The information provided little detail.¡±


    ¡°How much progress did they make?¡±


    ¡°Also unclear.¡±


    Luo Wen instinctively sensed a major hidden danger but had no concrete evidence. In a century, how much could the Riken have advanced given their baseline? Without backing from a superior civilization, their threat level shouldn¡¯t be too high.


    Still, even with low odds, Luo Wen¡¯s cautious nature required thorough investigation before further action.


    Regardless, strengthening the Swarm¡¯s own forces remained the top priority.


    The Riken expeditionary fleet was finally ready to set sail after decades of preparation.


    The fleet exceeded expectations, consisting of 315 warships of various classes, 164 transport ships, over three million personnel, and an immense stockpile of weapons and supplies.


    Even if everything went smoothly, the mission would take at least fifty years to complete. For the Riken, with their average lifespan of 300 years, this was still an exceptionally long time.


    Though communication technology had improved, enabling faster interstellar correspondence, the immense energy costs meant regular soldiers and officers could not easily stay in touch with family.


    Before deployment, all non-prison personnel were given a one-month leave to bid farewell to their families and friends:


    ¡°Father, Mother, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll bring honor to our family. Wait for my return.¡±


    ¡°Ruth, this may be goodbye for a long time. You should find someone to marry.¡±


    ¡°Brother, let¡¯s share drinks again in fifty years!¡±


    ¡°After the war, the family will gain a territory. Don¡¯t return; develop it as your own. The clan is counting on you.¡±


    In a laboratory, ¡°Big sister, I¡¯m leaving.¡±


    ¡°Mm, stay safe.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have anything else to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be reckless. Be careful.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re so curious about those aliens. Why aren¡¯t you going? Joining the fleet should be easy for you.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t. I have other work to do. The Federation won¡¯t let me leave. Maybe this is the curse of being a genius.¡± The elder sister, a young female Riken, stated this with no hint of boasting, as if reciting a fact.


    The younger sister, nearly identical to her, smirked. ¡°If I hadn¡¯t chosen the warship command track, your reverse-engineering project would¡¯ve made much faster progress.¡±


    Her elder sister rolled her eyes, unimpressed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t believe me?¡± the younger one teased. ¡°This mission will mostly have me in stasis pods. For me, it¡¯s just a few years. But you? You¡¯ll live through decades. When I return, you¡¯ll be an old lady with our identical face. Such a waste.¡±


    A subtle twitch in the elder sister¡¯s brows betrayed her irritation. Seeing her younger sister who had caught this detail and smiled happily, she muttered in a low voice, ¡°What an annoying little sister.¡±


    A month passed in the blink of an eye.


    The Riken held a grand farewell ceremony, where President Derlin delivered an impassioned speech. All Riken eagerly awaited the fleet¡¯s triumphant return after annihilating the aliens.


    The fleet launched gradually from the colonies, taking over a year to fully assemble at the outer asteroid belt of the Riken system.


    Once gathered, they accelerated to one-fifth light speed and maintained this velocity in a dispersed formation.


    The blue glow of their engines lit up the dark, barren cosmos. From behind, the fleet resembled a cluster of twinkling blue stars¡ªa fast-moving constellation, mesmerizing in its beauty.


    Most crew members entered stasis, leaving a skeleton crew awake to rotate through navigation duties every few years.


    Years later, a Swarm meteor streaked past the cosmos, casually dropping an Observer Bug.


    This tiny bug, indistinguishable from interstellar dust and emitting no energy, avoided detection entirely.


    The images it transmitted back to the Swarm, however, were anything but ordinary.


    Luo Wen: ¡°???¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 233: The Fleet

    Although the Observer Bugs were equipped with various advanced sensory organs, their small size ultimately limited their performance. When the fleet approached from the front flank, the Observer Bug failed to detect it. However, as the fleet passed by, the glaring blue glow of their engines became unmistakable. Upon noticing the anomaly, the Observer Bug immediately issued an alert.


    Subsequently, the Observer Bugs stationed ahead of the fleet shifted their focus, locking their gaze on the incoming ships and maintaining continuous surveillance.


    Yet, Luo Wen, who was monitoring all of this through the bugs¡¯ visual feed, found himself filled with questions.


    What is this?


    A massive fleet.


    It was coming from the direction of the M37 Star System, also known as the Riken Star System.


    Have they changed leadership?


    Was the Riken race overrun by another civilization?


    A cascade of questions flooded Luo Wen¡¯s mind.


    What followed only deepened his confusion.


    As the fleet advanced, more and more Observer Bugs stationed along its route provided increasingly detailed imagery, transmitting them back through the Swarm Network.


    What stood out were the insignias painted on the warships¡ªthey were identical to those on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.


    Is Reggie pulling my leg? This was Luo Wen¡¯s first thought.


    But he quickly dismissed it. Reggie would never deceive him. Could this be the result of a technological leap forward? How is this even possible? Their entire technological system has changed!


    Previously reliant on solar sails for interstellar travel, they had transitioned to engine propulsion within just a century.


    And the speed¡ªhow could it be so fast? Calculations by the Intelligent Entities indicated they had already achieved one-fifth the speed of light.


    Is this for real?


    This is cheating, isn¡¯t it?


    At this rate, in just about ten years, they would reach the Neighboring Star System.


    Luo Wen observed these kilometer-long steel behemoths, bristling with dense arrays of turrets and concealed launch ports, clearly indicating overwhelming firepower.


    The crucial question remained¡ªhow had they reached this level of development?


    The Intelligent Entities analyzed the situation, concluding that it was impossible for the Riken to have advanced so far in just a century by gradually building their technological framework based solely on theoretical validation. The two most plausible explanations were either external assistance from an advanced civilization or the discovery of a technological inheritance from such a civilization.


    If it was merely an inheritance, that was manageable. Even if the fleet was powerful, the Swarm¡¯s inherent characteristics could level the playing field. However, if they were backed by a complete advanced civilization, Luo Wen needed to start considering how to escape without leaving a trace.


    He had to carefully weigh his options before deciding on a course of action.


    Twelve years flew by in the blink of an eye. The colossal Riken fleet had reached the outskirts of the Neighboring Star System.


    Over the past week, all personnel aboard the ships had been gradually awakened from stasis.


    ¡°Commander, what are our next steps?¡±


    Standing before the starmap was a male Riken, tall and robust, in the prime of his life. His determined blue face bore an air of steely resolve. Even without combat armor, his figure towered at 2.5 meters tall. With his armor on, he would likely stand at an imposing 2.8 meters.


    He was none other than General Masai, the supreme commander of this expedition.


    ¡°Order the fleet into a dispersed formation, with transport ships in the center and warships on the periphery. Stay alert¡ªwe still don¡¯t know the exact strength of the alien forces here. If you want to make it back alive, stay sharp. Also, notify all ship captains of a video conference in ten minutes.¡±


    ¡°Yes, General.¡±


    Ten minutes later.


    ¡°General, I believe we should proceed cautiously under the current uncertain conditions, establishing defensive lines step by step to advance steadily,¡± suggested one of the more conservative female Riken captains. Her proposal was displayed on the massive 100-square-meter screen in front of General Masai, which was divided into hundreds of smaller frames for each participant.


    Masai himself was no more experienced than his subordinates when it came to engaging alien forces¡ªthis was uncharted territory for them all.


    This expedition would undoubtedly go down in Riken history. A well-executed campaign would cement his legacy, while failure would leave him a figure of infamy.


    Thus, Masai chose to adopt a collaborative approach, gathering input to arrive at a consensus. If things went south, everyone would share the blame.


    ¡°Captain Cleo, your proposal is too conservative. We have an invincible fleet. Speed is of the essence¡ªwe should strike directly at their core and annihilate them in one decisive blow,¡± countered a male Riken captain, clearly an advocate of aggressive tactics.


    ¡°I second Captain Kenny,¡± echoed another aggressive captain.


    ¡°But do you even know where their core is? Without a target, how can you talk about striking swiftly or directly?¡± rebutted a rational captain, clearly neutral in stance.


    ¡°According to the last information sent back by the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, they were attacked near T855. That could be their core.¡±


    ¡°T855 is not a habitable planet. How could it be their core? I¡¯ve analyzed the situation thoroughly¡ªthey must have been hiding on T853 and tailed the Cat¡¯s Ear Ship after it departed.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible, but T855 is currently on the far side of the star. Reaching it would require a large detour. Moreover, space is vast¡ªit¡¯s not impossible for species to survive directly in space.¡±


    ¡°Such creatures can¡¯t possibly exist, can they?¡±


    ¡°Why not?¡±


    As two captains were about to argue, General Masai cleared his throat, interrupting the escalating debate. ¡°Our mission is not just to strike at aliens but to completely occupy this region. Establishing a base and launching a direct attack on their core are not mutually exclusive.¡±


    Glancing at the starmap, he continued, ¡°Currently, both T854 and T853 are on our route. We can first establish a temporary base on T854 and then deploy forces to scout T853.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, General¡­¡±


    ¡°A brilliant compromise, General Masai, as expected of you.¡±


    After a round of sycophantic remarks, the plan was approved unanimously.


    Thanks to their advanced technology, even after decelerating upon entering the star system, the fleet¡¯s speed could be ramped up again within moments. Reaching T854 from the system¡¯s edge took only a little over ten days.


    The Riken had placed immense importance on this expedition. A failure would leave their civilization unable to mount another mission of this scale for a long time.


    Thus, their preparations were meticulous. The transport ships carried numerous modular components.


    Large metal parts were hauled from the transport ships by small engineering vessels, assembled into massive space factories in T854¡¯s orbit.


    On the planet¡¯s surface, engineering machinery and soldiers were deployed for reconnaissance and to establish excavation sites and factories.


    These factories were fully automated, operated by intelligent programs. The materials extracted by the engineering equipment were refined into basic components and transported to orbital shipyards.


    They even planned to construct additional warships here to bolster their forces.


    Some factories also produced metal components, primarily replacement parts for their weapons.


    With logistics in place, two warships broke away from the fleet to head toward T853¡ªGreat Dawn Planet. Their mission was to deploy a vast array of satellites in T853¡¯s geosynchronous orbit.


    Additionally, numerous unmanned reconnaissance drones would be sent to the planet¡¯s surface for close-range exploration. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A few days later, they arrived at T853¡¯s geosynchronous orbit.


    ¡°Look, what¡¯s that?¡±

 Chapter 234: The Base

    ¡°Look! What¡¯s that?¡±


    A crew member spotted a strange object in Great Dawn Planet¡¯s orbit through the ship¡¯s observation instruments.


    The lens zoomed in.


    ¡°Alien satellites!¡±


    ¡°Wait, look at this emblem.¡±


    ¡°Our Riken insignia? These are ours? But we haven¡¯t deployed any satellites yet, and I¡¯ve never seen ones like these before.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve seen pictures before. This is a model from a century ago. I get it now¡ªthese are the satellites the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship deployed back then.¡±


    ¡°These are ancient relics. If they didn¡¯t bear our insignia, I wouldn¡¯t have recognized them.¡±


    ¡°But wait¡ªif an alien civilization exists here, why would they tolerate these things floating above their heads?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good question, but it¡¯s not our concern. Report it to the captain.¡±


    Minutes later, the captain arrived.


    ¡°Well done, everyone. This is a major discovery.¡±


    Several small ships detached from the warship, collecting the satellites and bringing them back.


    The Riken immediately began studying the satellites. Since they were their own creations, albeit from a prior era, they were relatively easy to understand despite the technological gap.


    ¡°These are indeed ours,¡± confirmed an engineer. ¡°Look here¡ªback then, engineers liked to add little personal marks. See this one? It¡¯s an abbreviation of ¡®Hopper,¡¯ who was a technician aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. I know about him because he was a prominent figure in my field.¡±


    Others nodded but scratched their heads. The lingering question remained¡ªwhy were these satellites still in orbit?


    The answer, of course, was Luo Wen¡¯s doing. Years ago, the Swarm had dismantled all satellites around Great Dawn Planet.


    Those satellites had been torn apart and reassembled with noticeable signs of tampering. To avoid arousing suspicion, the Swarm had replaced them with unused satellites captured from the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. These satellites, being intact and functional, didn¡¯t store data, making them perfect for Luo Wen¡¯s deception.


    The goal was to confuse any future intruders. At worst, the ruse would serve as a distraction. At best, it could create significant confusion¡ªjust as it was doing now.


    ¡°Captains, the situation has been reported. What are your thoughts?¡±


    ¡°When the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship was at T853, it didn¡¯t seem to face any attacks, did it?¡±


    ¡°So, the aliens really don¡¯t require an oxygen-rich environment to survive?¡±


    ¡°What could their lifeforms be like?¡±


    ¡°Have the drones found anything on T853? Especially that monster?¡±


    ¡°Nothing yet. This is just a primitive planet with unintelligent beasts. As for that powerful creature, it¡¯s likely hiding in the ocean.¡±


    ¡°In that case, the aliens¡¯ base must be at T855. We can establish a base on T853 and modify its environment while we¡¯re at it.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Modifying a habitable planet and preparing for war can be done simultaneously. Since they don¡¯t need it, they can¡¯t complain if we take it.¡±


    ¡°Seconded!¡±


    After lengthy discussion, they decided to build a space city at T853 and simultaneously begin terraforming the planet.


    Building a city on a habitable planet was much easier than on others. They only needed to filter out harmful gases; the rest of the environment was similar to the Riken homeworld.


    Large construction modules were dropped directly onto the planet¡¯s surface. With the help of massive engineering equipment, they quickly erected a fortress.


    Being on the front line of a war, the space city was also designed for defense. Once completed, it could house over 20,000 people without protective gear and was equipped with a variety of powerful defensive weapons.


    ¡°Captain, how about we hunt a Bull Demon tonight? The lab has figured out how to process its meat,¡± suggested a member of a Riken armed patrol squad during a night mission.


    The Riken expedition force numbered in the millions, but not all troops were elite, as was the case with the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship crew. Most were ordinary soldiers. This particular patrol unit was one of the most typical, with just ten members. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Yeah, Captain, let¡¯s go for it. I¡¯ve never had real meat before.¡±


    ¡°Me neither! Team 0763 bagged a Direwolf yesterday. They took it to the lab and brought back two wolf legs. The grilled meat smelled amazing!¡±


    ¡°Shut up! We¡¯re on duty. Stay alert.¡± The captain¡¯s stern tone reflected his greater sense of responsibility.


    ¡°Our drones are patrolling the area¡ªthey¡¯re better than our eyes. Besides, it¡¯s just a bunch of wild beasts here. What¡¯s there to worry about?¡± one team member muttered.


    ¡°Kendall, shut up, or I¡¯ll have you disciplined,¡± the captain barked.


    ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Kendall grumbled under his breath. At just over twenty years old when they left the homeworld, he had a young man¡¯s recklessness. Feeling slighted, he slung his weapon over his shoulder and headed into the brush. ¡°I¡¯m going to take a leak,¡± he said without waiting for permission.


    The captain sighed but let him go. A veteran soldier, he had participated in colonial battles and understood the seriousness of war. Relaxation during a mission was a dangerous luxury.


    The two-meter-high grass significantly hindered visibility, even for the equally tall Riken. Advanced instruments were their primary means of surveillance.


    Twenty minutes passed.


    ¡°Where¡¯s Kendall? Why hasn¡¯t he returned?¡± The captain, unused to the quiet absence of Kendall¡¯s chatter, counted heads and asked the group.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s got stomach trouble. I heard he ate some of that wolf meat from Team 0763 yesterday¡ªmaybe it didn¡¯t sit well,¡± joked another soldier, prompting laughter.


    ¡°Or maybe he¡¯s off hunting.¡±


    ¡°Could be. He doesn¡¯t follow protocol. Captain, you should really punish him when he gets back.¡±


    The captain ignored the banter, his instincts sensing something amiss. He activated the team¡¯s comms. ¡°Kendall? Kendall! Where the hell are you? Get back here immediately!¡±


    After several unanswered calls, the team realized the situation might be serious. The captain turned to one member. ¡°Gade, send a drone to check it out.¡±


    A drone launched from Gade¡¯s console and flew in Kendall¡¯s last known direction. The dense grass and darkness impeded its vision, but switching to thermal imaging quickly located Kendall 300 meters away.


    Descending for a closer look, the drone revealed Kendall lying prone on the ground, with no visible injuries.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is he asleep?¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Do you even have a brain?¡± The captain was exasperated. These rookies, with no combat experience, were difficult to manage. They carried an unwarranted arrogance, dismissing the native species entirely.


    ¡°Bublen, Sig, hold this position and guard Gade. The rest of you, follow me. Unlock your weapons¡¯ safeties and stay alert for anything unusual.¡±

 Chapter 235: Ambush

    In the darkness, two-meter-tall grass swayed gently in the breeze, creating a soft rustling sound. The dense foliage was so thick that anyone more than three meters away would be nearly impossible to spot without guidance.


    Earlier, as the patrol squad bantered among themselves, they felt no unease. But now, in the silence, the eerie darkness surrounding them sent a chill up their spines, filling them with inexplicable dread.


    ¡°Captain, Kendall is still alive. The monitor shows signs of life,¡± came Gade¡¯s voice over the communicator.


    The wristbands worn by the squad members allowed real-time monitoring of their pulse and transmitted the data to a control terminal. Each squad was equipped with an information scout who carried the terminal to track the team¡¯s vital signs.


    Under the drone¡¯s guidance, the six-person squad finally reached Kendall, located over 300 meters away.


    The combat suit was fully sealed, making it impossible to visually assess Kendall¡¯s condition. The captain stepped forward, turned Kendall over, and pressed a button on the side of his helmet. A faint light illuminated Kendall¡¯s face, revealing a visage twisted in terror.


    ¡°Kendall, what happened to you?¡± the captain asked. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But Kendall did not respond, his wide, terrified eyes staring unblinkingly.


    Due to the Riken¡¯s inability to be exposed to the environment of the Great Dawn Planet, the captain dared not remove Kendall¡¯s helmet. He lightly tapped on the helmet and asked again several times but still received no reply.


    ¡°Gade, something¡¯s wrong with Kendall. Call for transport support¡ªwe can¡¯t carry him back ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Understood¡ªah!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Gade?¡±


    ¡°Damn it, something stung me¡ªit hurts like hell!¡± Gade muttered through the communicator.


    ¡°Don¡¯t joke around! Check your combat suit for damage immediately!¡± the captain shouted, alarmed. The suits were supposed to be sealed¡ªif Gade felt a sting, his suit might have been compromised.


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong with you two?¡± Gade¡¯s puzzled voice came through the communicator.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± There was no response from Gade¡¯s end.


    ¡°Gade? Bublen? Sig? Respond!¡± The captain called each name, but there was only silence in return.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± he cursed. ¡°Pick up Kendall. Let¡¯s head back and see what¡¯s going on.¡± Exercising caution, he drew a flare gun from his belt and fired an illumination round into the sky.


    The scorching white light exploded above, turning the area as bright as day. It served both as illumination and a warning. Though the captain had yet to confirm what was happening, he preferred facing potential punishment later over taking risks in the ominous darkness.


    If it turned out to be a prank by those brats, he¡¯d shove the flare gun where the sun didn¡¯t shine.


    ¡°Corporal Kaida, what¡¯s going on over there?¡± The illumination flare quickly caught the attention of the regional command center, and an inquiry followed.


    ¡°Sir, one of my team members is in an unknown condition and immobile, while three others have gone silent. I¡¯m heading back to investigate and issued a precautionary warning,¡± Captain Kaida replied while leading the remaining team members toward the others.


    The distance of 300 meters was covered quickly. The captain pushed aside the grass to find three squad members lying on the ground, their expressions identical to Kendall¡¯s¡ªterrified, wide-eyed, and immobile.


    This was not normal.


    Still connected to the regional command center, the captain hastily reported, ¡°Sir, four of my squad members are showing identical symptoms. They¡¯re alive but completely paralyzed and unable to speak. One mentioned being stung by something before this happened¡ªpossible hostile action suspected.¡±


    ¡°Corporal Kaida, hold your position and maintain vigilance. Medical support will arrive in five minutes,¡± came the swift response.


    Hearing that help was on the way, Captain Kaida exhaled in relief. With half his team incapacitated, he knew they¡¯d be given time to recover once back at base. He regretted volunteering for this expedition¡ªthis godforsaken alien planet was no place for anyone to be.


    ¡°Captain, watch out!¡±


    The sudden warning from one of his team members jolted Kaida from his thoughts. His honed combat instincts kicked in, and he began to execute an evasive maneuver.


    But just as he started, his limbs went numb. His evasive motion faltered, and he collapsed face-first to the ground. His wide, terrified eyes mirrored those of his incapacitated comrades.


    He couldn¡¯t comprehend what had happened. Why had his body suddenly failed him?


    Kaida tried to speak, to ask for help, but his mouth was paralyzed. Now he understood what his squad members had experienced, but he didn¡¯t want to learn it this way.


    The remaining team members stood in stunned silence. In the brief flash of the flare, they had glimpsed a transparent object landing on Kaida¡¯s back. By the time they called out in warning, the captain had already collapsed.


    These soldiers were inexperienced recruits who had never been in combat. Their reactions lagged, and those precious moments of hesitation sealed their fate. Before they could even approach to investigate, they too fell one by one.


    The assailants were a new generation of Spider Combat Bugs. Over the years, Luo Wen had prepared meticulously for this war. These bugs were specifically engineered to exploit the weaknesses of Riken combat suits.


    Although the Riken had made remarkable technological advances in the past century, their combat suit designs had seen little improvement. To counter these fully-enclosed protective suits, Luo Wen had modified the original Spider Combat Bugs, equipping their stingers with enhanced capabilities.


    Using genes from a metallic snail species, the bugs were made to absorb a specialized mineral solution during incubation. This mineral formed a one-millimeter alloy tip on the stinger.


    With this tip, the stingers could pierce up to two centimeters into the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s steel hull, let alone Riken combat suits.


    Additionally, the poison sacs of the Spider Combat Bugs were upgraded. Using experimental materials obtained from the captured Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡ªsimilar to the experiments conducted on the Ratfolk¡ªLuo Wen developed a neurotoxin specifically targeting the Riken nervous system.


    This toxin rapidly spread throughout the victim¡¯s body within seconds, paralyzing their central nervous system and preventing neural signals from reaching their limbs. By the time the Riken realized something was wrong, they were already fully aware but completely immobile.


    The toxin wasn¡¯t lethal. Luo Wen had noted the life-monitoring systems in Riken combat suits aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. Killing the soldiers outright would trigger alarms, but paralyzing them would not.


    However, exceptions existed among all species. Gade, a member of Kaida¡¯s squad, was one such anomaly.


    The stinger released its toxin immediately upon piercing the skin, cutting off surrounding nerve signals. Most Rikens wouldn¡¯t even feel the sting. But Gade had an extreme sensitivity to pain, amplifying even a mosquito bite into an unbearable sensation.


    Thus, when stung, Gade cried out, alerting Captain Kaida.


    Despite the Spider Combat Bugs¡¯ swift follow-up attack neutralizing the patrol squad, the ambush had been exposed.

 Chapter 236: Investigation

    However, such ambushes could only eliminate ordinary patrol squads, essentially expendable units. Expecting this strategy to deal a significant blow to the Riken forces was nothing short of a pipe dream.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen never held high expectations for this operation. The main objective was to instill fear, making the Rikens realize that the wilderness was dangerous and discouraging them from recklessness.


    As long as they adopted caution, Luo Wen¡¯s goal of buying time would be achieved. This buffer would allow him to gather as much intelligence as possible about the Riken forces.


    Minutes later, a bright light appeared in the distant sky, rapidly approaching. A ten-meter-long transport ship hovered over Kaida Squad¡¯s former encampment.


    The ship¡¯s floodlights illuminated the ground below, turning the area into a glaring white field. However, Kaida¡¯s squad was nowhere to be seen.


    ¡°Calling Corporal Kaida. This is transport ship YS2315, dispatched to assist you. Please respond.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Captain, no response from the ground.¡±


    ¡°Switch to broadcast and try again.¡±


    ¡°But that will reveal our position.¡±


    ¡°Are you stupid? Anyone with eyes can see our floodlights from miles away.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    After broadcasting several more calls without success, a crew member suggested, ¡°Captain, they¡¯re still not responding. Should we head down and check?¡±


    ¡°If you want to die, be my guest. Report this to command.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir¡­¡±


    Inside the newly constructed fortress city.


    ¡°Lieutenant Colonel Cross, YS2315 has reported arriving at the designated area but found no trace of the patrol squad. They¡¯re requesting further instructions,¡± a communications officer relayed.


    ¡°Have them gain altitude and stand by. Do not land until further notice,¡± replied Cross, a female Riken officer in a high-ranking uniform.


    After issuing the command, she wearily rubbed her temples. This wasn¡¯t the only missing patrol squad. From the moment Kaida Squad¡¯s distress call came in, she¡¯d felt something was amiss.


    Even though the scheduled check-in time hadn¡¯t yet arrived, she ordered all patrol squads to report their status immediately.


    Her suspicions were soon confirmed.


    Of the 50 patrol squads under her command, 21 had gone missing¡ªover half. This realization left her shaken. Initially, she hoped the planet¡¯s environment was causing some kind of interference with their communications equipment.


    But when she dispatched all 10 available transport ships to investigate, the news they brought back shattered her hopes. It wasn¡¯t interference¡ªthe patrol squads had genuinely disappeared.


    Cross had only recently been promoted to her position and now faced this disastrous start. Despite her reluctance, she had no choice but to report the situation truthfully.


    Failure to act promptly, or worse, concealing such critical intelligence, could not only cost her rank but land her in a military tribunal.


    On a Riken warship orbiting the Great Dawn Planet.


    ¡°Major General Porter, reports from all bases indicate varying degrees of losses among their patrol squads. So far, we have no information on what¡¯s attacking them,¡± a staff officer summarized.


    Major General Porter was an elderly male Riken, his height barely reaching 1.8 meters, with a slightly hunched posture¡ªhighly unusual among his kind. That someone with such physical limitations had risen to the rank of general spoke volumes about his capabilities.


    ¡°Deploy our special operations teams to investigate these attacks. It¡¯s fortunate that Cross took the initiative, despite her earlier mistakes. At least greater losses were avoided. Replenish her personnel and consider this a wash,¡± Porter said, stroking his chin with an air of calm that betrayed no concern for his subordinates¡¯ setbacks.


    At the ground base.


    ¡°Seriously? Such good fortune?¡± Cross muttered, her brow furrowed as she looked at the newly arrived reinforcements brought by the transport ships. However, upon hearing that other bases had suffered even greater losses, she understood why Porter had made this arrangement.


    By now, the sky was beginning to lighten. High above Kaida Squad¡¯s former location, a rescue team that had been circling all night finally received reinforcements.


    Five small gunboats and three transport ships approached¡ªa special operations team akin to the elite guards once assigned to the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. A century of technological advancements had rendered their equipment even more sophisticated.


    ¡°Calling transport ship YS2315, this is Special Operations Team TZ091. Please respond,¡± a communications officer hailed, transmitting an identification code as a precautionary measure, even though only Riken ships existed in this region.


    ¡°This is YS2315. How can we assist?¡± The transport ship¡¯s crew verified the code before responding. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Have you detected anything unusual during your watch?¡±


    ¡°We followed orders and activated all monitoring equipment but found nothing abnormal.¡±


    ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll take over from here. You¡¯re cleared to leave.¡±


    ¡°Thank heavens. Finally, we can retreat. Good luck out there, guys.¡± With that, the transport ship¡¯s engines roared to life, swiftly departing.


    Watching the transport ship recede into the distance, a member of the special operations team clicked his tongue and muttered something before turning to their captain, a massive Riken male. ¡°Captain, what¡¯s the plan?¡±


    ¡°Gunboats will provide overwatch from above. The rest of us will head down for a closer look. Have the ships keep their distance¡ªwe don¡¯t want them damaging the environment.¡±


    Soon, the three transport ships lowered to an altitude 500 meters away from the site. Hovering three meters above the ground, the special operations team disembarked directly, carrying their gear as they leapt out of the hatch without using ropes.


    Their combat suits were far more advanced, equipped with rudimentary exoskeleton structures that granted them immense strength and agility. Carrying 50 to 100 kilograms of equipment was no challenge, even when jumping from a ship.


    The captain, towering at over 2.6 meters in his combat suit, was the last to disembark. The suit¡¯s bulk made most of the team appear similarly massive, with heights averaging 2.5 meters, and two members approaching 2.7 meters.


    He crouched slightly to absorb the impact of his landing, then stood upright, scanning the surroundings. After quickly counting the 30 team members, he gestured for the transport ships to ascend as the squad fanned out.


    Unlike the greenhorns in the patrol squads, these special operations soldiers were seasoned veterans, selected for their experience. They moved with precision and cohesion, needing minimal commands to position themselves effectively.


    The team advanced in a dispersed formation, maintaining vigilance and mutual cover.


    ¡°Keep an eye out for anything unusual.¡±


    Unfortunately, when the squad reached the patrol site, they found no discernible traces.


    ¡°Strange. The operations platform is still here, but the personnel are gone. Search in groups of three, and report any findings immediately.¡±

 Chapter 237: Decision

    ¡°Captain, there are no signs of a struggle nearby. It seems the patrol squad was subdued in an instant,¡± reported a team member.


    Another soldier inspecting the operations platform looked up. ¡°Found it, Captain. I¡¯ve identified the location where the patrol squad¡¯s signals last disappeared.¡±


    ¡°Where?¡±


    ¡°One kilometer northwest.¡±


    ¡°Send the coordinates to the gunboats. Gunboats, provide cover. All units, stay alert and proceed in groups of three to rendezvous at the coordinates,¡± the captain ordered.


    The patrol squads¡¯ combat suits not only incorporated life sign monitoring systems but also featured built-in locators. Using the historical data from the equipment left behind, the special ops team easily pinpointed the location where the signals vanished.


    ¡°Captain, there are some fresh indentations here¡ªthese don¡¯t look like tracks left by the patrol squad,¡± a soldier said, observing a faint path cutting through the grass. The shape of the trail differed slightly from what Riken footprints typically left behind.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯re heading in the right direction. Stay sharp and be ready for combat. Gunboats, keep watch around us,¡± the captain instructed, glancing at the marks.


    With the gunboats providing overhead protection, the kilometer-long journey passed without incident.


    ¡°Captain, this is where the signals disappeared.¡±


    Nodding, the captain signaled the team to spread out and search the area.


    ¡°Captain, our scanner indicates a hollow chamber beneath us¡ªthere¡¯s a subterranean cave below,¡± a soldier called out, holding a detection device.


    ¡°Look around for an entrance nearby.¡±


    ¡°Captain, over here! There¡¯s a hole hidden under the grass,¡± a soldier shouted after his foot slipped into an unseen cavity.


    The team cleared away the thick grass, revealing an opening less than two meters in diameter. Covered by a dense mat of vegetation, the hole was nearly invisible, feeling only slightly soft underfoot unless pressed heavily. If not for the weight of the soldier¡¯s heavy weaponry, it might have gone unnoticed.


    ¡°Proceed with caution. Recon soldier, deploy mechanical spiders to scout the area,¡± the captain ordered.


    From a container, the recon soldier removed a box holding several compact metallic devices. These quickly unfolded into mechanical spiders, each roughly 20 centimeters in size. After conducting a brief system check, the soldier linked the spiders¡¯ cameras to his monitor and sent them scuttling into the hole.


    The cave below was dark and forbidding, but the mechanical spiders¡¯ infrared lights and sensors provided some visibility. Moving carefully, the spiders scanned their surroundings, their cameras swiveling to capture as much information as possible.


    As the cave expanded deeper in, the team watched intently. Suddenly, the video feed flickered and turned to static.


    ¡°What happened?¡± the captain demanded, frowning.


    ¡°Signal lost. Two possibilities: either strong magnetic interference or the mechanical spiders were destroyed in a single strike,¡± the recon soldier explained.


    ¡°What¡¯s the plan, Captain?¡±


    The captain, well-versed in the Great Dawn Planet¡¯s reports, knew how perilous underground environments could be. He recalled the mission report from Hasmu¡¯s elite guard, a similar unit to his own. Hasmu¡¯s squad of 50 soldiers had been completely wiped out in a subterranean cavern, possibly triggering a tactical nuclear device in a final act.


    Given this precedent, the captain wasn¡¯t willing to take unnecessary risks. If Hasmu¡¯s full-strength squad had been annihilated, there was little chance his smaller unit would fare better. Even though this cave might not be as dangerous, there was no guarantee. And lives were irreplaceable.


    After deliberating, the captain decided to escalate the matter, reporting the situation to his superiors and outlining his concerns.


    ¡°General, reports from all deployed special ops teams are similar. They¡¯ve followed tracks to underground cave entrances, but their reconnaissance devices lose contact shortly after entry. Based on prior mission experience, they¡¯re awaiting further instructions,¡± an officer briefed General Masai.


    Masai frowned, recalling the extensive reconnaissance records sent back by the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. Although the ship had operated on the planet for years before its final encounter, their forces seemed to be facing attacks far more frequently.


    Seeking strength in numbers, Masai called an emergency strategy meeting. Fleet captains and staff officers gathered to debate the situation intensely.


    ¡°Could there be a hidden underground civilization?¡± one captain proposed.


    ¡°Unlikely. If so, why haven¡¯t they reacted to our orbital satellites?¡± another countered.


    ¡°Good point. The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship was attacked in T855¡¯s outer orbit, suggesting the attackers had spacefaring capabilities.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Could this star system have developed two civilizations¡ªone on T855 and another on T853?¡±


    ¡°I doubt it. If there were a civilization on T853, they wouldn¡¯t tolerate satellites or even the fusion-based monsters we¡¯ve observed.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that monster is a creation of such a civilization!¡± another suggested.


    ¡°Speaking of which, where is that monster now?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s hibernating. Our satellites have marked a few suspicious locations, but we haven¡¯t had the chance to investigate.¡±


    ¡°Experts speculated that monster might be a relic of an ancient era. Could there be other similar species still alive but dormant? Maybe the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s battle awakened them,¡± a captain posited.


    The room fell silent as the participants considered this theory.


    ¡°That¡¯s not impossible,¡± someone finally said.


    ¡°In fact, it¡¯s quite plausible and makes sense.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then whatever woke up must be a rapidly reproducing species. Our bases span five continents, yet the attacks seem nearly simultaneous.¡±


    ¡°Are you suggesting they also have long-range coordination capabilities?¡±


    ¡°Why not? If a fusion-powered creature can exist, why not one with advanced coordination? Our own history has records of such creatures on Riken. They were eusocial but limited to a few kilometers.¡±


    ¡°Such creatures would be even harder to deal with than that mobile nuke monster.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the use of guessing? I propose concentrating our forces to storm one of the cave entrances and see what¡¯s inside.¡±


    ¡°Agreed! I second that!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°But our forces can¡¯t fully deploy underground. Numbers won¡¯t provide an advantage there.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll still need elite teams for the actual descent.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why not excavate the area? We brought plenty of heavy machinery for terraforming the planet.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a solid idea. I second it.¡±


    ¡°Seconded.¡±


    ¡°Seconded.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 238: Major Operation

    ¡°Captain, what¡¯s the order from command?¡±


    ¡°All units are to return to the transport ships, ascend to higher altitude, and stand by. Keep an eye out for anything emerging from the cave.¡±


    ¡°Phew, I was really worried the officers would order us to head down there,¡± one soldier said with a relieved sigh, a smile spreading across his face.


    ¡°Hah, you coward.¡±


    ¡°Tch, then why don¡¯t you go down? I¡¯ll cover you from up here.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, unauthorized action is grounds for a court-martial.¡±


    The special operations team had barely boarded their transport ship when two gunboats arrived in the distance. Several incendiary rounds were launched near the cave entrance, igniting a roaring fire.


    Thick black smoke rose into the air as the flames cleared a three-kilometer radius, reducing the tall grass to ashes and leaving a charred, barren landscape. The previously obstructed view was now open and unobstructed.


    ¡°Captain, what are they doing?¡± A member of Team TZ091, still on standby over the cave, asked in confusion as they watched.


    The captain shook his head. His rank wasn¡¯t high enough to be privy to the full plan.


    ¡°Looks like command is gearing up for something big. They¡¯re clearing the field,¡± another soldier interjected.


    ¡°Tch, I can see that too. But do you know what this big move is?¡±


    ¡°Haha, just look at this grass¡ªso tall and thick¡ª¡±


    Shortly after the fire subsided, a fleet of various ships appeared on the horizon. This time, their numbers were overwhelming¡ªdozens of vessels, including over 20 transport ships and more than 40 gunboats.


    ¡°Calling TZ091, this is TZ083,¡± came a sudden voice over the communicator.


    ¡°This is TZ091, go ahead,¡± replied the soldier handling the transmission, glancing at the captain for confirmation.


    ¡°Haha, is your captain Winter there?¡± The tone turned rough and familiar.


    The captain tapped the communicator operator on the shoulder and took the mic. ¡°Mana? Is that you?¡±


    ¡°Haha, it¡¯s me! Bet you didn¡¯t expect this¡ªI got promoted. I¡¯m now the captain of TZ083, with a higher number than you.¡±


    ¡°Congratulations! We haven¡¯t met since we left Riken. When this mission¡¯s over, drinks are on me.¡± Winter and Mana were long-time friends but had been separated since departing their homeworld, assigned to different ships. Reconnecting now was a welcome surprise.


    ¡°Sounds good! But be careful this time¡ªyou don¡¯t want to end up in a bad spot.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Do you have insider info?¡±


    After a brief pause, Mana replied, ¡°It¡¯s not classified, so I suppose I can share. Want to know how I became captain?¡±


    Winter was puzzled. Mana had been a deputy before they left¡ªhow had he suddenly been promoted? Out of respect for their friendship, he didn¡¯t ask outright, but Mana brought it up anyway.


    Before Winter could respond, Mana continued, ¡°We were also sent to investigate missing patrol squads. Found a cave, just like you did. The previous captain insisted on going down despite the risks. None of them came back. We even lost a dozen men. That¡¯s how I ended up as captain.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Winter was speechless at the sheer brutality of the explanation. He felt a chill thinking about how close he had come to the same fate. Shaking off the thought, he asked, ¡°Do you know what the current mission is?¡±


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been briefed yet?¡±


    ¡°Nope, just told to hold position and maintain vigilance.¡±


    ¡°Probably because the orders haven¡¯t been fully disseminated yet. Since we¡¯re on the same mission, I¡¯ll give you the scoop.¡±


    Winter¡¯s lips twitched in hesitation. Should Mana really be sharing this? But before he could protest, Mana elaborated, ¡°See all those ships? They¡¯re special ops teams, just like us. Command sent them to lead the charge. The main force is still en route from orbit and will take some time to get here.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this big move?¡± Winter couldn¡¯t help his curiosity.


    ¡°Something major, for sure. Word is, it¡¯s a deployment of over ten thousand troops.¡±


    ¡°Ten thousand? Is the area below really that dangerous?¡±


    ¡°No idea how dangerous it is. The problem is that it¡¯s too narrow down there. A large force would be useless. That¡¯s why they¡¯re sending engineers to dig out the caves. We¡¯re just here for cover, so it shouldn¡¯t be too risky.¡±


    ¡°Sounds manageable.¡±


    Soon, the main force arrived. Hundreds of transport ships and gunboats descended en masse. Large metal modules and components, slung beneath transport ships, were dropped onto the scorched ground.


    From several 50-meter-long heavy transport ships emerged engineering vehicles, accompanied by thousands of combat engineers from smaller transport ships. They began rapidly assembling equipment. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, 5,000 soldiers secured the perimeter, erecting makeshift fortifications around the construction site. The cave entrance received special attention, with numerous landmines laid in the vicinity.


    From their vantage point in orbit, the Riken commanders monitored the operation via the observation systems on the ships and soldiers¡¯ terminals.


    ¡°Are we sure this isn¡¯t a hidden civilization?¡± one captain asked skeptically. Despite earlier theories about ancient creatures, the possibility of a subterranean society couldn¡¯t be entirely dismissed.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t seem like it. We¡¯re deliberately making a spectacle at the cave entrance. If they were intelligent, they wouldn¡¯t tolerate this provocation,¡± someone countered. The construction site below was a trap; any emergence would be met by the fleet of gunboats hidden in the skies.


    ¡°On the contrary, the ability to endure such a blatant disturbance suggests intelligence. Beasts would have lashed out by now,¡± another captain argued.


    ¡°Good point,¡± another officer agreed.


    ¡°But wild animals also know to avoid danger. Faced with a superior threat, they might choose to retreat,¡± someone retorted.


    Due to the mechanized nature of Riken¡¯s homeworld, wild animals had nearly gone extinct. The few that survived were kept in artificial reserves, long removed from their natural behaviors. As such, the Rikens¡¯ understanding of wildlife was based on books and videos, leaving room for speculation.


    ¡°Enough arguing. We¡¯ll know soon. Since the last attack occurred at night, have the soldiers remain vigilant after dark.¡±

 Chapter 239: The Performance Begins

    ¡°Overlord, the Riken people we captured this time are just ordinary soldiers, with the highest rank being a sergeant. They don¡¯t know much. All they could confirm was that the Rikens have indeed experienced several technological breakthroughs in recent years, but the specific reasons remain unknown.¡± Within the Swarm Network, Morgan reported to Luo Wen.


    After some thought, he added, ¡°However, they haven¡¯t heard of any alien species. Could this mean there¡¯s no other civilization behind them? After all, if another civilization was aiding their technological advancement without showing itself, what would be the motive?¡±


    Luo Wen shook his head and replied, ¡°We can¡¯t entirely rule out that possibility. The needs of civilizations vary greatly. Take the Rat Folk, for example. Ordinary Rat Folk have no idea the Swarm is lurking behind them.¡±


    Hearing this, Morgan nodded in agreement. It made sense. Although he considered the Swarm an extremely unique existence, there was no guarantee the Rikens weren¡¯t similarly backed by some special form of civilization.


    ¡°How about Reggie and the others? Can they deduce anything from the Rikens¡¯ external behavior?¡± Luo Wen continued to ask.


    ¡°They¡¯re relics from a century ago and are quite out of touch with the current Riken population. Solely relying on external observation, they haven¡¯t gathered any useful information. However, they speculate that the surface bases must house higher-ranking officers who know the details. If we don¡¯t expose too much of our strength, it¡¯ll be challenging to prevent those officers from escaping.¡±


    ¡°The Infiltrators still need some time to prepare. It seems we need a good script to keep performing for them. The cast for the first act is ready. This time, it¡¯s your stage, Sarah,¡± Luo Wen said thoughtfully.


    ¡°I will live up to your expectations, Overlord.¡±


    ¡ª


    Night was falling, and the assembly site was illuminated by towering light pillars, each over a hundred meters high. Powerful bulbs cast bright light, and with the array of lights from the construction site and the ships, the entire area remained vividly visible even in darkness.


    ¡°Stay alert, everyone. The analysis from the staff office indicates these creatures are likely nocturnal. Tonight, there¡¯s a chance we¡¯ll face an attack. Rest in shifts for two hours each, but everyone will be on night duty tonight.¡±


    ¡°Get some rest first. Stay sharp tonight and be ready for an attack.¡±


    Similar orders were issued across the various Riken teams.


    At the construction site, several gigantic excavators, each over 30 meters tall, had already been assembled. Once the remaining machinery was assembled and the team worked overtime, they estimated construction could formally begin tomorrow.


    Time quickly reached deep night, yet the site remained brightly lit. Countless Riken engineers bustled around, and the soldiers on guard were equally vigilant. Some even resorted to stimulants to keep themselves alert.


    As the patrol¡¯s previous encounter with the unknown attackers drew closer to the same time, the military analysts predicted that if these attackers were low-intelligence creatures acting on instinct, they might have a fixed hunting schedule.


    Suddenly, the monitoring devices blared with piercing alarms.


    ¡°They¡¯re here, Captain! Abnormal underground vibrations detected¡ªsomething¡¯s coming up!¡± a monitoring team member shouted, startling everyone around.


    ¡°Alert the engineering team to retreat!¡± The ground would likely become a battlefield in the event of combat. While the site itself was bait, the personnel still needed to be preserved.


    The engineers had some understanding of their dual-purpose mission. If they weren¡¯t attacked, they would proceed with assembling the machinery. But in the event of an attack, escape was the priority.


    Thanks to prearranged plans, the personnel evacuated quickly, albeit with some panic.


    However, the creatures emerging from the ground moved faster. Holes suddenly opened up across the site, catching the Rikens completely off guard.


    ¡°Why are there so many holes all of a sudden? How did we not detect them earlier?¡± a Riken engineer exclaimed, leaving behind his final words as a monstrous creature lunged toward him.


    ¡°Damn it! Those people are going to military court!¡±


    ¡°Run!¡±


    ¡°What are these things?!¡±


    ¡°Ahhh!¡±


    The communication channels were a cacophony of chaos, filled with screams and frantic shouting.


    After a brief moment of shock, the soldiers on guard finally sprang into action.


    ¡°Cover their retreat!¡± Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Open fire at will! Crossfire defense! Don¡¯t let them through!¡±


    The night sky lit up with streaks of red as energy weapons fired chaotically. Despite technological progress, the Rikens had clearly stuck to their tradition of energy-based weaponry.


    Meanwhile, a separate discussion was taking place.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. We conducted multiple thorough inspections before. Within a five-kilometer radius, there was only one hole.¡±


    ¡°Look here!¡± The video was slowed down to hundreds of times its normal speed. In the footage, a flat area suddenly caved in as the soil fell away, revealing a black pit. Moments later, creatures about 30 centimeters long rapidly crawled out.


    ¡°They dug these themselves. These creatures have incredibly strong burrowing abilities!¡±


    ¡°They live underground. Isn¡¯t digging tunnels normal for them?¡±


    ¡°No, look at this picture.¡± The image zoomed in on a close-up of one of the creatures. With its eight jointed limbs outstretched, webbing connected the lower halves of its legs, making it resemble a gliding drone. The perspective suggested the image had been captured by a personal terminal belonging to a Riken engineer or soldier during their final moments.


    A Riken biologist, rare among their kind, pointed at the gleaming limbs on the creature and explained, ¡°Look at these. Judging by appearance, these blade-like limbs are likely its primary weapons, probably used like this.¡± He mimicked a stabbing motion and continued, ¡°However, this limb structure is unsuitable for digging. Furthermore, no other features on its body suggest burrowing capability.¡±


    ¡°Now, return to the earlier video,¡± he instructed, replaying the footage of the ground collapsing. ¡°Here, notice the brief pause after the hole opens. I suspect a different burrowing species exited first, then stepped aside for these creatures to emerge.¡±


    ¡°So?¡± Military leaders nodded as the biologist¡¯s professional analysis offered fresh insights.


    ¡°So, I speculate these creatures may or may not possess high intelligence, but they exhibit meticulous specialization and skilled cooperation. At the very least, they are a social species. Their behavior strongly resembles an insect from Riken¡¯s past. Let¡¯s call them the Insectoid Swarm.¡±


    Thus, the Swarm, under the guise of the Insectoid species, officially took the stage in the interstellar theater.

 Chapter 240: Battle Damage

    After a brief vote, the term for the unknown subterranean species was decided: Insectoid Swarm.


    The discussion continued.


    The biologist explained further, ¡°We now know the Swarm has at least two forms. One is about 30 centimeters long, specialized for offense, and exists in large numbers. Let¡¯s tentatively call them Raiders. The other specializes in digging, which we¡¯ll call Burrowers.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°There¡¯s very little information on the Burrowers, other than their ability to dig quickly. As for the Raiders, take a look here.¡± He pointed to several images of Riken victims being attacked. ¡°Notice the webbing on their limbs¡ªit indicates they¡¯re adept at ambushing prey from above. Our soldiers need to be cautious about what¡¯s overhead.¡±


    After some thought, he continued, ¡°Additionally, observe these images here, here, and here.¡± He highlighted several scenes of Riken casualties. ¡°From these freshly transmitted visuals, it¡¯s clear that the Raiders are proficient at using their blade-like forelimbs to impale their prey! While this attack method is powerful and can easily penetrate our combat suits, there¡¯s one thing to note.¡±


    The biologist scanned the room, looking at the military officials watching the video. After a brief pause, he revealed, ¡°Listen to the screams of our people. Notice anything?¡±


    Seeing the thoughtful expressions, he stopped withholding: ¡°Their attacks are anything but silent. This contradicts the earlier mission reports.¡±


    The room was filled with a dawning realization. Indeed, the earlier reports described the attacks as silent. If it hadn¡¯t been for a patrol squad inexplicably triggering an alert, the ambush wouldn¡¯t have been discovered until the routine check-in revealed their absence.


    ¡°So, I speculate there¡¯s a third form within the Swarm,¡± the biologist proposed. ¡°This form functions like an assassin, capable of silently eliminating targets. I suspect they achieve this through some kind of potent venom.¡±


    In wars between civilizations, there¡¯s rarely room for secrecy. Unless you keep your cards hidden, every move will be scrutinized and analyzed until fully understood. Victory often goes to the side with more hidden cards or the ability to keep their best plays concealed until the last moment.


    For Luo Wen, uncovering the secret behind the Rikens¡¯ recent technological breakthroughs required him to keep probing. He had to force them to reveal more cards while concealing his own strength.


    If he played his cards right, even if the Rikens were backed by an advanced civilization, he could still retreat at any time. But if no one was supporting the Rikens? Then the ¡°surprise¡± waiting for them would be massive¡ªbeyond anything they could endure.


    The battlefield remained engulfed in chaos. Thanks to prior contingency plans, transport ships had been standing by, and an early warning allowed most Riken engineers to retreat to the ships, though a few unlucky ones perished early on.


    Under the cover of soldier firepower, over twenty fully loaded transport ships began to take off.


    ¡°Hurry up!¡± A Riken sprinted onto the final ship, shouting at the cockpit.


    But before he could finish, blood sprayed across his visor as a blade-like forelimb pierced through his combat suit. His face obscured, he collapsed as seven or eight Raiders leaped aboard, lunging at the other Rikens.


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± Screams echoed through the cabin, but as more Raiders flooded in, the cries faded into silence.


    Fortunately, the cockpit and cabin were separated by a sturdy partition, which the Raiders couldn¡¯t breach immediately. The panicked pilot instinctively pulled the transport higher.


    But as the ship rose to the same altitude as the others, Raiders emerged from the cabin roof, leaping onto other transport ships. Spreading their webbed limbs, they glided like drones toward the remaining vessels.


    ¡°Damn it! This idiot is going to get us all killed! Transports, scatter!¡± shouted Winter from the gunship¡¯s hatch, firing down at the scene. He urgently relayed the warning over the comms.


    The transport ships quickly attempted to disperse, but the suddenness of the situation caused a lack of coordination, leading to collisions. Three transports, trailing black smoke, plummeted to the ground, while several others sustained varying degrees of damage. Still, they managed to stay airborne.


    During the chaos, the Raiders used the transports as springboards, successfully boarding seven ships in total.


    The distribution of Raiders was uneven¡ªsome ships had as few as two, while others faced six. But the engineers aboard, with only minimal military training and small personal weapons, struggled against the agile Raiders.


    The confined spaces of the transports further worked to the Raiders¡¯ advantage. Their small size and nimbleness allowed them to dodge red energy beams with ease. While two transports managed to eliminate their Raiders, they suffered heavy casualties¡ªmost of which were caused by friendly fire.


    Meanwhile, on the ground, the battle raged on.


    The Raiders were small and not particularly grotesque in appearance. Their individual strength was inferior to that of a Riken soldier, making them a relatively low-level threat.


    After the initial chaos, most soldiers calmed down and fired with greater accuracy. Though many were fresh recruits, they were still more capable than the engineers.


    This relative stability, however, only lasted while the Raiders were at a distance. Once the Raiders closed in, their agility caused panic.


    The Raiders¡¯ size and speed made them hard targets in close quarters, and their clever use of Riken soldiers as shields further complicated matters.


    Some soldiers managed to grab and kill the Raiders using melee weapons. The Raiders¡¯ strength lay in their burst speed and flexibility. Once these advantages were negated, their lack of brute strength and poor defense made them easy to kill.


    Fortunately, Raiders were just a disposable species¡ªcannon fodder, locally adapted for the Swarm¡¯s purposes. Years of research had enabled the Swarm to simulate an artificial womb environment using Fungal Carpets, drastically accelerating their development. This reduced the Raiders¡¯ production time significantly.


    Additionally, the cost of producing these fodder units was extremely low. Thanks to the Swarm¡¯s multi-embryo technology, a single egg could yield two to three fully developed Raiders.


    With such low costs, even if the Swarm suffered a 100-to-1 casualty ratio, it could easily endure.

 Chapter 241: Research

    The Raiders were ultimately just low-tier cannon fodder. After catching the Riken soldiers off guard initially, the weaknesses of a single-unit assault force became increasingly apparent.


    The gunships in the sky soon locked onto the tunnels from which the Raiders were emerging. Concentrated fire rained down, scorching the ground with thick red energy beams, obliterating countless Raiders before they even had the chance to surface.


    The Raiders already on the ground found themselves without reinforcements and with no path of retreat. Though they had inflicted considerable casualties, their numbers dwindled rapidly under the soldiers¡¯ firepower.


    For over a century, the Rikens appeared to have devoted most of their research efforts to ship engines and related technologies. While energy weapon lethality had not improved significantly, firing rates had increased substantially, aided by advanced targeting and locking systems. Against such firepower, the remaining Raiders quickly succumbed.


    After the battle, the land lay in ruins. Many of the components and equipment that had been transported and assembled were destroyed. The soldiers couldn¡¯t focus on safeguarding the materials during combat, and the Raiders themselves had utilized these metallic constructs as cover¡ªwhat better bullet shields than sturdy machinery?


    Post-battle statistics revealed approximately 500 tons of irreparably damaged metal materials, which could not be replenished quickly. The battle had also cost the Rikens over a thousand soldiers, 80% of whom were killed outright, demonstrating the Raiders¡¯ high lethality.


    The Riken commanders were somewhat relieved, however, that most of the casualties were inexperienced recruits. The special operations forces, busy manning the gunships, emerged unscathed. Moreover, the surviving recruits began transforming into hardened veterans, with noticeable improvements in combat effectiveness.


    In total, over 5,000 Raiders were killed during the engagement, most of them obliterated before reaching the surface. Had all of them emerged, Riken casualties would have been at least double.


    Both sides revealed a bit of their hand during the battle, though the Swarm took a slight loss. The Rikens¡¯ tactics and technology were largely what the Swarm had already expected. Conversely, the Raiders lost their mystique, greatly diminishing their intimidation factor.


    During the post-battle video conference:


    ¡°Gentlemen, the dissection report on the Insectoid Swarm has been distributed. Let¡¯s have Dr. Balt deliver a briefing,¡± began General Masai.


    Dr. Balt, the rare Riken biologist, explained, ¡°From the data, the Swarm¡¯s internal circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems closely resemble those of the surface creatures we¡¯ve previously captured. While there are minor differences, these can likely be attributed to variations in survival era or environment. This rules out the possibility of the Swarm being an alien species¡ªthey are clearly native to this planet.¡±


    The attendees nodded. Although not all were experts, no one had reached their current rank without a solid grasp of basic analysis.


    ¡°So, these creatures are not the same species that attacked the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°Definitely not. These Swarm creatures lack the physiological adaptations required for survival in space.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure,¡± a ship captain interjected. ¡°We¡¯ve only identified three varieties so far. Couldn¡¯t there be a strain adapted to space?¡±


    ¡°Impossible. Evolution doesn¡¯t work that way. A single species cannot exhibit such extreme divergence,¡± Dr. Balt asserted firmly. ¡°The Swarm¡¯s physiology is unremarkable aside from their unique forelimbs. These adaptations fall far short of what¡¯s needed for survival in space. Suggesting otherwise is absurd.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough, I¡¯ll defer to the expert,¡± the captain conceded, realizing his question might have been na?ve.


    The discussion shifted to practical matters.


    ¡°This battle revealed some of their secrets, but it hasn¡¯t improved our situation. They can emerge from underground at will, but we can¡¯t remain on high alert constantly,¡± a strategist observed.


    ¡°Agreed. Without knowing their exact numbers or devising effective countermeasures, our ground bases remain in significant danger.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a major problem,¡± Dr. Balt interjected. ¡°These creatures have very specific environmental requirements. Just as we can¡¯t breathe directly on the surface of T853, once we terraform the atmosphere to suit the Riken physiology, these native creatures will struggle to survive.¡±


    ¡°Understood. So, the challenge now is defending against their attacks during the terraforming process.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, but the terraforming project spans decades, possibly centuries, involving base construction, space habitats, and environmental modification,¡± another officer added.


    ¡°Dr. Balt, are there alternative solutions?¡± asked a captain.


    ¡°Perhaps. We might develop a specialized toxin targeting their respiratory and nervous systems. This would require extensive experimentation, but it likely wouldn¡¯t take decades,¡± Dr. Balt replied thoughtfully.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll rely on you. Until then, we¡¯ll have to bolster our defenses against the Swarm.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Any further questions or comments?¡± General Masai asked.


    A strategist raised his hand. ¡°General, I have one concern. Does the Swarm exhibit intelligence?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ve wondered about myself,¡± a captain replied. ¡°Their ambush on the patrol displayed precise coordination, suggesting higher intelligence. But today¡¯s battle seemed to show them acting more like beasts.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps their earlier actions were merely instinctive?¡± another strategist speculated.


    ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± another captain agreed. ¡°I¡¯ve doubted from the start that such primitive creatures could coordinate on a global scale.¡±


    Dr. Balt added, ¡°One more point: these Swarm specimens lack organs for long-range communication or even basic vocalization. However, we captured a few live specimens for study. Observing their behavior, I discovered they use rapid limb strikes and friction to produce sounds, combined with pheromones, to communicate.¡±


    He paused before continuing. ¡°We might exploit this trait. If we decode the meaning of their sounds and pheromones, we could disrupt their coordination¡ªor even drive them to attack one another.¡±


    ¡°An excellent idea. But you¡¯re saying global coordination isn¡¯t feasible for them?¡±


    ¡°Correct. In simple terms, while these Swarm creatures are the same species, they don¡¯t belong to the same hive.¡±

 Chapter 242: Blocking the Tunnels

    ¡°Do you have evidence?¡± a captain asked.


    ¡°Of course. Please watch these videos,¡± Dr. Balt replied, operating the device before him. Several videos began playing on the large screen.


    The footage, captured at night, showed a group of Swarm creatures transporting prey. They moved in unison, hunting small animals before quickly hauling them back into their burrows.


    ¡°These were recorded by our small drones last night, during the battle,¡± Dr. Balt explained. ¡°The location, however, was on another continent.¡±


    ¡°What does this prove?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°It indicates that their hunting schedule is highly fixed. Perhaps in their era, these creatures were at the very bottom of the food chain. Through long periods of predation, they adapted to hunt at times when losses were minimal, imprinting this into their instincts and preserving it until now,¡± Dr. Balt elaborated.


    Pausing for a moment, he added, ¡°Look at that creature spitting fusion energy. If these bugs coexisted with it, they might not even qualify as food.¡±


    The assembled captains and strategists nodded in agreement. The analysis was logical and grounded.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then they¡¯re much easier to deal with,¡± someone remarked.


    ¡°Indeed. But judging from the combat footage, can they really achieve such precise coordination with such primitive communication methods?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely what makes them terrifying creatures.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, they¡¯re just a bunch of low-level organisms. We were only caught off guard this time,¡± another chimed in.


    ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡±


    ¡°Dr. Balt, regarding the research you mentioned earlier, what do you need?¡± General Masai asked.


    ¡°Manpower, as many as possible, and a large supply of experimental subjects, preferably live ones,¡± Dr. Balt replied after some thought.


    ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll deploy troops to take down this nest. Given the heavy losses they suffered last night, the operation should be much easier. I¡¯ll instruct the special forces to capture as many live specimens as possible,¡± General Masai assured him. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The general¡¯s orders were promptly carried out. Near the original assembly site, the Rikens cleared a large area using incendiary bombs. Transport ships soon began delivering metal modules and soldiers to the new site, which quickly became a hive of activity.


    Despite the recent battle nearby, with the blood of comrades still staining the ground and black smoke rising from the wreckage, the new construction crews showed little concern. Confident in their understanding of the Swarm¡¯s nocturnal habits, they deemed daylight operations perfectly safe.


    The construction site buzzed with activity. With additional manpower, massive excavators¡ªsome over 30 to 40 meters tall¡ªwere swiftly assembled and set to work. Enormous scoops dug up hundreds of cubic meters of soil and rock at a time, dumping the material into gigantic metal containers that transport ships then hauled away.


    Soon, a massive pit over ten meters deep was carved out. As the excavation progressed, the site¡¯s boundaries expanded significantly. Meanwhile, large contingents of regular troops and special forces stood guard around the pit, ready for any sudden emergence of Swarm creatures.


    By early evening, the pit had reached a depth of over 30 meters. The largest excavators were now visible only by the tops of their roofs.


    During the dig, numerous underground tunnels were uncovered. Particularly after reaching a depth of 20 meters, the number of passages increased dramatically, creating a dense, interconnected network.


    This forced the Rikens to slow the pace of excavation. Additionally, heavily armored soldiers armed with flamethrowers were deployed near the tunnels for close-range defense.


    Fortunately, no incidents occurred. The Swarm seemed to adhere strictly to their hunting schedule. Even as their tunnels were destroyed, none of them surfaced during the day.


    However, as the hunting time approached, the massive excavators began retreating from the pit. This was standard precaution¡ªno one doubted that the pit would soon become a battlefield.


    Under the cover of protective troops, the engineers and machinery successfully withdrew. Soldiers then moved into the pit to set up defensive installations. Unlike the previous night, they avoided using traditional mines. The Swarm creatures were too light to trigger them effectively.


    Instead, they deployed sensitive proximity mines, which were less powerful but much more responsive. Once laid, even the soldiers avoided the minefield, as these devices posed significant risks.


    ¡°Captain, why don¡¯t we just bomb the tunnels or flood them with molten iron? That¡¯d stop them from coming out,¡± one special forces soldier suggested over the comms while setting up defenses.


    ¡°Are you stupid?¡± Winter replied with a laugh. ¡°If you collapse the tunnels, how do you know where they¡¯ll dig out next? That¡¯d leave us even more passive.¡±


    ¡°Got it.¡± The soldier¡¯s respect for his captain grew, his admiration practically radiating through his helmet. Winter, however, felt a bit sheepish¡ªthe same explanation had been given to him by his own superiors.


    Time ticked closer.


    ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± A scout monitoring the instruments issued the warning.


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Explosions rang out continuously as Swarm creatures emerging from the tunnels were immediately hit by the proximity mines. These small explosives, each about the size of an egg, were among the few remaining gunpowder-based weapons in the Riken arsenal. Despite their size, they packed a powerful punch, with a three-meter kill radius.


    The Swarm creatures¡¯ relatively fragile bodies couldn¡¯t withstand such blasts. They either died instantly or were left incapacitated.


    ¡°Open fire!¡± came the order from the commanding officer.


    Waves of red energy beams rained down on the pit, striking the creatures relentlessly. The combination of mines and concentrated fire inflicted heavy casualties.


    ¡°Hah! Look at these brainless, low-tier creatures. They only caught us off guard before.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Their fixed hunting schedule makes them ridiculously easy to counter.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re like fish in a barrel.¡±


    Despite the heavy losses, the Swarm¡¯s numbers remained overwhelming. Regardless of the casualties outside, the creatures continued surging out of the tunnels. The sight of their dead brethren did nothing to deter them.


    Through sheer numbers, the Swarm eventually overwhelmed the minefield, climbing up the pit walls and nearing the Riken defensive line.


    ¡°Strange¡ªany normal creature would have retreated by now.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re too primitive to even feel fear.¡±


    ¡°These alien organisms might not conform to our theories.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re about to breach the line!¡±

 Chapter 243: A Shift in Tactics

    The Swarm creatures in the pit, shielded by the bodies of their comrades, pressed forward relentlessly under heavy fire, inching closer to the pit¡¯s edge.


    ¡°Deploy heavy firepower support! Deploy the flamethrowers!¡± ordered the field commander, calm despite the situation.


    The gunboats, already primed, unleashed thicker, more intense red energy beams, bombarding the Swarm below. Along the pit¡¯s edge, heavily armored flamethrower troops advanced, directing streams of fuel downward. With the help of accelerants, roaring flames erupted, incinerating the leading Swarm creatures. Some fell off the walls, while others burned as they clung to the dirt.


    Combined with the aerial bombardment, the assault was repelled, driving the Swarm back into their tunnels.


    The day passed in cycles of attack and defense. Though the Swarm launched several charges, they achieved no significant breakthroughs. In the end, they retreated to their burrows, signaling the battle¡¯s conclusion.


    This skirmish dealt a heavy blow to the Swarm, leaving tens of thousands of carcasses behind. Conversely, the Rikens suffered no fatalities, with only minor injuries, most caused by friendly fire. This victory marked an overwhelming success. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To celebrate, the Rikens held a small feast. Special forces hunted over a hundred Bull Demons, which were prepared for the event. Every participant in the construction and combat efforts had their fill¡ªa rare treat of natural meat that many Rikens had never tasted in their lifetimes.


    Time flew, and by the third night, the pit had deepened to 70 meters and expanded to nearly a square kilometer in area. That evening, the Swarm launched another suicidal charge. However, the seasoned and well-prepared Riken troops easily repelled the attack, incinerating and obliterating countless Swarm creatures. This time, there was no panic among the ranks, nor even accidental injuries.


    ¡°They seem to have exhausted their tactics,¡± a captain commented during a discussion, watching a live video feed.


    ¡°What could you expect from low-level creatures?¡± another captain chuckled.


    ¡°True, we overestimated them at first.¡±


    ¡°Still, their numbers are surprising,¡± a strategist noted. ¡°Despite two days of heavy losses, their forces don¡¯t appear to have dwindled.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s indeed a concern. But as long as we proceed cautiously, we¡¯ll eventually dig our way to their main nest. Then, let¡¯s see where they can hide.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    One week later, the pit was 300 meters deep and spanned three square kilometers. The Rikens unearthed and destroyed a vast network of Swarm tunnels during this time.


    Attempts to explore the tunnels with ground teams were largely unsuccessful. In the confined, dark spaces, the elite soldiers were no match for the swift and deadly Raiders. Despite this, nightly battles in the pit resulted in the deaths of at least 100,000 Swarm creatures. Yet their numbers seemed endless.


    These nightly skirmishes became routine, an unspoken ritual of attack and defense.


    ¡°Their intelligence must be incredibly low. After all this time, they still don¡¯t realize this path is blocked,¡± remarked a strategist during a meeting.


    ¡°Do they think they can exhaust our ammunition supply?¡± someone joked.


    ¡°Perhaps,¡± another chimed in. ¡°Dr. Balt did say their brain capacity is extremely small.¡±


    ¡°Still, it feels off.¡±


    ¡°Yes, how can they sustain such massive numbers? How large is their underground nest? What are they eating to maintain such a vast population?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they farm their own food,¡± someone laughed. ¡°I once read about insects on our home planet that cultivated crops.¡±


    ¡°Or they could have additional tunnel exits. Their territory might be far larger than we imagine.¡±


    But events often change without warning.


    That day, as the construction crews continued excavation, a sudden attack broke out. The Swarm surged from the tunnels in a frenzy. Although the instruments provided an early warning, the creatures moved too quickly. The Rikens, lulled into complacency by the previous days¡¯ ¡°routine,¡± had left their daytime defenses lax.


    The Swarm broke into the worksite, slaughtering numerous Rikens before the defenders could react. By the time the soldiers were ready to open fire, the Swarm had mingled with the workers. Firing would likely result in massive friendly fire casualties¡ªan unacceptable risk.


    The soldiers had no choice but to engage in close combat, some even resorting to melee weapons.


    Perhaps emboldened by recent victories, the Rikens underestimated the Raiders¡¯ lethality, daring to face them up close. They were quickly reminded of the terror of the Raiders¡¯ rapid maneuvers and blade-like forelimbs. The battlefield turned into a one-sided massacre, with the Rikens now the victims.


    In the end, the chaos was quelled¡ªnot because the Rikens repelled the Swarm, but because nearly every soldier and worker on-site had been killed. The Swarm¡¯s relentless onslaught left the pit strewn with Riken corpses.


    The Swarm then surged upward, charging toward the rim of the pit.


    Seeing the disaster unfold, the commanding officer ordered an all-out assault, disregarding the few remaining survivors and machinery. Energy beams rained down, and dozens of incendiary bombs followed, setting the entire pit ablaze. In minutes, the Swarm was reduced to ash. Yet the creatures showed no fear, and as the flames subsided, they surged forward once more.


    ¡°Have they gone mad?¡± The captains and strategists convened for an emergency video meeting to watch the unfolding battle.


    ¡°They¡¯ve changed their behavior patterns,¡± one noted grimly.


    ¡°Could they have been feigning their routine to lull us into complacency for this counterattack?¡±


    ¡°Unlikely,¡± Dr. Balt interjected. ¡°Their brain capacity doesn¡¯t support such complex planning.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s causing this? Judging from the footage, our losses this time are catastrophic.¡±


    Indeed, complacency had cost the Rikens dearly. The construction team and the close-combat security forces were wiped out, and much of their machinery was destroyed in the ensuing bombardment and fires. The casualty count was expected to exceed ten thousand¡ªthe worst losses they had ever suffered.


    ¡°Perhaps we¡¯ve finally reached their core,¡± Dr. Balt speculated.

 Chapter 244: The Cocoon

    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s because we¡¯ve reached their core!¡± Dr. Balt suggested.


    The room fell silent as everyone mulled over the possibility. It seemed highly likely.


    ¡°Send in more personnel. We¡¯ll take this underground nest today!¡± ordered General Masai, the expedition fleet¡¯s supreme commander.


    Following the general¡¯s directive, Lieutenant Colonel Cross, the officer in charge of the battlefield¡¯s regional base, deployed nearly all her forces, leaving only a skeleton crew to maintain base operations.


    Lieutenant Colonel Cross was an exceptionally young female Riken, a top graduate of the military academy¡¯s command program, and the youngest captain in the expedition fleet. Ordinarily, such a position would be out of reach for someone with her limited experience. However, her twin sister worked in a classified research institute, and their family wielded considerable influence. With such backing, her appointment was not entirely surprising.


    Even so, managing the base as the commanding officer had left her overwhelmed. First, a patrol team mysteriously disappeared, almost costing her a court-martial. Fortunately, she had been the first to detect enemy activity, and with the intervention of Major General Porter¡ªa family friend of her superior¡ªshe not only escaped punishment but also received reinforcements.


    However, her sector soon became the focal point for the enemy threat. The first underground cavern to trigger an alarm was chosen as the main breakthrough site, drawing a massive influx of engineering and combat personnel, most of whom were beyond her direct control. The situation turned her position into a logistical and political nightmare.


    After the recent meeting, Major General Porter urged her to seize the opportunity. Since the battlefield was in her jurisdiction, her leadership in capturing the underground nest would earn her enough credit for a promotion.


    Determined to succeed, she gambled everything, mobilizing all available forces. Had she not feared ridicule, she might have deployed the base¡¯s cooks as well.


    The battle was grueling. The Swarm launched a counteroffensive with at least 200,000 Raiders. While the initial assault caught the Rikens off guard and inflicted severe casualties, subsequent waves devolved into suicidal charges. The Raiders¡¯ fragile bodies were no match for the dense gunfire from the Riken defenses.


    Three hours later, the battle ended. Unlike previous engagements, the Swarm did not retreat to their tunnels but fought to the last insect.


    After a cursory battlefield cleanup, Riken forces split into teams and began advancing into multiple tunnel entrances.


    The soldiers proceeded cautiously, with flamethrowers at the forefront. Other units remained on high alert, ready for ambushes from hidden Raiders. To their surprise, they encountered no resistance after advancing several hundred meters.


    The absence of attacks was highly unusual. Previously, their forces had barely ventured a hundred meters underground before being forced back by relentless Raider assaults.


    ¡°Could that last wave have been all they had left?¡± a soldier speculated, startling his tense comrades.


    ¡°Shut up, you idiot!¡± his superior barked, making the soldier shrink back. Despite the rebuke, many secretly agreed with the hypothesis. The Swarm¡¯s behavior had indeed been uncharacteristically strange.


    The underground passageways were complex, with teams frequently regrouping at intersections before splitting up again. Eventually, most squads converged in a massive cavern.


    The cavern¡¯s walls were lined with layer upon layer of white silk, interspersed with bulbous growths that exuded an eerie presence.


    ¡°What is this stuff?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s creepy!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s sticky!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s like thin rope,¡± the soldiers muttered, puzzled by the alien material. They had never seen anything like it on Riken Prime.


    ¡°What do we do, Captain?¡± The query came from Winter¡¯s squad. As a special operations unit, they had been stationed at the battlefield from the outset and were now naturally leading the exploration.


    Winter¡¯s 50-strong team was the most elite among the assembled forces.


    ¡°Can we contact the base?¡± Winter asked.


    ¡°No, there¡¯s magnetic interference. Communications are down,¡± the communications officer replied.


    ¡°Stay vigilant and keep watch. Let¡¯s take a closer look.¡±


    ¡°Captain, this place is huge. Should we fire off a couple of flares for illumination?¡±


    Without responding, Winter approached the silk-covered walls. He touched the fibers and tried to rub them off his glove, finding their adhesive quality unusually strong. Reaching for his flamethrower, he applied fire to the silk. It shriveled and curled but did not ignite, showing resistance to burning.


    After some thought, Winter instructed, ¡°Fire two flares into the open area.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain.¡±


    The flares lit up the cavern like twin suns, momentarily blinding soldiers who hadn¡¯t removed their night vision goggles in time. Despite their tense scans, no enemies appeared.


    ¡°Strange. Are the bugs really all gone?¡±


    ¡°Groups of three, spread out and investigate. Stay alert. I don¡¯t want anyone becoming a cautionary tale,¡± Winter ordered, sensing no immediate danger.


    The soldiers moved carefully, covering each other as they spread out.


    ¡°Captain, over here! Look at this!¡± one of the operatives called out, standing beside a bulbous silk cocoon, visibly intrigued.


    Winter quickly joined him. The operative, driven by curiosity, had already sliced open the cocoon with his tactical knife. Inside was a small wild animal¡ªa species Winter recognized from the grasslands. He had even led a team to capture some specimens for the base¡¯s labs. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While these animals couldn¡¯t be used without special processing, Winter briefly wondered how they might taste. Catching himself, he banished the thought and refocused.


    He inspected several other silk-wrapped cocoons, cutting them open one by one. Each contained a similar grassland animal, all common species.


    ¡°This must be their storage room¡ªa place where they keep their food,¡± Winter deduced as his team gathered around.

 Chapter 245: The Granary

    ¡°Ha! I thought they didn¡¯t need to eat, but look at all this stuff they¡¯ve hidden away,¡± one soldier remarked.


    ¡°Wow, this is a massive granary!¡± another exclaimed.


    As the team examined the white silk-wrapped bulges hanging from the ground, walls, and even the cavern¡¯s ceiling, a wave of curiosity rippled through the ranks.


    But then¡ª


    ¡°Ahhh!¡± A sudden scream shattered the air.


    Winter reacted instantly, sprinting over in a few strides.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± he demanded. The screaming soldier wasn¡¯t from his squad but a regular guard unit, though his rank was significantly higher, giving him the authority to question the situation.


    ¡°Sir, there¡¯s someone inside,¡± the shaken soldier stammered, pointing at one of the silk-wrapped bulges. He had followed Winter¡¯s earlier example and sliced open a cocoon out of curiosity, only to be startled by what he saw.


    Judging by his reaction, he was still a rookie, with nerves that hadn¡¯t fully hardened despite prior combat experience.


    Winter leaned in and peered through the slit in the cocoon. Inside, a pair of wide, unblinking eyes stared back at him, unnervingly intense.


    Even Winter, with his steel nerves, was startled, stumbling back two steps before composing himself. Steeling his resolve, he approached again. This time, prepared for the sight, he looked more carefully and realized the cocoon held a Riken.


    The man¡¯s pale blue face looked deathly pale, and his large eyes conveyed a complex mix of terror, confusion, and relief. Winter marveled at how much emotion could be transmitted through a single gaze.


    The man¡¯s body was curled up within the cocoon. Whether it was due to the binding silk or some other reason, he remained motionless, even after being discovered. His lips were tightly sealed, giving him the appearance of a lifeless corpse¡ªif not for those vivid eyes.


    Winter immediately called over several teammates, and together they carefully cut open the cocoon, freeing the trapped Riken.


    Yet, despite the removal of the bindings, the man remained immobile.


    A special operations soldier used a handheld scanner, waving it over the man¡¯s face. Moments later, a string of information appeared. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Captain, it¡¯s one of the missing patrolmen from the initial disappearance!¡± the soldier reported.


    Winter¡¯s eyes widened. Though he had suspected as much, confirming the man¡¯s identity still left him astonished. After all, nearly ten days had passed since the patrol had gone missing.


    ¡°Still alive after all this time? That¡¯s one lucky bastard,¡± Winter muttered. Surviving without food for so long bordered on miraculous.


    ¡°Carson, report back to the base immediately. Everyone else, carefully open the remaining cocoons. Be mindful¡ªthere could be more of our comrades inside,¡± Winter ordered.


    Carson, the team¡¯s communications specialist, slung his equipment and sprinted back along their entry route, adjusting his gear to check for signals as he ran. Thankfully, he managed to relay the message without incident once he cleared the magnetic interference zone. Upon receiving the update, Lieutenant Colonel Cross promptly escalated the report.


    This was no longer an isolated issue. Every ground base had experienced patrol disappearances. If even some of the missing personnel were still alive, the implications were grave.


    ¡°Cross, brief everyone on the situation,¡± General Masai said. Within minutes, an emergency video conference was convened. Thanks to the fleet¡¯s readiness, the captains and strategists were all standing by, allowing for such swift action.


    ¡°Everyone,¡± Cross began, ¡°a special operations team has discovered what appears to be an Insectoid Swarm granary. Inside, they found one of the missing patrolmen¡ªalive but immobilized and unable to speak for unknown reasons.¡±


    Her summary left the participants in a tense silence.


    ¡°Only one survivor?¡± a strategist finally asked.


    Cross shook her head. ¡°The situation on the ground is complex. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, but communication remains hindered, so specifics are still unclear.¡±


    Silence fell again.


    ¡°We¡¯ll wait for further updates,¡± one captain sighed.


    Time passed as combat engineers worked to establish wired connections in the tunnels. Gradually, more footage and data streamed in, revealing massive subterranean chambers lined with white silk, cocoon-like bulges, and other eerie details.


    The initial survivor proved not to be alone. As rescue efforts continued, additional survivors were discovered. By the end of several hours, all the silk-wrapped pods¡ªincluding those hanging from the ceiling¡ªhad been opened with the aid of specialized equipment.


    In total, 112 survivors were rescued.


    This number was remarkable. Cross¡¯s base, which had been the first to detect anomalies, suffered the fewest losses. Out of the 21 patrol teams initially attacked¡ªeach consisting of ten members¡ªalmost half had been recovered alive.


    However, the discovery posed a new problem.


    For Cross, the rescue was a success, reflecting well on her command. But for other base commanders, the news was a headache.


    Most of the missing patrol members were rookies, but that didn¡¯t diminish the obligation to save them. Now that their survival was known, abandoning them was out of the question. Refusal to attempt rescue would be seen as heartless, ending any commander¡¯s career and risking backlash. In the isolated confines of an interstellar expedition, being ostracized by peers could be far more dangerous than any official punishment.


    Yet the logistics of rescue were daunting.


    It had taken nearly ten days of sustained effort to breach the granary. Replicating this feat at other Swarm nests wasn¡¯t feasible given the time constraints¡ªcaptives elsewhere likely couldn¡¯t survive for much longer. Slow, methodical digging would only doom them further.


    The only option was to send troops directly into the nests, fighting their way down as quickly as possible. But previous attempts to storm Swarm tunnels had resulted in heavy casualties. Now, they were expected to assault multiple unexplored nests simultaneously¡ªa daunting and perilous task.


    Although logic dictated that the captives be abandoned, such an act was unthinkable for a civilization composed of sentient, empathetic individuals. The decision weighed heavily on the gathered commanders, leaving the conference room in a pensive, oppressive silence.

 Chapter 246: Analysis

    ¡°First, send the injured back to the base to determine what¡¯s wrong with them, and ensure they¡¯re isolated!¡± General Masai concluded the meeting. The initial step was to ascertain whether the rescued individuals had any chance of survival. If not, the current concerns would naturally resolve themselves.


    An elite medical team was dispatched, taking off from an orbital battleship and descending into the atmosphere to land at Cross Base.


    Hours later, a report was placed in front of the commanders.


    The findings revealed that the rescued individuals were afflicted by a peculiar toxin. This toxin not only paralyzed the central nervous system, effectively blocking nerve signals, but also acted as a preservative.


    After being injected with the toxin, the recipients¡¯ consciousness remained awake, yet their bodies entered a state of dormancy. Their bodily functions nearly halted, significantly reducing consumption.


    This explained why the rescued individuals had remained ¡°fresh¡± for days without food or water.


    The medical team¡¯s experts were astonished and remarked that, had the Riken planet discovered this toxin earlier, it could have greatly expedited research on space hibernation drugs.


    Despite this, the toxin still held tremendous research value.


    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying this is just a form of anesthetic? It isn¡¯t lethal to organisms? Once the effects wear off, they just need some recuperation?¡± a captain asked during the video conference. Privately, however, he thought this was far from good news.


    In this Riken expedition, every fleet commander had ties to various factions behind the scenes¡ªcorporations, families, allies, and more. This was, effectively, a coalition force.


    One of the ground bases belonged to the faction he was aligned with.


    If a rescue mission became necessary, he would inevitably have to deploy troops. But in the current situation, where reinforcements were unavailable, the number of troops at his disposal directly translated to his bargaining power.


    Bargaining power determined how much he could claim when it came time to divide the spoils after the alien species was eradicated.


    Naturally, he was reluctant to see his forces significantly depleted, especially since the swarm¡¯s lairs were veritable meat grinders.


    ¡°So, how long does this anesthetic last?¡± a staff officer pursued another line of inquiry. If the captured patrol members could endure for a longer period, this could help shape a more cautious rescue plan.


    ¡°If injected every seven days, the condition could be maintained for several months,¡± the medical expert explained. However, before the attendees could breathe a sigh of relief, the expert added, ¡°But it¡¯s unlikely the swarm would store food for that long. In the hive we captured this time, they took 210 personnel.¡±


    The expert left the rest unsaid, but the implication was clear: 210 were taken, 112 had been found alive. Where were the rest? The longer they delayed, the lower the survival rate for those in other hives.


    General Masai cleared his throat to shift the discussion: ¡°Next, let¡¯s discuss how to rescue the captured patrol members. Dr. Balt, how is your research progressing? Do you have any findings that might aid this operation?¡±


    ¡°General, we¡¯ve had very little time, so our research into the swarm¡¯s pheromones is still in its infancy,¡± Dr. Balt admitted.


    Seeing General Masai¡¯s furrowed brows, he quickly added, ¡°However, we have made some progress. We¡¯ve set up several experimental chambers where we placed captured Raiders to observe their interactions. We¡¯ve used equipment to record the sounds of their physical movements during these exchanges.¡±


    ¡°Have you deciphered the meaning of these sounds?¡± a captain asked, somewhat excited.


    ¡°Of course not, not yet,¡± Dr. Balt replied, taking a dramatic pause.


    The captain resisted an urge to curse, unsure if it was appropriate to voice his frustration.


    Dr. Balt continued, ¡°Although we haven¡¯t decoded the meanings, we¡¯ve broken the audio recordings into segments and reassembled them into new sequences.¡±


    ¡°And what¡¯s the point of that?¡± another captain asked.


    ¡°Each of these sounds holds specific meanings. Strung together, they convey a complete message. By scrambling them, it¡¯s akin to rearranging words in a sentence¡ªsomething that might leave the swarm thinking, ¡®I recognize each word, but what does this mean?¡¯¡± He elaborated and then quietly added, ¡°Probably. Maybe.¡±


    The crowd felt an overwhelming sense of unreliability.


    Sensing their disappointment, Dr. Balt hurriedly added, ¡°Time constraints are the main issue. But we¡¯ve observed that the scrambled audio still produces some effects. When played for Raiders, they exhibit visible agitation. If not for their pheromone-based recognition mechanisms, they might even attack each other.¡±


    ¡°Based on this, we¡¯ve developed a small tool you could think of as a toxin. When dispersed into an area, it effectively blocks the spread of pheromones. Simultaneously, it disrupts the swarm¡¯s nervous system, inhibiting cholinesterase. This induces heightened agitation, overstimulation, and eventual death. However, this process takes a bit of time.¡±


    ¡°How long?¡± a staff officer inquired.


    ¡°Our experiments indicate about a few hours.¡±


    Combat, though, happens in moments. A few hours? By then, the battle would be long over.


    Nonetheless, the ability to block the swarm¡¯s communication made the tool worthy of deployment.


    ¡°Is it difficult to produce?¡± another officer asked.


    ¡°Here lies the problem,¡± Dr. Balt admitted. ¡°Currently, the toxin is only a laboratory prototype, far from mass production. The production process isn¡¯t particularly complex, but we lack the necessary manufacturing equipment.¡±


    The crowd mentally cursed him for wasting their time. With the rescue mission imminent, this invention was useless for now.


    ¡°Ahem.¡± General Masai cleared his throat again. ¡°Dr. Balt, do you have anything else to add?¡±


    His intention was to give Balt an out, but to his dismay, the scientist nodded and continued, ¡°I do have one more point.¡± S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    General Masai felt a pang of regret but motioned for him to proceed.


    ¡°This time, our findings deep within the lair suggest the existence of a swarm species capable of producing white filaments. For now, we¡¯ve termed them ¡®Weavers.¡¯ Previously, we hypothesized the swarm is a highly specialized race, with Raiders excelling in frontal assaults, Burrowers adept at tunneling, and Assassins specialized in stealth.


    ¡°The paralytic toxin found in the survivors¡¯ bodies is likely associated with the Assassins. The underground granary requires at least Assassins and Weavers for its maintenance¡ªthough it¡¯s possible they are the same species.¡±


    ¡°Given the granary¡¯s scale, maintaining it would require a significant number of these creatures. Yet when our teams entered, they found none. Previously, we¡¯ve only encountered Raiders. Where are the rest?¡±


    ¡°The granary connects to a network of tunnels. Since our focus was on the rescue mission, our teams sealed those pathways but didn¡¯t explore further. They might be hiding there,¡± Cross added. The battlefield being near her base meant she had the most detailed information.


    Dr. Balt shook his head. ¡°What I want to discuss isn¡¯t where they¡¯re hiding but the implications of their behavior.¡±

 Chapter 247: Operation

    ¡°Doctor, what exactly are you trying to say?¡± a Riken captain asked impatiently. This man had just delivered a lengthy monologue, none of which seemed related to the rescue operation.


    ¡°Everyone, I used to think they were simple, brainless beasts. But think about the raiders¡¯ behavior during that last battle. Tens of thousands of them fought to the death without a single one retreating. Underground, not a single bug lingered in tunnels hundreds of meters deep.


    ¡°This behavior, to be honest, would be difficult even for our troops to achieve. So I believe this isn¡¯t the behavior of mindless beasts. My earlier assumptions were wrong.


    ¡°If their functions are so highly specialized, could there be a type of bug specifically responsible for command and coordination? These would be the brains of the entire Swarm, possessing a certain level of intelligence. That¡¯s why we found almost no brain structures in the raiders; they don¡¯t need them. Their sole purpose is to fight, while the thinking is handled by other bugs specialized for this task. Perhaps we can call them ¡®Thinkers.¡¯¡±


    The room grew tense. Fighting a pack of wild beasts was entirely different from combating an intelligent species. No wonder the Swarm was so difficult to deal with¡ªthis explanation made sense. Dr. Balt¡¯s hypothesis had convinced them.


    ¡°Furthermore, where do all these bugs come from? There must also be breeders responsible for reproduction. We still don¡¯t know how many other types of bugs exist, but I have a bad feeling about this¡ªthough I can¡¯t pinpoint why.¡±


    ¡°Doctor, maybe you¡¯re overthinking it. You were the one who confidently claimed they were just brainless, low-level creatures,¡± a captain said snidely, taking advantage of his personal grudge against Dr. Balt to mock him.


    ¡°In any case, I¡¯ve said my piece. Everyone, please stay vigilant.¡± Dr. Balt did not argue. Those were indeed his earlier words, but further research had changed his perspective.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get back on track and discuss how to rescue those patrol teams,¡± General Masai said, steering the conversation back to the mission.


    An hour later, the meeting concluded.


    The Riken launched a massive operation. Numerous transport ships ferried personnel and equipment between the surface and orbital bases, steadily deploying resources onto the Great Dawn Planet.


    The military was mobilized, and the rescue operation commenced. Eleven underground Swarm nests needed to be breached, with their locations already identified by scout drones.


    Over 200,000 Riken troops were distributed across the 11 battlefields.


    Based on data from the previously conquered nest, the straight-line distance from the surface to the ¡°granary¡± was less than a kilometer. However, the labyrinthine tunnels required extensive manpower to navigate. Despite this, only a limited number of soldiers could enter the tunnels at any one time.


    Thus, most of the troops remained outside to guard against a counterattack. The previous battlefield, where a digging operation nearing the ¡°granary¡± provoked a deadly Swarm charge, was still fresh in their minds.


    A large number of gunships patrolled the skies, keeping watch for ambushes. Transport and rescue ships stood by, and a field hospital was hastily set up five kilometers from the battle zone.


    The Riken¡¯s efficiency was impressive. Within just one day, all preparations were complete, and the offensive began the following night.


    Taking advantage of the Swarm¡¯s regular hunting patterns, the Riken first ambushed raiders emerging from cave entrances, weakening the enemy¡¯s combat strength.


    Without pause, the assault troops, led by special forces units, stormed the tunnels.


    To prevent underground collapses, explosives were avoided. Instead, flamethrowers became the primary weapon for firepower suppression.


    The soldiers wore heavy protective suits and carried oxygen tanks. Flamethrowers consumed large amounts of oxygen, which was scarce in the tunnels, necessitating their own breathing equipment.


    Biological experts noted that the toxins generated by flamethrower combustion, combined with oxygen depletion, would also inflict significant additional damage on the Swarm.


    Concerns about how oxygen depletion might affect the ¡°granary¡± were conveniently ignored.


    The soldiers advanced steadily, splitting into smaller groups at intersections to cover more ground.


    The operation proceeded unusually smoothly. Although the Swarm launched attacks, the flamethrowers proved devastating in the narrow tunnels. Even bugs that charged through the flames were heavily injured, becoming easy targets for soldiers following behind.


    However, the Swarm¡¯s relentless aggression forced the flamethrowers to work nonstop. Charred bug carcasses clogged the passageways, necessitating frequent clearing. Consequently, after two hours, the troops had advanced less than 500 meters. The attacking force had even cycled through three waves due to depleted fuel and oxygen.


    Fortunately, Riken casualties were minimal, with most injuries caused by friendly fire¡ªa common hazard in the cramped tunnels.


    Meanwhile, commanders monitored the battlefield via real-time feeds.


    ¡°The operation is going well. These beasts underestimated the power of technology,¡± one captain remarked, visibly relaxed as he watched the footage.


    ¡°It seems Dr. Balt¡¯s concerns were unnecessary,¡± added the captain who often clashed with Balt, his tone laced with mockery.


    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought they¡¯d be so fragile? And to think we were worried before.¡±


    ¡°This method is consuming a lot of fuel and ammunition, though.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. That¡¯s a small price compared to lives lost. Once we secure a safe environment, factories can be set up quickly, and supplies will be easy to replenish.¡±


    ¡°True enough.¡±


    ¡°At this pace, we should finish by tomorrow. I wonder how many people we¡¯ll rescue.¡±


    ¡°Hard to say. That biologist later analyzed that rescuing nearly half of the captives previously was due to us depleting so many bugs, which increased the available food. These other nests haven¡¯t been weakened, so losses might be heavier.¡± Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°The results don¡¯t matter, do they? We¡¯re doing what they hoped we¡¯d do.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Meanwhile, at Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s base.


    Since the nearby Swarm nest had been severely weakened, the Riken had been operating there without further attacks for some time. Now, with operations underway elsewhere, most of the forces had been redeployed, leaving only Cross¡¯s garrison to guard the enormous pit.

 Chapter 248: Meaning

    Though it was late at night, the fifty-meter-tall floodlights at the camp illuminated the area as if it were daytime.


    ¡°Captain, while the other units are out fighting, we¡¯re stuck here guarding a pit. It¡¯s so boring,¡± one of Winter Squad¡¯s members complained. Originally under the direct command of Major General Porter, the squad had been assigned to investigate the disappearance of patrol teams. They remained at this location afterward.


    Later, when Major General Porter needed to replenish Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s forces, the entire Winter Squad was reassigned under her command. Overall, this reshuffle was highly beneficial for Cross. She had lost ordinary recruits, but the replacements included a special forces team. Only her doting superiors would orchestrate such a maneuver.


    Additionally, the 100-plus personnel rescued from earlier operations were also placed under her command, increasing the size of her forces rather than depleting them.


    For this current assault on other nests, Cross had to deploy forces in support. When her base¡¯s neighboring Swarm nest was attacked previously, other factions had lent their aid. Now that others needed assistance, she was duty-bound to reciprocate.


    Moreover, one of the nests targeted this time was assigned to her faction as the primary assault force.


    However, with only one elite special operations team at her disposal, Cross was reluctant to send them into a situation where command would be temporarily out of her hands. If they were deployed on the front lines and suffered casualties, it would be distressing. Even if they avoided serious injuries, minor harm would still weigh heavily on her.


    Thus, she sent out most of her regular troops, along with several gunships and transport ships, while leaving her base¡¯s defenses slightly undermanned. The nest near her base had been devastated and was unlikely to pose a threat in the short term, so the reduced defensive strength wasn¡¯t a major concern.


    Winter Squad, meanwhile, was assigned to guard the pit under the pretense that elite personnel were required to oversee such a critical location.


    ¡°Come on, isn¡¯t being bored better than fighting bugs?¡± another squad member replied.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I know¡ªyou¡¯re claustrophobic! No need to explain; we all get it. Haha!¡± someone teased.


    ¡°Shut it! You wanna fight me?¡±


    ¡°Bring it on! I¡¯m not scared.¡±


    Before long, the two soldiers were wrestling, their teammates cheering them on rather than intervening, stoking the skirmish with loud encouragement.


    Laughter echoed through the group.


    Winter watched his squad¡¯s antics without interfering. He understood that this assignment was a calculated move by their new commander to protect the special forces team. Despite the personnel reductions, the defensive structures hadn¡¯t been dismantled, and the tunnels were riddled with sensor mines.


    Moreover, since the nest¡¯s ¡°granary¡± had been breached, the Swarm hadn¡¯t made any further moves. Not a single bug had been spotted in the tunnels, likely having retreated after determining they were outmatched. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With minimal pressure to defend, Winter allowed his team to relax and bond. He also took the opportunity to enjoy a rare moment of respite. After all, battles could erupt again at any moment.


    The Cross Base remained brightly lit, but with most of the troops either supporting operations elsewhere or guarding the pit, its defenses were relatively thin.


    Scattered groups of sentries patrolled the fortress-like structures, checking for damage to surveillance equipment and chasing away wild animals.


    The surrounding grasslands were home to numerous wildlife species, and the occasional bold creature would venture close to the massive fortification out of curiosity. Such creatures rarely returned after being enthusiastically ¡°invited¡± into the base by the Riken soldiers.


    In one shadowy corner, two sentries loitered in boredom.


    ¡°Hey, I heard you were captured by those bugs a while back,¡± one of them suddenly asked.


    The base was so understaffed that even maintaining sentry duties was a challenge. As a result, lightly injured personnel from previous battles were assigned to patrols.


    Injured soldiers weren¡¯t paired together, of course. As a healthy serviceman, he had been separated from his usual partner and assigned a new one¡ªa survivor of the Swarm¡¯s clutches. This new partner, though uninjured, had endured captivity. Now fully recovered, he was noticeably more combat-capable than most injured personnel.


    Curious about his partner¡¯s experience, the sentry hesitated briefly before finally asking.


    ¡°Ah, that was¡­ an unforgettable experience,¡± the new partner murmured, lost in thought. The sentry wondered if he had opened an old wound. Being powerless, waiting for death¡ªit must have been harrowing.


    His partner snapped out of his reverie, a strange smile crossing his face. ¡°You know what? In that place, I discovered a new purpose for my existence.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The sentry was bewildered, unsure of what his partner meant. Could he have suffered some kind of brain damage? Overexposure to sedatives was said to cause cognitive issues. He decided to report this after their shift.


    ¡°I saw God. He is my new purpose,¡± the partner continued, his tone unsettling. The sentry regretted bringing up the topic.


    ¡°You okay? Should I take you to the medical bay?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Better than ever, actually. Too bad¡ªyou¡¯ll never get to meet God.¡±


    ¡°What are you ta¡ª¡± The sentry¡¯s words were cut off as a razor-sharp appendage pierced his throat, blood splattering his breathing mask.


    Through the haze of pain and shock, he dimly heard his partner mutter, ¡°God has no use for the worthless¡­ I was just lucky.¡±


    His vision faded as consciousness left him. Behind him, a Raider with optical camouflage emerged, its special adaptations shimmering.


    The Raider ignored the new partner and silently departed.


    The commlink crackled to life. ¡°Group Three, status report!¡±


    The new partner smiled faintly. ¡°Command center, this is Group Three. All clear.¡±


    Nearby, swarms of Raiders glided down from the night sky, evading the base¡¯s seismic sensors as they landed outside the fortress.


    Once on the ground, they moved with practiced ease, navigating the base¡¯s perimeter like it was their own territory.


    In no time, the sentries were systematically eliminated, each silenced before they could react. Any of the ¡°irregular¡± sentries who had outlived their usefulness were also quietly dispatched, leaving no trace of the breach.

 Chapter 249: The Invasion

    The exterior of the entire base was constructed from an extremely sturdy metal and a transparent glass-like material, forming a sealed structure with an independent air circulation system.


    The glass-like material, despite appearing fragile, was astonishingly hard and thick. Even concentrated artillery fire would struggle to breach it in a short period. Ironically, the seemingly sturdier metal sections were weaker in certain areas due to functional requirements.


    For example, several exits used by maintenance personnel to repair instruments and equipment were only one-half to one-third the thickness of the fortress walls.


    The Swarm quickly identified these weak points. Raiders maneuvered cautiously into the blind spots of surveillance equipment near the doors and destroyed them.


    Some bugs, slightly different in appearance from the Raiders, crawled forward and raised their abdomens, spraying viscous liquid onto the doors. This was the oldest and most basic acid-spraying mechanism. After subsequent improvements, the strength of the acid increased by hundreds of times, enough to corrode these tough metal barriers.


    Even the inner walls of the emission tubes within the bugs¡¯ bodies had been enhanced, allowing them to spray acid as far as twenty meters.


    In the base¡¯s monitoring room, one of the screens suddenly turned to static.


    ¡°Damn it! This piece of junk broke again. Whoever procured these things ought to be court-martialed,¡± complained a Riken soldier.


    He picked up a communicator. ¡°Team Three, Team Three, the camera in front of Maintenance Passage Seven is down. Go check it out.¡±


    Unfortunately, despite waiting for some time, he received no response. He tapped the communication device in frustration and suddenly noticed several more cameras going dark. Alarmed, a foreboding sense of danger struck him.


    Before he could call on another team to investigate, the sharp wail of an alarm filled the air.


    On another monitor displaying the internal layout of the base, several rooms connected to maintenance passages turned red one after another, indicating structural damage and the intrusion of external air.


    The soldier quickly looked to another wall filled with screens showing footage from within the base. The video feeds for the rooms connected to the passages had gone dark, and the linked passage cameras were also rapidly being taken offline.


    Before one of the screens blacked out, he caught a glimpse of an endless swarm of bugs surging forward.


    Shocked, he immediately called his colleagues and sounded the alarm.


    Soon, the warning, initially confined to the monitoring room, reverberated throughout the entire base.


    At this moment, Lieutenant Colonel Cross, the base¡¯s commanding officer, was in the middle of a video conference.


    The piercing alarm startled the high-ranking participants, who quickly checked to ensure the alert wasn¡¯t coming from their own ships.


    ¡°Cross, what¡¯s going on over there?¡± Major General Porter, noticing the sound originating from Cross¡¯s video feed, was the first to voice his concern. As her senior, he was quick to ask about the situation.


    Cross was equally bewildered. She had no idea why the alarms in her supposedly secure fortress base were blaring.


    Just then, her adjutant whispered a few words to her, and her expression shifted to one of utter disbelief.


    ¡°What is it, Cross?!¡± Porter pressed, sensing she now knew something critical.


    ¡°The bugs¡­ they¡¯ve invaded my base?!¡± Cross stammered, still struggling to comprehend the reality.


    Not only was she incredulous, but the other commanders in the meeting also found it hard to believe.


    ¡°Impossible! Based on the bugs¡¯ demonstrated combat capabilities, even ignoring how they bypassed detection systems, they shouldn¡¯t be able to breach the fortress defenses,¡± a captain interjected, his skeptical gaze directed at Cross. It was clear he viewed her as a privileged upstart and was eager to challenge her competence.


    ¡°Silence!¡± General Masai, the supreme commander of the expedition fleet, cut through the noise. ¡°Cross, organize your defenses immediately and determine if you need reinforcements. Also, grant us access to your base¡¯s surveillance feed. I want to see what¡¯s happening on-site.¡±


    Cross felt a pang of helplessness. While the surveillance footage within the base didn¡¯t offer much visibility, the idea of granting others access to her domain was uncomfortable. However, with her base compromised, she had no choice.


    After summoning the base¡¯s AI to grant the requested access, the surveillance footage was soon displayed in the meeting.


    Regrettably, the live feed revealed little as most functioning cameras had already been destroyed. Still, the fleeting images before the screens went dark showed glimpses of the endless tide of Swarm forces surging through.


    Cross no longer cared about preserving the base¡¯s privacy. Initially, she thought a few stray bugs had found their way inside. Now, she realized the situation was far more dire.


    The timing couldn¡¯t have been worse. With the base at its most vulnerable, the Swarm¡¯s calculated assault didn¡¯t seem coincidental. Yet, her superior intellect made her reluctant to believe the bugs could orchestrate such a precise attack.


    But there was no time to dwell on such thoughts. The crisis was unfolding. She quickly ordered all airlocks sealed to delay the Swarm¡¯s advance.


    Meanwhile, she issued a plea for help. Fortunately, the other commanders, now watching the surveillance footage, recognized the gravity of the situation.


    Yet, with forces currently committed to attacking various Swarm nests, redeploying and arranging rescue teams would take at least thirty minutes¡ªeven with the Riken ships¡¯ exceptional speed.


    The nearby garrison stationed in the pit zone could reach the base within five minutes. But before Cross could order them back, she received a distress call from that area.


    The pit defenses were under siege. Raiders had appeared from nowhere, launching suicide charges against the garrison. With most of their forces drawn away, the remaining troops, gunboats, and transports were struggling to hold out under the relentless Swarm assault. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Pit zone, other nests, and now the fortress base¡ªcold sweat trickled down Cross¡¯s back. The interconnected attacks reeked of a calculated scheme.


    Though she couldn¡¯t yet discern the Swarm¡¯s true objective, it was undoubtedly ambitious.


    For now, she could only hope the reinforced airlocks would hold long enough. The base¡¯s massive size, countless rooms, and nearly identical layout could disorient even its Riken inhabitants without their personal navigational terminals.


    Combined with the sturdy doors, the bugs¡¯ primitive bodies would have difficulty breaking through. Additionally, the hallways were equipped with a few automated defense weapons controlled by the AI, all functioning as expected. She believed these measures could hold the Swarm at bay for thirty minutes¡ªat least, she hoped so.

 Chapter 250: Recommendations

    Unfortunately, things rarely go as hoped. While the reinforced doors did slow the Swarm¡¯s advance, it wasn¡¯t by much. Surveillance cameras continued to black out, albeit at a slightly slower pace than before.


    Moreover, the Swarm seemed alarmingly familiar with the base¡¯s internal layout. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By tracing the routes where cameras had gone offline, it became evident that the bugs were heading straight for the command center.


    Even when encountering base staff or scattered defensive personnel along the way, the Swarm paid them no heed. There were no deviations or detours in their march.


    Had this not been an interspecies war, Cross might have suspected an insider had leaked the base¡¯s schematics to the enemy.


    At their current speed, it wasn¡¯t a matter of holding out for thirty minutes. The bugs would reach her in ten minutes at most.


    The other commanders watching the surveillance feed shared her grim expression. Though the Swarm¡¯s actions weren¡¯t beyond what they had displayed before, everything seemed unsettlingly deliberate.


    ¡°Cross, you must leave the command center immediately,¡± Major General Porter advised. ¡°Meanwhile, gather as many personnel as you can and organize a defense. Avoid the Swarm¡¯s route and hold out until reinforcements arrive.¡±


    As her elder, Porter¡¯s advice carried weight, and Cross took it seriously. After some consideration, she realized it was the best course of action for now.


    She granted full control of the base¡¯s defense systems to the AI, then began evacuating with the command center staff.


    Using the guidance of their personal terminals to avoid the Swarm, the group advanced through the base. Along the way, more personnel joined them.


    The current situation was unprecedented; the base had few remaining combat personnel. Even injured sentries had been pressed into duty earlier, underscoring the dire shortage of armed defenders.


    When she previously inquired with the surveillance team, Cross learned that contact with all sentry squads had been lost. Judging by the Swarm¡¯s aggressive advance, their fates were likely sealed.


    Passing the medical bay, the group gained reinforcements. Aside from a few doctors and nurses, most were survivors rescued from the nests earlier.


    Some of them had been temporarily assigned to sentry duty, but many others were still recovering in the base due to slow physical recuperation.


    Though weakened from prolonged malnourishment and paralysis, and largely consisting of raw recruits, these individuals had undergone basic combat training. Compared to the clerks and administrators accompanying Cross, they were significantly more capable fighters.


    After stopping by an armory to pick up weapons, these reinforcements became the primary combat and security force for the group.


    Cross initially thought that using their superior knowledge of the base¡¯s layout to play a game of cat and mouse with the Swarm would suffice until reinforcements arrived.


    Reality once again proved her wrong.


    After the wounded survivors joined her group, and she felt a brief surge of relief at gaining additional manpower, the bugs inexplicably seemed to locate her position. They stopped advancing toward the command center and instead redirected their assault toward her current location.


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because the larger group size made us easier to detect,¡± Cross speculated. She had no idea how the Swarm had pinpointed her, but considering their means of communication through limb vibrations, it was likely their auditory systems were highly developed. The noise generated by so many people moving together could have given them away.


    It seemed the most plausible explanation.


    With this in mind, she quickly instructed everyone to quiet their footsteps. Unfortunately, their location had already been exposed. Even though they reduced the noise, the Swarm continued advancing toward them.


    Cross¡¯s mind froze momentarily under the pressure, unable to come up with any viable solutions. Thankfully, with so many people around, someone still had their wits about them.


    As they marched, Cross shared their predicament with the group, hoping someone might have an effective suggestion.


    One of the wounded stepped forward hesitantly. Her adjutant moved to stop him, but Cross waved him off. She recognized this soldier.


    His name was Kaida, the patrol team leader who first raised the alarm. Later, he was also the first survivor found in the ¡°granary.¡± Cross had always thought his luck was extraordinary¡ªotherwise, he¡¯d have been long dead.


    Since Kaida had come forward, he likely had something worthwhile to suggest. As an experienced veteran rather than a fresh recruit, his advice was worth considering, even if she didn¡¯t necessarily have to follow it.


    ¡°Commander, I recommend we head to the top-level hangar immediately,¡± Kaida suggested in a hushed tone. ¡°If we¡¯re cornered inside the base, we¡¯ll be in grave danger. The hangar likely still has transport or gunboats parked there. We can use them to escape into the air, out of the Swarm¡¯s reach.¡±


    Cross understood why Kaida spoke so quietly. With three to four hundred people in the group, there probably wouldn¡¯t be enough ships to carry everyone. It was inevitable that some would have to be left behind.


    Though this thought pained her, she had no other options. She chose to ignore the potential fallout.


    ¡°Do we have anyone who can pilot a ship?¡± she asked. Beyond the issue of capacity, finding someone to fly the ships was another concern. Clerks and medical staff weren¡¯t trained for such tasks.


    ¡°No problem,¡± Kaida replied confidently. ¡°We may not be able to execute complex maneuvers, but we can at least take off.¡±


    Cross nodded subtly. Taking off was enough. While the bugs could glide, they couldn¡¯t achieve sustained flight. Gaining altitude would mean safety.


    ¡°Let¡¯s head to the top-level hangar,¡± she ordered decisively, leading the group upward.


    They hadn¡¯t gone far when a muffled explosion rumbled from the base¡¯s lower levels. Moments later, the corridor lights flickered and went out, plunging them into darkness.


    Gasps and even some shrieks of panic erupted from the group, with a few female Riken sobbing softly in fear.


    ¡°Damn it! The bugs have sabotaged the base¡¯s power supply!¡± Cross exclaimed.


    She had already suspected this when she noticed one group of bugs diverting in a different direction earlier. Now, her fears were confirmed.


    Just as the lights died completely, they flickered back on, albeit dimmer. The base¡¯s backup power supply had activated.


    Before anyone could breathe a sigh of relief, another dull explosion echoed, and the corridor was once again plunged into darkness.


    This time, the blackout was total¡ªthe base only had a single backup generator, and it had been destroyed.


    The group, fully aware of this fact, descended into despair. Several of the more fragile-minded female Riken broke down into muffled sobbing.

 Chapter 251: The Hangar

    ¡°Everyone, shut up! If you don¡¯t want to keep moving, find a room to hide in and don¡¯t drag the rest of us down!¡± Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s angry shout echoed through the corridor, her authority as the base commander instantly silencing the sniffling female Riken.


    ¡°Not good, the hatch won¡¯t open.¡± Normally, the hatches within the base were controlled by the AI, but with the power cut, the AI had also shut down, rendering the doors inoperable.


    However, the base¡¯s design had accounted for power failures. Every hatch was equipped with a basic manual opening mechanism, known as the ¡°hand crank.¡±


    Under the illumination of flashlights, a few burly wounded soldiers stepped forward. Despite their weakened condition, they were still stronger than the administrative personnel.


    Removing a panel on the door revealed an old-fashioned crank. The men each took hold of a section and began turning it with all their might. Slowly, the crank rotated, and the hatch gradually opened.


    The group hurried through, but the process was so slow that their progress was now falling behind the Swarm¡¯s advance.


    By the time they had passed through ten hatches, the Swarm had breached fourteen.


    This couldn¡¯t continue. If they didn¡¯t find a solution, the Swarm would catch up before they even reached the hangar.


    ¡°Turn left here,¡± Cross suddenly ordered after passing through two more hatches.


    ¡°Commander, turning left will take us off course,¡± Kaida urgently reminded her. He was determined to ensure Cross reached the hangar safely.


    ¡°There¡¯s a storage room two hatches down to the left. It contains three sets of exoskeleton armor. With those, we can open the doors much faster,¡± Cross explained.


    Reassured that the destination hadn¡¯t changed, Kaida stopped objecting and moved to the front to clear the path.


    A short while later, with the exoskeleton suits in use, their pace significantly increased. What previously required several strong men now only took two suits to accomplish with ease.


    Though the exoskeletons were noisy, the group could no longer afford to prioritize stealth. It was clear that the Swarm had already locked onto their position. Their earlier efforts to reduce noise had done little to throw off the bugs.


    With the power outage, personal terminals with battery packs were still functional, but the base¡¯s surveillance systems were down, leaving them unable to pinpoint the Swarm¡¯s current location.


    In the dark corridors, tactical flashlight beams swept around, illuminating their path. Footsteps, breathing, and the occasional sob seemed amplified in the oppressive silence.


    Cross couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the faint, scraping sound of insect limbs against steel walls was drawing closer. The noise, faint and intermittent, gnawed at her nerves.


    Unable to resist, she turned her flashlight toward the rear, but all she saw was the dark wall and the faint outline of a hatch closing in the distance.


    Her action, however, sparked panic among the group.


    More flashlights joined hers in probing the darkness behind them. Though they found nothing, the collective fear grew, as if an invisible predator was stalking them from the shadows.


    ¡°Cross, hold on. Reinforcements will arrive in ten minutes,¡± Major General Porter¡¯s voice crackled through her personal terminal.


    Although the base¡¯s power was out, the communication function of their personal devices remained operational. After the surveillance feed cut out, the live video from the meeting room had also gone dark. Porter had quickly established a direct line with Cross, offering encouragement and intelligence updates.


    Initially, Cross had managed to respond with brief updates on her situation, but as the tension mounted, her nerves stretched thin. She focused solely on reaching the hangar, leaving Porter¡¯s voice as the only one filling the airwaves.


    Their legs grew weaker with each step, though it was unclear whether it was due to exhaustion or fear. Fortunately, despite the nerve-wracking journey, the Swarm had yet to appear. At last, the group reached the top-level hangar.


    Most of the base¡¯s personnel had been dispatched to support other areas, using transport ships to leave. Only three transport ships and two gunboats remained in the hangar.


    With just five ships, evacuating several hundred people was an impossible dream.


    The issue Cross had worried about earlier now presented itself as a grim reality. No matter how she allocated the ships, some people would have to be left behind.


    Kaida stepped forward, taking on the role of the bad guy. ¡°Anyone who can pilot a ship, get on board. The rest of you, find weapons and prepare to defend. Reinforcements will arrive in ten minutes. With any luck, we won¡¯t even have to face the Swarm.¡±


    His words seemed to calm the group, dispelling their selfish thoughts. They began searching the nearby equipment rooms for weapons and breathing masks. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The power outage had rendered the electronic locks on the equipment rooms useless, granting the group access to additional supplies.


    Armed, their courage grew slightly.


    Cross even felt a moment of inspiration. Perhaps this was her chance to shine¡ªshe could lead the defense and hold off the Swarm for a few minutes. A successful defense would make her record stand out.


    Just as she was about to deliver a motivational speech, a sealed hatch dozens of meters away began to corrode, a large hole slowly forming in its surface. Moments later, several Raiders emerged.


    This was Cross¡¯s first close encounter with the Swarm. Previously, she had only seen video footage and hadn¡¯t found the Raiders particularly terrifying, even noting a certain feral elegance to them.


    At just a few dozen centimeters tall, Raiders seemed unimposing compared to the two-meter-tall Riken. Those who had never encountered the Swarm often couldn¡¯t fathom the terror these small creatures could inspire.


    Now, with their razor-sharp forelimbs and silent emergence from the hole, the Raiders exuded an oppressive menace that left the Riken trembling.


    ¡°Get the lieutenant colonel to safety!¡± Kaida barked at his team. His patrol unit, though captured, had mostly survived, retaining much of its cohesion.


    Two of his subordinates instinctively obeyed, escorting Cross toward the nearest gunboat. Cross didn¡¯t resist, following their lead, with her adjutant quickly joining them.


    As they moved, the others¡¯ courage faltered. A few Riken broke into hysterical cries and rushed toward the ships. Their panic spread, causing even more people to flee. The hastily formed defensive line crumbled before any confrontation with the Swarm.


    Fortunately, the wounded soldiers displayed professionalism. Instead of retreating, they raised their weapons and aimed at the hatch.


    ¡°Shoot! Pin them down! Don¡¯t let too many get through!¡± Kaida shouted. Crimson energy beams filled the air, striking down several Raiders as they emerged, reducing them to charred husks.

 Chapter 252: The Escape

    Elsewhere, Lieutenant Colonel Cross and her adjutant, escorted by two patrol officers, hurried to a nearby gunboat. Just as she was about to climb aboard, she heard cries from behind her.


    It turned out that the ships were equipped with an access control system. Normally, these could be unlocked remotely via the base network, but with the energy system disabled, the administrative and medical staff lacked the required permissions to open the hatches.


    Cross paused, withdrawing her foot from the ship¡¯s steps. After a moment of deliberation, she gritted her teeth and turned to run toward the other ships, ignoring her adjutant¡¯s calls to stop.


    As the highest-ranking officer at the base, Cross had the authority to override all systems, but she needed to be physically close to the ships to do so.


    Fortunately, the ships were not too far apart, and the Swarm was pinned down at the hatch by the intense firepower of the wounded patrol team. They had switched their weapons to explosive energy mode, which caused unstable energy beams to detonate on impact.


    This mode, while less effective at penetrating the hatch, created a barrage that kept the Swarm at bay. The hatch held firm under the chaotic red energy blasts, buying Cross precious time to unlock the other ships.


    Even so, the hole in the hatch was visibly expanding. Cross had to move faster.


    Luckily, despite her status as a ¡°connected¡± officer, she had genuine talent and was a graduate of an elite command academy. Her physical conditioning was impeccable.


    Within two minutes, both the transport ships and gunboats began to lift off, and Cross returned to her original gunboat.


    Though she initially intended to board any available ship, she changed her mind after seeing the pilots. Even if they were all novices, trained soldiers were undoubtedly more reliable than amateur enthusiasts.


    The ships were overcrowded. When Cross finally reached the gunboat, it was already packed with people. She managed to squeeze into the cockpit just as the ship began to take off.


    ¡°Have the exoskeleton team open the dome. Everyone, put on your breathing masks,¡± Kaida shouted, noticing that Cross had safely boarded her gunboat.


    Despite other officers present, no one challenged Kaida¡¯s authority. The exoskeleton-equipped team, along with several other personnel, rushed to a hidden panel on the wall, exposing a hydraulic mechanism.


    The mechanism, clearly not designed for frequent use, resisted even the combined strength of three exoskeleton suits. Slowly but steadily, the steel dome above the hangar began to split open.


    Impatience proved costly. One transport ship attempted to fly out prematurely, scraping against the dome and losing control. It wobbled erratically before crashing into a wall on the western side of the hangar and falling to the ground.


    Fortunately, the ship¡¯s altitude had been low, and Riken ships were built tough. The impact didn¡¯t cause significant damage to the vessel, but the pilot was likely incapacitated, as the ship remained grounded.


    This mishap sobered the other pilots, who waited for the dome to fully open. Once the gap was wide enough, the remaining ships surged upward.


    Unbeknownst to them, the Swarm had already surrounded the base, taking advantage of their ability to climb and cling to surfaces. The bugs had also stationed acid-spewing insects at the exits.


    As soon as the ships emerged, they were greeted by a barrage of acidic spray.


    This acid was highly effective against the ships¡¯ metallic exteriors. Within moments, the hulls were riddled with pitted holes that continued to expand as the acid corroded the material.


    However, the acid wasn¡¯t meant to breach the entire hull but to target critical components¡ªspecifically, the engines.


    The energy exhaust ports on the ships¡¯ undersides and tails were particularly vulnerable. Although some of the acid vaporized in the exhaust¡¯s heat, the engines weren¡¯t operating at full power yet, allowing enough acid to reach and damage them.


    Soon, the engines began to fail, with some even exploding. One by one, the ships were crippled, trailing smoke and plummeting to the ground. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The grassy plains surrounding the base were teeming with hidden Swarm forces, and the fates of the downed ships¡¯ occupants were grim.


    Cross¡¯s gunboat fared slightly better due to its enhanced defensive features and more experienced crew. Though it lost three of its four engines, the remaining one managed to keep the ship airborne.


    The pilots, fully aware of their peril, struggled to gain altitude and distance from the battlefield. Amid screams from the passengers, they maneuvered the ship over ten kilometers before it crashed to the ground.


    The violent impact left Cross dazed. She vaguely heard the cockpit door being opened.


    It must have been the pilot, she thought. With the engines damaged and the crash, the gunboat could explode at any moment. She needed to get out.


    ¡°I can¡¯t die here,¡± she told herself. Her family, her sister, and her elders were waiting for her return.


    Clinging to this thought, Cross forced her muddled mind to focus. Though her vision was blurred, she used her memory to feel her way out of the cockpit.


    At the pilot¡¯s seat, where she had heard movement earlier from the patrolman, she found her way forward. But as she crawled, her right hand slipped, and her head struck the edge of the console hard.


    Her face pressed painfully against her breathing mask, tears and mucus streaming as her nose was crushed. She ignored the discomfort, using her arms to pull herself out of the cockpit and onto the soft grass outside.


    She rested briefly, intending to crawl further away. Just then, she felt someone pushing her from behind. Too weak to resist, she allowed herself to be turned over.


    Strong hands lifted her into a seated position, then slid under her arms to lock around her chest, dragging her away from the wreckage.


    It must be the pilot returning to rescue me, she thought. Good job¡ªI¡¯ll make sure to reward you once we¡¯re safe.


    With this comforting realization, Cross¡¯s strained nerves finally gave out. She passed out as the tension drained from her body.

 Chapter 253: The Encounter

    Cross awoke from unconsciousness, her head still foggy, likely from a concussion caused by the crash. She struggled to sit up, shaking her head to clear it, and looked around.


    ¡°Where am I?¡± she muttered. The sight before her was startling¡ªa room surrounded by walls of rock and soil, interwoven with dark purple, pulsating growths that seemed to ripple faintly. She assumed they might be plants, though they were unnervingly grotesque.


    Soft, dim lights flickered, mimicking a rhythmic breathing pattern. The eerie illumination cast shifting shadows that added to the room¡¯s unsettling atmosphere.


    Cross tilted her head to examine the ceiling. Were the lights malfunctioning due to a power shortage? The motion tugged painfully at her injuries, eliciting a groan.


    Thankfully, her wounds didn¡¯t seem as severe as she¡¯d feared, and the pain was bearable. Upon closer inspection, the ceiling wasn¡¯t lit by conventional lights but appeared to be lined with luminous stones covering its entirety.


    Squinting, she peered more closely at the ceiling.


    ¡°Ahhhhhh!!!¡±


    A scream tore from her throat.


    What she¡¯d assumed to be glowing stones were, in fact, swarms of fingernail-sized bugs clinging to the ceiling. Their abdomens contained glowing organs, which they lit and dimmed in unison, creating the illusion of a single breathing light source.


    ¡°Is anyone there?¡± she called out, her voice quivering. The sight above was a nightmare for anyone with a fear of swarming creatures. Her skin crawled as if tiny bugs were already all over her, her body wracked with cold shivers.


    Being alone in this creepy room made it all the more terrifying.


    That cursed patrolman¡ªwas this his idea of saving her? And he wanted a promotion for this?


    Her voice echoed in the enclosed space, but no reply came. She scanned the room more thoroughly, only to discover it had no visible doors.


    A chill ran up her spine.


    Summoning all her strength, she shouted again.


    Suddenly, one of the grotesque purple plants wriggled, splitting open to form a doorway.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake, Cross,¡± a voice said in Riken.


    In this strange, terrifying place, the familiar language brought a slight sense of relief.


    A tall, male Riken stepped through the newly formed doorway. He was dressed in an antiquated uniform¡ªa design so old that it had been out of commission before Cross was even born. If she hadn¡¯t been a top student in her command academy, well-versed in history and ship design, she wouldn¡¯t have recognized the outdated style.


    Even back on the Riken homeworld, uniforms like this were museum pieces. Five light-years away in another star system? Unthinkable. With strict limits on personal luggage for expeditions, who would waste space on something so impractical?


    Cross¡¯s usual sarcastic thoughts almost escaped her lips, but she restrained herself, knowing the current situation demanded caution. Forcing a soft tone, she asked, ¡°Who are you? And where am I?¡±


    She didn¡¯t really care about the first question¡ªwho this ¡°nobody¡± was mattered little. But since he knew her name, it was only polite to ask.


    The man didn¡¯t answer immediately, instead walking closer. As he approached, she could see him more clearly.


    He was a middle-aged Riken with a strong, determined face that seemed oddly familiar. Yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t recall meeting him before.


    His uniform, however, triggered recognition as he drew nearer. The shoulder epaulettes, sleeve insignias, and chest badges¡ªthey looked increasingly familiar.


    Then it hit her. Of course, they were familiar! This was the same style worn by the captain who had led the first interstellar expedition¡ªthe one posthumously honored as a hero. His life story was famous, used to justify the creation of the expedition fleet.


    Her cadet manual even had a section dedicated to his uniform.


    Cross stared at the man, heart pounding as a realization began to take hold. That face, that uniform¡­ this was¡ª


    ¡°You¡ªyou¡¯re Captain Reggie?!?¡± she stammered, horrified. Her voice trembled as she whispered to herself, ¡°Am I dead? But I remember being dragged away¡­¡±


    Frantically, she pinched herself hard.


    ¡°Ow!¡± she yelped, the pain affirming the reality of her situation. Her overzealous pinch exacerbated her injuries, making her wince further.


    ¡°I¡¯m alive. This isn¡¯t a dream. I even have a shadow,¡± she muttered, spiraling into incoherent rambling. The stress was clearly taking its toll on her.


    Finally, she asked, her voice tinged with hysteria, ¡°Captain Reggie? You¡¯re alive? How is that possible?¡±


    Reggie chuckled darkly. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s been over a century. A hundred years since I left Riken. Missing for decades¡­ how could I possibly still be alive?¡±


    Cross¡¯s fear spiked once again.


    ¡°Am I dead? Is that why I¡¯m seeing you?¡± she blurted out, panic creeping back into her voice.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not dead. Has the new generation of Riken commanders fallen so far? I heard you¡¯re supposed to be a Lieutenant Colonel.¡±


    Reggie¡¯s mocking tone didn¡¯t faze Cross. Relieved to hear she wasn¡¯t dead, she exhaled shakily. Her mind flooded with more questions.


    ¡°Captain, so you¡¯re alive? But wasn¡¯t the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship attacked in T855? Why are you here in T853? How have you survived all these years? Are there other survivors? Everyone will be so thrilled to know you¡¯re alive!¡±


    She fired off her questions without pause, prompting Reggie to smirk in amusement.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t I just say? Reggie isn¡¯t alive,¡± he replied cryptically.


    ¡°What? Captain, now isn¡¯t the time for jokes!¡± Cross snapped, frustration boiling over. Her injuries, the bizarre setting, and his evasive answers tested her patience. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I¡¯m not joking. Reggie is dead,¡± he said solemnly, his steadfast expression lending weight to his words.


    ¡°Then who are you?¡± Cross demanded, her unease returning.


    ¡°I am Reggie,¡± he answered.


    Cross¡¯s frustration reached a peak. If not for her injuries, she would¡¯ve demonstrated some of the advanced combat techniques she¡¯d mastered.


    ¡°Captain, teasing a junior officer isn¡¯t exactly noble,¡± she said bitterly.


    ¡°No, I mean the Reggie you knew is dead. I am the reborn Reggie,¡± he clarified.


    The explanation left Cross reeling.


    Clones? Robots? Alien experiments? Scenes from countless sci-fi dramas flashed through her mind.


    Had he been captured and brainwashed by aliens? And if so, would she meet the same fate?


    Her thoughts returned to the base¡¯s assault. Was this all part of a larger scheme?


    The horrifying possibility that other captured patrol members might be like Reggie began to take shape.


    Had the Swarm been toying with them all along?


    The realization widened her eyes in terror.


    Reggie noted her expression and smiled faintly. ¡°It seems you¡¯re catching on. That¡¯s good.¡±


    His grandfatherly smile on his blue face was both reassuring and unnerving.


    Cross bit back a curse. Provoking him would only worsen her predicament. Resigned, she clenched her fists and declared, ¡°I won¡¯t betray my people like you have.¡±


    Reggie clapped slowly, mock admiration in his expression. ¡°Good. That¡¯s the spirit of a Lieutenant Colonel.¡±


    Then, with unnerving certainty, he added, ¡°But you will. Once you meet him, you¡¯ll understand his greatness.¡±

 Chapter 254: Memories

    ¡°Until you meet him, you can never comprehend his greatness!¡± Reggie¡¯s words, spoken with deep emotion, drew him into a moment of reflection.


    Years ago, after he had ordered his crew to cease resistance and open all hatches on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, the flying soft-bodied organisms swarmed onto the bridge, encircling them.


    Thankfully, the creatures did nothing beyond forming a perimeter, making no hostile moves.


    Reggie¡¯s decision had involved a gamble.


    Until that moment, all they had were hypotheses. If their assumptions were wrong¡ªif these beings were merely clever animals lacking true intelligence¡ªthen his decision to disarm and open the ship was tantamount to suicide.


    Fortunately, his gamble paid off.


    ¡°What are they doing?¡± Lute, the ship¡¯s chief scientific advisor, whispered beside him.


    ¡°No idea,¡± Reggie replied, shaking his head. The creatures had surrounded them without attacking or attempting to communicate, leaving the situation in an awkward stalemate.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just stand here like fools. Do something!¡± Lute urged.


    Reggie wanted to retort that they were at the mercy of the creatures, but as the captain of the Cat¡¯s Ear and the highest-ranking officer of the expedition, he had to take charge.


    Clearing his throat, he stepped forward and began to speak, adopting a formal tone.


    ¡°Greetings. We are the Riken, hailing from the Riken star system. Our people are peace-loving and strong, and we come here in friendship. We apologize for intruding and seek to engage in meaningful dialogue. We had no prior knowledge of this territory being occupied. We hope for mutual understanding and exchange¡­¡±


    He went on at length, expressing contrition for the perceived trespass while subtly asserting their own strength and hinting that their people wouldn¡¯t tolerate mistreatment.


    The creatures, however, offered no reaction.


    Undeterred, Reggie repeated his speech, incorporating Riken idioms and colloquialisms in an attempt to bridge the gap. As a multilingual Riken elite, he prided himself on his linguistic skills¡ªbut these efforts proved futile. It seemed the languages of Riken held no place in the galaxy¡¯s wider tapestry.


    Parched and frustrated, Reggie retreated and muttered to Lute, ¡°It¡¯s no use. We can¡¯t communicate verbally. Can you figure out a way to engage biologically?¡±


    Lute studied the creatures¡¯ forms, then glanced at his own. The vastly different anatomies made even gestures and body language challenging.


    Unexpectedly, Major Camis¡ªthe Cat¡¯s Ear¡¯s highest-ranking military officer¡ªspoke up. ¡°Stop wasting your breath. They¡¯re waiting for someone.¡±


    His words stunned the group. At first, the creatures¡¯ behavior had baffled him as well, but when he considered it from another perspective, everything clicked.


    This was a scene straight out of a prisoner-of-war scenario: low-ranking soldiers apprehending captives and waiting for their superior to arrive.


    Once Camis pointed it out, Reggie and Lute quickly saw the logic in his observation.


    Of course! These beings lacked the authority or capability to initiate dialogue. They were likely awaiting a higher-ranking entity.


    Realizing this, the group abandoned any hope of communicating with the creatures and settled into uneasy silence.


    Time passed slowly. The oppressive atmosphere felt like a death sentence looming over them, and the Riken crew struggled to maintain composure as fear gnawed at their resolve.


    Suddenly, the soft-bodied creatures floating around them parted, creating a clear path.


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡± the Riken crew thought collectively, steeling themselves for the arrival of their captors¡¯ leader.


    Footsteps echoed in the distance.


    Footsteps?


    Reggie glanced at the floating creatures in confusion.


    How could there be footsteps?


    What was going on?


    He turned to Lute, who mirrored his bafflement. They exchanged uneasy glances, their mutual understanding unspoken yet clear. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before they could discuss further, the newcomers appeared.


    A group of five humanoid figures emerged, surrounded by the soft-bodied creatures. At the forefront was a female, her presence commanding attention.


    Standing roughly 1.7 meters tall, her body was covered in fine, purplish-red scales, with intricately designed keratinous armor at her joints. The armor seemed functional yet elegant, suggesting significant defensive capability.


    ¡°Is this their version of a spacesuit?¡± Reggie mused silently, intrigued by its design.


    Behind the lead female were four others¡ªone female and three males. The secondary female bore a similar appearance, while the males were bulkier and more rugged.


    Their scales were darker, almost black, and noticeably larger. Their keratinous armor featured jagged spikes at the joints and shoulders, while sharp horns jutted from their helmets, lending them an intimidating appearance.


    ¡°Savages,¡± was Reggie¡¯s first impression.


    But as they drew closer, he realized something shocking¡ªtheir ¡°armor¡± wasn¡¯t armor at all.


    It was part of their bodies.


    ¡°What kind of creatures are these?¡±


    Although not a biologist, Reggie knew enough about evolutionary biology to find this puzzling. Intelligent species that relied heavily on tools and technology typically lost such defensive or offensive physical traits over time.


    Yet these beings, despite their apparent intelligence and advanced technology, retained distinctly primal features.


    He recalled their earlier speculation that these creatures belonged to a biological civilization. Even so, their appearance defied expectations.


    Had Sarah Kerrigan overheard his thoughts, she might have found them amusing. The Swarm Overlord had personally designed this ¡°diplomatic attire,¡± insisting it reflect the Swarm¡¯s terrifying essence.


    Though Sarah appreciated its aesthetic, she suspected the Overlord¡¯s penchant for theatrics played a role in the design.


    Sarah, though new to diplomatic negotiations with alien captives, carried herself with the poise of someone who had ruled a species for decades. Her presence in this form exuded an even greater aura of authority.


    Reggie immediately recognized her as a seasoned leader. Her graceful movements and commanding demeanor betrayed a lifetime of leadership, the kind that couldn¡¯t be faked or cultivated overnight. Even her elegance seemed like music¡ªintangible, yet undeniably distinct.


    ¡°A noble? Perhaps even royalty?¡± Reggie speculated.


    Concluding she was a significant figure, Reggie adjusted his approach. With humility, he reiterated his earlier speech, hoping to make a positive impression.


    Unfortunately, the language barrier persisted, and his opening remarks achieved little progress.

 Chapter 255: Collapse

    Language barriers proved relatively easy to resolve. By finding mutual reference points, both sides quickly managed to translate their conversations.


    However, the female leader of the aliens clearly lacked patience. After a brief appearance, she departed swiftly, leaving behind a female guard in her place.


    Later, Reggie learned the guard¡¯s name was Tella, who referred to herself as the Empress¡¯s Chief Guard.


    As suspected, this was royalty. Yet, it seemed odd for their Empress to personally visit¡ªdid she have too much free time?


    Reggie couldn¡¯t make sense of their relationships, but he didn¡¯t dare to ask Tella. This alien female was stoic and unapproachable, making communication nearly impossible.


    Reggie¡¯s earlier assumption proved correct: the Riken¡¯s prison was indeed the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship. His foresight in suggesting surrender earlier had improved the Riken tribe¡¯s quality of life considerably.


    The aliens didn¡¯t restrict their movements. After dismantling a few components from the ship¡¯s engine and disabling the AI, they allowed the Rikens free rein within the ship¡¯s cabins.


    The Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship had been dragged to the asteroid belt near T855. From the windows, one could clearly see small, nearby asteroids. Over time, numerous alien researchers came aboard.


    These researchers were much more normal-looking than the intimidating guards. Did the aliens draw such clear distinctions between their scientific and military personnel? Was it that obvious based solely on appearance?


    Reggie had once observed the guards¡¯ armor up close. It was genuinely part of their bodies.


    Incredible.


    At least, seeing his old friend Lute utterly dumbfounded made Reggie feel a bit better.


    The researchers were exceptionally intelligent, quickly learning the Riken language. During conversations, they asked detailed questions about the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s various instruments, their functions, and principles.


    Under Reggie¡¯s subtle guidance, the Rikens withheld critical information. The aliens didn¡¯t seem to mind.


    Gradually, Reggie became somewhat friendly with a few alien researchers and learned they referred to themselves as the Swarm.


    He had no idea what that meant and resorted to a phonetic transcription. Just as the Swarm didn¡¯t comprehend the meaning behind ¡°Riken,¡± the Riken didn¡¯t understand ¡°Swarm.¡±


    Reggie continued to extract information. Why didn¡¯t they have armor? Who was the female alien that day? Who was their leader?


    ¡°Morgan, why don¡¯t you have armor?¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean you could grow it if you wanted?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°Just eat more.¡±


    For some reason, Reggie felt Morgan, the alien researcher, was mocking him.


    ¡°Who was the female alien that day?¡±


    ¡°Sarah Kerrigan.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s her role?¡±


    ¡°Commander.¡±


    ¡°Is she your leader?¡±


    ¡°No, she leads the Blades.¡±


    ¡°And you?¡±


    ¡°I am part of the Swarm.¡±


    Reggie felt he was onto something and quickly probed further. ¡°Are you two separate species? An alliance between the Blades and the Swarm?¡±


    That would explain why they looked different¡ªthey weren¡¯t even the same species.


    Morgan shook his head. ¡°The Blades are the Swarm, but the Swarm isn¡¯t just the Blades.¡±


    ¡°???¡± Reggie pondered for a moment before hesitantly asking, ¡°So, the Blades are a part of the Swarm?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡±


    Reggie pieced it together in his head. Based on Morgan¡¯s explanation, the collective entity was called the Swarm, but it had many factions, one of which was the Blades, led by Kerrigan.


    That seemed to be the gist of it.


    This was significant intelligence. He wondered about the dynamics between these groups and whether there were any exploitable opportunities.


    The aliens seemed blissfully unaware of Riken cunning, sharing information freely. He¡¯d need to discuss this with Lute and Major Camis later.


    For now, Reggie feigned ignorance and asked, ¡°Does the Swarm have a leader?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Who? Can I meet them?¡± Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°In time, you might. He calls himself F2A,¡± Morgan replied with a peculiar smile.


    ¡°???¡± Reggie was baffled. That name felt entirely out of place compared to the others.


    Morgan seemed disinclined to continue the topic, instead asking about operating various instruments.


    Out of politeness, Reggie shared trivial information while guarding the ship¡¯s core secrets. These details were his bargaining chips¡ªhe wouldn¡¯t give them away so easily.


    Morgan clearly noticed Reggie¡¯s guardedness but didn¡¯t seem to care.


    That evening, the ¡°Three Giants¡± of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡ªReggie, Lute, and Major Camis¡ªheld a secret dinner meeting.


    ¡°I have a bad feeling,¡± Lute began.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Reggie asked, puzzled. His experience over the past few days had been relatively positive. The aliens were candid, answering almost all questions, and he¡¯d gathered considerable intelligence.


    ¡°They¡¯re too candid.¡±


    ¡°And that¡¯s bad because¡­?¡±


    Lute grew exasperated. ¡°Did your brain short-circuit? You should¡¯ve noticed this before me¡ªI¡¯m just a scientific advisor!¡±


    Reggie¡¯s heart sank. His old friend wouldn¡¯t say this without cause. Recently, his decision to surrender and preserve the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship had earned him praise from the crew for his foresight.


    The aliens also treated them courteously. Aside from questions about release or returning to Riken¡¯s home planet, the aliens answered everything.


    This had made him complacent.


    Lute¡¯s words jolted him back to reality.


    Yes, the aliens¡¯ openness might not stem from goodwill but from the belief that the Rikens would never leave alive. What good was intelligence if they couldn¡¯t escape to deliver it?


    The realization sent a cold sweat down Reggie¡¯s back. Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t too late. His overheated brain cooled, and his wits returned. After some thought, he asked Lute, ¡°Do we have a chance to escape? They haven¡¯t restricted us. Can we secretly repair the ship?¡±


    ¡°Escape? Where would we go? Impossible,¡± Lute said. ¡°They dismantled the engine beyond repair. Even if we somehow fixed it, the solar sail is destroyed. Without it, the ship¡¯s speed would take us over a thousand years to reach home¡ªeven without factoring in energy reserves or the chance of structural failure.¡±


    Lute was near collapse.


    ¡°If escape is impossible, stop thinking about it,¡± Major Camis interjected with surprising nonchalance. ¡°Eat well, sleep well¡ªat worst, we die.¡±


    The three fell silent. Their meeting ended with a grim mood. Reggie, now depressed, didn¡¯t even feel like sharing his hypothesis about the Swarm¡¯s internal factions.

 Chapter 256: Anticipation

    Two weeks passed, and the Swarm¡¯s researchers learned at an astonishing pace. Reggie surmised that while the Swarm appeared to be a biological civilization on the surface, they possessed a surprisingly solid foundation in mechanical theory.


    The questions they posed to the Rikens became fewer, and Reggie noticed that the Swarm managed to deduce much of the information and technology he had considered his bargaining chips in a very short time.


    Reggie understood that the researchers on the ship were merely the tip of the iceberg; behind them lay an even larger team, likely numbering in the thousands or even tens of thousands.


    This was a truly formidable civilization.


    He felt foolish for initially dismissing them as primitive beasts. Looking back, his naivety was laughable.


    As their bargaining chips dwindled, so did their value. No one would expend resources on maintaining something worthless. Many among the Riken crew realized this, and unease began to spread.


    Their fears weren¡¯t unwarranted.


    A month later, two Rikens were taken away.


    Due to the lack of a central gathering place, convenient communication devices, or AI assistance, it took two days for the others to notice their absence. These two had been members of the guard unit, rarely interacting with the rest, so their disappearance went unnoticed until their captain sought them out.


    Reggie had no idea where they were taken. When he asked Morgan and the other researchers, they merely smiled enigmatically without answering.


    Now, those smiles felt entirely different from when he first encountered them. They no longer seemed friendly but rather sinister, even terrifying.


    Reggie began to feel like a piece of meat on a butcher¡¯s block, helpless and at the mercy of others.


    Gradually, word of the disappearances spread, and fear permeated the ship.


    Half a month later, two more Rikens vanished.


    Many Rikens were on the verge of collapse upon learning this.


    Some began cooperating more readily with the Swarm researchers, eagerly answering questions or even volunteering information.


    Others, however, adopted a defiant attitude, utterly unbothered by their predicament.


    The Rikens quietly split into two factions, antagonizing one another and viewing the other with disdain.


    The disappearances continued, with two Rikens vanishing roughly every fortnight, affecting both factions indiscriminately. The Swarm appeared to have its own selection criteria, unaltered by their attitudes.


    ¡°Do you know where they¡¯re being taken?¡± Lute asked.


    Reggie shook his head.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you close with that Morgan? Didn¡¯t you learn anything useful from him?¡± Lute pressed, unwilling to relent.


    ¡°Ha!¡± Reggie let out a bitter laugh, tinged with self-mockery, resentment, and frustration.


    ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Lute, his own emotions unstable, rolled up his sleeves, ready for a fight.


    ¡°Ha!¡± Reggie scoffed again, this time with pure derision.


    As Reggie¡¯s long-time friend, Lute recognized the underlying challenge in that laugh: Come on, if you dare.


    It seemed Reggie, too, needed to vent.


    ¡°Enough!¡± Camis interjected. ¡°From the moment they boarded our ship, we were as good as dead. That we¡¯ve survived this long is already a bonus. Don¡¯t disgrace yourselves in front of the crew now.¡±


    The two men, poised for a brawl, cooled their tempers at Camis¡¯s words.


    Indeed, what would a fight accomplish? Best to maintain their dignity to the end.


    ¡°You know, I think every day about where those missing people are taken,¡± Lute said, deliberately changing the subject. ¡°The Swarm is a biological civilization. Do you know what that means?¡±


    ¡°What does it mean?¡± Reggie asked, playing along to defuse the tension.


    ¡°It means they¡¯re more interested in us than in those mechanical components. After all, alien lifeforms from another star system might provide more significant insights into their technology.¡±


    Reggie and Camis were both startled but then felt a sense of grim acceptance.


    They had considered this possibility before but had chosen to ignore it. Lute¡¯s blunt statement now forced them to confront it.


    Fear, helplessness, and despair surged within them.


    Six months later, the Swarm had stripped the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship of anything valuable, including its AI storage system. Their researchers gradually left, signaling the completion of their analysis. The ship, now devoid of worth, became a true prison.


    When the Swarm researchers had been present, the atmosphere was one of scientific inquiry, and the crew didn¡¯t feel the weight of their captivity as acutely.


    But as the Swarm personnel withdrew, the oppressive reality became undeniable.


    As time dragged on, Rikens reacted differently. Some shouted and screamed in the cabins, venting their emotions. Others descended into madness, weeping uncontrollably or lapsing into silence. Eventually, all fell into a state of apathy.


    They waited, each silently anticipating their turn to be taken.


    And they hoped it would come soon.


    The waiting was far more excruciating than the unknown fate awaiting them.


    Two Years Later.


    Reggie was emaciated, the prolonged mental torment having reduced him to a shadow of his former self. Once robust, he now looked inhuman.


    A year earlier, the Swarm had stopped adhering to a consistent schedule for taking Rikens. Sometimes, several would be taken in quick succession; other times, months would pass without a single abduction.


    The Three Giants speculated that something might have gone wrong with the Swarm¡¯s research.


    But what could they do, even if they knew?


    Six months ago, Camis was taken.


    A month later, Lute followed.


    Reggie was the last of the Three Giants. The once bustling ship now felt desolate, with only a handful of Rikens remaining.


    Reggie envied those who had been taken. At least they were no longer suffering.


    Footsteps echoed¡ªsteady and firm, devoid of any hesitation.


    On the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, only a non-Riken could walk with such confidence.


    The sound was like a heavenly melody.


    A figure appeared before Reggie, who sat slumped against the wall. Slowly, he raised his head.


    ¡°Is it finally my turn?¡± he rasped, his voice unrecognizable from its former vigor.


    ¡°Impatient, old friend?¡± came the reply, laced with a smile. The speaker used perfect Riken language, their voice betraying nothing of their alien origins.


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Reggie sighed deeply, a sound tinged with a mix of longing, reluctance, resentment, and relief, with a faint hint of joy.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± Morgan said softly.


    Morgan helped Reggie into a protective suit. Together, they walked out of the cabin, flanked by two guards clad in fearsome bio-armor.


    A mature bio-ship awaited at the exit.


    Reggie, seeing it for the first time, realized it could transport people. Reflecting on his time aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, he felt his earlier intelligence gathering barely scratched the surface.


    Smiling wryly, he asked, ¡°Is it alive?¡±


    Morgan paused, then smiled. ¡°Of course. Not only is it alive, but it will also continue to grow.¡± As he spoke, he stepped ahead and stroked the ship, which responded with a slight tremor.


    Reggie¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You mean¡­ the ones that attacked us earlier?¡±


    ¡°Yes, those were larval bodies. This is what they grow into, and they¡¯ll get even bigger.¡±


    Reggie had initially thought the bio-ships resembled the soft-bodied creatures that had attacked them, assuming they were merely different models.


    Like the differences between small and large aircraft in mechanical technology, their principles were similar, so their designs appeared related. He hadn¡¯t imagined they were the same organisms.


    Was this what it meant to be a biological civilization? S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Incredible technology,¡± Reggie muttered, his thoughts turning to his people. Could the Riken race truly contend with such a civilization? Their potential for war didn¡¯t even seem comparable.


    Inside the bio-ship, the interior was surprisingly comfortable. Yet, there were no windows or visible interfaces. How did the aliens perceive the outside world? Did the ship act autonomously?


    It was utterly baffling.

 Chapter 257: Experiment

    Soon, they landed on a planet. As Reggie stepped out of the cabin, he glanced around.


    In the distance, the familiar sight of T855 appeared as a half-visible sphere.


    This indicated that the current location must be one of T855¡¯s planets. However, due to the angle, he couldn¡¯t determine which one.


    The ground quivered, revealing a deep, dark entrance as Morgan led the way inside.


    Once inside, Reggie realized that while the planet¡¯s surface seemed unremarkable, it was merely a thin outer layer. Beneath the layer of sand and rocks, the area had been hollowed out by a dark-purple biological material.


    These structures resembled internal organs, occasionally writhing. As they passed, a faint purple glow illuminated their path.


    ¡°Amazing,¡± Reggie marveled. No wonder they hadn¡¯t detected this before¡ªit was extraordinarily well-hidden.


    ¡°If you¡¯d seen the neon-lit KTV-style ambiance from earlier, you¡¯d find it even more incredible,¡± Morgan thought but refrained from saying aloud. He wasn¡¯t sure if the Overlord was watching, and such embarrassing history was strictly taboo in the Overlord¡¯s presence.


    ¡°How do you plan to execute me?¡± Reggie finally asked, unable to suppress his curiosity as Morgan continued leading him through the winding passageways. He had come to terms with his fate, understanding Camis¡¯s mindset from before.


    Morgan paused briefly before responding with a faint smile. ¡°Old friend, it¡¯s not what you think.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re going to experiment on me, aren¡¯t you?¡± This was Reggie¡¯s greatest fear. He¡¯d already glimpsed a fraction of the Swarm¡¯s methods.


    ¡°No,¡± Morgan replied firmly.


    ¡°Then surely you¡¯re not letting me go?¡± Reggie asked skeptically, though he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sliver of hope.


    ¡°You never know,¡± Morgan said with a grin.


    ¡°Are you serious? You¡¯re not going to kill me?¡± Reggie was dubious, yet a spark of anticipation lit within him.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ll kill you¡ªbut you¡¯ll be reborn.¡±


    Fear gripped Reggie as those words carried an ominous undertone, filling him with dread.


    Noticing Reggie¡¯s reaction, Morgan tried to reassure him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; you¡¯ll like it.¡±


    How would you know what I¡¯d like? Reggie cursed inwardly. But it was too late to change anything now; he could only wait and face his fate.


    Finally, they reached a small room composed entirely of the dark-purple biological material. Under Morgan¡¯s direction, Reggie lay in the center as the material began to writhe, slowly encasing him.


    Before he was completely enveloped, he vaguely heard Morgan¡¯s voice: ¡°Old friend, haven¡¯t you always wanted to meet him? When you wake up, you¡¯ll finally get the chance.¡±


    ¡°Who is he?!¡± Reggie¡¯s muffled shout emerged from the undulating cocoon.


    Darkness consumed his consciousness.


    Morgan stared at the pulsating spore capsule before him. Over the years, while he always referred to Luo Wen as ¡°Overlord¡± in front of others, he preferred calling Luo Wen ¡°God¡± in private.


    It had been over a century since the first Intelligent Entity, Morgan, had been created. Since then, millions of Ratfolk had undergone conversion, and Luo Wen¡¯s understanding of the process had deepened.


    Through his observations and experiments, Luo Wen discovered that when a Ratfolk¡¯s spirit entered the Swarm Network, it underwent a complex transformation far beyond simply ¡°passing through a door.¡±


    First, the spirit¡¯s memories were stripped away by the Swarm Network. Then, the spirit itself was used as raw material to create an Intelligent Entity.


    The Swarm Network absorbed the spirit¡¯s energy and molded it into a prototype Entity.


    Initially, the newly created Entity was a blank slate, devoid of consciousness or memory. At this stage, the Entity had no connection to its original spirit, akin to how consumed food is digested and transformed into fat. The Entity was now entirely a product of the Swarm, no different from the biological units produced by the Brood Nests¡ªa physical creation of the Swarm.


    However, an Entity without consciousness had limited utility. Thus, the Swarm Network would replicate the stripped memories and inject them into the Entity, endowing it with intellect and creativity.


    This process ensured their unwavering loyalty to Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen functioned as both the server and the database itself, while these Entities were akin to NPCs derived from the players¡¯ data. Fundamentally, they were extensions of Luo Wen.


    Once this concept was clarified, Luo Wen¡¯s research could progress further.


    Why Could Ratfolk Be Converted into Intelligent Entities?


    The Ratfolk were experimental creations of Luo Wen. Their ancestors carried genetic material from the Brood Nests; some were even direct Brood creations.


    While this alone wasn¡¯t sufficient for them to become Entities, it provided a foundation.


    Using a farming analogy, the Entities were the fruit. To harvest fruit, one first needed fertile soil.


    The bodies infused with Swarm genes served as this fertile soil.


    With the soil prepared, the next requirement was a seed.


    This seed could be likened to a soul or spirit, which would grow and develop in the fertile soil until it reached a harvestable state.


    However, Luo Wen discovered that not all seeds were viable. Most fell short of the standard.


    He had experimented with numerous animals, but their spirits failed to meet the minimum requirements for creating Entities. Luo Wen realized that seeds also required nutrients.


    This nutrient consisted of knowledge, experience, and what could collectively be termed ¡°wisdom.¡± Though unscientific, it was a proven fact.


    The Ratfolk¡¯s ancestors couldn¡¯t become Entities due to a lack of wisdom. Over generations, as they developed civilizations, their progress cultivated wisdom, which, in turn, nourished the seeds. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eventually, with soil, seeds, and nutrients all meeting the standards, suitable material was produced, harvested by the Swarm Network, and transformed into Entities.


    Until now, only Ratfolk had achieved the required criteria among Luo Wen¡¯s creations. Other species failed to meet one or more elements of the triad.


    The primary obstacle for other species was nutrients¡ªwisdom. Cultivating an intelligent species was immensely challenging, requiring an ecological planet and vast amounts of time. Luo Wen lacked the patience to nurture another civilization as he had with the Ratfolk.


    Fortunately, there was no urgent need for this. In essence, such civilizations functioned as material production bases. Though the Ratfolk¡¯s base alone sufficed for the Swarm¡¯s current needs, having additional bases would be beneficial. If Genesis Planet were ever destroyed, the inability to produce Entities would be a catastrophic loss.


    Fortunately, the appearance of the Riken offered a new opportunity.

 Chapter 258: The Three Elements

    As Lute had suspected, the technology aboard the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship was, compared to its intrinsic value, no more than scrap metal for the Swarm.


    The experiments commenced swiftly.


    Luo Wen, with his extensive experience from countless tests conducted during the genesis of intelligent entities, approached this process with confidence.


    The creation of intelligent entities relies on three essential elements: soil, seeds, and nutrients.


    First comes the nutrients, intricately tied to the seeds in a symbiotic relationship.


    The Riken civilization has a far more ancient history than the Ratfolk, making the latter appear as a newly emergent culture in comparison. From this perspective, wisdom nourished by such a venerable civilization was bound to meet the required standards.


    And seeds cultivated by such wisdom would likely be exceptional as well.


    So far, the highest-quality seed Luo Wen had encountered was the first-generation Ratfolk Empress, Sarah. Her spiritual essence was extraordinarily refined, and her capacity for reception exceeded all others. Most intelligent entities would enter a comatose state after the infusion of memories due to an adaptation process, but Sarah showed no such reaction.


    Although this was the only advantage Luo Wen had discovered in her, he was certain there was more to uncover as his capabilities and familiarity with her deepened.


    However, Sarah was merely an exception.


    From the perspective of nutrients, the Riken civilization, with its profound cultural heritage, might produce entities of higher average quality compared to the Ratfolk.


    While there were no issues with seeds and nutrients, the Riken people encountered a bottleneck in the most fundamental element: the ¡°soil.¡±


    Their bodies lacked any connection to the Swarm.


    Yet, this issue was relatively straightforward to address given the Swarm¡¯s current capabilities.


    Luo Wen¡¯s proudest creation wasn¡¯t the Ratfolk, nor the Hive Queens, but the fungal carpet.


    The fungal carpet, a genetic amalgamation, possessed unparalleled versatility and compatibility.


    Electromagnetic cannons, bio-ships, and external incubation chambers were just a few of its derivatives. Nearly every unit in the Swarm now had some degree of association with it.


    By implanting fungal carpet cells into the bodies of the Riken people, their physical forms could gradually be transformed into suitable ¡°soil.¡±


    Luo Wen had conducted similar experiments on various wild animals in the past, all of which succeeded. Unfortunately, these subjects ultimately failed in the seed and nutrient stages, preventing their transformation into intelligent entity production materials.


    The transformation process was remarkably smooth. After only a few failures and the loss of a handful of test subjects, the ¡°soil¡± was gradually modified. Seeds then thrived in the enriched nutrients.


    A year later, the seeds matured and were harvested.


    Thus, the first Riken intelligent entity was born.


    Subsequently, Riken intelligent entities began to appear at a rate of two every half-month¡ªprecisely matching the frequency with which crew members were taken, as recalled by Reggie.


    Despite the success, Luo Wen still perceived minor flaws in the process.


    First, during the transformation of ¡°soil,¡± the fungal carpet cells within their bodies could be detected. Given the Riken people¡¯s advanced technology, such anomalies would be easy for them to discover.


    This made covertly transforming the Riken into hosts unsuitable. However, once the transformation was complete and the seed converted into an intelligent entity, the Swarm could use the original body as a template to produce an identical new one.


    This new body could be made indistinguishable from its pre-transformation state, leaving no detectable differences. This sparked some plans in Luo Wen¡¯s mind at the time.


    These plans, however, led to a second minor flaw.


    The transformation of the ¡°soil¡± took too long. Allowing the fungal carpet cells to slowly alter the entire body of a Riken individual required almost a year. This extended timeframe rendered Luo Wen¡¯s plans nearly unfeasible.


    Thus, accelerating the maturation of seeds became Luo Wen¡¯s next research focus.


    The remaining Riken test subjects became precious, a non-renewable resource in the short term. Even if Luo Wen attempted to breed them in captivity, the seeds produced without the proper nutrient environment would likely differ from the originals.


    Furthermore, the experimentation itself introduced risks to the otherwise perfected technique.


    Under such circumstances, the timeline for converting key Riken figures into intelligent entities was postponed.


    If, in the end, the ordinary Riken subjects were exhausted before the maturation acceleration experiments reached the desired results, the important figures would have to be used. While they still possessed some classified information, its value had likely already diminished due to time, rendering it insufficient to save them from becoming expendable resources.


    Fortunately, the experiments progressed well. Luo Wen¡¯s centuries of accumulated expertise finally bore fruit. The maturation period for the seeds was compressed to seven days.


    At this point, further reductions became nearly impossible. On both genetic and spiritual levels, Luo Wen had reached the current limits of his ability.


    Within these seven days, half a day was allocated to the fungal carpetification of the body.


    During the remaining six and a half days, the body¡¯s transformation facilitated a profound metamorphosis of the spiritual essence, culminating in its connection to the Swarm network.


    Further compressing this metamorphosis period would severely damage the spiritual essence, rendering it incapable of retaining memories. Such a compromised entity would be utterly useless to Luo Wen.


    Thankfully, seven days, while inconvenient, held strategic value.


    The reduced timeframe came with one unavoidable side effect: irreversible destruction of the physical body.


    For the Swarm, creating a new body for an intelligent entity was effortless. However, applying this research to practical plans still required careful consideration.


    Reggie awoke fully aware of everything. Before regaining his body, the Hive Queen had transmitted essential information to him. He inherited all of Reggie¡¯s past and continued to exist as Swarm Reggie.


    ¡°Old friend, how do you feel?¡± Morgan asked as Reggie sat up.


    ¡°Excellent. Better than ever,¡± Reggie said, flexing his arm. ¡°But why put me in the same body as before? I need something more robust.¡±


    ¡°I thought you might feel nostalgic,¡± Morgan replied with a grin.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been reborn. I should leave the old era behind,¡± Reggie said firmly. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Different seeds produced subtly distinct outcomes.


    Perhaps because the Ratfolk were derivatives of the Brood Nest¡¯s creations, intelligent entities made from them, while absolutely loyal to Luo Wen, often experienced identity confusion for the first few years post-conversion, craving a return to their former lives.


    Riken intelligent entities, however, exhibited no such tendencies. From the moment they awoke post-conversion, they clearly understood their identities, leaving no room for confusion.


    Luo Wen marveled at this difference and welcomed it wholeheartedly.

 Chapter 259: The Plan

    ¡°So, is there anything else you¡¯ve been hiding?¡± Morgan asked.


    Reggie, still adjusting to his newly implanted memories, furrowed his brow and pondered for a while before replying, ¡°I did withhold some information, but I¡¯m unclear about the most critical details.¡±


    Morgan nodded knowingly. ¡°As expected. Fortunately, we still have plenty of time. When the enemy comes, we¡¯ll meet them head-on. Even if the Riken people have backing, the Swarm is not to be trifled with. When the time comes, we may need your body to help your former kin understand the greatness of our Overlord.¡±


    ¡°Ha, they should consider it an honor,¡± Reggie replied with a smirk.


    Reggie then integrated into the Blade system. As a former elite of the Riken people, with a systematic education, he and Major Camis, who had arrived earlier, brought new insights to the Blades. The clash of knowledge from two civilizations was bound to spark brilliant results. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The arrival of the Riken fleet was faster and far larger in scale than the Swarm had anticipated. This revealed that their external support was much greater than initially estimated, forcing the Swarm to remain hidden until they understood the reason behind this assistance.


    Still, the Swarm had its own advantages. Luo Wen¡¯s original form was an extraordinary being from another world. He had carved a unique path in this universe, granting him unparalleled abilities and a bizarre life form.


    Another advantage of the Swarm was the concealment of its true capabilities.


    The Riken, following their technological and cultural paradigms, underestimated the ¡°indigenous¡± civilizations in the neighboring star system due to the lack of large-scale artificial constructs or scientific activity in space.


    The Swarm exploited this arrogance to execute a series of plans.


    First, they ambushed a detachment of Riken soldiers. Although some unexpected developments led to the plan being discovered slightly ahead of schedule, the timeline shifted only minimally, causing no significant impact on the Swarm¡¯s overall strategy.


    The captured soldiers were transformed into intelligent entities over the next seven days. Identical bodies were prepared during this period to replace their originals.


    These newly converted Riken soldiers provided some intelligence, but none explained the sudden technological leaps of their civilization. Even if such information had surfaced, its reliability would have been questionable¡ªlikely known only to a select few among the fleet¡¯s captains.


    Thankfully, the Swarm had never pinned its hopes on such an easy acquisition of knowledge.


    Instead, they unearthed another crucial piece of information: the Riken expedition fleet was rife with factions, a fact well-known even to ordinary soldiers. The initial fortresses and bases established on the ground were controlled by the fleet¡¯s elite.


    Each base¡¯s highest commander was likely to be a fleet captain, and these individuals were most likely privy to the real reason behind the Riken¡¯s technological advancements.


    This aligned with the Swarm¡¯s prior assumptions, setting the stage for the next phase of the plan.


    During the seven-day transformation process, the Swarm kept the Riken occupied without revealing anything extraordinary.


    The Blades predicted that the Riken would opt for a cautious approach to explore the mysterious species they had encountered. Far from their homeworld, with limited resources, they were unlikely to squander manpower and materials on a seemingly primitive species.


    To them, the Swarm was merely a nuisance impeding the terraforming of T853, while the T855 civilization, capable of space-based attacks on the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, posed a greater threat.


    As predicted, the Riken decided to uncover a way to counter the Swarm by excavating underground nests.


    Upon realizing this, the Swarm launched regular ¡°hunting¡± operations, sacrificing countless expendable bugs to feign low intelligence and harmlessness.


    The Swarm¡¯s flawless ¡°performance¡± allowed the seven days to pass swiftly.


    Once the transformation of the intelligent entities was complete, the challenge became reintegrating them seamlessly into the Riken forces.


    To achieve this, the Swarm retrofitted large underground caverns near each ambushed base into grain storage facilities, carefully aged to appear authentic. The attention to detail ensured the deception¡¯s success.


    Yet, the Riken¡¯s methodical digging progress lagged behind the script. At their pace, it would take several more days to reach the grain stores.


    As each day passed, the number of ¡°prisoners¡± in the grain storehouses needed to diminish logically. Otherwise, their prolonged survival would raise suspicion.


    Attention to detail was paramount. Against a civilization, even minor flaws could lead to catastrophic failure. The Swarm could not allow such mistakes.


    With the Riken¡¯s sluggish progress, the Swarm staged a desperate counterattack, sacrificing hundreds of thousands of bugs to mislead the Riken into believing they had uncovered the cause of the bug ¡°retaliation.¡±


    This ultimately led the Riken to ¡°discover¡± the remaining ¡°operatives.¡±


    The operatives¡¯ original bodies had long since been consumed by the fungal carpet transformation. Their new bodies, meticulously crafted by the Brood Nest from their genetic templates, were indistinguishable from the originals. No Riken inspection could detect any anomalies.


    Thus, the operatives successfully infiltrated the bases.


    With operatives in place, the next phase of the plan could proceed smoothly.


    Thanks to the prior attacks on base patrols, the Swarm had already gathered substantial intelligence on the bases¡¯ layouts.


    One infiltrated base, known as Cross Base, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Cross, the youngest captain in the Riken expedition fleet. Holding authority over one of the few dozen ground bases indicated her significant status.


    For the Swarm, she was a prime target. Capturing her¡ªeven without obtaining key information¡ªwould allow her conversion into an intelligent entity, enabling deep infiltration of the Riken leadership and benefiting future Swarm operations.


    However, Cross was protected by a heavily fortified base, with ships ready to evacuate her at any moment.


    The Swarm had yet to reveal its aerial units, and even if it did, the physical limitations of wild organisms made it difficult to pose a threat to Riken airships.


    Thus, capturing Cross within reasonable constraints was a daunting challenge.

 Chapter 260: A Reasonable Coincidence

    Capturing Lieutenant Colonel Cross was only part of the mission; once the conversion was complete, the Swarm would need to return her undetected.


    Thus, to ensure the success of subsequent plans, the Swarm¡¯s displayed abilities during the capture operation had to remain within the bounds of what the Riken people could plausibly accept.


    Fortunately, with over a hundred ¡°operatives¡± already embedded, the Swarm overcame this formidable challenge.


    First, the Swarm needed to isolate Cross Base from external reinforcements.


    This problem had been anticipated when the ¡°operatives¡± were initially sent back. By exposing the survival of Riken personnel, the Swarm knew that, regardless of the circumstances, the commanders would initiate rescue operations.


    The Swarm¡¯s deliberate reduction of patrol team members near the ¡°grain storehouses¡± proved to be a meaningful ploy.


    The Riken people, ¡°luckily¡± noticing this trend, were compelled to expedite their operations.


    The Swarm¡¯s plan involved luring forces from other bases deep into underground nests while occupying them with drawn-out skirmishes. Meanwhile, a massive swarm would gather to launch a blitz on Cross Base.


    The plan unfolded surprisingly smoothly. While the Riken demonstrated caution¡ªusing flamethrowers to clear paths slowly rather than advancing recklessly¡ªmost of Cross Base¡¯s military strength was dispatched to support other bases.


    Due to the operatives¡¯ low ranks, the Swarm only learned of this development shortly before the attack.


    Initially, the Swarm had amassed over 30 million Raiders around Cross Base, prepared to deploy them as needed. If the base had been heavily defended, the Swarm would have committed large numbers, risking exposure but ensuring success. Such an outcome would have raised alarms within the Riken fleet about the Swarm¡¯s vast scale.


    However, the timely intelligence altered the strategy. Adding to this, the unexpected involvement of an operative among the guards shocked Sarah and the Blades, as it revealed just how understaffed Cross Base truly was.


    Previously, due to the low status and injured condition of the operatives, their movements within the base were limited to avoid suspicion. Consequently, the Swarm had little detailed knowledge of the base¡¯s internal structure.


    Now, with an operative embedded among the guards, Cross Base¡¯s defensive layout was fully exposed to the Swarm. The Swarm could bypass minefields, sensors, and automated defensive weapons, reducing the need for large-scale deployments.


    Although the Riken might question how the Swarm avoided their defenses¡ªconcluding that the Swarm possessed intelligence¡ªthis was an acceptable loss. The Swarm had already hinted at this capability during previous encounters.


    Using an already exposed detail to obscure the Swarm¡¯s true scale was a worthwhile trade-off.


    Moreover, lacking sufficient context, the Riken could never deduce the true source of the breach.


    With the operatives¡¯ assistance, the Swarm bypassed defenses and reached the perimeter of the base¡¯s main structure. Exposed outposts and hidden sentries stood no chance against the Swarm¡¯s various observational units, especially with inside help.


    Still, the operatives¡¯ role ended here. The Swarm would not jeopardize a valuable card by having them open the gates.


    It would have been foolish to expose such an asset for something so trivial.


    Thus, the operatives were eliminated at their posts. While their bodies perished, their consciousness returned to the Swarm Network. As long as Luo Wen remained, the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities were immortal.


    For the heavily fortified gates, specially designed acid-bugs easily dissolved the barriers. These readily produced creatures were expendable tools, and exposing their existence posed no risk.


    The base¡¯s general layout was already known to the Swarm thanks to the operatives. The Swarm Network¡¯s capability for secure, real-time communication proved invaluable in wartime, allowing attacking forces to head directly for the command center.


    The Blades surmised that Cross was most likely there. Even if she wasn¡¯t, micro-scout bugs were already spreading throughout the base. These expendable bugs served as decoys, drawing attention away from the main attack.


    Simultaneously, the Swarm¡¯s aggressive assault heightened pressure on the defenders, forcing Cross to expose her position.


    True to expectations, the Swarm soon received word from an operative pinpointing her location. However, this revelation came with a downside: Riken reinforcements would arrive sooner than anticipated.


    Attempting to capture Cross inside the base and then escape presented two problems. First, time constraints made it likely they would be cornered by the reinforcements. Second, such a direct action would contradict the Swarm¡¯s image as only semi-intelligent, making it clear the capture was deliberate.


    Furthermore, it would make Cross¡¯s eventual return problematic. A prominent figure intentionally targeted by the Swarm, rescued after the fall of an entire base, would undoubtedly raise suspicions.


    Thus, the situation called for an ¡°accident¡± that would compel Cross to leave the base on her own.


    The Swarm intensified its attack, maintaining enough distance to create tension without breaching the base. The pressure led to a ¡°reasonable¡± suggestion being relayed to Cross, subtly influencing her decision-making.


    The suggestion was simple: the base couldn¡¯t hold against the Swarm, but the bugs couldn¡¯t fly. Escaping in an airship would ensure her safety.


    Because the suggestion was ¡°reasonable,¡± it was adopted.


    Under the cover of ¡°heroic¡± sacrifices by patrol unit ¡°survivors,¡± Cross boarded a gunship.


    By this stage, the plan was nearing completion. The Blades, monitoring the situation, breathed a sigh of relief.


    With both the ground resistance and the gunship¡¯s pilot under Swarm control, Cross was effectively in their grasp. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Swarm escalated its assault. The defensive commander, ¡°forced by necessity,¡± ordered the dome opened to allow the gunship¡¯s escape.


    Acid-bugs lying in wait outside easily damaged the ship with the pilot¡¯s cooperation.


    Billowing black smoke, the gunship made a ¡°reasonable¡± emergency landing far from the base. Even if the gunship hadn¡¯t been damaged, it would still have landed, and any investigation would attribute the incident to pilot error under duress.


    After all, a rookie patrolman operating in such high-stress conditions could reasonably make mistakes, right?


    Wherever the gunship landed, there would ¡°coincidentally¡± be a Swarm nest nearby. Cross Base¡¯s surroundings were riddled with underground passages, ensuring no matter where the gunship landed, a nest was always conveniently close.


    During the Swarm¡¯s ¡°hunting period,¡± the gunship¡¯s occupants being captured was entirely ¡°reasonable.¡±


    Thus, the plan to capture a high-ranking Riken commander concluded perfectly.

 Chapter 261: The Search

    General Masai had been troubled for the past few days. The rescue operations for the missing patrol teams across various bases had been remarkably successful. A total of over a thousand missing personnel were retrieved from eleven battle zones, delivering a significant blow to the Swarm.


    But none of this brought him any joy. One of the Riken bases had been overrun by the Swarm. Though the support troops quickly reclaimed the base, the issue was that its commander had gone missing.


    Worse still, the missing person was a young captain with significant backing.


    If this person were to die here, it would spell considerable trouble even for someone of his rank and influence.


    ¡°Your Excellency, Major General Porter is calling.¡± Just as General Masai was massaging his temples, trying to sort things out, the mechanical voice of the ship¡¯s AI rang out. The message only worsened his headache, causing him to rub his temples even harder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t answer. Tell him I¡¯m resting.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Reply sent. Your Excellency, I must remind you that you have been resting for 32 hours. However, based on the readings, your body hasn¡¯t shown signs of recovery. It seems your rest quality has been poor. Would you like me to schedule a doctor¡¯s appointment?¡±


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    ¡°Understood. Beginning shutdown protocol.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Half an hour later, a meeting was convened.


    ¡°Still no progress?¡± General Masai got straight to the point.


    Several officers in charge of the matter shook their heads.


    ¡°The gunboat crash site is far from the base. We didn¡¯t have any surveillance in that area at the time.¡±


    ¡°When we reviewed satellite footage, the images were unclear due to nighttime conditions.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    General Masai was getting increasingly frustrated. These people were usually so capable, yet they were dropping the ball at this critical moment.


    ¡°Then, are they still alive?¡±


    The officers exchanged glances before one of them hesitantly spoke: ¡°Based on the gunboat¡¯s flight data¡ªits altitude at the time of the crash, the impact force, and the angle of descent¡ªthe likelihood is high that the crew survived.¡±


    Seeing the general¡¯s displeased expression, another officer quickly added, ¡°The gunboat hadn¡¯t completely lost power upon crashing. Thanks to the pilot¡¯s competent response, the impact wasn¡¯t severe. Most of the crew likely only experienced brief unconsciousness without sustaining fatal injuries.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking if they¡¯re still alive now, not whether they were alive then!¡± General Masai finally lost his temper, unleashing a torrent of curses. The frustrations of the past few days poured out in that moment.


    ¡°Damn, that felt good!¡± After venting, he felt a bit more relaxed. General Masai understood that they didn¡¯t have any more information. If Porter, who had dispatched a large search team to the area, was still pestering him, it meant they hadn¡¯t found the missing crew.


    Looking at his subordinates, who remained silent with their heads bowed, General Masai sighed and changed the topic: ¡°What about the investigation into how the base was breached? Are the results out yet?¡±


    Compared to the fate of Lieutenant Colonel Cross, he was more concerned about how the Swarm managed to overrun an entire base in just twenty minutes, forcing its commander to flee. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°That investigation has yielded results. By analyzing all the surveillance records from inside and outside the base, and combining them with survivor accounts, we¡¯ve roughly reconstructed the events.¡±


    The officers exchanged glances before selecting a representative to step forward and report.


    Delivering such news while the general was in a bad mood was no enviable task.


    ¡°The Swarm first climbed to the top of a giant tree five kilometers from the base and glided down to evade most of the outer defenses. Their gliding range far exceeded our expectations. In the footage we retrieved, we observed some attackers flapping their extended limbs like wings to gain lift. This might explain how they managed to glide five kilometers.¡±


    General Masai frowned. ¡°I don¡¯t care about that. What I care about is how they knew how to avoid our external defenses.¡±


    The reporting officer glanced at the general nervously and replied in a low voice, ¡°The exact reason is still unclear.¡±


    Noticing the general¡¯s rising anger, he quickly added, ¡°However, we did find some new, small Swarm organisms within the base. Dr. Balt¡¯s dissections revealed that they possess the ability to emit and receive ultrasonic waves. He suspects these organisms are reconnaissance units. They likely used these capabilities to identify the base¡¯s defenses and later to track Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s location during the attack.¡±


    ¡°Why would they target Cross? Were they trying to abduct her?¡± General Masai asked.


    ¡°We consulted several experts on this matter. Judging by how they killed every base member they encountered and didn¡¯t take anyone alive, it¡¯s unlikely to have been a kidnapping. It was more like an act of revenge. They attacked the most populated area of the base. Since most personnel were gathered in the command room, the Swarm concentrated their assault there. When Lieutenant Colonel Cross and her team attempted to evacuate, the Swarm tracked and adjusted their attack routes accordingly.¡±


    ¡°Moreover, the Swarm has never shown intelligence sufficient for communication. Without that capability, Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s identity would be meaningless to them. From this, it seems the incident was purely coincidental.¡±


    Coincidental? If it was a coincidence, it was too much of one. General Masai found it hard to believe in such extraordinary luck. But if it wasn¡¯t a coincidence, what was the Swarm¡¯s objective?


    He couldn¡¯t figure it out. Every action must have a purpose. Kidnappers, for example, take hostages either for safety or for ransom. But if the Swarm had abducted Cross, they hadn¡¯t made any demands. This didn¡¯t seem like a kidnapping.


    Could it truly have been a coincidence?


    Half an hour later, a captain¡¯s meeting commenced. General Masai shared all the information he had gathered with the other captains and said, ¡°Even if this appears coincidental, we must remain vigilant. Ensure that no trees taller than a hundred meters exist within ten kilometers of any base. Also, strengthen base defenses. Add external monitoring devices and outposts. I don¡¯t want any more surveillance blind spots.¡±


    ¡°But this will require at least ten times more monitoring equipment and several times more personnel,¡± one captain pointed out.


    ¡°The equipment isn¡¯t an issue. We brought plenty and can replenish it once the ground factories are operational. As for personnel, figure it out yourselves. Why are so many people staying aboard the ships? Send them to the ground bases!¡±


    T853 hadn¡¯t been fully pacified yet, and every faction¡¯s captains were hoping to let others take the risks on the surface while keeping their own forces intact. This way, they could maintain an advantage when it came time to divvy up the spoils.


    However, the ground forces deployed so far had mostly been under General Masai¡¯s command, aside from a few contributions from factions holding key base positions. This had clearly irked the fleet¡¯s overall commander. Continuing the status quo was no longer an option.


    After issuing his orders, General Masai noticed Major General Porter¡¯s face on the screen. The man¡¯s resentful gaze bore into him. Remembering his own ¡°rest¡± of over thirty hours, General Masai¡¯s earlier assertiveness waned.


    Clearing his throat, he softened his tone: ¡°Porter, don¡¯t worry too much. According to the experts, although we¡¯ve deeply angered the Swarm near Cross¡¯s base, the swarm near her crash site likely belongs to a different group. There¡¯s a good chance Cross is still alive.¡±

 Chapter 262: The Truth?

    ¡°Hmph, I already know that,¡± Major General Porter snapped, his tone sharp as he finally addressed General Masai, who had been ¡®resting¡¯ for so long. ¡°But the longer this drags on, the slimmer Cross¡¯s chances of survival become. If she dies, none of us will have an easy time explaining it.¡±


    Although General Masai outranked Major General Porter by a level, Porter was a general with real authority. If he decided to make an issue out of it, Masai would still have to give him some face.


    ¡°So, what do you suggest? We¡¯ve already deployed nearly a hundred thousand personnel to search the area. Yet this nest is bizarre¡ªwe haven¡¯t even found their food storage to this day.¡±


    The rescue efforts for other bases had been proceeding smoothly. Not only were numerous personnel saved, but the operations were also carried out with minimal losses.


    The various units dispersed across the bases didn¡¯t rest after completing their missions. Given the retaliatory tendencies of the Swarm, evidenced by the Cross base incident, it was clear that digging up so many ¡°granaries¡± would likely provoke more retaliation.


    Thus, some forces returned to guard their respective bases, while the rest converged to conduct a grid search of the area where Cross had disappeared.


    Over the past two days, the forces had advanced over a thousand meters through underground tunnels and excavated pits over a hundred meters deep, all in search of hidden passageways. Yet oddly enough, they still hadn¡¯t found this Swarm nest¡¯s granary.


    Of course, they couldn¡¯t find it¡ªthis nest¡¯s food storage hadn¡¯t even been built yet. The overwhelming response of the Riken forces had greatly startled the swarm.


    For the Riken to mobilize such massive resources over a missing base commander, this young Riken female must be far more important than the swarm initially thought.


    Fortunately, Cross¡¯s conversion site was deeply hidden underground, and the Riken forces wouldn¡¯t find it anytime soon. However, how to endure the seven-day conversion period became a pressing challenge.


    In just two days, the Riken forces had created such a stir. Under normal circumstances, they should have discovered the ¡°granary¡± by now. Left with no other options, the swarm decided to stall for time. Any anomalies would have to be explained away by the Riken experts¡¯ ¡°reasonable¡± deductions.


    At a meeting, biologist Dr. Balt presented findings and provided some constructive suggestions based on their ongoing research.


    Beyond classifying the acid-spitting and reconnaissance Swarm units as new combat types, he also shared some intriguing observations.


    ¡°Although we still haven¡¯t located the granary of Nest C13 (the designation for the Swarm nest where Cross went missing), our study of the food storage in the previous 12 nests has revealed some interesting patterns,¡± Dr. Balt began, pausing slightly as the others watched him with curiosity.


    Smiling faintly, he continued, ¡°The Swarm seem to prefer storing small, fresh prey. In every granary we¡¯ve examined, there were no corpses. All the creatures encased in cocoons were alive, albeit weakened, but in surprisingly healthy condition.¡±


    ¡°From satellite footage¡ªthough not very clear¡ªwe¡¯ve observed that the Swarm¡¯s diet isn¡¯t limited to small prey. Larger creatures over three meters long are also on their menu.¡±


    ¡°Why, then, do we never find large creatures stored in their granaries? Because transporting them is inconvenient. Among all the Swarm units we¡¯ve identified so far, regardless of their roles, none are particularly large. Transporting whole large creatures would be difficult for them. So when they capture large prey, they likely butcher it on-site and then transport the pieces back to their nest.¡±


    ¡°And how does that help our operations?¡± one captain couldn¡¯t help but interject.


    ¡°Don¡¯t rush¡ªlet me finish,¡± Dr. Balt replied. ¡°Because of the high temperatures on T853, these meat chunks are not easy to preserve. Thus, the Swarm prioritize consuming them quickly. The smaller prey, however, is stored for times when hunting isn¡¯t as successful. When food supplies dwindle, they¡¯ll select smaller, dying creatures to consume.¡±


    ¡°While we haven¡¯t yet found Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s location, this insight could improve her chances of survival. We can air-drop large quantities of fresh food into the target area. The food must be perishable and preferably injured, such as wounded Bull Demons. With an ample food supply, the Swarm won¡¯t need to kill the small prey in their granaries.¡±


    The logic resonated with everyone. To increase Cross¡¯s survival odds, the Riken forces began capturing large creatures daily and, before the Swarm¡¯s regular hunting times, deposited them near the nest. To ensure the Swarm could easily capture them, the creatures were left gravely wounded.


    This behavior left Luo Wen and the other intelligent entities puzzled. What kind of narrative had the Riken experts concocted this time? After some analysis, they guessed the Riken reasoning.


    Luo Wen had been fretting over how to ensure Cross¡¯s survival without raising suspicion. Since the Riken forces had devised a justification themselves, the swarm decided to cooperate.


    Thus, during the day, the Riken forces continued their relentless digging and blasting, while at night, the swarm emerged to hunt and carried the butchered remains of the large prey back to their nest.


    With this unspoken coordination between both sides, seven days passed swiftly.


    ¡°So that¡¯s how it is.¡± After listening to Cross¡¯s account, Luo Wen fell into deep thought. The Riken had no real backing; their technological surge had been triggered by reverse-engineering an ancient spaceship of unknown origin.


    Cross had a unique background¡ªshe had a sister who was involved in reverse-engineering the ancient vessel. While her sister hadn¡¯t divulged many details, even the scraps she knew exceeded the knowledge of most of the Riken expedition fleet¡¯s captains.


    According to Cross, the unearthed spaceship was a relic tens of thousands of years old. At that time, although life existed on Riken, civilization had yet to emerge.


    Why had this spaceship appeared on Riken¡¯s moon during such a time? Its purpose was unclear. The ship¡¯s technological level was incredibly advanced, and according to Cross, the Riken had barely scratched the surface in their reverse-engineering efforts.


    Was this truly an accident? Considering how the swarm orchestrated what the Riken perceived as accidents, it was evident that surface appearances weren¡¯t everything. Although the swarm¡¯s methods were sometimes flawed, they revealed enough for discerning eyes to spot.


    Based on the technology described by Cross, a spaceship from such an advanced civilization would travel at incredible speeds. If it had indeed crashed by accident, the impact alone would have obliterated most of Riken¡¯s moon, triggering chain reactions capable of wiping out life on Riken.


    However, Riken¡¯s archaeological studies had found no evidence of such an event. Moreover, without external interference, natural evolution alone would likely be insufficient to produce a high-intelligence civilization within tens of thousands of years.


    This analysis suggested that the spaceship had deliberately landed on the moon. But why had it not landed directly on Riken? Was it due to the atmosphere? sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 263: Discovery

    Perhaps there wasn¡¯t any conspiracy at all; it could simply be a gift from a higher civilization to a lower one.


    After discovering a planet capable of nurturing life, they left a spaceship on its moon. When the inhabitants of the planet evolved to develop civilization, and eventually reached space to explore their satellite, they would discover the ship.


    The technology on the spaceship would help this fledgling civilization advance into the cosmos at a much faster pace.


    Could such civilizations really exist in the universe? Perhaps. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t comprehend the ideology of higher civilizations¡ªthat was something beyond his current understanding.


    Now, as one of the immortals, Luo Wen thought that perhaps tens of thousands of years later, when the Swarm had grown to become a top-tier force in the universe, he might have the leisure to do something similar.


    Then, another thought struck him: tens of thousands of years ago, a higher civilization might have visited the Genesis Planet. Although he had been in hibernation at the time, the planet had been nurturing life.


    Following this logic of ¡°gift-giving,¡± could there be a ¡°gift¡± on the Red Moon or Yellow Moon as well?


    Luo Wen quickly dismissed the idea. The twin moons had long been the Swarm¡¯s initial footholds in space exploration and had been developed for many years. The fungal carpet now covered every inch of their surfaces. If there were any unknown objects, they would have been discovered long ago.


    Still, to be certain, Luo Wen directed the Swarm to begin a search on the twin moons. Simultaneously, the Swarm expanded its search to other terrestrial planets in the Genesis Star System.


    These planets, being larger, had been somewhat neglected by the Swarm during the later stages of development, as most resources had been allocated to space-based projects. It wasn¡¯t impossible that a higher civilization could have hidden a ¡°gift¡± there.


    If one were to follow the ¡°gift¡± hypothesis further, that might mean the higher civilization was monitoring everything. If so, wouldn¡¯t the Swarm¡¯s activities over the years all have been under their watchful eyes?


    The information provided by Lieutenant Colonel Cross left Luo Wen¡¯s thoughts in a jumble. However, over the years, he had matured. Counting his hibernation period, Luo Wen¡¯s age might even surpass the history of that higher civilization.


    If he allowed himself to be scared by speculations of this sort, worrying about wolves in front and tigers behind, how could the Swarm continue to develop? Dealing with enemies of similar strength required wit and courage. For those far superior, there was no other option but to feign ignorance and press forward.


    While Luo Wen expressed these lofty sentiments, he still made preparations for potential retreat. In the following days, the Swarm used megastructures to launch a large number of Swarm meteors randomly into the depths of space. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    One of these meteors secretly carried the excavated Genesis Brood Nest.


    Perhaps the higher civilization was conducting some sort of experiment in civilizational competition, but Luo Wen would not stop the Swarm¡¯s development because of that. Only by becoming stronger could they break free of constraints and control their own destiny.


    The next stage of his plan was to acquire the ancient spaceship and related information unearthed by the Riken. As the first civilization to encounter the ancient vessel, the Riken must have obtained far more information¡ªsuch as whether there were individuals from the higher civilization aboard, and if so, were they alive or dead? Any shred of information could help Luo Wen unravel the truth.


    As for conquering the Riken, Luo Wen already had a plan in mind.


    ¡°Still no news from Cross?¡± Major General Porter asked via video, addressing the search teams.


    ¡°Sir, we still have no updates regarding Lieutenant Colonel Cross,¡± the officer on the other side of the call replied helplessly. This was the twelfth time today the general had inquired, averaging once every half hour.


    ¡°Sigh!¡± Porter ended the call with a heavy sigh.


    The personnel deployed for the search belonged to various factions, and the commander of Porter¡¯s contingent was Clirey.


    Clirey, however, held little hope for this operation. After all, Cross had been missing for eight days. By now, she was probably nothing more than fertilizer.


    What a pity for such a stunning beauty. Even though their paths would rarely intersect, Clirey still found himself drawn to the thought of her.


    ¡°Sir! We¡¯ve found something!¡± A soldier suddenly came running from the entrance of a distant underground cavity. After a quick scan of the area, he locked onto the brooding Clirey and sprinted toward him.


    ¡°What did you find?¡± Clirey asked reflexively, still caught in his thoughts. Then, as realization hit, his eyes widened. ¡°Did you find Lieutenant Colonel Cross?¡±


    The soldier panted heavily, shaking his head. ¡°No, sir.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Clirey fell silent. Just moments ago, his heart had leapt with excitement. If they had found Cross, with her background, the title of her savior might have propelled him to great heights¡ªperhaps even winning her hand in a romantic, albeit far-fetched, scenario.


    He had even started composing wedding vows in his mind, only for his hopes to be dashed.


    ¡°So, what did you find?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve located those signals.¡±


    Clirey, though lacking significant political clout, had climbed the ranks on merit and competence. He instantly understood what the soldier was referring to.


    The relationship between their search teams and the so-called Swarm was peculiar. By day, they dug pits and unearthed soil, while the Swarm seemed to sleep, showing no concern for the activities happening right outside their nests. At night, the teams hunted nearby and deposited their prey into the pits.


    By dawn, the Swarm would send drones to retrieve the offerings and drag them back to their nest.


    And so, the cycle continued.


    Clirey suspected the Swarm might even see them as caretakers.


    This caretaking, however, wasn¡¯t without its purpose. The teams had hidden trackers within some of the smaller prey, attempting to locate the Swarm¡¯s feeding grounds.


    Although he believed the Swarm incapable of understanding such advanced technology, unknown electromagnetic interference from the underground nest had prevented signal reception on the surface.


    Recently, the trackers had been upgraded to emit localized signals.


    Thus, during daylight hours, while excavation continued, teams were also dispatched into the caverns to search for these signals. The soldier¡¯s report likely referred to finding one such signal.


    Once his suspicions were confirmed, Clirey quickly relayed the information to Major General Porter, his heart racing with the possibility of glory, wealth, and promotion.


    Porter was overjoyed at the news. Although they hadn¡¯t found Cross directly, this was still better than having no leads. He immediately ordered Clirey to assemble a team to investigate further.


    At the same time, he reported the development to General Masai, requesting reinforcements.

 Chapter 264: Descent

    Clirey had little desire to delve into the cavern. This nest was profoundly eerie and completely different from those they had encountered before. For other nests, their current relentless excavation efforts would have emptied them long ago.


    Yet this nest¡¯s sheer expanse and the labyrinthine complexity of its underground tunnels far exceeded all expectations.


    Dr. Balt, a biologist, speculated that this nest belonged to an unprecedentedly large swarm family, potentially housing an unimaginable number of organisms. This made any deep infiltration of the nest exceedingly dangerous.


    One needed to remember the nest near Cross Base, which, even after suffering a pitfall trap that killed hundreds of thousands of its swarm, losing its food stores, had still managed to deploy 200,000 troops to overrun the base.


    And this nest was even larger. That suggested the presence of millions, perhaps more, of the creatures inside. If they went berserk, even with advanced weaponry and seasoned troops, the invading forces would struggle to fend them off.


    Thankfully, this operation involved substantial manpower. With coordination from General Masai and Major General Porter, the first wave entering the underground nest exceeded 100,000 troops.


    The vast army divided into over a thousand teams, each entering the nest through different passageways, converging toward the location emitting the signal.


    The paths within the cave were convoluted. The wider main corridors allowed three or four people to march side by side, while the narrowest passages barely permitted even the slimmest Riken soldiers to crawl through after removing all their gear.


    Faced with such passages, the Riken dared not proceed recklessly. To pass through, they would have to use tools to widen the tunnels. However, this approach was highly inefficient and risked causing cave-ins.


    For safety, the soldiers opted to take detours most of the time.


    Each time they encountered a fork in the path, their teams split further. Although they had entered with a large force, after several rounds of branching, most teams were reduced to just over a hundred members.


    The Swarm seemed indifferent to their intrusion. For an entire hour, not a single bug appeared. However, as they approached within 500 meters of the signal, the attacks began.


    These creatures clung to the cave walls in darkness, their concealment flawless. They emitted no heat signatures, making them nearly undetectable by conventional sensors.


    The Riken¡¯s current early-warning systems relied on vibration detection devices, capable of identifying enemies based on the sound of their movements.


    But if the bugs remained still, the devices were rendered useless.


    The Riken¡¯s fleet research teams were urgently developing detection tools specifically for the Swarm, but the civilization had only encountered the Swarm a month ago. Such a short timeframe was insufficient to yield meaningful results.


    A few Riken soldiers, who had relaxed slightly due to the lack of prior attacks, were the first to fall victim. Their delayed reactions to the ambush cost them their lives.


    Raiders, often deployed for frontal assaults, were actually high-agility, high-burst units with limited defenses, making them ideal for ambush and assassination tasks.


    Their pseudo-AI-like intelligence allowed them to remain perfectly still in a state of perpetual ambush, unaffected by hunger or distress unless ordered otherwise.


    The sound of chitinous blades piercing vital organs, dying gasps, panicked cries for help, and shocked screams merged into a cacophony of chaos.


    The Swarm¡¯s efficient coordinated attacks¡ªa mystery yet unsolved by the Riken¡ªunleashed a synchronized assault on all Riken squads. In just one minute of combat, the Riken forces suffered severe losses.


    Two out of every ten troops were killed, with some squads entirely wiped out.


    However, the slaughter ended there. The surviving Riken soldiers quickly organized defenses. Their extensive combat experience against the Swarm enabled them to mount a sharp counterattack.


    The Swarm¡¯s rudimentary combat tactics and strategies often succeeded only once against the technologically advanced, systematically trained Riken army.


    Ambushes like these wouldn¡¯t yield the same results again.


    In the narrow corridors, the Swarm¡¯s physical bodies stood no chance against flamethrowers¡ªlethal weapons in such confined spaces. Moreover, as an assassin-type unit, the Raiders could only manage one strike before being overwhelmed.


    The Swarm¡¯s offensive was swiftly repelled, leaving only charred corpses in the aftermath.


    Although the Riken had suffered heavy casualties, the commanders felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Having conquered eleven nests, they knew exactly what this situation signified.


    They were close to the elusive ¡°food store.¡±


    The Swarm soon organized another wave of attacks, but against the now-prepared Riken forces, the results were dismal. The casualty ratios swung dramatically in the Riken¡¯s favor. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Gradually, the seemingly endless tide of Swarm forces diminished. From an overwhelming flood, it became a trickle before finally ceasing altogether. The reinforcements had been entirely depleted.


    Over a million bugs had perished in the suicidal assault¡ªby far the largest nest the Riken had encountered.


    If the battle had taken place in open terrain, without the confined tunnels allowing complete firepower coverage, and if the Swarm had been smarter in preserving their forces, the outcome could have been drastically different. It might have been the Riken army that faced annihilation.


    But there were no ¡°ifs.¡± The defeated paid with their lives, while the victors claimed everything.


    What the Riken claimed was a massive ¡°food store¡± composed of over ten chambers.


    As usual, once the Swarm¡¯s final suicidal wave was obliterated, the ¡°food store¡± was empty of bugs. Only prey wrapped in white silk remained.


    Still, the Riken cautiously gathered a large number of troops outside the food store before carefully entering, inspecting the surrounding walls and ceilings.


    Thankfully, the Swarm had adhered to their patterns, and nothing unexpected occurred.


    Due to the immense size of the food store and the exhaustion of the Riken troops after the battle, the search proceeded at an exceptionally slow pace.


    It wasn¡¯t until five hours later that a soldier, tearing open a silk cocoon, stumbled upon something that made his eyes light up as if he had seen a promotion and a raise materialize before him.


    Inside was a young female Riken, strikingly beautiful. Her pale blue skin was even paler due to weakness. Her eyes were tightly shut, and she appeared lifeless, yet the faint movements of her nostrils and chest revealed she was still alive.


    Indeed, the Swarm¡¯s food stores never contained dead prey¡ªa fact gleaned from the Riken¡¯s experience with eleven other nests.


    The soldier had never met Lieutenant Colonel Cross, but he had seen her photograph. While the woman before him looked slightly different from the picture, everyone understood how photos worked.


    Furthermore, given the mental and physical torment she must have endured, some changes in appearance were entirely reasonable.

 Chapter 265: Directed

    ¡°This isn¡¯t Lieutenant Colonel Cross!¡± Clirey ran over at full speed upon receiving the report, but the sight of the female Riken inside the silk cocoon quickly dampened his excitement.


    Unlike the ordinary soldiers who had only seen photos, Clirey had met Cross in person multiple times as a confidant of Major General Porter.


    As such, he could immediately tell that the person before him was not Cross.


    Although this female Riken wasn¡¯t Cross, Clirey recognized her¡ªit was her adjutant, either named Rita or Risha, if he remembered correctly.


    The adjutant had already regained consciousness and was visibly elated. Clirey didn¡¯t question her condition, knowing from past experience that rescued Rikens usually required at least two days to recover their ability to speak. Asking now would be futile.


    While this wasn¡¯t exactly finding Cross, it was still a positive development. The adjutant¡¯s presence here meant they were on the right track.


    If Cross was still alive, she was likely somewhere nearby.


    Looking at the cocoon that was only a third of the way opened, hope was still strong.


    Clirey ordered the troops to speed up. A promotion and a raise were within reach, and the previously sluggish team, now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, accelerated their efforts.


    At the same time, Clirey redistributed Cross¡¯s portrait to the team. Considering the circumstances¡ªan entire gunship full of personnel, including dozens of young female medical staff, had gone missing¡ªif every find stirred such dramatic highs and lows, it would take a toll on their morale.


    Good news often came suddenly. Within just half an hour, in the same chamber and not far from where the adjutant¡¯s cocoon had been found, a soldier had another breakthrough.


    This time, it wasn¡¯t a false alarm. It was genuinely Cross.


    Upon confirming her identity, Clirey was overjoyed. He immediately halted further search operations and personally led a special operations team to escort Cross back to the surface.


    The team did not rest. Shortly after leaving the cave, a large transport craft dispatched by Major General Porter arrived to pick them up, flying them directly to a warship stationed in outer space.


    Due to Cross¡¯s prolonged disappearance and uncertain fate, her former base had not remained leaderless. Having suffered significant damage, the base urgently required someone to take charge and stabilize the situation.


    Under such circumstances, the base had naturally been reassigned, and not even Major General Porter could prevent it. Fortunately, the new commander was from their faction, so he had no reason to object.


    Now that Cross was alive, there was hope. Porter offered some comforting words to the still-paralyzed and speechless Cross, expressing his hope that this experience would help her grow stronger as a leader.


    A few days later, after a preliminary recovery, Cross visited and thanked General Masai, Major General Porter, and other superiors. She then returned to her warship without showing much interest in the base¡¯s affairs.


    During a meeting of senior officers, they sighed privately. It seemed the ordeal had traumatized her. Whether she could overcome it would determine her future. If she could process it, she would grow stronger; if not, she might be finished.


    Several psychologists were dispatched to Cross¡¯s ship to aid in her recovery. The doctors advised that finding ways to vent her emotions and release her pent-up frustration would help significantly. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The nest that had captured Cross was undoubtedly unique. After losing over a million bugs, it had retreated into hiding for a few days. However, the moment the Riken forces withdrew from the food store, it resumed its hunting activities that very night.


    Somehow, this news reached Cross. It was said that upon hearing it, the previously withdrawn Cross was so enraged that she vented her fury in a frenzy, smashing numerous items.


    ¡°General, there¡¯s a nuclear reaction in Area 34! Wait¡­ another one! Two reactions with similar energy levels. Judging by the yield, they must be our tactical nukes!¡±


    General Masai was sipping a hot drink. The past few days had been uneventful. As the Rikens gained more combat experience against the Swarm, their troops had adapted quickly. Those damn bugs were no longer a significant threat.


    Base defenses had been strengthened across the board, with surveillance systems and sentries multiplied tenfold. Although the Rikens had taken the food stores of twelve nests, apart from Cross¡¯s former base, the retaliatory attacks on other bases had caused no major incidents.


    The Swarm¡¯s raiding parties couldn¡¯t even approach the base perimeters before being detected and wiped out.


    General Masai had even begun to consider transforming T853 into the Rikens¡¯ second naturally habitable planet. Yet amidst these peaceful musings, the sudden report from his subordinate disrupted everything.


    What?! Two nuclear detonations? Who was stirring up trouble? Couldn¡¯t they let him have some peace?


    Ordinary Riken squads weren¡¯t equipped with tactical nukes. Only special operations teams carried two as standard. With both detonating simultaneously, the answer was clear.


    ¡°Check which special operations team is in the area.¡±


    Every Riken soldier carried a personal terminal. Without magnetic interference on the surface, it was easy to locate their positions.


    A data report was projected onto the general¡¯s screen.


    The image displayed the face of Kaida.


    Kaida, a former patrol team leader and seasoned veteran, had been the first to sound the alarm during a Swarm attack. He was also the first Riken rescued from the food store.


    While recuperating at Cross¡¯s base, Kaida had distinguished himself during a Swarm assault. He had taken charge of injured personnel, organizing a stubborn defense. Although his actions in sending away Cross during the incident remained debatable, his courageous cover of his superior¡¯s retreat had earned widespread respect.


    When the rescue team finally arrived, Kaida¡¯s squad had held off the Swarm for nearly five minutes, allowing for successful extraction.


    After Cross¡¯s rescue, rather than being punished, Kaida was promoted to captain of the TZ131 team, directly under her command.


    ¡°What a lucky guy,¡± General Masai muttered, reviewing Kaida¡¯s record. Based on reports from Cross¡¯s ship, the general quickly pieced together what had happened.


    Area 34, adjacent to Cross¡¯s former base, was where the nest that had captured her was located. Those two nukes had to have been dropped on her orders for revenge.


    As the general considered how to handle the situation, Major General Porter¡¯s communication came through.


    As expected, the conversation confirmed Masai¡¯s suspicions. The nukes had indeed been launched at Cross¡¯s direction. Porter brushed it off as a young officer venting her frustrations, suggesting they let the matter slide as a favor to him.

 Chapter 266: Reemergence

    General Masai mulled it over. Although the unauthorized deployment of nuclear weapons could escalate into a serious issue, dealing with someone of Cross¡¯s background through official channels was nearly impossible.


    Better to sell Major General Porter a favor instead. It would strengthen ties between their factions and provide a potential avenue for cooperation during future resource distributions.


    After a round of enthusiastic, business-like flattery with Porter, Masai smoothly brushed the matter aside.


    ¡°Send a message to the other captains. Say it was a nuclear test to evaluate the damage yield against the nest.¡± Masai fabricated a reason, preemptively addressing any suspicions. If he didn¡¯t explain, he¡¯d soon be flooded with inquiries.


    Since the detonation site fell within Porter¡¯s factional territory, Masai trusted that Porter¡¯s people would corroborate the excuse.


    ¡°General, we¡¯re detecting a faint nuclear reaction in Area 39¡ªit¡¯s moving rapidly!¡± a crew member suddenly exclaimed from the monitoring station.


    Masai¡¯s face darkened. He set his drink down, exasperated. Someone was clearly stirring up trouble.


    ¡°Check who¡¯s over there,¡± he ordered.


    The crew quickly accessed the data and reported, ¡°General, we don¡¯t have any operational units in that area. It¡¯s the shallow sea zone!¡±


    The Riken had only been on Great Dawn Planet for about two months, including the time spent constructing bases, during which they had been preoccupied with fighting the Swarm. No effort had been allocated to exploring the oceans yet.


    For a nuclear reaction to appear in the sea out of nowhere¡­ Masai fell into deep thought. Then he remembered: apart from the Swarm, they also had to watch out for alien creatures native to T853. He had almost forgotten the original cause of their mission.


    Back then, the Rikens had come here after detecting a nuclear reaction. Further investigation, relayed by their Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, revealed the source to be a colossal super-beast.


    Now, the beast had reappeared¡ªlikely drawn by the two nuclear detonations. When the Cat¡¯s Ear first discovered it, it had also been triggered by a single nuclear detonation.


    However, Masai¡¯s expectations for this creature had dwindled since their initial encounter. While its bio-nuclear organs were fascinating, they weren¡¯t transformative for the mechanically inclined Riken civilization.


    What the Rikens valued more was the beast¡¯s longevity, hoping to study it for potential life extension breakthroughs. But now, with the emergence of the Swarm¡ªalso theorized by biologists to be ancient organisms¡ªtheir focus had shifted.


    Initial research on the Swarm indicated no genetic factors for extended lifespan. Even their Raiders lived no more than twenty years. The Swarm¡¯s survival from ancient times might have been due to simple hibernation.


    If mere hibernation were the explanation, then the Riken¡¯s space hibernation pods could achieve similar results. Yet to a sapient species, sleeping for 300 years without truly living held little meaning.


    Furthermore, the Swarm¡¯s hibernation methods seemed inefficient. Likely, only a handful of eggs had survived from ancient times and reawakened under specific conditions.


    Comparative data collected since the Rikens¡¯ arrival indicated that the planet¡¯s biomass had significantly decreased compared to earlier Cat¡¯s Ear reports. At this rate, the Swarm could consume all surface life within a century.


    Perhaps the extinction of ancient species was tied to these bugs. Despite their relatively low individual strength, their insatiable consumption wreaked havoc on ecosystems. Without natural predators, they could rapidly destabilize the environment.


    This theory led scientists to suspect that Swarm eggs might hold secrets. Yet no eggs had been discovered. Beyond the food stores, nest tunnels descended sharply underground. If the Riken pushed further, the Swarm simply sealed the passages. The Rikens had no means to penetrate deeper for now.


    If this beast shared the Swarm¡¯s characteristics and had survived solely through hibernation, its value was limited.


    Masai¡¯s thoughts were interrupted when a crew member displayed live satellite footage on his screen.


    The sea surface revealed a massive shadow writhing beneath, interspersed with flashes of blue light. The creature was moving swiftly toward the shore.


    ¡°Based on calculations, the beast will make landfall in five minutes,¡± the crew member reported.


    ¡°Which special operations teams are nearby?¡± Masai asked after a pause.


    ¡°General, TZ131 and TZ084 are in the vicinity and ready to deploy. If they move now, they¡¯ll intercept the beast as it reaches shore,¡± another crew member replied after some quick checks.


    TZ131 again¡ªit made sense. They were the ones who had launched the nukes and were already on standby. TZ084, likely a patrol unit, was also nearby. Together, they were the fastest response teams available.


    Masai quickly issued orders: ¡°Good. Notify them to move to the coastline and block the beast¡¯s retreat. Additionally, mobilize all special operations teams within a 5,000-kilometer radius. They must reach the battlefield within 30 minutes.¡±


    The original Godzilla had been dead for decades. This was a replica constructed by Luo Wen, created using the original¡¯s template without any alterations.


    The enormous resources invested in creating this Godzilla were intended as a contingency plan¡ªif the Rikens proved unbeatable, the Swarm could retreat without leaving any glaring inconsistencies.


    After all, if something so conspicuous vanished, suspicions would inevitably arise.


    Later, when the Rikens turned out to be less formidable than anticipated, Luo Wen had thought the creature was no longer necessary. But then it occurred to him that it could still serve a purpose.


    Half an hour later, the nearby special operations teams had assembled, but Godzilla didn¡¯t behave as the Rikens expected. Instead of landing, it lingered in the shallow waters, pacing.


    ¡°It seems wary of the gunboats!¡±


    ¡°Of course it is. The Cat¡¯s Ear report mentioned this tactic being used against it before. Although it escaped, it must¡¯ve retained some fear of them.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish. I read the report too, and it didn¡¯t say anything about injuring the beast.¡±


    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t hurt, why did it retreat into the sea? I¡¯m telling you, if they hadn¡¯t used nukes back then, our predecessors might¡¯ve worn it down before it returned to the ocean.¡±


    ¡°Ha! When did you grow a brain? I thought it was all muscle up there.¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡±


    ¡°Ha-ha¡­¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Enough! Mana, you looking for a fight?¡±


    ¡°Bring it on! Who¡¯s afraid of who?¡±


    Within the regional communications channel, the banter between multiple special operations captains continued.


    ¡°Orders received: all gunboats¡¯ main cannons are to charge for a synchronized volley. Ensure the target is neutralized in one strike.¡±

 Chapter 267: The Pursuit

    ¡°That¡¯s how it should be. Does it think that staying in the water will keep us from attacking it?¡±


    ¡°Haha, it probably thinks our gunboat firepower is still stuck fifty years in the past.¡±


    ¡°I highly doubt its intelligence is capable of contemplating anything that complex.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s show this big dumb beast the power of technology.¡±


    A few minutes later, all the gunboats aimed and charged their weapons. Dozens of thick energy beams shot toward Godzilla, surrounding it completely. These beams, far more powerful than those from decades ago, inflicted unimaginable damage in a single salvo.


    Godzilla¡¯s agonized wails echoed across the sky. A significant portion of its head was blown off, three large holes were torn through its neck, its right arm was left hanging by a thread of flesh, and multiple enormous wounds¡ªnearly a meter wide and deep¡ªgouged its torso and legs.


    On land, where Godzilla moved sluggishly, it was nothing more than a massive target. As long as their weapons could penetrate its defenses, killing it was only a matter of time.


    Fortunately for Godzilla, it appeared to have some resistance to this kind of energy, sparing it from instant death. But even if it survived, it likely wouldn¡¯t live for long.


    Perhaps due to part of its skull being blown open, Godzilla seemed to have ¡°seen the light¡± physically. It reacted swiftly, refraining from unleashing its thermonuclear breath and instead turning and heading back toward the sea.


    Its movements were so fast that waves tens of meters high rose in its wake.


    Even the Riken people were startled by Godzilla¡¯s defense and vitality. Seeing it attempt to escape, they quickly ordered another salvo.


    But before the gunboats¡¯ main cannons could finish charging, Godzilla had taken a few swift steps and dived into the ocean.


    Although the water was still shallow, leaving its entire back exposed above the surface, Godzilla¡¯s swimming speed far outstripped its movement on land.


    With a few agile strokes, Godzilla covered over a kilometer, gradually sinking deeper into the sea.


    The Riken people¡¯s second volley only struck the shadow of Godzilla in the water. Though it still seemed to inflict significant damage, they ultimately failed to stop its retreat.


    ¡°It¡¯s done for! After it!¡±


    Half the gunboats plunged into the water in pursuit. These sleekly designed craft were amphibious and could move swiftly underwater.


    The other half of the fleet, boxy and brick-like, lacked aquatic capabilities. They remained airborne, providing visual support from above.


    ¡°Where¡¯s it headed?¡±


    ¡°No idea.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t know? An injured beast would naturally want to hide in its den.¡±


    ¡°Kid, you rookies are getting cocky. How about a man-to-man duel?¡±


    On the communication channel, the squad captains bantered without a trace of tension. The monster was already gravely injured and wouldn¡¯t last much longer.


    The Riken people¡¯s weapons weren¡¯t as effective underwater, so they refrained from attacking. In Godzilla¡¯s current state, they merely needed to keep up the chase. Once it exhausted the last of its strength, it would be ripe for the taking.


    Understanding this, the captains were in a notably relaxed mood.


    Godzilla seemed desperate to shake off the pursuing gunboats, but its speed didn¡¯t provide much of an advantage. Worse yet, several tracking devices had been embedded in its body during the previous attack. Coupled with its injuries, escaping its pursuers was impossible.


    As time passed, Godzilla, now teetering on the brink of death, could no longer care about much else. While its wounds looked horrific, they were mostly reparable over time. The exception was the damage to its ¡°enlightened¡± brain, which was truly fatal.


    If it had been able to rest and heal immediately, there might have been a chance of recovery. But under the current conditions, the constant flush of seawater worsened its injuries.


    Its condition deteriorated, and its speed gradually slowed. Thankfully, its destination was near.


    ¡°It looks like it¡¯s done for!¡± one captain exclaimed.


    ¡°Haha, this is a big catch. Wonder how it tastes?¡±


    ¡°Probably tough.¡±


    ¡°Bet it¡¯d get stuck in your teeth.¡±


    ¡°Maybe a bite would give you a random radiation sickness.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! You just ruined my appetite.¡±


    ¡°Haha¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The jovial atmosphere filled the Riken Special Forces.


    Godzilla managed to press on for another twenty kilometers, finally reaching its destination¡ªits lair. The joy of returning home gave it a brief resurgence of strength, allowing it to speed up slightly before diving headlong into an underwater cave.


    ¡°Is that its lair?¡±


    ¡°Seems like it!¡±


    ¡°I hate caves, whether they¡¯re on land or underwater.¡±


    ¡°Same.¡±


    ¡°Be cautious. We¡¯re not certain it¡¯s a lone bachelor.¡±


    The captains grew alarmed. That was indeed a critical issue. In the ocean, their forces were halved, and their weaponry¡¯s effectiveness was diminished.


    ¡°So what do we do? Wait for reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°With you guys already here, I don¡¯t want to share the credit further.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s proceed cautiously and maintain distance.¡±


    ¡°Have you all gone soft fighting bugs? We can deploy probes; there¡¯s probably no magnetic interference here.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    That was a valid point. The captains, accustomed to the magnetic interference of insect lairs, had instinctively assumed this cave would be the same. Several underwater drones were released from the gunboats, cautiously venturing into the underwater cave.


    ¡°There really isn¡¯t any magnetic interference here.¡±


    ¡°This is a major discovery. Those bugs might have some species that generate magnetic fields.¡±


    ¡°Eh, it¡¯s normal for ancient creatures to have special traits. Even spitting nuclear bombs isn¡¯t unheard of.¡±


    ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯ve got no argument against that.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°But where did the monster go?¡±


    ¡°You think this could be a maze, and it¡¯s already escaped¡­¡±


    The captains were alarmed. That was a possibility.


    ¡°Haha, are you all fools? It¡¯s still got trackers on it. There¡¯s no magnetic interference here, and the trackers are working fine.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯ll have to duel all of us later.¡±


    ¡°Right. A duel against all of us.¡±


    ¡°Stop messing around. Be careful. The tracker shows it hasn¡¯t gone far.¡±


    The underwater drones pressed forward for a few more minutes and finally found Godzilla lying at the bottom of the cave. Its dorsal fins, faintly glowing with blue light, were strikingly conspicuous in the darkness.


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely done for. I think we can approach now.¡± The drones, being expendable, swam straight to Godzilla, scanning its surroundings and relaying information back to the Special Forces.


    ¡°Be cautious. That¡¯s a live nuke. Watch out for a self-detonation,¡± one captain warned.


    ¡°How do you know it¡¯ll self-destruct?¡± another captain asked skeptically. There didn¡¯t seem to be any such data in their files.


    ¡°That¡¯s how it always goes in the movies.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±

 Chapter 268: The Fruit

    The events in the movie didn¡¯t occur. Godzilla was genuinely weakened to the extreme, and as the gunboats approached, it could only look on helplessly, utterly powerless to resist.


    ¡°Truly spectacular.¡± These gunboats, typically about thirty meters in length, were small compared to the over-100-meter-long Godzilla. Though they weren¡¯t exactly tiny, they were barely ¡°big¡± in comparison.


    ¡°Indeed. If I hadn¡¯t seen it with my own eyes, I¡¯d never have imagined such a creature could exist.¡± sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Look at the blue glow on its dorsal fins¡ªso beautiful.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Hearing this, the captain was silently added to the ¡°not fit to be left alone¡± list by his colleagues.


    General Masai was also watching the scene remotely through the cameras mounted on the gunboats. Though he shared a similar sense of awe, not being there in person made it hard to fully grasp the magnitude of the experience.


    Still, since this creature was already close to death, bringing it back for study might yield some surprising discoveries.


    ¡°The orders are in. The General wants us to take this Behemoth back to Irwin Base (formerly Cross Base).¡±


    ¡°How long until it finally kicks the bucket?¡±


    ¡°Hard to say. This thing has already exceeded our understanding.¡±


    ¡°Then how do we transport it? Can our gunboats even tow something this big?¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t be an issue. We¡¯ve got twenty-one gunboats here, enough to haul something weighing thirty to forty thousand tons.¡±


    ¡°But it¡¯s still alive. How do we tie it down?¡±


    ¡°Maybe we should ask for its opinion.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Everyone was feigning ignorance. Wandering near Godzilla while it was alive was one thing, but actually trying to handle it was intimidating for all of them.


    Five minutes later.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just wait around. If we delay any longer, we¡¯ll be violating orders.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s go for another round of attacks. It might leave the body less intact, but at least it¡¯s safer.¡±


    Since they were in the water, the energy beams from the gunboats suffered severe attenuation while passing through. As a result, the Riken forces had to conduct a total of three more rounds of attacks before finally blasting apart Godzilla¡¯s head.


    This was only possible because Godzilla was so injured that it could barely dodge.


    In truth, Godzilla still had enough strength for a last-ditch counterattack, and could have easily taken several Riken gunboats down with it. However, to prevent environmental damage to the surrounding area, it wasn¡¯t given another chance to fight back.


    Another dozen or so minutes passed. Once they confirmed that Godzilla was indeed dead, the gunboats released their ropes and hooks, fastening them to various parts of its body in preparation to tow it away.


    Unfortunately, gunboats weren¡¯t designed for heavy transport, and Godzilla was far heavier than the Rikens had anticipated. Furthermore, the earlier attacks had caused part of the cave to collapse, leaving the creature partially buried under rubble. Even with over twenty gunboats, they couldn¡¯t pull Godzilla out.


    Left with no choice, they reported the situation and awaited reinforcements.


    ¡°Rookie, where do you think you¡¯re going? Don¡¯t wander off,¡± a captain suddenly said over the communication channel.


    The so-called rookie was Kaida. Having been promoted by Lieutenant Colonel Cross to special operations team captain, he was nicknamed ¡°rookie¡± by the more experienced captains.


    ¡°Treasure hunting. That¡¯s how it works in movies, right? Monster lairs usually hide some kind of treasure,¡± Kaida replied.


    ¡°¡­¡± Everyone was speechless. Movies were nonsense¡ªwhat reference value could they possibly have?


    Yet, this time, a movie-like plotline actually came true.


    About ten minutes later, Kaida¡¯s voice came through the channel: ¡°Hey, everyone, come look at this!¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me this guy actually found treasure?¡±


    Curious, the other gunboats turned toward Kaida¡¯s location.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°It looks like some kind of plant.¡±


    Moving past Godzilla¡¯s body and further into the cave, the team discovered the so-called ¡°treasure¡±¡ªa red-and-black vine-like plant with numerous fruits emitting a faint purple glow.


    ¡°Even though I¡¯m not an expert, I can tell this is something unusual,¡± Kaida remarked.


    ¡°Yeah, I can see that too.¡±


    ¡°No kidding. With the radiation levels here, we wouldn¡¯t last more than half an hour without protective suits. Yet, this plant is thriving. There¡¯s definitely something special about it.¡±


    ¡°Those fruits look delicious.¡±


    ¡°Go ahead and try one, then tell us how it tastes.¡±


    ¡°Screw you, I¡¯m not that dumb.¡±


    ¡°Why can¡¯t we eat them?¡± one team member quietly asked his captain.


    ¡°¡­Are you stupid? This thing grew in a radiation-heavy environment. Even a tiny trace of radiation could give you multiple radiation-related illnesses at best or kill you outright at worst,¡± the captain snapped, glad that the others hadn¡¯t heard. If they found out there was someone this idiotic in their team, they¡¯d be laughing about it for years.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can take some back for the experts to analyze.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. We¡¯re just killing time anyway, and this might turn out to be another achievement.¡±


    Using underwater robots equipped with radiation-shielding containers, they carefully cut and collected several samples of the plant and its fruit.


    No sooner had the robots returned than reinforcements arrived. After detailed measurements, some smaller engineering ships blasted open the cave.


    Several transport ships, each over a hundred meters long, landed on the water¡¯s surface. Half-meter-thick cables were lowered to the seabed, wrapped around Godzilla¡¯s body, and slowly hoisted it out of the ocean. The transport ships then began their journey back to the land-based facility.


    The Swarm had gone to great lengths to bring certain elements into the Rikens¡¯ view.


    Considering the compatibility issues between the Fungal Carpet and the Swarm¡¯s spacefaring organisms, Luo Wen had specially designed the new plants to be completely distinct from the Fungal Carpet. This rushed project was Luo Wen¡¯s most intense research effort in a long time.


    Fortunately, these plants didn¡¯t require the same complexity as the original Fungal Carpet. By tailoring them to the physiology of the Rikens and adding some unique features and genetic nodes for communication purposes, Luo Wen managed to make the plants appear entirely unrelated to the Swarm.


    This step was critical because the Swarm¡¯s earlier creations¡ªlike the Fungal Carpet¡ªhad already been exposed. For these plants, it was essential to eliminate any visible connections to the Swarm while laying groundwork for future plans.


    What concerned Luo Wen most was the potential existence of advanced civilizations. He was always wary of ¡°coincidences,¡± often using asymmetric information to create his own. But this also made him suspicious of seemingly random coincidences.


    In the Dark Forest, he believed, there was no such thing as causeless affection.


    Luo Wen needed more information to draw conclusions and had to uncover the true origins of that ancient spaceship. In the meantime, he had to make preparations, restructuring parts of the Swarm as necessary.


    What had already been exposed couldn¡¯t be helped. What remained hidden had to stay that way, while some groundwork still needed to be laid.

 Chapter 269: Effectiveness

    Most of the issues were manageable and within normal bounds. However, the biggest problem lay in the Swarm¡¯s strongest asset: the Swarm Network.


    While the other functions of the Swarm Network were acceptable due to their high level of concealment, the cross-stellar communication feature, despite being equally covert, could potentially reveal flaws in certain scenarios.


    For instance, the Swarm¡¯s external communication systems were extremely outdated. Fortunately, after absorbing a wave of technology from the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship, the Swarm managed to barely catch up technologically.


    However, the Swarm¡¯s communication infrastructure was exceedingly sparse. Large-scale interstellar information transmitters, which occupied vast areas, were deliberately avoided during initial construction to reduce visible artificial structures in space and to deceive the common Ratfolk populace. As a result, such facilities were never built.


    Over time, as they were deemed unnecessary, the matter was forgotten. However, the absence of these massive transmitters was a glaring characteristic. If an advanced civilization were secretly observing the Swarm, they would surely notice that the Swarm lacked these devices, yet their interstellar operations remained unaffected.


    This was a glaring vulnerability. Now, all Luo Wen could do was try to remedy past oversights and hope his concerns were merely unwarranted fears. Even if advanced civilizations were observing them, he hoped they would overlook these anomalies from the Swarm.


    Yes, the Swarm was still too weak. While they could manipulate civilizations of similar technological levels, they remained powerless against those of higher orders.


    The Swarm was no longer just Luo Wen alone. With numerous dependents under its banner, he bore responsibility for the entire Swarm. The Swarm must grow stronger.


    But becoming stronger wasn¡¯t just about words. Whether through mechanical pathways or biological routes, a comprehensive theoretical foundation was essential. Thus, the Swarm needed more researchers. Fortunately, the Swarm was establishing a second Intelligent Entity production base, which promised a significant boost in production speed soon.


    ¡°Dr. Balt, how is that big creature coming along?¡± General Masai asked during a routine captain¡¯s meeting.


    These past days had been peaceful, and the source of their initial arrival here had already been located.


    Numerous new bases and factories had sprung up, both consolidating occupied territories and replenishing losses.


    The next step was to methodically eliminate the Swarm threat. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the biological team led by Dr. Balt had temporarily shelved their research on Swarm-eradication viruses due to the creature, the Riken felt they had already mastered methods to counter the Swarm. Recent operations had proven highly successful, with the military convinced that viruses weren¡¯t necessary and that exterminating the Swarm was only a matter of time.


    Under such circumstances, routine captain¡¯s meetings lacked substantive discussions. However, it wouldn¡¯t do to convene just for greetings and adjournment. After all, these were serious, formal meetings.


    Thus, General Masai shifted the topic to prolong the discussion.


    Fortunately, the nuclear-breathing creature was a rare phenomenon. Everyone was curious, and their inquisitive eyes bore into Dr. Balt through the video screens.


    Although this was a captain¡¯s meeting, experts from other fields often participated as consultants. Dr. Balt, used to such situations, cleared his throat and spoke without suspense-building theatrics.


    ¡°Research time has been too short, so no significant breakthroughs yet.¡± Truthfully, there was nothing worth hyping.


    Godzilla emitted intense radiation, and without protective measures, the Riken couldn¡¯t even approach its corpse. Thus, a specialized, highly shielded laboratory was constructed for Godzilla. Transporting and calibrating scientific equipment from the warship to the planet consumed considerable time, leaving Dr. Balt¡¯s team with little to show in such a short period.


    The captains understood this, so they didn¡¯t press further. After all, General Masai¡¯s inquiry was a mere meeting filler.


    ¡°However, we¡¯ve made some astonishing discoveries in other areas,¡± Dr. Balt continued, piquing everyone¡¯s interest.


    Amid the captains¡¯ inquiries, he elaborated: ¡°The creature itself yielded no results, but the plants brought back from its lair surprised us.¡±


    Drinking some water, he resumed: ¡°Specifically, the fruit of those plants. Since some instruments hadn¡¯t arrived yet, a small team began studying the fruit during their downtime, feeding it to Riri Beasts.¡±


    The Riken fleet maintained dedicated logistics and transportation ships, two of which simulated Riken ecosystems to house experimental creatures like Riri Beasts. These animals shared a 95% genetic similarity with the Riken, making them ideal for drug trials.


    ¡°A few days later, the Riri Beasts exhibited various radiation sickness symptoms.¡±


    The captains raised mental question marks. Was this the so-called astonishing discovery? It seemed trivial¡ªplants growing in the high-radiation lair would naturally carry radioactive substances. Developing radiation sickness was expected, and severe cases might even result in instant death.


    However, trusting that Dr. Balt wouldn¡¯t speak frivolously, they curbed their skepticism and listened further.


    ¡°When the instruments finally arrived, the team didn¡¯t study the creature but continued researching the fruit and the Riri Beasts. They uncovered something shocking: although the Riri Beasts contracted radiation sickness, their bodies grew younger. To be precise, their cell division count increased.¡±


    Seeing some captains puzzled, Dr. Balt explained: ¡°All known organisms, including the Riken, follow a pattern of cell division throughout growth. After a certain stage, aging and death occur. This corresponds to the cell division count and cycle. Their product determines an organism¡¯s theoretical lifespan. For instance, Riken cells divide approximately every six years, with a maximum of 55 divisions, giving a theoretical lifespan of 330 years.¡±


    As the captains nodded, he continued: ¡°Similarly, Riri Beasts have a two-year division cycle and divide 25 times, theoretically living 50 years. Of course, external factors mean actual lifespans often fall short¡ªfor example, the Riken average is around 310 years.¡±


    ¡°To extend lifespan, you either prolong the cell division cycle or increase division count. The former risks fundamentally altering our biology, potentially making us a different species. Increasing the division count is comparatively feasible but remains a challenge. Despite millennia of research, we¡¯ve made no breakthroughs.¡±


    ¡°Yet, now things have changed. Eating this fruit increased the Riri Beasts¡¯ cell division count by five, extending their theoretical lifespan by one-fifth.¡± Dr. Balt gestured at the screen displaying the fruit from the creature¡¯s lair. ¡°This is the first substance we¡¯ve found capable of increasing cell division counts. In other words, it¡¯s medicinal.¡±


    ¡°And if refined, its effects might become even stronger.¡± After a pause, he added, ¡°Though it does have some minor flaws.¡±

 Chapter 270: The Story

    The attendees¡¯ eyes lit up. Dr. Balt¡¯s explanation was straightforward, and everyone understood the implications.


    Who wouldn¡¯t want to live a few years longer? Especially for those in high positions of power, longevity was an irresistible temptation.


    While the fruit¡¯s actual problems went far beyond the ¡°minor flaws¡± Dr. Balt casually mentioned, the allure of extended life would undoubtedly mobilize the entire civilization. With enough resources and effort, these ¡°minor flaws¡± might indeed become trivial.


    ¡°Doctor, is there anything your research team still needs? Let us know, and we¡¯ll make it happen as best we can,¡± General Masai said bluntly. He knew that dealing with scientists required a direct approach.


    The subtext was clear: We¡¯re deeply interested in this project. Request whatever resources you need to produce results as quickly as possible. Once you succeed, everything else can be negotiated.


    For those stationed in the T85 Star System, this fruit represented an unprecedented opportunity. If they could independently develop something so valuable and unique, their influence within their civilization would grow immensely.


    However, their fleet was a combat and frontier-expansion force. Its cargo was primarily weapons, space factories, and fortress components. The personnel were mostly soldiers, leaving limited room for researchers and precision instruments.


    Moreover, the fleet had been assembled and constructed entirely in space. The delicate equipment essential for such research was manufactured on the Riken homeworld and wasn¡¯t designed to endure the turbulence of atmospheric transport.


    Dr. Balt, no superhuman, shook his head and said, ¡°We lack specialized instruments and enough researchers in this field. With our current resources, it would be nearly impossible to achieve meaningful results quickly.¡±


    This posed a significant problem for General Masai.


    Given time, progress might be made. While General Masai, still middle-aged, could afford to wait, older officers like Major General Porter likely couldn¡¯t. They might not live to see the research bear fruit.


    Now that they knew of the possibility of extending their lifespans, speed was paramount. To delay could lead to unrest; after all, Masai¡¯s authority was not absolute. He was merely the most powerful leader in a loose coalition. If push came to shove, every member of this coalition had their own forces at their disposal.


    If they sought help from the homeworld, the fleet would be reduced to mere suppliers of raw materials. Selling raw materials versus finished products were vastly different propositions.


    While Masai was still deliberating, Dr. Balt spoke again. ¡°General, I believe it¡¯s too early to focus on potential results. Our immediate priority should be to confirm this plant¡¯s growth environment and yield. If its numbers are substantial, we might be able to speed up research by rapidly accumulating experimental data.¡±


    Masai realized the truth in Balt¡¯s words. If the plant turned out to be rare, they wouldn¡¯t even be able to supply raw materials.


    The meeting concluded with consensus, and multiple teams were dispatched to further explore Godzilla¡¯s lair.


    If the Riken had meticulously searched the lair immediately after Godzilla¡¯s death, they might not have found many life-extending plants. At that time, the plants had only recently been created and hadn¡¯t grown much, even with accelerated cultivation. Without an insider¡¯s guidance, discovery was uncertain.


    But after several days, imperfections in the setup had been smoothed out. When the Riken teams returned, they found an abundant supply of the plants with little effort.


    When General Masai received this news, his concerns eased, and he ordered the special forces to collect as many samples as possible.


    Unbeknownst to the Riken, the plants had been deliberately enhanced by the Swarm. Hidden within their roots were spores of the fungal carpet, ready to be transported aboard Riken ships.


    This roundabout method seemed needlessly convoluted, but Luo Wen had no better alternative. It was the most suitable plan he could devise.


    The simplest solution would have been for Kaida to directly bring the spores back. With Lieutenant Colonel Cross covering for him, the risk of detection would have been almost nonexistent.


    If this were solely a two-sided contest between the Swarm and the Riken, such a method would have been the most efficient and secure. But if a third-party observer existed, precautions had to be taken.


    In a two-sided scenario, the Swarm could afford to act more overtly. But if external entities were involved, the Swarm, potentially a mere pawn, had to keep its capabilities as concealed as possible.


    Even losing Kaida or Cross wouldn¡¯t have been a major setback for the Swarm. The real question was why they were transporting fungal spores to a Riken ship. While the Riken wouldn¡¯t uncover anything, a hypothetical observer might. Exposing any aspect of the Swarm¡¯s abilities for such a trivial matter would be a grave mistake. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hence, the Swarm needed to craft a plausible narrative to support its actions.


    For instance, the story of Kaida leading the Riken to discover the life-extending plants was carefully constructed. From Cross¡¯s capture and subsequent rescue to her promotion of the patrol captain who risked his life to protect her, every step was deliberate.


    The chain of events continued: with the Swarm resuming hunting operations, Cross retaliated by assigning the special forces to drop a nuclear bomb. The blast attracted Godzilla, leading to its pursuit, lair exploration, and eventual discovery of the ¡°treasure.¡±


    This sequence of events was supported by orders from higher-ups, mission logs, and gunboat travel records, all of which could be corroborated.


    Even if someone were to investigate further, Cross¡¯s rise to captain, her involvement in this mission, and even her personal background¡ªfamily, education, career¡ªall followed a reasonable trajectory.


    This was the hallmark of a successful story.


    Luo Wen understood that if the fungal carpet were to appear on a Riken planet, its origins would be scrutinized. Observers would need to determine how it arrived, making direct transportation by an insider implausible.


    But a well-constructed narrative? That could carry the day.

 Chapter 271: T855 Great Ursa Planet

    The Longevity Plant, although a creation of the Swarm, was presented as a wild species, seemingly unconnected to the Swarm.


    For a faction like the Riken that had been operating on Great Dawn Planet for years, the large-scale conflict with Godzilla wouldn¡¯t have escaped the Swarm¡¯s notice.


    Once the Swarm identified such activity, it would have been illogical not to exploit the opportunity. Overplaying their hand would seem too deliberate, undermining the Swarm¡¯s intelligence and insulting any potential observers.


    Thus, it was only reasonable that the Swarm had introduced fungal carpet seeds into the Longevity Plants.


    There were flaws, of course¡ªlike the current Godzilla being a product of the Swarm, raising questions about whether any observers had witnessed the wild version of Godzilla being killed by the Swarm.


    As a biological civilization, the Swarm could justify replicating a Godzilla. The reason could even be framed as precautionary, ensuring the Riken didn¡¯t suspect anomalies. But why reveal it? Why was there Longevity Plant evidence in the nest?


    Luo Wen had no solution for these inconsistencies. He could only hope that during that period, the Swarm was not worthy of attention. After all, at the time, his perspective and vigilance weren¡¯t high enough to anticipate these issues.


    As for whether the Swarm¡¯s actions would be detected by potential observers, Luo Wen thought it was possible, if they existed. But who could say for sure? Sometimes exposing a little while concealing the rest might even bait hidden enemies into action. After all, the unseen threat was always the more terrifying.


    Through the Intelligent Entities embedded within the Riken, especially with Lieutenant Colonel Cross in a senior position, the Swarm had complete insight into the Riken¡¯s movements and decisions.


    The special operations team had made multiple trips to Godzilla¡¯s nest, harvesting large quantities of Longevity Plants. With an abundance of experimental material, Dr. Balt¡¯s research had made significant progress. Perhaps in a few more years, he might even develop a side-effect-free longevity serum.


    However, the Swarm¡¯s groundwork was complete, its strategic objectives achieved. Luo Wen was eager to proceed with the next phase of his plan.


    ¡°Overlord, calculations show that Great Ursa Planet will be at its closest to Great Dawn Planet in eleven days.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. The Riken have been here long enough. It¡¯s time to send them home.¡±


    ¡°General, our scout ship near T855 has been attacked,¡± a crew member reported abruptly.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?!¡± General Masai demanded in shock.


    ¡°Our drones and satellites have lost contact. This is the last set of data they transmitted.¡±


    On the screen before General Masai, several images and textual reports were displayed. They were nearly identical: the systems detected targeting, and then, without locating any attacker, the feed abruptly cut out.


    ¡°Have you deduced their method of attack?¡±


    With the aid of artificial intelligence, the crew rapidly analyzed the data. After a few minutes, one responded: ¡°General, when slowing down one of the videos by twenty thousand times, we discovered a projectile. Based on the energy level and speed of the attack, the enemy most likely used electromagnetic railguns.¡±


    ¡°A completely different technological paradigm,¡± General Masai mused. The enemy had developed a path starkly different from the Riken¡¯s energy-based weaponry, opting instead to master physical systems.


    Back when the Riken fleet established their base near T853, Great Dawn Planet¡¯s orbit, they had dispatched several unmanned reconnaissance ships to T855, deploying satellites into its orbit.


    These reconnaissance devices had not detected any anomalies on T855, as though no hidden forces were present. If not for the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s disappearance and the message it transmitted, General Masai might have believed it.


    However, their mission was not to conquer the barren T855. Since the enemy hadn¡¯t revealed themselves, the Riken felt no rush, focusing on developing T853. The more time passed, the greater their advantage. Once their surface facilities and orbital factories were complete, along with satellite-mounted cannons, eliminating the enemy would be effortless. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this period, the general¡¯s attention had been entirely on the progress of the longevity serum, almost forgetting about the T855 forces. That was, until the sudden attack.


    Why now? Could it be because the two planets were drawing closer? If so, the enemy was concerned about the attack range.


    Why care about the distance? Unless it was a limitation. This implied their propulsion technology was relatively primitive. Newly emerging space civilizations commonly faced this issue. The Riken would have as well without external intervention.


    Between T853 and T855, even at their closest, the planets were nearly 600 million kilometers apart. If the enemy hadn¡¯t ventured beyond their star system, their speed likely hadn¡¯t reached the system¡¯s escape velocity.


    Based on Riken calculations, the T85 star system¡¯s escape velocity was 17.2 km/s. Even at that speed, traveling from T855 to T853 would take over 400 days. Factoring in the planets drifting apart, the journey would take far longer.


    Why would they attack now? Staying hidden on T855 and ambushing the Riken fleet seemed a better strategy. Given their advanced stealth technology, such an ambush might have inflicted severe losses.


    Could it be they weren¡¯t targeting the Riken fleet but merely aiming to disable their reconnaissance equipment? Why wait until now?


    General Masai couldn¡¯t understand the reasoning, nor could his captains or advisors decipher the alien civilization¡¯s actions. However, since the enemy had the capability for spaceflight, they must have a plan.


    Still, daring to strike first required a severe counterattack.


    Under the general¡¯s command, the Riken fleet prepared for battle. Energy systems, weaponry, and training routines were checked and executed in a flurry of activity.


    On Great Ursa Planet¡¯s satellites, the ground heaved as purple-gray, flesh-like plants emerged from the surface, writhing as though pulling their bodies out from the depths.


    Gradually, colossal wall-like structures rose, part of the Swarm¡¯s long-hidden electromagnetic launch systems.


    These were ground-based versions of the Swarm¡¯s orbital electromagnetic megastructures, adapted from the fungal carpet template.


    Ever since the Swarm mastered biological fusion reactors, these ¡°mini suns¡± provided enough energy for rapid underground growth.


    As modular extensions of the fungal carpet, the launch systems could move slowly within its body.


    One by one, the platforms emerged, their sizes varied but generally spanning over a hundred kilometers. On smaller planets, some stretched across half the surface.


    Massive space squids emerged from their hiding places. Larval and smaller mature bodies burrowed into primordial space octopus bodies.


    [T/N: I don¡¯t know why the author started calling them space octopus instead of bio-ships.]


    These behemoths, each over 500 meters long, lined up to enter the electromagnetic launch platforms, from which they were hurled into space.

 Chapter 272: Changes

    The propulsion system of the Swarm, as it stood now, seemed somewhat outdated.


    Although it surpassed the escape velocity of the neighboring star system, it only reached 50 km/s.


    In reality, however, this speed was more than sufficient for close-range space combat. Let¡¯s not forget, the space octopuses could accelerate to this speed in a short amount of time.


    The Riken fleet, while capable of flying at approximately one-fifth the speed of light, needed an extended acceleration period to reach that velocity, and that required the activation of specialized engines.


    Even though this acceleration period was far shorter than when using solar sails, in a space engagement, there wouldn¡¯t be time for such prolonged acceleration.


    Moreover, within a solar system, achieving such high speeds was impossible due to the complexity of the environment. Obstacles abounded, and traveling too fast would lead to collisions and destruction.


    As such, in terms of short-range agility, the Riken warships might not even be as nimble as the space octopuses.


    That said, a distance of 600 million kilometers was still a challenging one to traverse quickly. At such distances, it was difficult to effectively threaten the enemy with any form of attack.


    Both sides needed to close the gap to a certain proximity before combat could erupt.


    At this juncture, if one side could deceive the other¡¯s detection systems and set up an ambush ahead of time, they would gain a significant advantage.


    However, the opponent had abandoned this advantage and exposed their position. Even if they wanted to launch a surprise attack, they would need to undertake a journey of several hundred days. During this time, the defenders could calmly arrange their defenses and prepare for battle.


    If the attackers didn¡¯t possess overwhelming numbers, such an operation would be tantamount to suicide.


    This was precisely what puzzled the Rikens.


    Could it be that their opponents were so confident?


    Indeed, the Swarm was extraordinarily confident. The Riken¡¯s deployments were being continuously transmitted back to the Swarm through Lieutenant Colonel Cross. Never before had the Swarm possessed such perfect knowledge of their enemy.


    The Swarm, of course, wouldn¡¯t rely solely on their 50 km/s speed for an attack. Their gigantic electromagnetic launchers could accelerate Primordial Space Octopuses to 5,000 km/s, reducing the theoretical travel time from Great Ursa Planet to the Riken fleet to just over one day.


    And that calculation even accounted for the necessary deceleration. Without the need to slow down, the journey could be even faster.


    In practice, it took nearly three days for the Swarm¡¯s forces to reach the Riken fleet, as they began sustained deceleration after traversing half the distance.


    Even so, this was far beyond what the Rikens had imagined.


    ¡°Captain, T855 has detected a dense energy burst of exceptionally high intensity!¡± The observer reported in a panicked voice. The previously calm instruments were now blaring alarms like mad, with the display screen covered in a chaotic array of red dots, large and small.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± General Masai demanded, immediately ordering the AI to summon all ship captains to the conference room for a meeting.


    ¡°They¡¯re attacking us! Based on earlier deductions, it¡¯s their electromagnetic railguns. The T855 and its satellites are saturated with their railgun strikes!¡± the observer stammered, his voice trembling.


    ¡°Damn it! What was the reconnaissance team doing earlier? Why wasn¡¯t anything detected? Where¡¯s Malachi? Get him to provide a report immediately. Otherwise, we won¡¯t need to wait for the war to start¡ªI¡¯ll execute him myself!¡± General Masai roared.


    Malachi, the officer in charge of reconnaissance, held the rank of lieutenant colonel. His position placed him on equal footing with many of the ship captains, granting him significant authority. Yet this blunder left no room for explanation. Even if General Masai didn¡¯t execute him on the spot, Malachi wouldn¡¯t escape a court-martial after the war.


    The Rikens¡¯ efficiency was commendable. As they had already heightened their alert status, it took only two minutes after General Masai¡¯s tirade for all participants to join the online meeting room.


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation now, General? I heard the enemy is approaching. Didn¡¯t earlier reports suggest we had at least a hundred days to prepare?¡± a captain questioned the moment General Masai logged into the meeting. This individual was a prominent leader, holding a status equivalent to Major General Porter¡¯s. While they usually maintained cordial relations, the war¡¯s onset stripped away formalities.


    Not to mention, Malachi was known to be General Masai¡¯s subordinate¡ªand rumored to be a relative. With such a gross intelligence failure, everyone present could face significant losses, and it was no surprise that the captain¡¯s tone was sharp.


    General Masai, knowing he was at fault, ignored the captain¡¯s criticism and addressed the group instead: ¡°The overall situation has already been sent to you. Somehow, the enemy has managed to deceive our reconnaissance. But this is not the time to assign blame. The enemy¡¯s attack is imminent. If anyone has any suggestions, speak freely.¡±


    ¡°General, we currently know nothing. Earlier intelligence is likely unreliable. We need new, accurate information before we can analyze the situation,¡± one of the captains responded.


    Pretending not to hear the implied rebuke, General Masai was about to say something when his adjutant approached and whispered in his ear.


    After hearing the message, he nodded and said to the screen, ¡°Let¡¯s have Lieutenant Colonel Malachi join us. As the officer in charge of reconnaissance, I believe he¡¯ll have some firsthand information to share.¡±


    A new video window appeared on the screen, revealing a middle-aged male Riken with a sharp gaze. He looked visibly displeased, as if caught in a storm not of his making.


    After straightening his uniform, he began: ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I admit there were lapses in the intelligence department this time, but the blame doesn¡¯t entirely lie with us.¡± S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    From the outset, Lieutenant Colonel Malachi admitted the mistake but quickly hinted that there was more to the story.


    ¡°Then please explain it to us,¡± said the captain who had earlier questioned General Masai. Though his words were polite, his tone was laced with sarcasm, implying he doubted Malachi¡¯s ability to clarify the issue.


    Malachi nodded. He caught the insinuation but had no retort, his eyes growing colder. ¡°Everyone, please look at these two images.¡±


    Two comparative images appeared on the screen, showing what appeared to be a distant star system.


    The left image seemed ordinary, but the right one depicted the same system with extensive purple-gray patches over the planets and moons. Two of the smaller moons were entirely engulfed in this purple-gray color.


    Although the assembled commanders were high-ranking and prestigious, they were well-prepared. If shown only the right image, they might hesitate, but the left image made it clear. It was the T855 planet and its satellites.


    Their expressions turned grave.


    ¡°What happened?¡± a captain asked.


    ¡°The left image was taken ten hours ago. The right image shows their current state,¡± Malachi explained.


    ¡°Is this real? Why have they changed so drastically? Are there any close-up images?¡±

 Chapter 273: Evasion

    ¡°No, we don¡¯t have any closer images. All observation devices on that side were destroyed. These were taken using the large shipborne telescope on the Cilla¡¯s Goddess,¡± Malachi replied, shaking his head.


    The Cilla¡¯s Goddess was a specialized utility ship equipped with a variety of large observational instruments.


    ¡°As for why they¡¯ve changed so drastically, it¡¯s undoubtedly the work of that hidden civilization. While we don¡¯t know their exact intentions, it must be related to the energy reactions we¡¯ve observed. Furthermore, their ability to alter the environments of planets and moons on such a large scale in such a short time is something even we Rikens cannot achieve. This isn¡¯t a failure of our intelligence department¡ªit¡¯s that their capabilities are beyond our understanding. They¡¯re likely far more troublesome than we initially imagined.¡±


    Though Malachi tried to shift blame, his inherent arrogance still surfaced; he regarded the situation as merely a minor issue evolving into a major one.


    ¡°We indeed lack the means to replicate such feats. Perhaps these abilities are unique to biological civilizations. But what about their electromagnetic railguns?¡± one advisor questioned.


    ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that? They have creatures that can spit nuclear bombs¡ªwhy wouldn¡¯t they be able to fire railgun shots? The atomic organs inside those beasts are far more advanced than railguns. Maybe those creatures are just experimental products of their civilization,¡± another captain quipped.


    ¡°That¡¯s plausible. Dr. Balt, what¡¯s your opinion?¡±


    ¡°The internal structures of those creatures are beyond my expertise. I can¡¯t determine whether they¡¯re natural or artificial creations.¡± Dr. Balt, lost in thought, hadn¡¯t expected the discussion to pivot to him. After a brief consideration, he gave an honest response.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think this is the right time to debate that. Ever since the activity on T855, the energy fluctuations haven¡¯t stopped. Shouldn¡¯t we focus on that instead?¡± one captain interjected, attempting to redirect the conversation.


    ¡°Agreed,¡± another captain chimed in.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know the power of their railguns, nor can we estimate the projectile speed, but I suggest the fleet take evasive maneuvers.¡±


    ¡°The fleet will deploy all probes and shift 3,000 kilometers toward coordinate 31.67,¡± General Masai decided, finding the proposal reasonable.


    After months of idling, the Riken fleet reignited their engines, slowly moving aside. Since railgun projectiles couldn¡¯t alter their course mid-flight, leaving their current position should theoretically evade enemy fire.


    A day later, in the communication room:


    ¡°The enemy¡¯s railguns haven¡¯t stopped. Their attack is ongoing.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve changed positions three times now, and we still can¡¯t determine their target.¡±


    ¡°Have the probes detected anything?¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    Suddenly, Malachi joined the meeting with new information.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is the latest data from our probes,¡± Malachi announced, uploading a series of images and videos to the meeting¡¯s main screen.


    The footage showed deep space, with occasional flashes of blue arcs.


    ¡°What is this?¡± one captain asked, perplexed.


    ¡°It¡¯s what the enemy fired at us!¡± Malachi replied. ¡°Our probes spotted them. This footage has been slowed down by a factor of 5,000. Based on their trajectory, they¡¯ll pass 2,000 kilometers away from the fleet.¡±


    ¡°Those don¡¯t look like projectiles.¡±


    ¡°Maybe their projectiles look like this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m only seeing some blue arcs.¡±


    ¡°Their stealth technology is extremely advanced. Without those arcs, our probes wouldn¡¯t have detected them at all.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying they¡¯ve added stealth devices to their projectiles? That¡¯s quite innovative.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps they should consider masking their railgun energy emissions¡ªit might be even more effective,¡± someone joked.


    Realizing the projectiles posed no immediate threat, the Riken commanders relaxed, their earlier tension replaced with levity.


    In reality, the Swarm¡¯s optical cloaking and electromagnetic signal suppression systems were exceptionally advanced.


    If it weren¡¯t for the plasma engines used for deceleration, which emitted detectable energy signals, the Rikens wouldn¡¯t have noticed the space octopuses until they were right on top of them.


    ¡°I have bad news,¡± Malachi interjected. ¡°These might not be projectiles. Based on data from the probes, these objects are decelerating. And calculations of their outlines during arc flashes show that each is over 500 meters in size.¡±


    ¡°Unbelievable. If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d almost think they launched the meteor that destroyed the Trinbrian District,¡± a captain muttered.


    ¡°Could this be a conspiracy by the military?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. That¡¯s impossible.¡±


    ¡°How long until they¡¯re in range?¡± General Masai asked.


    ¡°They¡¯re decelerating continuously, but even so, they¡¯ll reach 300,000 kilometers from us in about 30 hours¡ªwithin effective range,¡± Malachi replied, glancing at his terminal for the data.


    ¡°No matter what they are, we must destroy them before they get any closer,¡± General Masai declared, glancing at the other captains, who nodded in agreement. He continued, ¡°Malachi, your intelligence team has a crucial task ahead. Lock onto all stealth objects and map their trajectories. I¡¯ll have the AI assign attack zones based on your data.¡± S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The Riken fleet entered intense battle preparations. Their ships bristled with turrets, which now had their purpose. With AI assistance, the stealth objects were targeted one by one, ready to be engaged once within range.


    ¡°So many?¡± The initial scans locked onto over 500 unknown objects in just the first wave. Subsequent waves were estimated to contain another three to four hundred each, bringing the total to over 2,000.


    ¡°What are these things?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t like the idea of them being alive.¡±


    ¡°Neither do I.¡±


    As the time for contact approached, the tension among the Rikens rose. No matter how confident they were, this was their first encounter with an alien civilization. They were making history¡ªand the stakes couldn¡¯t be higher.


    ¡°Careful! Evade immediately!¡± Malachi¡¯s shout rang out suddenly.


    The enemy, cunning as ever, had launched a barrage of solid projectiles behind the arc-emitting objects. These projectiles, requiring no deceleration, had overtaken the first wave and reached the front.


    This precision was the result of meticulous calculations. Between bursts of reinforcements, the Swarm had launched two waves of solid ammunition to provide initial long-range support.


    Because these smaller projectiles were harder to detect, the Rikens only spotted them when they were nearly upon them.

 Chapter 274: Space Octopuses

    A Riken warship, over a kilometer in length, would indeed seem massive within a planetary atmosphere. But in the vastness of space, it was little more than a speck in a sea of stars.


    The projectiles hurtling across the 600-million-kilometer expanse had been accurately locked onto the positions of the Riken fleet at launch. However, after traveling for over a day, subjected to various forces and minute deviations, the chances of actually hitting their targets were slim.


    Despite their emergency evasive maneuvers, one of the Riken warships sustained damage to its left armor, forcing it to withdraw for emergency repairs. This was the sole casualty among the hundreds of projectiles launched.


    While the bombardment yielded little in terms of direct damage, it disrupted the Riken fleet¡¯s defensive formations. In their scramble to evade, several turrets lost their original firing angles, leaving some targets out of reach.


    Space combat was inherently a three-dimensional battlefield. It required accounting for enemies from every angle¡ªabove, below, to the sides¡ªand factoring in the ship¡¯s orientation and the risk of obstructing allied vessels. The complexity was immense.


    After a rapid calculation, the fleet¡¯s AI adjusted the turrets, redistributing targets based on the new formation.


    ¡°Fire!¡±


    ¡°Launch!¡±


    As soon as the unidentified objects entered effective range, the Riken fleet unleashed their firepower. Over 300 warships, armed with more than 2,000 high-powered main turrets, unleashed several salvos, filling the void with tens of thousands of energy beams.


    The starry expanse lit up spectacularly as the dense barrage of beams cut through space.


    The ¡°projectiles¡± weren¡¯t passive targets. Blue arcs of plasma surged across their surfaces as their plasma-engine organs fired at full capacity, allowing them to execute evasive maneuvers.


    The Rikens were dumbfounded.


    ¡°What the hell are these things?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re too far and too nimble¡ªour long-range attacks are ineffective!¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to wait until they get closer.¡±


    A few minutes later, the Riken fleet launched a second attack.


    With the targets now closer, and having refined their algorithms after the first round, the Rikens managed to hit over a dozen projectiles despite the evasive efforts.


    The struck ¡°projectiles¡± exploded like fireworks, but their destruction only released a greater threat. From their ruptured forms poured countless octopus-like organisms. Some were only a few meters long, while others spanned tens of meters.


    These creatures scattered like a burst of fluid, their bodies flickering with blue arcs of plasma. In a flash, they leaped onto nearby ¡°projectiles,¡± merging into their surfaces and disappearing from sight.


    ¡°What the hell are those?!¡± This question, repeated countless times over the past two days, echoed once more among the Rikens, who were increasingly overwhelmed by bewilderment. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Could these be their warships?¡± a strategist tentatively speculated.


    ¡°Are you saying they¡¯re launching their warships at us?¡±


    ¡°Then what are those things inside them?¡±


    ¡°Pilots?¡±


    ¡°They look similar, but the size difference is enormous.¡±


    A flurry of questions filled the Riken fleet¡¯s communication channels, but speculation didn¡¯t delay their next orders to attack.


    After several more salvos, over 200 of the incoming ¡°projectiles¡± were destroyed. Yet, more than half broke through the firepower barrier, closing to within 50,000 kilometers of the Riken fleet.


    Moreover, the contents of the destroyed ¡°projectiles¡± had already spilled out, significantly reducing the Swarm¡¯s actual losses.


    Now within the range of the Riken fleet¡¯s medium-range weapons, the remaining projectiles faced a new barrage. The fleet¡¯s secondary turrets, numbering over 10,000, unleashed an even denser barrage of energy beams.


    While the ¡°projectiles¡± maneuvered desperately, their 500-meter-plus bodies proved less agile as the distance narrowed. Coupled with the overwhelming intensity of the Riken firepower, they were systematically destroyed.


    These Primordial Space Octopuses, stripped of their electromagnetic railgun components to increase their carrying capacity before launch, were purely transport units. Their destruction merely signaled the beginning of the true battle.


    The ¡°projectiles¡± were entirely eliminated before they could close to 30,000 kilometers, but this only paved the way for a much larger wave of attackers.


    Following the destruction of the large ¡°projectiles,¡± countless smaller ones swarmed forward, their numbers several times¡ªif not tens of times¡ªgreater. Blue arcs of plasma crackled across their forms as they accelerated toward the Riken fleet with astonishing speed.


    At 30,000 kilometers, the space octopuses needed only about ten minutes to cross the distance at maximum velocity. Their energy reserves were sufficient to support low-intensity combat at such a range.


    However, the scale of this battle far exceeded low intensity. Energy conservation remained a priority.


    At their maximum energy output, the octopuses could no longer maintain their cloaking capabilities, revealing themselves to the Rikens for the first time.


    ¡°What are those things?¡± repeated endlessly.


    ¡°Are these some kind of biological civilization¡¯s combat units? They look alive!¡±


    ¡°Stop analyzing¡ªthey¡¯re coming in! Prepare the space torpedoes!¡±


    The Riken fleet¡¯s defenses were thorough. Long-range main turrets, medium-range secondary turrets, torpedoes for medium-close combat, and close-range defensive formations created an intricate web of protection.


    Although not the most advanced technology in the Riken arsenal, the space torpedoes were effective within a limited range. Equipped with tracking systems, they provided strong offensive and defensive capabilities and were widely deployed across Riken warships.


    Hidden launch bays opened across the fleet, and sleek, slender missiles were ejected. As they fired, their propulsion systems ignited, and with the aid of the fleet¡¯s AI, the missiles locked onto their targets.


    Trailing long tails of exhaust, they streaked toward the oncoming swarm.


    Despite their speed, the torpedoes were still slower than energy beams and barely faster than the space octopuses. This limited their effectiveness.


    The octopuses, equipped with extreme dynamic vision, skillfully evaded the torpedoes. Some even lashed out with their tentacles, entwining the missiles.


    However, Riken technology ensured that physical impact wasn¡¯t necessary for detonation. Each torpedo carried a proximity fuse.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Brilliant explosions lit up the void, obliterating or wounding some of the more daring octopuses.


    Guided by their knights, the space octopuses quickly adapted, keeping their distance from the flaming projectiles.


    At their speed, dodging these weapons was hardly a challenge.

 Chapter 275: Space Warfare

    But the Riken missiles weren¡¯t limited to simple tracking.


    Anticipating potential evasive maneuvers during their design, the Riken AI adapted quickly. Utilizing the computational power of a regional network formed by all warships and support vessels, it implemented a new strategy.


    Two missiles approached a space octopus from above and below. Just as the octopus attempted to dodge, one of the missiles exploded unexpectedly, engulfing the creature in fire.


    The other octopuses, observing this, immediately distanced themselves from the missiles, refusing to allow them close.


    However, evading the missiles restricted their flight paths.


    One space octopus, entirely focused on dodging, found itself trapped when two energy beams suddenly intersected, sealing off all escape routes. It was obliterated in mid-air.


    In battles where the weaponry of both sides is relatively equal, victory often comes down to information and computational power.


    At this moment, while the Rikens held a slight advantage in computational ability, their intelligence was woefully inadequate.


    The Swarm¡¯s biological technologies had their weaknesses, but also undeniable strengths.


    These space octopuses were not expendable cannon fodder. They were valuable space combat units.


    Even those destroyed in battle hadn¡¯t truly died. Derived from fungal carpets, their bodies were filled with fungal colonies capable of acting as network nodes.


    As long as some of these colonies survived, the space octopuses could regenerate. Floating in space, absorbing radiation to replenish energy, they could gradually recover¡ªeven from being blown apart.


    Though the process was slow, they could accelerate recovery by absorbing parts of each other.


    As long as the Swarm controlled the battlefield after the battle, their forces would grow ever stronger.


    To annihilate a Swarm force entirely, one would need not only to win the battle but also to thoroughly clean up the battlefield.


    This reality was entirely unknown to the Rikens. And with the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements arriving in a constant stream, the Rikens would neither outlast the Swarm nor have an opportunity to clear the field.


    Nonetheless, this wave of torpedo missile attacks disrupted the Swarm¡¯s offensive momentum, rendering at least 20% of the space octopuses combat-ineffective.


    This kind of war was a first not only for the Rikens but also for the Swarm. Overall, the battle served as a trial for the Swarm¡¯s space combat units¡ªa chance to identify weaknesses and refine their strategies.


    At this stage, there was no need to worry about hidden observers. If the Swarm wished to step onto the grand stage of the cosmos, such technologies would inevitably come to light sooner or later.


    Luo Wen would not cripple the Swarm¡¯s development by pretending to be a lesser power just to avoid the scrutiny of potential advanced civilizations. What the Swarm needed to conceal was not its natural technological progress, but those abilities originating from another world¡ªabilities unique to the Swarm.


    This referred to the Swarm Network, whose foundation lay in extraordinary powers from another realm. In this world, it was the Swarm¡¯s core strength and absolutely must not be exposed.


    To this end, every space combat unit, regardless of size, was equipped with information-receiving systems.


    These systems, based on bent-light transmissions, originated from the Mantis Shrimp of the Genesis Planet. By utilizing millions of color combinations to transmit data, and more than 20 primary color capture systems to receive it, they enabled communication through visual cues.


    In addition, electromagnetic waves, body gestures, and other communication modes were integrated, allowing the Swarm to coordinate seamlessly in battle.


    Of course, this was all for external appearances. In truth, command and coordination were still executed through the Swarm Network.


    These systems were essential for deception. If the enemy captured a Swarm combat unit amid the chaos and found no apparent communication systems upon dissection, it would immediately raise questions. How could such units operate in sync without a visible means of coordination?


    ¡°Overlord, our space octopuses are too weak at breaking through their firepower barriers,¡± Sarah Kerrigan noted.


    ¡°That can¡¯t be helped,¡± Morgan sighed. ¡°After all, we still lack enough atomic furnaces.¡±


    Indeed, if all mature space octopuses were equipped with atomic furnaces, their endurance would see a qualitative leap. They wouldn¡¯t need to rely on such reckless charges, instead advancing while providing suppressive fire with their electromagnetic railguns.


    Fortunately, the Primordial Space Octopuses, though destroyed, had preserved their atomic furnaces intact.


    During assaults, the furnaces were concealed in the rearmost sections of their bodies. Even if the Rikens¡¯ main cannons penetrated their forward armor, the residual energy of the beams would be absorbed by the cargo they carried¡ªother space octopuses¡ªbefore reaching the furnaces.


    For each destroyed Primordial unit, a mature octopus would retrieve and secure its atomic furnace. These mature units would refrain from combat, activating cloaking systems and suppressing all energy emissions to drift silently through space.


    This made them nearly impossible to detect, ensuring the precious furnaces could be safely recovered post-battle. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°We don¡¯t calculate losses like other civilizations do. Our only goal is to win the war. When we do, losses cease to matter,¡± Luo Wen declared.


    Biotechnology and mechanical technology each had their advantages. For mechanical civilizations, repairing damaged warships was a complex and resource-intensive process. Often, rebuilding a ship required fewer resources than repairing one.


    For the Swarm, such concerns were irrelevant. Injuries merely required time to heal.


    After losing half their forces, the space octopuses finally broke through the firepower barriers, closing to within 1,000 kilometers of the Riken fleet¡ªa near point-blank range in space combat.


    However, the remaining octopuses were mostly larval bodies under 20 meters in length, with a few mature ones at most reaching 50 meters.


    The larger units had all been prioritized and eliminated earlier.


    ¡°Deploy the fighters to intercept!¡± General Masai ordered.


    A dense swarm of fighters poured out of the Riken fleet¡¯s hangars. Each warship launched at least 500 units, bringing the total to nearly 20,000.


    Among these fighters, a minority¡ªmeasuring over eight meters in length¡ªwere piloted by live Riken pilots. The rest, five meters long, were drones.


    Each piloted fighter directed nine drones, forming a squadron of ten under the pilot¡¯s command, with AI assistance. These squadrons operated in tight coordination, providing mutual support and executing precise attacks.


    The sheer number of fighters dwarfed the remaining space octopuses, instantly granting the Rikens a numerical advantage.

 Chapter 276: Dogfights

    The Riken fighter craft were equipped with two to four energy weapons and carried four space torpedoes. Due to their size, these energy weapons had smaller calibers, requiring concentrated fire to pose a threat to the space octopuses. Nonetheless, their sheer numbers made their long-range firepower formidable. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the Rikens made a critical mistake: their fighters charged directly toward the Swarm¡¯s space octopuses.


    Had they maintained distance, using long-range firepower to steadily wear down the space octopuses and disrupt their evasive maneuvers, while coordinating with the main and secondary turrets of their warships, the octopuses would have struggled to prevail.


    Instead, their decision to close the distance played right into the Swarm¡¯s hands.


    Although the mechanical fighters were highly maneuverable, with thrusters at their tails and undersides for propulsion and directional changes, they were no match for the octopuses in terms of agility. In the void of space, the octopuses moved like sea creatures gliding through water, their countless tentacles acting as thrust mechanisms to shift directions or halt abruptly at will.


    While the Riken fighters managed to shoot down a few octopuses during their charge, the moment the two forces clashed, the battle shifted dramatically.


    The space octopuses weaved effortlessly through the Riken fighter formations. Their tentacles latched onto nearby craft, gripping them tightly and tearing them apart.


    The Riken drones, mass-produced and lightly armored, could withstand the octopuses¡¯ initial tugs. But with a deliberate sacrifice of one or two tentacles, an octopus could pierce their engines, turning the drones into floating space debris.


    This strategy, however, was not without cost, and the knights piloting the octopuses quickly devised a more refined method of attack.


    Instead of directly attacking the fighters, the octopuses clung to the craft, using their bodies as shields to lure in enemy fire.


    When a space torpedo or energy beam targeted the host fighter, the octopus would detach at the last moment, leaving the unlucky craft to be struck by its own allies¡¯ weapons.


    This tactic left the Rikens paralyzed. Firing torpedoes became a liability, and they were forced to hold back.


    But the octopuses weren¡¯t done. They clung to the fighters, using their strength to redirect the crafts¡¯ trajectories, causing collisions with allied units.


    As soft-bodied creatures, the octopuses exhibited extraordinary adhesive capabilities. They could move fluidly across a fighter¡¯s surface, from the top to the underside, rendering targeting by other Riken fighters nearly impossible.


    Some octopuses even wrenched off the external torpedoes mounted on the fighters, hurling them back at the Rikens with devastating precision.


    The Riken commander¡¯s decision to engage in close combat quickly turned the battlefield into chaos. The octopuses thrived in the disarray, using the enemy fighters as cover while taunting their opponents relentlessly.


    The Riken fighters, hesitant to fire and restricted in their maneuvers, became sitting ducks. Even the warships¡¯ main and secondary turrets ceased firing for fear of hitting their own forces.


    ¡°Pull the fighters back!¡± General Masai barked, his frustration boiling over. The Swarm¡¯s unorthodox tactics left him humiliated in front of his peers.


    The Riken pilots, already desperate to escape the increasingly untenable situation, eagerly complied. They turned their fighters and retreated.


    But the battlefield was not so easily abandoned. The octopuses latched onto the retreating fighters like stowaways on a transport ship, hitching a ride back toward the Riken fleet.


    Realizing the danger, the Rikens issued an emergency order. This time, they prioritized eliminating the octopuses regardless of collateral damage.


    The drones carrying octopus passengers were targeted in a sudden, ruthless assault. The octopuses were caught off guard and suffered heavy losses.


    Only the octopuses attached to piloted fighters managed to survive the onslaught.


    The Swarm had not anticipated the Rikens¡¯ willingness to sacrifice thousands of drones to eliminate their enemies. It was a pragmatic choice; otherwise, the octopuses clinging to the fighters would eventually incapacitate the entire group.


    However, the Rikens¡¯ determination was not absolute. Hundreds of operational octopuses still remained, using piloted fighters for cover. These survivors continued to harass the fleet, preventing the fighters from fully retreating.


    At that moment, the Swarm¡¯s second wave of reinforcements arrived on the battlefield.


    The Riken warships redirected their main and secondary turrets to face the incoming threat.


    This wave of Swarm forces brought a slightly different configuration. Among the 500 Primordial Space Octopuses, 400 served as troop carriers, while the remaining 100 were armed with at least two electromagnetic railguns each, providing long-range fire support from the rear.


    The railguns were particularly menacing at this range. Their projectiles reached the Riken fleet in just over a minute¡ªtoo short a time for the massive warships to evade.


    Moreover, the energy emissions generated by the octopuses during their maneuvers closely resembled those produced by the railguns. In the chaotic battlefield environment, the Rikens¡¯ detection systems failed to distinguish the railgun attacks immediately.


    The first volley of over a hundred projectiles struck with devastating effect, catching the Rikens off guard.


    The forward-most warships bore the brunt of the assault. Despite their thick frontal armor, the power of the Primordial Octopuses¡¯ railguns was immense.


    Each railgun was over 300 meters in length, firing projectiles with diameters exceeding one meter. The impact was catastrophic.


    Two warships had their forward sections obliterated by the kinetic energy alone, while several others sustained severe damage.


    Alarms blared throughout the damaged vessels. Emergency protocols sealed off compromised compartments, but the destruction was severe.


    In the vacuum of space, individual survival became insignificant. Many Riken crew members were blown out through breaches in the hull. Those wearing protective suits fared slightly better, but those in standard uniforms faced imminent death.


    As nearby warships scrambled to rescue the survivors, the Swarm¡¯s second volley arrived.

 Chapter 277: Infiltration

    Before the second wave of bombardment, the Rikens had learned from their earlier losses and made subtle adjustments to their detection systems. The fleet focused its attention on the rear of the Swarm¡¯s second wave, keeping a close watch on the over 100 Primordial Space Octopuses stationed there.


    Thus, when these massive units began charging energy for their next attack, the fleet received an immediate evasive order.


    However, the Riken warships that had been severely damaged in the first round of bombardment either lost mobility or could only move sluggishly.


    In wars between civilizations, mercy is a rarity.


    Rather than wounding ten fingers, it¡¯s better to sever one entirely¡ªa principle Luo Wen had drilled into his Blades countless times.


    As a result, these crippled warships were given special attention in the second round of strikes.


    One heavily damaged ship was utterly destroyed, its energy core detonating and turning the vessel into a shower of debris. The shrapnel sprayed in all directions, colliding with nearby ships and disrupting ongoing rescue operations. The Rikens drifting in space from the first attack faced an even bleaker fate.


    The scene became a grim spectacle.


    More small rescue craft were deployed to assist, but before they could reach the field, the third wave of bombardment arrived.


    The Rikens, still reeling, finally adjusted their tactics. They redirected their main guns to target the 100 Primordial Octopuses at long range. These massive units were so far away that only the main guns could reach them.


    However, this redirection of firepower allowed other Primordial Octopuses to breach the firepower net more easily. Their enormous size let them withstand multiple hits from the secondary turrets before going down.


    The third layer of defense¡ªspace torpedoes¡ªwas now noticeably thinner. Unlike energy weapons, torpedoes required physical reloading, and many launchers were still in the process of being rearmed.


    The fourth defensive line of fighter craft remained embroiled in skirmishes with the remnants of the first wave of octopuses.


    By the time the 400 Primordial Octopuses broke through the fourth line, dozens of them still retained mobility. They were joined by hundreds of mature and over 5,000 larval bodies.


    The mature bodies, many armed with electromagnetic railguns, began closing the distance while targeting the Riken fleet¡¯s main and secondary turrets.


    The larval bodies, lacking ranged attack capabilities, rushed toward the fleet, acting as both a distraction and a screen.


    The Riken fire-control system prioritized the larger Primordial and mature octopuses, leaving minimal firepower to deal with the larval bodies. At just 10 meters in length, these small and agile units were difficult to lock onto, zipping through space with unpredictable trajectories.


    Exploiting this oversight, the larval bodies effortlessly reached the Riken fleet.


    Now, the battle entered a phase of close-quarters combat.


    At this critical juncture, the Rikens activated their fifth line of defense.


    Numerous multi-barreled close-in weapon systems (CIWS) mounted on the warships sprang to life. These weapons, designed for short-range defense, could fire tens of thousands of rounds per minute, creating a dense curtain of fire.


    While the CIWS lacked power and had a short effective range, they were perfect for dealing with the larval bodies.


    The resulting barrage lit up the void with streaks of light, and for the first time since the battle began, the Swarm suffered notable casualties.


    Several larval bodies, unable to evade the wall of fire, were shredded into pulp. Being small creatures with limited fungal colonies, these units had no chance of recovery.


    Even so, their remains could still be absorbed by other octopuses, accelerating growth and regeneration.


    The CIWS system relied on AI to predict flight paths and project a lethal trajectory in front of its targets. This approach worked well against less agile mechanical units.


    However, after some initial losses, the larval bodies adapted. They began zigzagging erratically, rendering their movements unpredictable.


    Once they adopted this new strategy, their casualties plummeted.


    Though the CIWS network continued firing ceaselessly, it achieved diminishing results.


    The larval bodies sought out gaps in the firepower and, after several maneuvers, successfully breached the defenses, landing directly on the warships.


    While the larval bodies lacked the weaponry to penetrate the ships¡¯ heavy armor, they quickly proved their utility. Some swarmed the exposed turrets, ripping apart smaller installations like point-defense cannons through brute force.


    Against the heavily armored main and secondary turrets, the larval bodies employed a different strategy: burrowing directly into the cannon barrels.


    Being soft-bodied creatures, squeezing through tight spaces was a trivial task. Once inside, their presence caused catastrophic backfires when energy was discharged, disabling the turrets entirely.


    Although the larval bodies were annihilated in the process, the exchange was entirely in the Swarm¡¯s favor.


    Recognizing the threat, General Masai issued an emergency order to prioritize defending the turrets. The CIWS systems were redirected to focus on the turrets instead of creating a firepower net. Since the main and secondary turrets were immune to CIWS fire, friendly fire was not a concern.


    However, this shift in priorities made the overall CIWS network more porous, allowing more octopuses to slip through.


    While the turrets gained some protection, the CIWS units themselves became vulnerable. Their relatively weak armor made them easy targets for the larger larval bodies, which dismantled them piece by piece.


    By targeting the rotating bases of the CIWS units, the larval bodies quickly rendered the weapons inoperable. Without the ability to adjust their firing angles, the CIWS units became non-threatening.


    Meanwhile, other larval bodies took a more audacious approach. They infiltrated the wreckage of destroyed Riken warships, blending in with the rescue operations in an attempt to sneak aboard intact vessels.


    Despite the Rikens¡¯ efforts to shut down hangar bay doors, some larval bodies managed to slip inside before the closures.


    Inside the ships, these ¡°small¡± creatures from space became towering giants.


    Capable of tearing apart CIWS units, these larval bodies were unstoppable against the unarmed Riken crew. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most of the personnel in the hangars were engineers wielding repair tools, wholly unprepared for combat. The once-secure rear areas of the ship were suddenly transformed into front-line battle zones.


    Chaos erupted as the larval bodies crushed several crew members before reinforcements arrived. The surviving crew fled in terror, colliding with armed soldiers rushing to contain the threat.


    The resulting scene was one of pure pandemonium.

 Chapter 278: Detonation

    While larval bodies are among the most basic of the Swarm¡¯s space combat units, they are still formidable space soldiers, far superior to many ground forces.


    To the Riken armed soldiers now facing them, the larval bodies¡ªeach over ten meters long¡ªwere towering giants. Combined with their unique physiology, the Rikens¡¯ small-caliber energy weapons had a negligible impact on them.


    Especially within the confines of a warship, where the use of heavy weaponry was restricted, the Rikens were at a significant disadvantage.


    Chaos reigned as the larval bodies barreled through. In the cramped corridors, their sheer mass alone caused catastrophic injuries to the Rikens.


    Blue blood spattered the walls of the passageways, mingling with severed limbs and broken bodies. Cries of pain, curses, and screams filled the air.


    But the larval bodies didn¡¯t pause to finish off their victims. Instead, they split up, each following different routes deeper into the ship, causing as much damage as possible without lingering in one spot.


    Seventeen larval bodies had infiltrated the ship. They rampaged down corridors, smashing equipment and wreaking havoc, never remaining in any one area for long.


    The ship¡¯s commander urgently ordered all bulkhead doors sealed to contain them. Yet the larval bodies, being soft-bodied creatures, were undeterred. Despite their massive size, they could squeeze into ventilation shafts as narrow as half a meter in diameter.


    While their progress slowed significantly in the ducts, and their agility was reduced, the ventilation system offered them a critical advantage: it was a blind spot in the ship¡¯s defenses.


    Inside the ducts lay numerous critical cables and pipelines. The larval bodies didn¡¯t bother discerning their purposes; they simply yanked them apart.


    Sparks flew, and electrical surges crackled as high-voltage lines were severed. For most creatures, this might have been fatal, but the larval bodies thrived on electromagnetism. The current caused minor burns but replenished their energy reserves.


    The Riken warships, mass-produced under tight deadlines, had standardized designs. The Swarm had long since obtained their blueprints through Lieutenant Colonel Cross.


    The larval bodies¡¯ seemingly haphazard paths were anything but random. Their chaotic behavior was a deliberate smokescreen to avoid suspicion after the fact. If they headed directly for key systems from the start, it could raise unnecessary questions.


    Luo Wen understood that in wars between advanced civilizations, even the smallest details could provide valuable intelligence.


    Of the seventeen larval bodies, fifteen truly roamed aimlessly, while two began to subtly converge on the ship¡¯s energy core.


    The Rikens quickly noticed the two larval bodies approaching the core. Knowing its critical importance, they dispatched a large contingent of armed soldiers to intercept them.


    The larval bodies engaged in brief skirmishes before retreating to the corridors, where they emitted silent, ultrasonic screeches.


    This was a new capability added after earlier Swarm units had encountered setbacks.


    Ultrasound waves traveled swiftly through the ship¡¯s ducts, summoning their nearby brethren, who promptly reversed course to assist.


    The Swarm orchestrated these events like a carefully choreographed play. The intent was to mislead the Rikens into believing the energy core was a key objective.


    If the larval bodies had moved too precisely and decisively, the Rikens might have questioned how the Swarm could have known their ship¡¯s layout without prior infiltration. Such knowledge would have raised alarm bells.


    By feigning disorganization and then rallying toward a plausible target, the Swarm maintained the illusion of cunning intelligence without omniscience.


    Outside the energy core, the Riken soldiers struggled to hold their ground. Their energy weapons, while effective against some targets, fared poorly against the larval bodies, which possessed high resistance to such attacks.


    Conversely, the confined corridors worked to the larval bodies¡¯ advantage.


    The Swarm units lined up in a single file, forming what could only be described as a living train.


    The larval body at the front bore the brunt of the Riken firepower. Despite its resilience, it was quickly torn apart, its limbs shattered and much of its body evaporated by concentrated fire. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But the ¡°train¡± consisted of 17 ¡°cars.¡± When the lead unit fell, the next one seamlessly took its place, carrying the momentum forward.


    Such coordinated sacrifice would require elite discipline in an individualistic species. For the Swarm, it was merely standard procedure.


    The ¡°train¡± accelerated, barreling through the Riken defenses. Even before the second unit was fully incapacitated, the line smashed into the Riken soldiers and breached the energy core.


    Once inside, the larval bodies unleashed a storm of destruction. They smashed, tore, and dismantled everything within reach. The Riken soldiers arriving in support found themselves unable to fire for fear of further damaging the core.


    The energy core, central to the ship¡¯s operations, began to destabilize as the destruction continued. Small explosions erupted intermittently, signaling the reactor¡¯s imminent failure.


    The ship¡¯s captain, watching the chaos unfold through surveillance feeds, realized the situation was irreparable. With no options left, he issued the order to abandon ship.


    The crew, including the soldiers who had tried to defend the core, scrambled to evacuate. Whether they reached escape pods depended on how quickly they moved.


    In the midst of the chaos, the injured were left behind.


    A brilliant explosion lit up the void as the ship reached its breaking point. The blast originated from the energy core, tearing the vessel apart from the inside out.


    Fragments of the ship scattered in all directions, accompanied by escape pods, gunboats, and transport craft.


    Most of the fleeing vessels survived the explosion, though many sustained damage. Some unfortunate pods lost propulsion and drifted aimlessly, carried by the shockwave of the blast.


    Nearby rescue ships deployed grappling cables to secure these drifting vessels, but the survivors faced a new dilemma.


    The destruction caused by a mere 17 larval bodies highlighted the vulnerability of Riken warships to internal sabotage. These relatively basic Swarm units had proven devastating once inside.


    Worse yet, the Rikens had seen how the larval bodies infiltrated their ship. Though their escape pods now hovered in space, no Riken warship dared open its doors to bring them aboard.


    As the survivors hesitated, the Swarm¡¯s third wave¡ªover 500 Primordial Space Octopuses¡ªarrived on the battlefield.

 Chapter 279: A Reminder

    The newly arrived wave of Primordial Space Octopuses brought a fresh change in deployment. Among them, 200 were equipped with electromagnetic railguns, joining the 30 or so surviving units from the previous wave in providing long-range fire support.


    This drastically increased the Swarm¡¯s long-range firepower, while the Rikens¡¯ firepower had diminished significantly. With warships destroyed by bombardment or sabotaged by blocked turrets, their ability to retaliate was no longer what it once was.


    The Primordial Octopuses positioned for long-range assault could now only be threatened by the Riken warships¡¯ main cannons. As the balance tipped in the Swarm¡¯s favor, their long-range firepower soon matched that of the Rikens.


    However, this equality only applied to the mid-range exchange.


    The Riken fleet¡¯s second line of secondary turrets still maintained a semblance of effectiveness, but their third and fourth lines of defense were riddled with gaps from earlier assaults by the mature bodies and larval bodies.


    Moreover, while the secondary turrets could still provide some resistance, their firepower was no longer a lethal threat to the Primordial Octopuses.


    Using data to illustrate.


    A single main cannon shot could penetrate a Primordial body¡¯s armor and render it adrift with three or four hits. In contrast, a secondary turret needed five or six direct hits to breach the armor and far more to disable a Primordial Octopus entirely.


    Yet, Primordial bodies were no sitting targets. Hitting the same spot multiple times in succession was a daunting challenge.


    With the main cannons occupied suppressing the distant Primordial bodies, only scattered shots could target the transport-oriented Primordial bodies breaching the secondary lines.


    As a result, of the over 300 transport units in this wave, only a dozen or so were lost before breaking through.


    This was a dire situation¡ªnot just for the Rikens but for the Swarm as well.


    Luo Wen hadn¡¯t expected the seemingly mighty Riken warships to falter so quickly. By the second wave of reinforcements, their defenses were already collapsing.


    The Rikens had no effective countermeasures for close-range combat against the space octopuses.


    Although the second wave of larval bodies had suffered heavy losses to the CIWS, over a thousand still swarmed around the Riken fleet. The CIWS systems themselves were now heavily damaged. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A mere 17 larval bodies infiltrating a single warship had managed to destroy it from within, leaving the Rikens so wary that they even avoided retrieving escape pods.


    Despite all this, the Riken situation continued to deteriorate. Many warships were damaged by the Primordial Octopuses¡¯ long-range bombardment, creating breaches that allowed more larval bodies to infiltrate. Escape pods began launching from several warships.


    Though only two of the fleet¡¯s 300 warships were completely destroyed, over a hundred suffered varying degrees of damage. Worse still, the remaining transport-type Primordial bodies had broken through the secondary defenses.


    The implications were dire. Each of these transports carried at least thousands of mature bodies and tens of thousands of larval bodies.


    Riken warships, measuring just over a kilometer long, paled in comparison to the 500-meter-plus Primordial Octopuses. Even without electromagnetic railguns, their tentacles alone posed a catastrophic threat.


    If the transport units reached the fleet, the remaining warships would fall in no time¡ªeven without reinforcements from subsequent waves.


    Yet, the Swarm had already launched 15 waves of Primordial bodies, all en route to the battlefield. Even if the Swarm ceased further reinforcements, the forces already deployed were more than enough to annihilate the Riken fleet.


    But Luo Wen¡¯s true objective wasn¡¯t to destroy the fleet entirely.


    He had prepared for a hard-fought battle, going all-out from the start. If not for the limited number of electromagnetic launchers, even more troops would have reached the field by now.


    To his surprise, the Riken fleet was already on the verge of collapse before he could bring his full strength to bear.


    Luo Wen found himself hoping the Rikens had some secret weapon left to deploy. ¡°If you¡¯ve got any trump cards, use them already,¡± he thought. ¡°At this rate, the whole thing is becoming farcical.¡±


    As if in answer to his prayer¡ªor perhaps spurred by their recognition of the looming threat¡ªthe Rikens revealed their ace.


    General Masai gave the order, and hundreds of strategic nuclear missiles were launched from the fleet. These weren¡¯t the tactical nuclear weapons used by ground forces but super-nukes with yields exceeding 200 megatons each.


    The missiles detonated as they neared the Primordial Octopus formations. While the octopuses had a chance to evade the blasts, Luo Wen saw an opportunity to leverage the event, orchestrating a delayed reaction from the Swarm.


    In truth, the outcome would have been the same regardless. The explosions were unimaginably powerful. Even if the octopuses had moved earlier, their survival would have been unlikely.


    The dazzling nuclear explosions illuminated space, lingering like hundreds of miniature suns. Some of the Swarm¡¯s optical observation units suffered severe damage.


    The Primordial formations directly facing the blasts were vaporized.


    The resulting radiation belt spanned thousands of kilometers, temporarily cutting off the Riken fleet from the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements.


    The intense light, heat, and charged particles from the explosions first struck the Riken fleet.


    The EMP effects generated by hundreds of high-yield nuclear detonations were catastrophic, disabling many of the fleet¡¯s electronic systems.


    Fortunately, the Rikens had anticipated some collateral effects and initiated emergency protocols, shutting down vulnerable systems to prevent irreparable damage.


    Even so, smaller units¡ªfighters, escape pods, and drones¡ªwere rendered inoperable. Without rescue, these crews faced suffocation and starvation in the void.


    The explosions¡¯ effects weren¡¯t limited to space. On the nearby Great Dawn Planet, shockwaves wreaked havoc on the atmosphere, triggering massive tidal storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. The planet¡¯s magnetic field became unstable, further exacerbating the chaos.


    The Rikens¡¯ initial confidence in their superior technology had been shattered by the Swarm¡¯s relentless assault. After the first wave, their arrogance faltered; after the second, their morale crumbled entirely.


    Some had already proposed retreat, but the realization of the Swarm¡¯s full scale of reinforcements solidified their decision.


    This was Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate ploy¡ªa display of the Swarm¡¯s might designed to terrify his opponents into fleeing.


    Convinced they had narrowly escaped annihilation, the Rikens prepared to withdraw, believing the heavens had offered them a second chance.

 Chapter 280: Escape

    The proposal to retreat was swiftly approved. At Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s reminder, they ensured that no Riken clansmen were left behind on Great Dawn Planet.


    On Great Dawn Planet, all personnel from various bases carried out an emergency evacuation.


    Bases, supplies, and all kinds of useless weaponry and equipment were abandoned or destroyed.


    Dr. Balt¡¯s laboratory had to leave behind the intact corpse of Godzilla, taking only some tissue samples.


    The Longevity Plants, however, were the top priority and the greatest reward of their mission. These plants were carefully placed into petri dishes and loaded onto transport ships.


    As for the experimental equipment, all of it was destroyed.


    The airships then took off in haste, heading toward the fleet in orbit.


    At that moment, the sky lit up with hundreds of suns.


    Fortunately, the Riken transport ships had not yet exited the atmosphere, and the atmospheric barrier significantly reduced the impact they suffered. Without this, they might have ended up like the escape pods¡ªblown away to some unknown place.


    The nuclear explosions temporarily halted the subsequent attacks of the Swarm forces.


    The Rikens, demonstrating their resolve, abandoned several warships already infested with larval bodies, activated the self-destruct systems, and urgently transferred personnel.


    After picking up the transport ships that had flown up from Great Dawn Planet, the entire fleet fired up their engines and fled in the opposite direction of the battlefield.


    Seeing that the Rikens successfully escaped, Luo Wen exhaled deeply.


    He hadn¡¯t expected the Riken fleet to be as fragile as they turned out to be, even bordering on pathetic. It seemed their technological advancements primarily focused on engines, fleet construction, and materials, while their weapons technology had barely progressed. Their combat capabilities were laughably poor.


    Meanwhile, the Rikens, seeing that the Swarm forces had not pursued them further, assumed that the radiation from the nuclear blasts had genuinely stopped the Swarm. They too breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though they had narrowly escaped death.


    In truth, the radiation could not stop the Swarm. After the high temperatures dissipated, the area essentially became a massive charging station for the Swarm.


    If not for the fact that the Rikens hadn¡¯t gotten far, Luo Wen would have already ordered the immobile space octopuses from the earlier battle to be dragged over for rapid recovery.


    Shortly after the Rikens set sail, the Swarm¡¯s seventh wave of Primordial Body units reached the battlefield.


    The charade couldn¡¯t be too obvious. Once the radiation belt between the two forces had cooled slightly, the Swarm organized over two thousand Primordial Body units to cross the belt and chase after the Riken fleet.


    Though the Swarm¡¯s engine technology lagged behind that of the Rikens, many of the Riken warships had sustained damage from earlier bombardments. While they could manage at low speeds, they became unstable and prone to structural failure at high velocities.


    Yet, with the Swarm in pursuit, the Rikens dared not reduce their speed.


    Along the path of the pursuit, Riken warships heavily damaged in the battle were occasionally abandoned. Most of the Rikens aboard these ships had already been transferred.


    However, as the pursuit wore on, more warships began falling behind the main fleet. These warships were less severely damaged but were unable to keep up with the fleet¡¯s accelerating pace.


    The main fleet¡¯s speed had increased to the point where transferring personnel from damaged warships was almost impossible. Yet, if they continued flying under these overburdened conditions, the warships would inevitably fail¡ªor be overtaken by the Swarm.


    Fortunately, these less-damaged warships decided to break away from the main fleet and fend for themselves.


    This small splinter fleet headed for Planet T854, the first planet they had encountered upon arriving in the T85 Star System. They still had defensive forces, space factories, and resource collection equipment there.


    By lingering there briefly, they hoped to repair their warships and then return home.


    Now, they could only hope the Swarm, distracted by the larger Riken fleet, would ignore this small group.


    If Lieutenant Colonel Cross and the Seeds were part of this splinter fleet, the Swarm would naturally follow the larger group, abandoning their pursuit of the splinter fleet.


    Unfortunately, during the earlier battle, Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s ship had already been marked. Whether from the long-range bombardments of the Primordial Bodies or the harassment by Mature and Larval bodies, her area had been conspicuously avoided.


    Moreover, when Dr. Balt¡¯s team received the evacuation order, the Rikens had already decided to retreat. Naturally, the team carrying the precious Longevity Plants would not be placed on a damaged warship.


    In the early stages of the retreat, the team had already transferred to General Masai¡¯s flagship.


    This information had been confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Cross.


    Thus, the unfortunate splinter fleet attracted the attention of the Swarm¡¯s pursuing forces. The Swarm abandoned their pursuit of the rapidly accelerating main Riken fleet and instead turned their attention to this smaller fleet.


    Watching the Swarm cease its pursuit, General Masai felt a heavy weight lift from his chest, though a trace of sorrow remained.


    ¡°Their sacrifice was worth it,¡± he murmured as he watched the surveillance footage of the damaged fleet being surrounded by the Swarm.


    It was unclear whether he was trying to convince himself or absolve his guilt.


    However, no one was more reluctant to see this outcome than General Masai. As the nominal commander of the expeditionary force, this operation had been a disastrous failure. Not only had they lost numerous warships, but they had also suffered heavy personnel losses, retreating in utter defeat.


    Now, they could only hope Dr. Balt would make the most of their journey home and enhance the value of their findings.


    The Riken fleet had dwindled from 315 main warships and 164 transport ships, carrying over 3 million personnel, to 206 main warships, 127 transport ships, and just over 2.4 million personnel.


    The war had taken a significant toll on their primary warships, with fewer than 10 destroyed outright in battle. Most were abandoned during strategic withdrawals.


    Personnel losses were also severe, though proportionally less than the losses of main warships. As a result, many warships and transport ships had taken in personnel who were not originally part of their crews.


    These were mostly survivors transferred from heavily damaged warships abandoned early in the conflict.


    While their supplies were barely sufficient to sustain these numbers for the return journey, they faced a shortage of about 200,000 stasis pods.


    As a result, some would have to spend a portion of the monotonous interstellar journey awake, wasting a part of their lifespans.


    Naturally, Dr. Balt¡¯s team wouldn¡¯t face such issues. Although they lacked stasis pods, they wouldn¡¯t experience boredom. Their research into Longevity Plants would occupy their time.


    Due to the sudden nature of the retreat, they had managed to bring a large number of harvested Longevity Plants. However, these plants were now like water without a source. If they couldn¡¯t find a way to propagate them, their supply would eventually run out. Returning to T853 to harvest more was impossible in the short term. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, Dr. Balt¡¯s team had to focus not only on removing the plants¡¯ side effects but also on discovering a method to cultivate and reproduce them.

 Chapter 281: The Situation

    The Swarm reaped significant rewards from this war.


    They captured a large number of Riken warships. While some steadfast captains chose to perish with their vessels, many succumbed to their fear of death and surrendered. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The personnel and supplies obtained were secondary. The real prize was the technological advancements the Riken had developed over the years, which provided valuable inspiration to the Swarm.


    With the assistance of Riken researchers who had been converted into Intelligent Entities, the Swarm rapidly assimilated all of this knowledge.


    ¡°General, we¡¯ve confirmed that they are not pursuing us.¡±


    ¡°It seems their engine technology is indeed a shortcoming.¡± After a moment of contemplation, General Masai let out a long sigh. ¡°And now, we¡¯ve practically helped them overcome this weakness. Perhaps we¡¯ve doomed ourselves to be traitors of the Riken.¡±


    The Riken firmly believed that while the T85 civilization was powerful in combat, their inability to expand into the Riken Star System was due to their limited travel speeds.


    The abandoned Riken warships, particularly the severely damaged ones, had their personnel evacuated, and their engines destroyed before being relinquished. However, some of the less damaged ships, according to the final images, had likely fallen into the hands of the T85 civilization.


    With the physical prototypes of these warship engines and the assistance of defectors, the T85 civilization could potentially master these technologies within decades, eventually advancing into the Riken Star System.


    General Masai regretted not decisively destroying all the warships back then, even if it meant sacrificing tens of thousands of lives and being branded a butcher in history.


    Unfortunately, such cold-blooded orders would likely never have been executed without the disastrous consequences presenting themselves first.


    Feeling powerless, General Masai couldn¡¯t predict what the future held.


    But given the circumstances, he resolved to focus on survival. As long as he retained military command, there might still be opportunities in the future.


    ¡°Ensure that Dr. Balt receives everything he needs. Aside from entering hibernation, fulfill his requests as best as you can!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    More than twenty years passed in the blink of an eye. After a prolonged journey across the void between the Neighboring Star System and the Riken Star System, the Riken fleet finally returned to their home system.


    Upon arriving at the outermost asteroid belt of the Riken Star System, they noticed the area had undergone significant changes, with many new artificial structures present. Most appeared to be observation equipment, with only a small number of weapon installations.


    As they crossed the asteroid belt and entered the inner regions of the Riken Star System, the transformations became even more apparent.


    Observation devices floated throughout space, monitoring every corner of the system. On the planets and their moons, massive construction projects were in progress.


    The closer they approached the Riken homeworld, the more evident the changes became.


    From the sixth planet onward, numerous space factories were seen orbiting the system, with various transport ships shuttling in and out. These ships carried refined components to specific locations for assembly.


    Countless metallic space fortresses and turrets were dispersed across orbital paths, while the surfaces of planets and moons were bristling with weapons, with more still being added.


    The fleet¡¯s speed had already decreased to 10 km/s, moving very slowly through space cluttered with obstacles, making higher speeds unattainable.


    Although many of the facilities were still in early stages of development, achieving such progress was undoubtedly not the work of mere years.


    ¡°It seems the current President is an exceptionally bold leader,¡± General Masai remarked. The expedition fleet had been away from their homeworld for over fifty years.


    Back when they departed, the President at the time, President Derlin, had just completed his third term. He was succeeded by another leader who served for thirty years, followed by the current President, Antonio.


    Before the fleet¡¯s construction, the Riken had experienced rapid technological progress.


    Thus, they no longer had to rely on primitive Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceships, where every communication required years of accumulated energy from solar sails. Thanks to advances in energy systems, the fleet could now communicate more frequently with the homeworld.


    Unfortunately, the transmission speed of communication devices remained bound by the speed of light. Despite more frequent communication, the time it took for messages to travel between locations was essentially unchanged from the era of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceships.


    When the expedition fleet was defeated and fled, General Masai had transmitted reports of the battle back to the Riken homeworld.


    By the time the message arrived, President Antonio had just taken office. He likely hadn¡¯t anticipated inheriting such a catastrophic situation so early in his tenure.


    Over the past twenty years, as the fleet gradually approached their homeworld, the time required for communications had shortened from several years to a few months.


    Throughout this period, President Antonio had been the primary decision-maker for the Riken.


    Remarkably, under these dire circumstances, he managed to secure two additional terms, demonstrating extraordinary capability.


    It should be noted that constructing the fleet in the past had taken over twenty years, during which the Riken endured significant declines in their standard of living.


    If not for their dreams of defeating alien invaders and the honor of colonizing other star systems, internal unrest might have erupted long ago due to their years of militaristic strain.


    Finally, the fleet was completed, and the Riken enjoyed just thirty years of prosperity and recovery before the disastrous news of the expedition fleet¡¯s defeat and retreat shattered their hopes.


    Most importantly, there was now the looming threat that their enemy might counterattack.


    This news shocked the entire Riken population. President Antonio, who had been brimming with confidence and intent on leading the Riken to a brighter future, was dealt a crushing blow.


    Resignation was out of the question. If Antonio had stepped down, he would¡¯ve been labeled a deserter. Should the Riken perish afterward, it would be excusable, but if they survived, Antonio would surely be remembered with infamy.


    Faced with this crisis, Antonio embarked on sweeping reforms. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation, so despite Antonio¡¯s harsh measures, they reluctantly complied.


    Gradually, Antonio¡¯s authority expanded, particularly over military matters, transforming the Federal Assembly into a de facto military regime.


    By the time others realized what had happened, it was too late to reverse the changes.


    Antonio issued more directives, including raising military taxes, enforcing conscription, drafting laborers, and restricting the entertainment industry.


    At the same time, a large-scale propaganda campaign was launched. While it initially caused widespread panic, over time, public fear subsided, and many began to appreciate Antonio¡¯s decisions.


    Antonio¡¯s previously plummeting approval ratings skyrocketed.


    The portrayal of alien invaders as ruthless, merciless beings who spared no prisoners had become deeply ingrained through years of propaganda.


    Faced with the existential threat of extinction, all other concerns paled in comparison.

 Chapter 282: The New Team

    The Riken Star System had its primary planet, the fourth one, designated as the Riken homeworld. The fifth planet was named Riven, and the sixth, Riwu.


    One stood for civility, the other for strength¡ªtogether, they guarded the homeworld.


    The returning expedition fleet began disbanding upon reaching Riwu¡¯s orbit. A portion of the fleet remained stationed there for repairs and upgrades, while the rest continued to Riven¡¯s orbit, where they were entirely stationed.


    The captains, officers, and staff of the ships traveled to Riken aboard small transport vessels, relinquishing their military authority in a peaceful transfer before returning home.


    For defeated soldiers, no grand welcoming ceremony awaited them. President Antonio met them discreetly.


    The endless expanse of space, while awe-inspiring and beautiful, can grow tiresome after years or even decades of unchanging scenery.


    As a result, casual chatter became the best way to pass the time.


    However, onboard, either people were in hibernation, or everyone was similarly cut off from external information for decades, leading to high redundancy in conversations.


    No secret could remain hidden for long in such a closed environment.


    Take the Longevity Plant as an example. Originally known only to the top command and research teams, the knowledge of it somehow leaked. Within a few years, this top-secret information became common gossip.


    Even the reclusive engineering and maintenance teams on the ships had enough details to voice their opinions on the matter.


    Thus, communications with the homeworld became the sole source of new conversational material for the expedition fleet.


    As the fleet drew closer to Riken, communication delays shortened, and energy costs lessened, leading to increasingly frequent ¡°chats¡± between the two sides.


    The fleet had spent nearly 30 years traveling to the T85 Star System, only to stay less than a year before being driven out. They then spent another 20-plus years traveling back through the void.


    This meant their information reserves were scarce, and after a few exchanges, the topics ran dry. For the most part, it was the homeworld providing them with a one-sided stream of updates.


    This saved significant time in President Antonio¡¯s discussions with General Masai and other returning officers.


    The meeting ended quickly, and its contents were undisclosed. Shortly afterward, Dr. Balt was carefully escorted from Riven¡¯s orbit to Riken¡¯s surface.


    During the more than two decades of travel, Dr. Balt¡¯s team had not rested. They were dedicated to researching the Longevity Plant.


    However, most of the advanced equipment initially carried by the expedition fleet had been transported to the T853 Planet base. When the retreat came, the equipment had to be hastily destroyed to prevent enemy capture.


    As a result, there were no suitable replacements on board. This made the already rudimentary research environment even worse. Although they managed to bring back relatively portable samples of the Longevity Plant during the retreat, providing ample experimental materials, their progress over more than two decades was unimpressive.


    Dr. Balt¡¯s team included many members who were neither specialists in the relevant fields nor enthusiastic about conducting research without proper equipment. Even Dr. Balt himself was, strictly speaking, an outsider to the field.


    Dr. Balt had raised these concerns with General Masai, but amidst the competing interests, their opinions were ultimately ignored. The team was still forbidden from entering hibernation and was assigned research tasks under duress.


    This led to dissatisfaction and resistance among many team members. Some even deliberately wasted experimental materials out of spite.


    Over 20 years, the original stockpile of over 20 tons of Longevity Plants, including roots and fruit, had dwindled to less than 2 tons.


    General Masai, who not only lost the war but also allowed critical resources to be squandered, was relieved of his military duties after his meeting with the President. Thanks to backing from his allies, he avoided a court-martial.


    The Longevity Plants were handed over to President Antonio¡¯s faction. After completing a handover and having all their research data extracted, Dr. Balt and his team were promptly removed from the project.


    A new team, comprised of more specialized personnel, was formed. With over 3,000 members, this team was better funded and equipped with precision instruments as needed.


    It was said that several senior professors in the new team fainted with excitement after reviewing the Longevity Plant data. When they learned that the original experimental stock was more than ten times what remained, wasted by Dr. Balt¡¯s team, they fainted again.


    Upon regaining consciousness, the professors managed to compose themselves. Had Dr. Balt¡¯s team not already been reassigned, there might have been severe consequences.


    The new team was exceptionally efficient. They quickly assimilated the research results from Dr. Balt¡¯s 20-plus years of work and began making significant advancements.


    It was believed that tangible breakthroughs would soon be achieved.


    Meanwhile, of the more than 2 million personnel returning with the fleet, all but the heavy criminals and death-row convicts from the initial crew were gradually sent back to Riken in batches.


    These individuals, though defeated, had endured decades of hardship and were not without merit. Additionally, they were connected to complex power networks. Even the rank-and-file soldiers had families who had eagerly awaited their return.


    Any mistreatment of these individuals might have caused internal collapse before any external alien threat could arrive. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Foolish little sister, you¡¯ve finally returned. I heard you encountered some mishaps this time? Almost got eaten by a beast? Hopefully, this experience has helped you mature a little.¡± The elder sister, though worried about her sibling¡¯s ordeal, had initially considered hijacking a warship to rush to the T85 Star System. Yet, when it came to expressing her concern, the words took a different turn.


    ¡°Eh? Are you mom¡¯s sister? I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve ever met. You look at least 50 years older than me!¡± The younger sister¡¯s sharp response immediately made the elder sister wish the beast had finished the job.


    Despite this exchange, both smiled, and the five-decade gap between them melted away.


    ¡°Though you remain as annoying as ever, seeing you like this puts my mind at ease. It seems you¡¯ve indeed grown.¡±


    ¡°Ah, it was an unforgettable experience,¡± the younger sister said, her eyes filled with reminiscence, as if recalling a great being. She emphasized again, ¡°An experience you absolutely cannot imagine.¡±


    Though the elder sister looked intrigued, Lieutenant Colonel Cross wasn¡¯t inclined to elaborate further. Instead, she said:


    ¡°Old woman, despite our rough return, we brought back some good stuff.¡± She spoke about the Longevity Plant: ¡°You better seize this opportunity. I hear the materials are running out. To stay my sister, you¡¯ll need to look even younger.¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯d change how you address me, I might like you more. But for now, you should rest. Leave the rest to me.¡±


    ¡°And how about your research? Have you reverse-engineered anything good over the years?¡± Cross asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.


    ¡°It¡¯s a secret!¡± came the usual answer.


    ¡°Meh.¡±


    The sisters chatted for a while longer before the elder sibling hurried off, clearly still busy. Even visiting her sister had been squeezed into her packed schedule.


    Watching her leave, Cross¡¯s gaze turned playful. ¡°Foolish ¡®sister,¡¯ how could two species truly become siblings? I can¡¯t wait for the day you once again become my ¡®sister.¡¯ Then you¡¯ll understand just how wonderful this world truly is.¡±

 Chapter 283: The Laboratory

    The new research team truly lived up to their reputation, achieving significantly faster progress than Balt¡¯s team thanks to access to top-notch equipment.


    It wasn¡¯t that Dr. Balt was incapable¡ªit was simply that his expertise lay in biology, and isolating harmful substances within plants was quite beyond his specialty.


    In less than a year, the new team overcame numerous challenges and successfully produced a prototype.


    This was a genuine Longevity serum, proven effective through animal testing, though it hadn¡¯t yet undergone Riken clinical trials. The serum eliminated all radiation risks and could extend the theoretical lifespan of the Riken by about 60 years.


    However, due to material limitations, the original 2 tons of resources had been reduced to less than half a ton. The most potent fruits were down to mere dozens, making the serum incredibly valuable.


    While the development of the Longevity serum had not been publicly announced, the return of over two million expeditionary fleet members made the news far from secret. Those who needed to know already knew; those who didn¡¯t remained unaware.


    As such, the progress of the serum¡¯s development attracted significant attention, particularly from powerful and affluent elderly Riken, who were exceptionally eager.


    But the limited quantity of the serum was far from sufficient to meet everyone¡¯s demand.


    ¡°Dr. Simone, Dr. Hartmann, Dr. Natal, you¡¯ve worked hard,¡± said President Antonio, personally visiting the laboratory upon hearing the news. He extended his gratitude to the three individuals managing the project.


    The advent of the Longevity serum gave Antonio more bargaining chips. Many previously insurmountable challenges could potentially be overcome with the allure of extended life.


    This could even provide an opportunity to transition the Riken Federation from a parliamentary system to a monarchy, with him ascending as king.


    Dreaming of this glorious future, Antonio couldn¡¯t help but smile. At that moment, even the threats from alien forces seemed to fade¡ªor perhaps, he was deliberately ignoring them.


    ¡°How many doses of the serum can be produced with the remaining materials?¡± Antonio interrupted the trio, who had been explaining the scientific principles behind the serum and emphasizing the difficulty of their work.


    He cared little for such details¡ªonly the quantity of his bargaining chips mattered.


    The three scientists exchanged glances before one of them spoke up. ¡°Mr. President, there¡¯s actually some good news.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve discovered that once we replicate the right growth environment for these plants, cultivating them isn¡¯t particularly difficult.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Antonio asked, his interest piqued.


    ¡°Yes, by replicating the atmospheric and seawater composition of Planet T853 as recorded by the expedition, we initially failed to regrow the plants. But a closer examination of the special operations team¡¯s combat logs revealed that these plants were located in areas with high radiation levels.¡±


    ¡°So that¡¯s why you requested access to those records?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! We added radioactive materials to the simulated environment, and miraculously, the plants came back to life and began growing again.¡±


    ¡°How difficult is their cultivation?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the fascinating part. As we continued our research, we found that as long as there¡¯s a source of radiation, these plants have minimal other environmental requirements.¡± The researcher paused, providing an analogy: ¡°For example, we don¡¯t even need to simulate T853¡¯s environment anymore. As long as there¡¯s sufficient radiation, the plants adapt on their own.¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What about production?¡±


    ¡°To be honest, I¡¯ve never seen a plant like this. They require only radiation¡ªany kind of radiation. And once provided, they grow quickly.¡±


    ¡°Radiation? Do you have any recommendations, Doctor?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯re willing, they could potentially solve our nuclear waste problem.¡± The Riken, heavily reliant on fusion and fission technologies, generated substantial amounts of nuclear waste annually. Disposing of this waste often meant packaging it and launching it into the sun.


    If the longevity plants could absorb it for growth, it would indeed be ideal.


    ¡°What about the medicinal effectiveness of plants grown under such conditions?¡± While solving the nuclear waste issue would be a bonus, the primary use of these plants was producing the serum. If their effectiveness were compromised, it wouldn¡¯t be worth it.


    ¡°There¡¯s no significant issue. The latest batches maintain nearly identical efficacy. But to confirm this fully, we need to propagate more and conduct additional tests. Still, I believe there¡¯s no major problem.¡±


    ¡°So, mass production of the serum is within reach?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, absolutely excellent. Keep this information confidential for now.¡± This was undoubtedly the best news of the day. However, to maximize its value, this information had to remain secret; after all, rarity enhanced its worth.


    President Antonio offered generous praise and promises to the research team before leaving the lab, taking several doses of the serum with him.


    The lab executed the President¡¯s orders with utmost discretion and effectiveness, limiting the news of the plants¡¯ cultivability to a small circle.


    Two days later, the laboratory was bombed.


    Unknown armed forces attacked the lab with gunboats, engaging in a brief but intense firefight with the security forces. Unfortunately, President Antonio had not anticipated such audacity. The guards were equipped with only light conventional weapons.


    Under the gunboats¡¯ assault, the battle ended swiftly. The attackers expertly raided the lab, seizing finished serum doses, some longevity plants, and research data before vanishing without a trace.


    The entire operation took less than ten minutes. By the time reinforcements arrived, the lab was engulfed in flames.


    Thankfully, apart from casualties among the guards, the research team had managed to escape, aided by their compliance. The attackers didn¡¯t seem intent on eliminating them.


    President Antonio was furious upon hearing the news and ordered a joint military-police investigation. However, contrary to expectations, no quick resolution emerged. Investigators faced countless obstacles, including issues within their ranks. A week later, the case remained unsolved.


    This was practically unheard of among the Riken.


    Not only were weapons like gunboats heavily regulated, but even regular firearms weren¡¯t easily accessible. Tracing the source should have been straightforward. Furthermore, with the Riken¡¯s advanced technology and widespread surveillance, such a large armed group attacking a key facility should have left clear traces. Their complete disappearance seemed more like fiction than reality.


    But sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction.


    A week later, the investigation was called off. Antonio realized this attack was likely retaliation for some of his recent actions.


    The raid wasn¡¯t merely about stealing the serum¡ªit was a display of power.


    This sobering moment reminded the overly ambitious President, engrossed in his dream of monarchy, that the entrenched old factions still had much hidden strength. His grip on power was not as absolute as he had believed.


    Many plans would need to be approached more cautiously.


    Unbeknownst to the Riken, during the lab assault, explosions and hasty raids resulted in a few longevity plant samples spilling onto the ground.


    Several fungal carpet spores finally found an opportunity to escape, sinking underground and vanishing.

 Chapter 284: Upgrades

    Among the faces hidden beneath the helmets of the raiding party, a few were strikingly familiar. Were they members of the patrol team that had been rescued long ago?


    Indeed, if someone were to carry out such a mission on Riken¡¯s homeworld, who could be more suitable than expeditionary soldiers¡ªrecently returned from deep space, with no records for decades, and well-versed in combat?


    ¡°Overlord, the fungal carpet seeds we planted on Riken¡¯s homeworld have been activated,¡± Sarah Kerrigan reported.


    Luo Wen nodded. Although the seeds were activated by a Celestial Monitor under his direct authorization, he had known about it the instant it happened.


    ¡°Overlord, we need to find a way to deploy a Brood Queen to Riken¡¯s homeworld. Only then can we proceed with the next phase of the plan.¡±


    ¡°What ideas do you have?¡±


    ¡°We currently have no feasible solutions. According to the intelligent entities on their side, the Riken have fortified their star system into an impenetrable fortress. Although it isn¡¯t yet fully completed, it would be exceedingly difficult for us to penetrate without deploying a large-scale force.¡±


    ¡°I see. I¡¯ll handle this,¡± Luo Wen replied after some thought.


    From the intelligence provided by Lieutenant Colonel Cross, it was clear that the closer one got to the Riken homeworld, the tighter their defenses became. Rumor had it that their technology had advanced further¡ªthey even planned to hollow out their satellites and turn them into planetary fortresses.


    It was impossible for the Swarm to rely on its old strategy of disguising a few Swarm Meteors as cover to crash into a planet. The very reason for the Riken¡¯s previous expedition had been the destruction of a Riken administrative district by a ¡®Swarm¡¯ Meteor.


    This revelation made Luo Wen realize that he had been saddled with an undeserved infamy. If he ever discovered who was responsible for that act, he would turn them into feed for his larvae.


    Nonetheless, this event had left the Riken hypervigilant against anything resembling meteors. No meteor, no matter how small, could approach their homeworld without arousing suspicion.


    Twenty years ago, this would have been a nearly insurmountable problem. The Swarm would have had no choice but to rely on brute force to conquer the Riken homeworld¡ªan approach that ran counter to Luo Wen¡¯s objectives.


    But now, this problem had become exceedingly simple to solve.


    The reason? Luo Wen¡¯s Swarm Network had undergone another evolution.


    Since the first intelligent entity crafted from a Riken¡¯s spiritual essence was born, Luo Wen had sensed subtle changes in the Swarm Network. However, the transformations had been so faint, and the network so vast, that he couldn¡¯t pinpoint what had shifted.


    Over time, as more intelligent entities of various types were created, the changes became increasingly pronounced.


    Yet, attributing the changes solely to the new intelligent entities would be inaccurate. The process of creating these entities involved absorbing the energy of mature spiritual essences and using it to construct the intelligent entities.


    The key point was that this energy was first absorbed by the Swarm Network before forming the entities.


    In essence, this energy didn¡¯t disappear¡ªit simply changed form. The seemingly independent intelligent entities were still fundamentally part of the Swarm Network.


    Over the years, the Swarm had accumulated millions of intelligent entities. Absorbing so much energy had inevitably altered the Swarm Network, leading to both quantitative and qualitative transformations, culminating in an evolution.


    The most direct result of this evolution was that many long-standing challenges Luo Wen had faced were now effortlessly resolved¡ªand the network¡¯s functionalities were strengthened to an unimaginable degree.


    For example, in the past, all production units¡ªwhether early-stage Queen Ants or modern Brood Queens¡ªrequired a Brood Nest to produce other units. Now, any Brood Queen could be authorized to produce such units, including other Brood Queens.


    This capability dramatically accelerated the Swarm¡¯s expansion into new star systems. Colonizing a system no longer required launching the primary body and Brood Nest as it had when exploring the Neighboring Star System.


    Similarly, absorbing the genetic material of certain lifeforms used to necessitate the direct involvement of Luo Wen¡¯s primary body or a Brood Nest. Now, any production unit could absorb genetic material and upload it to the Swarm Network. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For instance, if the Swarm encountered another creature like Godzilla, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t need to personally consume it. Any nearby Brood Queen could do so, and Luo Wen could still acquire the genetic data via the network.


    In the past, updating the genetic library of production units required Luo Wen to personally interact with each one¡ªa time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Even with the modular components of fungal carpet-based units, which allowed for retrofitting, delays in genetic updates were still a hindrance.


    These updates were especially critical when dealing with major acquisitions like Godzilla¡¯s genes, which required comprehensive updates across the board. Each such occasion demanded a large-scale operation.


    Additionally, frequent appearances of his primary body in the field were far from ideal for Luo Wen at the time.


    Fortunately, these problems were now resolved. Genetic libraries of all production units could now be remotely updated via the Swarm Network. What once required painstaking data sharing had become as simple as copy-pasting.


    Previously, the primary body and Brood Nest were intrinsically linked: only the primary body could spawn a Brood Nest, and only a Brood Nest could hatch a primary body.


    Now, Luo Wen could authorize the hatching of a primary body through any production unit. With a primary body in place, a Brood Nest could naturally follow.


    This shift was revolutionary. The abilities of the Iphieash had been fully integrated into the Swarm Network, transforming from physical entities into virtual capabilities.


    The Swarm¡¯s genetic absorption ability would no longer be lost if the primary body or Brood Nest were destroyed. Their once-exclusive functions had been entirely subsumed by the network, diminishing their strategic importance.


    Luo Wen even contemplated obliterating them entirely, producing new ones only when necessary to further safeguard the Iphieash¡¯s genetic secrets.


    This evolution vastly enhanced Luo Wen¡¯s survival prospects.


    While the primary body and Brood Nests were limited to five each, the Swarm now had over a million Brood Queens across two star systems and in the cosmic void. As long as any one of them survived, the Swarm could regenerate within a short time.


    These changes marked Luo Wen¡¯s gradual transformation from a physical organism into a spiritual one. Whether this was good or bad remained unclear to him, but the newfound capabilities gave him unprecedented confidence in facing future crises.

 Chapter 285: Mutation

    If that were all, these abilities wouldn¡¯t seem to offer much help in deploying a Brood Queen to Riken¡¯s homeworld. But these abilities were merely the initial functions revealed by the evolution of the Swarm Network.


    As Luo Wen continued to explore the capabilities of the new Swarm Network, he uncovered a far more terrifying power.


    While experimenting with the remote authorization for Brood Queens to update their genetic libraries, Luo Wen had a sudden idea: what would happen if this function were applied to ordinary units?


    That was when he discovered the new functionality.


    Ordinary units, upon gaining access to the genetic library and having sufficient energy, could mutate into Brood Queens!


    This meant that regardless of their original form¡ªwhether Worker Drones, Raiders, Storm Gods, Space Octopuses, or even Fungal Carpets¡ªso long as they were connected to the Swarm Network and Luo Wen willed it, they could evolve into Brood Queens.


    Of course, for smaller units like Worker Drones or Raiders, the success rate of evolving into a Brood Queen was extremely low due to their insufficient inherent energy. The process required an immense amount of energy.


    Among all units, Fungal Carpets had the highest success rate of mutation, reaching nearly 100%. This was likely because they stored the most energy.


    After discovering this ability, not only did the primary body and Brood Nests become less critical, but even the significance of Brood Queens diminished. As long as Fungal Carpets existed, the Swarm could never be eradicated.


    The survival capabilities of Fungal Carpets were exceedingly strong, and they were also highly inconspicuous.


    All of the Swarm¡¯s space-based units were essentially derivatives of Fungal Carpets. For example, Space Octopuses and Observer Bugs were aggregations of Fungal Carpet components. At critical moments, they could serve as seeds for new Fungal Carpets.


    In space, countless Observer Bugs drifted, tasked with monitoring their surroundings and expanding the coverage of the Swarm Network.


    Every single Observer Bug could be considered a Fungal Carpet seed, and their numbers were beyond reckoning.


    Moreover, over the years, the Swarm had randomly launched a vast number of Swarm Meteors into the void. These meteors could also potentially evolve into Brood Queens and propagate the Swarm when necessary.


    With these seeds scattered, Luo Wen¡¯s survivability had improved dramatically. Even if a civilization was watching them or some other force emerged, unless they could eliminate every single Swarm unit across several star systems in a short period, the Swarm would endure.


    With this newfound capability, tasks that once seemed impossible became remarkably simple.


    On Riken¡¯s homeworld, the original laboratory for the Longevity Serum¡ªreduced to ruins after an attack by unknown armed forces¡ªhad been consumed by fire, leaving many buildings and materials burned to ashes. After the rescue teams salvaged some supplies, they escorted the scientific team to another lab.


    The now-abandoned ruins, deemed worthless, were left unattended.


    Beneath these ruins, however, things had changed.


    Cautious of the myriad monitoring devices scattered across Riken¡¯s homeworld, the Fungal Carpet seeds, after burrowing underground, avoided spreading laterally. Instead, they dug down approximately 300 meters to begin their development.


    Due to the lab¡¯s secrecy, external monitoring was minimal, and its internal systems had been destroyed in the attack. As a desolate ruin, it became an ideal breeding ground.


    After an initial period of growth, the Fungal Carpet had already branched into numerous colonies.


    Suddenly, the Fungal Carpet¡¯s network pulsated. Large amounts of material visibly coursed through its conduits and into one particular colony.


    The colony underwent rapid changes. It began to swell, its surface becoming encased in secreted material, eventually forming a massive egg over five meters tall.


    Inside the egg, the colony¡¯s genetic material transformed. A new sequence of genes developed, fueled by an abundance of nutrients.


    Days later, the egg split open, and a Brood Queen emerged.


    With the Brood Queen in place, the development of the Riken division of the Swarm accelerated dramatically.


    The first hatchlings were specialized Burrower Worker Drones, adept at excavation. They immediately began digging deeper and wider tunnels to expand beyond the confines of the ruined lab.


    However, to ensure safety, the division continued to burrow downward. A depth of 300 meters was deemed insufficient to guarantee their security, so the Swarm pushed even further underground.


    One month later, the Riken division had expanded to ten Brood Queens. Massive numbers of Burrower Worker Drones had been hatched, which excavated a further 20 kilometers below the surface. There, they widened the tunnels and relocated the Fungal Carpet and the Brood Queens.


    Once the Fungal Carpet settled into its new home, its roots extended outward, stabilizing the cavern¡¯s ceiling to prevent collapses. Downward, it pushed another dozen kilometers, eventually reaching the molten layers.


    Special roots, crafted from materials derived from Godzilla¡¯s skin, penetrated the magma. Designed to withstand even small nuclear blasts, these roots easily endured the mere thousand-degree heat of the molten rock.


    The magma, rich in energy and diverse mineral resources, provided essential materials for the division¡¯s growth. With this new energy pipeline established, the Swarm¡¯s expansion surged to a new level.


    ¡°Big Sister, you¡¯re finally here,¡± Lieutenant Colonel Cross said with a sly smile as she greeted her ¡°sister.¡±


    ¡°Last time I came back, you were still as sharp-tongued as ever, showing no signs of psychological trauma. What¡¯s changed to make you so desperate and suicidal now?¡± Captain Cleo, whose once-similar appearance had matured far beyond her sister¡¯s, looked at Cross in confusion.


    She had hurried back after receiving a distressing call from Cross, claiming she had been reliving the trauma of her alien capture, leading to severe depression and suicidal tendencies.


    Although the two often appeared to bicker and mock each other, they were actually very close. While Cross seemed somewhat different this time, Cleo chalked it up to her sister¡¯s experiences during the expedition. Her busy work schedule had left her little time to investigate further.


    Hearing about suicidal tendencies, whether true or not, had prompted Cleo to drop everything and return immediately. But now, seeing her sister¡¯s cheerful demeanor, she found it hard to believe the claim.


    ¡°I truly felt that way earlier, but I¡¯m much better now. Come, have a drink with me, Big Sister. Let¡¯s chat¡ªI have a surprise for you later,¡± Cross said, pouring a glass and handing it to Cleo.


    Cleo leaned against the wall, taking a sip. ¡°All right, then. What¡¯s going on? What do you want to talk about?¡±


    ¡°When do you have to go back?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I left in a hurry and haven¡¯t arranged for leave yet,¡± Cleo replied, shaking her head. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Then stay with me a few more days. In the decades since my return, we¡¯ve only had a brief meeting,¡± Cross said, her tone tinged with melancholy.

 Chapter 286: Cleo

    ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you really depressed?¡± Cleo asked, noticing that her sister¡¯s expression did seem off.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been pretending to be strong all this time, but unless you¡¯ve experienced it, how could you possibly understand the utter despair of that situation? Unable to move, helplessly feeling the beasts or comrades around you dragged away one by one, powerless to even voice your fear. Can you imagine it, Sister?¡± As Cross spoke, tears began to stream down her face, her sobs conveying a deep sense of anguish.


    Her display of vulnerability shocked Cleo. Such fragility was extremely rare from her sister.


    Cleo quickly stepped forward, embracing her. She patted Cross¡¯s back in comfort, saying, ¡°Alright, alright. I haven¡¯t had a proper break in a while myself. This is a good excuse to take some time off. How long do you need me to stay with you?¡±


    ¡°The longer, the better,¡± Cross replied, choking back her tears.


    ¡°Three days?¡± Cleo ventured cautiously.


    Cross shook her head silently.


    ¡°Five days?¡± Cleo tried again in a softer voice.


    Still no response.


    ¡°Ten days! That¡¯s the most I can manage. I¡¯ve accumulated all my leave for years, and that¡¯s all I have. Besides, there¡¯s still the alien threat, and I can¡¯t stay away for too long.¡±


    ¡°Ten days, then!¡±


    Cleo argued fiercely with her superior over a communication link, eventually securing the leave. Watching her sister triumphantly declare victory, Cross¡¯s expression brightened with joy. She personally prepared a drink and handed it to Cleo.


    Cleo, assuming her sister was simply overjoyed at her company, affectionately tousled Cross¡¯s hair. Parched from the heated discussion, she downed half the drink in one go.


    Cross linked arms with Cleo and, watching her drink, smiled. ¡°Sister, let me introduce you to a friend.¡±


    ¡°A friend?¡± Cleo asked, puzzled by the sudden shift in topic. Moments ago, Cross had been on the verge of breaking down, and now she wanted to introduce someone? Was this a matchmaking setup?


    ¡°You¡¯ll be shocked when you meet her. Come, I¡¯ll take you to her,¡± Cross said, her tone laced with mystery.


    Cross¡¯s home was a standalone villa, surrounded by lush greenery and even housing a few small animals, perfect for soothing the soul. In the highly urbanized and resource-scarce Riken, such a residence was a testament to the twins¡¯ privileged background.


    When Cross led Cleo downward into the basement instead of outside, Cleo¡¯s curiosity grew. Who was this friend important enough to be invited to their home?


    They reached the villa¡¯s second basement level, stopping in a walk-in closet. Cross suddenly moved behind Cleo, covering her eyes with her hands.


    Cleo smiled slightly, reminiscing about their childhood. This was a game they used to play often when they were younger. How childish, she thought, her sister¡¯s age notwithstanding.


    ¡°Ta-da~! Surprised? Excited?¡± Cross exclaimed, removing her hands. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Cleo blinked to adjust to the sudden light, her gaze landing on a figure emerging from behind the clothes.


    She rubbed her eyes and looked again, her pale blue face gradually transforming into an expression of shock. Her mouth fell open in an involuntary ¡°O.¡±


    Surprise? Certainly. Excitement? Hardly.


    ¡°What¡­ What is this?¡± The figure before her bore an uncanny resemblance to the twins, or rather, to her. The face was nearly identical to her own, save for a slightly more mature air.


    ¡°This is your new body, Sister. Do you like it?¡± Cross said, her voice tinged with a strange amusement. Her words sent chills down Cleo¡¯s spine.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cleo shouted, attempting to turn and confront Cross. But her vision blurred, her balance wavered, and she collapsed into Cross¡¯s arms.


    The drink. Something was in the drink! She realized too late, her strength draining rapidly as darkness closed in.


    ¡ª


    When Cleo awoke, she found herself in a strange, eerie room. The walls glowed faintly with a dim purple light.


    Upon closer inspection, the glow emanated from something that resembled a hybrid of plant and flesh, its network of veins pulsing rhythmically, creating a grotesque, living ambiance.


    Cleo¡¯s eyes darted around. She was embedded in the fleshy wall, her body completely immobilized, though her mind remained clear.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she muttered in confusion, trying to piece together the events before she lost consciousness.


    ¡°Awake already, Sister?¡± Cross¡¯s voice called out from a shadowy corner of the room. The lighting was so dim that Cleo hadn¡¯t noticed her presence until she spoke.


    Hearing her sister¡¯s voice jogged Cleo¡¯s memory. Anger flared as she shouted, ¡°Cross! If this is some kind of sick joke, let me tell you¡ªit¡¯s not funny!¡±


    ¡°Is that so? I thought you¡¯d want to experience your sister¡¯s feelings for yourself,¡± Cross replied. Her sweet and playful tone sounded unnervingly out of place in the macabre setting.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Cleo snapped.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you always want to know what your sister went through?¡± Cross¡¯s voice, once familiar, now sent chills down Cleo¡¯s spine.


    ¡°You said ¡®your sister.¡¯ What do you mean by that?¡± Cleo¡¯s voice faltered as realization dawned. Her eyes widened in horror. ¡°You¡¯re not Cross!¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯m Cross,¡± the figure replied with a chuckle. ¡°But the Cross you knew is dead.¡±


    Seeing Cleo¡¯s terrified expression seemed to delight her. ¡°It¡¯s amusing. I must¡¯ve looked just like that back then.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Cleo stammered, utterly confused.


    ¡°I am Cross, but I¡¯m not the sister you remember. You¡¯re no longer my sister, either. I orchestrated all of this so you could become my sister again. Isn¡¯t that touching?¡±


    Touching my ass, Cleo thought bitterly. If she could move, she¡¯d have pummeled the smug face before her, even if it did look eerily like her own.


    ¡°What did you do to Cross?¡± Cleo roared.


    ¡°I am Cross. I know everything about us¡ªour childhood games, our mutual support all these years. I¡¯m the new Cross, reborn. Don¡¯t you recognize your own sister?¡±


    ¡°What the hell are you?¡± Cleo shouted, her voice tinged with fear. This situation was far too surreal. Cross¡¯s knowledge of their shared past was too precise, yet her demeanor was entirely foreign.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It won¡¯t hurt. Just sleep for now. When you wake up again, you¡¯ll truly be my sister,¡± Cross said, stepping forward and gently cradling Cleo¡¯s face.


    Cleo tried to protest, but felt another injection coursing through her body. Panic surged as she struggled in vain, her consciousness fading once more.


    As the Fungal Carpet gradually enveloped Cleo, Cross exhaled deeply, a look of satisfaction on her face. ¡°Ah, that felt amazing!¡±

 Chapter 287: Departure

    Even seven days later, Lieutenant Colonel Cross occasionally recalled the scene in the underground chamber. The feeling of toying with prey was intoxicating.


    After Cleo lost consciousness, she was immediately dragged underground. Twenty kilometers beneath the villa, another hidden Riken sub-hive existed.


    This laboratory sub-hive was established after it reached a certain level of development. A flying bug, carrying a fungal carpet seed, found Cross and set up a new base beneath the villa.


    If the Swarm Network had not evolved, Luo Wen would never have been so aggressive. But now, he had his confidence.


    After Cleo was sent to the underground base, her new body was temporarily controlled by the Hive Queen¡¯s consciousness. Meanwhile, Cross kept putting on a sisterly act in the villa above.


    However, the Cross in the underground base was not using her own body. Traveling twenty kilometers through underground tunnels risked bumps and scrapes, and being away from the villa too long could raise suspicion among the servants.


    Instead, the Cross who met Cleo used a temporary body, created specifically for this purpose. Once used, it was recycled. With Luo Wen¡¯s authorization, transferring an intelligent consciousness between multiple bodies was routine.


    As Cross was lost in thought, she noticed her ¡°sister¡¯s¡± body tremble slightly. Sensing that the Hive Queen¡¯s consciousness had departed and a new consciousness had descended, she greeted Cleo with a radiant smile and a warm hug.


    ¡°Welcome back, sister. How does it feel?¡± Cross asked, her expression blossoming with joy.


    Cleo rolled her eyes but did not resist her sister¡¯s embrace. ¡°Not bad,¡± she replied.


    After a moment¡¯s thought, she added, ¡°It would have been even better without all your dramatics!¡±


    Examining the information provided by Cleo, Luo Wen fell into contemplation.


    Cleo was a crucial figure¡ªa brilliant researcher with direct access to the ancient spaceship and a wealth of firsthand data.


    After transforming Cross, and learning of her connections, the plan to target Cleo was immediately set in motion. Thus, as soon as the Swarm¡¯s Riken sub-hive was established, the plan was executed without a hitch.


    Thanks to Cross¡¯s cooperation, the operation proceeded flawlessly, yielding Luo Wen a trove of classified information.


    The technology aboard the ancient spaceship far surpassed the Riken race¡¯s capabilities. Without comprehensive theoretical frameworks and prerequisite technologies, the Riken¡¯s attempts at decryption had been less than ideal.


    Over the years, their analysis team had mostly been reverse-engineering fundamental theories from existing products.


    Thus far, only a handful of breakthroughs had been made.


    Yet even these few advancements had catapulted the Riken race¡¯s technological prowess forward.


    For instance, their warships could now exceed a kilometer in length, thanks to their materials research team. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another example was their sublight engines, reverse-engineered from the fighter engines aboard the ancient spaceship. The Riken speculated that the spaceship¡¯s primary engine system was a warp drive capable of faster-than-light travel. However, due to gaps in their prerequisite technologies, they remained clueless about its workings.


    Luo Wen allocated a team of 200,000 intelligent entities to specialize in processing and studying the experimental data transmitted by Cleo.


    By now, the Swarm¡¯s pool of intelligent entities had grown to millions, most of whom were spiritual remnants of deceased Ratfolk scientists.


    Over the years, these entities had played a pivotal role in the Swarm¡¯s progress, despite their low visibility.


    Since venturing into space, Luo Wen could no longer rely solely on harvesting biological genes to elevate the Swarm¡¯s limits, as he had done during the ant empire era.


    Although spaceborne organisms held tremendous potential for genetic enhancement, such organisms were exceedingly rare. To date, the Swarm had encountered only one and a half types.


    The first was an atmospheric organism found on a gaseous planet¡¯s moon in the Genesis Star System, which unlocked the Swarm¡¯s bio-electromagnetic technology.


    The ¡°half¡± was Godzilla, unable to traverse space but harboring controllable fusion technology that significantly bolstered the Swarm¡¯s strength.


    Even now, Godzilla¡¯s body contained untapped black technology.


    However, such organisms were scarce, their appearances unpredictable. Relying solely on them to enhance combat capabilities and civilization levels would result in unacceptably slow development.


    For the Swarm to grow rapidly, it needed its own research teams and technological systems¡ªsomething the intelligent entities had been tirelessly building for years.


    The current Swarm technologies, from upgraded electromagnetic and fusion technologies to optical and plasma engines, railguns, and innovations in observation, radar, communications, and computation, were primarily products of these intelligent entities¡¯ research.


    Freed from concerns like sustenance, health, or interpersonal strife, and devoid of desires for recognition, the intelligent entities collaborated seamlessly. This unity enabled the collective efforts of millions of entities to surpass the output of many civilizations¡¯ tens of millions of researchers.


    Their accumulated knowledge now represented the Swarm¡¯s most valuable asset and its foundation for future conquests across the stars.


    Six months passed slowly.


    Surrounding Cross were numerous Eagle-Eye Bugs stationed kilometers or even tens of kilometers away, using pure optical observation to monitor everything.


    No anomalies were detected.


    Luo Wen¡¯s hypothesis proved correct: even if the Watcher civilization existed, they would not scrutinize every detail. Their focus likely lay at the level of civilization-wide developments.


    With this confirmation, the Swarm¡¯s next phase could proceed.


    ¡°Sarah, the stage is yours,¡± Luo Wen said.


    ¡°We will not disappoint you, Overlord,¡± Sarah Kerrigan replied.


    Since the Riken expedition fleet fled the Neighboring Star System, the Swarm no longer hid its presence, revealing itself openly. On the system stars orbit, countless space octopuses waited, feeding on the abundant radiation to accelerate their growth.


    Meanwhile, two colossal electromagnetic megastructures were nearing completion.


    The Swarm¡¯s first electromagnetic megastructure had taken decades of painstaking effort to grow. Since then, the Swarm had constructed numerous smaller megastructures, amassing significant experience.


    Now, with new technologies and algorithms, the two new megastructures, each over 2,000 kilometers in size, had grown in less than a decade.


    Next, the megastructures began launching Primordial-class space octopuses toward the Riken Star System. Propelled by their ejection speed and their engines, the space octopuses formed two linear formations, advancing at over one-sixth the speed of light toward their target.

 Chapter 288: Potential

    Over the past decade or so, the Swarm had launched over 30,000 Primordial-class space octopuses. While this number seemed enormous, the efficiency was relatively low when spread over the years.


    This was because the electromagnetic megastructures orbited alongside the stars, and the Riken Star System was only within their launch trajectory half the time.


    These octopuses would take twenty years to gradually reach the outskirts of the Riken Star System, where they would assemble.


    When the Primordial-class space octopuses entered energy-silent mode and ceased propulsion, their stealth systems activated. With the Riken race¡¯s current observation technology, detecting them was nearly impossible.


    However, by observing anomalies in the Neighboring Star System, the Riken noticed new spots forming on the star¡¯s surface, presumably caused by unknown objects obstructing its light.


    Though unsure of the purpose of these objects, they deduced that the Swarm was responsible. The very existence of such colossal constructs demonstrated the Swarm¡¯s immense power.


    The energy fluctuations from the electromagnetic megastructures during energy accumulation were subtle compared to fusion reactions. Additionally, their proximity to the star masked their signals, leaving the Riken unaware that the Swarm had already launched its forces.


    Despite this, the ongoing war and the display of the Swarm¡¯s strength weighed heavily on the minds of those aware of the situation.


    To cope, the Riken accelerated the construction of defensive installations, seeking comfort in these efforts. Ironically, this step aligned with the Swarm¡¯s expectations.


    Time flew by, and twenty years later, the Swarm¡¯s vanguard arrived at the outskirts of the Riken Star System, assembling in the void.


    As the Primordial-class space octopuses decelerated near their assembly points, some energy fluctuations were unavoidable. Coupled with their proximity to the Riken Star System and the extensive observation equipment placed in the system¡¯s outer asteroid belt, the Riken detected the Swarm¡¯s movements.


    This was evident as they gradually shifted their defensive forces from dispersed locations to positions directly ahead of the Swarm¡¯s assembly point.


    Of course, the Swarm had even more direct methods of gathering intelligence¡ªthrough its intelligent entities.


    Over the years, the Riken race experienced significant developments.


    First, President Antonio broke tradition and laws by retaining his position. Though his three-term limit should have ended over twenty years ago, he continued to serve under the pretext that leadership changes during wartime were inadvisable.


    This reasoning garnered widespread support, though whether there were ulterior motives was of no concern to Luo Wen.


    Another major event involved the longevity serum.


    This matter had been widely known among the millions of soldiers and officers who returned from the expeditionary fleet. Although Antonio issued a gag order, it proved largely ineffective.


    The laboratory researching the longevity serum was later attacked by armed forces, resulting in the loss of finished products, raw materials, and experimental data.


    As time passed, awareness of the serum spread among the Riken populace, eventually reaching the general public.


    This led to several large-scale protests, and with intentional incitement, some demonstrations almost escalated into riots. Fortunately, under military rule, these uprisings were swiftly quelled.


    Amid the turmoil, Antonio was forced to make a national address, publicly disclosing information about the serum. He explained that its raw materials could be cultivated, giving everyone an opportunity to access it.


    However, due to limited supplies and production time, the distribution would follow a priority system, with frontline soldiers and researchers receiving the serum first.


    This policy met some opposition but was generally well-received. It even sparked a surge in military enlistment, as the military offered a transparent exchange of merits for serum doses. While risky, this route was considered more attainable than becoming a researcher.


    Meanwhile, Cross had not been idle. She and Cleo collaborated to convert nearly all their direct relatives.


    These relatives were not to be underestimated. Their grandfather was a senior senator wielding real power, someone who addressed Antonio as a junior in private. Their grandfather on their father¡¯s side was a retired lieutenant general with considerable influence, and their father was a senior military officer with the rank of colonel. Their mother, on the other hand, was a prominent businesswoman.


    The sisters¡¯ connections spanned the military, political, and business spheres, making them resemble protagonists in a tale of unstoppable ascent.


    Under their family¡¯s covert support, the Swarm¡¯s underground forces on the Riken homeworld expanded rapidly. Over a hundred individuals had been converted into intelligent entities.


    This number might seem modest, but the conversion process required each individual to disappear for seven days. Even with substitutes in place, some discrepancies were inevitable.


    Additionally, the Swarm meticulously screened candidates, targeting elites from various fields. Each conversion was executed according to a tailored plan, resulting in unparalleled efficiency despite the limited number of conversions.


    These hundred elites wielded tremendous influence, though they were mainly used for intelligence gathering for the time being. Consequently, the Riken government¡¯s policies were nearly transparent to the Swarm.


    As the Swarm continued amassing Primordial-class units at the assembly point, the Riken adjusted their deployments.


    They began relocating all mobile assets from the asteroid belt to inner system positions.


    The scale of this effort was staggering. Luo Wen, through the perspective of Observer Bugs, witnessed Riken warships towing ten-kilometer-wide asteroids back to the inner system, complete with bases and fortresses built atop them.


    The Swarm did not interfere with these activities, leaving the anxious and stressed Riken puzzled. Still, they welcomed the reprieve and avoided investigating further for fear of provoking the Swarm.


    Two years later, the Riken had withdrawn nearly all resources from the asteroid belt, leaving only observation devices to monitor the Swarm.


    Through the intelligent entities, Luo Wen learned of the Riken¡¯s plan: to use planets as defensive hubs, disperse the Swarm¡¯s forces, and establish impenetrable steel defenses on Riven and Riwu. Their goal was to gradually wear down the Swarm¡¯s numbers.


    It seemed the Riken intended to fight a war of attrition.


    Luo Wen found this strategy laughable.


    When it came to potential for war, the Riken could not hold a candle to the Swarm.


    Unlike the Riken, whose members were independent intelligent beings, not all had the resolve to resist invaders at any cost.


    After decades of militarism, most of the Riken¡¯s resources had been funneled into war preparations, leaving the population with bare minimums for sustenance and virtually no entertainment.


    While this austerity could be tolerated during a crisis, prolonged inactivity bred discontent, particularly among the hedonistic factions. These same factions had nearly incited riots over the longevity serum scandal.


    Moreover, every budget allocation for military expenses required a formal vote, consuming significant manpower and resources.


    In contrast, the Swarm operated under Luo Wen¡¯s absolute authority. When he declared war, no dissent arose, and resources were allocated without delay. Every Swarm unit executed orders with unwavering dedication.


    With resources from two star systems under its control, the Swarm¡¯s potential for prolonged conflict dwarfed that of the Riken. Luo Wen could only sneer at their futile aspirations. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 289: Analysis

    ¡°Let¡¯s start with a war of attrition¡ªno rush,¡± Luo Wen commanded.


    Under his will, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial-class units, numbering less than 5,000 and accounting for less than 20% of the total deployed forces, began to stir and move toward the Riken Star System.


    The Swarm¡¯s movements were quickly detected by the Riken. After years of standoff, the sight of Swarm ¡°warships¡± drifting brazenly in plain view was all too familiar.


    The Riken¡¯s initial cautious observation eventually evolved into overt study, with their ships coming perilously close to the Swarm fleet to investigate.


    While the Riken had not developed many finished products from the ancient spaceship, they had accumulated substantial theoretical knowledge. Combining this with their research on Swarm ships, they managed to develop some innovations.


    One such development was a detection device based on gravitational wave technology.


    Given the Primordial-class¡¯s immense size¡ªexceeding 500 meters¡ªthe gravitational fluctuations it emitted were significant. This new device allowed the Riken to detect these fluctuations and pinpoint the location of the Primordial-class units.


    Although the device was effective for large targets, its performance on smaller units was limited due to their weaker gravitational signatures. Nonetheless, this was a major breakthrough, ensuring that the Riken no longer feared a direct assault by the Primordial-class units.


    Luo Wen viewed this advancement with approval.


    From another perspective, this was an opportunity for the Swarm to identify its weaknesses.


    The Riken¡¯s combat power was limited and could not surpass the Swarm. Furthermore, the Riken were already infiltrated by the Swarm. Having such an opponent to help expose vulnerabilities was a rare advantage, one Luo Wen intended to exploit.


    The Riken¡¯s fears of a Primordial-class blitzkrieg were largely unfounded. The Primordial-class units only achieved full stealth in energy-silent mode, during which they relied on inertia and were essentially immobile.


    Once the Primordial-class units engaged their engines, the resultant energy fluctuations rendered them detectable.


    Moreover, as the first intelligent civilization encountered by the Swarm, the Riken were ideal for honing tactics and strategies. Luo Wen was determined not to annihilate them in a single blow.


    The Swarm¡¯s forces in the asteroid belt at the system¡¯s edge encountered no resistance, as the Riken had long withdrawn from the area, leaving only monitoring devices behind.


    The Swarm then passed the orbit of the Riken Star System¡¯s tenth moon, which likely housed defensive facilities. However, as the moon was on the opposite side of the star at the time, no contact was made.


    After over a hundred days of leisurely travel, the Primordial-class units reached the orbital path of the ninth planet in the system, named Raze. The planet was named after a Riken who first discovered it.


    Since Raze was still several days away from reaching its current location, the Riken dispatched part of their fleet to intercept the Swarm. Their plan was to delay the Swarm until Raze arrived, allowing its ground-based defensive systems to aid in destroying the Primordial-class units.


    Since the launch of the expeditionary fleet, the Riken had never ceased building warships. Though their efforts had been less aggressive initially, they managed to construct over a hundred ships over the past two decades.


    When news of the expeditionary fleet¡¯s defeat arrived, the Riken, facing existential threats, significantly ramped up warship production.


    Over forty years, they expanded the number of space smelters and shipyards by more than fivefold.


    This vast expansion in infrastructure dramatically increased their shipbuilding rate. To date, they had constructed over 2,000 warships.


    Had they not also allocated resources to building even more extensive defensive installations, this number could have been several times higher.


    In total, the Riken had constructed approximately 2,100 warships in 60 years. Including ships repaired and reintegrated from the expeditionary fleet, their current fleet numbered nearly 2,400 warships, supplemented by over 1,000 large auxiliary vessels.


    These warships were divided into three fleets, each consisting of roughly 800 ships.


    The First Space Fleet was tasked with intercepting the Swarm, though intelligence revealed that the Second and Third Space Fleets were stationed in geosynchronous orbit on Raze¡¯s far side, using the planet as cover to approach the battlefield.


    Opinions within the Riken were divided regarding this interception.


    According to intelligence provided by Cross¡¯s grandfather, the debate unfolded as follows:


    ¡°I still believe engaging the Swarm at Raze is a mistake. You can¡¯t imagine how terrifying they are,¡± General Masai warned. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although stripped of command following his defeat in the Neighboring Star System, Masai retained his honorary rank and served as a senior advisor, being the only high-ranking officer to have directly engaged the Swarm.


    The term ¡°Swarm,¡± initially used for the primitive species on T853, was later reassigned to the intelligent species on T855 after the discovery of the Space Octopus, deemed more fitting of the name.


    They still had no idea of ??the connection between the two species of T855 and T853.


    ¡°Hmph, you¡¯ve just been scared out of your wits!¡± barked Alcer, commander of the Third Fleet and a hot-headed war hawk with the rank of lieutenant general.


    ¡°Who are you calling a coward? If it were you, the expeditionary fleet might¡¯ve been completely wiped out!¡± Masai shot back. Despite losing favor among the Riken, he remained unyielding, harboring pent-up frustration from being scapegoated as the cause of their current predicament.


    ¡°Ridiculous! If I had been in command, we¡¯d have conquered the T85 System by now,¡± Alcer retorted angrily. He had long believed Masai had underhandedly usurped his rightful command of the expeditionary fleet.


    Having voluntarily withdrawn from the fleet out of spite, Alcer unknowingly spared himself from the disaster that befell it.


    Even so, he maintained that under his leadership, the Swarm would have suffered a crushing defeat. This grudge fueled his disdain for Masai, and he never missed a chance to mock him.


    ¡°Talk is cheap! You don¡¯t understand the cunning of this enemy.¡±


    ¡°Funny, I used to think you were cunning. Now I just think you¡¯re a fool.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Want to settle this with a fight?¡±


    ¡°Bring it on!¡±


    ¡°Enough, enough. Masai has experience, and his concerns surely hold some merit,¡± another official intervened to de-escalate the brewing confrontation.

 Chapter 290: Countermeasures

    ¡°But we must first eliminate the Swarm¡¯s forces first; otherwise, victory will be even harder to achieve,¡± The man who was trying to mediate the fight changed the subject.


    ¡°Exactly. Although we don¡¯t know how many troops the enemy has sent over, it¡¯s definitely far more than what we see now,¡± another officer concurred. ¡°According to the observation instruments in the debris fields, the enemy warships are continuously gathering outside the star system. If we don¡¯t seize the opportunity to destroy this vanguard, it will be much harder to deal with them once reinforcements arrive.¡± S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everyone nodded in agreement, even General Masai remained silent.


    He understood this point too. But based on the enemy¡¯s behavior in the T85 Star System, it felt highly suspicious that they would rush into battle without waiting for their forces to assemble completely. It seemed like a deliberate sacrifice.


    No matter how he looked at it, this army appeared to be courting death. Masai couldn¡¯t believe the enemy wouldn¡¯t recognize such an obvious flaw in their strategy.


    Yet he couldn¡¯t discern any tangible benefits the enemy could gain from this approach, leaving him feeling deeply conflicted.


    ¡°But we still haven¡¯t figured out what exactly they are! Those tentacle creatures¡ªare they their warships, their primary forms, or something else entirely?¡± Masai made a final effort to resist.


    ¡°Precisely because we don¡¯t know, we need to fight this battle! We need to capture some specimens for research,¡± Alcer said impatiently.


    Although Alcer¡¯s tone was sharp, Masai didn¡¯t retort.


    In truth, Masai knew Alcer was right. Without engaging in battle, they would never understand their opponent. It was a vicious cycle.


    Masai sighed quietly, feeling a touch of desolation. Perhaps, as Alcer suggested, the previous war had sapped his courage.


    Seeing Masai¡¯s listless demeanor, Novaul tried to reassure him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much, Masai. You lost last time because you didn¡¯t understand the enemy. While our understanding is still limited, we¡¯ve gleaned some countermeasures from the data your team collected during that battle.¡±


    ¡°First, regarding their speed. After detailed analysis, we¡¯ve concluded that their large combat units rely on some kind of launch mechanism to reach the battlefield quickly. Once they decelerate, they¡¯ve never again reached their initial speed. Otherwise, during the interstellar engine activation phase, they would have caught up with your fleet, and the expeditionary force wouldn¡¯t have made it back.¡±


    ¡°Although our ships are also slow without interstellar engines, we still outperform them in this aspect.¡±


    Novaul paused, observing the crowd¡¯s attentive expressions before continuing, ¡°Additionally, we have certain advantages in long-range attacks and supercomputing technology. So far, the only long-range weapon they¡¯ve displayed is the electromagnetic railgun. Among space weapons, this is considered relatively slow¡ªnot in rate of fire but in projectile velocity, which is much slower compared to beam or energy weapons.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve developed specialized detection instruments based on this principle. While they are still in their early stages and struggle to detect small railguns, the massive energy buildup required for their large combat units ensures their railgun projectiles achieve higher speeds and ranges, making them easier to detect. The moment these projectiles are launched, they can be tracked. With the coordination of our AI and supercomputing technologies, calculating their trajectories is relatively straightforward. If our ships maintain a consistent cruising speed, there¡¯s a significant chance to evade these attacks.¡±


    ¡°As long as we avoid their large-scale railgun strikes, their smaller railguns won¡¯t pose much of a threat to our ships.¡±


    The speaker, Novaul, was a Vice Admiral and the commander of the Second Space Fleet.


    ¡°I agree with Novaul¡¯s assessment. If we maintain the proper distance, it¡¯s possible to wear them down without sustaining losses,¡± added another Vice Admiral, Hamis, commander of the First Space Fleet.


    From their statements so far, it was evident that all three fleet commanders of the Space Fleet were in favor of engaging in this battle. The basic decision had already been made; the focus now was on how to fight.


    General Masai began racking his brain, trying to recall the details. Although more than thirty years had passed since that war, this life-altering battle was one he often revisited in his mind, contemplating various strategies.


    He was the Riken most eager to defeat the Swarm.


    ¡°What about their small and medium-sized combat units?¡± Masai asked, continuing to raise questions¡ªnot to cause trouble, but to share his concerns.


    ¡°Based on our observations, their small combat units lack any long-range attack capabilities,¡± Hamis responded. During the previous war, Swarm larval bodies had infiltrated the Riken fleet, engaging in close combat. Seventeen of these larvals had even breached the interiors of their warships.


    As a result, the Riken had extensive footage and data on the larval bodies. Even when warships exploded, most of the relevant data had already been transmitted. This information was later analyzed frame-by-frame by over ten thousand staff members and technical teams, leading to this conclusion.


    ¡°As for their medium-sized combat units, while they have demonstrated long-range attack capabilities, they don¡¯t use them often. This suggests a possible connection to their energy supply system,¡± Hamis explained. ¡°The enemy¡¯s large combat units can fire their electromagnetic railguns continuously, likely due to a unique energy supply system.¡±


    ¡°However, this system might either be too large or too complex to manufacture, meaning it is only installed on large combat units. Their small and medium-sized units seem to use a different energy system. This system appears to have limited energy storage, forcing them to use it sparingly. Since the Swarm is a unique biological civilization, we¡¯ll need to capture specimens for research to confirm the details. But based on our analysis, this hypothesis has a confidence level of at least 90%.¡±


    ¡°The defeat of the expeditionary fleet was largely due to our fighter squadrons engaging in dogfights with the enemy¡ªa situation that played directly to their strengths. This not only squandered our advantages but also forced our forces to hold back firepower to avoid friendly fire, triggering a series of cascading failures.¡±


    ¡°If we leverage our strengths properly, we can adopt a kiting strategy. Our warships can kite the enemy¡¯s large combat units, while our fighters kite their small and medium units. By matching forces accordingly¡ªcapital ship versus capital ship, fighter versus fighter¡ªwe have a very high chance of victory.¡±


    After finishing, Hamis turned to Masai, waiting to see if he had any further questions.


    Masai largely agreed with Hamis¡¯ assessment. He also believed that the decision to engage the enemy in close-quarters dogfights during the previous battle had been a grave mistake. Thus, he wasn¡¯t angered by Hamis¡¯ critique but instead focused earnestly on considering other potential issues.

 Chapter 291: Interception

    ¡°What if the enemy¡¯s small and medium-sized combat units ignore the fighter squadrons and charge directly at our warships?¡± Masai raised another concern.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already considered that. We found that missile attacks have limited effectiveness against them, but close-in defense guns are far more lethal,¡± Hamis replied confidently. ¡°During the last war, they eventually broke through our defensive firepower, but that was only because our fighters inadvertently provided cover for them, and we had too few close-in defense systems deployed. As a countermeasure, we¡¯ve dismantled missile launchers and installed more close-in defense guns. With this enhanced firepower, we can better intercept their approach.¡±


    ¡°Furthermore, if they ignore our fighter squadrons, the fighters can provide powerful fire support. With the combined crossfire, their forces will be eliminated even faster,¡± Hamis continued. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Masai raised a few more concerns, but each was addressed in turn. Ultimately, the Raze Planet interception plan was unanimously approved.


    However, what the Riken didn¡¯t know was that Luo Wen and several Blades had been observing this highly classified meeting in its entirety through the perspective of Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯ grandfather.


    ¡°As expected, your enemy knows you best. While we¡¯ve recognized many of these flaws, we haven¡¯t summarized them nearly as thoroughly as the Riken have,¡± Luo Wen said with a laugh.


    ¡°Master Overlord, should we continue advancing?¡± Sarah Kerrigan asked.


    ¡°Why not? We cannot be flawless, nor should we avoid battles just because our weaknesses are exposed. Our advantage in intelligence warfare far surpasses that of the Riken. Our knowledge of both ourselves and our enemy will more than compensate for these flaws,¡± Luo Wen said earnestly. ¡°Moreover, our combat plan doesn¡¯t hinge on those factors. This time, treat it as practice. I hope all of you will gain more war experience. In the future, as the Swarm¡¯s territory expands, I won¡¯t be able to oversee everything personally. You Blades must learn to stand on your own.¡±


    Soon, the Swarm¡¯s forces encountered precisely the situation discussed in the Riken¡¯s internal meeting while in the orbital path of Raze Planet.


    Over 5,000 Primordial-class units were intercepted by 800 Riken warships. Despite the vast numerical disparity, many of the Primordial-class units in the vanguard were transport variants, accounting for half of the fleet.


    These transport Primordial-class units typically carried only a single electromagnetic railgun, offering limited long-range firepower.


    Measuring around 500 meters in length, most Primordial-class units were relatively small. During interstellar voyages, they absorbed minimal energy. Even with their internal Atomic Furnaces, most of the generated energy was allocated to propulsion, with some diverted to sustain the smaller space octopi onboard and meet their basic energy needs.


    These smaller units lacked Atomic Furnaces and couldn¡¯t be exposed to space during the journey, limiting their growth. Only the first few batches of Primordial-class units that arrived at the outskirts of the Riken Star System, having lingered there for a while, had grown to nearly 600 meters in length.


    By comparison, Riken warships generally exceeded 1,000 meters in length, with new models surpassing 1,500 meters. These warships were equipped with upgraded weapon systems, making them far more formidable despite their smaller numbers.


    However, the Riken¡¯s anticipated strategy of using superior speed, range, and rate of fire to wear down the Swarm encountered unexpected complications.


    Over decades of development and innovation, the Swarm had gradually closed the gap in computational technology.


    Nearly a century had passed since they captured the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship and seized its onboard AI, Celia. Reverse-engineering Riken hardware and software technologies allowed the Swarm to innovate and eventually develop a bio-computer.


    This bio-computer, combined with the coordination of the Knights, formed the Swarm¡¯s new fire control system.


    The bio-computer was completed in the third year of the expedition to the Riken Star System and underwent multiple rounds of testing. However, the earlier waves of Primordial-class units that arrived in the Riken Star System had not been equipped with this system.


    Fortunately, the bio-computer itself was just a modular add-on. By concentrating resources, the Swarm managed to produce a large number of them in a short time and transported them to the front lines with subsequent waves of reinforcements.


    It was only after the transport Primordial-class units carrying these bio-computers arrived in the Riken Star System and distributed and installed them across the fleet that the Swarm initiated their attack. This meant that all 5,000-plus Primordial-class units were now equipped with the new fire control system.


    While the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns had a slower projectile velocity compared to the Riken¡¯s energy and beam weapons, the railguns had a crucial advantage: low kinetic energy loss during flight. This resulted in a significantly longer effective range compared to the Riken¡¯s energy weapons.


    The Riken¡¯s First Space Fleet, with its fleet of 800 warships, was highly conspicuous in the vastness of space¡ªespecially without access to the Swarm¡¯s stealth technology.


    The new fire control system of the Primordial-class units quickly locked onto the Riken fleet. Energy surged through the railguns, and a volley of projectiles was fired.


    Even though half of the 5,000-plus Primordial-class units were transport variants, they collectively carried over 8,000 railguns. This opening salvo, comprising more than 8,000 solid projectiles with diameters exceeding one meter and immense kinetic energy, hurtled toward the Riken fleet in a massive barrage.


    At a distance of 100,000 kilometers, the projectiles sped toward the Riken fleet at 100 kilometers per second, taking an estimated 17 minutes to reach their targets¡ªassuming the targets remained stationary.


    But would the Riken fleet sit idly by, waiting to be struck? Of course not.


    The Riken, an advanced civilization, had long anticipated the Swarm¡¯s superior weapon range in their strategic calculations. However, range was not always the decisive factor in battle. For instance, with a 17-minute projectile flight time, a stationary Riken warship caught off guard might not have sufficient time to power up its engines and evade the incoming projectiles.


    But in this case, the fleet was already maintaining high-speed movement. Even with their large size and limited maneuverability, the 17-minute window was ample for evading the Primordial-class units¡¯ railgun fire.


    When the electromagnetic railguns of the Primordial-class units began charging, the Riken¡¯s latest detection instruments immediately identified the threat. Vice Admiral Hamis, commander of the First Space Fleet, ordered an emergency evasive maneuver.


    Seventeen minutes later, the dense barrage of projectiles streaked past 200 kilometers above the fleet¡¯s flank.


    A few minutes after that, the second volley of projectiles missed again, flying 100 kilometers away from the fleet¡¯s position.


    The Riken fleet continued to evade several subsequent salvos, all while advancing an additional 30,000 kilometers. By then, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial-class units had entered the effective range of the Riken fleet¡¯s main guns.

 Chapter 292: Destruction

    In the vastness of space battles spanning tens of thousands of kilometers, even a warship a kilometer long is incredibly difficult to hit precisely from such distances.


    At this moment, the two fleets were less than 60,000 kilometers apart. Although the flight time of the Primordial-class electromagnetic artillery shells had been reduced to 12 minutes, this was still an extraordinarily long duration.


    In 12 minutes, Riken warships could cover several thousand kilometers. This was akin to sniping a cheetah sprinting at full speed from tens of kilometers away¡ªan almost inconceivable challenge.


    However, the Riken energy weapons only required about a minute of flight time over this distance.


    Thick, crimson energy beams streaked across the void. With over 800 warships, each equipped with 12 main cannons, the combined salvo unleashed nearly 10,000 energy beams¡ªsignificantly surpassing the 8,000 projectiles of the Primordial-class in a single volley. Additionally, the beams¡¯ vibrant hues made for a far more imposing visual display compared to the unremarkable electromagnetic projectiles.


    One minute was sufficient for the Primordial-class bodies to travel several hundred kilometers, and the Riken fleet¡¯s initial salvo yielded no results.


    But this was merely a data-gathering trial. Soon, data on the Primordial-class bodies¡¯ velocity, trajectory, and predictive targeting calculations were compiled. After adjusting the angles of their main cannons, the Riken fleet fired their second salvo.


    A minute later, the energy beams streaked through space, passing within ten kilometers of the swarm¡¯s forces.


    Despite having no prior encounters with the swarm¡¯s combat units, the Riken fleet had theoretically developed instruments capable of detecting the energy buildup of the swarm¡¯s electromagnetic cannons. On the other hand, the swarm, having captured numerous Riken warships and equipment, possessed an even more advanced research team and biological organs designed to monitor Riken energy weaponry.


    These biological detection organs were integrated into the Primordial-class bodies, transmitting data to their bio-intelligence systems whenever the Riken warship turrets shifted. The systems calculated their trajectories in real-time.


    Since the swarm had captured a substantial number of Riken warships, they possessed comprehensive weapon parameters, allowing for highly accurate calculations.


    When the Riken warships opened fire, the detection organs immediately raised the alarm. Under the Blade¡¯s command, the Primordial-class bodies executed a minor deceleration maneuver, narrowly avoiding the incoming salvo.


    But this was within the Riken calculations. Their warships¡¯ main cannons recharged swiftly, and within minutes, a third salvo¡ªfurther refined in trajectory¡ªwas unleashed upon the swarm¡¯s forces.


    At this point, the Primordial-class bodies had not yet regained their full velocity. Although the Blades ordered the temporary halt of electromagnetic cannon charging to divert all energy to engine output, they were still unable to entirely evade the Riken fleet¡¯s third wave of fire.


    Although the Riken energy weapons¡¯ potency diminished over such vast distances and the Primordial-class bodies exhibited strong resistance to energy attacks, these advantages were limited in large-scale fleet combat.


    In the lower-left flank of the swarm¡¯s formation, more than 30 Primordial-class bodies were directly obliterated by concentrated energy beams. Some of their mature and juvenile bodies were also incapacitated, leaving the rest to transfer the atomic furnaces from the wreckage into surviving Primordial-class bodies.


    After enduring several waves of bombardment, the swarm had consolidated the necessary data. Soon, the swarm retaliated.


    This time, their projectiles were not aimed in a single unified direction but rather locked onto a region using a converging angle strategy.


    Initially, the Riken fleet did not notice the difference in this salvo. By the time they realized, it was too late. Despite desperate evasive maneuvers, a small cluster of warships on the fleet¡¯s lower flank was bombarded by the swarm¡¯s projectiles.


    Three warships were obliterated outright, while several others, though relatively intact, sustained critical damage. Their internal systems were compromised, and their navigation speeds visibly decreased.


    Forced to retreat, these damaged warships withdrew from the battle under the cover of the fleet.


    This round of bombardment was extraordinarily dazzling, leaving Riken First Space Fleet Commander Hamis momentarily stunned.


    To be clear, the difficulty of calculations involving a 12-minute lead time versus a 1-minute lead time is on entirely different levels. The swarm¡¯s ability to use data gathered from just a few salvos to strike the Riken fleet¡ªthough partly due to the fleet¡¯s own carelessness¡ªwas still nothing short of astonishing.


    This realization made Hamis understand that their previous assumptions about the swarm¡¯s lack of advanced computational technology were completely overturned, and they had already paid a price for this misjudgment.


    If Third Fleet Commander Alcer had been here instead, he likely wouldn¡¯t have cared about such details and would have continued executing the original battle plan.


    But Hamis was naturally cautious. The swarm exceeding expectations in one area suggested that other assumptions about them might also be incorrect. He believed all operational plans needed to be reassessed.


    After transmitting this information back to the command center, Hamis ordered the fleet to temporarily retreat.


    However, in the midst of war, and with the Riken technology not holding an absolute advantage, there was no chance for a unilateral withdrawal.


    As the Riken warships began pulling back, their intentions were immediately detected by Sarah and the other swarm intelligences. Although the increasing distance significantly raised the computational workload, the Riken fleet still had several ¡°stragglers.¡±


    The Primordial-class bodies ignored the intact warships and focused their firepower on the previously damaged ones. Despite their attempts to flee earlier, their slower speed meant they hadn¡¯t gotten far.


    Their reduced velocity also left them unable to execute intricate evasive maneuvers. Coupled with their retreat trajectory being confined to a narrow zone, calculating the predictive lead became much simpler. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Initially, Hamis was reluctant to abandon these ships under the swarm¡¯s assault. However, calculations by the fleet¡¯s AI indicated that saving them would require positioning the entire fleet behind them, effectively taking the full brunt of the swarm¡¯s barrage.


    While this approach might save the damaged warships, it would expose the rest of the fleet to significant damage and casualties. If this cycle repeated, the entire fleet could be decimated.


    After 0.1 seconds of consideration, Hamis decisively abandoned the damaged ships and ordered the remaining warships to accelerate and retreat at full speed.


    The crew aboard the damaged warships quickly received the commander¡¯s decision. With no time to protest, all personnel immediately evacuated. A large number of escape pods were launched from the warships.


    Unlike the neighboring star system, this was the Riken home system. As long as the escape pods weren¡¯t directly hit by electromagnetic shells, their chances of survival remained relatively high.


    The warships, now under AI control, continued forward, desperately attempting evasive maneuvers. However, the swarm¡¯s 8,000 projectiles had already blanketed all possible escape routes.


    After more than ten minutes, the projectiles descended with immense kinetic energy, colliding with the warships. Their armor, compressed to its limits, tore apart, and subsequent impacts destroyed them completely.

 Chapter 293: Disappearance

    This skirmish erupted suddenly and ended just as quickly. The entire engagement lasted less than two hours, during which both sides exchanged over a dozen salvos. The swarm lost more than 30 Primordial-class bodies, while the Riken fleet suffered the loss of eight warships.


    From a numerical perspective, it might appear that the swarm suffered greater losses.


    However, the Primordial-class bodies of the swarm were essentially juveniles slowly growing into maturity, with the primary cost being time. As long as time was abundant, the swarm could produce as many Primordial-class bodies as needed.


    Moreover, in this battle, none of the Primordial-class bodies were truly destroyed. They only needed a period of dormancy to repair themselves before reentering the battlefield, fully restored.


    In contrast, the Riken fleet¡¯s warships required a complex construction process involving vast amounts of manpower and resources. Each warship needed to be staffed by hundreds of crew members.


    The training of these personnel also demanded significant resource investment.


    From the perspective of practical losses, the swarm had clearly profited greatly.


    Yet, the Riken fleet believed they hadn¡¯t suffered a net loss, and perhaps even gained a slight advantage. Despite losing a few warships, they had acquired a crucial piece of information and managed to destroy over 30 enemy units. By their calculation, it was a fair exchange.


    After the battle concluded, both sides astonishingly considered the engagement worthwhile. As for which perspective was more valid, it depended on one¡¯s interpretation.


    Since the Riken fleet had voluntarily withdrawn from the battlefield, the wreckage of the destroyed warships became spoils for the swarm. The Primordial-class bodies leisurely drifted over, encircling the debris.


    Space octopuses firing electromagnetic cannons weren¡¯t without cost; the projectiles required them to draw from their internal reserves of metal elements. Even though the atomic furnaces could supply the electromagnetic cannon¡¯s energy needs, the projectiles themselves weren¡¯t infinite and occasionally needed replenishment.


    The wreckage of these warships was an excellent source of raw materials.


    The space octopuses were creations of the fungal carpet and could even revert to fungal carpets when necessary. Growing root-like appendages was, therefore, routine for them.


    The wreckage, now entirely encircled by the swarm, was soon covered in root-like tendrils. These appendages secreted a special liquid that continuously corroded the debris, absorbing the resultant solution and channeling it back into the Primordial-class bodies.


    By the time the Primordial-class group departed, the smoldering remnants of the warships, occasionally sparking with small explosions, had completely vanished. Even the armor plates flung outward by the explosions had disappeared without a trace.


    The Riken fleet, observing the battlefield through optical systems, assumed the swarm had dismantled the warships but couldn¡¯t fathom how they had cleaned up so thoroughly.


    ¡°Those warship remains are so challenging for us to dismantle. Why would a biological civilization even bother with them?¡± A voice meeting was promptly convened among the First Space Fleet Command immediately after their withdrawal.


    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re taking them back for research. After all, whether it¡¯s a mechanical or biological civilization, foundational theories are universal,¡± replied Novaalu of the Second Fleet.


    ¡°But hadn¡¯t they already captured warships from our expeditionary forces before? They shouldn¡¯t need more wreckage. Besides, these remnants are difficult to transport, and our technology hasn¡¯t made any qualitative leaps in recent years,¡± one of the captains questioned.


    ¡°But they don¡¯t know that! If I were them, I¡¯d also haul the wreckage back to see if there were any differences,¡± another captain retorted.


    ¡°You haven¡¯t been paying close enough attention. Even when our warships are destroyed, the main wreckage typically remains hundreds of meters in size, far larger than their combat units. But look at the current reconnaissance images¡ªthere¡¯s no trace of any debris.¡±


    ¡°Heh, maybe they ate it. If those combat units are alive, they could get hungry, and hungry things need to eat,¡± one captain joked.


    ¡°Your guess might actually be correct. We know far too little about their technological system. In the next battle, we must capture some of their combat units to figure out exactly what they are.¡±


    ¡°What was the reason for halting the operation?¡± A sudden, unfamiliar voice interrupted¡ªit came from the Riken Homeworld¡¯s Command Center.


    Because the battlefield was far from the Riken home system, even light-speed communications took about 30 minutes to reach them. The three frontline legions had been discussing the situation for some time before the homeworld¡¯s response finally arrived.


    Only then did the officers recall that the critical issue wasn¡¯t the whereabouts of the wreckage but the unexpectedly advanced computational capabilities of the swarm.


    At this level of warfare, where neither side¡¯s weapons and equipment provided a decisive advantage, the conflict revolved around computational power.


    For instance, during the recent exchanges of fire, although most projectiles missed their targets, every single shot had been meticulously calculated. Without such precision, they wouldn¡¯t have even forced the enemy to evade.


    ¡°The plan must proceed as scheduled. We can¡¯t abandon an operation that has been in the works for so long just because their computational capabilities exceeded our expectations.¡± Despite their prolonged discussion, the Riken commanders failed to devise a countermeasure.


    There was no alternative¡ªthis was a matter of raw capability, one that could only be addressed through direct confrontation.


    ¡°We¡¯ll deal with it head-on. Our weapons have faster projectile speeds, so even if their computational power is superior, we should have the advantage.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. And who knows? Their computational abilities might not actually surpass ours.¡±


    ¡°However, they do have another advantage: their weapons are not standardized. They come in a variety of specifications, which forces us to rely on average values for our calculations, introducing errors in predicting their trajectories,¡± said a staff officer in charge of supercomputer maintenance.


    He wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªthis was indeed one of the swarm¡¯s strengths.


    The Riken warships were mass-produced on assembly lines, with identical modules and components. For any given model, all parameters were uniform. If a weapon¡¯s maximum range was listed as 50,000 kilometers, it wouldn¡¯t reach 50,001. If a shell diameter was specified as 50 centimeters, it would never be 51.


    In contrast, the Primordial-class bodies were entirely different. Since each one grew individually from a juvenile stage, variations in incubation and development times meant that even among units classified as Primordial-class, their sizes differed slightly.


    Even when their external dimensions matched, their electromagnetic cannons, as separate growth components, varied in size.


    A 300-meter electromagnetic cannon and a 350-meter one didn¡¯t fire projectiles at identical speeds.


    Moreover, differences in projectile material and size further affected related parameters.


    For each salvo, the swarm¡¯s projectiles reached the target at slightly staggered times. While this had little impact on the swarm, it significantly increased the computational workload for the Riken forces, causing them considerable difficulty.


    ¡°I can¡¯t understand how they manage it. Without mass production, how could they manufacture so many weapons?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they really are living organisms. Based on their behavior in the asteroid belt earlier, some of them appeared to grow noticeably larger.¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ha, are you suggesting they just grow to this size on their own?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Haven¡¯t you noticed that their combat units, regardless of size, all look more or less the same?¡±

 Chapter 294: Initiative

    The original purpose of the meeting had been to discuss the potential for errors in their intelligence, such as the recent misjudgment of the swarm¡¯s computational capabilities.


    However, at some point, a captain diverted the conversation, and the meeting¡¯s agenda completely derailed.


    Two hours later, the meeting concluded without yielding any useful results. The blockade plan was to proceed as scheduled, albeit with greater emphasis on evasive maneuvers.


    Meanwhile, Hamis temporarily suspended the plan and reported to the Riken Homeworld¡¯s Command Center.


    The next day, from a great distance, the swarm detected the Riken fleet¡¯s return.


    Taking advantage of their superior range, the Primordial-class bodies altered their course and aimed their electromagnetic cannons at the Riken fleet, launching a preemptive strike.


    Today, the swarm employed a new tactic: instead of a full salvo of 8,000 cannons, they opted for grouped fire.


    Each group consisted of 1,000 electromagnetic cannons, targeting a specific area for saturation bombardment.


    This approach expanded the coverage of their attacks, blocking multiple evasive zones simultaneously, and significantly increased the computational workload for the Riken forces, making evasion more difficult.


    To enhance the continuity of their assault, the swarm staggered the firing times of each group, creating a layered and persistent suppressive barrage.


    With the disadvantage of being out of effective range, the Riken fleet was forced to endure the swarm¡¯s bombardment as they advanced tens of thousands of kilometers to bring their main cannons into range.


    The swarm¡¯s adjusted firing rhythm and tactics greatly disrupted the Riken fleet. Most of their efforts were spent evading the relentless barrage, but the swarm¡¯s new strategy ensured that at any given moment, projectiles threatened the fleet.


    Moreover, the Riken fleet¡¯s clear tactical objective¡ªto close in on the Primordial-class bodies and enter their own firing range¡ªwas highly apparent. This clarity allowed the swarm to filter out large amounts of extraneous data.


    The swarm¡¯s projectiles didn¡¯t need to specifically target the Riken fleet; they merely needed to input the warships¡¯ performance parameters and block all approach vectors toward the Primordial-class bodies.


    If the Riken forces wanted to accomplish their tactical objective, they would have to enter the barrage zones. Conversely, avoiding those zones would prevent them from closing in on the swarm forces, rendering their tactical plans ineffective.


    In this exchange, the swarm seized the initiative.


    The swarm¡¯s tactics put the Riken fleet in an exceptionally difficult position. Within just one hour, seven or eight warships had already been forced out of combat without firing a single shot.


    Most critically, the Riken fleet¡¯s progress was meager. They had been maneuvering along a near-linear path for an extended period, yet their effective advance was only a few hundred kilometers.


    Considering that they needed to cover tens of thousands of kilometers to reach effective range, this pace was practically equivalent to standing still.


    At this rate, by the time they entered their firing range, it was uncertain how much combat strength the fleet would have left.


    ¡°We must change our tactics! Our intent is too transparent, and their strategy is exploiting our range disadvantage to the fullest. If this continues, we won¡¯t hold out until planet Raze¡¯s arrival.¡±


    The tactical communication channel of the First Space Fleet was in chaos, with captains and staff officers arguing fiercely. No one wanted their warship forced out of the battlefield without even engaging the enemy¡ªit was a humiliation they couldn¡¯t bear.


    ¡°We can¡¯t maintain a clustered formation any longer. We must disperse to increase their computational workload. Only then will we have a chance to break through their firepower blockade,¡± one captain suggested.


    ¡°But that would compromise the coordination of our salvos and the focus on our targets, making it hard to effectively damage the enemy,¡± another captain countered.


    ¡°Fool! Have you forgotten our tactical objective? Our goal is to stall them, to buy time for Raze and the other fleets to arrive¡ªnot to annihilate them!¡± the first captain snapped.


    ¡°Juvence is right. Our purpose is to delay them. Sacrifices must be made!¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Only by dispersing can we increase their computational workload and make it easier to close in on them!¡±


    ¡°But dispersing will significantly increase our risk.¡±


    ¡°And do you think we¡¯re not already at risk now?¡±


    ¡°I support a dispersed assault! If we continue like this, the enemy will cross Raze¡¯s orbital path!¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    ¡°But if we do this, our tactical intent will be exposed. What if the enemy retreats or charges through the firepower blockade?¡±


    This was indeed a concern. The Riken fleet was unaware that the swarm had far more effective intelligence-gathering methods. They still believed it necessary to conceal their tactical intentions under these circumstances.


    When two civilizations engage in warfare, there are no incompetent commanders; every move is calculated.


    If the Riken fleet resorted to harassing tactics without prioritizing kills, their intent to delay would become blatantly obvious.


    The current battlefield was an endless expanse of space, with no traps or ambush points available across its 360-degree open expanse.


    Thus, the only conceivable trap was the anticipated arrival of Raze in this area in over ten days.


    A strategic shift would cede initiative entirely to the swarm. If the swarm chose not to engage, they could retreat a short distance to regroup and allow Raze to pass¡ªnullifying all of the Riken fleet¡¯s plans.


    On the other hand, if the swarm advanced unchecked and crossed the orbital path too soon, the Riken forces would be forced to rely solely on the three fleets for an encirclement.


    While the Riken forces were confident that the combined strength of their three fleets could eliminate this swarm unit, the absence of Raze¡¯s ground-based firepower would result in significantly higher casualties.


    If the current enemy force was their main force, they could accept these losses and fight to the death. However, based on current intelligence, this was merely the enemy¡¯s vanguard.


    To exhaust the three fleets dealing with a vanguard force would leave them vulnerable when the swarm¡¯s main force arrived. At that point, surrender might as well be considered, as the outcome would be virtually the same.


    Every argument carried weight, leaving Legion Commander Hamis under tremendous pressure. He could empathize with how General Masai must have felt in similar situations. This wasn¡¯t an internal conflict within their own species¡ªone wrong decision here could doom their entire civilization.


    In the end, Hamis made a difficult decision: the fleet would maintain its formation and continue maneuvering against the swarm forces.


    Simultaneously, he ordered the data department to calculate all possible routes the swarm might take.


    To avoid arousing the suspicion of the swarm commanders, the fleet had no choice but to endure and force their way into the swarm¡¯s barrage zones¡ªa decision that made Hamis¡¯ command experience excruciatingly painful.


    Warships continued to sustain hits. Fortunately, due to the distance, it was nearly impossible for multiple projectiles to strike the same warship simultaneously, providing some buffer time. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Those with minor damage underwent emergency repairs, while those with severely impaired mobility were forced to withdraw from the battlefield.

 Chapter 295: Induction Thunder

    The battle had raged on for over a hundred hours, yet the Riken fleet still couldn¡¯t get within their effective firing range.


    If the Riken were to blindly charge forward, they might reach the target position, but by then, their fleet would likely be almost depleted. Once they were in position, retreating would be nearly impossible¡ªnothing short of a fool¡¯s dream. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, they hadn¡¯t been completely fruitless. Although they couldn¡¯t hit the Swarm fleet, the Swarm fleet also didn¡¯t actively approach them. As a result, the Swarm fleet had been confined to maneuvering within a small area.


    Even though more than fifty warships had withdrawn from the battle sequence, the retreat had been timely, and not a single warship was completely destroyed.


    After such prolonged bombardment, the Swarm fleet wasn¡¯t entirely without losses.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the metallic reserves inside our Primordial bodies are running low. If we keep up this level of fighting, it won¡¯t be long before the railguns are out of ammunition,¡± Tella said. She was once the chief bodyguard during the reign of Empress Sarah Kerrigan, but after becoming an Intelligent Entity, their relationship had become one of equals.


    Even after they were integrated into the Blades, forming a hierarchical bond, Tella continued to address Sarah by name. However, due to Luo Wen¡¯s influence, Tella still referred to Sarah as ¡°Your Majesty.¡± This was also the case for other Intelligent Entities.


    Since Luo Wen wanted to completely withdraw into the shadows, the Swarm needed a visible leader. As a former Empress, Sarah was perfectly suited for the role.


    Sarah was among the first to be transformed into an Intelligent Entity. Among those who preceded her, some were her teachers, others her subjects. Thus, this shift in identity felt natural and logical.


    ¡°Reduce the frequency of our bombardments. Give the Riken some hope¡ªwe mustn¡¯t scare them off,¡± Sarah replied calmly. Compared to her role as a queen, she enjoyed the thrill of commanding fleets in battle, especially in such vast interstellar engagements with railguns exchanging fire. The mere thought of it exhilarated her.


    ¡°Understood, Your Majesty!¡± If you¡¯re going to act, you must play the part fully, and the formalities could not be neglected.


    The reduced Swarm bombardment was immediately detected by the Riken.


    It was exceedingly obvious. With advanced instruments monitoring constantly, even ordinary soldiers could tell the difference. After enduring over a hundred hours of shelling, they noticed that the intensity of the bombardment had significantly diminished.


    ¡°They¡¯ve used up too much ammunition; they can no longer fire as recklessly as before,¡± an excited captain shouted.


    ¡°According to calculations, although the frequency of bombardment remains unchanged, the quantity of shells has dropped to only 47% of what it was before,¡± a staff officer reported, presenting freshly gathered data.


    ¡°Excellent! Keep it up. If we can exhaust all of their ammunition before reinforcements arrive, even if we don¡¯t destroy a single one of their units, the top honors will still belong to us!¡± Hamis loudly encouraged, while discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his brow.


    Having been under bombardment without the ability to return fire, the morale of the fleet had plummeted. After all, no one knew whether the next second would see their own ship struck by a shell.


    Under such conditions, every second felt like an eternity to the Riken, an excruciating torment.


    And yet, despite the Swarm¡¯s significant ammunition expenditure, the Riken fleet was not without its own heavy consumption.


    Over seven hundred warships had been operating at full speed for more than a hundred hours, consuming an astonishing amount of energy. Additionally, the constant need to change directions and angles kept the crew in a state of high mental strain. Even though each warship had three teams rotating shifts for rest, the oppressive atmosphere had pushed everyone to their limits.


    Ironically, the ordinary armed personnel had the easiest job¡ªthey only needed to pray that they wouldn¡¯t get hit by a shell.


    Now, with the news that the enemy might be faltering, everyone realized their efforts hadn¡¯t been in vain, greatly boosting morale.


    Although the frequency of bombardment had decreased, the wave patterns of attacks remained unchanged. The only difference was that the coverage area had become more sparse.


    In statistical terms, the hit rate had dropped from 2% to 1%. Practically, this made little difference and depended more on luck. However, this change felt monumental to the Riken forces. The numbers showed a dramatic decline, effectively halved.


    For the next several days, the two sides maintained this standoff. The Riken fleet circled the Swarm forces, while the Swarm¡¯s bombardment continued to keep the Riken at bay.


    Now, the intensity of the Swarm¡¯s bombardment had further diminished, with only about 2,000 railguns firing¡ªless than 30% of their full capacity. Meanwhile, the Riken forces experienced a new development: several oddly designed utility ships arrived from the star system¡¯s interior to join the battle.


    Thirty-two of these utility ships appeared in total. Their overall structure was similar to that of warships, but they carried very few weapons. Each had only two main cannons and eight secondary cannons, making their external appearance less intimidating.


    These were space mine-layers, a recent addition to the battle sequence. They were specialized for laying mines in space quickly. These mines came in various models, ranging from half a meter to two meters in size, with their power directly correlating to their size¡ªthe larger the mine, the greater the power.


    The mines were equipped with external solar panels, allowing them to remain on standby in space for extended periods. They also had automated targeting systems. When an enemy unit approached within a three-kilometer radius, the mine¡¯s thrusters would activate, propelling it rapidly toward the target, where it would attach itself and detonate.


    Furthermore, the mines were coated with a layer of stealth material that could absorb and refract radar waves. Although they could be detected with optical systems or even the naked eye, space combat occurred over vast distances, often spanning thousands of kilometers in mere moments. Radar was the primary method of detection, and by the time a mine was spotted visually, it was often too late to evade. As a result, their stealth coating retained a degree of effectiveness.


    These mine-layers could rapidly deploy mines in specific regions. Hamis had summoned these ships to help restrict the movement of the Swarm forces.


    In a few more days, Planet Raze would reach its nearby orbital path. Without an atmosphere to obscure observations, even though the Riken had made some efforts to conceal their activities, advanced optical observation systems could still detect abnormalities on the planet¡¯s surface.


    There were certain unnatural protrusions that defied natural laws.


    However, the Swarm fleet remained unresponsive to these signs. This led Hamis and other senior commanders to conclude that the enemy¡¯s observational technology was likely outdated, prompting the deployment of the mine-layers.


    The goal was twofold. First, to prevent the Swarm forces from escaping. After all, the Riken had engaged in this prolonged artillery duel, and it would be a disaster if the enemy withdrew at the critical moment.


    Second, if the enemy¡¯s observation equipment was indeed lacking, they might accidentally stumble into the minefield. Not only would this save considerable effort, but it would also earn the Riken forces significant merit.


    Thus, under the cover of the First Space Fleet, the mine-layers circled the Swarm fleet alongside the main Riken forces, deploying mines in specific regions.


    Due to the limited number of mines they carried, it was impossible to cover such a vast area entirely. Instead, the minefields were strategically positioned in key areas, while leaving safe passages for their own fleet to navigate.

 Chapter 296: Impact

    Although these intelligent mines were equipped with a friend-or-foe identification system, this system only prevented them from activating their tracking mechanisms when friendly units passed nearby. However, if a friendly ship blindly collided with a mine, the mine would unlikely tolerate the intrusion.


    Thus, corridors were deliberately left between minefields to allow friendly units to traverse quickly.


    ¡°What are those things?¡± Sarah asked, her eyes fixed on the image before her.


    The Riken¡¯s assumption that the Swarm lacked advanced optical observation technology was purely self-assured delusion.


    When radar technology lagged, the Swarm had focused heavily on developing optical observation systems linked to visual perception. The earliest observation organs inside Swarm meteors relied entirely on this system.


    The Giant-Eye Bugs once stationed at the Red Moon Base could observe scenes light-years away and perform close-range scans of areas spanning tens of thousands of kilometers. With several rounds of updates since then, the Swarm¡¯s capabilities in this field had grown even more advanced. Primordial bodies of significant size were retrofitted with upgraded detection organs as standard.


    Consequently, the Riken¡¯s stealth coatings were virtually useless against the Swarm. The moment these small objects were deployed across space, they were instantly detected.


    ¡°Your Majesty, according to the intelligence provided by nearby Intelligent Entities, these are automated, self-destructing devices capable of seeking targets,¡± Tella reported after accessing the Swarm Network for more information. She also relayed the Riken¡¯s speculations about Swarm technology.


    ¡°¡­¡± Sarah silently processed this information. These devices functioned similarly to a type of Swarm bug from the past. If left unnoticed, they might cause minor trouble, but now that they were identified, their threat was minimal.


    However, Sarah was left speechless by the Riken¡¯s speculations regarding Swarm technology. It seemed that the looming existential crisis had dulled their critical thinking.


    Was this how they built their confidence?


    ¡°If they¡¯ve decided to assume we¡¯re blind, we¡¯ll humor them. Pretend not to see their mines and continue playing along,¡± Sarah said slowly, her former regal authority starting to resurface.


    Unaware that their plans had been thoroughly exposed, the Riken took great satisfaction in their perceived success. Watching the steadily forming minefields with no apparent response from the Swarm, they were overjoyed.


    Several days passed, and Raze was now within sight. The abnormalities on its surface could no longer be effectively concealed. Even if Swarm technology was rudimentary, by now, some reaction would have been inevitable.


    ¡°Order the Swarm forces to retreat to a safe distance and avoid Raze¡¯s orbital path,¡± Sarah commanded.


    Upon receiving the order, the Swarm fleet immediately began adjusting its formation. The ever-watchful Riken fleet promptly detected the anomaly.


    Based on the Primordial bodies¡¯ adjusted angles, the fleet¡¯s main computer worked at full capacity and swiftly calculated the Swarm¡¯s probable intentions. A staggering 96.5% probability pointed to the conclusion that the Swarm was maneuvering to avoid Raze.


    ¡°They¡¯re trying to run! Notify the Second and Third Space Fleets to intercept their retreat route at full speed!¡± Hamis ordered urgently upon receiving the data.


    His fleet under direct command launched the first wave of pursuit.


    Over the past few days, as the Swarm¡¯s bombardment firepower continued to weaken, Hamis had exploited the situation to repeatedly accelerate his fleet, edging closer to the Swarm forces. The Swarm, seemingly ¡°forced into a corner,¡± had responded with full-scale firepower¡ª8,000 railguns firing in unison¡ªto drive the Riken fleet back to a ¡°safe distance.¡±


    Although this maneuver resulted in higher losses for the First Space Fleet, Hamis believed the heavy consumption of Swarm ammunition justified the cost. This was evident as the Swarm¡¯s subsequent bombardment firepower dropped to less than 20% of its initial strength.


    At this level of bombardment density, unless their luck was abysmal, even if the fleet didn¡¯t entirely escape the artillery¡¯s coverage area, the sparse distribution of shells posed minimal threat to them.


    Additionally, with large minefields surrounding the Swarm fleet, the Riken only needed to block the retreat path. Though the First Space Fleet and the Swarm had been locked in a grueling battle for more than ten days, leaving both sides utterly exhausted, the other two Riken fleets moving in from the flanks were fresh and ready for action.


    Once they arrived, the Swarm would face their reckoning!


    Anticipating this scenario, the mine-layers had concentrated their efforts on this retreat route. With large portions sealed by extensive minefields, Hamis and his forces only needed to guard a small area to block the Swarm¡¯s escape.


    When the Swarm fleet ¡°accidentally¡± triggered a few mines, causing several explosions, they conveniently exhibited a cautious response, slowing their retreat significantly.


    At the same time, they deployed several small space octopuses to probe the extent of the minefield.


    ¡°Hmph! So, these creatures really can¡¯t detect mines from a distance.¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Even our own warships suffered heavy losses during simulations against these mines back in the day.¡±


    Observing the Swarm fleet¡¯s behavior, the Riken First Space Fleet¡¯s communication channels echoed with mocking remarks from various captains. Clearly, many of them had fallen victim to these little devices in virtual drills.


    ¡°Still, they¡¯re being overly cautious. As soon as they touched the minefield, they retreated. It seems the mines won¡¯t be able to destroy many more of their units.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s actually better. Our task isn¡¯t to destroy them outright. Now that they¡¯ve slowed down on their own, once the other two fleets arrive, they¡¯ll be sitting ducks!¡±


    ¡°Exactly. This juicy piece of meat has been cooking long enough¡ªit¡¯s about time it¡¯s ready to eat. I don¡¯t want to be forced out of the battle right before the feast.¡±


    The captains nodded in agreement. This was a shared sentiment. Having endured so many days of relentless combat, the decisive encirclement phase was finally at hand. Suffering damage from reckless moves and being unable to participate in the final strike would be a waste.


    At present, the First Space Fleet had fewer than 700 active warships remaining in its battle sequence. Over 100 had withdrawn from the fight, and two had been completely destroyed earlier after suffering critical damage during a risky advance and failing to retreat in time. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Meanwhile, the mine-layers, having depleted their supply of mines, had already withdrawn from the battlefield. These utility ships had minimal firepower and, in a direct fight, offered little more than serving as target practice.


    The Riken First Space Fleet maneuvered back and forth at the edge of the Swarm fleet¡¯s maximum firing range, occasionally feinting advances to slow the Swarm¡¯s retreat and push them further toward the minefields.


    The Primordial bodies were now struggling with every step.


    By this point, Raze was less than 100,000 kilometers from the battlefield. The two fresh Riken fleets emerged from behind the planet, engines roaring at full power. They were expected to reach their designated positions within an hour.


    The energy fluctuations from their engines were impossible to conceal at such close range.


    The Primordial bodies of the Swarm ¡°immediately¡± detected them and ¡°quickly understood¡± the Riken¡¯s strategic intentions.


    Their retreat speed suddenly increased, releasing a swarm of mature bodies and larval bodies into the minefields. They were willing to sacrifice their physical forms to pave a path through the mines.

 Chapter 297: The Gap

    Unfortunately, by now, it was too late to ¡°escape.¡± The encirclement was nearly complete.


    Diverting most of their energy to the engines made the already sparse bombardment from the Swarm even less effective. The First Fleet seized the opportunity and advanced into firing range.


    After enduring more than ten days of one-sided bombardment, the Riken gunners were brimming with rage. With their energy gauges maxed out, they unleashed a torrent of red energy beams into the path of the clustered Primordial bodies.


    The Riken¡¯s energy weapons had a much higher rate of fire compared to electromagnetic railguns. Under their full assault, the resulting display resembled a downpour of light.


    Even though the Primordial bodies possessed strong resistance to energy weapons, charging headlong into such overwhelming firepower would still result in devastating damage.


    With a rain of light blocking their path ahead and minefields threatening their flanks, the Swarm forces were forced to evade the attacks by retreating.


    However, this maneuver effectively nullified their original retreat plan.


    Faced with the choice of being destroyed now or a little later, the Swarm commander chose the latter. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Primordial bodies briefly hesitated before the entire fleet pivoted, cutting across a section of the minefield and retreating further back.


    Seeing this unfold, Hamis clenched his fist and pumped it triumphantly in the air. ¡°Yes!¡±


    At that moment, the voice of Novaul, the Second Fleet¡¯s fleet commander, crackled over the communication channel. ¡°Haha! Nicely done, Hamis! We¡¯re almost there!¡±


    The Swarm¡¯s forced retreat was visible to the two reinforcement fleets, boosting their morale.


    An hour might seem like a long time, but in space combat, it was merely a few rounds of bombardment. The time would pass quickly, and the Swarm fleet, having turned and retreated, would find it incredibly difficult to reorganize their formation and attempt another breakthrough of the encirclement. There simply wouldn¡¯t be enough time.


    This indicated that the Riken¡¯s first-phase tactical plan had been achieved, prompting Novaul¡¯s hearty laughter.


    The Swarm forces clearly understood their predicament. They didn¡¯t attempt to force their way through the minefields and firepower network again. Instead, they redirected more power to their engines, accelerating toward the inner region of the Riken star system.


    ¡°Be careful! They¡¯re like cornered dogs now! Novaul, get to your position immediately. If you let them into the inner circle, you¡¯ll end up sipping tea with Masai at headquarters!¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Novaul couldn¡¯t help but curse.


    Masai, after suffering a military defeat, had been stripped of command and relegated to a special advisory role at headquarters. The implication of ¡°sipping tea¡± with him was clear¡ªNovaul¡¯s failure would cost him his command as well.


    That damned Hamis. He might look like a decent person, but his words were venomous. Once this battle was over, Novaul swore he¡¯d find an excuse to brawl with him.


    Novaul¡¯s naturally fiery temper had not been subdued by his rank. He had often clashed with Masai in the past, and adding another rival to his roster of brawls seemed par for the course.


    Despite his temper, Novaul¡¯s military acumen was undeniable¡ªotherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have risen to his current position.


    With over 780 warships in his Second Fleet, their engines pushed to the limit, Novaul ordered an even greater burst of speed.


    In truth, the situation wasn¡¯t as dire as it appeared. The Swarm¡¯s actions had been anticipated by the Riken, and this retreat path was already laden with minefields.


    Novaul¡¯s task was to block a relatively small area. Even without accelerating, he would likely have sealed the gap in time. However, there was always a slim chance that a portion of the Primordial bodies might break through. Though the likelihood was low, it wasn¡¯t zero.


    Thus, it was better to act swiftly. Even if a few units did manage to escape, it wouldn¡¯t pose a major issue or warrant a demotion. Still, any such lapse would leave a blemish on his record.


    The Second Fleet, advancing at full speed, ultimately made no errors and successfully blocked the Swarm¡¯s path before they could escape. At the same time, the Third Fleet arrived at its designated position, completing the encirclement.


    ¡°Drive them toward Planet Raze!¡± Hamis shouted over the communication channel.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need you to tell me!¡± Novaul snapped back, clearly holding a grudge.


    From four directions, three fleets sealed off all but one escape route, leaving only the path toward Planet Raze open¡ªa deliberate move.


    ¡°Haha, they¡¯ve left us an opening. Excellent. As they wish, full speed ahead!¡± At Sarah¡¯s command, the Primordial bodies pivoted and surged toward Planet Raze.


    As the Swarm spotted the ¡°gap¡± in the encirclement and cooperatively advanced toward it, the communication channels of the three Riken fleets buzzed with celebratory chatter, as if the battle had already been won.


    Indeed, with their ammunition nearly depleted, the Swarm fleet appeared like lambs awaiting slaughter.


    The Swarm and Planet Raze were on a collision course. Within a short time, the two would intersect. Meanwhile, on Planet Raze, the Riken forces revealed their true strength.


    Camouflage coverings were stripped away, exposing the artificial constructs beneath. Massive steel bases, thick artillery barrels, and densely packed ground defense systems sprawled across the planet¡¯s surface.


    Over a thousand fusion reactors powered these colossal war machines. As their terrifying energy gathered, beams of red light erupted from the muzzles.


    These land-based turrets were significantly cheaper to produce than warships, allowing for far greater numbers. At this moment, over 30,000 turrets opened fire, unleashing firepower several times more ferocious than that of the three fleets combined.


    This was the Riken¡¯s trump card¡ªtheir confidence in consuming the Swarm vanguard with minimal losses.


    All their earlier maneuvers had been to force the Swarm into this direction, bringing them within the effective range of the planet¡¯s ground-based artillery.


    Although this tactic was limited to Planet Raze and could only be used once¡ªthe Swarm wouldn¡¯t fall for the same trick again¡ªit didn¡¯t matter. These powerful planetary defenses would turn Planet Raze into an unyielding fortress planted squarely in the Swarm¡¯s path.


    Any Swarm forces attempting to pass near it would have to contend with its formidable firepower. This ¡°nail¡± would disrupt their operations and require constant strategic attention, significantly hindering their movements and consuming their resources.


    Faced with the overwhelming barrage of energy beams, the Riken commanders expected the Swarm to prioritize evasion and retreat, then attempt to break through the encirclement by attacking the three fleets.


    However, turning around and reorganizing their formation would take time. During this delay, the three fleets could concentrate their firepower to disrupt the Swarm¡¯s rhythm and pin them down.


    Under the combined assault of land-based artillery and fleet weaponry, the Swarm would quickly collapse.


    Once scattered, the Swarm forces would lose the ability to breach the encirclement and could be methodically destroyed.


    Victory in this battle wouldn¡¯t just bring glory and honor; it would also erase the stain of Masai¡¯s earlier defeat, bolster the morale of the Riken people, and quash lingering doubts. Future military operations would proceed far more smoothly.


    But this was nothing more than wishful thinking.

 Chapter 298: Impact

    Faced with the oncoming barrage of dense artillery fire, the Swarm forces did not adjust course to evade, as the Riken had anticipated. Instead, the entire formation contracted inward, using the Primordial bodies at the forefront as living shields to absorb the attack head-on.


    Due to the narrowing of the formation into an irregular cylindrical shape, the area exposed to the assault was extremely limited. Out of the 5,000 Primordial bodies, only 200 to 300 at the very front suffered severe damage in this volley. Despite their battered state, their broken forms were still carried by the swarm, continuing to serve as shields for the second wave of fire.


    This sight struck the Riken with awe.


    ¡°What a terrifying civilization!¡± they thought. Imagine if it were them. Could they resolutely place their fleet in harm¡¯s way under such intense bombardment?


    Highly unlikely.


    Their warships housed not only commanders but numerous soldiers and crew. Even if a captain ordered the sacrifice of their entire ship, whether such a command would be executed in the heat of a life-and-death crisis was doubtful.


    In a split-second moment where the tide of battle could shift, even the slightest hesitation would render such a maneuver impossible to execute. Yet, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies at the forefront exhibited no hesitation. Hundreds of them moved in perfect unison, seamlessly forming the defensive configuration. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the Riken, who had no understanding of the Swarm¡¯s biological nature, this level of cohesion and execution was utterly horrifying.


    ¡°What are they trying to do?¡±


    After their initial shock, the Riken were puzzled by the Swarm forces¡¯ actions, unable to discern their intentions.


    ¡°They¡¯re heading straight for Planet Raze! Are they planning to land there?¡±


    ¡°Fools! They¡¯re courting death!¡±


    Indeed, for the Riken, maneuvering large spacecraft to land on a planet was immensely challenging. The mutual gravitational pull necessitated engines of extraordinary power to accomplish such an operation.


    Exiting the planet¡¯s gravity well would also inflict damage on the ship¡¯s structure. Designing a vessel capable of such maneuvers would require substantial rethinking of its overall structure.


    The Riken¡¯s large warships were all assembled directly in space and were not built to withstand strong gravitational forces. If it were a low-gravity satellite, they might attempt a direct landing. However, Planet Raze, with its formidable gravitational pull, restricted their warships to orbit, unable to land freely on its surface.


    Judging by their own standards, the Riken thought the Swarm¡¯s commanders must have lost their minds. Once the Swarm descended, taking off again would be exceedingly difficult.


    ¡°Be cautious. This could be a feint, a diversion!¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    Many commanders concurred, suspecting that the Swarm forces might perform a sudden turn near Planet Raze, using it as a shield to avoid encirclement. By enduring the planetary defense cannons on the far side of the planet, they could potentially break through the blockade. Such a maneuver might result in heavy losses but would avoid total annihilation.


    As the second wave of artillery fire from Planet Raze hit, the few hundred Primordial bodies at the forefront sustained even more grievous injuries. Some of the most severely damaged were vaporized by the intense heat, their internal fungal strains obliterated, and completely killed. This marked the first time the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies succumbed to conventional weaponry in their conflict with the Riken.


    By the time the third wave of artillery fire arrived, the angles had been adjusted, concentrating the barrage on the Swarm¡¯s front. If the Swarm absorbed this round in its entirety, they could potentially lose over a thousand Primordial bodies.


    However, such an ideal scenario remained just that¡ªa fantasy. Sarah and her Blades weren¡¯t foolish. The Swarm forces abruptly dispersed, creating gaps in the concentrated firing zone, then scattered toward Planet Raze.


    When the fourth wave of artillery switched to a dispersed coverage, the Swarm forces regrouped into a single formation.


    Subsequent planetary defense barrages experimented with multiple targeting methods, such as emphasizing the regions where the Swarm concentrated. However, these proved futile. The Swarm simply vacated the heavily targeted zones, reorganizing into several more ¡°slender¡± cylindrical formations around the periphery.


    In this exchange of tactics, after more than a dozen waves of artillery fire, the Swarm forces didn¡¯t make the anticipated sharp turn but instead headed straight for Planet Raze, reaching its low orbit¡ªjust a step away from the surface.


    As the descending swarm of Primordial bodies plunged toward the surface, they abruptly began ejecting vast quantities of Mature bodies and Larval bodies from within.


    During the earlier bombardment, the Swarm had lost over a thousand Primordial bodies. From the initial 5,000-plus, only about 3,000 remained. In just a matter of minutes, their losses exceeded a hundredfold compared to the past ten days of intense combat.


    However, with the release of the smaller Space Octopuses carried within their bodies, their numbers instantly multiplied dozens of times over.


    The sight of hundreds of thousands of Space Octopuses diving toward the surface was nothing short of spectacular. The 30,000 ground-based cannons found themselves momentarily overwhelmed, unable to decide which targets to prioritize.


    In the brief delay caused by this hesitation, the Swarm forces moved even closer. After hastily firing two more volleys, the ground cannons had lost their optimal firing angles.


    Once the Space Octopuses closed the distance, the ground cannons appeared clumsy and ineffective. Against the agile Space Octopuses, their turrets couldn¡¯t adjust fast enough to track their movements.


    In contrast, for the immobile ground cannons, it took only a single point-blank shot from a Mature Space Octopus¡¯s electromagnetic railgun to destroy them.


    While the planet¡¯s surface defenses included some close-in weapon systems, they were utterly insufficient against the overwhelming numbers of the Swarm forces. Their attempts to halt the destruction were akin to trying to quench a raging fire with a handful of water.


    The Riken never expected this turn of events. In their view, the Swarm forces should have focused on escape. Although the Swarm appeared to have disrupted the ground-based cannons by forcefully landing on Planet Raze, it also seemed to have sacrificed any chance of retreat.


    This maneuver left the Riken commanders bewildered.


    Even if they managed to annihilate this Swarm vanguard, the Riken would still find themselves in a difficult position. While the ground-based cannons were lifeless objects and mass-produced on assembly lines, deploying so many of them required a significant amount of time and effort.


    Judging by the Swarm¡¯s current rate of destruction, it was likely that the cannons would be almost entirely wiped out before the Riken could eliminate the Swarm forces. Reestablishing such a defensive network before the arrival of the Swarm¡¯s follow-up forces would be impossible.


    Once this war was over, Planet Raze would lose its strategic value. It would no longer serve as a thorn in the Swarm¡¯s path.


    In the short term, wiping out this vanguard force might seem like a victory. But in the long run, it was a loss for the Riken.


    Still, this conclusion was entirely one-sided wishful thinking on the part of the Riken.


    Completely ignorant of the Swarm¡¯s biological nature, they viewed trading lives for lifeless objects as irrational. However, for the Swarm, such exchanges were merely standard procedure.


    Even if the Swarm truly did exchange lives to eliminate a ¡°thorn,¡± it wouldn¡¯t be a loss in their eyes.


    And, in truth, the situation was far from as simple as it seemed.

 Chapter 299: Reemergence

    It¡¯s worth noting that the Space Octopuses are essentially a variant of the Fungal Carpet, with each fungal strain inside them acting as a seed for a new carpet.


    While the Mature bodies bombarded the ground-based cannons, many Larval bodies had already landed on the planet¡¯s surface.


    With their flexible tentacles, the larvae burrowed into the ground with impressive speed. In a short time, they had vanished beneath the planetary surface.


    Over the years, Cross¡¯s family had converted more than a hundred Intelligent Entities, many of whom held prominent and influential public identities.


    Among the high-ranking officers in the Riken¡¯s three main fleets, several were secretly Intelligent Entities. These individuals relayed real-time fleet command updates directly to Sarah and her Blades.


    When Sarah learned of the Riken¡¯s astonishment, she nearly laughed aloud. This was a prime example of how asymmetric information leads to misconceptions. The Riken assumed their plan was succeeding, yet they remained oblivious to the possibility that the Swarm might have been employing a stratagem. Perhaps their target had always been Planet Raze.


    The planetary surface was vast and featureless, with tens of thousands of ground-based cannons concentrated in a dozen or so areas. This arrangement facilitated energy supply and reduced engineering complexity.


    The materials used to construct these metallic structures were partially sourced from metal-rich asteroids dragged in from the debris fields and refined in space before being dropped onto the planetary surface.


    However, the majority of the materials were mined directly from Planet Raze.


    Planet Raze is a planet rich in metallic elements, boasting abundant mineral resources. Many of these deposits are located near the surface, making extraction incredibly easy.


    Currently, the Riken have dozens of bases on Planet Raze, supporting nearly 100,000 ground-based cannons. The scale of these defenses is directly tied to the planet¡¯s ease of mining.


    Beneath the surface, the planet holds even more abundant resources, including vast deposits of radioactive minerals.


    If the Swarm wanted to engage in a war of attrition with the Riken, it wouldn¡¯t be feasible to continually transport forces from the Neighboring Star System. Establishing a local frontline base within the Riken star system was a necessity.


    Planet Raze, situated in the outer regions of the star system and rich in resources, was an ideal target. Its vast deposits of metal could sustain the Swarm¡¯s relentless firepower, while its radioactive minerals could accelerate the growth of Larval bodies and Mature bodies, as well as support the creation of additional Atomic Furnaces.


    Thus, from the very beginning, the Swarm¡¯s objective was to seize control of Planet Raze.


    However, had their strategic intent been exposed early on, they would have faced the combined resistance of the Riken¡¯s three main fleets¡ªover 2,000 warships¡ªand the concentrated firepower of Planet Raze¡¯s ground-based defenses.


    Faced with such ferocious artillery fire, the Swarm forces¡¯ losses were bound to double.


    For the Swarm, such losses wouldn¡¯t typically matter. However, if they accidentally crippled the Riken¡¯s three main fleets, that could lead to trouble.


    The Riken¡¯s current fleet capacity was finite. Should a significant portion of it be lost here, it might provoke a sense of despair and hysteria, leading them to attempt a desperate mutual annihilation.


    At this point, the ¡°seeds¡± had already been planted. To Luo Wen, the Riken had become a high-quality material production base, now considered part of the Swarm¡¯s assets. He couldn¡¯t afford to let them destroy themselves recklessly. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If it weren¡¯t for the need to avoid drawing the attention of potential observers, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t have even launched an attack on the Riken.


    While Sarah and her Blades were mulling over their next move, they learned of the Riken¡¯s tactical plans. Seizing the opportunity, they turned the tables, orchestrating this grand spectacle.


    Essentially, the Riken had unwittingly opened the path for the Swarm to occupy Planet Raze.


    This occupation wasn¡¯t just superficial. A single Larval body, measuring ten meters in length, contained hundreds of fungal strains. The larger the organism, the more strains it carried, with the number doubling as size increased.


    Each fungal strain served as a Fungal Carpet seed, capable of spreading uncontrollably if given enough time¡ªlet alone the simultaneous activation of countless seeds.


    One Larval body collapsed at the base of a ground-based cannon, allowing its fungal strains to extract nutrients from the Larval body¡¯s tissue, converting them into the first wave of sustenance for growth.


    In no time, root-like structures sprouted from the strains, crawling over the metallic base and burrowing into the soil below.


    The cannon¡¯s base began to corrode, compromising its structure. Unable to support the weapon¡¯s weight, the thick barrel leaned downward, temporarily maintaining balance by resting against the ground.


    However, the purple-gray Fungal Carpet had already spread from the base to the cannon¡¯s body and barrel, covering the entire weapon and surrounding area in a creeping, ominous hue.


    This phenomenon unfolded across Planet Raze. A single instance might go unnoticed amid the chaos of battle.


    But the simultaneous activation of tens of thousands¡ªif not hundreds of thousands¡ªof Larval bodies triggered a chain reaction so conspicuous it was impossible to ignore.


    ¡°Look at screen 63! What is that?¡± A captain exclaimed, staring at the video feed showing the spreading purple-gray carpet.


    ¡°My god, what is that thing?!¡±


    ¡°It looks familiar¡ªlike I¡¯ve seen it somewhere before.¡±


    Hearing the commotion, other fleet members switched to the corresponding video feed, discussing the strange phenomenon.


    ¡°What? This? Stop them immediately!¡± A panicked staff officer suddenly shouted.


    ¡°Mott! Do you know what this is?¡± Hamis urgently asked.


    ¡°Back when they attacked our expeditionary fleet, T855 ended up like this. It was a normal planet at first, but then it turned purple-gray,¡± Mott replied.


    Mott, once a captain of the Riken¡¯s expeditionary fleet like General Masai, had been demoted after his defeat and now served as a senior staff officer.


    The transformation of T855 and its satellites was far more shocking to witness in person than it appeared in video footage.


    Many present had likely reviewed the recorded events, finding the scene vaguely familiar. However, for those like Mott who had experienced it firsthand, the terror was unforgettable.


    Mott¡¯s comment jogged the memories of the assembled Riken. They recalled how T855¡¯s satellites had been dyed purple-gray in no time, creating an eerie spectacle.


    ¡°They¡¯re targeting Planet Raze!¡± Hamis growled, a mix of anger and dread flashing across his face. It finally dawned on him that the Swarm¡¯s earlier erratic behavior wasn¡¯t indicative of diminished intelligence.


    In truth, they¡ªthe Riken¡ªhad been the real fools all along.


    Despite Masai¡¯s prior example, why had they fallen for such a basic error of underestimating their enemy? Hamis fell into deep thought.


    Was it because the Swarm¡¯s appearance made associating them with intelligence difficult? Or could it be some strange technology¡ªperhaps a debilitating aura of stupidity?


    On reflection, the first explanation seemed more plausible than the second.


    The Swarm¡¯s technology, their units¡ªthey all subconsciously reminded one of beasts. And beasts, by definition, lacked intelligence.


    When sitting in their iron warships and looking upon a race that still relied on physical bodies for combat, an inexplicable sense of superiority inevitably arose.


    In such moments, it was easy to overlook the fact that their enemy was, indeed, an intelligent civilization.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Hamis cursed, his fury unable to mask his frustration.

 Chapter 300: Barrage

    ¡°Deploy all fighter jets! Stop them!¡± Though they weren¡¯t sure what the Swarm intended, stopping them was undoubtedly the right move.


    He seemed to forget that if they hadn¡¯t meticulously tried to prevent the Swarm from ¡°escaping¡± earlier, the Swarm¡¯s grand performance wouldn¡¯t have succeeded in the first place.


    This time, however, his decision was correct¡ªat least when it came to halting the spread of the Fungal Carpet, as there was no hidden agenda behind this particular maneuver.


    Meanwhile, the urgency of the situation was recognized by both the Second Fleet, led by Novaul, and the Third Fleet, led by Alcer.


    Since the Riken warships couldn¡¯t freely land on the planet¡¯s surface, they were forced to dock gradually in outer orbit.


    Massive steel behemoths over a kilometer long opened their side hangar bay doors, releasing waves of fighter jets. The aircraft hovered briefly to form formations before diving toward Planet Raze.


    The Riken¡¯s fighter squadrons followed the same composition as before: each squadron included one manned fighter jet accompanied by nine unmanned drones, forming a cohesive attack group.


    From the three fleets, over 2,000 warships deployed more than ten attack formations each, totaling over 200,000 fighter jets, which swarmed toward Planet Raze like a flood.


    It was a pity that space lacked air. Otherwise, the roar of engines from such a massive fleet would have been deafening and awe-inspiring.


    On Planet Raze¡¯s surface, the yellow-brown terrain was starkly interrupted by the striking and conspicuous patches of purple-gray Fungal Carpet.


    Although the rapid spread of the fungal carpet shocked the Riken, the relatively short time it had to develop meant it remained concentrated around the previously occupied ground-cannon bases.


    By the time the Riken fighter jets arrived, less than half of the original 100,000 ground-based cannons remained operational, and this number was decreasing rapidly.


    While the cannons continued their desperate attempts at self-defense, adjusting angles to fire at the Swarm forces, their success rate was low. Hitting the agile Space Octopuses within the dense barrage proved extremely challenging. Worse, stray shots occasionally caused friendly fire.


    Amid the chaos, dense red energy beams rained down from the skies as the Swarm detected the approaching fighter jets. The Space Octopuses began evasive maneuvers immediately, but the Fungal Carpet, now integrated into the terrain, could not avoid the assault.


    The purple-gray carpet was blown apart, with chunks of flesh scattered in all directions. Areas hit directly by the firepower were scorched and carbonized, leaving patches of blackened land amid the purple-gray expanse.


    However, the vitality of the fungal carpet exceeded the Riken¡¯s wildest imaginations.


    Since the fighter formations maintained a safe distance from the Space Octopuses, they climbed back to higher altitudes after a round of firing. Yet, during the brief time it took for them to adjust their angles and prepare for another attack, the scorched regions of the carpet rapidly shrank, replaced once again by a fresh purple-gray spread.


    The fungal carpet¡¯s vital strains had long since been moved underground. The exposed tissues on the surface were merely nutrient storage structures, optimized for absorbing radiation energy.


    As long as these tissues weren¡¯t entirely vaporized, even if charred to cinders, portions could still be recovered¡ªalbeit with reduced efficiency.


    ¡°Our attacks don¡¯t seem to be working!¡± a captain cried out in dismay.


    ¡°Keep firing! Energy conservation is absolute¡ªI refuse to believe they can recover indefinitely!¡± Hamis barked back.


    Unfortunately, the Riken had no understanding of the Swarm¡¯s energy sources. The fungal carpet¡¯s roots had already penetrated deep underground, drawing not only nutrients but also sustaining energy from below.


    The shattered organic tissue, fragments of steel structures, and even the residual heat from the explosions of energy beams¡ªall of it became nutrients for the Fungal Carpet.


    As the fighter jets changed direction for another assault, they unleashed yet another wave of firepower. Meanwhile, the Riken fleet, having gradually docked into orbital positions, aligned their warships for coordinated strikes. The main cannons of these warships, with ranges sufficient to reach the planet¡¯s surface from orbit, began providing heavy fire support.


    Since Planet Raze lacked an atmosphere, the effectiveness of the main cannons was nearly unaffected by distance.


    After the fighter formations completed their third wave of fire, they ascended to higher altitudes, clearing the line of sight for the warships. Thicker, more powerful energy beams rained down from above.


    Brilliant fireworks erupted and quickly dissipated. The not-yet-healed purple-gray patches of the Fungal Carpet were struck once more, taking significant damage. The Riken forces allowed no respite, unleashing several additional rounds of bombardment.


    Despite the ferocity of the attacks, the tenacity of the Fungal Carpet was astonishing. Although heavily damaged, the patches stubbornly regenerated, gradually restoring themselves to full form.


    Moreover, the fungal growth continued to expand outward. Of the initial 50% of ground-based cannons that had survived earlier assaults, another 10% were lost in this short span.


    Meanwhile, the Fungal Carpet, after corroding the materials of the ground cannons, absorbed vast quantities of metal elements. This replenishment reactivated many of the previously inactive electromagnetic railguns, which resumed firing.


    The Primordial bodies, many of which were positioned to assist the fungal growth, had also been caught in the intense crossfire. The fighter jets¡¯ weaponry inflicted relatively minimal damage on them, but the sudden involvement of the warships¡¯ main cannons caused heavy losses. Caught off guard, numerous Primordial bodies were destroyed.


    Despite this, over 3,000 Primordial bodies armed with electromagnetic railguns continued to unleash their firepower on the Riken fleet in orbit.


    Having docked and aligned their warships, the Riken fleet found themselves unable to adjust positions as quickly as before. This resulted in severe losses during the barrage, with 20 warships forced to withdraw from the battle sequence.


    Fortunately for the Riken, the Primordial bodies, having consumed significant amounts of metal to repair and replenish their weapons, were unable to increase their movement speed in the short term. This left them at a disadvantage when faced with the rapidly firing energy beams.


    The battlefield became a hellish spectacle of crisscrossing artillery fire, with electromagnetic projectiles colliding with energy beams in midair. With both sides minimizing their evasion maneuvers to maximize their strikes, the intensity and brutality of the war reached unprecedented levels.


    ¡°Captain! A projectile is projected to hit us in five minutes!¡± a crew member shouted urgently.


    ¡°Damn it! Do I have to give every single order? Get us out of the way!¡± the captain barked. The relentless escalation of the battle was pushing everyone¡¯s nerves to their breaking point.


    ¡°Captain! We can¡¯t! The River Tank 223 is blocking our escape route!¡± the crew member replied in panic.


    ¡°Shit!¡± the captain cursed. The River Tank 223, a nearby warship, had just been unlucky enough to take a direct hit. Its side-rear No. 1 main engine was critically damaged, leaving it immobile and a sitting duck for subsequent strikes. It had taken several more hits and, while not entirely destroyed, was effectively incapacitated.


    The stranded warship, unable to move, was now blocking the retreat path for the subsequent ships, which drew the captain¡¯s ire.


    Shoving aside the crew member in front of the console, the captain scanned the trajectory map. With less than three minutes until impact, his beloved ship was about to be struck. He let out another curse, but his mind was racing.


    Suddenly, he shouted. ¡°Set Engines 5, 6, 11, and 15 to maximum output! We¡¯ll take this one head-on with the frontal reactive armor!¡±


    Engines 5 and 6, located on the left-rear of the ship, were auxiliary thrusters used to adjust the ship¡¯s angle. Engines 11 and 15, positioned at the rear underside, provided vertical thrust.


    Following this maneuver, the rear of the ship tilted upward and shifted to the right, aligning the bow of the warship to face Planet Raze. This move effectively shielded the vulnerable underbelly of the ship by presenting its more heavily armored front section to the incoming projectile. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 301: Fighter Jets

    The warship in space stood like a pestle, unmoving. Three minutes later, a burst of fire erupted against its front reactive armor. The powerful impact pierced the thick armor, tore through several compartments, and pushed the warship several kilometers back.


    ¡°Seal the damaged compartments! Get us away from River Tank 223 immediately! If it explodes, I don¡¯t want to get dragged down with it!¡± the captain shouted. The violent tremors from the impact had left every Riken crew member on edge.


    Fortunately, after the shaking subsided, the self-diagnostics revealed that apart from the destroyed front reactive armor and a few damaged compartments, the ship¡¯s overall structure remained intact. Its operational capabilities were unaffected. Such damage could only be considered minor.


    However, in its current state, the warship was no longer capable of withstanding another electromagnetic railgun round. Worse, River Tank 223, already severely damaged, appeared on the verge of destruction. Should it explode, the uncontrolled wreckage would pose a far greater threat than a railgun projectile.


    Unfortunately, their ship was the closest to River Tank 223.


    Having narrowly avoided disaster, the captain immediately ordered the ship to distance itself from this looming danger.


    Even without the captain¡¯s command, the crew had already begun moving. The forward engines engaged, and the warship began retreating, its stern tilted up as it pulled away from Planet Raze.


    This maneuver drew curses from nearby captains and even prompted an inquiry from Hamis, but none of it mattered compared to survival.


    While the main cannons on both sides exchanged fire, the smaller units were far from idle.


    Most of the Swarm¡¯s Larval bodies had transformed into Fungal Carpet, while the Mature bodies targeted the remaining ground-based cannons.


    However, with the arrival of the fighter squadrons, the Mature bodies now had new targets.


    Although their electromagnetic railguns were highly destructive¡ªcapable of downing a fighter jet with a single hit, or even taking out multiple jets with a lucky shot¡ªtheir slow firing rate posed a significant drawback.


    After all, the Mature bodies could only fire their railguns using the energy reserves within their bodies. This massive energy consumption slowed their engines, reducing their mobility.


    Under favorable circumstances, they could leverage their superior numbers and defenses to hold their own against the Riken¡¯s squadrons in a long-range duel. However, in this case, there were only tens of thousands of Mature bodies, facing fighter jets outnumbering them several times over.


    Faced with such odds, the Mature bodies quickly found themselves at a disadvantage. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, the Mature bodies were incredibly resilient. Their thick armor provided excellent resistance to the smaller-caliber energy weapons used by the fighter jets.


    Nevertheless, the chaotic battlefield created awkward situations for both sides. Amid the exchange of main cannon fire, avoiding friendly fire became increasingly challenging. The Primordial bodies had managed to avoid incidents of friendly fire, but the Riken¡¯s warships, stationed far from the core battlefield, had difficulty coordinating their main cannon strikes.


    Even though their energy beams traveled quickly, it still took tens of seconds to reach their targets. For the fighter jets attempting to maneuver through this intense warzone, avoiding friendly fire became an increasingly daunting task.


    Many Riken fighter jets were inadvertently struck by their own side¡¯s energy beams while pursuing the Mature bodies. For these fragile fighter units, being hit by a warship¡¯s main cannon meant instant destruction¡ªreduced to scattered debris in an instant.


    Fortunately for the Riken, the majority of their fighter fleet consisted of unmanned drones. So far, all the losses from friendly fire had been limited to drones, with no casualties among their pilots.


    Unintentionally, the battles between the squadrons and the Mature bodies began drifting away from the main combat zone, as both sides pursued their engagements elsewhere.


    The Primordial bodies, which had suffered heavy losses during their charge on Planet Raze, were further reduced while resupplying on metallic elements.


    In terms of firing rate, projectile quantity, and the speed of their shots, the Swarm¡¯s railguns were now at a disadvantage.


    Two hours later, the Riken fleet had lost over 300 warships, but the number of active Swarm railguns had dwindled to fewer than 500.


    It was only a matter of minutes before the railguns would fall silent entirely.


    Despite the battlefield gains, the Riken commanders felt no joy.


    At the start of the battle, the Riken fleet had deliberately avoided targeting the intact ground-based cannons. However, the Primordial Space Octopuses had used the cannons as cover, forcing the fleet into a difficult position. Continuing to spare the cannons only restricted their firepower and limited their effectiveness in eliminating the Swarm.


    After deliberations among several Fleet Commanders, it was decided that the fleet would no longer spare the remaining metallic constructs. Friendly fire was no longer a concern.


    Now, with most of the large Space Octopuses nearly wiped out, the ground-based cannons had suffered a damage rate exceeding 90%.


    But those purple-gray patches, those fleshy structures¡ªdespite the relentless bombardment¡ªhad not only survived but were thriving amidst the destruction. They continually repaired damaged areas and expanded outward.


    Meanwhile, in the aerial battle, the Mature bodies found themselves relentlessly pursued by the Riken squadrons. Leveraging their superior speed, the Riken jets weaved around the Mature bodies, maintaining a safe distance while firing continuously. The Swarm¡¯s numbers dwindled steadily under this strategy.


    The Riken¡¯s new tactics effectively neutralized the close-combat advantages of the Space Octopuses. Even the largest Mature bodies, over a hundred meters in size, couldn¡¯t withstand the sustained damage. Their structures eventually gave way, and they plummeted to the ground, losing their ability to fly.


    As the battle dragged on, the number of Mature bodies continued to decline, while the Riken squadrons sustained minimal losses. The kill-to-loss ratio was so lopsided that the Swarm couldn¡¯t even manage a one-to-one exchange.


    However, during the chase, the terrain began to change, and a range of mountains and valleys appeared ahead. The remaining Mature bodies turned and dove into the complex terrain.


    ¡°What do we do? They¡¯ve gone in!¡± a Riken pilot radioed his superior.


    ¡°Pursue them. Send drones ahead to scout. There aren¡¯t many left¡ªfinish them off!¡± the superior officer commanded.


    These pilots, who hadn¡¯t participated in the earlier T853 campaign, relied only on recorded footage for reference. Had they experienced the battle firsthand, they would never have made such a decision.


    In such rugged terrain, the speed and long-range advantages of the Riken fighters were severely curtailed, while the combat capabilities of the Space Octopuses were exponentially enhanced.


    A squadron cautiously navigated the valleys, scanning the surroundings. The Space Octopuses had vanished after only a few twists and turns.


    The Space Octopuses¡¯ optical cloaking technology, which had remained unused until now, finally came into play. The Riken¡¯s gravitational detectors struggled to perform due to the high interference in the area, combined with the relatively weak gravitational waves emitted by the Mature bodies compared to the Primordial bodies.


    Having lost track of the Mature bodies, the Riken forces could only close in for a risky search.


    Suddenly, from the side of a cliff wall, a tentacle lashed out. The air shimmered with electric sparks, and the image of the Space Octopus appeared distorted, like a mosaic of fragmented light.


    The alarms of various instruments blared simultaneously, but it was too late. Not even the drones reacted in time, let alone the Riken pilot.


    With a deafening explosion, three fighter jets were obliterated midair.

 Chapter 302: Burning

    The three destroyed aircraft were drones. The Riken pilot let out a cold breath, realizing that if the tentacle had been just a little longer, his craft would have also turned into a fireball.


    A standard formation included ten aircraft. He quickly directed the remaining fighter jets to lock onto the target and prepare for an attack.


    The target was a medium-sized Space Octopus, over 80 meters in length with tentacles extending up to 50 meters¡ªlong enough to take out three aircraft in one strike.


    Upon being locked on, the Space Octopus didn¡¯t panic. Instead, it flexed its tentacles and climbed swiftly along the rocky walls, its movements agile and gelatinous, like rolling jelly.


    Most of the fighter jets¡¯ attacks missed, with only a few landing on its body. However, the energy weapons mounted on the jets were too small in caliber to deal significant damage to the 80-meter Space Octopus.


    To disable this creature, the jets would need to attack continuously for an extended period. But time was a luxury they didn¡¯t have. As the jets locked onto the Space Octopus and focused their fire, three other Mature bodies suddenly leapt out from the cliff walls ahead.


    These three Mature bodies were smaller, only about 20 meters in length, having just transitioned from Larval body to Mature body status. They weren¡¯t yet equipped with electromagnetic railguns, which made their smaller frames even more nimble.


    The sudden ambush left the jets no room to evade. The three Mature bodies pounced, each taking down a jet and hurling them toward nearby allied aircraft.


    Once again, the Riken pilot was fortunate not to be targeted. He quickly pulled his craft upward, prioritizing his own survival over his drone escorts.


    Meanwhile, the 80-meter Space Octopus that had initially been fleeing turned back. With its 50-meter-long tentacle flashing with electrical sparks, it swung from above with full force.


    The pilot¡¯s ascending jet was struck directly. Its superior build and sturdier frame spared it from immediate destruction, but the tremendous impact warped its outer shell and sent it hurtling toward the ground at an even faster speed.


    ¡°Boom!¡± The jet crashed into the ground and suffered catastrophic damage, ultimately exploding into a fireball.


    The remaining three drones fared no better. Two were destroyed in midair collisions with allied jets under the control of the Mature bodies. The last drone, attempting to ascend, was swatted out of the sky by the 80-meter Space Octopus¡¯s tentacle, exploding on impact.


    With their prey eliminated, the team of Mature bodies disappeared once more into the mountainous terrain, waiting for their next victims.


    Scenes like this played out across the rugged landscape. The once nearly unscathed Riken squadrons saw their losses mount sharply. By the time the commanders realized the gravity of the situation, over 20,000 fighter jets had been lost.


    In contrast, the Swarm¡¯s losses among the Mature bodies were negligible.


    The remaining Riken aircraft were ordered to ascend to higher altitudes. However, they didn¡¯t retreat entirely but instead encircled the entire mountainous area, determined to prevent the Space Octopuses from escaping.


    On the main battlefield, the Swarm forces had completely lost their ability to counterattack. Their electromagnetic railguns had all fallen silent, leaving them to endure wave after wave of bombardment.


    Yet, the purple-gray patches proved far more resilient than the Riken could have imagined. No matter how they attacked, the patches continued to repair and grow.


    ¡°Damn it! What is this thing?¡±


    ¡°Conventional firepower is useless!¡±


    ¡°We need another plan.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps that could work.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­?¡±


    Minutes later, several gunboats departed from the Riken warships, heading toward the battlefield below.


    From an altitude of 10,000 meters, cylindrical metal canisters¡ªeach two meters tall and 1.2 meters in diameter¡ªwere dropped one by one. A total of over a hundred canisters rained down in succession.


    The metal canisters plummeted quickly, and just before reaching the purple-gray patches, they detonated with a deafening roar less than a hundred meters above the ground.


    These were the Riken¡¯s latest experimental weapons. Upon detonation, even in the vacuum of space, they burned for more than 30 seconds, thanks to advanced oxidizers contained within.


    During this brief time, the canisters could raise the temperature of the targeted area to over ten thousand degrees Celsius, inflicting devastating thermal damage. The oxidizer¡¯s byproducts also created a potent chemical toxin with effects comparable to intense radiation. These toxins were highly adhesive and non-biodegradable.


    On a life-bearing planet, such a weapon would render the affected area uninhabitable for centuries.


    Though the weapon¡¯s theoretical concept had long existed, the Riken had strictly prohibited its development until the Expeditionary Fleet¡¯s defeat. Faced with the existential threat of alien species, such forbidden weapons were revived and eventually deployed.


    The interception fleet carried a small number of these experimental weapons to test their effectiveness in combat.


    The performance of the burning barrels exceeded expectations. Over a hundred of them detonated in succession, igniting what seemed like a hundred miniature suns. The bright flames flickered briefly before extinguishing, but the scars they left were indelible.


    The purple-gray patches turned to black-brown sludge, oozing a tar-like substance. The toxins effectively stifled the growth of the Fungal Carpet.


    ¡°Look! The patches are being suppressed!¡±


    ¡°It seems to be working.¡±


    ¡°Too bad these are experimental. We don¡¯t have many.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Use them all! Destroy as much as we can. We¡¯ll figure out something for the rest.¡±


    Encouraged by the results, hundreds more gunboats launched from the warships. In moments, even more miniature suns lit up the battlefield.


    Though these were only experimental weapons and each warship carried a limited stock, there were over 2,000 warships on-site. The cumulative number of burning barrels became significant.


    On a life-bearing planet, such concentrated detonations could lead to the extinction of species with delicate environmental needs. However, Planet Raze, located in the outermost reaches of the star system, was barren and uninhabited, allowing the Riken to unleash their weapons without hesitation.


    Thousands upon thousands of burning barrels detonated, severely slowing the Fungal Carpet¡¯s repair and growth. However, it was only a delay.


    A few hours later, as the Riken focused their bombardments on regions not yet touched by the barrels, the areas affected by the toxins began to recover.


    The Fungal Carpet was the culmination of Luo Wen¡¯s mastery, a distilled essence of every genetic fragment he had collected. Its rich genetic features allowed it to adapt to various crises and challenges, consistently demonstrating exceptional resilience.


    The extreme temperatures produced by the burning barrels¡ªover ten thousand degrees Celsius¡ªwere hardly a threat to the Fungal Carpet. After all, Atomic Furnaces, integral components of the carpet, could withstand temperatures exceeding millions of degrees during fusion reactions.


    The scorching heat from the barrels was easily mitigated by a slight mutation in the Fungal Carpet¡¯s surface cells.


    What truly inhibited its growth were the chemical toxins left behind by the barrels. To the Fungal Carpet, these toxins were akin to ¡°feces¡±¡ªrepulsive and difficult to digest. This was the primary reason it appeared ¡°hesitant¡± to advance.

 Chapter 303: Fungal Carpet Adaptations

    Under external stimuli, certain deeply embedded genetic fragments within the Fungal Carpet were activated.


    These genes caused parts of the carpet to mutate, enabling them to break down otherwise indigestible toxins and convert them into ¡°delicious nutrients.¡±


    ¡°Look at those patches! Don¡¯t they seem like they¡¯ve recovered a bit?¡± an observer suddenly asked in confusion.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. The main components of those toxic substances are high molecular compounds formed through polymerization reactions. Even without their toxic effects, these compounds are nearly impossible to degrade. Unless they¡¯re removed, this land is essentially rendered useless,¡± replied another crew member, who had a more thorough understanding of incendiary bombs.


    ¡°But I swear, those dark brown patches have definitely shrunk,¡± the observer insisted, confident in his keen eyesight and natural aptitude for distance measurements, which rarely led him astray.


    Using both hands, he overlaid two images of the same area taken two hours apart. The black-brown toxic patches were marked with two distinct colors of dotted lines for comparison.


    Once the images fully overlapped, it became evident that the toxic area had visibly shrunk since the earlier photo.


    ¡°Damn! It¡¯s true! These things are actually recovering!¡± exclaimed the astonished crew member.


    ¡°Report this to the captain immediately!¡±


    In wartime, the efficiency of the Riken was remarkable. Within two minutes, the Fleet Commanders of all three major fleets were informed. What they had hoped would be a game-changing new weapon had merely succeeded in temporarily slowing the Fungal Carpet¡¯s growth.


    Time marched on, and two hours passed quietly.


    ¡°Report, Commander! We¡¯ve carefully analyzed and compared the previous footage and conducted two additional hours of observation. Regrettably, the Fungal Carpet is indeed regenerating¡ªand at an increasing speed. At this rate, it might fully recover to its previous size within another two hours.¡±


    Hearing this, Hamis wore a grim expression. It was now clear that the purple-gray tissue was not only resistant to extreme temperatures but also possessed extraordinary decomposition capabilities.


    It wasn¡¯t just the toxins being broken down. The ground-based cannons, though covered by the carpet, were, according to external data, being rapidly dissolved.


    These organisms had an exceptional capacity for digestion.


    While the exact nature of their enemy remained unclear, it didn¡¯t matter for now. When the Space Octopuses had attacked Planet Raze, many had been destroyed, leaving fragments of their bodies floating in orbit. Some of these fragments had already been retrieved.


    Additionally, after eliminating much of the surface electromagnetic railgun fire, the Riken forces had extracted some samples from the planet¡¯s surface.


    The onboard research team was conducting urgent experiments and analyses. They were confident that they would soon uncover some answers. However, due to the lack of specialized research vessels in this operation, the available instruments aboard the warships were relatively rudimentary. Otherwise, they might have already identified what these organisms truly were. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bombardment continued. While ordinary energy weapons could not completely annihilate the purple-gray patches of the Fungal Carpet, they did manage to slow its growth.


    As the dominant species in their Star System, the Riken had not encountered an equal rival for a long time. Even internal conflicts, when they occurred, were relatively small in scale.


    As a result, the troops gathered for this campaign consisted almost entirely of recruits with no real combat experience.


    Under these circumstances, what better opportunity for training could they ask for? Although thousands of Mature bodies were still hidden in the hilly region, the rest of the Swarm had lost the ability to counterattack. Actual combat against such an opponent was vastly superior to mere simulated drills.


    Fighter squadrons surrounding the hill region rotated in and out of the main battlefield, participating in the bombing campaign.


    They practiced various attack maneuvers: diving for a strike followed by rapid ascents, maintaining distance while launching sustained fire, and so on. Time passed, with fighters returning periodically to the orbital fleet for refueling and minor repairs before rejoining the drills.


    ¡°What the hell is going on?!¡±


    A ship¡¯s recreational room had been repurposed into a crude, makeshift laboratory. A frustrated researcher stared at the scene playing out before him for the umpteenth time, letting out a cry of exasperation.


    On the lab bench, a piece of purple-gray Fungal Carpet slowly dissolved into a viscous fluid, pooling across the table.


    The Riken researchers, their eyes bloodshot from more than 70 sleepless hours, were at their breaking point. Whether their condition was due to exhaustion or frustration was unclear.


    The Fleet Commanders of the three major fleets, the homeworld¡¯s war command center, and a host of related personnel were all anxiously awaiting their results.


    But the researchers weren¡¯t just failing to deliver results¡ªthey were stuck at the very first step.


    The scientists had discovered that the alien organisms consisted of two distinct components: a ¡°normal¡± tissue structure and a mysterious ¡°core¡±.


    The normal tissue was just that¡ªordinary. It primarily contained nutrients, with some protective cells on the exterior. While these cells offered minor technological insights, they were only superficial due to differences in technological paradigms.


    The real mystery lay in the core technology of these alien constructs: their bio-electromagnetic railguns, bio-plasma engines, biological fusion organs, and other incredible features. Each core was both an individual organ and part of an integrated system. Any attempt to probe their secrets triggered a chain reaction.


    Simply attempting to extract cells from the core caused immediate self-destruction.


    Despite employing every conceivable method, the researchers hit the same wall. Regardless of the tool or technique used to sample the core, the process inevitably triggered cellular collapse. Within moments, the once-intact tissue dissolved into a foul-smelling liquid devoid of any usable information.


    Even extreme measures like rapid freezing¡ªbringing the temperature close to absolute zero¡ªfailed to halt this self-destruction. The rationale was clear: these organisms had survived and thrived in the near-absolute-zero void of space between star systems. Low temperatures were simply not a viable deterrent.


    ¡°How is this even possible?¡± the researchers muttered to themselves.


    Based on the organisms¡¯ behavior, any damage¡ªeven the impact of a shell¡ªtriggered the same self-dissolution. Yet these creatures could traverse the void of space, engage in high-intensity combat, and withstand energy cannon fire!


    This defied all logic.


    Unless, of course, their cells had some form of embedded protection programming. But how did they distinguish between external conditions¡ªdeciding which attacks warranted defense and which required self-destruction? Could they possess a form of consciousness?


    If so, every organ, perhaps even every cell, would need its own awareness. But how could that be possible?


    Especially now that these organisms were dead. Even if they had once possessed consciousness, it should no longer exist.

 Chapter 304: Helpless

    The Riken researchers were utterly baffled. The phenomenon exceeded their knowledge and understanding, leaving them no choice but to attribute it to the peculiarities of biotechnology.


    ¡°What now? If this continues, we won¡¯t be able to deliver any results,¡± one researcher muttered, staring at the purple-gray substance before him, which had once again undergone genetic collapse. His own composure seemed close to breaking as well.


    ¡°There¡¯s no other choice but to tell the truth. We lack the relevant theoretical foundation. Their understanding of biotechnology far surpasses ours, and we simply cannot decipher their creations,¡± an older researcher sighed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope the incoming research vessels can provide some assistance,¡± another researcher said with cautious optimism.


    These research vessels were equipped with the most advanced scientific instruments available. Constructed in response to feedback from the expeditionary fleet, they were purpose-built to tackle challenges like these. Transporting the precision instruments from the Riken homeworld to these vessels had been a monumental effort.


    During earlier battles, the research vessels hadn¡¯t accompanied the fleet, but now that the Riken had gained control of the battlefield, the Fleet Commander had urgently dispatched two vessels to the frontlines.


    After several days of travel, they were just a few hours away from arriving.


    Compared to the makeshift labs on the warships, the research vessels boasted far superior facilities.


    ¡°It¡¯s doubtful they¡¯ll help much. What¡¯s limiting us isn¡¯t the instruments,¡± the older researcher said, pointing to his own head. ¡°The limitation lies here.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely true,¡± another senior researcher retorted. ¡°There might be instruments capable of bypassing their defenses.¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t even grasp the underlying theories¡ªhow do you plan to break through?¡±


    ¡°Maybe brute force could work!¡±


    ¡°You think this is some cheap door lock? This is the most sophisticated genetic lock imaginable!¡±


    ¡°Hah, unexpected breakthroughs happen all the time!¡±


    ¡°Unexpected? Do you even know what that word means?! And besides, science is methodical¡ªthere¡¯s no such thing as ¡®unexpected¡¯ in proper science!¡±


    ¡°Nonsense! How many technological advancements were born from accidents?!¡±


    The argument grew increasingly heated. The two older researchers were on the verge of physical confrontation when their juniors hurriedly stepped in to separate them.


    ¡°Let¡¯s not go that far! It¡¯s not worth it!¡± Their assistants managed to diffuse the situation just as it seemed ready to escalate into a brawl.


    ¡°You go,¡± the more composed senior suddenly said after a moment of silence.


    ¡°What?¡± The argumentative researcher looked confused, unsure of the seemingly out-of-context statement.


    ¡°Go report to the commander.¡±


    The argumentative researcher froze for a moment before realizing what was being said. He immediately flew into a rage. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go?!¡±


    ¡°You think I¡¯m stupid?¡± the composed researcher retorted.


    ¡°What, so you think I¡¯m the idiot here?!¡± Hearing this, the argumentative elder¡¯s hair stood on end.


    Seeing tempers flare again, the ¡®peacemaker¡¯ elder hurriedly interjected. ¡°Alright, alright! Enough arguing! I¡¯ll go. Will that work for you?¡±


    With a sigh, he shook his head and left the lab. Meanwhile, the two quarrelsome elders exchanged a glance, then broke into knowing smiles, their differences momentarily forgotten.


    ¡°What?! You¡¯re telling me it¡¯s like there¡¯s a locked door, and after all these days, you haven¡¯t even figured out how to open it?¡± Alcer roared.


    The peacemaker elder, whose name was Pres, shrank back instinctively.


    Among the three Fleet Commanders, Hamis of the First Fleet was known for his relatively mild temperament, making him the ideal candidate for receiving the report. However, upon connecting to the comms, Pres found himself unexpectedly added to a small meeting.


    Apart from the three Fleet Commanders, the meeting included only a few senior officers, totaling no more than 20 participants. Conveniently¡ªor perhaps intentionally¡ªthey had just been discussing the alien organisms.


    The alien creations had endured relentless bombardment for days yet remained resilient, refusing to be entirely eradicated. With the war effort temporarily less intense, the commanders, stationed in planetary orbit, had little else to do but hold meetings to pass the time.


    Unsurprisingly, most of their discussions revolved around the current situation and the mysterious alien organisms. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    When Pres arrived to deliver the research team¡¯s findings, Hamis immediately pulled him into the ¡°group chat.¡±


    After nervously explaining the research progress¡ªor lack thereof¡ªPres faced Alcer¡¯s angry outburst.


    While the laboratory leads were later called to account for the situation, including the two argumentative elders, it quickly became clear that this issue couldn¡¯t be solved by mere scolding.


    The real obstacle lay in the Riken¡¯s complete unfamiliarity with and inability to comprehend the alien technology.


    Even after the arrival of the research vessels, equipped with cutting-edge instruments and far superior facilities, the problem persisted. Regardless of the methods or tools used, the Riken were unable to bypass the genetic locks of the Swarm¡¯s creations.


    If they used tools for purposes other than probing, the alien organisms¡¯ genetic material remained stable. But the moment they attempted any form of analysis¡ªno matter how subtle, even with a needle-thin probe¡ªthe alien organisms immediately triggered genetic collapse, dissolving into a foul-smelling fluid.


    This paradox perplexed the Riken researchers. If they couldn¡¯t overcome such an ¡°intelligent¡± defensive mechanism, their efforts would be futile.


    What the Riken failed to realize was that what they perceived as a passive defense was actually an active defense system. Within the Swarm Network, Luo Wen had deployed a significant number of Hive Queen consciousnesses to monitor the fungal samples collected by the Riken.


    At the first sign of suspicious activity, the queens activated the self-destruction protocols for the fungal strains.


    This fundamental misunderstanding rendered all of the Riken¡¯s efforts useless, a source of endless frustration.


    While their research efforts stalled, new developments were unfolding on the battlefield of Planet Raze.


    Under relentless attacks, many emergency genes within the Fungal Carpet were activated. The continuous cycle of destruction and regeneration led to adaptations, enhancing the fungi¡¯s resistance to the Riken¡¯s assaults.


    Though the cost of producing the new defensive structures was higher, the fungal roots had already extended several kilometers underground. This vastly improved energy collection capabilities, enabling them to sustain the increased resource demand.


    The new defenses not only resisted the Riken¡¯s energy attacks more effectively but also absorbed the residual energy from explosions at an accelerated rate.


    With these enhancements, the purple-gray patches not only survived the intense bombardment but also fully repaired themselves and rapidly expanded their occupied territory.


    ¡°They¡¯re growing so fast!¡± Hamis¡¯s face darkened as he reviewed the data.


    In truth, detailed analyses were unnecessary. Simple before-and-after images revealed the stark changes.


    ¡°We can¡¯t continue attacking like this. Not only have they become significantly more resistant, but they¡¯re also absorbing the energy from our attacks,¡± remarked Novaul, the Second Fleet Commander.


    While direct data from the Space Octopuses¡¯ interiors was inaccessible, external monitoring tools remained functional.


    Instruments deployed on the battlefield detected an abnormal shift in energy flow. When energy beams struck the ground, the explosions no longer dispersed outward randomly. Instead, the energy became directional¡ªconcentrated toward the Fungal Carpet.


    This anomalous energy flow made it glaringly obvious what was happening.

 Chapter 305: Purge

    ¡°We must destroy them in one decisive blow. Prolonged attrition is not an option,¡± Hamis said with a furrowed brow.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll need to use that,¡± Novaul replied gravely.


    ¡°Haha! It¡¯s about time. Why hesitate? Weapons are made for moments like this!¡± Alcer laughed heartily.


    The three highest commanders on the front line reached a consensus, and the orders were quickly dispatched.


    To simultaneously strike at the dozens of battlefields across Planet Raze, over a hundred warships stationed in orbit gradually opened the missile silos on the lower sides of their hulls.


    Towering missiles, 35 meters tall with a diameter of 7.6 meters and cone-shaped tips, emerged from the silos. Each warship launched at least two of these massive projectiles.


    The missiles accelerated steadily as their fire-control systems activated, locking onto their designated targets with assistance from the warships¡¯ artificial intelligence.


    Minutes later, hundreds of miniature suns ignited on Planet Raze. Unlike incendiary bombs, these suns burned relentlessly.


    These were the Riken¡¯s newly deployed nuclear weapons.


    This new generation of nuclear weapons utilized a significantly more potent structure and formula. In addition to the energy released from nuclear fission, the outer shell of each missile was coated with radioactive materials. The high temperatures from the fission reaction initiated a second fusion process, unleashing even greater energy.


    The Riken had perfected the underlying theories of these weapons long ago. Although they had previously manufactured such weapons, their immense destructive power, extreme danger, and storage challenges led to their decommissioning.


    After the unification of the Riken, there was little need for such armaments¡ªuntil the emergence of the Swarm.


    Compared to the 200-megaton nuclear devices the Riken had previously detonated in the Neighboring Star System, these new weapons boasted a staggering yield of one gigaton.


    When hundreds of these superweapons detonated simultaneously, the absence of an atmosphere to generate shockwaves did little to diminish their devastating impact. The sheer power annihilated everything within dozens of kilometers of each detonation site.


    At the epicenters, within tens of kilometers of the blasts, everything¡ªwhether rock, dust, metal, ground-based cannons, or the Fungal Carpet¡ªwas vaporized into nothingness. All that remained were massive, hemispherical craters.


    The hundreds of miniature suns burned for an extended time before finally extinguishing, leaving Planet Raze riddled with craters. The once-persistent purple-gray patches that had so troubled the Riken vanished without a trace.


    Gazing at the now-scarred surface of Planet Raze, Hamis sighed softly.


    Hearing the sigh during their video call, Alcer quipped, ¡°What¡¯s this? Feeling sorry for our enemy?¡±


    Hamis shook his head. ¡°I just didn¡¯t expect it would come to this.¡±


    Truth be told, this new type of nuclear weapon was far less sophisticated than the energy-beam main cannons. Yet Hamis found the weapon deeply unsettling¡ªnot because of its power.


    Alcer, a staunch believer in the philosophy that weapons were meant to be used, understood Hamis¡¯s concern. He fell silent briefly before murmuring, ¡°Don¡¯t overthink it. Focus on the present. If we can¡¯t survive now, there¡¯s no future to worry about.¡±


    When Godzilla unleashed its ¡°atomic breath¡± on the Great Dawn Planet, its yield barely reached tens of kilotons. Yet even from another star system, the Riken had been able to observe the event through their instruments.


    Thus, the Riken were acutely aware of the dangers posed by such weapons.


    Each spiral galaxy contained hundreds of billions of stars, suspended in the void. Among them lay countless civilizations of varying levels, each hidden within their own star systems, oblivious to the others¡¯ locations.


    But an abnormal fusion reaction was akin to broadcasting a civilization¡¯s coordinates. It was an open invitation to any nearby civilization capable of detecting such energy waves.


    When the Riken detonated hundreds of 200-megaton nuclear devices in the Neighboring Star System, their aim had not only been to hinder the Swarm¡¯s pursuit but also to expose the coordinates of the Swarm¡¯s home star system.


    If the event drew the attention of civilizations of a similar level nearby, causing them to investigate and create trouble for the Swarm, it would give the Riken the breathing room they desperately needed to regroup and develop. This outcome would be ideal.


    However, such actions also carried significant risks, such as attracting more advanced civilizations. After eliminating the Swarm, those civilizations would likely turn their attention to the Riken next.


    In that case, the Riken could only hope that the Swarm was strong enough to buy them some time for development.


    Even though it had been decades since the last nuclear detonations, the danger could not be entirely ruled out. If a civilization¡¯s travel speed remained below the speed of light, it would be entirely normal for them to spend decades¡ªor even centuries¡ªen route.


    Perhaps, right now, one or several civilizations had already been drawn by the last nuclear explosions and were on their way to investigate.


    This time, however, the nuclear detonations on Planet Raze were on an even grander scale.


    If Godzilla¡¯s atomic breath was akin to lighting a match in the dark, and the Neighboring Star System¡¯s nuclear blasts were like setting off a firework in the night sky, then this nuclear event was equivalent to firing a flare into the darkness¡ªone bright enough to overshadow the fireworks entirely.


    If there were spectators drawn by the ¡°fireworks,¡± they would undoubtedly shift their attention to this ¡°flare¡± and come to investigate.


    The problem was that the location of this nuclear event, Planet Raze, was a planet in the Riken¡¯s home star system.


    This posed a significant risk.


    But as Alcer had pointed out, if alien forces from the T85 Star System were to seize Planet Raze, they would establish a foothold in the Riken star system. Coupled with their mysterious and unpredictable technological systems, the Riken would likely face certain defeat.


    As a vanquished civilization, what future would there be to consider? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, the Riken had no choice but to focus on the present.


    Fortunately, after paying such a steep price, the persistent purple-gray patches, which clung to the planet like parasitic maggots, were finally eradicated from Planet Raze.


    The Riken refused to believe that any of the alien monstrosities could still exist within the vaporized, hemispherical craters left behind.


    Thanks to the design of the newly equipped nuclear warheads, which reacted with their radioactive materials in a secondary reaction, the explosions left no lingering radiation zones. Compared to previous iterations, these were remarkably ¡°clean.¡±


    Without the complications of high-radiation areas, there was no need for additional radiation suits, allowing reconstruction efforts on Planet Raze to commence swiftly after the battle. According to forward Lookouts, the Swarm¡¯s next wave of forces had already begun amassing near the asteroid belt on the outskirts of the Riken star system. The Riken needed to restore all¡ªor at least part¡ªof their defensive infrastructure before the Swarm¡¯s next attack.


    Massive transport ships and utility vessels streamed in from within the star system, delivering enormous quantities of engineering equipment to Planet Raze. Mining facilities, smelting centers, and ground-cannon production plants were rapidly constructed across the planet.


    Once the initial setup phase was complete, a steady flow of components was transported to various locations on the planet. Airships carrying intelligent engineering machinery shuttled back and forth, assembling the components piece by piece.


    Meanwhile, in the planet¡¯s orbit, vacuum smelting facilities and shipyards were also taking shape.

 Chapter 306: Back Again

    The three main fleets sustained heavy losses in this battle, with nearly 500 warships rendered incapable of long-range travel, over 80 of which were completely destroyed. Most of these losses occurred during the final stages, in the exchange of fire between orbiting Riken warships and the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies on Planet Raze¡¯s surface.


    Other warships also suffered varying degrees of damage, though none were critically impaired.


    After the war, the relatively intact Third Fleet was assigned to monitor the Swarm¡¯s follow-up forces. Taking advantage of the smaller number of Swarm units, they sought opportunities to exploit the situation.


    Even if they couldn¡¯t destroy a significant amount of the Swarm¡¯s forces, depleting the Swarm¡¯s ammunition stockpiles would be a worthwhile effort. In the Riken¡¯s understanding, the Swarm lacked logistical bases, making replenishments difficult.


    The Second Fleet, which sustained moderate losses, was stationed on Planet Raze to defend the logistical engineering units and the damaged warships. Once the orbital shipyards on Planet Raze were fully operational, the Second Fleet would undergo repairs and then relieve the Third Fleet, allowing them to return for maintenance.


    Planet Raze¡¯s orbital shipyards were also tasked with repairing heavily damaged warships, salvaging the remains of destroyed ships, and constructing new warships to replenish the main fleets as needed.


    The First Fleet, which had battled the Swarm for over ten days, suffered the heaviest losses. Including the warships grounded on Planet Raze, the First Fleet had lost nearly half of its operational strength.


    They would return to the Twin Star Defensive Zone of the Riken home system for repairs, receive reinforcements to restore their composition, and prepare for future engagements. At the same time, Vice Admiral Hamis, who had participated in the entire campaign, would return to the Riken homeworld to report on the war. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion¡ªfor both the Riken and the Swarm.


    Time flew by. The Riken and the Swarm maintained a relative peace, with only low-intensity skirmishes occurring in the asteroid belt on the outskirts of the Riken star system.


    Initially, the Riken capitalized on the destruction of the Swarm¡¯s first wave of 5,000 Primordial bodies at Planet Raze. Before the Swarm could regroup, the Riken leveraged their numerical superiority, securing significant advantages. At one point, the Swarm forces even retreated to a position farther from the Riken star system to regroup.


    However, the Swarm had initially deployed 30,000 Primordial bodies toward the Riken star system. Despite losing 5,000, over 20,000 remained.


    In less than a year, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies in the Riken star system had replenished their numbers, once again surpassing 1,000. This made it difficult for any single Riken fleet to achieve further tactical victories.


    The Riken then shifted their strategy to circling the Swarm forces¡¯ perimeter, feigning advances to exhaust the Swarm¡¯s ammunition, mimicking the earlier attritional battles between the First Fleet and the Swarm.


    However, the current positions of both sides were vastly different, and this strategy no longer yielded the desired results.


    By now, the Swarm had grown significantly stronger. They no longer feared the approach of Riken warships.


    For the Riken, closing into range of the Swarm¡¯s main cannons also meant placing themselves dangerously close to the Swarm¡¯s forces. At such distances, victory was uncertain. If they managed to win, all would be well. But if they lost, they would find themselves in an inescapable dilemma.


    Advancing meant inevitable defeat, while retreating along predetermined routes drastically reduced maneuverability and increased the likelihood of being hit. How many ships could escape after retreating was anyone¡¯s guess.


    Thus, after the Riken feigned several advances and noticed no reaction from the Swarm forces, they awkwardly withdrew.


    From then on, the two sides simply stared at each other across the void, as the Swarm forces continued to grow in size. Apart from feeling anxious, the Riken had no better solutions.


    Years passed, and as Primordial bodies from the Neighboring Star System arrived one after another, the Swarm forces regrouped, their numbers exceeding 10,000.


    ¡°They¡¯re becoming active again. It seems war is about to break out,¡± Hamis sighed as he watched the video feed before him.


    The First Fleet was stationed on Planet Raze¡¯s outer orbit for repairs. This area, being near the front line, had been fortified into a forward stronghold against the Swarm.


    After completing repairs and receiving newly constructed warships, the First Fleet grew to over 1,000 vessels. When Hamis returned to the front line brimming with confidence to relieve the Second Fleet and harass the Swarm forces, he had hoped for a decisive victory.


    Unfortunately, by then, the number of Primordial bodies had already exceeded 3,000. With only 1,000 Riken warships, a direct confrontation would have resulted in mutual destruction at best.


    In the end, after losing dozens of warships, Hamis retreated in defeat.


    This poor decision, though costly, did not result in harsh punishment due to wartime circumstances. However, Hamis lost the chance to command offensive operations.


    As a result, the First Fleet became a permanent fixture at the Planet Raze base¡ªa status quo that had persisted until now.


    But now, after years of relative quiet, the Swarm forces seemed to have awakened from their slumber and grown active once more.


    As Hamis expected, the new Swarm contingent was over twice as large as the previous force, with more than 10,000 units. From the moment they stirred to their departure, the process took merely a month.


    Meanwhile, the Third Fleet, tasked with long-range monitoring of the Swarm forces, dared not make any aggressive moves and maintained their distance beyond the Swarm¡¯s firing range, shadowing them cautiously.


    The Riken were not panicked by this Swarm offensive, as they had long anticipated it.


    Over the past decade, Planet Raze¡¯s defensive systems had recovered to 80% of their pre-war capacity. Despite this partial recovery, the dense array of ground-based cannons still provided formidable firepower for the Riken.


    Along the Swarm¡¯s anticipated advance route, the Riken had deployed a large number of smart mines, hoping to slow the Swarm¡¯s advance and perhaps eliminate part of their force.


    While this plan was sound in theory, it proved difficult to execute in practice. The Swarm appeared to have overcome their previous ¡°poor eyesight¡± issues. The stealth coating on the smart mines was no longer effective, and the Swarm forces dispatched small- and medium-sized combat units to clear the minefields as they advanced.


    Although the smart mines were equipped with remote detonation capabilities and propulsion systems, they were unable to evade the close-range electromagnetic railgun fire from the Swarm. The small Mature bodies proved to be the perfect units for mine clearance.


    From a safe distance¡ªtypically around 10 kilometers¡ªthese units targeted the smart mines, remaining just outside their active detection range while using their electromagnetic cannons to destroy them.


    At such distances, the smart mines¡¯ propulsion systems had no chance of evading the artillery shells.


    Small explosions, like bursts of fireworks, dotted the Swarm¡¯s advance path, almost as if celebrating their march. Watching this, the Riken forces¡¯ morale began to crumble.


    ¡°Novaul, under normal circumstances, if flaws in your fleet¡¯s design were exposed during combat, what would you do?¡± Hamis, stationed in the frontline command center on Planet Raze, furrowed his brow as he suddenly posed this question to Novaul, the Second Fleet¡¯s commander standing beside him.

 Chapter 307: Attack

    Seeing Hamis frowning in thought, seemingly asking himself questions, Novaul pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°I would probably record it and report it back.¡±


    ¡°And then what happens next in the process?¡± Hamis pressed.


    This time, Novaul also took a while to think. ¡°I haven¡¯t paid much attention to this before, but I suppose the issue would be sent to the Academy or a similar research department. They would analyze the flaws and make improvements. If there are results, the solutions would then be passed on to the space shipyards. These improvements would be reflected in the warships produced in the future.¡±


    ¡°And what about the warships produced before then?¡±


    ¡°That would depend on the severity of the issue. If it¡¯s a minor problem, perhaps the engineers onboard could resolve it. But if it¡¯s a structural flaw, those ships might have to be sent back to the shipyard in batches for upgrades and repairs.¡± Novaul shrugged, starting to grasp Hamis¡¯s line of thinking.


    ¡°So, in their eyes, is the stealth coating flaw of the smart mines a major issue or a minor one?¡±


    ¡°That, I don¡¯t know.¡± Novaul shook his head.


    ¡°Our intelligence indicates that the Swarm forces we¡¯re about to face were sent out over 20 years ago. This means these forces have spent most of that time drifting through the void, where there are no Swarm shipyards,¡± Hamis said after some thought.


    ¡°But the previous Swarm units couldn¡¯t detect the smart mines. Now, however, this new force seems to completely ignore their stealth coating. This suggests one of two possibilities: Either this issue was considered a minor flaw by the Swarm¡ªwhich is unlikely, as radar upgrades are complex and not easily executed unnoticed¡ªor¡­¡±


    ¡°Or the Swarm was acting all along,¡± Novaul interjected, continuing Hamis¡¯s line of thought. ¡°They¡¯ve been able to detect the smart mines from the beginning. They only pretended not to notice to lower our guard, using our trap to enter Planet Raze. Their actions align with this theory. They probably didn¡¯t expect us to detonate so many new nuclear warheads, though.¡±


    Despite their differing personalities, all three Fleet Commanders, including the irritable Alcer, were sharp individuals. Their current positions were not attained through mere luck.


    ¡°That could very well be the case. But if the Swarm is this cunning, and nuclear weapons are relatively low-tech, they must have accounted for such variables. Would you, under these circumstances, recklessly sacrifice large numbers of troops?¡± Hamis asked, his brows furrowing deeply.


    Novaul thought carefully for a moment before responding, ¡°It would depend on what could be gained. If the reward was significant enough, I might take the risk. But is Planet Raze worth such a gamble? Even without us using nuclear weapons, Planet Raze is still our territory. How long could the Swarm hold out without support?¡±


    As he spoke, doubts began to surface in Novaul¡¯s mind as well. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s what puzzles me. The risks and rewards don¡¯t align, yet the Swarm proceeded anyway. If we assume they¡¯re not idiots, then this means their actions must have¡­¡± Hamis trailed off, his voice growing quieter as he sank into deep thought.


    ¡°Could it be that their true objective isn¡¯t Planet Raze?¡± Novaul asked, growing increasingly uncertain as he mulled it over.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know either, but there must be something we¡¯re missing. Their forces waited for so long without moving, only to act now. I can¡¯t shake this feeling of unease,¡± Hamis replied gravely.


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯ve already achieved their real objective. If that¡¯s the case, and we don¡¯t even know what it is, it bodes poorly for us,¡± Novaul said, his face dark with concern.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope we¡¯re overthinking it. But we should pass these theories to Alcer and advise him to exercise extra caution on the front lines. Meanwhile, we must bolster our own vigilance, especially around Planet Raze, to guard against potential surprises.¡±


    Novaul nodded in agreement. ¡°I¡¯ll notify him.¡±


    The Third Fleet¡¯s efforts to delay the Swarm forces¡¯ advance proved almost entirely ineffective once the smart mines failed and they dared not venture too close.


    Under such circumstances, continuing to linger there was pointless. It was more prudent to return to the defensive base on Planet Raze for maintenance, ensuring optimal combat readiness to face the Swarm forces¡¯ arrival.


    The trajectory of the Swarm forces had already been calculated.


    Their target was clear and undisguised. While the Swarm forces could have bypassed the defenses around Planet Raze, they deliberately chose not to. Instead, they made a slight detour, arriving at the planet¡¯s orbital path just as Planet Raze itself reached that point in its revolution.


    ¡°Their target remains Planet Raze. What exactly is drawing them here?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps they simply want to establish a forward base,¡± Novaul speculated, though he didn¡¯t believe his own suggestion.


    Planet Raze was only the ninth planet in the Riken Star System. Further out was the tenth planet, smaller but still suitable as a foothold. Moreover, the Riken had minimal defensive installations there, making it an easier target.


    Yet the Swarm¡¯s persistence toward Planet Raze suggested there was another purpose.


    ¡°I can¡¯t shake this ominous feeling,¡± Hamis murmured.


    Meanwhile, on the Swarm side, Sarah observed the well-prepared Riken defenses. Before them lay not only the three main fleets and Planet Raze¡¯s ground-based defense systems, but also a newly constructed orbital defense ring.


    The ring was armed with numerous orbital railguns, while smart mines littered several of the routes leading to Planet Raze.


    ¡°They¡¯re pulling out all the stops. But this planet is ours. Drive them off!¡± Sarah commanded decisively.


    With her order, over ten thousand Primordial bodies surged forward. Amidst flickering arcs of electricity, tens of thousands of electromagnetic railguns erupted in unison, initiating the attack with their superior range.


    Electromagnetic projectiles, apart from emitting faint light and sound upon launch, traveled silently and invisibly during flight. However, with the Riken¡¯s current technological capabilities, the moment the projectiles were fired, they were detected. Their trajectories were calculated in real-time using a variety of parameters.


    In open areas where guerrilla tactics could be employed, these projectiles were relatively easy to evade.


    But in this entrenched battlefield, the effectiveness of the electromagnetic railguns was magnified exponentially. Unlike warships, the orbital railguns and ground-based cannons defending Planet Raze were far less maneuverable and lacked the ability to dodge incoming fire effectively.


    Fortunately for the Riken, they had anticipated such an eventuality. The orbital cannons had been strategically concealed on the far side of Planet Raze and its satellites, lying in wait to emerge and defend once the Swarm forces came within range.


    Thus, during the first wave of attacks, it was the defensive installations at the rearmost positions of Planet Raze¡¯s defensive line that bore the brunt of the Swarm¡¯s assault.

 Chapter 308: The Defensive Array

    Over the years, the Riken have dedicated considerable effort to countering the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns.


    They had acquired an advanced starship from an unknown civilization and reverse-engineered many of its technologies. This high vantage point allowed them to refine several foundational theories.


    Since the expeditionary fleet¡¯s defeat, the Riken spent decades developing countermeasures. However, most of these were experimental prototypes and hadn¡¯t yet reached the stage of equipping their regular forces.


    During the reconstruction of Planet Raze, however, the Riken introduced a new type of defensive installation.


    Surrounding the ground-based cannons were structures that rivaled them in size. These buildings were semi-spherical, resembling inverted bowls embedded into the ground.


    At the top of the semi-spheres lay peculiar structures composed of special metals and transparent crystalline materials. These buildings lacked any familiar cannon barrels, leaving their purpose a mystery.


    As the Swarm¡¯s dense barrage of electromagnetic projectiles approached, they seemed unstoppable, cutting through everything like an invincible sword. The Riken warships scrambled to evade, unwilling to stand in their path.


    However, when the projectiles crossed Planet Raze¡¯s near-orbit, closing to within just over a thousand kilometers of their ground targets, something unexpected happened.


    From the tops of the semi-spherical buildings, fine red beams of light suddenly shot out of the crystalline structures.


    At a distance of just over a thousand kilometers, the electromagnetic projectiles, traveling at incredible speeds, would reach their targets almost instantly. Yet, these red beams moved even faster.


    At first glance, they resembled significantly thinner plasma beams, but in principle and effect¡ªaside from the color¡ªthey were entirely different.


    Plasma beams are compressed energy aggregates, whose stability can be manipulated to achieve two modes: a stable penetrative type or an unstable explosive type. Regardless of the mode, they manifest externally as energy beams ranging from tens of centimeters to several meters in length.


    In contrast, these thin beams¡ªor more aptly, rays¡ªwere fundamentally different. They truly were thin lines of light, stretching for thousands of kilometers when fired.


    To maintain their destructive power, the thin lines required continuous energy supply. Despite their slender appearance, their energy consumption per unit of time was astronomical.


    Each of these semi-spherical installations consumed as much energy as ten ground-based cannons when operational.


    Buried 100 meters below these installations were dedicated nuclear power plants to provide the energy they required.


    Even with such immense power supply, the effective attack range of these installations was less than 2,000 kilometers.


    High energy consumption and limited range¡ªon the surface, these weapons seemed to have significant drawbacks. The Riken wouldn¡¯t deploy such flawed weapons unless they offered clear advantages.


    And their advantage was that they were genuine ray weapons. Their attack speed was effectively equal to the speed of light. Within their effective kill radius, their strikes were essentially instantaneous, leaving virtually no room for evasion.


    The Swarm¡¯s long-range electromagnetic railguns, with projectiles taking over half an hour to reach their targets, had their trajectories precisely calculated long before arrival.


    When the projectiles entered the laser defense array¡¯s attack range, aided by large-scale supercomputers, the red beams of light instantly ¡°illuminated¡± their targets.


    Electromagnetic projectiles were simply aggregates of metallic elements, not composed of advanced materials. Under the immense energy output of the red beams, they were heated to their boiling point in less than a second.


    The portion of the projectile exposed to the beam emitted a golden glow before liquefying and splattering in flight. As more of the projectile melted, its high-speed trajectory destabilized, and its structural integrity was lost.


    Once the beam burned through the projectile, it fragmented into several pieces and decelerated significantly. While the remaining fragments could still deal some damage, they were unlikely to penetrate the outer defenses of steel constructs.


    A few minutes later, the interception report was compiled. In the first wave of tens of thousands of electromagnetic projectiles, the laser defense array achieved a success rate of over 70%. The remaining 30% failure was attributed to the insufficient number of laser installations. If there had been enough, it¡¯s likely no projectile could have breached this layer of defense.


    ¡°The results are good. If I¡¯d known, we should¡¯ve built more of these things,¡± commented Alcer, the Third Fleet¡¯s commander, with a hint of regret.


    ¡°They¡¯re still experimental prototypes,¡± Novaul replied with some regret of his own. ¡°They haven¡¯t undergone combat testing, and construction is challenging with extremely complex material requirements. Reaching the current scale already took considerable effort.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that these things consume so much energy and space. For now, they can only be used as ground-based defenses. If we could mount them on warships, we¡¯d have a decisive advantage in battles,¡± observed Hamis, looking further into the future.


    ¡°Indeed. We need to push the Academy to prioritize upgrading these laser defense arrays. With their cooperation and close-in defense cannons, we might even be able to retake the T85 Star System,¡± Novaul added.


    Currently, in their war with the Swarm, the Riken occupied only one position of advantage across three engagement ranges.


    Long-range: The Swarm¡¯s railguns outranged the Riken¡¯s main cannons, forcing the Riken to endure relentless bombardment without retaliation.


    Mid-range: Once within range of the Riken¡¯s main cannons, the fleets engaged in mutual bombardment. Here, the Riken¡¯s faster firing rates and projectile speeds gave them a clear edge when fleet numbers were roughly equal. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Close-range: The Swarm¡¯s Mature bodies and Larval bodies posed a severe threat, charging fearlessly. If these units breached a warship¡¯s hull, survival was virtually impossible.


    If the laser defense arrays could be mounted on warships, the Riken could neutralize long-range electromagnetic railgun strikes and bolster close-range defenses. Combined with laser arrays, close-in defense cannons, and fighter squadrons, the Swarm¡¯s Mature and Larval bodies could be effectively repelled.


    By preventing the Swarm from closing in, the warships¡¯ secondary cannons could unleash their firepower, which remained highly lethal against small and medium combat units.


    With these changes, the Riken could potentially establish dominance at all three engagement ranges. Under this scenario, a counteroffensive to retake the T85 Star System seemed plausible.


    However, war was a battle of resources and logistics. The Swarm wouldn¡¯t abandon their attacks merely because their projectiles were intercepted. Furthermore, the immense energy consumption of the laser defense arrays was a critical limitation.


    Moreover, the Swarm had already deduced the limitations of the arrays through normal means: insufficient numbers and incomplete interception coverage.


    The relentless barrage of electromagnetic railguns continued with a second and third wave. For the resource-rich Riken, who drew from an entire star system, such attritional exchanges were welcomed.


    Despite their success, the 30% of projectiles that evaded interception still inflicted significant damage on the defensive installations of Planet Raze.


    While the laser defense arrays prioritized protecting themselves and remained at full operational strength, the destruction of other ground-based cannons left the Riken feeling frustrated.

 Chapter 309: Impact

    If the Swarm had a logistics base within the Riken star system, they could have easily remained beyond the range of the Riken¡¯s main cannons, slowly wearing them down over time. Both sides could have ended up in a standoff lasting years, even decades, until the star system¡¯s resources were entirely depleted.


    But there were no ¡°ifs.¡± The Swarm had to capture Planet Raze before the metal elements inside their Primordial bodies were completely depleted.


    After launching more than twenty rounds of attacks, the Primordial bodies finally entered the range of the Riken¡¯s main cannons. Having endured constant bombardment for so long, the Riken forces were eagerly awaiting this moment and immediately issued counterattack orders.


    The ground-based cannons on Planet Raze opened fire first. However, since their energy systems prioritized the laser defense array, only 80% of the cannons could operate.


    Even so, the remaining operational cannons numbered in the tens of thousands. Their rapid rate of fire filled the sky with red beams of light, creating a display far more spectacular than the silent, invisible barrages of electromagnetic projectiles.


    Faced with the incoming barrage of red beams, the Primordial swarm adjusted their formation. They reduced energy allocated to their electromagnetic cannons, slowing their firing rate, and diverted most of the power to their engine organs.


    Operating at full capacity, the engine organs enveloped the Primordial bodies in flickering blue electric arcs, dramatically enhancing their speed. The sudden acceleration caused the previous barrage of energy beams to miss entirely.


    ¡°Hold them back!¡± Hamis roared.


    The Riken fleet, previously concealed behind Planet Raze, and the orbital rail cannons repositioned themselves and joined the fray. The main turrets rotated, adjusted their angles, and began firing immediately.


    The previously disadvantaged number of main energy cannons multiplied several times over, creating an overwhelming cascade of red beams that seemed to dye the starry void crimson.


    On the other side, the Primordial bodies, encased in crackling blue light, charged forward with unwavering determination, facing even fiercer resistance.


    The clash of red and blue light created dazzling explosions against the dark starry backdrop, a grimly beautiful and awe-inspiring sight.


    Yet this beauty came at a cost of countless lives.


    This wave of attacks, owing to its intensity, incapacitated over twenty Primordial bodies. Though not irreparably damaged, they required time to regenerate while drifting in space.


    However, the Mature bodies and Larval bodies they carried suffered collateral damage. The larger Mature bodies, with more fungal strains, sustained only injuries. In contrast, over a dozen of the smaller, 20¨C30-meter-long Larval bodies were destroyed.


    For a swarm numbering in the tens of thousands, such losses were negligible. The blue-lit charge continued relentlessly.


    By the third volley, the Riken¡¯s supercomputers had adjusted their targeting parameters, and the closer range allowed the energy beams to strike faster.


    About 20% of the Primordial bodies¡¯ evasive paths were now effectively blocked. With no alternative, these units were forced to charge straight through the barrage.


    This wave of red and blue collisions left over 300 Primordial bodies incapacitated, with thousands of Mature and Larval bodies obliterated.


    The Riken¡¯s energy cannons had a high rate of fire, and the fourth barrage followed swiftly. At the now-reduced range, nearly 500 Primordial bodies were incapacitated, while over 2,000 Mature and Larval bodies were destroyed.


    During the Riken¡¯s four salvos, the Primordial bodies managed to squeeze in a single counterattack. Tens of thousands of electromagnetic projectiles were launched, forcing some Riken warships to evade and disrupting their firing rhythm. A few sluggish orbital rail cannons were also destroyed, but there were no significant gains.


    The Riken¡¯s fifth barrage arrived, with red and blue beams clashing once again. This wave left nearly 800 Primordial bodies incapacitated, along with the loss of over 3,000 Mature and Larval bodies.


    However, before the sixth barrage could land, the Primordial bodies reached the effective combat range of the Mature bodies. The sides of the Space Octopuses split open, releasing one Mature body after another. Ranging from 20 meters to over 100 meters in size, the deployment instantly multiplied the Swarm¡¯s effective forces.


    Relieved of their burden, the Primordial bodies accelerated again, surging past the coverage of the sixth barrage. The red and blue beams barely collided this time, with the Riken achieving little beyond destroying a few hundred trailing Mature bodies.


    The recalibrated parameters of the seventh barrage, however, achieved more substantial results. Another fierce clash of red and blue light left nearly 1,000 Primordial bodies incapacitated, hundreds of Mature bodies destroyed, and uncounted Larval body losses.


    But before the eighth barrage arrived, the Primordial body swarm entered the operational range of the Larval bodies. If the earlier deployment of Mature bodies resembled a snake emerging from its lair, this was akin to a swarm of bees bursting from a hive.


    An enormous wave of Larval bodies poured out of the Primordial bodies, darkening the space around them. Despite earlier losses, their numbers still exceeded a million.


    Among the Primordial bodies, over 8,000 remained operational after enduring the barrages. Of these, 5,000 halted their advance to stabilize their positions and resumed firing electromagnetic projectiles, the crackling arcs of electricity illuminating the battlefield as countless projectiles streaked toward the Riken orbital cannons.


    Unlike their earlier rushed shots during high-speed maneuvers, this round of stable firing achieved significantly higher accuracy. The projectiles targeted the orbital cannons¡ªbulky, slow-moving structures with no laser defense arrays, making them ideal targets.


    Meanwhile, the remaining 3,000 Primordial bodies clustered together, forming a layered meat-shield defense. Groups of 100 units created over 30 layers of protection, presenting an imposing barrier at the forefront.


    Behind this wall, the Mature and Larval bodies regrouped, safely sheltered from the Riken¡¯s line of fire. With the current trajectory of the Riken¡¯s beams, penetrating all 30 defensive layers was nearly impossible, leaving the smaller combat units unscathed.


    Unburdened and fully operational, the Primordial bodies surged forward again, their blue electric arcs flashing intensely as they shielded the advancing Mature and Larval bodies.


    ¡°Stop them at all costs!¡± came the frantic orders.


    The Riken defense systems, assisted by supercomputers and artificial intelligence, recalibrated targeting parameters, adjusted turret angles, and completed these adjustments in a matter of moments.


    But by this time, the electromagnetic projectiles had already arrived. Predictably, the unprotected orbital rail cannons were devastated, with over 1,000 destroyed in a single volley.


    As the combatants drew closer, the flight time advantage of the Riken¡¯s energy beams began to diminish. Over longer distances, the difference between several minutes for projectiles and half an hour for energy beams was significant. But as the gap closed, the difference between three minutes and a few dozen seconds became negligible.


    When the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies unleashed their second round of long-range support fire, the Riken¡¯s retaliatory energy beams reached the Swarm¡¯s forward units simultaneously.


    If earlier collisions of red and blue light resembled scattered beams, now they clashed like spears of condensed energy. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Swarm¡¯s 30-layer defensive formation lost its first two layers instantly, with dozens of Primordial bodies reduced to fragments, becoming the first casualties of the battle.


    The remaining hundred or so Primordial bodies in the first layers were also severely damaged. Yet they had no chance to ¡°play dead¡± and regenerate. The next defensive layers pushed them forward, forcing them to continue advancing.


    These heavily damaged units would serve as the front-line defense for the next wave of red energy beams, sacrificing themselves to provide one final contribution to the Swarm¡¯s assault.

 Chapter 310: Chaos

    The Primordial bodies forced to the front line had portions of their structures charred and carbonized. As they moved at high speed, the carbonized fragments broke apart and scattered.


    In the near-frictionless environment of space, these debris fragments would travel vast distances.


    The ninth wave of cannon fire arrived, allowing these sacrificial units to fulfill their final purpose.


    Thanks to their sacrifice, while the third layer of defense was completely obliterated, the fourth layer sustained only minor damage.


    ¡°Are they completely unafraid of death?¡±


    ¡°Concentrate all firepower! Stop them from advancing!¡±


    This tactic of using physical bodies as shields to cover an assault was something only a force like the Swarm, with its unique organizational structure, could employ as a standard strategy.


    For civilizations like the Riken, any commander attempting to use such a tactic routinely would have been court-martialed long ago.


    Yet, there was no denying the effectiveness of the strategy.


    As the bulk of the Riken firepower was drawn toward these ¡°meat shields,¡± the 5,000 Primordial bodies in the distance could fire their electromagnetic projectiles with impunity. The Riken forces, forced to respect these tens of thousands of projectiles, had no choice but to dodge. This, in turn, disrupted their firing rhythm.


    The cascading effects of this strategy allowed the meat shield battalion to breach the Riken¡¯s defensive line after sacrificing only 26 layers of their formation.


    Faced with the onslaught of the Space Octopuses, the Riken warships dared not engage directly. They began retreating, opening their hangar bays to deploy waves of fighters.


    The current generation of Riken warships not only carried several hundred mainline fighters and drones per ship but were also equipped with a new type of miniature drone.


    These new drones, measuring only 2.5 meters in length, were smaller than some missiles. In fact, their design and functionality were strikingly similar to missiles.


    Externally, they resembled missiles with small wings attached. Apart from a small-caliber autocannon mounted on their undersides, they lacked any other long-range firepower. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Most of their internal structure, aside from the radar in the nose and the engine in the tail, was packed with explosives.


    These drones were specifically developed as a countermeasure to the Larval bodies, which favored close-quarters combat. They deployed alongside fighter squadrons. Due to their small autocannon caliber, they posed little long-range threat to the Larval bodies, serving instead to harass, obscure vision, and increase the Swarm¡¯s computational burden.


    However, when Larval bodies closed in on the fighters, these drones would actively intercept. If a Larval body used its tentacles to grab them, they would promptly revert to their ¡°primary function¡± as bombs.


    Thanks to the sheer quantity of these miniature missile drones, the three fleets, comprising over 2,000 warships, launched nearly 100,000 fighter jets and approximately 500,000 miniature drones.


    A total of 600,000 mechanical units surged forth like a dark tide to meet the Swarm¡¯s Mature and Larval bodies. In terms of sheer momentum, they did not appear at a disadvantage.


    As the two sides closed to within 200¨C300 kilometers, the Riken fighter formations suddenly braked sharply in space, coming to a synchronized halt.


    The Primordial bodies at the forefront of the Swarm¡¯s assault still formed several layers of resilient meat shields. With the firepower of the fighter squadrons, breaking through these defenses head-on would be nearly impossible. A direct clash would likely result in catastrophic losses for the fighter squadrons.


    Furthermore, the fighter formations were meant to serve as harassing units, not to engage the Space Octopuses in close-quarters combat. After their abrupt halt, they dispersed widely, forming a massive net-like formation to wait for the Swarm forces to approach.


    The Swarm forces, however, showed no intention of avoiding the trap. The Space Octopuses charged straight into the web.


    As the Swarm¡¯s vanguard breached the fighter formation¡¯s ¡°net,¡± the fighters launched a fierce assault from all directions on the Space Octopuses. Countless red energy beams streaked through the starry void, targeting the Swarm units.


    Among these were the small-caliber autocannons of the miniature drones, which, while lacking in direct destructive power, added to the dazzling chaos of lights that disrupted the Swarm¡¯s movements.


    Many Larval bodies, attempting to avoid these autocannon barrages, were struck by the fighter squadron¡¯s energy beams, sustaining severe injuries. Fortunately for the Swarm, the sheer number of Larval bodies ensured that the losses were negligible. Larger Mature bodies moved to the outer edges of the formation, using their bodies to shield the smaller units from these attacks.


    Eventually, after several salvos from the Riken¡¯s main cannons, the Primordial meat shield was shattered. Deprived of their formidable ¡°shields,¡± the remaining Mature and Larval bodies could no longer withstand the main cannon fire.


    As the next wave of cannon fire loomed, the Swarm forces voluntarily dispersed. Without the cohesion of a tight formation, their charge ground to a halt.


    The dispersed vanguard was soon entangled by the fighter squadrons, unable to advance further.


    In response, the Swarm quickly adjusted their tactics, ordering the Mature and Larval bodies to attack freely, prioritizing the elimination of the fighter squadrons while continuing to push forward.


    Recognizing this tactical shift, the Riken redirected their main cannons away from the vanguard and aimed at the 5,000 distant Primordial bodies, which had been firing uninterrupted, systematically destroying the Riken¡¯s orbital cannons.


    The Riken¡¯s decision to retarget was driven by necessity. Continuing to fire their main cannons at the smaller Swarm units felt like using cannons to kill mosquitoes¡ªinefficient and wasteful. Meanwhile, the long-range Primordial bodies posed an existential threat, with their unrelenting barrages wreaking havoc.


    With the Riken¡¯s long-range firepower now focused on them, the Primordial bodies were forced to adopt erratic movements, increasing the Riken¡¯s computational load and reducing the likelihood of being hit. However, this also impacted the accuracy and firing rate of their own projectiles.


    The Riken fleet faced similar constraints. Forced to keep moving to avoid the destructive electromagnetic projectiles, they found it increasingly difficult to maintain precise targeting.


    As a result, the battlefield split into two distinct zones: long-range units clashing at a distance and close-quarters skirmishes between the vanguard forces.


    At a range of 100 kilometers, the fighting in the vast expanse of space was effectively close combat. The Riken¡¯s original plan to maintain distance and use long-range firepower to gradually wear down the Swarm proved difficult to execute.


    The battlefield had become an uncontrollable maelstrom. Chaos reigned as combatants from both sides filled every direction.


    It was common for a unit to lock onto a target tens or even hundreds of kilometers away, only to be blindsided by another enemy unit mere meters away.


    Amid such disorder, the lack of reliable reference points made it impossible to gauge distances accurately. No unit could guarantee that all enemy forces within a 360-degree radius were safely out of range.


    This led to situations where a Riken pilot, focused on outmaneuvering a Swarm unit and maintaining a safe distance of several kilometers, would suddenly be ambushed by a third party and killed in an instant.


    The sheer scale and complexity of the battlefield created an overwhelming computational load. Even the Riken¡¯s supercomputers were unable to issue real-time alerts for all unexpected developments.

 Chapter 311: Missile Drones

    The abundance of enemy units allowed each Riken fighter squadron to find its own targets, engaging in one-on-one dogfights and forming countless small battle zones.


    However, the battlefield had limited space, and these smaller zones overlapped and intertwined, creating a chaotic larger battleground.


    In such a frenzied arena, fair one-on-one duels were impossible.


    A primary fighter jet was skillfully keeping more than ten Larval bodies at bay, maneuvering in evasive patterns under the cover of its drones, while simultaneously launching attacks at the pursuing enemies.


    Although the fighter¡¯s firepower was somewhat underwhelming, with enough time and persistence, even the strongest opponents could be worn down.


    ¡°Watch out!¡± a sudden warning came through the channel. The pilot didn¡¯t recognize the voice¡ªit wasn¡¯t someone he knew personally. But in a war between species, alien organisms didn¡¯t speak the Riken language. Reacting instinctively, he veered his fighter off its original course, performing a standard evasive maneuver.


    A tentacle crackling with blue arcs of electricity slashed past the side of his cockpit, grazing the surface of his craft heavily enough to knock it off balance. Fortunately, the pilot had participated in simulated bombardment drills for Planet Raze and had decent technical skills and nerves of steel. He quickly regained control of his fighter.


    Running a systems diagnostic, he found that only the external armor had sustained minor damage. This allowed him to breathe a sigh of relief. However, his drone hadn¡¯t been so lucky. The artificial intelligence controlling the support drone failed to evade the attack, and the drone exploded into fragments amidst flashes of fire.


    The loss of the drone soured the pilot¡¯s mood considerably.


    Each Riken pilot was allocated nine drones, which assisted in attacks and served as shields in critical moments.


    More drones meant better survivability. But now, mere moments into the battle, he had already lost one. In wartime conditions, it would be nearly impossible to replace a lost drone.


    To make matters worse, this loss wasn¡¯t even his fault.


    The chaotic battlefield generated an overwhelming amount of data. Most of the Riken¡¯s supercomputers prioritized calculations for the long-range fleet¡¯s bombardments and evasive maneuvers, leaving insufficient computational resources to monitor every aspect of close-quarters combat.


    Each Riken pilot could designate up to three groups of enemies for prioritization. The supercomputers would allocate processing power to calculate interactions with these designated enemies first.


    Given the rapid movement of both sides, with hundreds of other small battle zones intersecting every few seconds, only the designated enemy group remained consistently tracked. Other nearby threats shifted too quickly for the system to provide timely warnings.


    As a result, pilots usually only marked the group they were actively engaging, leaving the remaining slots unused. However, this approach introduced a slight delay in warnings for sudden attacks from other sources.


    This was the primary reason the pilot¡¯s drone had been destroyed.


    His teammates had failed to pin down their own targets, leaving them free to attack passing fighter squadrons. The pilot, meanwhile, hadn¡¯t detected the attack in time due to the delayed warnings from the supercomputer.


    Luckily, with a teammate¡¯s timely warning, the pilot narrowly escaped disaster. However, the frustration of losing his drone left him eager to lash out at his unknown ally.


    Just as he was about to hurl some choice words, the stranger¡¯s voice echoed through the comms once more. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Watch out!¡±


    The Riken pilot immediately shut his mouth and reflexively performed another evasive maneuver.


    Unfortunately, his luck had run out. His maneuver was too predictable, repeating the exact same angle and direction as before.


    Through his transparent cockpit canopy, he saw the rapidly approaching, electrified tentacle. He didn¡¯t even have time to scream before it struck. The impact was devastating¡ªthe cockpit cracked, and the fighter spun out of control, crashing into one of his nearby drones.


    A brief flash of fire lit up before both the fighter and drone were reduced to debris. Even if the pilot wasn¡¯t killed instantly, his chances of survival in the chaotic battlefield were slim.


    The loss of the main fighter was immediately reported to the battlefield¡¯s supercomputer center, where it was processed and relayed back. The original squadron¡ªnow missing its main fighter and two drones¡ªhad its remaining seven drones reassigned to other nearby squadrons.


    As the battle demonstrated, in such a complex and chaotic environment, luck was just as vital as skill. Even a near-complete formation of drones couldn¡¯t guarantee survival.


    Scenes like this were common across the battlefield. If the Riken¡¯s fighter squadrons had been using their old configurations, their entire strategy might have fallen apart.


    Fortunately, the Missile Drones had been introduced.


    The Riken¡¯s new small missile-armed drones, referred to as Missile Drones, performed surprisingly well in this war.


    The Larval bodies, unfamiliar with this new weapon, were caught off guard. While pursuing enemy fighters, they suddenly encountered these small drones approaching them head-on.


    Although the drones¡¯ machine guns weren¡¯t particularly powerful, concentrated fire from multiple drones posed a real threat to the Larval bodies. Faced with this, the Larval bodies prioritized eliminating the drones.


    However, when they latched onto the Missile Drones with their tentacles and attempted to dismantle them, the drones exploded without warning.


    At two meters long, these drones packed a substantial payload. For the Larval bodies¡ªmost of which were only around ten meters in size¡ªthe explosions were devastating. Within just a few minutes of engagement, the Swarm lost nearly 10,000 Larval bodies to these drones.


    The Larval bodies, having previously been hit by missiles, quickly adapted. Realizing that these small, winged machines with machine guns weren¡¯t true fighters, they immediately began avoiding them.


    This created a new dilemma. The Missile Drones effectively blocked the pursuit routes of enemy fighters, while the Larval bodies lacked sufficient long-range attack capabilities to counter them.


    Engaging in melee combat with the drones was tantamount to suicide.


    Ignoring them wasn¡¯t a great option either. While the Missile Drones¡¯ machine guns had small calibers, sustained fire was both annoying and increasingly dangerous. Moreover, leaving the Riken¡¯s main fighters unthreatened allowed them to rain fire from afar.


    The large-caliber machine guns mounted on those fighters posed a significant threat to the Larval bodies.


    The introduction of this new unit had changed the dynamics of the battlefield, making things far more challenging for the Larval bodies while giving the Riken¡¯s main fighters and drones more room to operate.


    ¡°Heh, bombs combined with machine guns¡ªwhat an interesting idea. Order the Larval bodies to ignore these nuisances and focus on all-out assaults. Let the Riken showcase their tactics for a bit,¡± Sarah Kerrigan said, observing the battle.


    She showed little concern for the Larval bodies¡¯ struggles. In her view, the outcome of the war wouldn¡¯t be decided by one or two local skirmishes but by the broader strategy.


    This battlefield had exposed some weaknesses in the Swarm¡¯s Larval bodies, but the Swarm had already devised solutions for such flaws. All they needed now was the right opportunity to implement them.


    Upon receiving Sarah¡¯s orders, the Larval bodies ceased pursuing the Riken¡¯s main fighters and drones and ignored the interference of the Missile Drones. Instead, they charged directly at the Riken¡¯s warship formations.


    ¡°They¡¯re going for a last-ditch assault! Hold the line!¡± Hamis roared, his voice filled with urgency.

 Chapter 312: Countermeasure

    The Riken, as a highly intelligent civilization, had anticipated scenarios like this during their simulated war exercises. When smaller Swarm units faltered against new weapons and resorted to reckless charges to avoid being whittled down, the Riken already had response protocols in place.


    Thus, when the Larval bodies suddenly abandoned their targets and charged en masse, the Riken forces only hesitated briefly before implementing their contingency plans.


    Along the Larval bodies¡¯ path of advance, Riken fighter jets were the first to respond. However, their long-range firepower wasn¡¯t sufficient to eliminate the Larval bodies quickly, especially when the Swarm units clustered together, using the bodies of their comrades as shields.


    ¡°Show them our little toys!¡± a Riken pilot exclaimed.


    Suddenly, dozens of metallic spheres, each roughly the size of a basketball, were launched from the fighters¡¯ cargo bays.


    These metal spheres had no propulsion system, relying entirely on the momentum from their initial ejection to drift through space. They moved slowly, and given their small size, the amount of explosive material they could carry seemed unlikely to pose any real threat to the Swarm units.


    But the Riken wouldn¡¯t make such an obvious tactical blunder. After drifting a short distance, the spheres suddenly exploded, deploying massive nets that unfurled in an instant.


    Each net spanned hundreds of square meters and was made from metallic fibers less than a millimeter in diameter. Without any cloaking technology, the nets were nearly invisible in the vastness of space, relying on their size and deployment strategy to surprise their targets.


    These fibers represented the cutting edge of Riken technology. Not only were they extremely lightweight, resistant to heat, cold, and corrosion, but they were also incredibly durable. Despite their minuscule diameter, each strand could withstand several tons of tension. Coupled with a meticulously designed arrangement for distributing force, the nets were strong enough to resist the tearing of the Larval bodies.


    Additionally, their thinness granted them a sharp cutting capability. For those without sufficiently robust defenses, attempting to tear through the nets by brute force would only result in self-inflicted injuries.


    Cannon fire had failed to halt the Larval bodies¡¯ charge; the seemingly harmless metal spheres were even less likely to succeed. However, when the spheres detonated overhead, releasing their enormous nets, the Swarm units found themselves with no time to evade and crashed straight into the trap.


    On its own, a single metallic net¡ªfreely drifting in space without anchor points¡ªposed minimal danger. It might be slightly uncomfortable if draped over a unit, but ignoring it would only result in minor inconvenience or a slight hindrance to movement.


    Yet, in the context of a clustered charge, the effects of these metallic nets were exponentially amplified.


    Each net, with its coverage of hundreds of square meters, could entangle several, or even dozens, of tightly packed Larval bodies. The speed variation among the charging Swarm units, due to differences in their development stages, exacerbated the situation.


    These speed discrepancies naturally caused uneven momentum among the units caught in the same net, leading to mutual pulling and dragging.


    The only way to nullify the net¡¯s effects would be for the Larval bodies to halt their movement entirely and remain stationary. However, in the intensity of battle, such a scenario was impossible to imagine.


    Moreover, this wasn¡¯t a matter of just a few hundred Larval bodies and a handful of nets. The Larval bodies¡¯ charging speed was incredible. Even in the chaotic battlefield, where they couldn¡¯t sprint at full velocity due to environmental constraints, their forward momentum still exceeded 10 kilometers per second.


    Although the Larval bodies attempted to scatter to the sides the moment the nets unfurled, and the vanguard units immediately tried to halt their advance and retreat, the sudden chaos was unavoidable. The foremost units collided with those behind them, causing a chain reaction that pushed them forward. In mere moments, over 220,000 Larval bodies had charged into the net formation.


    While tens of thousands of Larval bodies near the rear managed to escape before the nets fully enclosed the area, more than 200,000 were still trapped and unable to break free.


    These 200,000 Larval bodies were tightly ensnared by hundreds of thousands of overlapping metallic nets. In this intricate and tangled environment, their struggles only made matters worse. The more they thrashed, the tighter the nets constricted.


    The fine metallic fibers, incredibly resilient, tore through the outer layers of the Larval bodies¡¯ skin. As the nets tightened further, the fibers cut deeper into their flesh.


    Some Larval bodies had their tentacles severed; others were sliced into two or even several pieces.


    ¡°Ha! Look at them¡ªstruggling so hard they¡¯re cutting themselves into chunks. Isn¡¯t it hilarious?¡± one Riken pilot remarked.


    ¡°Absolutely hilarious!¡± another chimed in.


    ¡°Haha~¡±


    A group of fighter pilots laughed as they watched the trapped Larval bodies in space, slowly compacted into a giant mass of flesh. Limbs and body parts floated free from the tangled nets, drifting aimlessly in the void.


    Amid the mockery, the Larval bodies suddenly went completely still. Their struggle ceased abruptly, as if they had turned to stone.


    The cutting power of the metallic nets relied entirely on the Larval bodies¡¯ own movements. Without resistance, the nets lost their lethality.


    ¡°Hmph. Even if they stop moving, they¡¯re no longer a threat. Once we win this battle, they¡¯ll still be sitting ducks,¡± a Riken pilot grumbled, annoyed that the ¡°hilarious¡± scene had ended.


    ¡°Forget them. Redirect your focus to stop the other little octopus freaks!¡±


    Although the Riken had official designations for each type of Swarm combat unit, their long alphanumeric codes were impractical for everyday communication during battle. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, the Riken personnel often used informal nicknames. The Larval bodies, for example, were commonly referred to as ¡°little octopus freaks.¡±


    A tactic or weapon usually proved most effective during its first deployment. Once the enemy gathered sufficient data, replicating such outstanding success became much more difficult.


    By now, the scattered Larval bodies no longer regrouped but instead spread out even further.


    When deployed, each metallic net could cover only a few hundred square meters. While thousands of nets blanketed tens of thousands of square meters, effectively countering clustered Larval bodies, they were far less effective against dispersed units.


    If an individual Larval body collided with a net, it didn¡¯t even need to reverse course. Simply halting its movement would suffice; the momentum of the net would carry it past the stationary Larval body, sliding off harmlessly.


    Deploying vast quantities of metallic nets to ensnare only a handful¡ªor even a single¡ªLarval body became an inefficient and costly endeavor.


    However, the dispersion of the Larval bodies also came with a downside. Without the protection of their clustered formations, they became far more vulnerable to machine gun fire.


    In close-quarters dogfights, the Missile Drones blocked them from approaching the Riken¡¯s main fighters. In long-range exchanges, their firepower was insufficient. When attempting to break through in groups, they faced the metallic nets. When spreading out for a charge, they were picked off by the fighters¡¯ ranged attacks.


    A series of counters completely neutralized the Larval bodies¡¯ assault strategy. Without external assistance, it seemed unlikely they could escape this predicament.

 Chapter 313: Burrowing Worms

    ¡°All the demonstrations are done; now it¡¯s time for us to reveal our trump card.¡±


    Across the battlefronts, the situation was either balanced or disadvantageous, with no advantage to be seen anywhere. If this continued, the second wave of war launched by the Swarm would likely end in another anticlimactic failure.


    Faced with various unfavorable circumstances, Sarah Kerrigan, as the supreme commander, remained calm¡ªshe had her own confidence to rely on.


    On Planet Raze, due to the insufficient number of laser defense arrays, several land-based cannons were destroyed. However, all the destroyed cannons were outside the protective range of the laser arrays. With their destruction, the remaining laser arrays were now sufficient to guard all remaining land-based cannons.


    Thus, in the final few rounds of bombardment from the Primordial bodies, the loss of land-based cannons was minimal. Later, the emergence of orbital defense cannons successfully diverted the Swarm¡¯s long-range firepower. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under such interference-free conditions, the land-based cannons freely unleashed energy beams, firing to their heart¡¯s content.


    But when Sarah gave her command, the Swarm forces hidden deep underground on Planet Raze, quietly developing for more than a decade, finally revealed their claws.


    Years ago, the Riken¡¯s land-based cannon bases, totaling over thirty locations, had turned into patches of purple on the map after being attacked by the Swarm. After trying numerous methods without success, the Rikens were forced to resort to nuclear strikes.


    The tremendous power of the new nuclear bombs vaporized the bases and the Swarm units within them, along with several kilometers of the subsurface area, leaving behind semi-spherical craters.


    Even the rugged mountain areas, which proved difficult during repeated attempts to eliminate residual Swarm forces, were eventually bombed into depressions.


    Afterward, the Rikens conducted careful inspections, confirming no traces of Swarm units remained before beginning the reconstruction of Planet Raze.


    But in truth, they had deceived themselves. In the regions scorched by nuclear fire, the fungal carpets, still shallow at the time, were indeed evaporated by the extreme heat.


    However, an unknown number of larval bodies and mature bodies, equipped with optical stealth, had escaped unnoticed. The Rikens, lacking effective reconnaissance means for these medium- and small-sized units, completely missed their presence.


    Not to mention that during the Swarm¡¯s attacks on various cannon bases across Planet Raze, at least tens of thousands of larval bodies had detached from their units and gone into hiding en route.


    After burrowing underground, they didn¡¯t resurface but continued to dig deeper.


    For the Rikens to eradicate them entirely, they would have to obliterate an entire layer of Planet Raze. However, the scale of such an operation and the sheer quantity of nuclear bombs required would exceed all the Rikens¡¯ reserves, making it an impossible task.


    Each larval body carried at least a hundred spores, with each capable of mutating into a fungal carpet seed. The fungal carpet, after developing for a while, could mutate parts of its tissues to produce a Brood Queen.


    Thus, thousands of Swarm bases took root across Planet Raze. But they remained dormant, deliberately staying hidden deep underground to avoid Riken detection, relying primarily on geothermal and radioactive materials for sustenance.


    Now, however, it was time for these bases to sprout.


    A new species of gigantic insect appeared before the world for the first time.


    These creatures were over fifty meters in length, with a diameter exceeding three meters, resembling enormous worms magnified hundreds of times. Their mouths were lined with countless sharp teeth arranged in a spiral pattern, extending deep into their pitch-black, abyss-like interiors.


    As their mouths opened and closed, soft soil, resilient bedrock, and even tough metals were sliced through like tofu, swallowed into their abdomens.


    It contained more than ten massive grinding organs inside, functioning like gigantic blenders that pulverized everything ingested into fine particles.


    These particles were then transported into specialized internal pipelines coated with a unique secretion. As the particles passed through, they fused with the secretion, forming a viscous, paste-like substance.


    The creature¡¯s body was covered in a hardened chitinous exoskeleton. Unlike fearsome spiked armor, this exoskeleton was remarkably smooth, allowing the creature to glide effortlessly through the underground without worrying about unnecessary damage.


    The exoskeleton was riddled with evenly distributed pores, each about five centimeters in diameter. These pores connected to the viscous fluid pipelines, enabling the liquid to be expelled outside the body.


    When the creature began working, it consumed all soil and rock in its path. Inside its body, these materials were converted into a thick liquid, which was then transported to its exterior.


    Between the soft tissues of the creature and its exoskeleton lay a layer of air sacs. When inflated, these sacs caused the creature¡¯s body to lose its suppleness and expand into a rounded, rod-like shape.


    Once inflated, the creature forcefully compressed the surrounding soil, solidifying the walls of the passage it created. Simultaneously, the viscous liquid was expelled through the numerous pores across its body, coating the compressed passage walls as the creature advanced.


    When the expelled liquid mixed with the soil and stone, it quickly seeped into the materials. Within a minute, it solidified and bonded, reinforcing the tunnel walls further.


    This newly revealed species, dubbed the Burrowing Worm, could excavate tunnels over a hundred kilometers long and three meters wide in a single hour. Compared to the Swarm¡¯s previous reliance on Worker Drones to painstakingly dig and reinforce tunnels bit by bit, this represented a monumental leap in their assault capabilities.


    ¡°Team Leader! Come take a look at this¡ªour instruments are detecting some abnormal data!¡±


    Inside a chamber of the underground nuclear power plant, a Riken technician suddenly shouted.


    Hearing the call, the other Rikens in the room quickly gathered. The chamber housed only about a dozen Rikens, a mix of engineers and security personnel.


    Amid the ongoing war in space, the laser defense arrays and land-based cannons had been continuously firing since the conflict began. Supplying energy to these weapons made the nuclear power plant a critical strategic asset. Yet, because Planet Raze was firmly within Riken territory and most forces had been dispatched to the main battlefront, the security team here was small. Engineers, tasked with maintaining the power plant¡¯s operations, formed the majority.


    After all, no one wanted their weapons to go offline during a war because of preventable equipment failures.


    Despite the limited security personnel, the facility was equipped with comprehensive early warning systems. Located more than a hundred meters underground, the plant¡¯s primary monitoring systems focused on access tunnels and geological changes in the surrounding area.


    At the war¡¯s outset, the laser defense arrays and land-based cannons operated at maximum output. The laser arrays, in particular, consumed enormous amounts of energy, triggering repeated alarms in the power plant. Maintenance engineers scrambled everywhere to inspect and repair components, ensuring the plant continued to run smoothly.


    Had the output demands continued for another hour, the power plant might have risked a shutdown.


    Fortunately, the Swarm shifted their bombardment to other targets, relieving the laser defense arrays from active duty. With only the land-based cannons drawing power, the plant now operated at just 50% of its maximum capacity to meet energy needs.


    With the reduced workload, the personnel gathered in the control room.


    Deep underground and prohibited from venturing to the planet¡¯s surface during the war, they couldn¡¯t directly observe the battlefield. Instead, they relied on videos broadcast by accompanying military ships to glean updates on the war.


    However, the ferocity of the battlefield made it difficult to secure clear footage. Computational resources were prioritized for frontline operations, leaving the power plant staff with only sporadic audio feeds to follow.

 Chapter 314: Escaped Prey?

    The Rikens stationed on Planet Raze felt deeply uneasy.


    Their location meant that in the event of an unfavorable battle situation, evacuation would be nearly impossible.


    In other words, if the Riken forces were defeated, they would be abandoned. The Rikens would prioritize preserving their warships and other critical assets rather than risking them to retrieve those left behind.


    Thankfully, while listening to the radio broadcasts, the soothing voice of the announcer continued to deliver encouraging news.


    The alien Swarm¡¯s combat units were being countered effectively by the Rikens¡¯ new weapons. The tide of the battle was turning in their favor, and if things continued on this trajectory, the war would soon end. They would successfully complete their tasks in safety.


    If the alien Swarm wanted to launch another war of this magnitude, it would likely take them another ten or even several dozen years to rebuild. By then, these Rikens imagined they¡¯d have been promoted and received pay raises. Even if another war broke out, they¡¯d at least be stationed aboard warships or in rear positions, far away from such dangerous and nerve-wracking posts.


    However, at that moment, the detector suddenly sounded an alarm. Everyone¡¯s hearts sank. Why now, of all times? The timing was far too coincidental.


    It was difficult for them to believe it was just a fluke.


    ¡°Captain Ryder, what¡¯s going on? Is it an earthquake?¡± one of the engineers asked hopefully.


    Of the Rikens present, only Captain Ryder and two security team members could interpret the instrument readings. The others were engineers tasked with maintaining the nuclear power plant.


    The engineers stared at Captain Ryder with hopeful eyes.


    Captain Ryder furrowed his brows deeply, studying the data with a grim expression. He glanced up at the group, aware of what they wanted to hear. But this wasn¡¯t something that could be resolved through self-delusion.


    He hesitated, not because he wanted to shatter their hopes, but because even he couldn¡¯t fully understand what was happening.


    ¡°Just tell us, Captain Ryder. Everyone here knows the nature of this job; we wrote our wills long ago,¡± one of the engineers said in a somber tone, seemingly interpreting Ryder¡¯s expression as a bad sign.


    ¡°It¡¯s not an earthquake, but I¡¯m not exactly sure what it is,¡± Ryder replied hastily upon noticing the group¡¯s misunderstanding.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± the group asked in confusion.


    ¡°An earthquake¡¯s data readings don¡¯t look like this.¡±


    ¡°Then¡­ does that mean the enemy is here?¡±


    ¡°This data trend is extremely strange; I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before,¡± Captain Ryder said gravely, shaking his head.


    He had an excellent memory and had retained nearly all the data patterns he had studied during his training¡ªwhether caused by excavation tools, animals, machinery, explosives, weapons, or even various magnitudes of earthquakes.


    It was his exceptional test scores that had earned him the position of team leader for this three-person squad. Yet the data in front of him sparked no recollection whatsoever.


    Ryder handed the data readout to the other two team members for their input, but they both shook their heads. This deepened Ryder¡¯s concern, adding a layer of confusion.


    The data pattern was unnaturally smooth, as though something was moving through the soil without encountering any resistance.


    Of course, none of them had seen anything like this before¡ªthe Burrowing Worms were making their debut, and their excavation methods were fundamentally unlike anything previously known.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± one of the security team members reassured the group. ¡°We¡¯re wrapped in 20 meters of reinforced barriers. Even if there¡¯s an enemy, it¡¯ll be incredibly difficult for them to break through.¡±


    Before his words had fully left his mouth, the chamber shook. The tremors were minor but unmistakable, and dust from the ceiling rained down on everyone¡¯s heads.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°Not good¡ªsomething¡¯s struck the outer barrier! Sound the alarm immediately!¡± Ryder reacted swiftly, shouting even as he leapt toward the alarm system.


    ¡°Captain, we still don¡¯t know what¡¯s out there. What if this is a false alarm?¡± one team member cautioned.


    ¡°Damn it, at this point, even if it¡¯s a false alarm, I¡¯ll gladly accept punishment later!¡± Ryder roared as he reached the alarm and pulled the lever without hesitation.


    The piercing sound of alarms echoed through the underground base. At the same time, news of the nuclear power plant under attack was transmitted to the Riken space fleet.


    As the alarms blared, the group collectively exhaled in silent relief. No one cared about potential reprimands when their lives were at stake.


    ¡°General, multiple underground bases on Planet Raze are reporting attacks.¡± S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Is it the Swarm?¡± General Hamis asked, frowning at his adjutant¡¯s report.


    ¡°That¡¯s not confirmed yet.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. It must be. I¡¯ve said before¡ªthere¡¯s no way the Swarm would attack Planet Raze without a specific objective,¡± said Alcer, one of the three fleet commanders, who had been in continuous video communication with the others to facilitate coordinated battle strategies. He had just received the same report and was visibly agitated.


    ¡°But how did they breach our defenses and infiltrate Planet Raze?¡± Novaul, another commander, asked in puzzlement.


    ¡°Why infiltrate? I think they¡¯re leftovers from the last invasion,¡± Alcer suggested, his temper momentarily yielding to insight.


    ¡°I agree,¡± Hamis said. ¡°Our defenses around Planet Raze are airtight; it¡¯s implausible for the Swarm to approach undetected. It¡¯s far more likely these are remnants we failed to eliminate. Send a special operations team to deal with it immediately.¡±


    The three commanders had long suspected something was amiss on Planet Raze. The Swarm¡¯s prolonged concealment had left them uneasy¡ªthe unknown was always the greatest threat.


    Now that the Swarm¡¯s hidden forces had revealed themselves as mere ¡°escaped prey,¡± the commanders felt reassured. Although there was no direct evidence, the sheer number of Space Octopuses that had descended upon Planet Raze during the previous invasion made it reasonable to assume some had escaped.


    Even though they had conducted sweeps of various areas, Planet Raze was enormous, and the Swarm was highly adept at hiding. Overlooking a few survivors was unsurprising.


    Still, the commanders believed these survivors could do little more than harass energy facilities with minor attacks. The scale of their operations seemed too small to influence the outcome of the war.


    This, they assumed, was merely the Swarm¡¯s final struggle. The war was nearing its end, and the Rikens would emerge victorious.


    Their confidence, however, was dangerously inflated.


    Their understanding of the Swarm¡¯s technological capabilities remained fragmentary at best, yet they boldly declared these ¡°escaped prey¡± incapable of posing a serious threat.


    The 20-meter-thick reinforced barriers barely slowed the Burrowing Worms. The dense, hardened structure was no match for their terrifying, spiral-arrayed teeth.


    Concrete, steel, and debris were chewed apart and swallowed, their remnants processed and transported through the worms¡¯ bodies. Unstoppably, the worms carved a three-meter-wide tunnel from the depths of the earth straight to the nuclear power plant.


    Behind the Burrowing Worms came a dense swarm of larval bodies. These had been lurking underground since their hatching, subsisting on radiation-rich minerals to grow and develop. Now, the time had come for them to reemerge.


    Even with their mechanical instincts, it was easy to imagine that they, too, longed for the starlit skies and the vastness of the universe.

 Chapter 315: Abandonment

    ¡°What are those things!?¡±


    The Rikens finally caught sight of the Burrowing Worms. These were certainly not remnants from the last invasion. How had they managed to infiltrate Planet Raze? Were they a new Swarm species or native organisms of the planet?


    There was no time for deliberation. The answer revealed itself almost immediately.


    Trailing behind the Burrowing Worms were familiar figures¡ª¡°old friends¡± who quickly confirmed their identity as Swarm units.


    Yes, these were the Swarm¡¯s latest combat creations.


    Once the tunnels were opened, a torrent of larval bodies poured into the underground nuclear power plant. The handful of security personnel there stood no chance of repelling the attack. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As for the special operations team dispatched to assist them, they had only just boarded their transport ships and were nowhere near the battlefield.


    ¡°Detonate the compromised nuclear power plant,¡± General Hamis ordered coldly. The Rikens had many methods to deal with larval bodies, but hand-to-hand combat was not one of them.


    ¡°But there are still our people inside,¡± his adjutant protested.


    ¡°Follow orders, soldier! They are heroes of our race!¡± Hamis snapped.


    A soldier¡¯s duty was to obey. Though reluctant, the young adjutant saluted and shouted, ¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to shout. I know what you¡¯re thinking¡ªyou believe I¡¯m cold and heartless, don¡¯t you?¡± Hamis sighed. ¡°Their weapons are incapable of withstanding the Swarm¡¯s attack. Delaying our response for their slim chance of survival would be an unforgivable mistake for a commander.


    ¡°A commander must not be swayed by sentiment. They must view everything through the lens of reason. Expanding our advantage in this war is the only rational course of action. Your career has just begun; I hope you¡¯ll come to understand this.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The young adjutant saluted and stepped back. Though Hamis¡¯ reasoning seemed logical, a part of him remained unsettled.


    ¡ª


    ¡°We¡¯ve been abandoned!¡±


    The nuclear power plant¡¯s self-destruct mechanism could have been remotely triggered. However, the order had been relayed to the plant itself, leaving the final decision to those inside.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. There are too many of them, and reinforcements will never arrive in time.¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen, it has been an honor working with you. Let us maintain our dignity and meet a noble end,¡± Ryder said, straightening his uniform and struggling to maintain his composure.


    Even with preparations in mind, it was difficult to face death with equanimity.


    ¡°Ha! Captain, it¡¯s been an honor working with you too. As for pressing the button, I¡¯ll leave that decision to you,¡± a security team member said as he adjusted his uniform and strapped himself with explosives. ¡°Gentlemen, I¡¯ll go first¡ªfor the glory of our race!¡±


    Shortly after the team member dashed out of the chamber, a distant explosion rocked the facility, sending clouds of dust raining from the ceiling.


    ¡°Captain Ryder, I lack that man¡¯s courage, but I¡¯m no coward either,¡± an engineer said with a complicated expression.


    His demeanor was a mix of fear, hesitation, and resignation. After speaking, he moved to a corner of the chamber, silently holding a photograph.


    ¡°Ha! When this plant detonates, everything here will be obliterated anyway. I won¡¯t bother with anything extra,¡± an older engineer laughed with a sense of acceptance. He was the most senior member present and the leader of the engineers.


    ¡°Captain, press it now, or it¡¯ll be too late.¡±


    ¡°Ha! Right, better we do it ourselves than let those ship-bound folks trigger it remotely. Otherwise, they¡¯ll look down on us.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die!¡± someone sobbed.


    ¡°Ah, who does?¡± another sighed.


    The Burrowing Worms, with their unrelenting spiral teeth, effortlessly breached the facility¡¯s final barriers. Behind them, the larval bodies swarmed forward, ready to seize their prize.


    Everyone had something to say in these final moments¡ªsome faced the situation calmly, while others succumbed to hysteria.


    Captain Ryder¡¯s eyes were red, glistening with unshed tears. His hand trembled as he reached for the self-destruct button. After a final series of confirmations, and with synchronization from the warship above, the self-destruct sequence proceeded at lightning speed.


    ¡°The base will self-destruct in ten seconds. Please evacuate immediately¡­¡±


    ¡°Eight.¡±


    ¡°Seven.¡± The mechanical female voice counted down relentlessly.


    ¡°Gentlemen, it has been an honor.¡± Ryder removed his hat, bowing to his comrades in a final gesture of apology and farewell.


    No one responded, but they too prepared for their last moments in silence.


    ¡°One.¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    The underground nuclear power plant had been constructed with extreme safety measures, but all forward-operating bases were equipped with self-destruct systems. The nuclear power plant had been further modified into a true nuclear bomb, capable of unleashing blinding light and searing heat when needed.


    The surface of Planet Raze, which had been relatively tranquil, was still dotted with land-based cannons firing steadily. The laser defense arrays, idle due to the absence of incoming missiles, stood on standby.


    Suddenly, the ground bulged upward as though a monstrous beast were about to emerge from beneath.


    Soil and rocks erupted, flinging debris skyward. Entire land-based cannons, along with their platforms, were thrown into the air. The earth cracked wide open, releasing a blinding light from the fissures.


    The chaos subsided as swiftly as it began. The uprooted surface collapsed back down, leaving the land-based cannons toppled in disarray. The laser defense arrays were heavily damaged, many rendered inoperable.


    ¡°This is war,¡± Sarah Kerrigan murmured, her voice filled with a cold, steely resolve. ¡°Between two races, there¡¯s no right or wrong¡ªonly strength and weakness. Weakness is the original sin. The weak have no right to determine their own fate. If we don¡¯t want to end up like them, the Swarm must remain the strongest!¡±


    Whether she spoke to herself or to the Blades standing behind her was unclear.


    The thunderous explosions rippled across Planet Raze, triggering seismic reactions in several regions. Numerous underground power plants were deliberately or incidentally destroyed. The land-based cannon emplacements above them were also largely ruined. Those few that survived went offline due to the loss of power supply.


    The sudden disappearance of over a thousand firepower nodes slightly eased the pressure on the Primordial bodies of the Swarm. However, this shift wasn¡¯t enough to change the overall tide of the war.


    If the Rikens¡¯ assumption¡ªthat the Swarm units attacking the nuclear power plants were merely remnants from the last war¡ªhad been correct, the situation might have been manageable.


    But once their monitoring systems captured the image of the Burrowing Worms, the Riken high command began to realize that things were not as they seemed. The situation might have spiraled out of their control.


    This time, their fears were justified.


    The destruction of several bases didn¡¯t halt the continued assaults from the Swarm sub-colonies on Planet Raze.


    Alarms blared at an increasing number of underground power plant bases.


    Simultaneously, on the surface above the already-destroyed bases, clusters of purple-gray, fleshy tissue began to ooze out from the fissures created by the explosions.


    The damaged land-based cannon emplacements were gradually overtaken by the spreading purple-gray substance. Steel structures were corroded and absorbed as nutrients, accelerating the expansion of the conspicuous fungal carpet.


    ¡°It¡¯s those things!¡± a Riken soldier exclaimed in horror.


    The familiar sight struck fear into the hearts of the Rikens, dredging up memories of their previous brush with utter devastation. Once again, they were reminded of the terror that had once held them in its grip.

 Chapter 316: The Radiance of the Rikens

    Though more than a decade had passed since the last Battle for Planet Raze, the Rikens had obtained numerous experimental samples of Swarm combat units during that war.


    Yet, to this day, they had failed to unlock the secrets behind those samples.


    This left them with few effective means of combating the ever-expanding purple-gray fungal carpets.


    ¡°Deploy the Radiance of the Rikens!¡± The fleet commander and his strategists held an emergency discussion, but ultimately, they had no choice but to resort to their old method.


    The Radiance of the Rikens referred to a modified nuclear warhead, symbolically named for its ability to ¡°shine¡± and protect the Riken people.


    These weapons represented the most powerful armaments in the Rikens¡¯ arsenal¡ªand the most hazardous.


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s a poison pill, but at least it solves the immediate crisis.¡±


    Each detonation of the Radiance of the Rikens was akin to broadcasting the planet¡¯s coordinates to the surrounding star systems.


    Such frequent use risked drawing the attention of any sufficiently advanced civilizations nearby. These civilizations would not only be able to discern that a war was occurring but also make educated guesses about the technological levels of both warring factions. A confident opportunist might decide to intervene.


    ¡°There¡¯s no choice. If we don¡¯t neutralize them quickly, we¡¯ll be caught in a pincer attack!¡±


    In interstellar warfare, when the technological gap between civilizations was not significant, the aggressor often faced a disadvantage.


    For example, in the current battle, the Rikens, defending their territory, held the upper hand. They had the advantage of pre-built defensive structures and could use Planet Raze as a shield, making attacks, retreats, and rotations highly flexible.


    Moreover, they had the logistical support of their entire star system. Supplies flowed in steadily from within the system to sustain their efforts.


    In contrast, the Swarm, as the attackers, lacked the advantages of terrain and faced significant logistical challenges. If not for their unique biological nature, the cost of transporting forces from outside the system to Planet Raze alone might have exhausted the entire Swarm army.


    The Rikens originally assumed that the Neighboring Star System was home to a weaker civilization and launched a colonial expedition with 315 warships and 164 transport vessels.


    Had they anticipated a tougher conflict, the number of transport ships might have been several times that of the warships.


    This reflected the standard configuration of a proper interstellar campaign.


    The Swarm, while equipped with transport units, seemed to lack dedicated resupply units. This peculiarity had puzzled the Rikens for years. Without understanding the Swarm¡¯s methods of sustaining themselves, the Rikens couldn¡¯t formulate effective attritional strategies.


    Returning to the present, if the Swarm were to seize control of Planet Raze, the roles in this siege would immediately reverse.


    The Swarm would become the defenders, and the Rikens would take on the role of aggressors.


    While the Swarm¡¯s logistics remained an enigma, analyzing the electromagnetic railgun firing patterns suggested they did, in fact, require resupply.


    The Rikens knew that if they allowed the Swarm to entrench themselves further, they would lose their home-field advantage. Their only option was to unleash the Radiance of the Rikens and hope it would be enough to burn away the Swarm¡¯s creeping threat.


    If the Swarm forces on Planet Raze could establish a foothold, their logistical capabilities would improve, and their tactics would shift accordingly.


    Although the Rikens still knew little about the Swarm, they could foresee one immediate consequence, with a logistical base, the Swarm would likely fire their electromagnetic railguns far more liberally.


    Currently, the Swarm forces, operating without visible logistical support, maintained a ferocious rate of fire. But in a few hours, they might no longer be able to sustain such high-intensity bombardments.


    At that point, the Swarm might be forced to retreat to the asteroid belt at the edge of the star system to resupply. However, if their main fleet withdrew, the Swarm would suffer immense losses.


    Their Primordial bodies, which had served as living shields, would have been sacrificed in vain; tens of thousands of larval bodies trapped by the metallic fiber nets would be annihilated; and even the mature bodies and larval units at the forefront of the battle would be abandoned.


    Such significant losses would require the Swarm to spend years, possibly decades, reorganizing for another war. This delay would give the Rikens much-needed time to recover. They could refine and deploy more advanced anti-Swarm weaponry, making a counterattack on the Swarm¡¯s home territory no longer just a dream.


    But all of this hinged on Planet Raze not falling into Swarm hands.


    Thus, the Riken leadership was prepared to destroy Planet Raze entirely if necessary, rather than allowing the Swarm to claim it.


    However, the Rikens lacked the means to obliterate an entire planet. Their best option was to cleanse the Swarm from Planet Raze, even if it meant destroying all their own bases and turning the planet into a neutral zone.


    The Radiance of the Rikens, a 35-meter-long, 8-meter-diameter colossus, was deployed once more. Waves of purple-gray fungal carpets were incinerated, transformed into seas of blinding light. The violent energy flows from the explosions created massive EMP fields, which disabled numerous inadequately shielded Riken facilities. Even some functional spacecraft in planetary orbit were partially affected.


    Fortunately, the warships were specially shielded and remained operational.


    The familiar sight returned: purple-gray carpets were wiped away, leaving behind high-temperature, smooth, semi-circular craters.


    But to the Rikens¡¯ dismay, the Swarm¡¯s deployment on Planet Raze exceeded all expectations. Unlike before, the fungal carpets didn¡¯t stop spreading after being bombarded.


    For every crater formed by the explosions, more purple-gray patches emerged elsewhere. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As a strategic deterrent, the Radiance of the Rikens was expensive to manufacture, maintain, and store, and its stockpile was limited. During the last battle on Planet Raze, hundreds of these weapons had been expended, depleting previous reserves.


    Although production had continued over the past decade, only about 2,000 were available. Many of these were reserved for the Twin Star Defensive Zone and the homeworld¡¯s defensive perimeter, leaving just over 1,200 for the Planet Raze defensive network.


    If the current trend continued, the Rikens would exhaust their stockpile of these weapons first.


    Moreover, as more ¡°mini-suns¡± lit up the planet, the environment on Planet Raze deteriorated. Even cannon emplacements untouched by direct attacks were rendered inoperable due to the powerful EMP fields.


    The situation was grim.


    ¡°Let¡¯s start evacuating our personnel from Planet Raze,¡± Hamis sighed.


    The relentless EMP pulses had severely disrupted the operations of Riken bases on the planet. Although the bases were shielded to maintain life-support systems, continued bombardment risked catastrophic failures.


    Additionally, the Swarm¡¯s assault showed no signs of slowing. It was only a matter of time before they breached the bases entirely. With the planet¡¯s defensive systems largely crippled, there was no reason to continue holding their positions.


    ¡°It¡¯s too late. Our smaller transport craft can¡¯t withstand the EMP fields, and the larger transports can¡¯t approach the planet¡¯s surface. Those Rikens will have to fend for themselves.¡±


    ¡°Then at least send a message, telling them to save themselves if they can. If we hold out for another half-day, perhaps the enemy will finally collapse,¡± Hamis said, though even he felt uncertain about the hope in his words.

 Chapter 317: Familiar Forms

    With the loss of the land-based cannons on Planet Raze and the near-total destruction of the orbital cannons due to their slow maneuverability, the Riken firepower had been reduced by over half.


    Without their firepower advantage, the pressure on the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies greatly diminished. Their evasion time shortened, and their firing rate increased. Faced with the Swarm¡¯s intensified bombardment, the previously steady output of the three Riken fleets faltered. Their firing rate decreased, and as this chain reaction unfolded, the Swarm seemed to have gained the upper hand, pressing the Rikens into a defensive posture.


    The fleet commanders recognized this awkward situation, pinning their hopes on this being the Swarm¡¯s final frenzy.


    Based on their data, they believed the Swarm¡¯s ammunition reserves were no longer sufficient to sustain such intense firepower. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Their assumption wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. The Swarm¡¯s forces had traveled from the outer planetary belt without any resupply. Even with new tactics, they had consumed significant metal reserves during skirmishes with the Riken fleets along the way.


    Now, after such prolonged high-intensity bombardments, their metal reserves were nearly depleted.


    However, the Riken fleet was also on its last legs. The planetary orbit and surface defense systems had collapsed, leaving only the fleet¡¯s firepower to maintain a fragile standstill.


    Despite their predicament, the Rikens believed that as the defending force, they held the advantage. Theoretically, they could leverage the cover of Planet Raze and its moons to outlast the Swarm¡¯s dwindling ammunition reserves.


    But they underestimated the Swarm¡¯s deployments on Planet Raze.


    Had the Rikens understood the Swarm¡¯s biological capabilities, they might already have begun their retreat.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s mastery of genetic mutation, the Swarm¡¯s ability to establish outposts had advanced by orders of magnitude. In the past, even if the Swarm managed to send a few Brood Queen eggs to Planet Raze, ten years wouldn¡¯t have been enough to make a significant impact.


    But things were different now. As long as a single larval body breached the defenses, its continuous mutations could spawn an endless supply of Brood Queens, given time.


    During the earlier invasion of Planet Raze, countless larval bodies had landed. To accelerate progress, over 100,000 Brood Queens had been spawned in later mutations.


    For perspective, after occupying the Genesis Planet and the Neighboring Star System, the total number of Brood Queens across both star systems had just exceeded one million¡ªa result of centuries of development.


    Now, the equivalent of one-tenth of that number was concentrated on a single planet. The sheer power the Swarm could unleash was unimaginable.


    Each Brood Queen acted as a sub-hive, and the 100,000 sub-hives spread across Planet Raze¡¯s underground network had produced countless combat units over the past decade.


    Even if every Radiance of the Rikens bomb could flawlessly destroy one Swarm hive, with only slightly over a thousand of them available, the Rikens could barely scratch the surface of the Swarm¡¯s numbers.


    As the Rikens watched in stunned disbelief, purple-gray fungal carpets appeared en masse on the surface of Planet Raze. These patches quickly expanded and merged, blanketing nearly half the planet in a matter of moments.


    And this was the Swarm holding back.


    The Swarm¡¯s Blades, thoroughly trained in Luo Wen¡¯s doctrine of ¡°concealing strength,¡± ensured that their true capabilities and numbers were masked whenever the battle had already been decided.


    Yes, the outcome was already certain.


    The Swarm¡¯s conquest of Planet Raze was only a matter of time. All it needed now was a final ¡°straw¡± to break the Rikens¡¯ last vestige of resistance.


    On the surface of Planet Raze, as the purple-gray fungal carpet spread, the Rikens found themselves in an impossible dilemma, unsure of which region to strike first. Their hesitation, however, would soon give way to true despair.


    The fungal carpet squirmed and writhed as chunks of fleshy tissue emerged from within. These fragments fused and morphed, gradually taking shape.


    Finally, they locked into a form all too familiar to the Rikens.


    The elongated cylindrical shapes that materialized bore an uncanny resemblance to the electromagnetic railguns mounted on the Primordial bodies.


    Not only did their exteriors mimic the railguns perfectly, but their functionality was identical as well.


    After all, the railgun organ was originally a derivative component of the fungal carpet.


    This scene had, in fact, occurred once before on T855 Planet in the Neighboring Star System, but at that time, the Rikens¡¯ satellites around the planet had already been destroyed. Forced to rely on long-range observation, the Rikens had only witnessed T855 slowly changing color without understanding how the electromagnetic railguns had appeared.


    This time, however, they were close enough to see everything clearly.


    ¡°What is that? It looks¡­ familiar,¡± one Riken observer murmured as they stared at the detection screen, puzzled.


    ¡°It does seem familiar, but I can¡¯t quite recall where I¡¯ve seen it before,¡± another Riken said, furrowing his brow. The shape tugged at his memory, as if recognition were just out of reach.


    ¡°Look! Don¡¯t they resemble¡ª¡± Another Riken suddenly spoke up.


    He pulled up a high-resolution image of a Primordial body and compared it side-by-side with the cylindrical structures forming on Planet Raze¡¯s fungal carpet.


    ¡°They¡¯re identical.¡±


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about this.¡±


    ¡°Report to the captain immediately!¡±


    The observers scrambled in panic, but at least the information was quickly relayed up the chain of command.


    ¡°General, we¡¯re detecting electromagnetic strikes¡ªoriginating from directly beneath us!¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± General Hamis, who had been focused on the battlefront, was stunned by the report.


    The Space Octopuses responsible for long-range attacks were all in front of the fleet. Beneath the fleet lay Planet Raze¡ªwhat could be attacking them from below?


    Initially, the crew suspected a sensor malfunction. The surrounding area was saturated with intense electromagnetic pulses, and data errors seemed plausible.


    However, after repeated verification, the crew confirmed the readings were accurate.


    By then, the observers¡¯ report had also arrived.


    ¡°Evade!¡± Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hamis ordered an emergency fleet-wide maneuver.


    But it was too late. The proximity was simply too close. At such a distance, electromagnetic projectiles struck almost instantaneously.


    Worse still, since the shots came from below, they hit the fleet¡¯s undersides¡ªits most vulnerable area. The damage inflicted in this single strike far exceeded what the Primordial bodies had achieved after hours of bombardment.


    The First Fleet, consisting of 1,000 warships, had already lost nearly 200 ships earlier and was down to just over 800 vessels. In this assault, more than 50 ships were instantly obliterated, and over half the remaining fleet sustained varying levels of damage.


    The Rikens had not suffered such catastrophic losses since the war began. These were not just disabled ships retreating from battle¡ªthese were fully destroyed vessels. Taking out a warship with electromagnetic projectiles, even after traveling for over ten minutes, was no easy feat.


    If it weren¡¯t for the limited number of initial railguns and the suboptimal firing angles, this barrage might have annihilated over half the Riken fleet in one fell swoop.

 Chapter 318: Escape

    And this was only the losses from Hamis¡¯s First Space Fleet. The Second and Third Space Fleets, positioned around Planet Raze, also suffered significant damage during the sudden barrage, losing a combined total of 79 warships.


    ¡°This war is lost. We must retreat now,¡± Hamis said grimly over the video communication.


    ¡°Indeed, as reluctant as I am, we must preserve as much of our fighting force as possible for the survival of our species,¡± Novaul agreed.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± snarled Alcer, his temper boiling over.


    Who could have predicted that the situation, which had seemed favorable mere moments ago, would turn so dramatically and disastrously?


    Now, they could only cut their losses.


    The three fleets began their retreat decisively, as more and more electromagnetic railguns were forming on the spreading purple-gray fungal carpet across Planet Raze.


    The instruments detected energy gathering for another electromagnetic strike. If not for the significant energy depletion caused by the fungal carpet¡¯s rapid spread from deep underground, the second barrage might already have hit them.


    Fortunately, there was still a small window of time. If they didn¡¯t flee now, there would be no chance to escape later.


    The remaining warships of the three fleets ignited their rear engines, the blinding glow from their thrusters signaling maximum output. It was fortunate they had been moving in evasive patterns prior to this. Had they been stationary, starting their engines from a dead stop would have likely doomed every vessel.


    As the fleets retreated, the fighter squadrons previously engaged with Mature bodies and Larval bodies received orders to withdraw. Missile drones covered the retreat at full capacity, and even escort fighters could be sacrificed if necessary¡ªsaving the Riken pilots was the highest priority.


    The situation had shifted too quickly for the Rikens to adapt. There wasn¡¯t enough time to recover the fighter squadrons, but being on home turf meant the fighters could use their own propulsion to fly back to safer positions.


    The Primordial bodies¡¯ electromagnetic railguns weren¡¯t practical for targeting the nimble small craft, so as long as they could hold off the pursuit of the Mature and Larval bodies, the Riken pilots had a high chance of survival¡ªhigher, in fact, than those aboard the warships.


    The three fleets had been dangerously close to Planet Raze. Even at full speed, it would take considerable time for them to escape the range of the railguns now forming on the fungal carpet.


    Because of the urgency to escape, the fleets had little time to execute advanced evasive maneuvers. The Swarm¡¯s railguns fired calculated, wide-area volleys, forcing the Rikens to charge through the least-concentrated zones of fire.


    Despite their efforts to angle their ships and absorb the incoming rounds with reactive armor on the sides and rear of the vessels, the massive engine exhaust ports remained exposed and unprotected.


    On the fungal carpet, blue flashes heralded the firing of the railguns. The electromagnetic projectiles screamed forth, their limited angles of fire restricting the number of railguns that could target the retreating fleets. Even so, the first three waves inflicted devastating losses.


    In the first wave, as the fleets had barely moved any distance, over 70 warships were destroyed, and more than 100 suffered critical damage to their primary engines, drastically reducing their speed.


    The second wave destroyed over 50 ships, more than half of which were previously damaged. This barrage left nearly 50 additional warships with crippled engines.


    The third wave obliterated another 50 ships, with over 90% being those already compromised from earlier attacks. Only about 20 new ships sustained engine damage during this round.


    The retreating Riken fleets, already battered and fractured, were now limping away, leaving behind a trail of debris and smoldering wrecks. The Swarm¡¯s relentless assault, spearheaded by the fungal carpet¡¯s newly-formed railguns, had turned what was once a calculated withdrawal into a desperate flight for survival.


    By the time the fourth wave of attacks began, the increased distance had provided the Rikens with a sufficient buffer. Furthermore, the Swarm prioritized targeting ships with damaged primary engines. As a result, the Riken warships with fully operational engines sustained almost no further losses.


    The remaining fleet, with its propulsion systems intact, didn¡¯t dare linger. The Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies had begun advancing from Planet Raze toward the frontlines the moment the planet¡¯s mutations started. By now, they had already crossed Planet Raze and were in pursuit.


    Ships with damaged primary engines, realizing they were doomed, were reluctantly abandoned. Captains issued orders to evacuate, and a swarm of gunships, shuttles, and escape pods launched from the crippled vessels, scattering in all directions.


    The rest of the Riken fleet had picked up speed, and with no further engine damage, the Swarm¡¯s subsequent attacks proved ineffective.


    The electromagnetic railguns on Planet Raze continued to fire for a total of twelve volleys, but by then, the Riken fleet had exited their effective range and reached a safe zone.


    Without the cover fire from Planet Raze, the pursuing Primordial bodies¡ªtheir metal reserves nearly depleted from earlier combat¡ªsaw little point in continuing the chase. Further pursuit risked exposing themselves to encirclement. Instead, they redirected their focus to the abandoned Riken warships, systematically annihilating them.


    The abandoned ships had been emptied of their crews, who escaped in evacuation vessels. The warships¡¯ self-destruct systems were activated, detonating them one after another into brilliant bursts of light in the vacuum of space.


    For the Swarm, however, even the debris of destroyed Riken warships had value. Some of the Primordial bodies broke off to hunt down escape pods and shuttles, while others stayed behind to collect large fragments of wreckage.


    After some time, a group of Mature bodies and Larval bodies arrived to join the cleanup effort. They meticulously scoured the battlefield, gathering every piece of visible metal debris. The thoroughness of their cleanup operation was so remarkable that Luo Wen could have opened a space-cleaning business with pride.


    By this time, the Primordial bodies that had pursued the smaller escape vessels had also returned. The vastness of space made it nearly impossible to track down all the scattered Riken survivors. Coupled with the Swarm¡¯s lack of intent to exterminate every last enemy, the pursuit was largely symbolic. They destroyed a few gunships and transport shuttles before calling it off and regrouping.


    Back on Planet Raze, the skirmishes between Larval bodies and Riken missile drones continued. The drones, acting like flying porcupines, proved difficult for the Larval bodies to handle, hampering their movements and attacks.


    However, after preparing for such tactics, the missile drones were no longer able to inflict meaningful damage on the Swarm. Their limited fuel reserves further compounded the issue, and it became evident that they would soon run out of power on their own.


    The Rikens understood this inevitability. As the drones neared fuel exhaustion, they remotely detonated all remaining units. Even if the drones couldn¡¯t achieve victory, the Rikens were determined not to leave them for the Swarm to salvage.


    On Planet Raze¡¯s orbit, a few scattered orbital cannons located in remote areas activated their self-destruct protocols. To the Swarm, however, intact equipment and scrap metal were equally valuable.


    The Larval bodies, previously trapped in metallic fiber nets, had also been freed and were now assisting in the cleanup.


    This war had left behind an unprecedented amount of wreckage. The countless destroyed orbital cannons created a storm of metal debris, effectively sealing Planet Raze¡¯s orbit. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If there had been a nascent civilization on Planet Raze, such a metal storm would have permanently barred them from reaching the stars, trapping them in their infancy and preventing them from ever becoming significant players in the cosmic arena.


    For a force as advanced as the Swarm, however, even a debris storm of this magnitude was inconsequential.

 Chapter 319: Cleanup

    The massive chunks of metal debris from Planet Raze¡¯s orbit were swiftly gathered into centralized locations. Smaller fragments were cleared by swarms of larval bodies, which had just been released from their metallic fiber nets. These larval bodies had been idle during the battle and expended almost no energy, making them ideal for performing such menial tasks.


    The wreckage of the orbital cannons¡ªcolossal structures tens or even hundreds of meters in size¡ªwas piled into towering metal mountains.


    In addition to the orbital cannon debris, the remnants of countless warships floated in space. The Rikens had suffered catastrophic losses in this war. Setting aside the staggering personnel casualties, nearly 300 warships were outright destroyed in the final waves of attacks. An additional 500 ships, their main engines damaged beyond repair, had to be scuttled to prevent capture.


    This further reduced the Riken fleet¡¯s primary warships to below 2,000.


    If not for the early withdrawal of damaged ships, coupled with the retreat of support ships unable to withstand the Radiance of the Riken¡¯s electromagnetic pulses, their losses would have been even more devastating.


    Even with these mitigating factors, the collected warship debris formed metal mountains rivaling those of the orbital cannons.


    It¡¯s worth noting that even the smallest Riken warships were over a kilometer long¡ªtruly enormous constructions.


    As the bulk of the wreckage was consolidated, swarms of larval bodies descended upon it, transforming into fungal carpet seeds. Soon, purple-gray tissue began to spread from the crevices, proliferating rapidly.


    The metal debris mountains were slowly enveloped in the fungal carpet, which corroded and absorbed the wreckage, breaking it down into elemental metals. Subsequently, the Primordial bodies moved forward, extending their appendages to link with the fungal carpet and replenish their war losses.


    Although the Swarm appeared to have suffered significant losses in this battle, they were negligible compared to their first assault on Planet Raze. Most Primordial bodies, aside from those used as forward shields, had not been permanently destroyed.


    Without external interference, these entities could drift in space for a decade or two and fully recover on their own. With external assistance, their recovery would be even faster.


    As for the losses of larval bodies and mature bodies, even their remaining biological tissues could accelerate the recovery of other Swarm units. These space combat cannon-fodder units, given access to a radioactive source and sufficient time, could be endlessly reproduced.


    The Riken Star System, much like the Genesis Star System, contained a massive, gas-giant ¡°battery¡± rich in radiation.


    Now that Planet Raze had become a frontline base, it wouldn¡¯t be long before the Swarm advanced toward this gas giant.


    The Rikens were thrown into a state of abject panic after yet another defeat in their war against an alien species. Had this not been wartime, replacing generals to avoid disruptive influence, General Hamis and his peers might already have joined General Masai for tea in the strategy office.


    After the first successful defense of Planet Raze, the Rikens had poured vast resources into fortifying the planet, even to the detriment of the Twin Star Defense Zone and their homeworld¡¯s defensive systems.


    They had hoped to achieve a decisive victory and stop the Swarm beyond Planet Raze¡¯s borders for good.


    Moreover, the new standard-series weapons and equipment performed exceptionally well, countering the Swarm¡¯s relatively monotonous unit composition. Initially, everything seemed to be progressing favorably¡ªso much so that many Rikens believed they would once again secure victory in this battle. Discussions regarding victory celebrations and guest invitations for the festivities were already underway on the Riken homeworld.


    Who could have foreseen such a sudden reversal?


    In just half a day, the imminent victory slipped from their grasp. The Raze defensive line was lost, and their fleet suffered devastating losses, with 20% of their warships destroyed in one fell swoop.


    To this day, the Rikens still hadn¡¯t figured out how the Swarm managed to hide so many combat units on Planet Raze.


    It was baffling.


    The entire Raze defense system, including patrol logs, surveillance footage, and mission reports from the outer meteor belt, had been painstakingly reviewed. Over a million analysts and strategists worked tirelessly, examining the records frame by frame.


    But they found nothing unusual.


    ¡°The Swarm couldn¡¯t possibly have the technological sophistication to secretly transport and conceal so many combat units on Planet Raze,¡± one officer argued.


    ¡°Hah, are you still dreaming? The reality is, they did exactly that.¡±


    ¡°Are you implying we were negligent in our duties?¡±


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    ¡°Are you looking for a fight?¡±


    ¡°When words fail, you turn to fists? Go ahead¡ªsee if I care!¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡±


    As the room verged on devolving into a brawl, President Antonio interjected with exasperation. The military leaders, despite holding high-ranking positions, still had a penchant for resolving disputes with brute force¡ªsomething the politically oriented Antonio had never gotten used to.


    Antonio¡¯s rise to power was itself unprecedented. When he first assumed office, he faced the fallout from the Riken expeditionary force¡¯s defeat in the Neighboring Star System. What was once a coveted position had become a hot seat. Yet, under Antonio¡¯s leadership, the Rikens successfully repelled the Swarm invasion by the end of his third term, securing victory in the first defense of Planet Raze¡ªa feat that cemented his legacy.


    Antonio¡¯s story grew even more remarkable. An exceptionally capable Riken, he took advantage of the constant threat posed by alien species to implement sweeping reforms. Through alliances, suppression, and other methods, he gradually centralized power in both the military and political spheres, becoming one of the most powerful Rikens in history.


    As his third term drew to a close, riding the momentum of his triumph against the alien invaders, Antonio transitioned the Rikens from a federal parliamentary system to a military government.


    As a wartime leader, he avoided stepping down during elections. Over time, factions that had previously opposed him, such as those who had undermined his efforts to secure Longevity Serums, were quietly dismantled, further consolidating his power.


    Years passed, and Antonio remained the most influential figure among the Rikens.


    Thus, seated at the pinnacle of Riken authority, Antonio¡¯s words carried weight. The escalating tensions in the meeting were quelled, and the discussions resumed in an orderly manner.


    As a highly advanced civilization with a population exceeding tens of billions, the Riken elite were far from mediocre. By piecing together subtle clues, two prevailing theories emerged.


    The first theory posited that the Swarm had begun their preparations on Planet Raze a very long time ago. How long ago? Far earlier than the Rikens¡¯ exploration of the Neighboring Star System. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After all, the Rikens still couldn¡¯t determine when the Swarm had first ventured into space. Some even speculated that the Swarm had been spacefaring from their inception, capable of surviving unaided in the vacuum of space.


    If this were true, it was entirely possible that they had reached the Riken Star System long ago.

 Chapter 320: Summary Conference

    The first theory had garnered significant support.


    The Swarm was first discovered on the fifth planet of the T85 Star System, a barren, atmosphere-less world. According to the Rikens¡¯ evolutionary theories, such a planet lacked the conditions necessary for life to emerge.


    Yet not only was life present, but it also belonged to an advanced civilization.


    However, whether the Swarm qualified as a ¡°civilization¡± remained a contentious debate among the Rikens. To this day, they had not fully grasped the Swarm¡¯s true nature.


    Regardless of its essence, the Swarm had demonstrated the ability to travel between star systems. Though the Rikens had yet to crack the Swarm¡¯s gene lock, one thing was clear: the Space Octopuses, regardless of size, had no onboard operators.


    This was the central puzzle surrounding the Swarm¡¯s identity, and the key argument supporting the first theory.


    If the Space Octopuses were not some kind of biomechanical weapon but actual members of the Swarm, then the Swarm might not be the bio-technology-focused civilization the Rikens had previously assumed.


    This line of thinking suggested that the Swarm might be a species with a hive-mind consciousness, exhibiting coordination and fearlessness akin to insect colonies.


    If so, and if the Swarm was naturally capable of surviving in the vacuum of space, it stood to reason that they had expanded into surrounding star systems long ago. Planet Raze could have harbored Swarm units for years, allowing them to develop and grow unnoticed.


    Despite its plausibility, the first theory faced considerable opposition. While it provided a partial explanation for the presence of so many combat units on Planet Raze, it raised more questions than it answered.


    First of all, could a naturally evolved species develop electromagnetic railguns and plasma propulsion systems?


    Supporters of the first theory argued that while the Swarm exhibited hive-mind traits, this didn¡¯t preclude technological advancements. Perhaps their current abilities reflected centuries of self-modification. However, this interpretation circled back to the idea of a bio-technology civilization.


    Secondly, the fungal carpet (the purple-gray patches) presented a significant conundrum. These entities were clearly not individual Swarm units, yet they exhibited functional characteristics similar to those of the Space Octopuses.


    The electromagnetic railguns present on the fungal carpet mirrored those mounted on the Space Octopuses, which seemed inexplicable under the first theory.


    Finally, if the Swarm had indeed been developing forces on Planet Raze for years, why didn¡¯t they deploy them during the first defense of Planet Raze? Letting so many units lie dormant while sacrificing countless others seemed irrational. Even proponents of the first theory struggled to address this point convincingly.


    In response to these criticisms, a second theory emerged.


    The second theory posited that the Swarm was a bio-technologically advanced civilization. The exact form of its members remained unknown, but the Space Octopuses were considered biomechanical weapons, as were the fungal carpets.


    Under this framework, the Swarm¡¯s various units shared functions and features because they were products of the same technological ecosystem. Though the Rikens had yet to unravel their structures, their external similarities and operational characteristics supported this hypothesis.


    Additionally, these units could sometimes transition between forms. This explained why electromagnetic railguns appeared across different Swarm entities, from Space Octopuses to fungal carpets.


    Delving further into this perspective, it raised the question: if some Swarm units could transition into others, might they all be interconnected? Could certain units function as hatcheries for other combat entities?


    This theory implied a highly adaptive and modular biological system, wherein the Swarm¡¯s technological and biological components were seamlessly integrated. It also hinted at the terrifying possibility that the Swarm¡¯s ability to repurpose its own units extended far beyond what the Rikens had observed.


    This perspective could explain why, during the first defense of Planet Raze, the Swarm went to such great lengths, sacrificing an entire fleet just to establish a foothold.


    The purpose was to deploy unit-producing structures on the planet. Over the subsequent decade, these structures produced vast numbers of combat units. Evidence of this could be seen in the final assault on the underground nuclear power plant, where surveillance footage captured the presence of numerous small Space Octopuses.


    ¡°In this light, the second theory does seem much more plausible than the first,¡± one participant acknowledged.


    ¡°Hmph! Until we discover proof of individual intelligent life within the Swarm, I¡¯ll stick to the first theory,¡± another countered.


    ¡°Why couldn¡¯t it be a combination of both theories?¡± someone suggested.


    ¡°You mean they used technology to transform themselves into those things? What¡¯s the point of survival for their individuals, then?¡±


    ¡°How do you know their survival has no meaning? Don¡¯t impose your narrow values on other intelligent species!¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this? Did you take a bribe from the Swarm? Why are you defending them? This is a war of civilizations! A war between species! There¡¯s no such thing as surrender!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re full of crap!¡±


    ¡°That part is indeed strange,¡± a Riken strategist remarked, attempting to shift the conversation. ¡°With the Swarm¡¯s advanced technology, you¡¯d think communication would be possible. We were wrong to invade their star system first, but why didn¡¯t they attempt any form of communication before launching a war?¡±


    In the decades of conflict between the Rikens and the Swarm, there had been no attempts at diplomacy or even simple communication. To this day, the Rikens didn¡¯t even know whether the Space Octopuses were the Swarm¡¯s true members or merely their constructs.


    This lack of information had left many Riken experts with little to contribute.


    In interspecies interactions, even seemingly insignificant details could reveal crucial information. For example, creatures with eyes positioned at the front of their heads were generally predators. Forward-facing eyes provided better depth perception and spatial awareness, traits advantageous for locating prey. Such species often exhibited higher aggression and a predilection for meat consumption, or at least omnivory.


    Conversely, creatures with eyes positioned on the sides of their heads tended to be prey animals. Their wider field of vision helped them detect threats and escape. These species were typically herbivores, less aggressive, and lower on the food chain.


    While such primitive analysis might not fully apply to advanced intelligent civilizations, the evolutionary roots of sentient species often influenced their behavior to some degree.


    Beyond eye placement, physical characteristics such as height, posture, cranial size, muscle distribution, and skeletal structure could provide critical insights.


    Unfortunately, these fields of study were rendered useless by the lack of information about the Swarm¡¯s true form. If the Space Octopuses were indeed individual members of the Swarm, their design suggested an overwhelmingly aggressive and militaristic nature.


    Every component of their bodies seemed to serve as a weapon or as support for weapon systems. This appearance had led most Rikens to believe that the Space Octopuses were not members of the Swarm but rather biomechanical weapons.


    ¡°Maybe we just haven¡¯t found the right way to communicate with them?¡± one participant suggested tentatively.


    ¡°I agree. This war feels utterly senseless. We don¡¯t have any deep-seated hatred toward them. How did it come to this?¡± sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 321: Speculation

    ¡°Could it be that our initial colonial behavior appeared too aggressive?¡±


    ¡°But before the expedition, we had the Cat¡¯s Ear Project. A lone scientific research ship hardly conveys aggression, does it?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. If they wanted to communicate with us, they would have sent a diplomatic message after capturing the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I have another idea.¡±


    ¡°What idea?¡±


    ¡°That the technological level of the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship led them to underestimate the Riken civilization¡¯s capabilities!¡± A senior Riken strategist interjected. ¡°At first, they might have thought we were just a fledgling civilization barely stepping into space. Honestly, without the ancient starship¡¯s assistance, we would have been exactly as they assumed.¡±


    The room fell into contemplative silence.


    Supporters of both theories¡ªwhether it was aggressive expansion or technological misjudgment¡ªshared one consensus: the Swarm¡¯s technology had not utterly overwhelmed Riken technology.


    In wars between two civilizations of relatively equal technological standing, the resource expenditure was astronomical. The defense of Planet Raze was a prime example.


    The Rikens had deployed three fleets there, along with a significant number of engineering and security personnel on the planet¡¯s surface. The daily consumption of these forces was staggering¡ªa burden shouldered by their entire civilization.


    Planet Raze had no colonies or large space stations nearby, so all supplies¡ªfood, clothing, and equipment¡ªhad to be transported from the rear. This created an unimaginable logistical cost, exhausting the Riken civilization¡¯s foundations.


    Similarly, the Swarm¡¯s supply lines were even longer. Although the Rikens didn¡¯t know what sustained the Swarm, they assumed it consumed even more resources.


    In such a context, prolonged conflict benefited neither side. For civilizations that had stepped beyond their homeworlds and could utilize resources from other planets, resource scarcity was no longer a pressing issue.


    Rare metals and raw materials once scarce on their homeworlds were abundant in space. The resources within the Riken star system¡ªten major planets, asteroid belts, and solar energy¡ªcould sustain the Riken civilization¡¯s development for millennia, even tens of thousands of years.


    If this was true for the Rikens, it should be similar for the Swarm.


    If resources weren¡¯t the primary motivator, then there had to be another reason for the war. At this scale, it couldn¡¯t be over something as trivial as mating disputes. Besides, the two species¡¯ aesthetics were undoubtedly incompatible.


    So, in this scenario, what was most important?


    Technology¡ªor knowledge!


    One by one, the Rikens came to this realization, and a chill ran through them. Could the Swarm have discovered the secrets of the ancient starship?


    Many doubted this theory. Even among the senior generals in the conference room, only about 30% were familiar with the ancient starship¡¯s details. The rest merely knew of its existence, without any deeper understanding.


    Under such conditions, how could the secret have been leaked?


    Of course, for now, this was a hypothetical question¡ªa mere conjecture.


    Still, the Rikens examined themselves and couldn¡¯t find anything else the Swarm might covet. From their perspective, the Swarm¡¯s technology was slightly more advanced than theirs.


    Returning to the senior strategist¡¯s theory, perhaps the crux lay in the Swarm¡¯s initial misjudgment of the Rikens.


    Judging by the Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship¡¯s technological level, the Rikens must have appeared as an insignificant, easily subdued civilization. However, the Rikens had foolishly provoked the Swarm by advancing with their fleets. Normally, this might not have been a problem, but the Rikens¡¯ sudden technological leap was perplexing.


    Decades ago, they had relied on solar sail engines, and now they wielded battleships with interstellar engines capable of achieving one-fifth the speed of light.


    Such a rapid technological progression was difficult to attribute solely to independent research. Even the Rikens found this explanation far-fetched, let alone the Swarm.


    When a minor player grows so rapidly, it suggests one of two possibilities: they either had backing or stumbled upon a major discovery.


    This also explained certain perplexing Swarm tactics¡ªsuch as their lack of aggression in pursuing retreating Riken forces, which at times felt deliberately lenient.


    At this point, it became clear that the Swarm¡¯s past actions reflected their own uncertainties about the Riken civilization. Concerned that the Rikens might have powerful allies, the Swarm refrained from taking extreme measures.


    Based on prior engagements, the Swarm evidently operated under the direction of highly intelligent command units. Their calculated strategies, including the assault on Planet Raze, seemed more like exploratory probes.


    If the Rikens had indeed had external backing and summoned reinforcements beyond their known capabilities, the Swarm¡¯s dormant installations on Planet Raze might never have been activated.


    After multiple tests, however, the Swarm appeared to have assessed certain truths and falsehoods about the Rikens, emboldening them to launch further offensives while reducing the degree of restraint.


    For instance, in the latest engagement, the Swarm directly destroyed 20% of the Riken fleet. Should the Rikens fail to demonstrate any hidden strength, the next step might be a full-scale invasion.


    But the Rikens had no hidden benefactor or ally to rely on.


    This realization sparked frustration among some Rikens, who questioned the initial decision to explore the T85 Star System. Yet, at this point, such complaints were meaningless. They were caught in a paradox.


    If they failed to display advanced technological capabilities, they would be dismissed by the Swarm as a minor threat, potentially inviting immediate annihilation. Conversely, revealing their advancements had only provoked the Swarm¡¯s aggression further.


    The Rikens in the conference room began to grasp the gravity of their predicament.


    If the Swarm truly sought the ¡°treasure¡± they believed the Rikens possessed, conflict between the two civilizations seemed inevitable. The Swarm had no way of knowing what the Rikens had discovered, nor could they gauge the full extent of its value or the Rikens¡¯ potential capabilities.


    In a matter of decades, the Rikens had advanced their technological level by several leaps. What might they achieve in another few decades? A century?


    Judging by the Swarm¡¯s reactions and the emergence of specialized weapons targeting Swarm tactics, the possibility of the Rikens eventually surpassing them seemed plausible.


    Some Rikens bitterly wished they could slap themselves. Why flaunt their advancements? Why not feign weakness? Unveiling new weaponry had only served to provoke the Swarm further.


    Would the Swarm allow the Rikens the time needed to continue their rapid development?


    Placing themselves in the Swarm¡¯s position, the Rikens could see no alternative. To ensure their species¡¯ survival, the Swarm would logically prioritize eliminating threats¡ªespecially one like the Rikens, whose rapid technological progress was fueled by external resources.


    This left the Rikens in a bind.


    One possible solution, it seemed, was to offer up the ancient starship¡ªthe ¡°treasure¡± fueling the Swarm¡¯s suspicions. This might halt the war, but doing so would place the fate of the Riken civilization in the hands of another species, rendering them vulnerable and subject to external control.


    Antonio, however, vehemently opposed such a course of action. To him, surrendering the ancient starship would make him a traitor in the eyes of history, reviled until the Riken civilization¡¯s potential extinction.


    This left only one path forward: resistance.


    For better or worse, the Rikens had no choice but to fight against the Swarm with every ounce of their strength.

 Chapter 322: Clues

    Without Luo Wen¡¯s knowledge, a group of Riken senior generals and strategists had concocted a rationale for why the Swarm was attacking their civilization.


    Even the instances where the Swarm appeared to hold back were retroactively explained with surprisingly convincing arguments.


    Had Luo Wen not been directly involved, even he might have found these explanations persuasive.


    From the Rikens¡¯ perspective, their interpretation of the Swarm¡¯s motives, while slightly divergent in certain details, ultimately led to the same conclusion.


    However, Luo Wen¡¯s interest in the Rikens¡¯ so-called ¡°treasure¡± had waned. With Cleo in his ranks, the allure of the ancient starship was no longer as pressing.


    After all, Cleo¡¯s advanced level of intelligence allowed access to all the data the Rikens had gathered from their investigations. As a mechanical civilization, the Rikens excelled in certain detection methods far beyond the Swarm¡¯s capabilities. Even if the Swarm acquired the ancient starship, they wouldn¡¯t be able to process or utilize it as effectively as the Rikens currently did.


    With this in mind, Luo Wen decided it was better to let the Rikens continue their analysis. This saved resources and allowed him to observe any potential underlying schemes.


    His careful scrutiny of events had not been fruitless. Luo Wen had already uncovered some intriguing details.


    The Rikens, through their study of the ancient starship, had developed a gravitational-wave based radar technology capable of detecting cloaked units. This advancement was built upon gravitational theories derived from the starship.


    Over the years, the Intelligent Entities hidden among the Rikens had grown to a substantial number. As a result, much of what the Rikens developed was effectively transparent to the Swarm. The new radar technology and its theoretical foundations had long been acquired by the Swarm.


    After digesting and refining this knowledge, the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities had innovatively adapted it into biological technology.


    In some respects, biological technology appeared to offer superior performance in handling gravitational waves. Drawing upon various analogous biological organs for inspiration, the Swarm had implemented the technology more effectively than the Rikens.


    Several newly engineered Observer Bugs equipped with this technology were deployed, hidden within the void.


    These Observer Bugs detected unusual disturbances near the battlefield on Planet Raze. The exchange of fire and the deployment of weaponry generated countless chaotic energy waves. It would have been easy to overlook these anomalies if not for Luo Wen¡¯s prior vigilance.


    Revisiting the Observer Bugs¡¯ records, Luo Wen identified small, hidden objects in the target area. These objects were too diminutive for Riken observation instruments to detect.


    If the Swarm hadn¡¯t infiltrated the Riken ranks with insiders, Luo Wen might have suspected these objects to be some secret Riken weaponry. But with his understanding of the Rikens¡¯ operational capabilities, he knew they had no deployments in that vicinity.


    The objects seemed unaware of the Observer Bugs disguised as meteoroids, confirming their presence and suggesting they belonged to neither the Rikens nor the Swarm.


    This discovery intrigued Luo Wen. It implied the existence of a third-party force operating in the shadows.


    Perhaps these entities were neighboring civilizations drawn by the nuclear detonations, or maybe they were the Watchers Luo Wen had previously speculated about.


    Luo Wen leaned toward the hypothesis that these hidden entities were Watchers. After all, Godzilla had lived on Planet T855 in the Neighboring Star System for an untold number of years, periodically venting its emotions with bursts of nuclear breath. If there were any spacefaring civilizations nearby, like the Rikens, they would likely have investigated these anomalies.


    Whether any civilizations had done so before, Luo Wen didn¡¯t know. What he did know was that in the past century, only the Rikens had ventured to explore the Neighboring Star System. Godzilla¡¯s nuclear breath had relatively low yield; if detected from a great distance, it might simply appear as natural stellar activity, indistinguishable from emissions from a star or a planetary surface.


    Based on this, Luo Wen judged that the only advanced powers near the Neighboring Star System were the Swarm and the Rikens.


    However, the nuclear detonations unleashed by the Rikens in the region were of a completely different magnitude. Hundreds of high-yield nuclear weapons detonated almost simultaneously, releasing an energy signature too conspicuous to ignore. This event could have drawn the attention of even more distant civilizations.


    Herein lay a problem. If the distant civilization¡¯s technology was comparable to the Rikens, they might have dispatched a fleet to investigate, but such a fleet would still be en route. Conversely, if their technology was more advanced and capable of faster-than-light travel, they should have already expanded into the region during their growth. Yet neither Luo Wen¡¯s personal experiences nor the Rikens¡¯ records mentioned such an expansion.


    The only plausible explanation was that these Watchers had arrived long ago but chose to remain hidden, silently watching from the shadows¡ªa scenario perfectly aligning with the concept of ¡°Watchers¡±.


    The hidden objects detected near Planet Raze were located at the site of the Rikens¡¯ second wave of nuclear detonations, which had occurred only a decade prior. If these objects had traveled from a distant civilization, they must have either been en route coincidentally or possessed exceptional speed to arrive so quickly.


    Luo Wen, however, was puzzled. In the Swarm¡¯s early operations, they had never considered the possibility of external Watchers. Many of their activities were conducted openly, such as deploying Observer Bugs into space. If Watchers truly existed, it seemed unlikely that they wouldn¡¯t have taken precautions against the Swarm¡¯s surveillance.


    Yet the cloaked units near Planet Raze appeared to show no such caution. Whether out of overconfidence in their own technology or due to the chaotic battlefield conditions, they hadn¡¯t attempted to avoid detection by the Observer Bugs.


    Could it be that the Observer Bugs¡¯ cloaking technology had become so advanced that even these entities failed to notice them?


    After much deliberation, Luo Wen surmised that the hidden entities might simply not know the Swarm had obtained gravitational-wave radar detection technology. Thus, they didn¡¯t anticipate that the Swarm could observe them.


    Out of caution, Luo Wen chose not to alert these entities to his awareness of their presence. Pretending to remain oblivious, he continued with the Swarm¡¯s plans as if nothing had changed. He wanted to see what these Watchers were truly up to.


    To Luo Wen, these furtive entities weren¡¯t likely to harbor noble intentions. Fortunately, their misstep in revealing themselves had eased his concerns. Their detectability reduced their aura of mystery considerably.


    After occupying Planet Raze, the Swarm didn¡¯t rush to advance further. Instead, they used the planet as a forward base for recuperation and reorganization.


    Though the Swarm had been developing beneath Planet Raze¡¯s surface for over a decade, the subterranean space and resources were limited. Consequently, while reinforcements included many Space Octopuses at both mature and larval stages, none had yet advanced to Primordial bodies.


    The Swarm had deployed a total of just over 15,000 Primordial bodies in the two battles for Planet Raze, representing only half of the Swarm¡¯s forces in the Riken star system. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With Planet Raze now serving as an outpost, future Primordial bodies arriving in the Riken system could pause briefly at the outer asteroid belts to regroup before proceeding directly to join the main force.

 Chapter 323: Planet Izumo

    The Riken Star System was, after all, the Rikens¡¯ main battlefield, and over the decades, they had installed numerous surveillance devices throughout the system. Even after their defeat and retreat, these surveillance systems could not be cleared out quickly.


    The Swarm, meanwhile, made no effort to conceal their movements, leaving the Rikens well-informed about the incoming reinforcements.


    In the second Battle for Planet Raze, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies suffered minimal losses. If their numbers continued to grow unchecked, the Rikens¡¯ chances of victory would dwindle further.


    The Riken leadership was well aware of this, but they had no effective countermeasures. The three main fleets had sustained heavy losses in the second battle for Planet Raze, losing nearly 20% of their ships, with the remainder requiring extensive repairs. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even if they included newly constructed vessels, the Rikens could muster fewer than a thousand ships ready for immediate deployment.


    This number was theoretically sufficient to intercept the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements, but the risks were enormous, and the cost-benefit ratio was unacceptably low.


    To launch a surprise interception, the Rikens would have to bypass Planet Raze, now firmly in Swarm hands and defended by thousands of Primordial bodies.


    Moreover, the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements did not move individually. They waited until reaching critical mass before moving as a group. If the Rikens¡¯ interception force were delayed, they risked being caught between the reinforcements and the Swarm forces on Planet Raze.


    Such a scenario¡ªbeing attacked from both sides¡ªcould result in the total annihilation of the interception force. For the Rikens, losing a thousand warships would be catastrophic, tantamount to forcing a surrender.


    However, failing to intercept the Swarm reinforcements meant the Swarm¡¯s growing strength would steadily erode the Rikens¡¯ ability to resist, drawing them closer to a slow and inevitable death.


    Faced with this grim reality, the Rikens adopted a fatalistic attitude, focusing on immediate survival over long-term strategy.


    The discovery of the Watchers faction, however, emboldened the Swarm. Confident in their position, they acted more aggressively.


    After uniting part of their reinforcements, the Swarm stationed 5,000 Primordial bodies to defend Planet Raze. Another 2,000 rested in space to recover, while over 8,000 Primordial bodies formed a fleet advancing deeper into the Riken Star System.


    Planet 8 of the Raze System was a small terrestrial planet, only a tenth the size of Planet Raze. Its diminutive size meant it had no natural satellites and limited capacity for a planetary defense system.


    Due to the defensive advantage provided by Planet Raze in the front and the Twin Star Defensive Zone behind, the Rikens had only installed observational devices on Planet 8, leaving it without a defense system.


    When the Swarm forces passed by Planet 8, they left behind 200 Primordial bodies and their accompanying larval bodies, planting fungal carpets that would later develop into railguns.


    Although Planet 8 was small, it was far larger than the Primordial bodies. Railguns developed on its surface could grow to immense sizes and potentially provide long-range fire support during critical moments.


    Planet Izumo, the seventh planet in the Raze System, was a massive gas giant resembling Planet A7 in the Genesis Star System. It boasted an impressive array of 19 moons.


    No matter whether a civilization followed a mechanical or biological route, their theoretical foundations were often similar. The Rikens, unlike the Swarm, could not simply latch onto the orbit of a gas giant to absorb its radiation for growth. However, energy conversion was not a complex process.


    On Planet Izumo¡¯s many moons, the Rikens had constructed numerous facilities for energy conversion, making it a major production hub for their energy storage systems.


    The movements of the Swarm forces had been under constant surveillance by the Rikens. A massive mobilization like this was impossible to hide under the scrutiny of their gravitational wave detection radars.


    The Swarm made no attempt at concealment, openly signaling that their next target was Planet Izumo. Within the Riken ranks, this revelation sparked intense debate.


    ¡°We must hold Planet Izumo!¡± a strategist exclaimed.


    ¡°Hah! With what?¡± another countered. ¡°We can only field about a thousand warships, while they¡¯ve got 8,000 five-hundred-meter-class Space Octopuses. How do you propose we fight that?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t we have a decent number of defensive systems set up around Planet Izumo?¡±


    ¡°Planet Izumo is a gas giant,¡± a strategist patiently explained, ¡°so it cannot host a planetary defense system. Of its 19 moons, only 11 are large enough to accommodate defensive structures. Moreover, because Planet Izumo is so massive, the orbital paths of these moons are highly varied. This makes it difficult to concentrate fire in a single direction, let alone form overlapping fields of fire. That¡¯s why Izumo¡¯s defenses were given a lower priority.¡±


    He continued, ¡°Previously, we had to simultaneously construct the defensive systems for Planet Raze, the Twin Star Defensive Zone, and our homeworld¡¯s defense network. We simply couldn¡¯t afford secondary projects. As a result, Planet Izumo¡¯s defenses are relatively weak.¡±


    The room fell into silence for a moment before a Riken general finally spoke.


    ¡°If we lose Planet Izumo, our energy costs will increase by at least 50%.¡±


    The energy produced by Izumo¡¯s resource systems was safe, convenient, and low-cost. It primarily supplied the main fleet and the various defense networks. Losing Izumo would force them to rely on energy supplies from the homeworld and other colonies. The production costs alone would be substantial, not to mention the logistical nightmare of transportation.


    ¡°There¡¯s no choice,¡± another officer said. ¡°Although Planet Izumo is critical, our deployments there simply aren¡¯t enough to repel a Swarm attack. Even if the three main fleets were still at full strength, it wouldn¡¯t make a difference.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct,¡± agreed General Hamis, a veteran commander who had faced the Swarm in battle. ¡°Even if we started fortifying Izumo now, it¡¯s already too late. Furthermore, we must concentrate our resources where they matter most¡ªon the Twin Star Defensive Zone. That¡¯s where we¡¯ll make our stand against the Swarm.¡±


    Hamis spoke with the authority of someone who understood the Swarm¡¯s capabilities all too well. He harbored no illusions about defeating the Swarm outright. His goal was simply to stop their advance using the powerful overlapping firepower of the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    Discussions like this had taken place countless times recently. Initially, many Rikens supported the idea of making a stand at Planet Izumo. However, after thorough analysis, they realized it was a futile endeavor.


    For one, establishing robust defenses was nearly impossible. Unlike terrestrial planets like Planet Raze, Izumo¡¯s moons lacked abundant mineral resources. They couldn¡¯t rely on local materials, and the construction costs would be exorbitant.


    More importantly, they still hadn¡¯t figured out how the Swarm had infiltrated Planet Raze. Theories about genetic mutation and adaptive transformations remained speculative. For now, the only reliable method to counter Swarm infiltration was to prevent them from approaching at all. This required an impenetrable firepower network to destroy anything that came close¡ªbe it Space Octopuses or meteors.


    However, Izumo¡¯s environment made such a network infeasible. Once the Swarm drew near, it wouldn¡¯t take long for those accursed purple-gray fungal carpets to spread across its moons.

 Chapter 324: Evacuation

    If the Rikens had abundant resources, they wouldn¡¯t have hesitated to delay the Swarm with defensive actions, even at significant cost. But the current reality left no room for such luxuries.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We anticipated this situation long ago,¡± one officer said reassuringly. ¡°We¡¯ve already deployed solar sails across near-stellar orbits, covering an area of tens of millions of square kilometers, and we¡¯re continuing to expand them. As long as we can keep the Swarm outside the Twin Star Defensive Zone, we won¡¯t have to worry about energy supplies.¡±


    The Rikens¡¯ earliest interstellar navigation systems had been built on the foundation of solar sails. These sails not only provided propulsion for their ships but also enabled energy conversion to sustain their daily operational needs.


    Harvesting energy from a star was an inevitable milestone for any advanced civilization. With shared theoretical principles, many civilizations gravitated toward the concept of Dyson Spheres.


    For the Rikens, enclosing a star and harnessing its energy had no better candidate than solar sails. The technology was mature and relatively cost-effective. Using a special material with a thickness of only 0.0005 millimeters, the sails could cover vast areas. Even with low energy conversion rates, their advantages in other aspects were undeniable.


    As a highly intelligent civilization, the Rikens always crafted interconnected contingency plans. The loss of Planet Izumo had long been accounted for, with stellar energy collection as the replacement strategy.


    The Rikens gathered for the meeting were high-ranking officers and strategists, most of whom were already aware of the solar sail initiative. Yet the decision to abandon Planet Izumo left a bitter taste in their mouths, a lingering sense of frustration and helplessness.


    The Swarm, however, remained utterly unaffected by the Rikens¡¯ internal struggles. The 8,000 Primordial bodies pressed forward. Despite the complexities of the star system¡¯s environment slowing them somewhat, they covered the distance in just over a month, advancing to within 10 million kilometers of Planet Izumo.


    The Blades, aware from prior intelligence that the Rikens had abandoned the planet, still pretended ignorance, carrying out token reconnaissance.


    As the Swarm closed the gap, the moons of Planet Izumo, lacking atmospheric cover, were easily observable by optical detection systems.


    The moons presented a desolate scene. Within the observable areas, there was no sign of units that could pose a threat to the Swarm.


    When the distance narrowed to 2 million kilometers, the Primordial bodies slowed to a cautious 10 km/s. At this speed, they would reach Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit within two days.


    Several hundred-meter mature bodies, their surfaces crawling with larval bodies, broke off from the main fleet and sped toward Planet Izumo ahead of the rest.


    The Rikens¡¯ evacuation seemed remarkably thorough. Not a single smart mine had been left in space to hinder the Swarm, an extreme measure of resource conservation.


    In the orbital paths around Planet Izumo, space factories originally used for energy production, along with orbital refineries and shipyards, had been hauled away by tug ships. These facilities had been designed with relocation in mind, a consideration drawn from earlier experience with the Planet Raze Defensive Zone, where numerous logistics factories had also been moved at the outset of hostilities.


    The relocation process required tug ships equipped with over ten high-power engines to drag the structures out of Izumo¡¯s orbit. Once freed from the planet¡¯s gravitational pull, the factories were linked to tractor ships, each boasting an even number of high-power engines.


    Without planetary gravity, a single tractor ship could tow hundreds of space factories, resembling an interstellar freight train from afar. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This high-efficiency process ensured that the combined total of over 10,000 space factories from the Planet Raze Defensive Zone and those originally stationed in Izumo¡¯s orbit were evacuated in just a few rounds.


    The relocation of factories and equipment on Izumo¡¯s moons proved more challenging. Most of these facilities were modular in design, enabling dismantling by specialized machinery. The modules were then launched into space using makeshift electromagnetic launchers, where they were retrieved and transported by waiting ships.


    The electromagnetic launchers constructed by the Rikens bore a striking resemblance to the biological megastructures of the Swarm. Resembling enormous roller coaster tracks, these hastily assembled systems were crude but effective. Each launch could hurl modular structures weighing tens of tons into space.


    Once their transport tasks were complete, the electromagnetic launchers were dismantled and hauled away by swarms of small transport ships.


    The star system named after the Rikens was their home turf, where their operational efficiency reached its peak. Within this domain, their forces exhibited exceptional coordination and synergy, far surpassing the performance of their expeditionary fleets.


    On the moons of Planet Izumo, all significant structures had long been dismantled and evacuated, leaving behind only gaping craters. Most of the Riken installations on the moons had underground components, which were predominantly modular in design but fused tightly with the surrounding rock and soil.


    These underground structures were harder to disassemble, and logistical constraints further limited their evacuation. As a result, only the most critical underground facilities were removed, while the remainder were destroyed. The moons were left pockmarked with craters.


    Since the onset of war, both sides had gone to great lengths to protect the secrets of their technological systems. For example, the Swarm¡¯s creations were safeguarded by genetic locks, while the Rikens, even during emergency retreats, prioritized destroying any ships or facilities they couldn¡¯t take with them.


    What the Rikens didn¡¯t know, however, was that the Swarm didn¡¯t require intact Riken technology to extract value. Even if a structure were reduced to rubble or dissolved into liquid using specialized chemical agents, the Swarm could still harvest it for nutrients to fuel their growth.


    The mature bodies and larval bodies sent ahead for reconnaissance dispersed across the moons of Planet Izumo, carefully inspecting for any hidden Riken surveillance devices.


    These devices undoubtedly existed. The Rikens wouldn¡¯t miss any opportunity to study the Swarm. The cost of these monitoring systems was negligible, and their loss wasn¡¯t significant. But if any of them managed to capture critical Swarm data, the Rikens would gain invaluable insights.


    The Swarm, aware of this, refused to allow such a possibility. Multiple waves of mature and larval bodies were dispatched, meticulously sweeping the moons. Only after thorough inspections confirmed the destruction of every surveillance device did the larval bodies burrow underground and transform into fungal carpet seeds.


    ¡°They¡¯re incredibly cautious. All of our surveillance systems have been destroyed without exception,¡± one Riken officer reported.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± another cursed.


    ¡°As expected. Stop being misled by their appearance. The battles we¡¯ve fought so far have proven that their intelligence is on par with our own, if not greater,¡± a third officer interjected.


    Even after repeated losses, Riken arrogance only allowed them to grudgingly acknowledge the Swarm¡¯s intelligence as equal to their own¡ªsomething they regarded as an extraordinary concession.


    ¡°Fortunately, our contingency measures remain undiscovered. We might still delay their advance.¡±


    ¡°The enemy is being uncharacteristically cautious. Those 500-meter-class Space Octopuses are still maintaining their distance from Planet Izumo.¡±


    ¡°We must act now! If this continues, our hidden measures might be exposed!¡±

 Chapter 325: Hidden Perils

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not enough; there are too few Swarm units entering the battlefield now. Not even a single 500-meter-class unit has appeared yet. Activating it now is meaningless!¡± A Riken general objected.


    ¡°Exactly! Eliminating a few 100-meter-class Space Octopuses will have no impact on the battle!¡± Alcer echoed. Despite the loss in the second defense of Planet Raze, he remained the Fleet Commander of the Third Space Fleet, his voice carrying more weight than most peers.


    ¡°But if we delay any longer, our arrangement might be discovered.¡±


    ¡°Then don¡¯t activate it at all. This plan is already incredibly risky. If it backfires, we¡¯ll be the ones to suffer,¡± another general remarked dismissively, clearly against the plan. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just do nothing. If we don¡¯t stop them, our chances of victory are too slim.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! If their true goal is the treasure, then our conflict is practically irreconcilable. We¡¯re at a disadvantage now, so we must do everything possible to weaken them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that serious, is it? While our technological paths differ from the Swarm¡¯s, our actual technological levels are comparable. We¡¯ve already begun harnessing solar energy, and with the treasure¡¯s aid, our technological advancement will undoubtedly accelerate. Time is on our side. As long as we can hold off and delay the Swarm¡¯s offensive, the scales of victory will gradually tip in our favor,¡± a general argued skeptically.


    ¡°I agree with Major General Porter. Their supply line spans five light-years, while we have the support of half a star system. They cannot compete with us in a war of attrition.¡±


    ¡°Gentlemen, perhaps in your haste to convene this meeting, you neglected to read the latest intelligence from the General Staff. Allow me to summarize,¡± President Antonio interrupted, slapping the table to silence the room. ¡°Our technicians, through extensive comparisons and analyses, have discovered that the T85 Star System might not be the Swarm¡¯s home system. Like us, they appear to be outsiders in the T85 Star System.¡±


    ¡°How is that possible?¡± a Riken exclaimed.


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t it be possible? I¡¯ve harbored doubts about this for some time. We achieved our current level of technology within a short span due to the treasure¡¯s assistance. But they¡¯re entirely different. Who knows how many years it took them to reach their current level? Can you imagine a civilization sitting quietly for so many years? Think about a century ago, when we were driven by solar sail propulsion¡ªalready eager to colonize other star systems!¡±


    ¡°Ha! How do you know they didn¡¯t acquire something similar to our treasure? Besides, maybe they¡¯re just a civilization without desires or ambitions.¡±


    ¡°Zik! Oh, you¡¯re stationed on Planet Riven now, aren¡¯t you? Did you forget to wear your protective suit when you went out? Are you suffering from hypoxia and neurological damage? No Riken in their right mind would make such a ridiculous statement,¡± retorted Ricard.


    ¡°Ricard! Are you looking for a fight?¡±


    ¡°Bring it on! I¡¯m on Planet Riwu. If you start now, you might make it in time for tomorrow¡¯s dinner at the hospital!¡±


    ¡°Silence!¡± Antonio coughed a few times, cutting off the escalating quarrel. ¡°Mind your words, gentlemen! And Major Zik, please think carefully before you speak.¡±


    The Twin Star System was exceptionally peculiar, centered around two nearly identical stars. These twin stars maintained a delicate gravitational balance, orbiting each other while influencing the planets and other celestial bodies within the system.


    It is precisely because of this that there is still an unresolved debate among the Riken people about the classification of the fifth and sixth planets within the larger Twin Star System.


    Due to the proximity of the twin stars, the stationed officers in this system benefit from low-latency video conferences. However, the Twin Star System is still some distance from the Riken homeworld, resulting in communication delays of 3 to 15 minutes.


    Under such conditions, real-time strategic meetings are unfeasible. Hence, President Antonio himself traveled the vast distance to the Twin Star System with key personnel to convene this meeting. His objectives included gathering opinions, deliberating strategies, and reinforcing his authority over the military.


    The President¡¯s rebuke carried considerable weight, but Major Zik still muttered under his breath, ¡°What words should I be mindful of?¡± Though quiet, his comment was clearly audible through the video feed.


    President Antonio¡¯s expression shifted imperceptibly¡ªan almost unnoticeable furrow of his brow. Zik had always been a thorn in his side, stationed outside the homeworld and thus interacting with Antonio infrequently. This distance bred a certain lack of respect.


    Ricard, noticing Antonio¡¯s reaction, immediately took the hint. ¡°Zik! Let¡¯s put aside whether the Swarm possesses some treasure. Don¡¯t you understand that only interests drive technological progress? If the Swarm were truly devoid of desire, they would never have reached their current level. Saying something so brainless¡ªshouldn¡¯t you think before you speak?¡±


    Still unconvinced, Zik retorted, ¡°Couldn¡¯t it be that the Creator favored them, granting them this level of development from the outset? Without natural enemies, they would naturally have no desires or ambitions. It¡¯s only our appearance that has angered them.¡±


    This theory had been circulating on Riken networks. The Swarm¡¯s external forms were so far removed from anything resembling intelligent life that some Rikens, ignorant of the facts, concocted this idea. Surprisingly, it had garnered a considerable following.


    The Rikens had pursued militaristic policies for decades, pouring nearly all resources into war-related industries. While the common people were not destitute, their quality of life was far from satisfying. Despite the external threat posed by the Swarm, the long-standing accumulation of negative sentiment was not easily eradicated. Many were dissatisfied with the Riken leadership, believing the Swarm to be a harmless species whose retaliation was provoked by Riken aggression.


    Advocates of negotiation and peace argued for reducing military expenditures to focus on civilian development and improving living standards. This dissatisfaction even gave rise to bizarre and mystical ideologies.


    Fortunately, the Riken were under military governance, with wartime regulations suppressing most dissent. While overt issues were controlled, the seeds of discontent had already been planted, leaving the future uncertain.


    Antonio was well aware of these undercurrents, knowing they could never be entirely eradicated. However, he had never expected such ideas to infiltrate the upper echelons of the military.


    His frown deepened¡ªit seemed Zik would need to be thoroughly investigated. Under no circumstances could he allow any subversion during critical moments of conflict. If Zik sought to disgrace himself, so be it¡ªbut Antonio would not tolerate collateral damage to his own reputation.


    Clearing his throat, he cut off Major Ricard, who was about to continue his rebuttal, and said, ¡°Gentlemen, the claim that the Swarm are outsiders in the T85 Star System is not baseless. The General Staff wouldn¡¯t make such statements without evidence.¡±


    With that, Antonio gestured toward the screen in front of him, sharing a series of documents with the assembled Riken officials.

 Chapter 326: Activation

    ¡°T81 Star System¡ªthe Riken designation for the Swarm¡¯s origin system¡ªshows a steady dimming of its star¡¯s brightness. Each year, the luminosity decreases by approximately 0.26%. Could this indicate the presence of a highly advanced civilization constructing a Dyson Sphere to harness stellar energy?¡± A Riken official exclaimed in shock as he reviewed the data. ¡°This change has been ongoing for decades?¡±


    ¡°Their progress is far ahead of ours!¡± The Riken had only just begun experimenting with similar structures, and even those efforts were in their infancy. By contrast, the technology employed by the other side appeared far more advanced and mature.


    ¡°The T81 Star System is roughly five light-years from T85, about the same distance as ours.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nine light-years away from us. Luckily, the T85 Star System acts as a buffer. Otherwise, we¡¯d be in serious trouble. It seems their technological level is slightly higher than ours¡­¡±


    ¡°For them to reach us, they¡¯d first have to get through the Swarm. Why haven¡¯t they attacked the T85 Star System? Doing so might force the Swarm to withdraw. Maybe we should consider sending an envoy to this civilization. There¡¯s a chance we could form an alliance against the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°Did you forget what President Antonio just said? Haven¡¯t you considered the possibility that the civilization in the T81 Star System might also be part of the Swarm?¡± Ricard could no longer restrain himself.


    At Ricard¡¯s words, the room fell into stunned silence.


    If the T81 Star System was indeed under Swarm control, the implications were dire. This would suggest the Swarm had already conquered two or more star systems, exponentially increasing their access to strategic resources and introducing countless new variables into the equation.


    Currently, the Swarm forces assaulting the Riken Star System were only from the T85 Star System. If the Swarm controlled multiple systems, it was likely other forces from additional systems were en route, hindered only by the vast distances involved.


    The Rikens were already struggling to contend with forces from a single Swarm-occupied system. If reinforcements from additional systems arrived, surrender might become their only option.


    This was no idle alarmism but a genuine crisis staring the Rikens in the face. According to projections from the General Staff, if reinforcements were indeed coming from the T81 Star System, the Swarm¡¯s highest demonstrated travel speeds suggested they would require about 50 years to reach the Riken Star System.


    Since the Riken Expeditionary Force¡¯s defeat in the T85 Star System, over 40 years had passed. This meant that if the Swarm occupied the T81 Star System, reinforcements from there could arrive within just a few years.


    Such a scenario rendered the previously discussed delay tactics laughable. The T81 Star System had likely been under Swarm occupation for a considerable duration.


    Judging by the changes in the star¡¯s luminosity, it could be inferred that the Swarm had been consolidating its power there for a long time. Any reinforcements from the T81 system would likely dwarf the forces currently attacking from T85.


    If the Swarm forces from both systems encircled the Rikens, their defenses would collapse in no time.


    The only slight consolation was that, apart from the T81 Star System, the other systems in the T85 region were over ten light-years away from the Riken Star System. Even if those systems had also fallen to the Swarm, any dispatched forces would not arrive in the Riken Star System for quite some time.


    This meant the Rikens might face attacks from only two Swarm-occupied systems in the short term¡ªa grim prospect but, compared to earlier fears, perhaps a faint silver lining.


    ¡°It seems we have no choice now.¡±


    Though the Rikens had resolved to take decisive action, the Swarm was displaying exceptional caution. A massive number of Mature Bodies and Larval Bodies had been deployed, but the Primordial bodies remained lurking hundreds of thousands of kilometers away from Planet Izumo.


    ¡°This distance is already beyond what can be considered safe. I think it¡¯s time to activate.¡±


    ¡°I believe we can wait a little longer. At their current position, if they retreat in time, their losses won¡¯t be significant.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not guaranteed. There are too many unpredictable factors in this plan, and even we don¡¯t know the exact extent of its effects.¡±


    ¡°Do you think our plan has been leaked?¡±


    ¡°How could that be? After all, they¡¯ve already ventured deep into our territory. It¡¯s natural for them to act cautiously.¡±


    ¡°Then let¡¯s wait a bit longer. Our preparations shouldn¡¯t be so easily discovered.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°Are we being too cautious? This doesn¡¯t quite align with our usual style,¡± Sarah Kerrigan remarked, reading the report in front of her.


    ¡°It does feel that way, but our forces are already positioned at the outermost orbit of Planet Izumo. There¡¯s no real issue,¡± Morgan replied after some thought.


    ¡°Then let¡¯s send 500 Primordial bodies as a token move. If we don¡¯t advance, the Rikens won¡¯t activate their plan, and we¡¯ll just be wasting time.¡± Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Your Majesty, delaying seems to align with our strategic goals,¡± said Tella, the former Captain of the Royal Guard, with a hint of doubt.


    ¡°That was the case before, but the Overlord has some new ideas now,¡± Sarah patiently explained to Tella, someone very close to her.


    Tella nodded in understanding. Sarah, as always, had direct access to first-hand information from the Overlord.


    ¡°They¡¯re moving!¡± A Riken observer, monitoring the Primordial bodies¡¯ movements, exclaimed.


    ¡°How many?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re cloaked, and their clustering causes gravitational-wave interference. We can only estimate¡ªaround 500.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bit low,¡± a Riken officer muttered, unwilling to speculate further. He promptly reported the information, as decisions were above his pay grade.


    ¡°500 units? Should we activate?¡±


    ¡°Activate. Our setup is on the verge of being discovered. Dragging this out any longer is pointless. Besides, even if we activate now, it will take some time. More Swarm forces might approach in the meantime.¡±


    Planet Izumo, a massive gas giant, was riddled with intense hurricanes and lightning storms. Igniting this behemoth required one of two methods.


    The first method involved increasing the planet¡¯s mass. If its mass reached 80 to 100 times its current size, the gravitational force would compress the planetary core enough to trigger hydrogen fusion, transforming the gas giant into a new star, radiating light and heat. However, this method was far beyond the technological capabilities of the Riken at present.


    The second method was far more practical.


    Planet Izumo¡¯s atmosphere was rich in flammable hydrogen gas. The reason it hadn¡¯t yet exploded into a fiery ball was the lack of a crucial reactant¡ªoxygen.


    The Rikens, native to their star system and long familiar with Planet Izumo, had discovered large quantities of solid oxygen in the depths of the planet¡¯s moons. By extracting and injecting these oxygen-rich solids into Planet Izumo, they could trigger a massive explosion. While igniting the entire gas giant into a star was far-fetched, initiating a devastating explosion was well within reach.


    If the plan succeeded, the explosion would deal catastrophic damage to the Swarm forces, potentially neutralizing their current offensive.

 Chapter 327: Detonation

    Once the Rikens¡¯ plan was approved and set into motion, they targeted three of Planet Izumo¡¯s moons¡ªsatellites 2, 3, and 5. These small celestial bodies, each less than 1,000 kilometers in diameter, became focal points for their operation.


    Through meticulous calculations, the Rikens installed the Radiance of the Rikens¡ªsuper-nuclear bombs¡ªat critical nodes on these moons. This endeavor depleted nearly all of their stockpile of these powerful weapons.


    10


    9


    8


    7


    ¡­


    3


    2


    1


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    The nuclear devices detonated in succession as the moons reached their designated positions. The calculated detonation points not only unleashed the massive power of the bombs themselves but also triggered additional effects due to the unique properties of these locations.


    The moons trembled under the explosions. Cracks split their surfaces as enormous energy surged through, yet the fissures were insufficient to release the pressure. The cracks widened under the force, hurling fragments of the moons into the void. The once-smooth moons began to deform as their structures broke apart.


    The chain reactions intensified, and under the immense gravitational pull of Planet Izumo, the fractured moons ultimately shattered. Though fragmented, the resulting debris was still enormous, and the explosions had knocked the remnants out of their original orbits. With their gravitational balance disrupted, some fragments were pulled toward Planet Izumo, while others struggled against its gravity. The resulting debris fields spiraled toward the planet.


    An awe-inspiring astronomical phenomenon unfolded, resembling a massive tornado. The swirling debris from the shattered moons mixed with Planet Izumo¡¯s atmosphere, creating a spectacular and destructive display.


    Finally, fragments containing concentrated oxygen crashed into Planet Izumo. As the oxygen-rich debris interacted with the hydrogen-laden atmosphere, an enormous fireball erupted, akin to a massive firework igniting in the sky. The flames raced upward through the atmospheric vortex, setting off a chain of explosions as the broken moon fragments ignited and scattered debris in every direction.


    Billions of rock fragments shot outward, striking everything in their path. Other moons in Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit were the first to suffer. Meteor fragments pummeled their surfaces, kicking up dust and leaving countless craters.


    The fungal carpets spread by the Swarm across these moons were devastated. At such close range, the overwhelming saturation of impacts obliterated the purple expanses of Swarm colonies, wiping out days of their progress.


    The destruction extended to the 500 Primordial bodies stationed nearby. Against such overwhelming natural forces, they had little chance to resist. Some of their remains likely clung to the fragments that shot into the far reaches of space.


    The larger Swarm clusters stationed farther away detected the energy surge from the nuclear detonations immediately and began to retreat.


    As the satellites shattered, Riken cannons targeted the largest debris, firing relentlessly to break them down further. Despite these efforts, the Swarm suffered severe losses. Though relatively few Primordial bodies were completely destroyed, nearly half were rendered combat-incapable, requiring time to regenerate. Moreover, the number of Mature and Larval bodies lost was significantly higher, necessitating a long recovery period.


    The Rikens had bought themselves precious time, but at a significant cost. The future would reveal whether this bold strategy could tip the balance in their favor.


    ¡°What a spectacular sight. It¡¯s a pity that this wasn¡¯t enough to annihilate that Swarm fleet,¡± Hamis lamented as he watched the scene unfold on the monitors.


    ¡°This was the best we could do. If those moons had been larger, we might not have had any effective options against them,¡± another officer replied.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. If we had the capability to destroy larger moons or even planets outright, the Swarm wouldn¡¯t be a threat to us at all.¡±


    ¡°Blowing up three moons only released enough oxygen to sustain the conflagration on Planet Izumo for a few dozen minutes. It will be entirely consumed shortly, and Planet Izumo itself remains completely unaffected.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s this? Are you thinking about blowing up Planet Izumo itself? You¡¯d better think that through. If we did that, our homeworld wouldn¡¯t survive either.¡± S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hah, don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯m just saying¡ªit would be harder to blow up Planet Izumo than to destroy our homeworld directly. It¡¯s beyond our current capabilities.¡±


    ¡°Do we pursue the advantage?¡± The odd tangent of the conversation finally shifted back on track when a Riken major general posed the question.


    ¡°No, we lack precise detonation control. The scattered debris from the satellites doesn¡¯t discriminate between us and the Swarm. In a few days, a meteor shower will reach us. We must focus all efforts on intercepting it to minimize damage; otherwise, this operation will have been pointless.¡±


    As predicted, some fragments from the shattered satellites escaped Planet Izumo¡¯s gravity under the force of the explosions and scattered into space. Days later, a portion of these fragments reached the defensive perimeter of the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    The Rikens were well-versed in dealing with solid kinetic threats akin to electromagnetic slugs. Moreover, perhaps to demonstrate their might and intimidate the Swarm, the Rikens spared no effort in their response.


    Missile silos hidden on Satellite 2 of Planet Riwu opened, launching missiles over 30 meters long. Although not as potent as Radiance of the Rikens, these missiles packed significant explosive power. Trailing long plumes of fire, the missiles targeted the largest debris pieces¡ªthose over ten kilometers in diameter.


    The goal was not to destroy these fragments entirely but to break them into smaller, more manageable pieces.


    Several of the ¡°behemoths¡± were neutralized with pinpoint precision. Following this, beams of energy laced across space, creating an impenetrable web of firepower. Nearly all meteor fragments disintegrated within this web, and even those that managed to slip through were ground into minuscule pieces, rendering them harmless.


    Given the Rikens¡¯ intent to showcase their firepower, they went to great lengths. When smaller fragments approached a specific defensive range, streaks of red light cut across the void, utterly annihilating the remaining debris.


    ¡°The Rikens¡¯ weaponry certainly has its merits. The Swarm could benefit from diversifying its attack methods to create better synergies.¡± The Riken display of might was duly noted by the Swarm¡¯s Overlord, but it seemed to have little effect in deterring the Swarm¡¯s resolve.


    With the Rikens¡¯ countermeasure expended, Planet Izumo fell fully under the Swarm¡¯s control. The losses of surface-level fungal carpets on the moons were insignificant to the Swarm. Even the 500 Primordial bodies and numerous Mature and Larval bodies lost in the battle were trivial in the grand scheme.


    The Rikens were entirely unaware of what Planet Izumo¡ªa massive cosmic battery¡ªrepresented for the Swarm. Had they understood, they would never have so easily abandoned the fight for the gas giant.


    The fallen Primordial bodies were moved into Planet Izumo¡¯s near orbit, where they could recover more quickly. Meanwhile, the remaining Mature and Larval bodies carried by the Primordial bodies were dispersed across Planet Izumo¡¯s orbital pathways.


    On the moons, the purple fungal carpets regrew rapidly. Mutating into Brood Queen eggs, the fungal carpets gave rise to numerous Swarm bases. Within weeks, new Larval bodies emerged endlessly from these bases, each seeking its place in Planet Izumo¡¯s orbital swarm.


    As Planet Izumo became shrouded by a growing mass of Space Octopuses, the faces of the Riken commanders turned grim. The tide of the battle was shifting ominously in favor of the Swarm.

 Chapter 328: Attrition

    ¡°I feel like we¡¯ve made some kind of mistake,¡± Hamis murmured. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This scene feels eerily familiar. I think I¡¯ve figured out how the star in the T81 Star System started dimming.¡±


    ¡°Planet Izumo is far more important than we ever imagined.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t dwell on it. Even if we¡¯d known earlier, there¡¯s nothing we could have done.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Planet Izumo¡¯s environment makes it impossible to set up extensive defensive systems. Our fleet alone is no match for the assault of 8,000 500-meter-class Space Octopuses.¡±


    ¡°Do we currently have any chance to eliminate the Swarm near Planet Izumo?¡± another officer asked.


    ¡°The chances are slim. While our previous efforts did eliminate many Space Octopuses under 100 meters in size, the losses among the 500-meter-class units were minimal. Right now, we can only deploy around 2,000 warships¡ªnot enough to defeat them.¡±


    ¡°I reviewed the latest reconnaissance footage. Many of those 500-meter-class Space Octopuses appear to be in poor condition. The Swarm¡¯s situation might be worse than we think. I believe we should take the opportunity to strike,¡± Alcer suggested.


    ¡°I disagree with Alcer. We still don¡¯t fully understand what these creatures are. Is it not possible they¡¯re deliberately presenting this weakened state to lure us in? What if they¡¯ve already set a trap?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a valid point. But are we just going to sit and watch?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s really not much we can do,¡± another officer sighed.


    ¡°This is not worth debating,¡± Antonio concluded. ¡°Even if we eliminate the weakened 500-meter-class Space Octopuses, over 4,000 of them would still remain. At that scale, our fleet could engage them in battle but couldn¡¯t force them out. Even if we destroy a portion of them, it won¡¯t meaningfully impact the overall war, and the risk to our warships would be far too high. It¡¯s simply not worth the gamble.¡±


    ¡°Then we¡¯ll have to stay on the defensive for now. It seems the Swarm isn¡¯t in a rush to attack either,¡± another officer observed.


    ¡°Gentlemen, it¡¯s now up to you. If there¡¯s anything you need, just let me know,¡± Antonio said.


    After a brief silence, one major general spoke up, ¡°If we could miniaturize the laser defense arrays and equip them on our warships, it would significantly improve our combat capabilities.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Solving this issue would indeed provide a substantial boost to our firepower,¡± another added.


    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll push the research division to prioritize this project and allocate manpower and resources accordingly,¡± Antonio promised.


    To the Rikens¡¯ surprise, the Swarm didn¡¯t take long to recover. The Primordial bodies, replenished with metal elements, resumed operations. While orbiting Planet Izumo to absorb energy, they also mounted electromagnetic railguns and began firing toward the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    The region between Planet Izumo and the Twin Star Defensive Zone was largely unobstructed. What few obstacles there were¡ªneutral structures incapable of evasion¡ªwere swiftly obliterated by successive railgun salvos. These stationary targets were easy to predict and eliminate with precise calculations.


    The Swarm¡¯s relentless bombardment signaled that their counteroffensive had already begun, leaving the Rikens with little time to prepare for the storm that was about to descend.


    The advantages of kinetic weaponry were fully evident at this moment. In the near-vacuum environment of space, as long as there were no obstructions or gravitational interference, electromagnetic projectiles could theoretically travel an infinite distance.


    When launched from Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit, the projectiles fired by the Swarm¡¯s railguns took several days to reach the Twin Star Defensive Zone. Hitting mobile fleet units was out of the question, and even slow-moving targets like orbital cannons were difficult to strike. However, fixed targets like ground-based laser defense arrays and planetary artillery installations were well within reach.


    Through optical observation and successive test firings, the Swarm railguns gradually improved their accuracy. With adjustments for additional parameters, the electromagnetic projectiles achieved a respectable hit rate.


    Were it not for the laser defense arrays, the immobile ground facilities of the Rikens would likely have been eroded away over time. Though unable to deal significant damage to the Riken installations, the railgun bombardment still served other purposes.


    For the Space Octopuses, launching railgun projectiles was relatively inexpensive, consuming only moderate amounts of energy, metal elements, and a small degree of body tissue wear.


    Here, the strengths of biotechnology shone. The cells that aged or sustained significant damage during the process were quickly metabolized and replaced with new ones, allowing the railguns to maintain a steady rate of fire without interruption.


    On the Riken side, the constant harassment fire from the Swarm was maddening. On average, around 10,000 electromagnetic projectiles rained down on their defensive lines every ten minutes.


    This forced the Riken defensive interception systems to remain active at all times. While the relatively small number of projectiles meant only a limited number of laser arrays had to be operational simultaneously, the Swarm¡¯s continuous, unrelenting attacks strained the system heavily.


    Though the Rikens rotated their laser arrays for rest and maintenance to avoid wear from high-intensity usage, the frequent operation led to accelerated aging of many precision components, necessitating regular repairs and replacements.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s forces around Planet Izumo continued to grow. Reinforcements of Primordial bodies from the Neighboring Star System were routed to Planet Raze for minor repairs before being deployed to Izumo¡¯s vicinity.


    Additionally, Primordial bodies recovering near the ¡°cosmic battery¡± of Planet Izumo showed rapid recuperation. Units with lighter injuries prioritized restoring their railgun functions, joining the bombardment effort even before their propulsion systems were fully operational.


    Mature bodies also rapidly evolved, ascending to join the Primordial ranks. Meanwhile, the surfaces of Izumo¡¯s moons were increasingly covered with the Swarm¡¯s purple-gray fungal carpets.


    These carpets gave rise to ground-based electromagnetic railgun emplacements. While akin to planetary artillery, the lack of atmospheric interference allowed these satellite-based cannons to participate effectively in long-range bombardment.


    Within a year, the number of electromagnetic projectiles launched every ten minutes doubled to 20,000. This development placed an even greater strain on the Riken defenses, exacerbating their already precarious situation.


    ¡°In summary,¡± reported a Riken major general, ¡°8% of our laser defense array components need replacement every three days, 14% every seven days, and the remaining 78%, comprising larger, cast components, are at risk of wear-related failure. While these larger parts don¡¯t require frequent replacement, their gradual degradation poses a hidden risk. Ideally, they should be replaced annually, which is essentially equivalent to rebuilding an entire defensive array.¡±


    ¡°The large cast components aren¡¯t much of an issue,¡± another officer added. ¡°Our space factories can easily produce them, using asteroids as raw material. The real problem lies with the frequently replaced precision components. Their manufacturing is highly complex, requiring the facilities of the homeworld or the first and second colonies. On top of that, transportation logistics are cumbersome, consuming vast amounts of our resources.¡±


    The Rikens¡¯ officers furrowed their brows in unison.

 Chapter 329: Counterattack

    ¡°There aren¡¯t many asteroids left. Most of them are now concentrated at the outskirts of the star system and in Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit, both areas currently occupied by the Swarm. Even though we hauled away a significant number of asteroids when we evacuated from Planet Izumo, it hasn¡¯t been enough to sustain such heavy consumption. Additionally, producing those components is straining the capacity of our space factories. Just the recent round of base replacements severely slowed down our warship production,¡± a Riken officer reported gravely.


    ¡°This won¡¯t work. At this rate, the Swarm won¡¯t even need to attack us¡ªwe¡¯ll wear ourselves out first!¡±


    ¡°And this is only the current situation. Their firepower output points are increasing rapidly. In Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit, we¡¯ve identified two Swarm constructs that are growing daily. We don¡¯t know what they¡¯re for, but it¡¯s safe to assume they¡¯re bad news for us.¡±


    ¡°Is there any good news?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°Well, we¡¯ve confirmed that the Swarm¡¯s Space Octopuses grow over time. They can evolve from 10-meter-class to 100-meter-class, and from there to 500-meter-class. Although we noticed signs of this growth back in the asteroid belt, it wasn¡¯t as apparent then. Now, we can finally confirm it.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s good news.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    ¡°So, are you saying that if we let time drag on, we¡¯ll end up facing an endless tide of 500-meter-class Space Octopuses?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not entirely accurate.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s incorrect?¡±


    ¡°Five-hundred meters isn¡¯t their limit. To be precise, we may eventually face Space Octopuses exceeding 1,000 meters.¡±


    ¡°Hah, what a delightful surprise. If this news gets out and the Swarm opens up a surrender hotline, the phones would undoubtedly explode with calls.¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Don¡¯t let me hear such morale-damaging nonsense again!¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    The Rikens bickered noisily. The overwhelming pressure brought by the Swarm had kept them on edge for so long that it was taking a toll on their mental stability.


    ¡°Is there any way we can cause them some trouble?¡± Hamis finally brought the discussion back to a constructive track.


    ¡°It¡¯s difficult. Our energy weapons may have a fast firing rate, but their range has always been a weakness. We can¡¯t hit Planet Izumo from here. Missiles are an option, but they¡¯re costly, easy to intercept, and not cost-effective,¡± a Riken weapons officer answered after some thought.


    ¡°Can¡¯t we build electromagnetic railguns too?¡±


    ¡°President Antonio has already assigned the research department to look into it. While we have the theoretical foundation, building railguns is a significant departure from our existing technology. It requires extensive testing. The earliest we could field usable prototypes would be next year.¡±


    ¡°I propose sending out the fleets to harass the enemy. This might draw away some of their firepower,¡± suggested a Riken major general.


    ¡°That¡¯s too dangerous. If their maneuvers fail, the losses could be catastrophic. We can¡¯t afford to lose any more warships,¡± another officer objected.


    ¡°I think it¡¯s a feasible plan. We¡¯ve gained considerable experience in dodging electromagnetic projectiles. As long as we maintain a safe distance, the warships should be relatively secure. If the Swarm splits its firepower to attack our fleets, even partially, it would relieve pressure on the laser defense array.¡±


    After deliberation, the three incomplete fleets began to deploy.


    Following nearly two years of recovery and reorganization, the three fleets had received reinforcements from newly built warships, bringing their total to over 2,200 vessels. However, more than 500 ships were still undergoing repairs and unable to participate in operations.


    The remaining 1,700 warships split into three formations and advanced towards Planet Izumo in an aggressive posture, hoping to draw the Swarm¡¯s fire.


    However, not only were the Riken internal discussions virtually transparent to the Blades, but the Swarm had also gained considerable experience countering such harassment tactics from their numerous encounters.


    In the early stages of the war, such a bold move by the Rikens would have prompted an immediate response from the Primordial bodies. Now, however, the Swarm remained unperturbed in the face of this feigned assault.


    When it came to a direct confrontation between electromagnetic railguns and energy cannons, if both sides had equal numbers and were within each other¡¯s range, energy cannons held a distinct advantage. In a head-to-head battle, the Rikens¡¯ fleets were likely to come out on top¡ªbut only just.


    Thus, when the Swarm forces were numerically inferior, they relied on the range advantage of their electromagnetic railguns to continuously fire and prevent the Riken fleets from closing in.


    However, Swarm combat units were significantly cheaper to produce compared to mechanical warships, making it easy for the Swarm to achieve numerical superiority. Once they gained the upper hand in numbers, such aggressive tactics from the Rikens ceased to pose a significant threat.


    When the Riken fleets entered the Swarm¡¯s firing range, the flight time of electromagnetic projectiles was greatly reduced. In a scenario where the Swarm enjoyed numerical superiority, mutual bombardment could have unpredictable outcomes. Furthermore, under such circumstances, if the Riken fleets suffered defeat, retreating would become nearly impossible.


    The Swarm could afford to absorb losses, whereas the Rikens could not. Consequently, after the Primordial bodies reached a critical mass, the best strategy for countering the Riken¡¯s feigned assaults was to simply ignore them.


    ¡°Come closer if you dare; stop posturing at a distance.¡± This was the attitude of the Swarm¡¯s Blades.


    Currently, the Swarm occupied Planet Izumo and its dozen moons, with numerous ground-based cannons and thousands of Primordial bodies in orbit. They held an overwhelming numerical advantage. If the Riken fleets truly dared to engage, it would be akin to feeding dumplings to a dog¡ªthey would never get them back.


    In such a scenario, even if the Swarm traded two units for every one Riken ship¡ªor even three for one¡ªit would still come out ahead.


    ¡°Does it seem like our tactics have failed?¡±


    The Riken fleets flirted repeatedly with disaster, skirting the edge of recklessness. Yet the Swarm responded to their maneuvers with utter indifference. No matter how aggressive the Rikens acted, the Swarm didn¡¯t bother firing a single electromagnetic projectile in response.


    In the end, the Riken fleets wasted a vast amount of energy only to return to their starports empty-handed and humiliated.


    ¡°For now, we can only wait for our electromagnetic railguns to be ready. This powerless, one-sided beating will have to continue for a while.¡±


    ¡°It seems that¡¯s our only choice. This is infuriating.¡±


    Time passed quickly as both sides fell into a temporary stalemate. Apart from the daily routine of electromagnetic bombardments and laser intercepts, there was little action from either side.


    Finally, the long-awaited Riken electromagnetic railguns were completed and began mass production. Supported by a robust industrial base, over 2,000 railguns were erected on the Twin Star System¡¯s planets and moons within a few months.


    The Riken railguns operated on principles similar to the Swarm¡¯s, but the Rikens leveraged specially formulated metals and precision-engineered mechanical structures, granting their railguns superior performance in several key areas.


    The most noticeable improvement was their firing speed, which was nearly double that of the Swarm¡¯s railguns. In essence, the Riken¡¯s 2,000 railguns could produce the firepower of 4,000 Swarm railguns.


    ¡°Finally, the time has come for our counterattack!¡± sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 330: Returning the Favor

    War between civilizations is a process of mutual learning and adaptation, each borrowing from the other¡¯s strengths to overcome weaknesses.


    Just as the Swarm had studied and adopted the Riken¡¯s propulsion systems, observation technologies, and computer hardware and software, the Rikens, too, sought to learn from the Swarm.


    On this historic day, the Riken electromagnetic railguns were fired at an extraterrestrial force for the first time, marking a new chapter in the war¡¯s turning point.


    ¡°Is this what the Overlord meant by using the strengths of the enemy against them?¡± Sarah Kerrigan remarked with a casual laugh, watching the Riken side unleash a barrage of thousands of railgun rounds.


    Morgan, feeling a bit awkward, whispered, ¡°Your Majesty, while the meaning fits, if we view it from the Riken perspective, it doesn¡¯t put us in the best light.¡±


    ¡°Haha, they¡¯ll soon discover that we can use the same trick against them,¡± Sarah replied confidently.


    The electromagnetic projectiles emitted only a faint spark of electricity as they left the barrels, their subsequent flight through the void utterly silent. Over 2,000 rounds streaked across the vastness of space, heading toward Satellite 14 of Planet Izumo.


    The Primordial bodies stationed in orbit around Planet Izumo lay motionless, seemingly indifferent. However, much like warships, they could easily evade such projectiles by making slight movements during the rounds¡¯ long travel time. Targeting them was not cost-effective.


    Among Izumo¡¯s many moons, Satellite 14 was the most favorable target due to its position within the Rikens¡¯ firing range and line of sight.


    Given the immense distance between the two sides¡ªover a hundred million kilometers¡ªa slight deviation of just a millimeter at launch could result in significant inaccuracy over such a range. Satellite 14, with a diameter of just over a thousand kilometers, saw half of the Riken¡¯s initial barrage miss it entirely.


    The Swarm paid no attention to such wildly inaccurate attacks, and the Rikens didn¡¯t mind either¡ªthis volley was merely for calibration.


    After analyzing the feedback, the Rikens adjusted their targeting and unleashed a second volley.


    This round proved far more accurate and significantly more threatening. However, the Swarm had anticipated this development.


    New combat units ascended into the skies, hovering at altitudes of several thousand kilometers. Their round, eyeball-like appearance earned them the name ¡°Laser-Eye Bugs.¡±


    As the electromagnetic rounds approached, these units quickly adjusted their angles, emitting beams of red laser light from apertures in their bodies to melt the incoming projectiles.


    For the Swarm, creating such laser-based defensive units based on existing laser generation theories was relatively simple. However, due to the limitations of biological materials, these Swarm versions of laser defense weapons had a much shorter effective range than their Riken counterparts, maxing out at just 50 kilometers.


    Fortunately, the Swarm¡¯s versions were far more mobile. Unlike the Rikens¡¯ immobile, massive installations, the Swarm¡¯s units were small and agile. They began life as box-like objects just over ten centimeters in size, growing like fruits on specialized fungal carpets, drawing nutrients to develop.


    Upon reaching a size of 10 meters, they were considered mature, achieving the standard 50-kilometer effective range. Though they could continue growing, doing so consumed excessive resources and offered diminishing returns, making it an inefficient investment.


    These units could operate independently or integrate with propulsion modules for mobility, allowing them to intercept projectiles along calculated trajectories. When integrated with Space Octopuses, they became a critical component of the Primordial bodies.


    Thus, the Riken¡¯s long-coveted ship-mounted laser defense array was first achieved by the Swarm.


    ¡°Fire!¡± commanded Hamis, Fleet Commander of the First Space Fleet and one of the most powerful figures in the Riken military. He relished the honor of initiating the first barrage of their new weapon, his voice heralding a shift in the tides of war.


    But while the Riken railguns roared, the Swarm remained unperturbed, their evolutionary adaptability ever a step ahead.


    However, apart from its short range, the Laser-Eye Bug shares a common flaw with all laser-based weapons: high energy consumption. An independent Laser-Eye Bug, after being fully charged, can only fire three shots before requiring a recharge. In other words, it can intercept at most three electromagnetic projectiles before needing to replenish its energy.


    For recharging, the bugs can rely on self-sustained ¡°dormant¡± charging, but this process is slow, taking several days to fully recharge. The only way to recharge rapidly is by linking to the fungal carpet.


    This limitation explains why the Laser-Eye Bugs are currently only integrated into Primordial bodies. These massive entities are equipped with Atomic Furnaces, providing the bugs with the energy needed to maintain their operational consumption.


    The Swarm¡¯s strategy of learning from the Rikens and turning their technology back against them left the Riken high-ranking officers dumbfounded.


    ¡°They must have reverse-engineered our laser defense array on Planet Raze and created these knockoffs.¡± Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°This proves it beyond a doubt¡ªthey¡¯re definitely not a native species.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve always said that theory was nonsense!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, their defensive array is much smaller than ours. They might have had the technology for some time but chose not to reveal it until now.¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. Our energy beam weapons couldn¡¯t be intercepted before, so even if they had this weapon type, they had no opportunity to showcase it.¡±


    ¡°All right, enough speculation. This isn¡¯t some advanced technology; it¡¯s no surprise they possess it. Let¡¯s focus.¡±


    ¡°Should we continue attacking?¡±


    ¡°Of course. If they won¡¯t let us rest, we won¡¯t let them rest either.¡±


    And so, the Swarm and the Rikens entered a daily cycle of attack and interception.


    While it appeared on the surface that both sides were evenly matched, the actual rate of resource depletion was anything but equal. Take, for example, the wear and tear on critical components.


    The Rikens could only replace damaged parts with new ones, while the Swarm¡¯s units could simply regenerate through biological metabolism. Over time, the Rikens were at risk of being worn down.


    Although the Riken language lacks a direct equivalent to the phrase ¡°boiling a frog in warm water,¡± they fully understood the concept. Faced with this slow attrition, they were deeply troubled but had no clear solution.


    The Riken warships were produced through efficient assembly lines. Their advanced automated industry allowed for streamlined and effective production: various modules were cast into shape, assembled in space factories, and then deployed into the battle. The entire process was incredibly efficient.


    In contrast, the Swarm¡¯s production of Space Octopuses was far cruder yet equally effective. A mature Brood Queen could lay several half-meter-tall Space Octopus eggs daily.


    These eggs, after a period of incubation, would hatch into larvae about half a meter long. Adjacent to the Brood Chambers, the Swarm maintained heavily protected Nursery Chambers constructed from irradiated metal. These critical facilities, buried thousands of meters underground, were fortified and highly secure.


    Within the safety of the Nursery Chambers, the larvae absorbed radiation and grew to two meters in length. At this stage, they were expelled to the planet¡¯s surface, where they continued to absorb cosmic radiation for further growth.


    Upon reaching a size of five meters, these young Octopuses earned their place as expendable cannon fodder and were granted the privilege of moving to the low orbit of gas giants like Izumo to continue maturing.


    Here, their growth persisted. If untouched by war or death, these creatures would, over time, develop into fully-fledged Primordial bodies.


    This biological manufacturing system meant that while the Rikens¡¯ assembly-line fleets could achieve combat readiness much faster in the early stages, given enough time, the Swarm¡¯s exponential growth capabilities would astound and overwhelm anyone.

 Chapter 331: The Reveal

    In the satellite bases orbiting Planet Izumo, all the Brood Queens collectively produced tens of thousands of Space Octopus eggs daily. The maturation process for a Primordial body, under conditions similar to Planet Raze¡ªwhere only cosmic radiation could be absorbed¡ªtook approximately twenty years.


    However, in the orbit of a gas giant, with the advantage of massive ¡°power banks,¡± this timeline was reduced to five to eight years. In orbit, the process became even faster.


    This meant that if the conflict dragged on for more than five years, and assuming ideal conditions, the Izumo base clusters alone could theoretically add tens of thousands of Primordial bodies to the Swarm¡¯s ranks every single day.


    Of course, this was merely an ideal scenario. With the constant attrition of war, larvae were the most vulnerable and suffered the highest casualty rates. Reality would inevitably fall short of this theoretical maximum.


    Even so, the numbers remained staggering.


    In contrast, at the Swarm¡¯s rear bases in the Genesis Star System and the Neighboring Star System, where no wars were raging, conditions were closer to the ideal. Although these areas weren¡¯t entirely dedicated to mass production, years of accumulation had resulted in forces that could only be described as astronomical.


    By comparison, even if the Rikens poured their entire civilization¡¯s resources into building warships over the same five years, they could produce no more than 3,000 ships¡ªless than the Swarm¡¯s potential daily output five years later.


    Since the Swarm occupied Planet Izumo, two years had already passed before the Rikens managed to deploy their electromagnetic railguns.


    By the third year, thanks to unending support from the Neighboring Star System, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies in Izumo¡¯s orbit exceeded 20,000. They had firmly entrenched their position. Even a full-scale Riken nuclear strike would be intercepted mid-flight by a dense barrage of electromagnetic projectiles. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With their position secure, the Swarm suddenly disabled all optical cloaking for their units, openly exposing their forces to the Rikens.


    On the other side, the ever-vigilant Riken military quickly noticed the Swarm¡¯s unexpected move. Previously, they had only been able to glean vague information through the gravitational-wave radar. Now, with optical equipment alone, they could clearly observe the Swarm¡¯s activities.


    Everything about the Swarm was laid bare for the Rikens to see.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Have they gone mad?¡±


    The Rikens were deeply puzzled. As the saying goes, ¡°Know thy enemy, know thyself, and you will win a hundred battles.¡±


    Both sides usually shrouded their forces in secrecy, hoping to catch their opponent off guard. The Rikens¡¯ initial deployment of missile drones and laser defense arrays had effectively countered the Swarm, taking them by surprise.


    But now, the Swarm¡¯s actions were akin to handing over a comprehensive report of their capabilities, leaving the Rikens utterly bewildered.


    ¡°Is it a trap?¡± a Riken officer speculated suspiciously.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I can¡¯t imagine why they would do this,¡± another officer admitted, his mind reeling. If a Riken commander had done something so reckless, they would undoubtedly face a court-martial, with a sentence likely ending in death by firing squad.


    The Riken General Staff scrambled to analyze the situation. As more data and parameters were collected, the Rikens gradually began to piece together the Swarm¡¯s intentions.


    One senior Riken strategist, removing his glasses, rubbed his weary eyes and temples. He hadn¡¯t slept in three days and nights, his exhaustion evident. At over two hundred years old, he was well into old age. Despite his disciplined lifestyle, his body no longer had the resilience of youth. He knew he had to rest, or he¡¯d collapse before the Swarm ever reached him.


    After organizing the documents in front of him, he leaned on the table for support, shakily standing up before laying down on a nearby wooden bedframe. Such natural wooden furnishings were rare and more precious than organic meat¡ªa luxury he had acquired through significant effort.


    As a veteran senior strategist, his privileges were considerable. Being allowed to bring such flammable materials aboard a spaceship was a testament to his rank.


    He expected to fall asleep instantly after three sleepless days, but instead, he tossed and turned, unable to drift off. With a sigh, he shook his head and sat back up.


    The earlier observational data, while seemingly ordinary, concealed a wealth of critical information. The sheer gravity of these hidden implications had been gnawing at the elderly Riken strategist, keeping him wide awake.


    ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll rest after the meeting,¡± he muttered to himself. Rubbing his face, he meticulously trimmed his days-old beard, his mind racing as he organized the key points he needed to present.


    Looking at his reflection in the mirror, clad in a pristine military uniform, he tried to muster some vigor. Yet, the deep exhaustion emanating from his body and soul was impossible to mask. Sighing once more, he picked up his military cap, opened the cabin door, and stepped out.


    ¡°Gentlemen, I believe I¡¯ve finally figured out why they¡¯re doing this.¡±


    ¡°Finally! That¡¯s the best news I¡¯ve heard in days,¡± exclaimed Novaul, Fleet Commander of the Third Fleet, with a dramatic flourish.


    His words betrayed his own fragile mental state after sleepless nights of speculation. ¡°Berry, just looking at you, I can tell you¡¯re in the same boat. Now, tell us¡ªwhat have you uncovered so we can all get some rest.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Berry¡¯s sigh was faint, almost imperceptible, yet it landed like a hammer on the hearts of the assembled officers. The weight of that sigh meant the information he was about to share was not going to be good news.


    ¡°Gentlemen, the Swarm is attempting to persuade us to surrender,¡± Berry said, his voice steady but heavy. As the words left his mouth, they seemed to crash into the room like a boulder.


    Of course, Berry wasn¡¯t one of the highest-ranking officers present; his position as a civilian strategist meant he had no authority over ultimate decisions. At his advanced age, he was the oldest in the room. No matter what choices the leadership made, he had little to lose.


    ¡°What!? Berry, do you realize what you¡¯re saying?¡± Novaul froze for a moment before his face darkened. Staring at Berry intently, he asked in a sharp tone.


    Beside Novaul, Hamis reached out to calm him down, though his own expression reflected grave confusion. Berry, with his long-standing experience, surely understood the crime of undermining morale before a major battle. For him to make such a statement, he must have seen something undeniable.


    ¡°From the data, I¡¯ve drawn a conclusion: our warships, our defense systems, and our weapons are insignificant in the face of their overwhelming numbers. And the Swarm wants us to understand this fact.¡±


    Berry then transmitted a set of summarized materials to everyone in the meeting.


    As they reviewed the documents, the expressions of the Rikens grew progressively grim.


    ¡°Is this real?¡± Hamis asked, lifting his head with a bitter smile. He already knew the answer in his heart but still struggled to accept it.


    ¡°As you can see,¡± Berry replied, his tone somber. ¡°They¡¯ve displayed everything openly, deliberately, to make us understand.¡±

 Chapter 332: The Dilemma

    ¡°Space Octopuses are a type of biological weapon, foundational units of the Swarm, capable of transforming into other forms when necessary. An intriguing concept,¡± a Riken officer remarked.


    ¡°They can mutate into a purplish-gray, flesh-like tissue that appears designed for rapid nutrient absorption, enabling them to divide and proliferate quickly, converting planetary surfaces into ecological environments conducive to Swarm operations. The transformations of Planet Raze and Planet Izumo support this hypothesis. Yes, that seems accurate.¡±


    ¡°Can they also mutate into Swarm production buildings? Although we¡¯ve yet to identify the exact appearance of these functional structures, the sudden emergence of new Swarm units on battlefields¡ªlike Burrowing Worms on Planet Raze and Laser-Eye Bugs on Planet Izumo¡ªprovides indirect evidence.¡±


    ¡°Space Octopuses can absorb energy to grow rapidly? We observed hints of this in the asteroid belt, but we couldn¡¯t confirm it at the time?¡±


    ¡°Hmm? Is this data incorrect?¡± One officer questioned in disbelief.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s exactly as you see,¡± Berry replied with a bitter smile. This revelation was the source of his despair.


    ¡°The Swarm is producing over 10,000 Little Octopus Freaks daily. With their growth rate, it would take just five years for them to evolve from 5 meters to 500 meters?!¡± the officer exclaimed.


    ¡°Precisely. Thanks to their deactivation of cloaking, we can now observe and differentiate them despite their overwhelming numbers and near-identical appearances. This conclusion is based on extensive tracking and analysis of every visible Swarm unit, recording all observed changes,¡± Berry explained.


    ¡°So, for the next two years, we¡¯ll be facing an additional 10,000 enemies every day?¡±


    ¡°To be precise, 10,000 additional 500-meter-class Space Octopuses daily,¡± Berry corrected.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Despair began to spread like a virus. How could anyone continue this fight?


    Two years from now, the Riken fleet¡¯s numbers would likely remain under 5,000 ships. For illustration: assuming 5,000 ships versus 500 Primordial bodies on day one, the ratio would shift to 5,000:30,000 by the next day, then 5,000:40,000, and so on¡­


    How could they possibly win?


    Could they strike now, before the enemy units matured?


    The answer was simple¡ªwishful thinking.


    The growth from 5 meters to 500 meters was a process, not a single event. It wasn¡¯t as though eggs required five years to hatch directly into 500-meter-class Space Octopuses.


    The Space Octopuses destined to mature into Primordial bodies in two years were already at least 300 meters long. While they might not yet match the strength of a fully developed Primordial body, they far outclassed regular Mature or Larval bodies.


    Moreover, the Swarm had deployed extensive land-based railguns on the moons of Planet Izumo, effectively denying the Riken any opportunity for counterattack.


    ¡°Is this information accurate?¡± another officer asked.


    ¡°These conclusions were meticulously verified. The Swarm deactivated their cloaking precisely to ensure we could observe this.¡±


    ¡°What a blatantly unfair production system! Surely there must be some kind of flaw or vulnerability?¡± someone muttered in frustration.


    Berry thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, ¡°General, they only need to produce the larvae of their bioweapons and let them grow naturally¡ªjust like we Rikens grow from children to adults. This appears to be unique to the biotechnology route. Since my expertise doesn¡¯t cover this field, I can¡¯t provide an accurate assessment. However, we don¡¯t know how long the Swarm¡¯s history is. If they¡¯ve always used this method to sustain production, the technology must be extremely mature, with a low probability of defects.¡±


    ¡°What confidence! Is this their way of achieving victory without fighting? This information must be relayed to President Antonio immediately. We don¡¯t have the authority to make decisions on this matter.¡±


    The gathered generals, though usually at the pinnacle of authority, guiding the civilization¡¯s future, instinctively deferred in this moment. This was a monumental burden, and naturally, it had to be shouldered by the one with the highest authority.


    Meanwhile, after their initial despair, many Rikens oddly felt a sense of relief.


    Many had already suspected their chances of victory were slim. The Swarm¡¯s silent, uncommunicative, and relentless style left no room for alternatives. After all, this wasn¡¯t an internal civil war; without absolute enmity, there was always a glimmer of hope.


    But against an alien species, uncertainties abounded. One only needed to look at how few other species remained alive on the Riken homeworld to understand this. Losing here could very well mean extinction.


    Given the Swarm¡¯s demonstrated capabilities, it would take only a few more years for the Rikens to be completely overrun. If extermination were their goal, the Swarm could simply remain hidden and strike when ready.


    However, the Swarm had suddenly ¡°offered terms for surrender.¡± This suggested two things: first, the Swarm was open to communication; second, the Rikens still held some value to the Swarm. They didn¡¯t seek the Riken¡¯s complete extinction.


    If communication was possible, negotiation could also be an option. The Rikens believed they might have a chance to exploit other avenues so long as open combat could be avoided.


    President Antonio had returned to the Riken homeworld shortly after the front-line mobilization conference on Planet Riven. The homeworld was his domain, and the front lines were best left to the specialists.


    When Antonio received the report, it took him a long while to process the information. This was, in his words, an absolutely colossal ¡°surprise.¡±


    Over the next few days, Antonio worked through multiple channels to repeatedly verify the data. Only after ruling out the possibility that front-line commanders were deliberately sabotaging him did he slump into the sofa in his office.


    Although it seemed unlikely, part of him had hoped this was just a cruel prank¡ªa piece of disinformation designed to provoke chaos. Unfortunately¡­


    With no higher authority above him in the Riken hierarchy, Antonio had no choice but to bear the full weight of this revelation. This realization left him momentarily paralyzed with despair. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He had ruled for over 50 years, slowly consolidating all power into his hands through unparalleled political acumen. Were it not for the threat of the Swarm, he might already have declared himself Emperor.


    When the Rikens had held off the Swarm¡¯s first wave of attacks on Planet Raze, Antonio had felt invincible, as though he had reached the pinnacle of his career. He had even been somewhat grateful to the Swarm; without the opportunities they presented, he could never have risen so far.


    But everything turned out to be an elaborate deception. A few years later, the Swarm returned in force. Despite the Riken¡¯s significant advancements, they were crushed once the Swarm revealed their true strength.


    In the years that followed, the situation deteriorated rapidly. Planet Izumo, previously deemed insignificant, had become a crucial stronghold for the Swarm, plunging the Rikens into a desperate struggle. Antonio¡¯s once-dominant position had fallen into chaos.


    And now, the Swarm was offering them terms for surrender.


    Antonio, hunched into his office sofa, had visibly aged in recent days. Though he was still in his prime, the strain had taken its toll. Furrowing his brows, he sat in deep thought.


    Becoming Emperor was no longer a priority. His focus had shifted to securing an exit strategy for his people¡ªand himself.

 Chapter 333: Unrest

    The pursuit of power often involves bloodshed, and over the years, Antonio had not shied away from employing ruthless tactics. His unprecedented move to extend his term beyond the traditional three allowed terms¡ªjustified by the war effort against an external threat¡ªfaced significant opposition despite its patriotic framing.


    As long as Antonio remained strong, these hidden factions posed no real threat. However, in the current climate, a single misstep could cause his carefully constructed authority to collapse. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    These dissenters were well-hidden, and Antonio suspected some were even within his inner circle. The unsolved breach of the Longevity Serum laboratory years ago highlighted the existence of forces beyond his control, despite his outward dominance.


    Antonio had long suspected the identities of these individuals. Their previous actions, while disruptive, were tolerable given their elevated status and utility. However, circumstances had changed¡ªAntonio now had to identify and eliminate them.


    Without these opposition forces, he would have the undisputed authority to control the narrative. Even surrender could be reframed as a strategic decision, potentially turning a burden into an advantage.


    But before he could act, the opposition struck first.


    News from the frontlines somehow leaked, flooding the Riken social networks overnight. The reports, laden with technical terminology, appeared highly credible but were difficult for the average citizen to understand.


    No matter¡ªan army of ¡°experts¡± emerged seemingly out of nowhere, breaking down the reports into plain language for the public. Videos and commentary further amplified the message, pointing fingers squarely at the Council and Antonio himself, accusing his lust for power of leading to the current crisis.


    The reports claimed the Swarm invasion was merely a defensive response, arguing that it was the Rikens who had first encroached upon Swarm territory. To support this, classified documents from the administration of Antonio¡¯s predecessor, President Derlin, were leaked and made public.


    The revelation shocked the uninformed Riken populace to their core. Stunned, they reeled as their worldview crumbled.


    The destruction of the Trinbrian District, long believed to be the catalyst for the Riken-Swarm conflict, was exposed as a carefully orchestrated conspiracy by the Council and military.


    (Somewhere, the Overlord smirked: ¡°Finally found a way to offload that blame.¡±)


    The narrative shifted dramatically. The Rikens, once perceived as the victims, were now unmasked as the aggressors¡ªa revelation that caught everyone off guard.


    With the Swarm occupying Planet Izumo and poised to strike at the heart of the Riken civilization, the timing could not have been worse. The Rikens stood on the brink of extinction, yet the Council and Antonio had concealed the truth. This enraged the populace.


    When Antonio learned of the uproar, he realized he had missed his window to act decisively. While he had been verifying the authenticity of the reports, the opposition had moved swiftly.


    What shocked him most was the sheer scale of the opposition¡¯s coordination. Despite his tight control, they managed to unleash such a powerful wave of dissent. This indicated careful planning and extensive resources¡ªperhaps even Swarm involvement.


    Shaking his head, Antonio dismissed the thought. His mind was racing with paranoia. The Swarm¡¯s involvement? Impossible.


    Antonio¡¯s political skill soon reasserted itself. After a brief period of disarray, he regained his composure and issued a series of decisive orders.


    The Rikens were a high-tech civilization. The security reforms following the Longevity Serum laboratory incident had greatly expanded surveillance infrastructure, including an increased number of monitoring devices.


    Leveraging the wartime state of emergency and strict network controls, Antonio¡¯s administration swiftly suppressed the flood of news. Within a short span, the media coverage vanished, and key agitators were tracked down by security forces and detained.


    Antonio had contained the immediate fallout, but he knew this was just the beginning of a deeper and more dangerous struggle.


    Following investigations, it turned out that most of the Rikens involved in the protests were merely external agents hired to follow a pre-drafted script in exchange for payment, with no understanding of the broader situation. Others were simply idealistic citizens dissatisfied with the Council and volunteering their efforts for free.


    This outcome left Antonio deeply frustrated.


    While the primary instigators remained at large, Antonio had successfully suppressed the situation for the time being, offering him a brief respite.


    But this relief was likely wishful thinking. Though the visible flames had been extinguished, the underlying tensions surged even more fiercely.


    Decades of wartime austerity had stripped the Rikens of their once-prosperous lives. Most of their wealth was funneled into military buildup, leaving citizens to endure a meager existence devoid of cultural or recreational enrichment. Many lived as though they were the walking dead.


    Resentment had long simmered among the populace, but the existential threat to their species kept them compliant. Now, with the revelation that their suffering had been for a series of flawed decisions, the people felt deeply betrayed.


    One day after the initial leak, offline protests and petitions broke out.


    Ordinary Rikens, limited in their access to accurate information, were easily swayed by manipulative rhetoric. Under the influence of skilled agitators, the protests swelled rapidly, soon reaching an unignorable scale.


    In wartime, troop deployment bypassed the usual bureaucratic processes. Antonio swiftly mobilized military forces to encircle the demonstrators.


    Initially, the protesters panicked at the show of force, but soon, emboldened by the sheer size of their numbers and a belief in law by numbers, they resumed their advance. When they realized the military was merely containing them and not taking direct action, their courage grew. Eventually, physical clashes erupted between protesters and soldiers.


    The opposition, having infiltrated the military long ago, subtly influenced the response. Coupled with the growing doubts and frustrations within the ranks, many soldiers displayed remarkable leniency toward the protesters.


    Antonio quickly realized that the situation was spiraling out of control. The opposition¡¯s reach and resources far exceeded his expectations. Simultaneous uprisings erupted in over a thousand cities worldwide. Many of the military units stationed in these areas had been compromised, further complicating the response. Antonio marveled at the scale and planning behind the protests.


    To regain control, Antonio knew he had to quell the anger of the manipulated masses. Once order was restored, he could regain the upper hand and take the fight to his opponents. He was determined to ensure the opposition paid dearly for their defiance.


    Denying the leaked information was no longer a viable option. Doing so would only fuel suspicions and appear as a cover-up. Instead, Antonio resolved to acknowledge the revelations outright and scapegoat a figure of sufficient importance.


    With his consolidated power, no one dared suggest Antonio himself as the scapegoat. He had already identified a more suitable candidate for the role¡ªsomeone perfectly positioned to take the fall.


    On a remote island far from the mainland, sunlight streamed over white-gold sands. The island was dotted with uniquely designed villas and bungalows. Among these structures, hidden restaurants served rare delicacies, including natural meats that were considered a luxury in Riken society.


    Devoid of docks, the island relied on air transport for all supplies. Only the wealthiest and most powerful Rikens had access to this secluded retreat, a haven seemingly untouched by the chaos of the outside world.

 Chapter 334: The Situation

    An older Riken reclined on a beach chair, a patterned fisherman¡¯s hat shielding his weathered face from the harsh light of the star above.


    He had clearly spent a long time here; his pale blue Riken skin had darkened to a bluish-brown under the relentless sun. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The faint hum of engines broke the serene ambiance. The elderly Riken tilted his hat slightly to peer at the sky and caught sight of two gunships flying overhead. A flicker of confusion crossed his mind. This secluded retreat was no place for military gunships¡ªhad something happened?


    He chuckled to himself, brushing the thought away. What did it matter to him? He had been retired for years. The events of his term had drained him even while he was still in his prime. After stepping down, he resigned from all other roles, opting for a life of quiet solitude.


    For a long time, he had deliberately avoided news from the outside world, finding comfort in ignorance. He reasoned that it was better this way¡ªhe had gone from a tall figure of authority to a humble retiree. Why burden himself with cares? Sunbathing was far more pleasant.


    Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps approached. On this beach, Rikens either went barefoot or wore sandals, neither of which made such weighty noises.


    The sound grew closer, his unease mounting. In this deserted stretch of sand, he was the only Riken present. Coupled with the earlier sighting of military gunships, a sense of foreboding crept over him.


    The footsteps stopped next to his chair.


    ¡°Of course,¡± he muttered to himself. Although his eyes remained hidden beneath the brim of his hat, he knew the visitors had come for him.


    He lifted his hat, sat upright, and gazed at the three fully armed Riken soldiers standing beside him. A wry smile curled his lips as he said, half-jokingly, ¡°So soon? What monumental crisis has occurred that even Antonio couldn¡¯t handle without calling on this old man?¡±


    ¡°President Derlin, please come with us,¡± said the leading officer. He did not answer Derlin¡¯s question, instead gesturing politely but firmly for him to follow.


    Derlin sighed. Asking further was pointless; these soldiers weren¡¯t going to talk. He would find out soon enough.


    Rising from his chair, he brushed the sand off his clothes, adjusted his fisherman¡¯s hat, and nodded at the lead officer. Without hesitation, he began walking toward the waiting gunships.


    Yes, this older Riken was none other than Derlin, Antonio¡¯s predecessor¡¯s predecessor. He had already resigned himself to his fate and accepted it with calm resolve.


    After stepping down, Derlin had relinquished all his positions. While his tenure as President had allowed him to accumulate modest savings, his extravagant, carefree lifestyle had long since drained his coffers.


    Just as he was on the brink of destitution, the newly inaugurated Antonio had reached out to him, offering a well-paying ceremonial position¡ªa sinecure with minimal duties, granting him six months of leave twice a year.


    [T/N: Sinecure is a position requiring little or no work but gives the holder status or wealth. Save you the benefit of searching it up.]


    The job allowed Derlin to sustain his indulgent lifestyle, but he understood full well that Antonio¡¯s aid wasn¡¯t motivated by any personal sentiment. It was simply a way for Antonio to keep a useful card in his hand.


    Both men, having ascended to the heights of power, understood this unspoken arrangement perfectly. While nothing was explicitly stated, everything was tacitly understood. Thus, Derlin had accepted the job and its benefits without hesitation.


    Now, it was time for Antonio to play that card.


    ¡ª


    Antonio took to the airwaves for a nationwide televised address. He openly admitted the events outlined in the leaked documents, acknowledging their occurrence and announcing a three-day mourning period to commemorate the innocent victims of the Trinbrian District tragedy.


    The incident, which had claimed millions of Riken lives, was one of the most horrific in their history. For perspective, the decades-long conflict with the Swarm had caused fewer Riken deaths¡ªless than 20% of the toll from that single event.


    After expressing his sorrow and regret, Antonio shifted his tone sharply, placing all the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Council from Derlin¡¯s administration. He claimed that the documents had been deliberately hidden and asserted that he had been completely unaware of them until they were exposed online and verified through internal investigations.


    Antonio¡¯s carefully crafted narrative was clear: he was an unwitting inheritor of a concealed history, not a perpetrator of its sins.


    Antonio¡¯s speech deftly distanced himself from all responsibility, subtly but thoroughly shifting blame elsewhere.


    One of the scapegoats presented was General Monroe, a key figure directly implicated in the Trinbrian District incident. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, General Monroe had gone missing during the Second Defense of Planet Raze. His ship was among the first destroyed in the retreat, shattered into debris with no survivors found. It was assumed he had perished.


    This left former President Derlin as the highest-ranking individual still alive to bear the brunt of public outrage. While the enraged populace clamored for his immediate execution, protocol dictated that he would face a fair trial to determine his fate.


    Of course, the trial would be broadcast publicly.


    The spectacle of accountability managed to calm the fury of the Riken people¡ªif only slightly¡ªand gave Antonio a momentary reprieve from the crisis. But the true challenge lay ahead.


    New revelations were leaked.


    The Rikens only victory in the conflict with the Swarm¡ªthe First Defense of Planet Raze¡ªwas now being questioned. Post-war analyses had long suggested that the victory was intentional on the part of the Swarm, serving their strategic purposes. Whether it was truly a Riken success or a calculated move by the Swarm had always been a matter of debate.


    Still, the Riken military had clung to this lone triumph as a vital propaganda tool. With no other victories to speak of, this dubious achievement had been exalted and used to overshadow countless defeats.


    Now even that narrative was unraveling.


    Previously, the military had been able to gloss over failures with rationalizations:


    The loss of Planet Raze was attributed to logistical challenges. The supply line was too long and resource-intensive, making it a strategic decision to abandon the planet to conserve funds and military strength.


    The withdrawal from Planet Izumo was framed as pragmatic. Its hostile environment made constructing a robust defense system infeasible, and expending resources or risking soldiers¡¯ lives there was deemed irresponsible.


    Meanwhile, the First Defense of Planet Raze continued to be glorified in documentaries, which highlighted the so-called ¡°Iron Defense¡± of the Twin Star System. Entire series of videos extolled the invincible steel barrier protecting Riken space, fostering a sense of pride among the populace.


    If the Swarm were a conventional foe, perhaps this defense system could have performed as advertised¡ªrepelling enemies from billions of kilometers away. Unfortunately, despite the Riken¡¯s reverse-engineering of ancient spacecraft technology giving them a protagonist-like edge, Luo Wen was playing on an entirely different level.


    The Swarm¡¯s buildup at Planet Izumo wasn¡¯t impeded by the vaunted ¡°Iron Defense.¡± Instead, the Swarm was quietly amassing forces, biding their time for the opportune moment to strike.


    While Rikens were vaguely aware of these truths, they lacked concrete details¡ªuntil now. The opposition¡¯s latest release of classified data provided exhaustive statistics, presented alongside explanatory videos designed to leave no room for misinterpretation.


    And the Rikens understood.


    What little hope or outrage remained after the revelation of the asteroid conspiracy was now drowned in icy fear. As the chilling reality set in, panic spread from the Twin Star Defensive Zone to the Riken homeworld itself.


    If this were a fantasy world where malevolent gods thrived on negative emotions, the deluge of despair from the Riken people might have propelled such an entity to unimaginable heights. Thankfully, this was not that kind of world.

 Chapter 335: Countering Moves

    In the grip of fear, the rationality of intelligent beings tends to falter, making them susceptible to panic-driven actions and they are prone to blindly following others.


    Before long, the Riken citizens had emptied the shelves of all essential goods in major markets. Those who managed to hoard supplies felt somewhat reassured, while those who missed out were consumed by deeper fear. The latter, being far greater in number, began to stir unrest.


    Thankfully, due to the wartime state, the military intervened swiftly. Through rationed and scheduled distribution of resources, the brewing chaos was suppressed before it could escalate.


    Just as President Antonio heaved a sigh of relief and prepared to use the opportunity to eliminate his opposition, new sensitive information was leaked.


    If not for the risk of further unrest and dissatisfaction, Antonio might have cut off network access altogether. The Rikens lacked an exact proverb like ¡°Water can carry a boat but can also overturn it,¡± but they understood the principle well enough.


    Though Antonio was the most powerful figure in Riken society, if he overstepped and stood against the people, he could meet the same fate as former President Derlin in a matter of moments.


    Thus, despite being overwhelmed, he worked tirelessly to calm the populace. Unfortunately, the leaked information this time was explosive.


    The Swarm¡¯s Proposal for Surrender!


    Facing the seemingly invincible Swarm, what should the Rikens do? If the matter had been kept confidential, there would have been room for negotiation and maneuvering. But now, everything was out in the open, under the scrutiny of all Riken citizens, leaving almost no room for strategic adjustments.


    A single misstep could ensure Antonio¡¯s legacy as one of eternal infamy.


    Nevertheless, Antonio was no ordinary leader. Having governed the Rikens for over fifty years, his power far exceeded that of any predecessor. If the opposition sought to bind him with public opinion and restrict his actions, he resolved to counter by relinquishing the choice to the people.


    This way, the outcome, whether success or failure, would align with the will of the populace, alleviating his responsibility to some degree.


    The Riken citizens were stunned. They never expected to be involved in deciding the fate of their entire civilization. Their esteemed President Antonio had granted every individual a vote to determine the course: surrender or resistance.


    A massive public referendum was launched.


    This historic event diverted most of the public¡¯s attention. Shrewdly, Antonio had set no deadline for the vote. Without clear information, the citizens were left in confusion. Fortunately, there was no immediate urgency, so many decided to wait and see how others voted before making their choice.


    As the population settled into this period of observation, unrest subsided. Antonio, seething inwardly, finally had a brief moment to mount a counterattack.


    He resolved to crush all opposition with overwhelming force. If these dissenters were left unchecked, there was no telling what future chaos they might incite.


    But his opponents were equally aware of his intentions and gave him no respite.


    A new line of discourse emerged.


    What are the chances of victory if we do not surrender? Analysts quickly provided their insights: the longer they delayed, the closer their odds approached zero. The debate on war or peace demanded an immediate decision from the council.


    Once again, the matter was pushed back onto Antonio¡¯s desk. Left with no choice, he announced a deadline for the referendum¡ªvoting would conclude in two weeks.


    However, just as Antonio made this announcement, the narrative shifted again.


    If we choose peace, what are the Swarm¡¯s terms? Would basic rights be preserved? What restrictions or impacts might there be on the future development of our civilization? The implications were vast.


    If the Swarm¡¯s terms were reasonable, surrender might be acceptable. But if their conditions were too harsh, it would be better to fight to the death.


    Hearing this, Antonio was left dumbfounded. The Swarm had merely flexed its military might; it had not initiated any formal dialogue. He himself had no idea what the Swarm¡¯s terms might be. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Antonio and his advisory team speculated that the Swarm¡¯s interest likely revolved around the ancient starship. If it were something else, the Swarm could have continued systematically eradicating the Rikens without expending such effort.


    The secret behind the Rikens¡¯ rapid advancement was likely significant enough to warrant such drastic actions from the Swarm. Yet, the Swarm seemed unsure about the exact nature of the secret or whether it could be destroyed. They might be cautious not to push the Rikens into a desperate corner that would result in its complete obliteration.


    However, surrender posed another dilemma: even if favorable terms could be negotiated, how could the Rikens ensure the Swarm would honor the agreement after obtaining the desired benefits? Conversely, refusal to cooperate might provoke the Swarm, who held absolute military superiority, into a destructive rage.


    Explaining these considerations to the average Riken citizen was almost impossible. The ancient starship¡¯s existence was a closely guarded secret. Even most captains knew little about it, with only high-ranking generals and specific research department heads having full access to the details.


    The starship¡¯s mystique was a critical bargaining chip for future negotiations with the Swarm. Publicizing its existence would weaken its secrecy. If too many Rikens learned of it, the Swarm, as a technologically advanced civilization, could likely decipher the Riken networks after subjugation, exposing all secrets.


    A critical meeting was convened at the Riken homeworld¡¯s second satellite colony. Attendees included senior council members, top advisors, and several generals from the Twin Star Defensive Zone, some of whom were recalled from the front lines.


    The meeting was crucial. Antonio needed input from various perspectives, particularly the military. Many top-ranking officers were stationed on the front lines, so Antonio acknowledged the risk in bringing them back. However, he gambled that since the Swarm had extended an offer of surrender, they were unlikely to launch an immediate attack.


    He reasoned that the brief absence of these generals would not compromise their defenses.


    If not for the vast distances, the high latency of video communication, and concerns over confidentiality, he would not have taken this gamble.


    ¡°Mr. President, time is of the essence. Let¡¯s skip the formalities and get straight to the point,¡± an old general interjected as Antonio had just begun with a few pleasantries. Antonio frowned slightly, cursing the man inwardly as coarse and disrespectful.


    The recent leaks and turmoil had evidently reached the front lines, eroding his prestige. Previously, no general would have dared interrupt him so rudely.


    Still, Antonio swallowed his annoyance, knowing that these influential generals were indispensable allies in his current predicament.


    Dispensing with formalities, Antonio outlined his thoughts, concerns, and uncertainties regarding their situation.


    ¡°No, absolutely not! The existence of the ancient starship must never be revealed!¡± declared the old general forcefully upon hearing Antonio¡¯s reasoning.


    ¡°Why not? I think Mr. President is being overly cautious,¡± argued a senior council member, one of the most powerful figures in the parliament besides Antonio himself and a likely candidate to succeed him if needed.


    ¡°Our defenses are impenetrable. Unless the Swarm breaches both the Twin Star and homeworld defensive zones, they¡¯ll never access our networks. As long as they remain uncertain about the nature of the secret, they¡¯re unlikely to recklessly attack us. Until then, our networks are secure.¡±

 Chapter 336: Warning

    ¡°Milton, you¡¯re oversimplifying things. Don¡¯t forget about our soldiers on the front lines! We can¡¯t completely sever their communication with the homeworld. The earlier leaks have already dealt a severe blow to morale!¡± a general retorted.


    Being on the front lines, he had greater authority on the matter. Much of the Swarm-related information had been deliberately withheld from ordinary Riken soldiers because battles perceived as unwinnable would severely undermine morale.


    In the past, the hope of a desperate, last-ditch effort could sometimes spark a reversal in morale. However, the Swarm¡¯s surrender offer had utterly dashed those hopes.


    Now, differing voices were emerging among the Riken soldiers. Both hardline resistance supporters and advocates for surrender had grown in number, creating significant risks to the defensive lines.


    ¡°Exactly! If the information spreads too widely, and we engage in conflict with the Swarm, captured soldiers could leak the information. Losing this bargaining chip would place us in a highly disadvantageous position.¡±


    The old general supported this stance, though he left one thought unspoken: if the information became too widespread, surrender advocates might commit actions that would bring shame upon the Rikens. Such individuals, desperate to curry favor with the Swarm, would eagerly use valuable information to gain their favor.


    This was a flaw inherent to civilizations composed of intelligent individuals¡ªthere would always be a few who acted against the greater good for personal gain.


    Milton fell silent. Stationed on the homeworld, he had never even visited the Twin Star Defensive Zone, let alone the second colony. His understanding of the military situation was surface-level at best, shaped by polished reports far removed from reality.


    After hearing the generals¡¯ concerns, he realized his oversight but quickly raised another issue.


    ¡°Have you considered the possibility that previously missing personnel, those aware of this information, might have been captured by the Swarm? What if the information has already been leaked?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Every senior officer on the front lines with knowledge of this information voluntarily implanted a small device in their heads to ensure the data remains secure,¡± the old general replied before lapsing into silence.


    The ¡°voluntary¡± nature of these implants was debatable. Officially, the devices were described as self-detonating upon activation. In practice, their trigger mechanisms were far stricter¡ªif an officer moved beyond a certain distance from their fleet, vehicle, or escape pod during wartime, the implant would automatically detonate.


    Given the unpredictable nature of the battlefield, unforeseen incidents or misjudgments were inevitable. Yet, those Rikens privy to such classified information and enjoying its accompanying privileges were expected to bear greater responsibilities and risks.


    ¡°Rest assured, the front line is secure. If a problem arises, it¡¯ll be on your end¡ªwithin the council. Some of those individuals can be too clever for their own good, often making foolish decisions.¡±


    As the discussion veered into unproductive territory, Antonio prepared to steer it back on track.


    However, the old general continued, ¡°The matter of the treasure requires a two-pronged approach. First, the specifics of what it is must remain a closely guarded secret. Second, we must enhance security around the laboratory. Even if the Swarm discovers what the treasure is, not knowing its location will still leave us with leverage.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. The laboratory has already implemented stricter security measures. All personnel with access to the treasure are under complete isolation. Most haven¡¯t left the facility in years,¡± Antonio confirmed.


    ¡°That¡¯s good.¡±


    Since the beginning of the Swarm-Riken conflict, the laboratory¡¯s security measures had been continuously upgraded. Previously, before the Swarm emerged as a threat, security had been stringent but not to the extent of restricting personal freedom entirely.


    Although Cleo had initially adhered to confidentiality protocols and withheld specific research results from Lieutenant Colonel Cross, she had overlooked some peripheral details. This lapse allowed Cross to piece together fragments of information. However, because these fragments were not part of official records, the Rikens never suspected the missing Cross had access to anything critical.


    Unbeknownst to them, the so-called ¡°treasure¡± had already been fully exposed to the Swarm. To make matters worse, even among the supposedly isolated and restricted scientists, several intelligent entities loyal to the Swarm had infiltrated their ranks.


    The meeting continued for some time, ultimately resolving to keep the ¡°treasure¡± a closely guarded secret. Afterward, the recalled Riken generals hurriedly boarded their warships and returned to the front lines.


    Before departing, the old general lingered in thought before issuing a stern warning.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, regardless of the referendum¡¯s outcome¡ªwhether we fight or surrender¡ªwe must assert our value. Only by holding leverage can we negotiate for our interests. I don¡¯t care if there are opposition members or other factions among you. President Antonio will undoubtedly safeguard the treasure¡¯s secrecy, but I expect none of you to leak information through other channels.¡±


    His sharp gaze swept over the silent council members, his tone turning cold and menacing. ¡°I don¡¯t care what schemes you¡¯re plotting or what grudges you harbor, but remember this¡ªyou are Rikens. There are lines you cannot cross. If I find anyone betraying our species, I will return with my fleet to destroy them myself, even if it means abandoning our war with the Swarm. I¡¯ll make sure they are buried before the extinction of our people!¡±


    Having delivered his message, the old general turned and boarded his warship.


    As the bright glow of the engines faded into the distance, the remaining Rikens watched the massive steel vessel disappear, their expressions shifting between uncertainty and resolve. Each harbored private thoughts but chose to remain silent.


    The old general¡¯s warning had its intended effect. Public discourse on the Riken homeworld became noticeably more restrained, with fewer instigators stirring up dissent. Antonio seized the opportunity to divert attention by releasing a flood of unrelated news stories and imposing stricter controls over the network.


    The military¡¯s growing influence created a subtle but tangible rift from Antonio¡¯s authority. With their decisive interference, both Antonio and the opposition tacitly reduced the focus on divisive issues. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The once-vigorous public referendum gradually lost momentum as the populace adopted a wait-and-see approach, hoping to gauge the Swarm¡¯s bottom line before making a decision.


    The Swarm¡¯s silence played into this strategy, as the Rikens decided to observe and wait. As the old general had phrased it, rushing forward uninvited would not only weaken their position but also expose vulnerabilities, harming any future negotiations.


    Time passed swiftly, and the Riken public referendum became a farce. Regardless of the outcome, factions arose to demand re-votes for various reasons. So far, three rounds of voting had been conducted, leaving the Riken populace apathetic.


    Then, just as the Rikens anxiously awaited developments, the Swarm finally made a move.


    A massive force of 20,000 Primordial bodies assembled and began to drift away from Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit. Having rested there for a significant period, many had grown to nearly 600 meters, with some elite units surpassing 700 meters.


    This dramatic military maneuver was immediately detected by the ever-vigilant Riken forces, who promptly adopted defensive postures.

 Chapter 337: The Target

    ¡°This is interesting. If that¡¯s the case, it¡¯s time for us to make a move as well¡ªlet them face reality,¡± Sarah Kerrigan said with a smirk as she observed the Rikens joke of a public referendum.


    Suddenly, alarms blared across the Twin Star Defensive Zone. The Rikens scrambled into action, warship engines heating up and glowing red and blue, while land-based and orbital cannons began charging.


    Under the watchful eyes of the Rikens, the Swarm¡¯s Primordial forces steadily accelerated. However, just as they approached the range of the Riken energy cannons, the entire formation abruptly turned, bypassing the defensive line and heading toward the rear. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Panic swept through the Riken forces. The Swarm, breaking all conventions of fairness, had bypassed a head-on confrontation to flank them instead.


    The three Riken fleets scrambled to launch in pursuit, but just as they mobilized, another 20,000 Primordial bodies launched from Planet Izumo. Simultaneously, additional land-based electromagnetic cannons emerged from Izumo¡¯s moons, significantly increasing the Swarm¡¯s firepower and pressuring Riken commanders into a strategic conundrum.


    Pursuing the flankers meant risking their defensive line. With 3,000 warships redeployed, the remaining firepower might not hold against the Swarm forces still at Izumo. Even if the line held, the cost would be devastating.


    Yet not pursuing the flankers would leave their homeworld and rear defenses vulnerable to encirclement or even destruction. If the homeworld fell, the troops stationed at the Twin Star Defensive Zone would face a similarly precarious situation.


    This flanking maneuver was an almost unthinkable tactic in traditional interstellar warfare. Rival civilizations, typically close in technological capability and military strength, would risk being divided and conquered if they split their forces.


    The Twin Star Defensive System spanned over ten million kilometers¡ªa significant distance but not insurmountable in the vastness of space. Its design aligned with the Riken homeworld¡¯s defense zone and the third planet, Cloud Return Planet, forming a coordinated line of mutual support.


    If the Swarm had tried such a tactic immediately after conquering Planet Izumo, their divided forces might have been crushed by concentrated Riken fleets. Those warships could then return to assist the homeworld and eliminate any Swarm remnants.


    But the Swarm operated on an entirely different set of rules. Their unparalleled ability to mass-produce units had skewed the balance of power so significantly that the Rikens could no longer rely on conventional strategies. Now, the Swarm could suppress the Riken¡¯s mobile units at the Twin Star Defensive Zone while simultaneously deploying large forces for guerilla strikes.


    ¡°What do we do, Admiral Heaton?¡± Hamis asked, his tone reflecting the dilemma they faced.


    Admiral Heaton, the same old general who had delivered the fiery warning to the parliament, was the highest-ranking officer of the Twin Star Defensive Zone and its de facto commander. Previously, the military factions under his command had often been divided, with each general representing their own interests. Heaton¡¯s influence had been limited as a result.


    However, after the secret meeting at the second colony, his authority had become more explicit. His uncompromising stance had garnered greater support among the officers. Even the fleet commanders of the three main fleets now sought his counsel.


    ¡°Pursuing with all fleets would leave our defenses dangerously thin,¡± Heaton said after a moment of contemplation. ¡°However, sending just one fleet to shadow and harass the flankers could work. If they attack the homeworld, that fleet could at least serve as a diversion and buy us some time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take the task!¡± Hamis volunteered, exchanging glances with the other two fleet commanders, Alcer and Novaul. Both secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Though none would have refused such a dangerous mission if ordered, intelligent beings naturally seek to avoid unnecessary risks.


    With only around 1,000 warships, Hamis¡¯s fleet was tasked with monitoring and harassing the Swarm¡¯s 20,000-strong Primordial force. Even at a distance, their mission was akin to dancing on the edge of a blade¡ªan incredibly perilous undertaking.


    As Hamis prepared his fleet, Alcer and Novaul quietly gave thanks for not being chosen for such a treacherous mission.


    The Riken First Fleet, having departed the Twin Star Defensive Zone under a veil of obfuscation, was nevertheless spotted by the Swarm¡¯s Observer Bugs. However, upon noting that the bulk of the Riken fleet remained in place, the Swarm showed no further interest.


    Riken commanders kept a close eye on the Swarm forces stationed at Planet Izumo. Observing that the Swarm had made no overtly aggressive moves and merely maintained a posture of intimidation, they collectively exhaled in relief. Many were deeply anxious about the possibility of the Swarm taking advantage of the situation to launch a direct assault on the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    In such a scenario, the ensuing chaos could result in heavy casualties. Particularly disconcerting for certain high-ranking officers was the knowledge of the devices implanted in their heads¡ªa grim reminder of their precarious position.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s detached Primordial bodies force, having bypassed the Twin Star Defensive Zone, continued on its trajectory without heading directly for the Riken homeworld.


    ¡°Where are they going?¡±


    The Swarm¡¯s movements were anything but subtle, given that this was deep within Riken territory. Their path was easily tracked by massive monitoring equipment scattered across the defensive zones, not to mention the Riken First Fleet tailing them.


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re circling to attack the homeworld from the far side,¡± one commander speculated. ¡°If they attack directly, they¡¯ll remain within range of our defensive lines. We¡¯d still be able to provide some support.¡±


    Days later, the Swarm forces approached the Riken homeworld¡¯s defensive perimeter. Here, the Rikens were fully prepared. The homeworld, along with its two heavily armed satellites, was fortified with an overwhelming array of land-based and orbital cannons, a dense minefield of Smart Mines, and more. Despite lacking a mobile fleet, the defenses here surpassed even the formidable Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    After all, this was the heart of the Riken civilization.


    Weapons were charged and ready, waiting to deliver a crushing blow should the Swarm enter range. But the Swarm force merely skirted the homeworld, continuing its steady march without turning to engage.


    ¡°Their target isn¡¯t the homeworld!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been fooled again!¡±


    Again. And again.


    ¡°Their target is Cloud Return Planet!¡± Alarm spread through the ranks as the realization struck. As the Riken star system¡¯s innermost planet, closest to the star, Cloud Return Planet¡¯s defenses were not as robust as those of the other two defensive zones. Moreover, it housed the third colony, where a significant Riken population resided, further complicating any counteroffensive due to the risk of collateral damage.


    ¡°Organize an evacuation immediately! If we act quickly, we can reduce civilian casualties!¡±


    Transport ships scrambled to ferry large numbers of Rikens from Cloud Return Planet to the homeworld. In their haste to maximize efficiency, the evacuees¡¯ living conditions aboard the vessels were dire. Rikens were crammed into every available inch of space; many could not even sit, let alone lie down, and had to stand on tiptoes. Weapons had been stripped from the ships to make room for passengers, leaving them defenseless should they come under attack.


    For many, abandoning the lives they had painstakingly built on Cloud Return Planet was unbearable. Heartbroken Rikens wept openly in the overcrowded compartments. Yet, compared to those left behind to await subsequent evacuation waves, these were the fortunate ones.


    Those who remained would have to wait for the second or even third round of evacuations. By then, however, it was feared that the Swarm would have already initiated their assault.

 Chapter 338: The Colony

    To the surprise of the Rikens, the Swarm forces completely ignored Cloud Return, flying brazenly past its outer limits and staying beyond the Rikens¡¯ firing range.


    The Rikens stationed on Planet Cloud Return felt their hearts leap to their throats. The transport ships at the local colony had just departed, and reinforcements from the homeworld were still en route. If the Swarm had chosen to attack, there wouldn¡¯t have been a second or third evacuation wave.


    Now that the Swarm had bypassed them, the Rikens breathed a collective sigh of relief but were left puzzled.


    ¡°Where are they going?¡±


    Minutes later, the same question echoed among commanders of the Homeworld Defense Zone. A few more minutes passed before the message reached the Twin Star Defensive Zone.


    The officers stationed at the Twin Stars, many of whom had faced the Swarm in previous battles¡ªwhether during the defense of Planet Raze or the ongoing war at Planet Izumo¡ªwere among the Rikens¡¯ most experienced in dealing with the Swarm.


    ¡°They¡¯re opening a sub-hive!¡± declared a female Riken general decisively, her tone tinged with an ironic sneer.


    ¡°I agree. We should¡¯ve seen this coming. Since they can directly absorb radiation energy from gas giants, the radiation from a star would be even more attractive,¡± another general chimed in.


    ¡°Indeed. The annual brightness reductions of the stars in the T81 and T85 systems¡ªfractions of a percent¡ªare caused by their structures partially blocking stellar radiation.¡±


    ¡°As I recall, even our homeworld¡¯s orbital megastructures can only reduce our star¡¯s brightness by a mere 0.1 percent.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because our homeworld is too far from its star. They definitely wouldn¡¯t establish their sub-hive at such a distance.¡±


    ¡°Even so, the ability to significantly dim a star¡¯s brightness is terrifying. By this analysis, the Swarm¡¯s forces far exceed our estimations. The troops currently cornering us may not even represent the tip of the iceberg.¡±


    ¡°Why are we cursed with such a formidable neighbor?¡±


    ¡°How are we supposed to win this war? If they dispatch more troops, we won¡¯t stand a chance.¡±


    ¡°Stop fretting. Their current deployment in our home system already surpasses what we can handle. Look at us now¡ªdespite knowing their plans, we¡¯re powerless to intervene. Once they secure their position near the star, we¡¯ll be surrounded. At that point, reinforcements from other Swarm-occupied systems won¡¯t even be necessary.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± Admiral Heaton, one of the highest-ranking officers, silenced the room. ¡°After multiple rounds of referendum, the council has broadly decided to surrender. However, we must wait for the Swarm to approach us first. This gives us leverage to negotiate terms that secure our people¡¯s interests. But to earn their respect, we need to strike back hard. Strength commands respect.¡±


    Though Admiral Heaton¡¯s words were resolute, his age was beginning to show despite the effects of longevity serums. Flattered by his subordinates in recent years, he had grown somewhat detached from reality. Nevertheless, the revelation of the council¡¯s decision to surrender brought a subtle sense of relief to nearly every officer in the room, their minds turning over personal and strategic considerations.


    Staying alive was, after all, better than the alternative.


    ¡°What¡¯s our next move?¡± The room¡¯s tense atmosphere eased slightly as a Riken officer broke the silence, raising an urgent practical question.


    ¡°We can¡¯t stop them. For now, our priority must be preserving as much of our forces as possible. I recommend evacuating most personnel from Planet Cloud Return. We no longer have the resources to fortify its defenses to the level of the Twin Stars or the homeworld,¡± another officer suggested, his pragmatic tone reflecting the harsh reality of their situation.


    ¡°Indeed, we cannot afford to construct three separate defense systems simultaneously. Doing so would stretch our resources thin and overextend our battlefront. Since our strategic objectives have shifted, concentrating our resources is the logical course of action.¡±


    ¡°Agreed!¡±


    The strategies for war or peace differ entirely. If the goal were an all-out war, the Rikens would mobilize every resource at their disposal, with no distinction between young and old, men and women¡ªall would be conscripted. They would even consider building a fleet for potential escape, ensuring the survival of their species.


    But now, with peace as the priority, the focus had shifted from a desperate last stand to a calculated display of strength and competence¡ªa well-fought defensive and offensive campaign to earn the Swarm¡¯s respect and achieve an honorable surrender. With this in mind, concentrating forces, pooling resources, and creating local advantages in strength and firepower became imperative.


    The defensive system on Planet Cloud Return wasn¡¯t exactly poor¡ªonly slightly weaker than the defenses on Planet Raze during its final battle. However, it was still insufficient to withstand the Swarm¡¯s overwhelming assault. Thus, abandoning it and redirecting its resources to the Twin Star Defensive Zone and the Homeworld Defense Line was deemed more practical.


    This approach not only shortened the defensive line but also concentrated forces, streamlining transportation, supply chains, and resource allocation.


    After deliberation, the generals relayed their decision to President Antonio. Though Antonio wielded supreme authority, he had always believed in delegating specialized tasks to experts. Since this recommendation came from a group of generals with extensive experience fighting the Swarm¡ªand it aligned with the advice of his think tank¡ªhe saw no need to second-guess it. The evacuation of Planet Cloud Return was promptly initiated.


    A massive fleet of transport ships was dispatched from the Twin Star Defensive Zone and the Homeworld¡¯s Defensive Line to Planet Cloud Return.


    Relocating an entire colony was no small feat. Evacuating the population was only the first step. Once the majority of the Riken citizens had been relocated, the process of dismantling fixed installations began.


    Building a colony on a planet without an atmosphere is a monumental challenge, not to mention the vast amount of precious materials it requires.


    Currently, the Rikens had four major colonies. The first and second were located on the two moons of their homeworld. The ancient starship, codenamed ¡°Treasure,¡± had been unearthed during the construction of the second colony.


    The third colony was on Planet Cloud Return. This was a long-established colony, whose foundations were laid over a century ago during the missions of the ¡°Cat¡¯s Ear Spaceship.¡± Over time, it had grown into a sprawling megastructure, covering more than one million square kilometers. Before the evacuation, it had been the largest Riken colony, home to over 200 million Rikens.


    Even after the evacuation, the colony retained immense value. Its power systems, air circulation systems, gravity systems, and ecological systems represented a treasure trove of technology and resources, accumulated through enormous time and investment.


    Since the colony was being abandoned, the Rikens planned to dismantle and salvage as much as possible before the Swarm attacked. If these systems could be safely relocated, they could potentially recreate the colony elsewhere. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 339: Passing Through

    The Riken¡¯s fourth colony was located on Planet Riven, constructed later than the other three colonies. After the first two colonies were completed, there was considerable debate within the Riken leadership over whether the third colony should be established on Planet Cloud Return or Planet Riven.


    Planet Cloud Return, the third planet of the star system, and Planet Riven, the fifth, were equidistant from the Riken homeworld and each had unique advantages.


    Ultimately, Planet Cloud Return was chosen due to its relatively lower terraforming difficulty.


    The development of three colonies exhausted the Riken¡¯s resources, leaving them unable to expand further for a time. Just as they began to recover and planned to construct a fourth colony, the Swarm emerged.


    From that point on, Riken resources were primarily directed towards fleet construction and expanding the first three colonies. The fourth colony¡¯s construction plan was shelved once more.


    Following the catastrophic defeat of the expeditionary fleet, the Rikens shifted their focus to building extensive land-based and orbital defensive systems along with supporting power facilities. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ironically, this situation led to the revival of the fourth colony¡¯s construction plan¡ªnot because the Rikens had surplus resources, but due to an urgent need for a supply base in the outer regions of their star system.


    Planet Raze and the Twin Star Defensive Zone hosted vast numbers of troops. Supplying these forces entirely from the homeworld proved unsustainable, especially for the more distant Planet Raze. The stretched supply lines resulted in significant resource waste. Even for the Twin Stars, relying on homeworld supplies was only a short-term solution.


    Thus, the fourth colony was established on Planet Riven within the Twin Star System. This colony differed significantly from its predecessors as it was primarily designed as a large-scale production base.


    The colony¡¯s main output consisted of various essential supplies for the frontlines. Consequently, it had a minimal permanent population¡ªjust a few million Rikens¡ªcompared to the two hundred million that once inhabited Planet Cloud Return. The contrast was stark.


    As predicted by the Riken generals, the Swarm fleet pressed onward toward the system¡¯s star. When passing the system¡¯s second planet, the Swarm dispatched 5,000 Primordial bodies to destroy the few orbital satellites stationed there and secure the planet.


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s adaptability and integration capabilities are truly remarkable.¡±


    The second planet¡¯s proximity to the star resulted in surface temperatures reaching several hundred degrees Celsius. The Rikens had minimal infrastructure on the planet due to the excessive costs of operating in such an environment, deeming it inefficient.


    In contrast, the Swarm¡¯s Space Octopuses not only withstood extreme heat but also thrived in the vacuum of near-absolute zero temperatures. Their ability to genetically mutate into a variety of specialized units astonished the Rikens, sparking newfound admiration for biotechnology.


    After securing the second planet, the Swarm continued its advance, halting only upon reaching the orbital path of the first planet. Using it as a base, they began constructing a new stronghold.


    Given the planet¡¯s immense radiation levels, the Swarm¡¯s new base was expected to surpass the scale of their existing outpost on Planet Izumo in no time.


    The First Riken Fleet, which had been tailing the Swarm, stopped its pursuit when the Swarm occupied the second planet.


    Continuing further presented several challenges. The intense heat would accelerate wear and tear on their warships, potentially causing critical equipment failures during maximum output.


    More pressing was the presence of 5,000 Primordial bodies guarding the second planet. To proceed, the fleet would need to bypass these defenses. If the Swarm¡¯s main force decided to double back, the fleet could find itself caught in a deadly pincer maneuver.


    Thus, continuing to shadow the Swarm fleet posed excessive risks. The Swarm¡¯s intent was blatantly clear; they had no reason to disguise their actions. Given that the Rikens could do nothing to halt their advance, further pursuit seemed unnecessary.


    ¡°At this rate, we¡¯ll soon lose even the chance to fight a respectable battle,¡± a concerned Riken officer lamented as the situation unfolded.


    ¡°What else can we do? Without sufficient strength, we have no choice but to endure.¡±


    ¡°This helplessness is unbearable.¡±


    ¡°If the Swarm has already signaled their willingness to negotiate a surrender, why haven¡¯t they taken any concrete steps? Are they determined to have both the substance and the appearance, denying us even a shred of dignity? Does having power truly allow one to act without restraint?¡±


    ¡°The saying ¡®the weak have no diplomacy¡¯ has never felt more true.¡±


    The Swarm fleet brazenly crossed the Rikens¡¯ three primary defense lines. After establishing their base near the system¡¯s star, they fell silent, quietly consolidating their position. Meanwhile, chaos erupted once more within the Riken civilization.


    The situation became particularly volatile when the Swarm¡¯s 20,000-strong Primordial fleet bypassed the Riken homeworld at a distance as close as ten million kilometers, opting not to engage optical cloaking. Many amateur astronomers captured images of the colossal Swarm force using civilian-grade telescopes.


    Previously, during combat, the Space Octopuses had relied on optical cloaking, and publicly released photos were limited to colorful spectrographic visuals from military sensors. Though the Swarm¡¯s decision to deactivate cloaking carried ominous implications, the government and military strictly controlled the dissemination of high-resolution images. Few clear, complete images of the Space Octopuses had ever reached the public.


    While the populace knew the Swarm was attacking, they had little understanding of the true scale or form of the enemy. This time, however, with no way to control the flood of civilian observation devices, countless images of the Primordial fleet were uploaded online, vividly showcasing the alien force in all its bizarre glory.


    For the first time, ordinary Rikens were fully confronted with the terrifying reality of their extraterrestrial adversary. The sheer size of the Swarm force, especially when juxtaposed against the much smaller trailing Riken fleet, was overwhelming.


    As the alien fleet passed so close to the homeworld¡¯s defensive line, the Rikens could do nothing but watch anxiously, too afraid to even fire a warning shot lest they provoke an unwanted response.


    This powerlessness ignited widespread discontent among the populace. Fear turned to anger, and panic surged anew, surpassing any prior levels of unrest. This time, no external factions were needed to stoke the flames¡ªthe visceral imagery alone was enough to drive the masses into hysteria.


    The result was pandemonium. Supermarkets and stores were emptied in a matter of hours. Those unable to secure supplies took to the streets in protest, demanding solutions from the government and President Antonio. Their calls for increased supply distribution were not unreasonable, but production required time¡ªa commodity the panicked populace lacked.


    Conspiracy theories spread like wildfire. What began as peaceful protests quickly escalated into violent demonstrations. Civilians clashed with law enforcement and began targeting military supply depots, attempting to seize resources by force.


    If the chaos continued unchecked, the Rikens risked internal collapse before the Swarm even made a move.


    It was at this critical moment that the unthinkable occurred.


    ¡°They¡¯re here!¡±

 Chapter 340: The Third Party

    In the war against the Rikens, Luo Wen had already achieved his basic strategic objectives.


    If no third party interfered, events would continue to unfold predictably. Once the Swarm established infrastructure near the system¡¯s star, the next step would be to destroy the Riken solar sail facilities.


    These primitive Dyson sphere-like structures provided the Rikens with abundant clean energy. Without them, the high-energy weapons of the Riken homeworld¡¯s defensive line could only sustain a few days of intense combat before over 60% would become useless scrap metal. The Twin Star Defensive Zone would also be significantly impacted.


    Once the Rikens¡¯ firepower was depleted, the Swarm would neither annihilate them outright nor engage in negotiations. Instead, routine patrols near the Riken homeworld would become the norm.


    This sustained close proximity by an alien species would exacerbate the Rikens¡¯ sense of helplessness and escalate their already mounting fear. They might attempt a desperate counterattack, but the overwhelming strength of the Swarm would crush their efforts, driving home their futility.


    Given the earlier surrender overtures, the Rikens, finding themselves with no alternatives, would likely implore their council to negotiate with the Swarm. However, the Swarm¡¯s unresponsive stance would leave the Rikens baffled and adrift.


    The council¡¯s inaction would transform the Rikens¡¯ fear into anger, creating a need for an outlet. President Antonio, previously a symbol of centralized authority, would find his perceived power worthless, becoming a scapegoat for the people¡¯s wrath.


    A new Riken leader would be elected, one who would succeed in making contact with the Swarm. The Swarm¡¯s relatively lenient terms for capitulation would elevate the new leader¡¯s popularity to unprecedented heights.


    Unbeknownst to the Rikens, this leadership transition would already mark a fundamental shift. Nearly half of the Riken leadership would be replaced with Swarm-controlled Intelligent Entities.


    These individuals, cultivated over decades by the Clirey family, had been carefully embedded into Riken society. The Swarm¡¯s mandatory seven-day quarantine protocol had limited their numbers thus far, but this was only the beginning.


    The real operation would follow.


    The first recipients of longevity serums in Riken society were invariably high-ranking officials and wealthy elites. These serums extended their lifespans by fifty years. Upon their eventual deaths, they would be converted into Intelligent Entities and reintroduced into Riken society through carefully orchestrated means.


    These individuals would ¡°rebirth¡± into Riken families as children, carrying the memories and experiences of their previous lives. Their accumulated knowledge and expertise would allow them to excel in all fields, quickly rising to prominence once more.


    The scale of this operation far exceeded that of the seven-day forced conversion protocol.


    A century later, these Intelligent Entities would reclaim positions of power. More than half of the Riken leadership in government, military, and commerce would consist of disguised Swarm agents. By this point, complete Swarm control over the Rikens would be a foregone conclusion.


    Naturally, this process could be accelerated. Through forced conversion and more aggressive methods, control could be achieved in just a few centuries. However, under natural evolution, due to the Rikens¡¯ longer lifespans, total integration might take a millennium.


    At that point, the Rikens would resemble the Ratfolk civilization, with their upper echelons entirely dominated by Intelligent Entities, while ordinary Rikens became mere tools for reproduction and the provision of raw materials for the Swarm.


    For an immortal being, either timeline was acceptable.


    Initially, Luo Wen had deliberated over which path to take. The allure of rapid domination through forced conversion was tempting. However, the looming presence of a third party observing from the shadows swayed his decision toward a more gradual approach.


    While immediate control was appealing, the risks of exposure through excessive forced conversions were too great, particularly under the watchful eyes of the mysterious Watchers.


    A gradual infiltration and assimilation strategy, while more time-consuming, is significantly safer and virtually undetectable. As long as the Watchers deem the Rikens necessary for their purposes, the plan is all but guaranteed to succeed.


    Following the outlined strategy, the Swarm had occupied the Riken star system¡¯s first and second planets along with their orbital zones, preparing to dismantle the solar sail energy grid. This would cripple the Rikens¡¯ energy supplies and significantly weaken their defensive capabilities. However, a new discovery caused the Swarm to halt all operations.


    In the void beyond the Riken star system, Observer Bugs camouflaged as asteroids detected an approaching fleet.


    The Observer Bugs absorbed radiation only for minimal sustenance and relied on simple optical observation to monitor their surroundings. This low-energy operation rendered them indistinguishable from actual space debris, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t attract attention. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, this simplicity came at the cost of limited detection range; they could only spot objects at a distance of roughly one light-year. As a result, the fleet they detected was already within five months of reaching their position.


    The approaching fleet exhibited technology levels far surpassing those of both the Rikens and the Swarm. Notably, their ships traveled at over half the speed of light through the void, a velocity that pushed the limits of conventional propulsion systems.


    The high speed and stealth technology of this third party allowed them to avoid detection until they were relatively close. Their stealth coating, composed of unknown materials, rendered them invisible to the radars of both the Rikens and the Swarm. While this prevented earlier detection, their proximity provided Luo Wen¡¯s forces with an abundance of information.


    Certain aspects of their technology could be concealed, such as energy systems, circuitry, and software, but others were impossible to hide. Their technological lineage was immediately apparent: cold, elegant, and unmistakably mechanical.


    Their warships ranged from 1,500 meters in length to over 2,000 meters, with some even exceeding this.


    Such massive constructs reflected their advanced capabilities. Building ships of this size posed immense challenges; as vessels increased in scale, the complexity of construction rose exponentially. Without adequate technological foundations, such ships would risk structural failure during high-speed travel or intense combat, even without external attacks.


    While the fleet¡¯s weapon systems featured visible cannon-like structures, their specific type was unclear. Observations of certain design details led Swarm Intelligent Entities specializing in weaponry to theorize that these ships likely used energy-based armaments. This would be logical, as carrying energy cells for long-distance travel was far more practical than transporting physical ammunition.


    In terms of propulsion, the third party¡¯s engines bore striking similarities to those used by the Rikens. Their external structure, exhaust characteristics, and general layout suggested an advanced version of existing Riken technology rather than an entirely novel theoretical framework.


    As for radar and observational systems, their design was entirely concealed, leaving little room for analysis.


    Despite their advanced capabilities and imposing fleet, the newcomers didn¡¯t align with Luo Wen¡¯s conception of the Watchers.

 Chapter 341: Transformation

    Luo Wen had viewed the ancient starship¡ªdubbed the ¡°Treasure¡± by the Rikens¡ªthrough Cleo¡¯s perspective. Although the starship was only about 500 meters long, its technological sophistication was on an entirely different level.


    At its core was a gravitational warp drive, a propulsion system far beyond Riken comprehension. The Rikens had only managed to reverse-engineer the fighter engines onboard, which were far simpler in design.


    The third party currently approaching from interstellar space, based on their propulsion technology, could not possibly be the creators of the ancient starship. If they possessed true warp drives, their speed would have exceeded light speed, making detection by Observer Bugs impossible.


    In fact, they appeared more like elder siblings to the Rikens¡ªcut from the same cloth.


    When viewed in this light, the possibility became plausible. If Luo Wen¡¯s hypothesis was correct and the Watchers had placed a starship in the native system of every intelligent species, this new faction could very well represent a civilization that had received their starship earlier than the Rikens. Consequently, they would have had more time to study it, achieving a deeper understanding and greater benefits.


    The more Luo Wen considered this scenario, the more likely it seemed. As for why no Watcher starship had been found in the Genesis System, Luo Wen had a theory.


    The evolution from single-celled organisms to advanced animals takes billions of years, and the transition from beasts to a civilized species requires millions, if not tens of millions, of years.


    The Ratfolk on the Genesis Planet, for example, had evolved from the lowly Tail Lard Rats to their current state. Without intervention, this process would have taken at least a million years of natural evolution.


    Yet with Luo Wen¡¯s interference, they had completed this journey in mere centuries.


    The Watcher starship discovered by the Rikens, based on analysis, had been buried for over ten thousand years. At that time, the Rikens had already progressed to using fire and forming tribal societies. If the Watchers placed starships only when a native species reached such a developmental stage, the Ratfolk¡¯s situation might have been too premature for intervention. Their sudden advancement could have left the Watchers themselves baffled.


    This realization made Luo Wen tread even more cautiously. The Ratfolk¡¯s abnormal evolution might draw the Watchers¡¯ attention, should they indeed be monitoring this region of space. Such scrutiny from a power far surpassing his own was not a prospect to be taken lightly.


    On second thought, however, Luo Wen realized there might be flaws in his assumptions.


    His initial certainty about the Watchers¡¯ existence stemmed from detecting a third-party monitoring device near the battlefield. But he now questioned whether the device belonged to this new faction instead. If so, the Watchers¡¯ existence was no longer a given, rendering all his previous conjectures mere speculation.


    Regardless, the Riken Star System held little strategic value to the Swarm. Even if the entire force stationed there were lost, it wouldn¡¯t matter. This gave Luo Wen the flexibility to advance or retreat as he saw fit, affording him a high degree of autonomy.


    For now, the Swarm would adopt a wait-and-see approach. The arrival of the third party would inevitably bring new information, likely shedding light on the situation.


    Meanwhile, infiltration efforts against the Rikens were temporarily halted. Antonio, even if he retained his position as president until his natural death, had only a lifespan of a little over a century. This was merely a minor delay in Luo Wen¡¯s plans. Since the Swarm Network had undergone yet another upgrade, Luo Wen¡¯s enhanced longevity had reshaped his perception of time. For a long-lived species, there was no rush for immediate results.


    Half a year later, an unexpected development unfolded. Without any active intervention from the Swarm, the internal situation within the Riken society had naturally deteriorated to an alarming degree.


    During one of Antonio¡¯s public speeches, a large number of angry Riken citizens stormed the stage, clashing violently with his security team and the guarding forces.


    As Antonio was evacuated, the airship he was traveling in was struck by a weapon from an unknown faction. It crashed, and despite rescue efforts, Antonio succumbed to his injuries.


    Events often play out in dramatic fashion, and Luo Wen swore he had no part in this incident. Although many intelligent entities infiltrated the opposition, Luo Wen had already ordered a cessation of all aggressive actions after detecting the imminent arrival of a third party.


    It didn¡¯t matter much in the end. The impact of Antonio¡¯s death was smaller than anticipated. A man who had broken Riken traditions by serving as president for over fifty years vanished from the stage of history without a ripple, proving that the world marches on regardless of anyone¡¯s absence.


    A new president was elected at lightning speed¡ªMilton, a participant in the high-level closed-door meetings, and one of the most likely successors to Antonio¡¯s position. His ascension came as no surprise to the Rikens.


    Milton was still a natural Riken, not a Swarm-embedded intelligent entity.


    In fact, if Luo Wen had pushed for an intelligent entity to take office, it could have been accomplished. However, with the third party¡¯s arrival imminent, Luo Wen decided a natural Riken would be more advantageous in the current context. Future decisions could always be adjusted based on circumstances.


    Milton, conveniently, was aligned with Lieutenant Colonel Cross¡¯s faction. If necessary, he could be forcibly converted into an intelligent entity. A clone of him already lay dormant beneath his residence, ready to assume some of his duties should he disappear for up to seven days.


    As for who would operate this clone, Luo Wen had a perfect candidate¡ªnone other than the late Antonio. As part of the second group of Rikens to receive longevity serum injections, Antonio¡¯s body had long been modified. At the moment of his death, Luo Wen had forcibly harvested his consciousness into the Swarm Network.


    With Antonio¡¯s memories intact, the resulting intelligent entity could easily impersonate one of Antonio¡¯s ¡°old friends¡± or ¡°rivals.¡± After all, as the saying goes, no one knows you better than your enemy. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the new president in power and the Swarm refraining from any provocative actions, even ceasing their routine demonstrations of force near the Riken homeworld, public sentiment gradually stabilized. Without agitators to fan the flames, conflicts subsided.


    However, many non-intelligent Riken generals remained deeply puzzled by the Swarm¡¯s change in behavior. To them, the recent shift in the Swarm¡¯s ¡°routine¡± was inexplicable.


    From their perspective, the only significant event of late was the internal political transition in Riken leadership. Some began to connect the dots, formulating a chilling theory: the Swarm had orchestrated this entire upheaval.


    There were even whispers that Antonio had been assassinated by the Swarm, and if one dared to think boldly enough, perhaps the newly inaugurated President Milton was a Swarm agent.


    The rumors spread with such conviction that even some of the opposition members who had directly participated in Antonio¡¯s demise almost believed them.


    Reality, however, soon disproved these speculations. The reason for the Swarm¡¯s restraint became evident to all Rikens.

 Chapter 342: Alarm

    The Rikens, being the native inhabitants of their star system, had spent countless years establishing their presence there. Despite being cornered into holding only the orbits of planets 3, 4, 5, and 6 due to the Swarm¡¯s dominance, most of their previously deployed observation devices remained operational.


    This wasn¡¯t for lack of effort on the Swarm¡¯s part¡ªthey would gladly have cleared out these devices. However, the observation units were cleverly concealed, difficult to detect, and scattered across the vast expanse of the star system.


    The Swarm¡¯s Mature and Larval bodies, lacking Atomic Furnaces, were incapable of long-range operations. Clearing these devices would require the use of Primordial bodies, which, though numerous, were not infinite. Sending thousands of Primordial bodies across the system would be akin to tossing pebbles into an ocean¡ªachieving minimal impact while risking their forces being divided and picked off by concentrated Riken counterattacks.


    Thus, these ¡°small annoyances¡± were left for later, and they continued to provide the Rikens with some insight into the star system¡¯s happenings.


    In a dimly lit room, ten large monitors hung on one wall, each split into a 5¡Á4 grid of smaller screens, all currently blacked out. Opposite this wall were several additional monitors, their surfaces filled with chaotic lines, flashing red and green lights, and other symbols incomprehensible to anyone lacking technical expertise.


    Between the two walls, a bored Riken soldier slouched in a swivel chair. This room, located in an underground fortress on Planet Riven, was a typical Riken-style monitoring center. The soldier¡¯s duty was to oversee and maintain the daily operations of over 200 monitoring devices.


    The external units of these devices were 2¡Á2 cubic metal constructs coated with stealth materials. Inside, they housed a variety of sensors, optical recording instruments, transmission modules, high-energy batteries, and small engine modules.


    While they seemed well-equipped, these devices were closer to disposable tools. Launched via specialized ejectors, their engine modules were compact and rudimentary, limited by the Rikens¡¯ current technological capabilities.


    Indeed, the engines relied on battery power, which provided only minimal thrust for deceleration and redirection. Propulsion was generated entirely by the launching ejectors, a design reminiscent of the Swarm¡¯s Meteor Launchers.


    Once deployed and positioned, the devices decelerated until captured by the gravitational pull of nearby objects. A small solar panel recharged their high-energy batteries over time.


    In normal operation, they remained dormant to conserve energy and minimize detectable emissions. Data collection was passive, using external sensors to monitor their surroundings. Upon detecting anomalies, the devices activated their optical recording systems, using their engines to adjust position and aim concealed cameras at the detected phenomenon.


    Once recording began, the transmission module activated, streaming real-time footage back to the Riken monitoring centers. This long-range transmission consumed most of the battery¡¯s stored energy and generated significant energy fluctuations, making the devices highly visible. If the anomaly turned out to be hostile forces, the exposed unit would likely be destroyed.


    For this reason, the devices were treated as expendable.


    Given their passive nature, the soldier monitoring over 200 such devices rarely had anything to do. With thousands of similar monitoring centers across the Riken-controlled region, such soldiers typically faced long, uneventful shifts.


    This particular soldier had just turned off the room¡¯s lights, planning to sneak in a nap. The darkened monitors offered no entertainment, and the monotony of his post often lulled him into drowsiness. Working in a secluded, seldom-visited station, naps had become a norm.


    Just as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, the piercing sound of an alarm erupted. The blaring noise reverberated through the confined room, leaving his head buzzing. Simultaneously, red warning lights flared, bathing the dim space in frantic, strobing flashes. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Riken soldier forced himself to overcome the discomfort, jumping up from his chair and hurrying to the corner of the room to flip the light switch. The room brightened, and the once-blinding red strobe became far less abrasive. Breathing a sigh of relief, he thought that if the flashing had persisted, he might have lost his lunch.


    Although it was his first time encountering such a situation on duty, his training kept him from panicking. He¡¯d also heard similar stories from his colleagues, typically involving either passing meteors or Swarm forces.


    Meteors were nothing unusual, and as for the Swarm¡ªwell, their detestable presence was everywhere outside. Triggering a few observation units wasn¡¯t anything out of the ordinary.


    The soldier mused about suggesting improvements to the research department, perhaps incorporating an automatic identification feature to avoid unnecessary scares, replacing the alarm with something less jarring, and dimming the alert lights to be easier on the eyes¡­


    Grumbling to himself, the soldier casually approached the operations platform under the wall-mounted screens. One small square on one of the screens was now illuminated, indicating that an external observation unit was functioning properly and had successfully transmitted video footage.


    With a lazy flick of his finger, he opened the feed. After a brief buffering period, the footage loaded, and what appeared on the screen left him utterly speechless.


    The video did not display a meteor, nor did it show the hated Swarm. Instead, it captured the approach of an enormous fleet. Cold, metallic ships clad in dark red paint emanated an oppressive, bloodthirsty aura.


    The recording continued for about two minutes before concluding with a beam of light emanating from the fleet¡¯s direction, cutting off the feed and plunging the screen into darkness. The soldier realized the observation unit had been destroyed¡ªroughly 30 minutes prior, given that light in space doesn¡¯t travel instantaneously across vast distances.


    After double-checking the equipment to confirm there were no malfunctions or pranks involved, he finally grasped the gravity of the situation.


    Taking several deep breaths to steady himself, the soldier reached for a key hanging around his neck and used it to unlock a protective cover on the operations panel.


    Beneath the cover lay a large red button. Pressing it frivolously could result in a court-martial, but this was no time for hesitation. The soldier braced himself, placing both hands firmly on the button, rising onto his toes, and pressing down with the full weight of his body.


    The button depressed with a soft click. Contrary to expectation, there were no dramatic sounds or flashing lights. Even the room¡¯s original alarm and warning lights ceased their blaring.


    Relieved, the soldier let out a long exhale. His job was done¡ªthe matter was now in the hands of higher authorities.

 Chapter 343: Detection

    The Riken soldier¡¯s task was indeed complete. His role was merely that of an initial screener; upon discovering valuable information and triggering the alarm, all the equipment and instruments in his room were remotely commandeered by the intelligence department.


    Before long, the two-minute video stirred up a storm among the Riken leadership. Optical observation stations on Planet Riven, Planet Riwu, and even the Riken homeworld redirected more than 60% of their large-scale instruments to focus on the location where the monitoring unit had been destroyed.


    It didn¡¯t take long for them to locate the fleet.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bet anything¡ªthose warships aren¡¯t part of the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°Alcer! This isn¡¯t the time for jokes!¡± Hamis snapped, glaring at Alcer, who shrugged indifferently.


    Surprisingly, after a brief panic, the Riken high command settled into an unusual calm upon discovering this new fleet. Some even seemed to relish the situation.


    Although the Rikens were currently surrounded and pinned down by the Swarm, they realized this also meant they were somewhat shielded by the Swarm. Any new force looking to trouble the Rikens would first have to contend with the Swarm.


    This ironic layer of ¡°protection¡± led to a rather relaxed atmosphere in what should have been a tense meeting. The Rikens adopted the mindset of spectators, anticipating the Swarm¡¯s clash with this new faction and hoping to see them mutually devastate each other.


    After all, the Swarm was their oppressive captor, not a trusted guardian. If the newcomers managed to engage the Swarm in a bloody conflict, both sides weakening each other would be a win-win for the Rikens.


    They showed little concern for their own safety. To them, the Swarm was overwhelmingly powerful, while the newcomers, based on the size of their warships, appeared only slightly stronger than the Rikens themselves.


    ¡°It seems the Swarm likely noticed them long ago, which is why they¡¯ve been holding their position. We were overthinking it before.¡±


    ¡°Still, those newcomers¡­ their main engines look oddly familiar,¡± remarked a logistics general, staring at the high-resolution photos and videos captured by the Riken observation systems now trained on the dark-red fleet.


    The remark drew attention. With so many advanced optical instruments focused on the new fleet, the Rikens had acquired exceptionally clear images of their warships. The general¡¯s comment about the engines piqued interest.


    ¡°What did you notice, Safang?¡± someone asked.


    Major General Safang was lost in thought, not responding immediately. Suddenly, he moved swiftly, isolating the image of the dark-red warships¡¯ rear engine section. He then retrieved an image of a Riken warship, isolating its engine as well, and placed the two images side by side.


    The other Riken officers crowded around to see. Gradually, their expressions shifted, mouths agape in astonishment.


    ¡°I understand that technological convergence can happen, but this¡­ this is way too similar,¡± one officer murmured.


    ¡°If you hadn¡¯t shown me the full images, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to tell which was which.¡±


    ¡°There are some minor differences in the details, but they¡¯re nearly identical,¡± Safang said, adjusting the non-prescription glasses perched on his nose. The familiarity he had felt earlier was now glaringly obvious, leaving him even more puzzled.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t just about convergence,¡± Safang continued. ¡°Every civilization develops with its own unique culture, which shapes its distinct technological style. Consider the stark contrasts between the Rikens and the Swarm. Even among ourselves, before unification, the differences in style and culture between various nations and tribes were worlds apart.¡±


    ¡°And yet, here we are¡ªseparated by who knows how many light-years¡ªand their designs align so closely with ours. Even if both of us follow the mechanical technology path, it¡¯s extraordinarily unlikely we¡¯d arrive at such similar outcomes.¡±


    ¡°Exactly!¡±


    The Rikens fell into deep thought.


    After a brief silence, Hamis spoke up suddenly: ¡°Have you ever wondered why this new faction came here?¡±


    ¡°I suspect it was the nuclear explosions that attracted them. If that¡¯s the case, they can¡¯t be too far from us,¡± replied Novaul, Fleet Commander of the Second Fleet, after some consideration. ¡°Why bring this up now?¡±


    Hamis didn¡¯t answer directly but posed another question: ¡°Where did our engine technology come from?¡±


    Novaul rolled his eyes at Hamis¡¯s seemingly erratic train of thought but managed to follow along. ¡°From reverse-engineering the Treasure starship?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Now, have you considered another possibility?¡± S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By now, Novaul was catching on. He chuckled and replied, ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. Sure, these newcomers appear a little stronger than us based on their ship sizes, but suggesting they¡¯re the original owners of the Treasure starship? I can¡¯t agree with that.¡±


    Hamis, unbothered, nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s exactly my point.¡±


    Suddenly, Safang interrupted with a eureka-like realization. ¡°I think I understand what Admiral Hamis means!¡±


    ¡°Oh? Then tell us,¡± said Hamis, gesturing for Safang to continue.


    Safang nodded and took a moment to gather his thoughts. ¡°Our engine technology comes from the ancient starship. It¡¯s like crossing a river by feeling for the stones¡ªit drastically shortened our research and development time, but it also passed on its stylistic influences to us. The similarity in engine design between our ships and the newcomers¡¯ isn¡¯t coincidental.¡± He paused, letting his words sink in.


    ¡°Since they aren¡¯t the owners of the ancient starship, then they must have their own version of it!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying¡­ they have another ancient starship?¡± The Rikens were stunned, finding the idea difficult to digest. Yet, upon careful consideration, they realized the possibility was quite high.


    ¡°I have a bad feeling about this,¡± someone muttered.


    ¡°Funny, so do I.¡±


    What once seemed like a stroke of fortune now felt like a carefully orchestrated plan. That realization left a sour taste in their mouths.


    ¡°So, this new faction may not have been drawn here by the nuclear explosions after all,¡± Hamis said, nodding.


    ¡°Exactly. That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what came to my mind first?¡± asked another officer.


    ¡°Some kind of experiment?¡±


    ¡°Haha, looks like we¡¯re on the same page.¡±


    ¡°A civilization or faction, using us as test subjects, but now rushing in because they see us on the brink of annihilation by the Swarm?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good story. I like it.¡±


    ¡°Me too.¡±


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve been underestimated.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s more about the imbalance of information. I¡¯d argue that in terms of intelligence, we¡¯re not inferior to any other species.¡±


    ¡°But the scale of this operation¡­ If whoever is behind this harbors malicious intent, we might be in serious trouble.¡±


    ¡°Then, the Swarm is the wildcard?¡±


    ¡°Seems likely.¡±


    ¡°How are they different from us?¡±


    ¡°In countless ways. The simplest difference is that they primarily follow a biotechnology path. Even if you gave them an ancient starship, they¡¯d have to reverse-engineer it and then convert its technology into their biological framework. That¡¯s much more complicated than what we had to do.¡±


    ¡°But that might also make their adaptations more valuable. The Swarm could be in for some trouble.¡±


    ¡°Kind of makes me happy¡­¡±


    Receiving all this in real time, Sarah Kerrigan sighed. ¡°A civilization destined to be livestock¡ªwhy bother thinking so much?¡±

 Chapter 344: Daqi

    When the newcomers destroyed the Riken observation device, their action was immediately detected by the ever-vigilant Swarm.


    Such decisive hostility, without a hint of hesitation, suggested not only ill intent but also an unwavering confidence in their own strength.


    However, the Swarm¡ªparticularly Luo Wen, who had become even more formidable after the latest upgrade to the Swarm Network¡ªwas unfazed.


    Confidence born of power is a universal trait, and now, two equally confident factions were on a collision course, where only raw strength would decide the victor.


    ¡°Well then, let¡¯s see who¡¯s really bluffing,¡± Luo Wen remarked.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Ah, two fledgling interstellar civilizations, ignorant and without reverence for the cosmos. Don¡¯t they realize that detonating high-yield nuclear weapons in space is incredibly dangerous?¡± A tall, humanoid figure standing over two meters spoke from the bridge of a warship.


    Clad in a dark red uniform adorned with intricate patterns along its edges, the figure¡¯s attire perfectly matched his crimson skin, which exuded an eerie, almost blood-soaked beauty.


    His facial features included the standard eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, but with a striking anomaly: he possessed three eyes. The outer two stretched to the tops of his ears, while the third sat atop the bridge of his nose, aligned horizontally with the other two. This unique arrangement granted him a field of vision far superior to that of any two-eyed species.


    The irises of his eyes were predominantly dark yellow, with constricted black pupils that lent his gaze a fierce intensity.


    His crimson skin was marked by intricate cracks and scattered granular protrusions, which were not indicative of disease. The figure standing behind him, a slender humanoid of the same race, shared these traits, confirming them as a characteristic of their species.


    The second figure, though shorter at just over 1.9 meters, possessed a form that could stir boundless imagination from behind. However, her magma-textured skin and three half-lidded yellow eyes likely fell short of appealing to many species¡¯ aesthetic standards.


    ¡°What do you think, Aslit?¡± the taller figure asked, breaking the silence. He was clearly basking in his own musings and seemed miffed that his subordinate hadn¡¯t offered any commentary. Nevertheless, he turned to her with the question.


    Despite her appearance being unappealing to other species, by her race¡¯s standards, Aslit was a bona fide beauty.


    ¡°You are correct, Your Highness,¡± she replied with a sigh, her tone carrying a note of resignation.


    The speaker was Prince Diallo, the third prince of the Daqi Empire, a vast interstellar state spanning three star systems. Though over 300 years old, by the empire¡¯s standards, he was still considered a youth.


    In the Daqi Empire, interstellar travel necessitated extended stasis. As such, age calculations were inconsistent. While Diallo had been alive for over three centuries, two-thirds of that time had been spent in hibernation during interstellar voyages, leaving his body biologically in its prime, around 100 years old.


    The Daqi Empire, a sprawling civilization, had fully conquered its home star system two millennia ago with external assistance. Over the centuries, they expanded their dominion to two additional star systems.


    Although their engine technology was advanced¡ªapproaching the theoretical limits of their technological paradigm¡ªthey had yet to achieve faster-than-light travel.


    The distances between neighboring star systems, typically spanning more than five light-years, meant that even at their current speeds, journeys between the empire¡¯s core and its colonies took over a decade. Earlier in their colonial history, these trips could take upwards of 30 years. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the colonies grew more stable and developed, their isolation from the empire¡¯s core gave rise to separatist ambitions among certain factions. Though these uprisings were swiftly crushed by the empire¡¯s mighty fleets, the events left the Daqi royal family wary.


    In response, the royal court convened and agreed to station imperial fleets permanently in the colonies. However, the empire was unwilling to entrust such critical roles to outsiders. Thus, the royal family decided to appoint its own members to oversee these fleets.


    Through careful deliberation, the Daqi Empire established a new set of rules to maintain its royal lineage and ensure the stability of its dominion.


    Given the Daqi¡¯s long lifespans and their position as regional overlords, the king resided safely at the empire¡¯s core. By the time an old king abdicated and the crown prince ascended the throne, the new king was often already advanced in age with numerous offspring.


    For example, when Prince Diallo¡¯s father ascended the throne, he already had dozens of siblings.


    Upon the new king¡¯s coronation, his sons were required to assume command of the imperial fleets stationed in the colonies. Their role was to defend the empire¡¯s borders while intimidating potential internal and external threats within their territories.


    The prior commander of the fleet¡ªthe previous generation¡¯s prince, now promoted to ¡°Duke¡±¡ªwould determine their next step based on circumstances.


    If the new commander (their nephew or younger cousin) maintained a good relationship with them, the former fleet commander might stay on as an advisor or in a subordinate role. If relations were strained, they would return to the imperial homeworld to retire.


    However, by this stage, few dukes typically remained alive. This was due to one of the Daqi¡¯s most brutal traditions.


    When the king reached a certain age, the Battle for Succession was initiated. All princes with the qualifications to claim the throne were required to participate.


    To participate in the Battle for Succession, a prince needed to wield actual power¡ªtypically command of a fleet. As such, eligible participants were generally born before the reigning king¡¯s coronation, as those born afterward rarely had time to attain such positions.


    While the competition was restricted to a limited number of princes, all methods of contention were deemed legal during this period.


    The means of contention varied widely, ranging from peaceful to violent:


    Peaceful Means: Princes could expand the empire¡¯s borders, quell rebellions, or carry out extraordinary missions to prove their worth. However, such achievements were rare and unpredictable. Since the Daqi royal family implemented this system, no prince had ever ascended to the throne through merit alone.


    Most princes opted for more aggressive approaches. Competitors were summoned to the imperial homeworld, where they engaged in various battles to determine the victor.


    These contests ranged from large-scale simulated fleet battles to direct combat between special operations teams. Even poisonings or outright assassinations were permissible, with rivals vanishing without a trace.


    At the end of the Battle for Succession, the surviving princes were ranked through a unique scoring system, with the highest scorer claiming the title of crown prince. All grievances and rivalries from the competition were officially resolved and could no longer be pursued.


    The brutality of these battles ensured that only a few princes survived. Of the dozens of participants, fewer than five typically emerged alive. The practice was so blood-soaked that the imperial line was perpetually thinned with each succession.

 Chapter 345: Diallo

    In Diallo¡¯s father¡¯s generation, the battle for succession saw 34 princes competing for the throne. By the end, only two remained. His father ultimately claimed victory by orchestrating the demise of eleven rivals, earning the crown through the points system.


    Such ruthless competition ensured that only the strongest survived. Even in the rare instance of a ¡°lucky winner,¡± the royal family¡¯s secretive institutions were in place to either support a capable king or reduce an incompetent one to a mere figurehead.


    For over a millennium, this system, bolstered by oversight and assistance from the suzerain nation, had allowed the Daqi Empire to thrive. However, with the aging king nearing the end of his reign, a new round of succession battles was imminent.


    As the third prince, Diallo was well-positioned for the contest, commanding a fleet of over 2,000 warships. However, he had little interest in ruling. Becoming king would tie him to the Daqi homeworld, making it nearly impossible to roam the stars¡ªa prospect he could not accept.


    When the suzerain nation issued a mission, Diallo eagerly volunteered. It provided the perfect excuse to evade the succession war while taking his fleet on an extended adventure. If he delayed his return, he risked losing his military command and being relegated to the title of duke, but Diallo found this preferable to being bound to the throne.


    Diallo¡¯s adjutant and one of his many consorts, Aslit, accompanied him. Though Diallo had numerous consorts, only one held the position of his adjutant, and that honor belonged to Aslit. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Daqi culture exalted the aesthetics of violence. From the brutal succession rules to the dark red patterns adorning their warships and uniforms, their appreciation for power was unmistakable. Aslit¡¯s position had not come without fierce competition; despite her calm demeanor, she had once cut down many rivals to secure her place.


    ¡°Aslit, they¡¯ve spotted us. What kind of grand entrance should I make?¡± Diallo asked, gazing at the screen before him. He ran a hand through his short dark-red hair, a mischievous glint in his eyes.


    Beneath Diallo¡¯s seemingly sinister exterior lay a playful, unpredictable personality. His decision to accept the mission and travel to the Riken Star System was equivalent to forfeiting his claim to the throne, shocking many Daqi citizens and infuriating his brothers.


    As the powerful third prince, his deliberate withdrawal from the contest left many other princes envious of his privilege.


    Among those vying for the throne, however, his decision was met with genuine relief. They even offered heartfelt blessings for his departure.


    Aslit didn¡¯t respond immediately. She knew that when Diallo posed such questions, no answer was necessary unless he pressed further.


    Sure enough, Diallo didn¡¯t expect a reply. Instead, he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve decided. Let¡¯s give them a grand welcoming ceremony¡ªjust like Troi did for us back then.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I advise caution. That was over a thousand years ago. Our relations with Troi are stable now,¡± Aslit reminded him gently, aware that the ship¡¯s AI was recording his every word.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? Remembering history doesn¡¯t prevent us from maintaining good relations with them. Weakness is a sin, and I¡¯ve never thought Troi was wrong. Look at us now¡ªwe¡¯re equals. I think these two new civilizations need a similar lesson. Let the handsome Diallo play the villain for once.¡±


    Aslit sighed inwardly but dutifully replied, ¡°Your Highness, your intentions are difficult for ordinary people to comprehend.¡±


    Diallo smiled warmly. ¡°They don¡¯t need to understand. It¡¯s enough that you do.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Seeing his consort and adjutant¡¯s pained expression, Diallo burst into hearty laughter. Turning toward the lower deck of the bridge, he commanded, ¡°Clear the path. Accelerate forward. Let¡¯s greet our new friends.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, the Rikens are manageable, but the Swarm is peculiar. The suzerain seems to take them quite seriously. We should proceed with caution.¡±


    ¡°Be more confident, Aslit. Perhaps they¡¯ll surpass us in the future, but for now, we still hold the lead. Besides, isn¡¯t it all the more fascinating that the suzerain cares so much about them? Hahaha¡­¡± Diallo laughed, his tone a mixture of amusement and arrogance.


    ¡°I¡¯m worried that they might retaliate against us later¡­¡± Aslit said cautiously.


    ¡°Hmph! Every civilization has gone through this phase¡ªit¡¯s an unspoken rule. If they dare resist, they¡¯ll be challenging the entire alliance. Look back over millennia¡ªwho¡¯s ever opposed it?¡± Diallo dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand, his fiery gaze fixed on Planet Izumo in the distance.


    This mission was a plum assignment¡ªleveraging their technological superiority to dominate and exploit lesser civilizations, who would then treat them as honored guests. In Daqi¡¯s history, they¡¯d only undertaken such a task once before, and the mission report described a process that had long fueled Diallo¡¯s ambitions.


    This time, there were two civilizations involved¡ªample opportunity for extended entertainment.


    ¡°But the suzerain won¡¯t intervene in smaller conflicts,¡± Aslit said, still apprehensive.


    She knew Diallo well. Beneath his playful exterior lay a reckless, volatile core that, once provoked, could lead to catastrophic actions. The Swarm was particularly concerning, being a civilization the suzerain watched with great interest.


    From the intelligence gathered, they didn¡¯t appear to be the type to take kindly to subjugation. If Diallo pushed too far, it might lead to repercussions that the Daqi Empire would regret for generations.


    ¡°Enough,¡± Diallo cut her off, his voice tinged with impatience. ¡°By the time they¡¯re strong enough to challenge the Daqi Empire, I¡¯ll probably be long dead. And if they end up tearing each other apart, what¡¯s it to me? It¡¯s not like Daqi¡¯s future king will be my descendant anyway.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡± Aslit sighed deeply but chose to remain silent. She feared that continuing to argue would only provoke Diallo further.


    As the third prince, raised amidst the pinnacle of privilege and power, his unique upbringing had made him resistant to opposition or counsel, often reacting contrarily when pressed.


    Diallo¡¯s fleet entered the Riken Star System at a position alarmingly close to both the Twin Star Defensive Zone and Planet Izumo. It was likely a deliberate maneuver on their part.


    The Daqi warships, their prows equipped with shield projectors, moved with reckless speed, undeterred by obstacles large or small. This allowed them to maintain a formidable pace as they approached their destination.


    From afar, the sight of over 2,000 warships, adorned with dark red patterns and boldly unshielded, streaking directly toward the tense standoff between the Rikens and the Swarm, painted an audacious image.


    Sarah Kerrigan watched the spectacle unfold on her command display, a faint smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Oh? Arriving here and immediately picking a two-front fight? Such confidence¡­ I like it.¡±

 Chapter 346: Mystery

    ¡°They don¡¯t seem friendly. Sound the alarms, elevate the war alert level, and prepare for combat!¡± commanded Admiral Heaton, as he monitored the approaching fleet and directed the defensive lines into position.


    Warship engines roared to life, weapons charged, and gun barrels turned toward the incoming threat.


    Compared to the Swarm, which had already shown no inclination toward aggressive measures, this new faction posed a far greater threat to the Rikens. While their intentions remained unclear, their intimidating approach hardly suggested a peaceful visit.


    ¡°Admiral Heaton, if their target is our defensive line, should we fire the first shot?¡± a staff officer asked tentatively.


    ¡°Fire? Are you kidding? The Swarm is here¡ªthis isn¡¯t our problem,¡± Heaton snapped, though he paused to reconsider. ¡°That said, the Swarm¡¯s logic is often impossible to predict. If these newcomers attack the Twin Star Defense Zone and the Swarm does nothing, then we¡¯ll have to handle it ourselves.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Admiral.¡±


    ¡°Report! We¡¯ve received a broadcast message from the direction of the unknown fleet,¡± a communications officer suddenly announced.


    None of the factions involved had communication channels with each other, leaving public broadcasts as the only means of contact. The Rikens had previously tried hailing the Swarm, but their efforts were met with utter indifference.


    ¡°Can we decode it? Let¡¯s hear what they have to say.¡±


    ¡°Admiral, they¡¯re using our language!¡± the officer exclaimed, disbelief evident in his voice.


    ¡°What?!¡± Several generals echoed the sentiment, their astonishment palpable.


    Languages evolve uniquely within each civilization, shaped by a myriad of cultural and biological factors. For an entirely unknown faction to independently develop a language identical to that of the Rikens was not just improbable¡ªit was impossible.


    The only plausible explanations were unsettling. One possibility was that the newcomers possessed overwhelmingly superior technology, allowing them to infiltrate Riken networks, intercept data, and crack their language. Yet their brash and unrefined demeanor seemed at odds with such a level of sophistication.


    The second, more likely possibility was even more alarming: the Rikens had been under this faction¡¯s surveillance for an extended period. If so, their language would have been thoroughly documented and decrypted long ago. Considering the earlier theories regarding the ¡°Treasure¡± starship, this explanation seemed dangerously close to the truth.


    ¡°Damn it, these guys didn¡¯t even bother pretending, did they?¡± one general growled. To an advanced species priding itself on its intelligence, the revelation of prolonged surveillance was a humiliating blow.


    ¡°Forget our pride for now. What did the message say?¡± Admiral Heaton redirected focus, brushing aside the bruised egos of his peers.


    The communications officer hesitated before replying, his voice trembling. ¡°They said they come from the great Daqi Empire and demand our unconditional surrender. They warned us not to bring misfortune upon ourselves.¡±


    The bluntness of the message was almost too much to bear. Instinctively, the officer took a step back, fearing the wrath of the gathered generals. The sheer audacity of the statement was dripping with mockery.


    ¡°What?!¡± one general bellowed, seemingly unable to process such a terse and direct approach. ¡°No greeting? No formalities? Just straight to demands?!¡±


    ¡°Are they insane?¡± another general muttered, aghast. ¡°They¡¯ve completely discarded even the most basic diplomatic protocols. Honestly, the Swarm¡¯s silence feels more respectful than this.¡±


    ¡°Arrogant and ignorant! Arrogant and ignorant!¡±


    ¡°They completely disregard us!¡±


    The senior Riken officers were seething with rage. The communications officer, feeling the tension rise, instinctively took another step back. As he debated whether to quietly exit the room, General Hamis turned to him abruptly.


    ¡°Is there any other information besides this message?¡±


    The communications officer thought carefully, ensuring he hadn¡¯t missed anything, then shook his head. ¡°No, General, nothing else.¡±


    ¡°No other transmissions in unknown languages?¡± Hamis pressed.


    ¡°None, sir. Only in our Riken language.¡±


    Hearing this, Hamis¡¯s fury reignited. ¡°Damn it! I knew the Swarm could understand our language!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s hardly surprising, is it? Over the course of several wars, many of our soldiers have likely been captured by the Swarm. For a technological civilization, cracking a language once they have examples is trivial.¡±


    ¡°True,¡± Hamis admitted, though the realization did little to soothe his frustration. ¡°But this reinforces my suspicion¡ªthe Swarm is the wild card here.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. The Swarm remains as enigmatic to this so-called Daqi Empire as it is to us. Otherwise, with their arrogance, they would never miss an opportunity to show dominance over the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°Does this mean we¡¯re just that weak?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so self-critical. I¡¯m now certain the Swarm aren¡¯t natives of the T85 Star System. Otherwise, how could two neighboring civilizations like ours and theirs be treated so differently? Why would we be surveilled, while they remain untouched?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right, but I can¡¯t help feeling we¡¯re missing something,¡± another officer murmured thoughtfully.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± Novaul interjected, his tone decisive. ¡°Based on our analysis, the Daqi Empire likely isn¡¯t the true owner of the Treasure starship. They seem more like errand-runners. Given the advanced technology of the civilization behind the scenes, the spatial barriers that constrain us might be no obstacle to them. If that¡¯s the case, then perhaps this entire star region is under their surveillance. So¡­¡±


    ¡°So how has the Swarm, with technology far inferior to theirs, managed to break through their watch, evade their surveillance, and maintain their mystery?¡± Hamis finished, grasping Novaul¡¯s line of reasoning.


    ¡°Exactly! It¡¯s a glaring contradiction!¡±


    ¡°Could it be because they¡¯ve followed a biological technology path?¡± another officer speculated.


    ¡°Scientific principles are universal,¡± Novaul countered. ¡°Whether mechanical or biological, they¡¯re just expressions of those principles. Even we have many technologies rooted in biology. There¡¯s no need to mystify them.¡±


    Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the Daqi fleet, Prince Diallo reclined in his command chair, his cracked, volcanic-textured jaw resting thoughtfully in his hand.


    ¡°Even the suzerain has refrained from providing further information on this Swarm. Clearly, there¡¯s something unique about them,¡± Diallo mused. ¡°But how do they do it?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness,¡± Aslit ventured cautiously, ¡°I¡¯ve previously speculated that their history may include a genius who, early in their civilization¡¯s development, treated a suzerain-level threat as a hypothetical enemy and meticulously prepared their society while hiding their true strength until now.¡±


    Diallo shook his head. ¡°That doesn¡¯t hold water. Achieving this level of secrecy and advancement requires more than a single genius. It demands the unwavering cooperation of their entire species. Do you think that¡¯s likely? Moreover, the suzerain hasn¡¯t even provided basic information, like their language or scripts. This goes far beyond mere concealment.¡±


    ¡°Yes, which leads to my second hypothesis,¡± Aslit continued. ¡°The Swarm may be outsiders. They could be an advanced intelligent species that, for some reason, ended up in this star region. Their high level of technology from the outset would make sense, but their history before that would be a blank.¡±


    ¡°That does seem plausible,¡± Diallo agreed, ¡°but there are still inconsistencies. A civilization large enough to migrate wouldn¡¯t escape the suzerain¡¯s surveillance. And for a displaced species to rebuild to this extent would require significant time.¡± sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 347: Clearing the Path

    ¡°Yes, according to the latest intelligence, the Swarm¡¯s main forces are concentrated in the M579 Star System. However, it doesn¡¯t appear to be their origin point. Interestingly, a highly unusual native species has been discovered there.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Diallo¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    ¡°This species evolved from beasts to a civilized race in just a few hundred years.¡±


    ¡°Hah, a familiar pattern. Looks like this Swarm also enjoys conducting experiments,¡± Diallo said with a dry laugh, as if recalling a distant memory. ¡°Annoying creatures! Didn¡¯t they uncover anything useful from that native species?¡±


    Aslit shook her head. ¡°The Swarm¡¯s defenses in that area are exceptionally tight. Coupled with their inherent mystery, even with the suzerain¡¯s technological capabilities, infiltrating them undetected seems impossible. To avoid alarming them, all surveillance has been conducted at a distance.¡±


    ¡°Typical!¡± Diallo snorted disdainfully.


    ¡°Your Highness, yesterday I reviewed the collected information with the think tank and arrived at a new hypothesis,¡± Aslit ventured cautiously.


    ¡°Oh? What kind of hypothesis?¡±


    ¡°Based on the Swarm¡¯s external characteristics, we suspect they might be a mutated biological species.¡±


    ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°As in hive-mind organisms. A species where only a few individuals possess true intelligence. If such a biological entity developed intelligence through mutation, it might have evaded the suzerain¡¯s monitoring, allowing them to grow to their current level.¡±


    Diallo¡¯s interest deepened. He nodded slowly. ¡°That makes sense. A single genius individual could indeed transform the entire species without needing their cooperation¡ªsince the others would naturally obey without question. But even so, I still find it hard to believe. Could a species with such inherent conformity advance technology to this degree?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s precisely what perplexes us, Your Highness. These are just hypotheses. The Swarm remains shrouded in mystery.¡±


    Diallo narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on the massive image of Planet Izumo displayed on the screen.


    In a low voice, he mused, ¡°Fascinating, truly fascinating. Aslit, do you think if we were to uncover the Swarm¡¯s secrets, it might free us from the suzerain¡¯s grasp?¡±


    ¡°Your thoughts are dangerous, Your Highness. Please, tread carefully!¡± Aslit lowered her head and gently reminded him.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be dull. I¡¯m merely speculating. Still, their mystery intrigues me. It makes me want to tear them apart to see what they¡¯re hiding.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, I believe we should proceed with caution.¡±


    ¡°No more words. I prefer straightforward action over schemes.¡± Diallo waved dismissively, cutting off Aslit¡¯s warnings. Yet his flickering gaze betrayed the complex thoughts churning behind his confident fa?ade.


    As the Daqi fleet advanced, its trajectory subtly shifted. Instead of heading toward the midpoint between Planet Izumo and the Twin Star Defensive Zone, their path veered slightly toward the Swarm¡¯s position near Planet Izumo.


    The overt hostility of the Daqi fleet¡¯s maneuver immediately triggered alerts. More than 50% of the observation devices belonging to both the Swarm and the Rikens locked onto the fleet, analyzing every move. As soon as the fleet altered its course, the change was detected, and within moments, advanced computational systems recalculated their new trajectory.


    When the results came in, the Rikens collectively exhaled in relief. The Daqi fleet¡¯s target wasn¡¯t them. All they had to do now was sit back and watch. Military base personnel quietly lamented the lack of civilian amenities; with a snack bar or vending machine, they could have made a fortune selling drinks and sunflower seeds.


    The Swarm, however, remained unperturbed. This development had been anticipated.


    ¡°Your Highness, we¡¯ve entered firing range!¡± an officer reported.


    ¡°Excellent. Authorize fleet-wide network integration, unlock AI permissions, and compute individual targets. Clear the path!¡± Prince Diallo¡¯s demeanor turned serious as he issued his orders with a commanding air.


    Nearly two centuries of overseeing frontier fleets had honed him into a capable military leader, far from a mere figurehead. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the Daqi warships sped forward, the reverse thrusters at their prows flared to life. The fleet slowed abruptly, each ship shuddering momentarily from the sudden deceleration. This maneuver alone demonstrated the superiority of Daqi engineering; if Riken warships attempted such an operation, the structural strain would likely tear them apart instantly.


    The decelerated warships trained their forward-facing main guns¡ªeight per vessel¡ªon calculated targets. Assisted by radar and advanced computer systems, the turrets swung into position. Moments later, a synchronized volley of firepower erupted, thousands of red energy beams lancing into the void.


    At this moment, the Daqi fleet was nearly ten million kilometers away from Planet Izumo. At such a vast distance, even light would take over half a second to traverse. While the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns were capable of firing over such distances, their projectiles would take hours to reach their targets, and anything but a stationary object would be virtually impossible to hit.


    However, the Daqi clearly had faith in their weapons. Their main guns, similar in function to the energy weapons used by the Rikens, fired condensed red beams. Unlike the Riken weapons, however, the Daqi beams had significantly greater range, underscoring their technological superiority in energy weaponry.


    Even so, the immense distance proved too much. Although the beams were highly focused, the energy dissipated during their journey. Most were extinguished mid-flight, and those that reached the Swarm¡¯s vicinity carried insufficient force to inflict serious damage. The barrage, while spectacular, had limited practical effect¡ªappearing more like a dazzling light show.


    Neither the Swarm nor the Rikens mocked this apparent display of ineffectiveness. At this level of technological advancement, no faction would engage in such actions without purpose.


    And indeed, there was purpose.


    After three volleys, the Daqi fleet ceased fire.


    ¡°Your Highness, the pathway ahead has been cleared.¡±


    ¡°Well done. Let the Swarm witness the fiery passion of our crimson kiss,¡± Diallo quipped with a smirk.


    ¡°At once, Your Highness!¡±


    The warships¡¯ upper missile silos opened, revealing rows of massive warheads. One by one, they were ejected and launched. Guided by AI-assisted fire control systems, the missiles locked onto their targets, igniting their rear engines. With trails of white exhaust, the missiles arced toward Planet Izumo.


    The Daqi missiles bore a resemblance to the Radiance of the Rikens. However, in terms of sophistication, the Daqi designs were at least two generations ahead.


    While the Riken missiles weren¡¯t exactly slow, their speed was insufficient in the context of modern space warfare. As a result, Rikens primarily used them to deliver high-yield nuclear warheads for indiscriminate attacks.


    The Daqi missiles, on the other hand, told a different story. Benefiting from their advanced engine technology¡ªcapable of propelling their warships to over half the speed of light¡ªthe Daqi had miniaturized these engines for missile use. Although the reduced size curtailed their velocity somewhat, the missiles still reached an impressive one-third the speed of light.


    This technological edge made the Daqi missiles a deadly addition to their arsenal, capable of striking with precision and ferocity. As they hurtled toward Planet Izumo, their trajectories promised the beginning of a calculated assault.

 Chapter 348: Crimson Kiss

    What kind of concept are we talking about here?


    The Earth to Moon distance of over 300,000 kilometers could be traversed by this missile in just four seconds, assuming no external factors. With the Daqi fleet over 10 million kilometers away from Planet Izumo, factoring in acceleration, the missiles would take just over two minutes to reach their target.


    This speed was extraordinary¡ªespecially for a missile. Unlike electromagnetic railgun projectiles or energy beams, which are one-shot, point-to-point weapons, these missiles carried fire-control systems and propulsion units, enabling them to independently seek and track targets.


    At this velocity, the Swarm¡¯s current technology offered no means of intercepting them. Once locked on, there was no way for a targeted Swarm unit to evade. At this stage, such weapons were effectively guaranteed to hit their mark.


    However, even a weapon this formidable had its drawbacks¡ªits strengths were also its limitations in some respects.


    The missile¡¯s engine system, capable of propelling it to such incredible speeds, required an immense amount of energy. The Daqi used nuclear batteries to power the engines, but due to the extreme energy demands, these batteries could not yet be miniaturized. This necessitated a massive missile body, limiting the number that could be carried per warship.


    There was also an upgraded version of this missile. By replacing the nuclear battery with a controlled fusion power source, the missile¡¯s size would balloon to 100 meters in length and 20 meters in diameter. While this upgrade would extend its effective range to interstellar distances, measured in light-years, such missiles were impractical for anything but the void between star systems, rendering their strategic value negligible.


    And this leads to the second major limitation of the Crimson Kiss: its lack of flexibility. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With no prior intelligence on these missiles, the Swarm found themselves caught off guard.


    The Crimson Kiss was alarmingly fast. After initial acceleration, its velocity climbed to an extraordinary level. Had the Daqi not launched such a large salvo¡ªcausing energy signatures too prominent to ignore¡ªthe missiles¡¯ speed might have allowed them to slip through the Swarm¡¯s detection systems altogether.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll need to upgrade our radar systems,¡± Sarah Kerrigan muttered, her expression grim.


    The brazen arrogance of this newcomer faction was matched by their clear technological prowess. ¡°Everyone, move now!¡± she barked.


    Lacking prior intel or adequate preparation, the Swarm could only respond by relocating their forces to minimize the missiles¡¯ accuracy.


    With three minutes to react, the Space Octopuses managed to move far from their original positions.


    However, high-tech weapons like these weren¡¯t so easily countered. As the Crimson Kiss missiles approached within 300,000 kilometers of the Swarm forces, their warheads abruptly opened, revealing the true payload within.


    Each missile contained a MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle) system, housing 36 tactical nuclear warheads. While nuclear weapons had their shortcomings, they remained cost-effective and devastating in space combat.


    Each of these warheads, while less powerful than the Radiance of the Rikens, still packed enough punch to severely damage a warship.


    Had the three Riken fleets been caught off guard, a salvo like this from the Daqi could have obliterated them outright. Observing the unfolding chaos near Planet Izumo, Riken officers collectively broke out in cold sweats, realizing how close they were to witnessing a similar catastrophe.


    Due to the Crimson Kiss missiles¡¯ enormous size and inherent limitations, each Daqi warship carried fewer than ten. In the earlier salvo, most ships had launched at least four missiles, depleting nearly half of their onboard stockpile.


    The Daqi fleet wasn¡¯t holding back from firing more missiles¡ªthey had calculated that deploying half their arsenal would be more than sufficient.


    And indeed, the results were staggering. Over 2,000 Daqi warships, each launching at least four missiles, filled the void with more than 300,000 tactical nuclear warheads. With precision guidance systems, the warheads rained down on the Swarm forces, striking with deadly accuracy.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Sarah Kerrigan ground her teeth in frustration. Since becoming part of the Swarm, she had never suffered such a severe setback.


    The Swarm units facing the Daqi fleet¡ªboth the Primordial Bodies stationed in orbit and the land-based artillery on the satellite surfaces¡ªwere decimated in a single assault. Forces that had been painstakingly built up over time were wiped out almost entirely.


    The Swarm¡¯s Blades had limited experience in space combat. Their past encounters with the Rikens had been overwhelmingly one-sided, aided by near-omniscient intelligence systems.


    Each battle had been more akin to target practice, leaving little opportunity for growth. Now, deprived of foreknowledge, they suffered crippling losses, leaving Sarah and the other Blades reeling.


    Fortunately, the Swarm still had reserves. Shielded by the gas giant and its moons, waves of Space Octopuses emerged from the far side of Planet Izumo, quickly repopulating the battlefield. However, the destroyed land-based artillery on the satellites couldn¡¯t be replaced as quickly.


    ¡°Send them another barrage!¡± Diallo commanded, grinning as new missile silos opened. Tens of thousands of Crimson Kiss missiles surged toward the Swarm lines once more. If these struck as decisively as the first wave, the Swarm¡¯s defensive positions around Planet Izumo would be utterly annihilated.


    ¡°Hmph! Same old tricks! Do they think we¡¯re idiots?¡± Sarah snapped. The earlier losses still burned, her frustration far from settled.


    As the Primordial Bodies repositioned to fill the gaps, their electromagnetic railguns had already been recalibrated. Now, under intense strain, they fired three rapid salvos in succession.


    The effort left the railguns silent, their barrels heavily damaged from overheating. If these were Riken railguns, the damaged components would require manual replacement, but the Swarm¡¯s biological advantages shone here.


    The Space Octopuses¡¯ metabolic processes accelerated, expelling necrotic cells and regenerating new ones. Given sufficient energy and a brief respite, the railguns would fully repair themselves.


    However, repairs weren¡¯t the immediate priority. The three salvos had launched over a million projectiles. While these would take hours to reach the Daqi fleet and were unlikely to hit moving targets, that wasn¡¯t the objective.


    The aim was to saturate the space between the two forces.


    This exposed a key weakness of the Crimson Kiss missiles: their extreme speed made them highly susceptible to collisions with debris. Even a minor obstacle could shatter them. Prior to firing their first wave, the Daqi fleet had used three rounds of their main guns to clear the space between themselves and the Swarm, ensuring an unobstructed path for the missiles.


    The Swarm¡¯s Blades had noticed this tactic. If the Daqi cleared the path, the Swarm would simply refill it.


    Though the distance between the two forces was vast, the corridor for missile trajectories was relatively narrow. Now, with the space filled by countless electromagnetic projectiles, the second wave of Crimson Kiss missiles faced a chaotic gauntlet.

 Chapter 349: Repulsion Field

    In the distant reaches of space, fleeting sparks occasionally lit up the void.


    These were caused by Crimson Kiss missiles colliding with electromagnetic rounds. Despite being tactical nuclear weapons, Crimson Kiss warheads were engineered with exceptional safety measures, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t detonate from impacts alone.


    Still, at such high speeds, even a glancing hit spelled the end of their mission.


    Ultimately, 80% of the Crimson Kiss missiles were intercepted, with only 20% breaking through the defense lines and inflicting some damage on the Swarm¡¯s formations. Both sides seemed to find this outcome acceptable.


    The Crimson Kiss relied on surprise and asymmetrical information to achieve its efficacy. After the first strike, replicating its initial success became significantly harder¡ªa phenomenon well-documented not only in Daqi¡¯s records but in those of many other civilizations. This weapon had earned its nickname, ¡°The Newcomer¡¯s Gift,¡± for this reason.


    ¡°What a spectacle. It¡¯s my first time seeing them unleashed en masse,¡± Aslit murmured.


    ¡°Impressive, isn¡¯t it? According to the records, during our first encounter with them, we lost 80% of our fleet in the initial salvo. Utter humiliation. But the Swarm is clearly hiding some significant secret. Even after that welcome ceremony, they¡¯re still standing,¡± Diallo said with a mix of admiration and intrigue.


    ¡°Indeed, Your Highness. However, this is just one of their bases. We should proceed cautiously.¡± S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. The technological gap between us is insurmountable with numbers alone. The more resilient they are, the more excited I get. If they were wiped out in one go, it¡¯d be no fun at all.¡±


    After two volleys, the Daqi fleet had nearly exhausted their supply of Crimson Kiss missiles. What little remained was insufficient to launch another full-scale barrage. Still, the operation had decimated a substantial portion of the Swarm¡¯s active forces, marking it as a significant victory.


    As the Daqi fleet powered up their engines and surged forward once more, Sarah Kerrigan issued calm orders, all Space Octopuses were to disperse into a loose formation, while reinforcements from the Swarm bases on Planet Raze and the near-solar orbit base were to mobilize immediately.


    ¡°Your Majesty, we¡¯ve deployed all forces from the Izumo base. If the enemy gets close enough to use those weapons again, I fear they won¡¯t hold out until reinforcements arrive,¡± a Blade remarked with concern.


    ¡°No need to worry,¡± Sarah replied confidently. ¡°Judging by their earlier performance, those weapons aren¡¯t cheap. With such limitations, I doubt they brought many. In fact, I suspect these weren¡¯t standard issue for their fleet but specifically prepared for us.¡±


    Sarah¡¯s analysis was spot on. From numerous details, she had deduced the Daqi¡¯s level of industrialization. While tactical nuclear weapons were relatively easy for such a civilization to produce, the simplified interstellar engines and nuclear batteries mounted on the Crimson Kiss missiles were far from economical.


    The two volleys fired so far had totaled nearly 20,000 Crimson Kiss missiles. Their collective value within the Daqi Empire was enough to construct hundreds of warships.


    Moreover, given their limited practicality, Crimson Kiss missiles were not standard-issue weapons for the Daqi fleet. They were only effective as a one-off surprise, as demonstrated earlier. Hundreds of Daqi warships couldn¡¯t have eliminated so many Swarm units without them.


    ¡°Fire! Don¡¯t let them get closer!¡±


    With a single command, the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns began firing. In the near-vacuum of space, the range of these weapons was vast. However, beyond a certain distance, their accuracy diminished significantly, turning them into ¡°chance shots¡± with little hope of hitting their targets.


    At this moment, the Daqi warships were moving at extreme speeds with clear, direct objectives. Their narrow navigational trajectory made it easy for the Swarm¡¯s railgun rounds to restrict their movement.


    ¡°Activate all repulsion fields!¡± Diallo ordered. While the Daqi were unaware of the Swarm¡¯s hidden capabilities, they were well-versed in its primary combat weapons.


    The moment the Swarm¡¯s railguns began firing, the energy fluctuations were detected by the Daqi sensors, prompting an immediate response.


    In the interstellar void between star systems, material density was exceedingly low but not nonexistent. Large obstacles were scanned and preemptively destroyed with energy weapons. However, smaller objects¡ªlike pebble-sized meteor fragments¡ªwere too small and too numerous for active targeting. By the time such debris appeared on radar, the warships would already be too close for effective interception.


    Ignoring these micro-obstacles wasn¡¯t an option either. At velocities approaching or exceeding half the speed of light, even a grain-sized particle could shatter the warships¡¯ reinforced armor¡ªdesigned to withstand railgun strikes¡ªas if it were glass. The resulting impact force could easily tear a warship apart.


    To address this challenge, the Daqi developed a repulsion field generator. Installed at the bow of their warships, this device created an invisible field that deflected and shattered small obstacles during high-speed travel.


    While the Daqi¡¯s technological limitations prevented miniaturization of the repulsion field generator¡ªrequiring the entire bow section of their warships to house the device¡ªit remained indispensable. Without it, Daqi warships would be restricted to a maximum speed of one-fifth the speed of light.


    In other words, the technological gap between Riken and Daqi warships in terms of engines wasn¡¯t vast. The real disparity lay in the repulsion field generator. If the Rikens had such a device, their warships¡¯ speed would similarly skyrocket.


    The repulsion field had its limitations, only covering a small section in front of the warship¡¯s bow. However, with precise route calculations, it proved to be a powerful countermeasure against the Swarm¡¯s railguns.


    As the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic projectiles rained down, the Daqi warships maintained full speed, making only slight course adjustments to align their hulls behind the small shield created by the repulsion field.


    Despite the immense power of the Swarm¡¯s projectiles, they were utterly ineffective against the transparent repulsion field. Millions of railgun rounds were deflected harmlessly, leaving the Daqi fleet completely unscathed.


    The failure of their primary weapon left Sarah and the Blades momentarily stunned. Since the beginning of their conflict with the Daqi fleet, the Swarm had been on the back foot, suffering significant losses from expertly targeted strategies.


    This asymmetry was due to the overwhelming disparity in intelligence.


    The Swarm knew next to nothing about their enemy, while the Daqi had gathered considerable information about the Swarm. This was an entirely new experience for Sarah and her forces.


    The hidden third party naturally held the upper hand in intelligence, compounding the Swarm¡¯s disadvantage.


    Faced with such a predicament, there was no time for careful reconnaissance. The Swarm had no choice but to sacrifice their forces to ¡°pay the tuition¡± for this learning process, probing their way to a solution through trial and error.


    Fortunately, for the Swarm, individual lives were expendable. Unlike the Daqi or the Rikens, considerations of morale or personal consent were irrelevant, making this strategy easier to implement.

 Chapter 350: Fire

    When the Swarm ceased firing after realizing their attacks were ineffective, Diallo interpreted this as their surrender. Confident in his invincibility, he immediately ordered the fleet to maintain formation and advance at full speed.


    ¡°Your Highness, I still believe we should proceed with caution,¡± Aslit advised.


    ¡°Relax, Aslit. According to the intel, electromagnetic railguns are the Swarm¡¯s only long-range weapon. Oh, I almost forgot¡ªthey also have that primitive launching contraption, right? Hahaha! Forgive me, I genuinely thought such devices only existed in ancient history. I can¡¯t fathom how a spacefaring civilization like the Swarm would still use something so outdated.¡± Diallo laughed heartily. ¡°And I hear its accuracy is abysmal.¡±


    Privately, Aslit was also puzzled. The supposed ¡°catapult-like¡± weapon mentioned in the reports seemed implausibly archaic, especially for a civilization deemed significant by the suzerain. Her instincts told her that something was amiss. She shared her concerns with Diallo.


    After a moment of consideration, Diallo reassured her, saying, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Even if that thing somehow has perfect accuracy, it¡¯s still a physical projectile. Against our repulsion fields, it¡¯s utterly useless. Besides, such a device would be impossible to conceal. Looking at the Swarm¡¯s current deployment, there¡¯s no way they could hide something like that at this range.¡±


    ¡°But what if they have other weapons? For instance, creatures capable of firing lasers,¡± Aslit pressed.


    ¡°Aslit,¡± Diallo said sternly, ¡°as a proud member of the great Daqi, you shouldn¡¯t be asking such questions! Even we haven¡¯t solved the problem of long-range energy weapon power supply. Do you honestly believe the Swarm has? I¡¯ll concede they have some unique innovations and potential for the future, but for now, in the face of my fleet, they must bow!¡± He dismissed her concerns with an air of finality, turning his attention back to the rapidly approaching Planet Izumo.


    The Daqi fleet maintained their incredible speed, undeterred by the Swarm¡¯s actions. Under Diallo¡¯s command, they closed the distance to 500,000 kilometers from Planet Izumo¡ªa perilously close range in space combat.


    At such a distance, calling it ¡°point-blank range¡± might be an exaggeration, but given the technological level of the combatants, it was undeniably dangerous. Energy weapons could traverse this distance in mere seconds, ensuring any battle fought here would be brutal and decisive. For the slower side, retreat would scarcely be an option.


    Noticing Aslit¡¯s hesitation, her lips moving as if to speak but holding back, Diallo smirked. ¡°Aslit, you want to say something, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, isn¡¯t this range too close? Our repulsion fields only cover a small section at the bow. If the Swarm realizes this and strikes from the sides, even our defenses may struggle against large-caliber electromagnetic railguns.¡±


    Her concern was valid. The Daqi repulsion fields had significant limitations. The generator¡¯s inability to be miniaturized meant it could only cover 30% of a warship¡¯s surface area, even if the entire interior were dedicated to housing it. Ultimately, it was an auxiliary system¡ªjust one that happened to counter the Swarm effectively.


    ¡°Of course, I know that. But the Swarm doesn¡¯t,¡± Diallo said confidently, gesturing toward two screens. ¡°Look, their bases on Planet Raze and the inner stellar orbit are already dispatching reinforcements.¡±


    The screens zoomed in to display massive structures located near the star.


    The Swarm¡¯s largest electromagnetic megastructure in the Riken system was stationed at Planet Izumo. Having been there for an extended period, it had grown significantly. However, during the earlier missile bombardment, it had been specifically targeted. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite sustaining severe damage and being riddled with holes, the over-200-kilometer structure was far from destroyed. Its core remained intact, with the surviving fungal carpets working tirelessly to repair it.


    The image Diallo displayed depicted the Swarm¡¯s megastructures in the stellar near-orbit. Though these structures benefited from the abundant energy near the star and grew faster, their development was limited by the short time since the base¡¯s establishment. C


    urrently, these megastructures were only tens of kilometers in size. However, compared to the Daqi warships, which measured around two kilometers, they were still colossal.


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s near-orbit bases are using these massive electromagnetic launchers to continuously send combat units toward this battlefield. These units will arrive faster than those relying on their own propulsion systems. While the limited number of launchers prevents these forces from forming a critical mass, once they arrive, we¡¯ll face multi-directional combat. In such a scenario, the limitations of our repulsion fields will quickly become apparent,¡± Diallo explained.


    ¡°You mean?¡± Aslit asked, starting to grasp his plan.


    Diallo nodded and continued, ¡°Exactly. While we are close to the Swarm forces, this range significantly reduces the travel time of energy beams¡ªbarely ten seconds, which is too short for the Swarm to effectively evade. And with our repulsion fields, as long as we maintain our angles, we are practically invincible.¡±


    ¡°In this situation, we only need to fire at full force. There¡¯s a good chance we can quickly annihilate the Swarm forces ahead of us. After that, we turn to intercept the Swarm units launched from the near-orbit base. Using our speed advantage, we push straight to their near-orbit base. That base is newly built, with limited forces stationed there. If we eliminate it quickly, we can turn back and face the reinforcements from Planet Raze. Clearing out the Swarm in the Riken system will only be a matter of time.¡±


    ¡°Then, we¡¯ll take care of the Rikens along the way and march straight to M580!¡± Diallo exclaimed, referring to the neighboring star system as designated by the Daqi Empire.


    Spreading his arms wide, he envisioned the glory of his victory. ¡°By then, the Swarm will recognize my greatness, and I¡¯ll secure even more authority!¡±


    While Diallo¡¯s plan sounded convincing, Aslit couldn¡¯t shake a nagging doubt. After some thought, she hesitantly pointed out, ¡°Repulsion fields consume a large amount of energy to deflect physical impacts. If we use them to block the Swarm¡¯s railguns, we won¡¯t be able to fire at full capacity.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s exactly where the advantage of information asymmetry lies. Haven¡¯t you noticed the Swarm stopped firing? It¡¯s precisely because of this that I¡¯ve chosen such an aggressive tactic. The longer we keep the repulsion field¡¯s weaknesses hidden, the greater our advantage,¡± Diallo said confidently.


    ¡°But, Your Highness, I still feel something is off,¡± Aslit replied, her unease persisting.


    ¡°Enough, Aslit. Even though we could slowly wear the Swarm down with our technological advantage, it¡¯s far less impactful than completely wiping them out in one decisive blow. To achieve more, we must dominate them,¡± Diallo stated firmly.


    Reluctantly, Aslit closed her mouth, opting to stay silent despite her lingering concerns.


    Seeing Aslit subdued, Diallo grinned smugly. ¡°Fire!¡±


    Not far from the Daqi-Swarm battlefield, the Riken commanders stationed along the Twin Star Defensive Zone observed everything with keen interest.


    The Daqi¡¯s remarkable repulsion fields had effectively neutralized the Swarm¡¯s primary long-range weapons, leading some Rikens to doubt the Swarm¡¯s capabilities. At the same time, they marveled at the technological power of the newly arrived third party.


    However, what happened next left the Rikens utterly stunned.

 Chapter 351: Playing the Cards

    From the moment Luo Wen emerged as a fingernail-sized hatchling, he had systematically and strategically eliminated countless foes that once seemed insurmountably powerful to him. He understood the dangers of relying too heavily on a single weapon.


    While the electromagnetic railgun was a formidable force, he had always been wary of its limitations and ensured that the Swarm¡¯s strategies were not overly reliant on it.


    In fact, long ago, after the Swarm captured a Cat-Eared vessel, they had reverse-engineered its energy weapon technology. Luo Wen even produced a batch of larval units equipped with energy weapon systems to offset their melee limitations. However, he quickly found these weapons impractical due to their short range and high energy consumption, and the project was shelved.


    Later, when the Swarm seized Riken warships and acquired more advanced energy weaponry, it became clear that the Swarm had already surpassed the Rikens in this domain. By that time, Luo Wen had amassed over ten million research-oriented Intelligent Entities. This was a monumental advantage.


    To understand the scale, consider that no civilization begins omniscient. Each must learn slowly, advancing along specific technological paths over generations. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Progress demands enormous time investments, and as technology becomes more complex, new members of the civilization require increasingly longer periods to digest prior knowledge before they can contribute meaningfully.


    During this process, many individuals give up, leaving only a select few to reach the pinnacle of a particular technological field. These rare experts might further advance their chosen field incrementally during their lifetimes.


    The overall progress of a civilization depends on the continuous advancement of countless technological paths. Therefore, the lifespan of its members often determines a civilization¡¯s potential.


    Take the Ratfolk civilization, for example. Even without the Swarm restraining them, their potential to become a spacefaring civilization was slim. Despite Luo Wen¡¯s interventions to address their genetic flaws and extend their lifespan, most Ratfolk still lived less than fifty years.


    When their accumulated knowledge reached a critical threshold, newborn Ratfolk could barely master existing knowledge within their lifetimes, let alone innovate further.


    In contrast, both the Riken and Daqi peoples enjoyed lifespans exceeding 300 years. This gave their young generations over a century to advance their civilizations¡¯ knowledge and technology.


    This was why the Rikens had placed such value on longevity-enhancing plants. In times of peace and abundant resources, longer lifespans meant deeper cultural and technological foundations.


    Now consider the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities. Freed from the limitations of mortality, they had infinite time to accumulate and refine knowledge.


    Take Morgan, one of the earliest research-oriented Intelligent Entities, for instance. Having existed for centuries, any one of his caliber would be a treasured asset in a civilization like the Rikens. As time passed, the Swarm would produce ever more such ¡°treasures.¡±


    When hundreds of thousands, millions, or even tens of millions of such minds collaborated, their collective innovation and advancement would be incomprehensible to most civilizations.


    This ability to reverse-engineer physical objects, deduce their principles, and surpass the original creators was a natural consequence of the Swarm¡¯s intellectual might.


    Even so, despite their progress in energy weapons, the Swarm¡¯s early opponents were technologically inferior. Sheer numbers and basic long-range weaponry were sufficient to overpower them.


    Additionally, Luo Wen had already suspected the existence of Watchers at the time. His inclination to conceal the Swarm¡¯s full capabilities influenced the Blades as well. Against the Rikens, the Swarm operated on a ¡°just enough¡± principle.


    For instance, if the Rikens hadn¡¯t developed railguns for counterattacks, the Swarm¡¯s laser-eye bugs would never have been revealed.


    Similarly, while it appeared that the Swarm had lost its primary weapon, they were far from defenseless.


    The Space Octopuses, an amalgamation of atmospheric creatures and fungal carpets, were modular beings capable of internal transformation. Under the control of the fungal strains within, their bodily tissues churned, modules shifted, and organs relocated. Amid this internal overhaul, their external electromagnetic cannons remained unchanged in appearance, but their inner workings underwent a complete overhaul.


    When Diallo ordered his fleet to fire, the Daqi warships¡¯ primary cannons unleashed a thunderous barrage. Simultaneously, the Swarm¡¯s counterattack began.


    Thousands of red beams streaked toward the Swarm¡¯s position¡ªstandard behavior for the Daqi. But from the Swarm¡¯s side, the very cannons that had previously launched electromagnetic projectiles now fired red energy beams directly at the Daqi fleet.


    The red beams from both sides met mid-space, interweaving and parting ways, creating a spectacular display as they hurtled toward their respective targets. This visual marvel, however, was not universally appreciated.


    ¡°What?!¡± Diallo shouted in disbelief, the lava-like patterns on his face cracking visibly in his shock. Aslit¡¯s three eyes widened in astonishment.


    ¡°This is impossible!¡± Diallo roared again. ¡°Since when could electromagnetic cannons fire energy beams? What kind of freakish nonsense is this Swarm? Do they have no sense of honor?!¡±


    But the Swarm¡¯s attacks did not pause for his incredulity. Diallo¡¯s flagship, measuring over 2,500 meters, was the largest in the Daqi fleet and bore the largest repulsion field generator. Consequently, it also bore the brunt of the Swarm¡¯s counterfire.


    Having anticipated nothing like this, and with the fleet maintaining its bow-aligned formation toward the Swarm, the Daqi warships made no effort to evade the barrage of energy beams.


    Diallo¡¯s flagship shuddered violently under the assault. Though still venting his frustrations, Diallo¡¯s years of military experience had prompted him to brace for impact in advance. Aslit, standing behind him, also emerged unscathed from the shockwave.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Diallo cursed. ¡°Doria, Chisaya¡ªadvance and assess flagship damage. Report fleet casualties. Shut down the repulsion fields! Lock main cannons on target and fire at full capacity!¡±


    Despite his rage, Diallo forced himself to regain composure and issued a series of swift commands.


    The Doria and Chisaya, heavily armored escort ships slightly smaller than the flagship, were tasked with shielding it and absorbing damage in its place.


    Repulsion fields, while effective against physical projectiles, offered no protection against energy beams. With the Swarm shifting its attack strategy, keeping the fields active would only waste energy.

 Chapter 352: Countermeasures

    With the loss of their defensive advantage, close-range combat now required meticulous energy allocation.


    ¡°All units, engines online! Maintain formation and adjust heading 50 degrees to port! Inform all ships to prioritize energy supply to the main cannons. Secondary priority to the engine systems, and channel any remaining energy into the auxiliary weapons¡ªfire everything!¡± Diallo commanded with authority.


    The Swarm¡¯s energy beams had not been particularly effective against the Daqi warships, likely due to their initial strikes targeting the ships¡¯ bows. These sections, in addition to housing the repulsion fields, were fortified with layers of high-resistance reactive armor designed to endure energy-based attacks.


    Among the civilizations the Daqi had encountered, energy cannons were the predominant weapon of choice. Electromagnetic railguns, while occasionally used in planetary defense systems, were rarely mounted on warships due to the logistical challenges they posed. For long-range fleets, hauling the ammunition required for such weapons was a significant burden.


    For instance, a single salvo from the Swarm¡¯s thousands of Primordial-class units could launch tens of thousands of projectiles, with several salvos depleting the resources equivalent to a warship.


    Beyond the cost of the munitions themselves, replenishing such a massive supply was a logistical nightmare. Only a civilization like the Swarm, with their fungal carpet replenishment systems, could sustain this scale of consumption.


    Consequently, Daqi warships were designed primarily to counter energy-based attacks, with reactive armor tailored for this purpose.


    ¡°Your Highness, the flagship has sustained 11% damage. The bow¡¯s reactive armor is heavily compromised; sections three and five have been breached. Multiple compartments behind the damaged areas are exposed, and 31 crew members have been ejected into space. Emergency sealing procedures have been completed, and the ship¡¯s structural integrity remains intact,¡± Aslit reported calmly, collating the data received from damage control teams.


    ¡°Have the Chisaya cover the flagship¡¯s damaged sections! Those crew members without suits are likely lost; dispatch a few drones to confirm, but don¡¯t let it interfere with fleet operations,¡± Diallo ordered.


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    ¡°How many ships did we lose in that exchange? And how many can¡¯t keep up with fleet maneuvers?¡± Diallo rubbed his temple. The proximity of the engagement and the full-power energy weapons had inflicted maximum damage. He anticipated significant losses.


    ¡°Your Highness, the tally is in. We lost a total of 34 warships in the last attack, and 13 others are heavily damaged and incapable of further action,¡± Aslit responded.


    The losses were far lower than Diallo had expected. Reflecting on it, he quickly deduced part of the reason.


    The fleet had been angled bow-first toward the source of the Swarm¡¯s attack, with engines concentrated at the aft. Energy beams that struck the engines essentially pierced the entire length of the ship, leading to catastrophic destruction. This explained why more ships had been destroyed outright compared to those that were merely incapacitated.


    As for the immobile ships, they were likely on the verge of catastrophic failure. Diallo concluded that they weren¡¯t worth rescuing.


    Despite this, Diallo had estimated over 100 ships would be lost under such concentrated firepower. The actual losses were less than half of his projection, suggesting the Swarm¡¯s energy weapons were not as powerful as he had feared.


    This was good news.


    ¡°Your Highness, the main cannons are fully charged!¡± Aslit announced abruptly.


    ¡°Fire!¡± Diallo commanded without hesitation.


    The thunder of Daqi warship cannons resounded as their second volley streaked toward the Swarm. Meanwhile, the Swarm appeared unusually quiet, with no immediate counterfire.


    ¡°It seems the Swarm¡¯s weapon recharging efficiency is far inferior to ours. Another piece of good news,¡± Diallo thought as he quickly recalculated his strategy.


    ¡°Aslit, have the damaged warships rotate their bow armor to face the incoming Swarm attack. Give the stranded personnel on those ships five minutes to evacuate. If they don¡¯t make it, they¡¯re on their own!¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Highness,¡± Aslit replied crisply.


    On the Swarm¡¯s Side. After sustaining the second wave of attacks, Sarah Kerrigan maintained her icy composure.


    ¡°How much longer until our weapons are recharged?¡± she asked in an unflinching tone.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the fastest units need at least one more minute,¡± a Blade reported.


    Sarah nodded. ¡°Log all data from our energy weapons. The research department will need this information.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    It was the first combat deployment of the Swarm¡¯s energy weapons. Until now, these weapons had been kept in deep secrecy, undergoing only limited underground testing. The controlled test ranges, while valuable, lacked the unpredictability of live combat scenarios. Firing at targets tens of thousands of kilometers away was an untested challenge.


    The energy weapons also faced integration issues. The targeting and fire control systems previously optimized for electromagnetic cannons struggled with calibration, introducing slight targeting discrepancies. The data from this battle would be instrumental in refining the weapons¡¯ capabilities.


    This mismatch partially explained why the Daqi fleet, despite taking a full salvo of energy weapons, suffered damage far below expected levels.


    Now that the Swarm¡¯s new weapons were unveiled, each use would generate a wealth of data for analysis. Given the Swarm¡¯s immense research capacity, Sarah anticipated significant advancements in the energy weapon systems before their next deployment.


    ¡°Your Majesty, some of the enemy ships have sustained critical damage. Their crew members were ejected into space, unable to evacuate in time. Here are some captured videos and images,¡± another Blade reported.


    Sarah glanced at the visuals. Her typically serious expression flickered as her lips twitched slightly.


    ¡°What is that? How can they be so¡­ ugly?¡± she muttered under her breath.


    Sarah, subjected to years of Luo Wen¡¯s eccentric aesthetic preferences, had grown accustomed to admiring external armor plating and long-legged forms. The grotesque appearance of the Daqi¡ªa fusion of cracked red skin and unsettling, aligned triple eyes¡ªmomentarily disrupted her focus.


    Shaking off her discomfort, Sarah swiftly forwarded the images to Luo Wen, ensuring he could share in her aesthetic critique. She then refocused on the battlefield, regaining her composure.


    Had the Daqi¡ªespecially Diallo and Aslit, who prided themselves on their supposed beauty¡ªoverheard Sarah¡¯s disdain, it might have provoked a misstep born of wounded pride.


    Meanwhile, there was another party who was staring at each other.


    From the sidelines, the Rikens watched in stunned silence, snacks and drinks momentarily forgotten. They had initially written off the Swarm after seeing their electromagnetic cannons rendered ineffective. But the sudden appearance of energy weapons had left them reeling.


    The sheer power of the energy beams and their range, far exceeding anything the Rikens possessed, shattered their confidence.


    ¡°If the Swarm had revealed these weapons earlier, we wouldn¡¯t have lasted this long,¡± one officer muttered bitterly.


    The Rikens realized the Swarm had been holding back, treating the conflict as little more than a game. From the outset, the two sides had not been operating on the same level. The Rikens now felt an unsettling mix of inferiority and despair, knowing they had never truly pushed the Swarm to exert themselves fully. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 353: Retreat

    Two minutes later, the Swarm¡¯s energy cannons began charging. Primordial bodies equipped with Atomic Furnaces were among the fastest to reach full power, despite requiring greater energy for their larger-caliber weapons.


    Following them, the lower-tier units charged at varying speeds due to differences in weapon size, proximity to energy sources, and other factors.


    ¡°Fire!¡± Sarah Kerrigan commanded decisively as soon as over 80% of the units had completed their charge. While the lack of standardized equipment was both a strength and a weakness, there was no time to wait for the remaining units.


    Thanks to the data gathered from the first volley, the second strike, though slightly smaller in number, was far more precise and devastating.


    More than sixty Daqi warships were destroyed outright, and nearly a hundred others were disabled.


    ¡°What the hell?!¡± Diallo roared in disbelief upon receiving the latest damage report.


    He had assumed the lackluster performance of the Swarm¡¯s first volley was due to outdated energy weapon technology, resulting in weak firepower and poor accuracy. Confident in this misjudgment, he had ordered his fleet to rely on the reactive armor on their right-front side to tank the second attack.


    In reality, the first volley¡¯s shortcomings were due to the Swarm¡¯s inexperience in coordinating such a large-scale, long-range assault. Their improved accuracy in the second strike shattered Diallo¡¯s assumptions.


    His decision to expose the fleet¡¯s right flank, where the reactive armor was thinner, inadvertently revealed vulnerable engine compartments. While the exposure angle was small, the concentrated barrage magnified this weakness, leading to catastrophic losses.


    ¡°Full power! Increase distance immediately!¡± Diallo shouted, running his hands through his hair in frustration.


    ¡°What about the personnel on the disabled ships, Your Highness?¡± Aslit asked cautiously.


    ¡°Mark a coordinate along our inbound route and send it to them. They¡¯ll have to evacuate on their own! We can¡¯t afford to stay here any longer, or the losses will only grow!¡± Diallo barked.


    ¡°Understood, Your Highness.¡± Aslit sighed inwardly.


    She knew the grim reality. In the current battlefield conditions, attempting to escape in lifeboats or escape pods was nearly suicidal. Sending those left behind to retreat on their own was tantamount to abandoning them to their deaths.


    Yet she also understood the harsh truth behind Diallo¡¯s order. Rescuing the personnel from over a hundred disabled ships would take hours¡ªtime the Swarm could use to launch hundreds more volleys. Staying would only compound their losses and risk the annihilation of the entire fleet.


    ¡°No, wait¡ªAslit, I¡¯ve reconsidered. Order them to abandon their ships and head toward the Riken defensive line!¡± Diallo suddenly amended his instructions.


    Aslit pondered this shift for a moment before understanding his reasoning. Though this was not the Daqi¡¯s home turf, and the Swarm was a formidable opponent, the Rikens were a far easier target to manipulate.


    By sending the stranded personnel toward the Riken lines, the Swarm would face a dilemma. If they pursued, it would divert their forces toward the Rikens, potentially drawing them into the conflict and alleviating pressure on the main Daqi fleet.


    If the Swarm chose not to pursue, the Rikens¡ªafter witnessing the Daqi fleet¡¯s technological prowess¡ªwould likely not dare to obstruct the fleeing personnel. They might even feel compelled to provide aid.


    In either scenario, the Daqi stood to gain more than they lost.


    Red energy beams streaked across the void as the Daqi fleet fired a third salvo before accelerating and retreating in a curved trajectory, keeping their ship bows angled toward the Swarm forces. Their maneuver gradually took them farther from the battlefield.


    Because of Diallo¡¯s misplaced confidence, the fleet had advanced dangerously close, a distance that in space combat terms was akin to melee range. At this proximity, it was nearly impossible for the slower side to disengage. However, the Daqi fleet, with its speed advantage, still had a chance to escape.


    Directly turning their ships around and retreating head-on was out of the question. Such a move would expose their vulnerable rear propulsion systems to the Swarm¡¯s firepower, which at this range would amount to suicide.


    Instead, the Daqi ships relied on the reactive armor at their bows to absorb incoming fire. They retreated diagonally, using both forward and side propulsion shields to move away more quickly than a straight backward withdrawal.


    At the Izumo battlefield, the number of Swarm units capable of operating energy cannons was relatively limited. Even under optimal conditions, there were about 10,000 combatants equipped for this purpose, each outfitted with two main cannons, for a total of approximately 20,000 energy weapons.


    By contrast, the Daqi fleet, while numbering just over 2,000 warships, had far more firepower. Each warship boasted at least eight main cannons, and Diallo¡¯s flagship alone was armed with 16. The Daqi¡¯s total weapon count easily rivaled, if not exceeded, the Swarm¡¯s.


    Moreover, the Daqi had a slight technological edge in energy weapon design, supplemented by superior systems integration, operational experience, and faster recharge and firing rates. While the Swarm¡¯s two salvos had inflicted significant damage, destroying over 10% of the Daqi fleet, the Daqi¡¯s three volleys had achieved even greater results.


    If the battle continued as a direct slugfest, the Swarm¡¯s Izumo base was likely to be wiped out.


    Yet Diallo didn¡¯t dare to pursue such an outcome. Even if he could annihilate the Swarm¡¯s Izumo forces, his fleet would suffer devastating losses.


    With no reinforcements available more than 10 light-years away from his home territory, and with Swarm reinforcements from the near-stellar base arriving in just five hours, any prolonged engagement would leave his fleet stranded and eventually overwhelmed by the growing Swarm tide.


    No matter the cost, Diallo was determined to create distance. Distance was the key to leveraging their technological advantage. Only by pulling away could he regain the upper hand and a chance to turn the tide.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, they¡¯re attempting to retreat,¡± a Blade reported.


    ¡°Hmm, I see. Their commander seems to be a decisive one,¡± Sarah remarked, nodding slightly. Her expression remained unreadable as she narrowed her eyes in thought.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the personnel from the disabled ships appear to be heading toward the Riken defensive line. How should we respond?¡±


    ¡°Leave them be for now. Let the Rikens take care of them and glean information about their origins. Whatever the Rikens uncover will be more than what we know now.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s our current battle damage?¡± Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°972 Primordial bodies have exited the combat sequence, and 2,243 have sustained severe injuries but can continue fighting after emergency repairs.¡±


    ¡°Not bad. Prioritize data collection. At this stage, casualties don¡¯t matter. Divert energy to weapon systems and capitalize on their disengagement to maximize our gains.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±

 Chapter 354: Exchanging Casualties

    In sheer numbers, the Swarm¡¯s losses appeared to be several times greater than the Daqi¡¯s. However, when analyzed from a damage assessment perspective, the Swarm had actually fared well¡ªeven profited significantly.


    The Swarm primarily lost 500 to 700 meter Space Octopuses, while the Daqi lost 2,000 meter giant warships. Although their lengths seemed comparable, the tonnage of the Daqi warships was tens or even hundreds of times greater than that of the Swarm¡¯s units.


    From a tonnage perspective, the Daqi had taken a severe beating.


    This outcome wasn¡¯t a fluke. It was the result of a combination of elements.


    Surprise tactics played a part, but without the raw strength to match, no amount of trickery would have made a difference.


    The external reactive armor of Daqi warships was specially designed to counter energy-based weapons, boasting exceptionally high resistance. This was why they could endure barrages of thousands of energy cannons.


    The Swarm, by contrast, relied solely on their armor¡¯s resilience, with no clever tricks involved. If this battle had taken place decades earlier, the losses among the Primordial bodies would have been exponentially higher. In fact, the Daqi might have obliterated the Swarm¡¯s Izumo base at minimal cost.


    The turning point came over a decade ago during the First Battle of Planet Raze. In that conflict, the Swarm managed to breach the Riken defenses and successfully establish fungal carpets on the surface of Planet Raze. These mats endured relentless bombardment from the Rikens, day and night.


    During this period, the Swarm gathered an abundance of data, prompting genetic modifications to their fungal carpets. The immediate effect was that Riken energy beam attacks became progressively less effective. Ultimately, the Rikens resorted to deploying Radiance of Rikens, vaporizing the fungal carpets entirely.


    However, by then, all the relevant data had been uploaded to the Swarm Network. This spurred a comprehensive upgrade of the armor on Swarm combat units.


    Luo Wen even allocated Intelligent Entities specifically for testing and improving space combat armor. These efforts were conducted in dedicated underground facilities located deep within the Swarm¡¯s rear territories.


    Over the years, the armor of Space Octopuses underwent several minor upgrades. Lacking large-scale combat feedback, however, the effectiveness of these enhancements remained untested in real battle conditions.


    The Second Battle of Planet Raze, while intense, featured forces that had been pre-deployed from a neighboring system. These units hadn¡¯t undergone the most recent armor upgrades due to limited energy and resources.


    After that war, the Rikens retreated to the Twin Star Defensive Zone. With access to new resource-rich systems, the Swarm upgraded its combat units. Yet, with both sides settling into a stalemate, there were no large-scale conflicts¡ªor even minor skirmishes¡ªto put the new armor to the test.


    Thus, while the Swarm hadn¡¯t deliberately concealed these armor upgrades, the lack of combat meant their effectiveness remained unnoticed. That is, until now, when the Daqi stumbled headfirst into a rude awakening.


    For the Daqi, this was their first engagement with the Swarm. While they noted that the Swarm¡¯s defensive capabilities far exceeded expectations, they dismissed it as an intelligence oversight rather than anything extraordinary. Little did they realize they had underestimated their adversary¡¯s true strength.


    The Riken observers, watching the spectacle unfold, began to suspect they had underestimated certain developments. They couldn¡¯t help but wonder: had the world changed too quickly, or had the Swarm been holding back all along? They dared not delve too deeply into the question, knowing such thoughts could lead to unpleasant realizations.


    One undeniable observation, however, was that synthetic materials outperformed biological armor in resisting energy-based attacks¡ªa natural limitation for the Swarm. Still, there was significant room for improvement.


    With the anticipated capture of several Daqi warships, reverse-engineering their reactive armor materials could spur a new wave of advancements in the Swarm¡¯s biological defenses.


    Of course, combat was about more than just comparing weapons and armor. For the Daqi, a destroyed warship was truly lost. Fully obliterated vessels aside, even those that were structurally intact but had engines disabled or lost maneuverability were effectively out of the fight, destined for self-destruction or dismantling¡ªeach loss a tangible blow.


    The Swarm¡¯s losses, by contrast, were far less absolute. Units that withdrew from the battlefield were often only temporarily incapacitated. Unless every fungal node spread throughout their bodies was completely destroyed, there was always a chance of recovery¡ªsometimes sooner, sometimes later. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Some units, even with most of their mass punctured or systems like engines and radars rendered inoperable, could still resume combat roles after basic repairs, provided their weapon systems remained functional.


    Diallo was acutely aware of the Swarm¡¯s regenerative traits. He knew he needed to create as much distance as possible to regain control of the engagement.


    Amid the cacophony of fire, both sides exchanged several more volleys, with the Daqi maintaining a firing ratio of three salvos for every two from the Swarm.


    Losses on both sides mounted. During this phase, the Daqi fleet sacrificed over 200 additional warships, while the Swarm saw over 1,000 Primordial bodies withdraw from battle.


    For Diallo, such an exchange was unacceptable. Fortunately, the fleet was nearing the far side of Planet Izumo. Once behind the gas giant¡¯s shadow, they could use it as cover to replot their trajectory and accelerate their retreat.


    ¡°Your Majesty, while our Primordial bodies continue to provide firepower, over 70% of their engines have sustained significant damage, severely limiting their mobility. If the enemy retreats behind Izumo, we won¡¯t have enough mobile units to pursue effectively,¡± a Blade warned.


    Sarah gazed at the battlefield, performed some quick calculations, and then issued her command. ¡°Order all functional Primordial bodies to lock onto their fleet and maintain pursuit. The rest are to enter overload mode. Ignore damage constraints¡ªfocus on delivering as many additional volleys as possible.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°Your Highness, the Swarm is pursuing us, but reports indicate their losses are far heavier than expected. Over 70% of their units appear to be immobilized, likely due to engine failures,¡± Aslit reported, consolidating data from across the fleet.


    ¡°Hah¡­ I knew they couldn¡¯t have suffered so little. But even so, these numbers are vastly different from the intelligence we received. Do you think the suzerain is deliberately trying to set us up?¡± Diallo speculated, letting his imagination run wild.


    ¡°I doubt it,¡± Aslit replied softly, though inwardly rolling her eyes. If the suzerain wanted to harm us, they wouldn¡¯t need to go through such convoluted schemes.


    ¡°It¡¯s more likely a case of outdated or incorrect information. Alternatively, the Swarm might have intentionally concealed its true capabilities, inflating its losses against the Rikens to mislead us.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re probably right. How infuriating. What exactly was this Swarm so afraid of before? Why did they need to be so cautious?¡± Diallo fumed, frustrated by the chain of events.

 Chapter 355: Oversight

    ¡°Target the remaining mobile Swarm units and eliminate them first!¡± Diallo ordered as the Daqi fleet continued its spiraling retreat from Planet Izumo.


    With the Swarm¡¯s Primordial bodies increasingly reduced to stationary defensive turrets, fewer of them had the firing angles necessary to maintain pressure on the retreating fleet.


    Still, before losing their functionality entirely, many of them pushed their limits. By overloading their cellular structures and destroying their weapon mechanisms in the process, they achieved a final burst of firepower.


    By this stage of the battle, over 800 Daqi warships had been left behind on the front lines. Among these, more than 300 were completely destroyed, while the rest were disabled and unable to follow the fleet¡¯s retreat.


    Initially, the Daqi had attempted to rescue some of their stranded comrades. However, once the fleet began withdrawing in earnest, small vessels and escape pods from the disabled ships began heading toward the Riken Twin Star Defensive Zone instead.


    This retreat was far from orderly. Diallo¡¯s fleet, which had made space for the Crimson Kiss missiles by partially clearing out their drone bays, still carried a significant number of drones¡ªabout 500 per warship.


    The Daqi drones were elliptical and flat, resembling an enlarged first-generation Swarm Combat Beetle. Measuring 5 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 2 meters in height, they were designed to be stored compactly. The drones were slotted into racks within their hangars, looking like rows of oversized USB drives.


    Even after accommodating the bulky Crimson Kiss missiles, each warship retained room for over 500 drones.


    The primary role of these drones was breaching and harassment. Armed with two small energy cannons concealed on either side of their chassis, the drones posed little threat to the reactive armor of enemy warships. However, their compact size allowed them to exploit gaps, targeting exposed components such as radar arrays, main and secondary turrets, and even penetrating hangar bays to wreak havoc inside enemy ships.


    Against the Swarm, however, Diallo had refrained from deploying the drones early in the battle. He knew from his research that the Swarm excelled at close-quarters combat. Sending out the drones would have been futile, serving only to inflate the Swarm¡¯s kill count.


    However, while completely destroyed warships lost their drones, those left behind due to mobility issues often still had functioning drone bays. Before triggering self-destruction protocols, the Daqi ensured their drones were evacuated.


    Since these drones might still prove useful later, they couldn¡¯t be sent to the Rikens along with the escape pods. This created an unusual scene on the battlefield.


    From the disabled Daqi warships emerged two distinct groups of craft. Escape pods and small vessels headed for the Twin Star Defensive Zone, while swarms of drones flew back toward the main fleet, seeking refuge in the now partially emptied hangars.


    As the number of disabled warships grew, the scale of these dual evacuations increased dramatically. By the end, the flow of craft was almost overwhelming.


    While the Rikens had ample capacity to accommodate incoming escape pods, the Daqi fleet¡¯s hangars quickly filled up. Compounding the issue, several warships that had taken in drones were themselves destroyed shortly afterward. The crowded hangars became a liability, further complicating retreat operations.


    Eventually, the Daqi were forced to halt drone recoveries entirely. Newly arriving drone swarms were redirected to linger behind the retreating fleet, clustered in vulnerable formations.


    As disposable assets, the drones had minimal protective armor. Against the Swarm¡¯s high-penetration energy weapons, they couldn¡¯t even serve as effective shields. Had they been suitable for such a role, Diallo would have deployed them to block incoming fire long ago. Instead, they were left to trail behind, waiting for their next opportunity to contribute.


    After two more rounds of volley exchanges, the Daqi fleet left behind over 50 additional warships. However, they finally managed to shake off most of the immobilized Primordial bodies. Only about 2,000 remained in pursuit, sluggishly adjusting their orbital positions to keep pace with the Daqi fleet¡¯s maneuvers.


    At this point, these remaining Primordial bodies posed little threat. The Daqi fleet still had over 1,300 warships, collectively outweighing the Primordial bodies by several dozen times and outnumbering their main cannons by multiples. Destroying the remnants was merely a matter of time.


    The Primordial bodies seemed to understand their grim fate. They began overloading their weapon systems, seeking to maximize their attacks in their final moments.


    ¡°Fire at will! Finish them off quickly! Begin loading the drones into the hangars¡ªdon¡¯t waste any more time!¡± Diallo finally exhaled in relief.


    The reckless charge had been costly, but as long as they broke through, there was still hope for a turnaround. If necessary, he could even request reinforcements from the Empire. He had no aspirations of becoming king and was prepared to relinquish his command upon returning. A quiet title as a prince was far more appealing than pursuing hollow military achievements.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness,¡± Aslit replied.


    This was a battle of unequal firepower, evident from the overwhelming volume of energy beams emanating from the Daqi fleet compared to the Swarm¡¯s output. The remaining Primordial bodies capable of firing dwindled rapidly, soon dropping below 1,000. Meanwhile, they had managed to destroy fewer than ten Daqi warships¡ªan abysmal performance.


    The poor results were due to the Daqi warships¡¯ tactical adaptability. Their firepower density had declined significantly, and unless a single volley could overwhelm a warship entirely, the Daqi vessels were able to reposition and rotate different sections of reactive armor to absorb subsequent attacks. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Adjust heading! Preheat the main engines! Activate the repulsion fields! Leave the remaining Swarm units behind¡ªwe¡¯re retreating!¡± Diallo commanded sharply.


    Though the battle was nearing a decisive victory, an ominous feeling gnawed at him. Something critical seemed forgotten, just out of reach in his thoughts.


    Whatever it was, it was better to retreat now than to risk lingering on the battlefield. The fewer than 1,000 remaining Primordial bodies were insignificant to the larger picture.


    Suddenly, a shrill alarm pierced the air, its rhythmic beep-beep-beep cutting through the commotion.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Diallo demanded.


    Aslit quickly reviewed the incoming data. ¡°Your Highness, energy accumulation detected on Planet Izumo! Based on the readings, it¡¯s the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic cannons!¡±


    ¡°Damn it! Forget the formation¡ªscatter! Don¡¯t block each other¡¯s paths! Everyone retreat on their own! Regroup at 157 degrees, 50 million kilometers out!¡± Diallo barked out the emergency orders.


    At that moment, he realized what he had overlooked.


    While the Daqi fleet had neutralized the Swarm¡¯s front-facing defenses with their Crimson Kiss missiles, the Swarm¡¯s planetary defensive emplacements were distributed across the entire surface of Izumo. Though they had escaped the firing arcs of the forward-positioned Primordial bodies, they had unwittingly drifted into the range of the planetary defenses on the opposite side.


    While their repulsion fields were effective counters against electromagnetic cannons, the warships were currently oriented incorrectly. Having pivoted their vessels to prepare for a retreat, the repulsion fields no longer covered their exposed sides and rear. Reorienting their ships to protect against the threat would be time-consuming and leave them vulnerable.


    Diallo cursed inwardly, feeling the urge to bang his head against the console. If he had known this would happen, he would have risked pushing through the diminished firepower of the remaining Primordial bodies rather than facing this new predicament.


    This would have been better than the current situation.

 Chapter 356: Offense and Defense

    On the front lines, while some losses were inevitable, as the swarm¡¯s casualties mounted and its firepower density decreased, the Daqi Fleet could actively adjust its positioning. They rotated different sections of reactive armor to face the attacks, just as they had done earlier.


    However, due to an oversight in intelligence, the fleet was now forced to endure the swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns with their vulnerable rear sections. This drove the egotistical and conceited Prince Diallo into a frenzy.


    ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­¡± He forcibly took several deep breaths to calm his frustrated mind, regaining his composure and intelligence. ¡°Deploy half of the drones behind us to block the railgun fire! Everyone, accelerate and disengage!¡±


    Although drones were ineffective against high-penetration energy cannons, they could still withstand the physical impacts of electromagnetic projectiles.


    While fragile as paper against electromagnetic railguns, unlike energy beams, the projectiles could have their trajectories altered. Even a deviation as small as 0.001 millimeters during impact could result in significant misalignment over hundreds of thousands of kilometers, potentially veering them far from their original targets.


    Blue arcs of electricity crackled as the railguns discharged their first volley.


    The Daqi Fleet had been retreating continuously, but since the forward thrusters lacked the power of the main engines, they could only open protective panels for brief intervals between salvos. Efficiency was poor, and after all this time, they had managed to retreat less than 100,000 kilometers.


    At such a range, even though the electromagnetic projectiles traveled several times slower than energy beams, their vast numbers rendered this irrelevant. Within just ten seconds¡ªlet alone the full two minutes required¡ªthe Daqi Fleet had no room to maneuver effectively, particularly as they were in the process of turning, reducing their mobility to its lowest point.


    Fortunately, the Daqi drones had already been deployed. A dense swarm of over 500,000 drones formed an impenetrable barrier between the swarm and the fleet.


    In the pitch-black expanse of space, fireballs bloomed as drones were shredded, their debris slightly altering the trajectories of the projectiles. Yet the railguns¡¯ kinetic energy remained nearly undiminished, and the electromagnetic projectiles continued to tear through other drones.


    The debris from these impacts scattered in all directions, causing additional damage. The massive drone swarm lost 60% of its numbers to the swarm¡¯s first synchronized volley.


    As the barrage ended, only a handful of a dozen or so warships were struck by the electromagnetic projectiles, demonstrating the drones¡¯ exceptional performance. Moreover, the shattered remains of the 300,000 drones now formed a barrier in the battlefield¡¯s center, ensuring they would continue to play a role in the swarm¡¯s next attack.


    ¡°Launch all remaining Crimson Kiss missiles!¡± Prince Diallo commanded. His solemn expression, paired with his cracked, dark-red skin, made him appear even more menacing.


    The Daqi Fleet consisted of warships of various models, with the smallest vessels, approximately 1,600 meters long, being the most numerous. Each carried eight Crimson Kiss missiles. Larger warships, with more interior space, carried proportionally more missiles.


    For instance, Prince Diallo¡¯s flagship and its two escort ships each carried sixteen Crimson Kisses.


    At the battle¡¯s onset, two volleys of these super-missiles had been launched, with each warship firing four missiles per volley. The smaller warships had exhausted their stockpiles, while the larger ships still retained a small supply¡ªaround 500 missiles across the fleet.


    Following Prince Diallo¡¯s orders, the Daqi warships opened their missile silos. The missiles emerged and streaked into the void, trailing plumes of white smoke.


    Despite the battlefield being cluttered with debris, the Crimson Kiss missiles were equipped with seeker radars and advanced propulsion systems. Their AI could easily calculate new trajectories, allowing them to maneuver around obstacles effortlessly.


    Even if some were struck by small debris particles, their robust defenses ensured minimal impact on their operation.


    The 500-plus Crimson Kisses deftly navigated through the debris-filled center of the battlefield, heading toward the swarm¡¯s ground-based electromagnetic railguns on Izumo.


    Prince Diallo issued the missile launch order immediately after the recent barrage because electromagnetic railguns require significant time to recharge. By exploiting this interval, even if the missiles traveled slower, they would have enough time to strike their targets before the railguns could finish recharging.


    Without interception from the railguns, if the missiles reached their designated positions and detonated, the payload¡ªover 10,000 tactical nuclear warheads¡ªcould severely cripple the swarm¡¯s ground facilities.


    However, the swarm would not sit idle. The moment the Crimson Kisses were ejected from their launchers, the ever-watchful swarm detected them.


    Simultaneously, tens of thousands of Laser-Eye Bugs ascended into the skies. Originally designed to intercept electromagnetic projectiles, these bugs now formed a new defensive line.


    Initially, they refrained from attacking the Crimson Kisses directly. First, the missiles were still distant. Second, their laser power was insufficient to penetrate the missile bodies in a short amount of time.


    Once the missile bays burst open, the tactical nuclear warheads, aided by their multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) systems, reassigned targets. With their rear thrusters igniting, they scattered in all directions. Simultaneously, tens of thousands of crimson laser beams streaked across the sky.


    The number of Laser-Eye Bugs outnumbered the nuclear warheads at least twofold, ensuring each warhead was targeted by at least two bugs.


    The lasers quickly burned through the missile casings. With these precision weapons, even minor damage to the fire-control systems, propulsion engines, or detonation mechanisms rendered them largely ineffective.


    ¡°Damn it! Detonate them remotely!¡± Diallo, frustrated by his thwarted plan, issued the command. The order was swiftly transmitted, and the tactical nuclear warheads exploded one after another.


    The sky lit up with miniature suns as the brilliant nuclear explosions radiated light and heat. Unfortunately, these were ¡°clean¡± nukes, modified for secondary detonation, which produced no radiation. Otherwise, leaving a radiation field behind would have been highly advantageous against the swarm. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Many warheads with damaged detonation or communication systems failed to detonate remotely. These would later be salvaged by the swarm as ¡°ingredients.¡±


    Although the nukes didn¡¯t destroy the swarm¡¯s ground facilities, they managed to disable optical observation equipment. Additionally, each warhead acted as a large EMP device.


    If the swarm had been a predominantly mechanical civilization, such a massive, close-range nuclear detonation might have caused more widespread disruption. Even so, the swarm¡¯s radar systems suffered significant interference.


    Despite the radar disruption, the intelligent entities adjusted the railguns¡¯ firing angles based on their experience. The second volley was launched shortly after the nuclear explosions subsided.


    Although the Daqi species relied heavily on mechanical technology, their distance from the nuclear explosions, combined with their advanced protective measures, mitigated the effects. Apart from losing their optical systems, they were otherwise unaffected.


    The drone swarm repositioned itself, reinforcing areas where the wreckage barrier was thinnest.

 Chapter 357: Abandoning Ship

    At this moment, the Daqi Fleet had completed its turnaround. The repulsion fields at the bow opened, while the primary thrusters at the stern surged to higher power levels, emitting energy streams over a hundred meters long.


    The fleet began accelerating. By the time the swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns were recharged, the fleet might already be out of their effective range.


    Fate, however, has a cruel sense of humor.


    The drone swarm and wreckage served as near-perfect shields, yet a few electromagnetic projectiles still broke through the layered obstacles and struck Daqi warships. Though these impacts often deviated from their original targets, their effects were no less devastating.


    Prince Diallo¡¯s flagship, which had led the charge at the front during the initial assault, now found itself at the rear of the retreat. One electromagnetic projectile, its trajectory altered by multiple collisions, veered off course and struck the flagship¡¯s left main thruster housing at an unusually sharp angle, breaching its defenses and causing some damage to the exhaust port.


    Initially, the damage could have been repaired with minimal effort. Unfortunately, this coincided with the thruster increasing its output, amplifying the damage to the exhaust port and triggering a series of chain reactions.


    Ultimately, the entire left thruster exploded. The blast not only destroyed several adjacent compartments and auxiliary thrusters but also disrupted the central main thruster¡¯s circuitry. While it didn¡¯t detonate, the central thruster¡¯s power output could no longer be increased and eventually shut down entirely.


    The remaining right thruster, operating at full power, caused the flagship to swerve violently due to the sudden imbalance.


    The violent shockwave from the left thruster¡¯s explosion threw both Prince Diallo and Aslit to the ground. By the time they scrambled to their feet, still shaken, the bad news arrived.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Diallo cursed furiously. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, the left main thruster is completely destroyed. Given the equipment we have on board, it¡¯s nearly impossible to repair it independently. The central thruster¡¯s issues are primarily with its wiring, but repairs would require the ship to remain stationary and powered down. Additionally, several auxiliary thrusters have sustained varying degrees of damage,¡± Aslit reported after quickly gathering the information.


    ¡°How long will it take?¡± Diallo asked grimly.


    ¡°Approximately¡­ approximately two days,¡± Aslit replied hesitantly.


    ¡°Hah.¡± Diallo let out a bitter laugh.


    Among the fleet, only about a dozen warships had suffered severe damage from two rounds of the swarm¡¯s railgun salvos, and yet his flagship was among them. It was infuriating.


    ¡°Can we escape using just the right thruster?¡±


    ¡°It will be difficult,¡± Aslit said, her voice tinged with unease as she noticed Diallo¡¯s menacing expression. ¡°If the other sections of the stern were intact, we could potentially keep up with the fleet using only the right thruster. But now that the entire left side of the stern is destroyed, the ship¡¯s structural integrity has been compromised. Forcing the right thruster to operate at full power could result in catastrophic chain reactions¡­¡±


    ¡°Huff¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­¡± Diallo took several deep breaths, trying to suppress his frustration. ¡°Abandon ship! Transfer everyone to the Doria immediately!¡±


    Prince Diallo acted decisively, though he had little choice.


    Having already issued the order for independent disengagement, the other warships, once their trajectories were adjusted and flight paths recalculated, wasted no time. They powered up and surged away without hesitation. Even those that noticed the flagship¡¯s damage stuck to the original orders, proceeding as planned in the absence of further instructions.


    Diallo could have overridden his previous command, ordering the fleet to stay and cover the flagship. However, slowing the fleet to match the flagship¡¯s compromised speed would likely subject the entire formation to several additional salvos from the swarm¡¯s railguns.


    Even if they managed to escape the electromagnetic railguns¡¯ effective range, the swarm¡¯s reinforcements would likely arrive by then. If not, the swarm could still pursue them, closing the gap with ease. Once pinned down, the endless tide of the swarm would grind them into oblivion.


    Rather than face such a dire scenario, Diallo considered revealing his identity. He believed that if he exposed who he was, the battle would end immediately. No matter how bold the swarm was, they would weigh the consequences carefully. He represented a force they could not afford to provoke. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet doing so after suffering such a humiliating defeat would weaken his position in subsequent negotiations. It would make him appear desperate, unable to stand his ground, diminishing his stature in the swarm¡¯s eyes.


    Worse, it would make him a laughingstock throughout the Confederation and even tarnish the reputation of the Daqi species.


    In the history of the Confederation, no veteran civilization had ever been humiliated by a ¡°newcomer¡± they were meant to integrate into their ranks. Diallo¡¯s defeat at the hands of the swarm would be an unprecedented disgrace.


    Unwilling to accept such an outcome, Diallo steeled himself. He resolved to avoid revealing his identity unless all other options were exhausted.


    In fairness, his frustration was understandable. Had it been a typical ¡°newcomer,¡± like the Rikens, their famed three fleets and Twin Star Defensive Zone would have been annihilated in the first volley of Crimson Kisses.


    Without a mobile force to defend their homeworld¡¯s fixed defenses, those installations wouldn¡¯t even warrant the expenditure of additional missiles. Energy weapons, with their superior performance, could systematically obliterate such fortifications from a safe distance.


    Once their defenses were completely dismantled, the Rikens would have been at Diallo¡¯s mercy. Unfortunately for him, he faced the swarm¡ªa relentless, overpowered adversary.


    With no better alternative, Diallo made the hard decision to abandon his flagship.


    The two escort ships, the Doria and the Chisaya, were his only viable options. The Chisaya, having shielded the flagship earlier, had sustained damage to its forward-right bow, including the loss of its reactive armor. Smoke occasionally leaked from its sealed compartments. The Doria, on the other hand, remained unscathed, making it the obvious choice for the transfer.


    The transfer itself proceeded smoothly. The swarm¡¯s railguns were still recharging, and the Laser-Eye Bugs lacked the range to threaten the operation. Under the protection of his escort team, Diallo and Aslit boarded a small, dedicated transport and crossed the void to the Doria in under 30 seconds.


    Meanwhile, the flagship¡¯s artificial intelligence had completed its upload, transferring full control to the Doria.


    A scenario like this¡ªabandoning the flagship¡ªwas covered by contingency plans in any advanced civilization¡¯s military doctrine. Thus, the process unfolded with remarkable orderliness, devoid of chaos.


    Once Diallo was safely aboard, smaller transport crafts began ferrying personnel from the flagship¡¯s various compartments to nearby warships. Within just over ten minutes, more than 5,000 Daqi crew members had been evacuated. This occurred despite enduring another salvo from the swarm.


    Fortunately, the earlier nuclear explosions had severely disrupted the swarm¡¯s reconnaissance capabilities. Unaware that the Daqi Fleet had been reduced to just over a dozen stationary warships, the swarm relied on predictive targeting, firing based on past fleet behavior.


    This miscalculation caused over 99% of the projectiles to miss entirely. The few that did align correctly were intercepted by wreckage and drones, achieving little.


    At last, the remaining warships powered up and accelerated away from the battlefield. Behind them, the abandoned flagship erupted into a massive fireball, marking the end of its service.

 Chapter 358: Interception

    ¡°Huff!~¡± Prince Diallo exhaled heavily, his breath laden with frustration. Although the fleet had suffered significant losses, losing 40% of its ships, he consoled himself with the thought that once they reached the rendezvous point, they could regroup, repair, and counterattack methodically¡­


    ¡°Methodically,¡± he muttered, turning the phrase over in his mind, yet he couldn¡¯t come up with any plan that would turn the tide.


    He did have some intel on the swarm. The Planet Raze base was the oldest but had limited resources. The base in close stellar orbit had the richest resources but was too recently established. Thus, the base on Planet Izumo was the swarm¡¯s largest deployment in the Riken Star System, boasting the strongest fixed defenses.


    Diallo¡¯s original strategy was to crush the Planet Izumo base with overwhelming force, then turn to annihilate the stellar orbit base, subjugate the Rikens en route, and finally cripple the Planet Raze base.


    After that, he planned to reveal his identity, forcing the swarm into silent acquiescence while showcasing the ¡°old guard¡¯s¡± dominance. Ideally, he could even extort valuable concessions from them.


    But reality had taken an abrupt turn. Who could have foreseen the swarm hiding so much firepower on the planet¡¯s far side?


    This not only rendered his Crimson Kiss barrage less effective but also forced his plan into a truncated version: destroy the Planet Izumo base, subjugate the Rikens, and reveal his identity when the swarm reinforcements arrived.


    Reality, however, seemed to enjoy mocking him. After slapping his left cheek, it couldn¡¯t resist slapping his right, just to ensure symmetry.


    Now he was stuck. By the time he regrouped, the swarm¡¯s reinforcements would likely have arrived. Worse, some of his fleet¡¯s capabilities had been exposed, eliminating any element of surprise.


    If he revealed his identity now, how would the Rikens view him? What about the swarm? His family? His peers in other civilizations? Could the third prince of the Daqi Empire endure such humiliation?


    The thought churned in his mind, and his gaze grew steely with resolve. Suddenly, inspiration struck.


    The front of the Planet Izumo swarm base still had only a smattering of immobile ¡°old, weak, sick, and disabled¡± forces.


    The rear was guarded primarily by fixed electromagnetic railguns. If he turned the fleet around now and took on the weakened forces head-on, the railguns¡ªagainst his repulsion fields¡ªwould be sitting ducks. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Could this be the breakthrough he sought? If he could destroy the swarm base and quickly subjugate the Rikens, there might still be a way to salvage the situation.


    However, his delay had left him with only a dozen warships nearby. The rest of his fleet had already departed, with the fastest likely reaching the rendezvous point. Summoning them back now? Unthinkable.


    ¡°Indecision only breeds chaos,¡± he muttered to himself. The situation couldn¡¯t worsen, so he resolved to gamble everything.


    Diallo¡¯s eyes hardened with determination. Just as he was about to issue the order, Aslit let out a sharp cry.


    ¡°Ah!!!???¡±


    Her voice, laced with alarm and a hint of terror, made Diallo snap his head up toward the main screen.


    Displayed on the screen was the direction of the Planet Izumo base. A massive structure, resembling a satellite, slowly emerged into view.


    However, its exposed, purple-gray fleshy texture was unmistakably not that of a natural satellite. Because of its distance, it hadn¡¯t been obscured by the tactical nuclear flashes, and now it appeared clearly on the screen.


    Both Aslit and Diallo knew exactly what it was, the swarm¡¯s orbital megastructure¡ªa colossal electromagnetic launch platform.


    The intel on the Planet Izumo base noted the existence of two such megastructures. At the beginning of the battle, one had been severely damaged. The other had remained hidden, stationed on the far side of the planet. Previously, it had gone unnoticed due to its proximity to the planet and limited viewing angles. Now, with the fleet further away, its full form was finally revealed.


    Upon realizing what was unfolding, Diallo struck Aslit heavily with his hand, jolting her back to her senses.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a catapult,¡± he growled. ¡°Essentially an oversized launch platform¡ªnothing dangerous or terrifying about it.¡±


    Still, the sheer size of the structure was breathtaking. It spanned over 200 kilometers in length. How the swarm managed to construct such a colossal apparatus was beyond him, as even the technologically advanced Daqi Empire lacked this capability.


    Diallo¡¯s gaze burned with determination. This discovery only strengthened his resolve to act. The swarm reinforcements would take some time to arrive, and even when they did, they would likely be scattered units. It would take days for a full-scale force to assemble.


    If he could capture the Planet Izumo base within this window, this megastructure would become his prize. Any valuable technology or secrets uncovered from it could offset his earlier losses.


    Megastructures of this caliber were a hallmark of the most venerable factions in the Confederation, symbols of both status and technological prowess. Securing one for himself would be a monumental achievement.


    ¡°Your Highness! Energy readings from the swarm megastructure!¡± Aslit exclaimed in alarm.


    Diallo didn¡¯t need her to point it out. The megastructure¡¯s surface began crackling with vivid blue arcs of electricity¡ªa telltale sign of a swarm construct powering up, unmistakable to even the untrained eye.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Let¡¯s show them one of the swarm¡¯s classic tricks,¡± Sarah Kerrigan commanded. Her voice was cool yet commanding as she observed from her command post. At her signal, the blue energy arcs surged across the megastructure. In an instant, it discharged its payload¡ªa massive object shot out at incredible speed.


    Diallo¡¯s fleet, a mere dozen warships, had just begun accelerating. It would take time to reach top speed, while the object launched from the swarm megastructure achieved maximum velocity the moment it was fired.


    Although Daqi warships could ultimately outrun it, in this initial moment, they were at a clear disadvantage.


    ¡°Intercept!¡± Diallo roared. His instincts told him that whatever was hurtling toward them wasn¡¯t friendly, and he wasn¡¯t about to take chances. ¡°Shoot it down, now!¡±


    But their current positioning¡ªfleeing backward¡ªwas far from ideal. The Doria, a large escort ship, had a total of more than ten main cannons, yet only four could bear on the target due to the awkward angle.


    The remaining ships, however, added another twenty or so main cannons with clear firing angles. Sporadic beams of red energy lanced toward the approaching shadow. Compared to the earlier overwhelming barrages, this attempt felt pitifully inadequate.


    Still, with only one target, even these twenty-plus beams constituted a high-priority response.


    The black silhouette was a 100-meter-wide sphere, though its true nature was a 300 meter  mature body Space Octopus curled into a tight ball¡ªa natural defensive posture for the swarm¡¯s soft-bodied organisms.


    These large mature forms carried turret modules capable of striking targets tens of thousands of kilometers away. However, lacking an atomic furnace, their sustained combat capacity was limited.


    After depleting most of their stored energy in a few salvos, these creatures would retreat underground to recharge. While the swarm¡¯s surface facilities had been obliterated by Daqi¡¯s tactical nuclear warheads, their limited yields had failed to penetrate deep underground, where the swarm excelled at building secure shelters.


    Thus, when the Primordial Bodies were reduced to ¡°old, weak, and crippled¡± statuses, these large mature forms were among the few remaining assets still operational, and they came in handy at this time.

 Chapter 359: A Classic Swarm Move

    A 300 meter mature Space Octopus could not withstand the firepower of over twenty main cannons.


    Despite curling its most durable tentacles in front of its body to serve as a shield, a single volley left it riddled with over a dozen gaping wounds, each over a meter wide. Among them, seven or eight shots completely pierced through its body.


    However, a weakness of energy beam weapons became apparent at this moment.


    The beams¡¯ high penetration meant they transferred very little kinetic energy to the target upon impact.


    As a result, while the mature Space Octopus was severely injured, its momentum remained almost unaffected as it barreled toward the Daqi warships.


    ¡°Switch to burst energy mode!¡± Prince Diallo ordered urgently. Burst energy mode traded penetration for explosive force, making it more effective at halting an advancing target.


    Diallo had a gut feeling. Though this mature form seemed unimpressive, the swarm would not have launched it without good reason¡ªit must have some unique abilities.


    Unfortunately, the main cannons required time to recharge, and the mature form, propelled by the megastructure, was closing the distance at high speed. Before the second volley in burst mode could fire, the Space Octopus was already upon them.


    Its tightly curled tentacles suddenly unfurled. Though many were mangled or missing, the remaining ones flailed wildly, exuding a ferocious energy.


    From the nozzle on its underside, blue electric arcs flickered as its plasma propulsion organ fired at full power. However, instead of accelerating, it was using the propulsion to decelerate.


    Even so, the output of the mature form¡¯s propulsion organ was no match for the megastructure that had launched it. Overloaded, it still slammed into the rear of a 1,600-meter-class standard warship at an alarming speed.


    The massive impact instantly knocked out one of the warship¡¯s main thrusters, causing the vessel to lurch violently. Inside, Daqi crew members stumbled and fell.


    The hard landing wasn¡¯t kind to the Space Octopus either. Already battered from the earlier barrage, parts of its body were pulverized into unrecognizable mush. However, thanks to its soft, cartilage-based anatomy, much of the force was absorbed.


    Despite its grievous injuries, the mature form clung stubbornly to the warship. Its back split open, revealing a gaping cavity from which numerous smaller creatures began pouring out.


    These were smaller mature bodies and larval bodies, ranging in size from 100 meters to as little as 7 or 8 meters. Upon emerging, they dispersed rapidly, attacking various sections of the warship.


    ¡°Activate the laser defense array and close-in defense cannons!¡± Diallo ordered swiftly, fully aware of the threat these creatures posed.


    Hidden hatches on the warship opened, deploying laser turrets and close-in defense cannons. The latter were fairly standard, but the compact, ship-mounted laser turrets were particularly eye-catching.


    The Rikens, who had been observing the spectacle, watched with envy. They had always believed that possessing such technology would enable them to counter the swarm¡¯s electromagnetic railguns and achieve victory. However, seeing the Daqi¡ªequipped with repulsion fields and laser turrets¡ªbeing driven to desperation by the swarm shattered those illusions.


    Countless small energy beams streaked across the void, interwoven with red laser threads that slashed in all directions, creating a dazzling light show. The visual effects were spectacular, and the atmosphere was intense.


    However, the effectiveness of the Daqi¡¯s close-in defense systems left much to be desired.


    The energy beams fired by the close-in defense cannons were too small in caliber to effectively damage the swarm¡¯s bio-armor, which was bolstered with resistance-enhancing buffs.


    Against larval bodies, they proved somewhat effective, but against mature Space Octopuses, the beams could only create small bloody craters on their surface¡ªmere superficial wounds for such creatures.


    Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the miniaturized laser emitters was even more disappointing. Ever since the Rikens developed laser weapons, Luo Wen had implemented a minor upgrade to the swarm¡¯s bio-armor. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Back during Luo Wen¡¯s exploits on the Genesis Planet, he had a signature skill that earned him both fame and the ire of countless native creatures¡ªOptical Camouflage.


    This ability functioned by utilizing nanoscale crystal particles embedded in the armor to reflect light identical to the surrounding environment, effectively allowing the user to blend in seamlessly.


    Since lasers, at their core, are concentrated beams of light, they were inherently countered by this mechanism. Luo Wen¡¯s upgrade involved thickening the nanoscale crystal particle layer within the bio-armor, enabling it to endure higher-power laser attacks.


    Beyond this enhancement, no other changes were made, so the update qualified as a minor version upgrade.


    This nanoscale crystal layer created a reflective surface when exposed to laser strikes, achieving a reflectivity of over 95%. Against large-scale ground-based laser emplacements, the residual 5% of light energy converted into heat might still scorch through a mature form¡¯s crystal-layer defense. However, the diminutive power of the ship-mounted laser emitters was simply insufficient.


    This led to a surreal scene witnessed by the Rikens and others on the observation screens. A thin red laser beam locked onto an 80-meter-class mature Space Octopus. Despite the beam traveling at near-light speed, leaving the target no time to evade, the result was anticlimactic. Other than a faint blackened scorch mark on the octopus¡¯s bio-armor, there was no discernible damage.


    ¡°Damn it! Another undocumented ability!¡± Prince Diallo cursed once more. Such uncharacteristic outbursts were rare for the third prince, who had been rigorously trained in noble etiquette since childhood.


    Frustrated, Diallo ran his hands through his hair, pulling out several strands in the process. A nagging suspicion crept into his mind, had he unwittingly offended someone influential? Was this a deliberate setup?


    In his view, the Suzerain had always been unfathomably powerful. Yet, the intelligence they provided was riddled with critical oversights.


    It seemed implausible that such a young and seemingly peculiar interstellar civilization could so thoroughly conceal its capabilities from the Suzerain¡¯s scrutiny.


    The more he thought about it, the more deliberate targeting seemed like the likelier explanation.


    But there was no time to dwell on such thoughts. Outside, the Space Octopuses were wreaking havoc with reckless abandon.


    Although the spacefaring age had rendered melee combat seemingly obsolete, especially in the face of massive firepower, the swarm¡¯s unique biology¡ªand the eccentric preferences of a certain Overlord¡ªensured that close-quarters combat not only endured but had been upgraded several times. It simply hadn¡¯t found a fitting stage for its display¡ªuntil now.


    The stage was set, and Luo-style Combat Techniques were making a grand return.


    A close-in defense cannon swiveled, pouring out a torrent of firepower. Its rapid-fire mechanism unleashed a dense rain of light, saturating the void as it targeted a Space Octopus. Each unit boasted 164 mini-barrels, capable of firing tens of thousands of rounds per minute.


    But just as the barrage reached its peak, a tentacle suddenly extended from the cannon¡¯s blind spot, wrapping around its base. Another tentacle followed, coiling tightly and locking the cannon¡¯s rotation mechanism, rendering it unable to counterattack.


    The octopus then anchored itself to the ship with additional tentacles. Using its entire body, it exerted immense force. Blue electric arcs crackled along its appendages, while its plasma propulsion organ expelled streams of energy for added torque.


    Luo-style Combat Technique: Pulling the Radish!


    Under the immense strain, the close-in defense cannon¡¯s support struts gave way, snapping apart.


    With its power supply and circuitry severed, the cannon dimmed. Its once-blazing barrels, glowing red-hot, gradually cooled and faded back to a lifeless black.

 Chapter 360: Helplessness

    On the surface of the warship¡¯s hull, the Space Octopuses displayed remarkable agility, their twisting, weaving movements making them perfectly suited to the environment. Their unpredictable maneuvers often caused the laser array and close-in defense cannons to miss their targets, with many shots striking their own warship instead.


    While these stray hits couldn¡¯t breach the ship¡¯s armor, the repeated impacts were far from ideal.


    Some larval bodies were shot down or even killed, but the numbers of the defensive weapons were also rapidly dwindling. The Space Octopuses, with their upgraded bio-armor for increased resilience and re-optimized tentacle strength, demonstrated destructive capabilities far exceeding expectations in close combat.


    Against these biological weapons, the mechanically rigid constructs of the Daqi warships appeared utterly powerless once engaged in melee combat.


    That such a scenario could even occur was a rarity, the result of a series of coincidences creating the perfect conditions.


    First and foremost, the enemy had to be within close range¡ªa critical requirement. Secondly, the enemy¡¯s warships had to be few in number, led by a commander either unfamiliar with swarm close-quarters tactics or prone to mistakes. Additionally, the presence of an electromagnetic megastructure was indispensable. These factors were all interdependent, and the absence of any one would render the strategy ineffective.


    While launching 300 meter mature bodies was not overly taxing for the electromagnetic megastructure, it could only fire one at a time, even at maximum frequency. If the enemy fleet were too numerous, a single coordinated salvo could obliterate the mature body before it ever got close. At longer distances, as seen earlier, if the enemy warships had time to fire a second volley, switching their main cannons to burst energy mode could also halt the mature body¡¯s advance.


    The presence of the electromagnetic megastructure was straightforward enough¡ªwithout it, the mature bodies would lack the speed to traverse the battlefield quickly enough to reach their targets.


    Take the earlier scenario, for instance. If the mature bodies had to rely on their own propulsion, they wouldn¡¯t have been able to catch the Daqi warships. Even if the ships had remained stationary, they could have fired twenty salvos by the time the mature bodies arrived.


    Finally, the inexperience or errors of the opposing commander played a crucial role. If Diallo had been more knowledgeable, he would have switched to burst energy mode during the first volley, and none of this would have unfolded.


    ¡°Forget it! Let them retreat on their own! We¡¯re pulling back first!¡± Diallo barked, his voice tight with frustration as he watched the stricken warship being steadily dismantled. One of its rear thrusters was already destroyed, and the damage was rapidly escalating.


    Rescue operations were out of the question. Once a Space Octopus closed in, the surrounding ships¡¯ main and secondary cannons were rendered ineffective. Even within the range of the laser arrays and close-in defense cannons, the weapons lacked the power to make a difference.


    The crew of the stricken warship faced an even grimmer fate than those forced to flee to the Riken defensive zone earlier. Diallo recalled certain descriptions from intelligence reports, opening the airlocks in such situations was tantamount to suicide. Escape was a fantasy; their only hope lay in allied rescue efforts.


    Under normal circumstances, during a standoff, drones could be deployed to systematically clear the threat. However, in this time-critical scenario, there was no opportunity to spare resources for them.


    The swarm, ever perceptive of its prey¡¯s actions, sent the remaining 100 meter mature bodies swarming off the disabled warship, carrying larval bodies as they leapt onto nearby vessels.


    ¡°Intercept them! Stop them from getting close!¡± Diallo bellowed.


    The fate of the ruined warship, lying in pieces not far away, served as a grim warning. Diallo was not about to let himself become the next casualty.


    But as previously noted, launching a 300 meter mature body imposed minimal strain on the electromagnetic megastructure. In the short time since the first had landed, another had already been fired and was hurtling toward them.


    ¡°Damn it! Main cannons, target it and take it down!¡± Diallo roared. This larger creature posed an even greater threat and had to be neutralized immediately.


    Yet, what Diallo could anticipate, the swarm had already planned for.


    After the recent skirmishes, the swarm had collected comprehensive data on the Daqi¡¯s main cannons. Every stage of the cannon¡¯s operation¡ªfrom energy accumulation to firing¡ªhad been meticulously recorded, down to the millisecond.


    Meanwhile, countless types of Observer Bugs monitored the Daqi warships.


    Thus, the moment the energy cannon projectile left the barrel, the Space Octopus¡ªcurled into a tight sphere¡ªsuddenly unfurled. Its dozen or so electrically charged tentacles contracted and extended with precision, propelling its body ever so slightly to one side at high speed.


    The energy beam, traveling instantaneously, mostly missed its mark due to this small but calculated maneuver. Over 90% of the shots grazed past the mature body, with only two beams landing direct hits, causing explosive and burn damage.


    This remarkable evasive maneuver mimicked the way a true octopus swims through water and was derived from the Space Octopus¡¯s ancestor¡ªthe Atmospheric Organism. While Atmospheric Organisms lacked plasma propulsion organs, their swimming motion still enabled them to chase falling swarm meteors with impressive bursts of speed, demonstrating their latent power.


    With this surprising display, the Space Octopus evaded the majority of the cannon fire. Although the two hits slowed it down significantly, the burst-energy-mode projectiles had limited effectiveness against bio-armor designed to withstand and absorb cosmic radiation.


    Diallo hadn¡¯t expected to kill it outright with the burst-energy rounds; his goal was simply to stall its advance. However, the results fell short of expectations.


    Despite its reduced speed, the 300 meter mature body was still advancing rapidly. It wouldn¡¯t reach the Daqi warships before the second round of cannon volleys, but the electromagnetic megastructure had already finished preheating and reached full power.


    The third 300 meter mature body was launched just before the second volley could be fired!


    Diallo now faced a difficult decision: which target should the second cannon volley prioritize?


    If he targeted the second mature body, it would be dangerously close by the time the cannons recharged. If he failed to kill it outright, the effort would be nearly wasted.


    On the other hand, if he targeted the third mature body, its ability to complete precise evasive maneuvers made him doubt the effectiveness of his volleys. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time was running out. Diallo had to act quickly and made a compromise.


    He divided his firepower: half the main cannons and secondary cannons would use penetration mode to attack the second mature body, while the remaining main cannons would employ burst-energy mode against the third one.


    Scattered red beams split into two directions, streaking toward their respective targets.


    The second mature body, riddled with seven or eight see-through holes, slammed into a warship¡¯s propulsion system.


    Meanwhile, the reduced barrage aimed at the third mature body allowed it to gracefully evade all incoming fire. While the evasive maneuvers slowed its approach slightly, it still advanced toward the Daqi warships at a faster pace than the second body.


    The results of this volley were disastrous.


    The second mature body¡¯s back split open, releasing a torrent of smaller bodies¡ªeach less than 100 meters in size. The stricken warship, with its propulsion systems critically damaged, was doomed.


    Even worse, the fourth 300 meter mature body was already on its way.

 Chapter 361: Failure

    Bad news arrived one after another, leaving Prince Diallo¡¯s dark red, magma-like face looking as though it had cooled to a dark green. But reality was indifferent to his growing despair.


    The second mature Space Octopus, though damaged, was far less injured than its predecessor. Even after unloading all its ¡°passengers,¡± it retained considerable mobility.


    The destructive potential of a 300 meter mature form in close combat far exceeded that of its smaller counterparts, including the 70 to 80 meter bodies and the larval bodies under 20 meters.


    Its nearly 200 meter long tentacles, crackling with blue electric arcs, swept across the ship¡¯s surface with devastating efficiency. A single strike could clear away clusters of defensive weapons protruding from the hull without needing to resort to techniques like ¡°Pulling the Radish.¡±


    This maneuver was instead the Luo-style Combat Technique: Sweeping Heaven and Earth¡ªa grandiose name for a simple yet effective move. The only requirement? A body large enough and tentacles long enough to execute it.


    The rampage of the Space Octopus as it coiled and thrashed about the ship evoked imagery of deep-sea leviathans attacking cruise ships in old movies.


    ¡°Full engines! Get us out of here at maximum speed!¡± Diallo roared. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Your Highness, with the repulsion field, main and secondary cannons, laser defense array, and close-in defense systems all active, we don¡¯t have enough energy for full engine power,¡± Aslit reminded him quietly.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Diallo cursed, the harshness of his words automatically censored by the translation systems. ¡°Deactivate the repulsion field! Shut down the laser defense array!¡±


    These systems were among the largest energy drains, and the laser defense array had already proven ineffective against the swarm¡¯s bio-armor. Disabling it was a logical choice.


    However, deactivating the repulsion field posed significant risks. In the complex environment of a star system, even traveling at a fraction of light speed was perilous. At one-twentieth the speed of light, let alone half that, a single obstacle could lead to catastrophic destruction.


    ¡°But that would still leave us vulnerable,¡± Aslit protested cautiously.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter! We need to get moving. The reactive armor can handle low-intensity collisions. Once we¡¯ve gained some distance, we¡¯ll have more time to react. At that point, whether we fight or retreat, we¡¯ll have the advantage. Now redirect any main cannons without a firing angle to clear the path ahead!¡±


    With sufficient energy redirected to the engines, they roared to life at full capacity. The propulsion systems emitted increasingly powerful streams of energy.


    Warships, unlike missiles, required a brief acceleration phase to reach their maximum speeds. At full thrust, the interstellar engines could bring the ship to 1% of the speed of light within moments and, over billions of kilometers, push it past the halfway mark to 50% of light speed.


    Diallo, however, needed only the initial burst of velocity. Even that brief window of acceleration, taking just thirty seconds, would allow the ship to put tens of thousands of kilometers between itself and its attackers, giving him the breathing room to regain control of the situation.


    The swarm, well aware of the consequences of letting their prey escape, quickly reacted. If the Daqi fleet managed to pull away here, the swarm¡ªlacking a speed advantage in the vastness of space¡ªwould likely lose its chance to destroy them. The prospect of dealing with guerilla tactics from a dispersed enemy was an infuriating one.


    Suddenly, the 300 meter mature form froze in place. Its tentacles retracted quickly, pressing against the ship it clung to as its body compacted. Blue electric arcs erupted across its entire form, and the air seemed to grow heavy with the scent of burning ozone.


    In a flash, the Space Octopus pushed off the warship with tremendous force, springing forward like a coiled spring released. The recoil was so intense that the stricken warship was jolted out of position.


    Simultaneously, its plasma propulsion organ fired up, creating a double acceleration effect as it hurtled toward the Doria.


    The swarm had not missed the earlier transfer of personnel after the flagship¡¯s destruction. All the small craft had been relocated to the Doria. Though the swarm¡¯s creatures couldn¡¯t distinguish between flagships and escorts, they could infer from the ship¡¯s size and the activity around it that it was a high-value target.


    At such a critical moment, where the swarm could only drag one warship into the fray, the Doria naturally became the target.


    ¡°Stop it!¡± Diallo¡¯s voice cracked under the strain. The blood vessels in his three eyes swelled to bursting, radiating a mixture of malice, frustration, disbelief, and fear.


    Realistically, they were already struggling to fend off mature bodies under 100 meters in size at this range¡ªlet alone a 300 meter behemoth.


    In mid-air, the mature Space Octopus poised itself, extending two massive, 200 meter long tentacles crackling with electricity. The limbs slammed down heavily onto the Doria, unleashing a tremendous impact that sent Diallo and the other Daqi crew flying. Even the control consoles erupted with sparks from the force of the blow.


    The recoil, however, wasn¡¯t kind to the mature form. Despite the electromagnetic fields protecting its tentacles, the force tore through flesh and muscle, leaving both limbs mangled and temporarily out of commission. But with over a dozen remaining tentacles, losing two hardly mattered. After some recuperation¡ªperhaps basking in sunlight¡ªit could regrow them without issue.


    This brutal strike was a foundational move in the Luo-style Combat Techniques: Face-smashing hammer strike¡ªalbeit adapted for tentacles instead of claws. The technique¡¯s essence remained intact, amplified here by the sheer scale and power of the Space Octopus.


    While the move didn¡¯t land directly on Diallo¡¯s face, its reverberations stunned him as though it had. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he opened his mouth to speak, only for the ship to lurch violently again.


    ¡°Damn it! What now?!¡± Diallo bellowed.


    Aslit, thrown to the floor by the repeated impacts, hurriedly checked the systems and reported, ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s the third octopus¡ªit destroyed our right main thruster.¡±


    The Daqi, unfamiliar with the swarm¡¯s internal nomenclature, referred to these creatures by the Riken name, ¡°Octopus Freaks.¡±


    ¡°Damn it all!¡± Diallo cursed again. ¡°Forget them! Just keep moving! Go as far as we can!¡±


    Despite the relentless assaults, Diallo retained his composure. He knew that lingering here would only invite more of these abominable creatures.


    The swarm¡¯s strategy was blatantly unfair: turning melee-capable ¡°tanks¡± into assassins that closed in on fragile targets. The only viable strategy was to retreat, widen the distance, and cut off reinforcements before addressing the situation later.


    But Diallo¡¯s plan was overly optimistic.


    The Doria was already pinned down by two 300 meter mature bodies, each clinging to opposite sides of the ship. The third mature form had unleashed a torrent of smaller bodies and larvae, while the fourth was almost upon them, and the fifth was already en route.


    In this scenario, Diallo¡¯s confidence seemed misplaced. Other warships might escape, but the Doria was doomed.


    The two massive mature bodies prioritized destroying the ship¡¯s propulsion systems. One by one, they targeted the left main thruster and central main thruster at the stern, inflicting catastrophic damage. Though the ensuing explosions severely wounded the attacking creatures, they succeeded in their mission.


    The Doria was crippled.


    The chain reaction from the explosions of the three main thrusters ignited a raging inferno in the ship¡¯s rear sections. Although the onboard AI immediately sealed off the affected compartments, the fire continued to spread, damaging critical systems and wreaking havoc on electrical circuits.


    The Doria¡¯s fate was sealed; its complete destruction was only a matter of time.

 Chapter 362: Turning the Tide

    After the two successful Crimson Kiss volleys earlier, if Prince Diallo had immediately pulled back and concentrated fire on the emerging swarm reinforcements behind Planet Izumo, using the cleared front as cover, he wouldn¡¯t have ended up in his current predicament.


    But Diallo had placed far too much trust in the intelligence provided by the Suzerain, never anticipating that the swarm¡¯s energy cannon technology had advanced to such a high level. Being pinned down triggered a cascade of unfavorable events.


    Yet, perhaps this wasn¡¯t entirely his fault. In Diallo¡¯s memory, the Suzerain had always been infallibly powerful, incapable of making mistakes¡ªunless deliberately setting him up.


    Still, despite being the third prince of the Daqi Empire, Diallo had already abandoned the fight for the throne. Out here on the frontier, he was nothing more than a small, insignificant figure in the eyes of the Suzerain, hardly worth such elaborate targeting.


    Could this entire debacle be aimed at the Daqi Empire instead? Even so, the loss of these 2,000 warships, while significant, would not cripple their power.


    Instead of focusing on his escape, Diallo¡¯s mind was consumed with these strange thoughts. Subconsciously, he seemed to believe that revealing his identity and intentions would ensure his safety. His sense of crisis was weak; he was more preoccupied with puzzling over the Suzerain¡¯s motives.


    ¡°Boom!¡± A violent tremor shook the Doria.


    The fourth mature Space Octopus had arrived.


    The already heavily damaged Doria flickered as its interior lights briefly dimmed, plunging the ship into darkness.


    Before the Daqi crew could even scream, the emergency power systems kicked in, restoring the light. However, the situation was dire¡ªthe activation of backup energy circuits signaled that the ship¡¯s damage was far worse than anticipated.


    ¡°Your Highness, what should we do?¡± Aslit asked anxiously, breaking Diallo¡¯s reverie.


    ¡°All warships, deploy every drone! Have the Chisaya, DX12475, DX12490, and DX12497 move closer!¡±


    Diallo knew he couldn¡¯t sit idly by; he had to make one last effort. Overwhelming the swarm was now impossible. However, even if he were to reveal his identity, doing so freely and proactively would yield a much different outcome than being captured and forced to confess.


    He had already ordered the retreating warships to return. If he could hold out a bit longer and regroup with the main force, he might regain control of the situation. First, though, the heavily damaged Doria had to be evacuated.


    Diallo¡¯s plan was to use drones to draw the swarm¡¯s attention, creating chaos to cover their retreat. To ensure success, he not only summoned the Chisaya but also directed three other numbered warships to move in.


    The four ships complied, ignoring the rampaging Space Octopuses still wreaking havoc aboard the Doria, and began encircling it.


    ¡°Boom!¡± Another violent impact shook the Doria as the fifth mature Space Octopus collided with the ship.


    Now, a total of four 300 meter mature bodies surrounded the Doria.


    Nearly all of the Doria¡¯s external structures had been stripped away. Aside from its 200 meter high command tower, the ship was practically reduced to a bare hull.


    Even the command tower was under siege. Two of the mature Space Octopuses had coiled their tentacles around it, their electric arcs crackling as they applied tremendous force. Together, they were executing the Luo-style Combat Technique: Pulling the Radish, attempting to rip the massive tower completely off the ship.


    But the command tower proved far sturdier than expected. Despite their combined efforts, the tower remained stubbornly attached to the ship. Sparks flew and components burst under pressure, yet the structure refused to yield.


    The two mature Space Octopuses, frustrated by their failure to tear down the command tower, resorted to wildly swinging their massive 200 meter long tentacles at it. The barrage of heavy blows caused violent tremors, leaving many of the Daqi crew within coughing blood or outright falling unconscious.


    Fortunately, Prince Diallo had long since vacated the command tower via a high-speed elevator. Under the protection of his escort team, he was now heading toward the landing pad.


    ¡°Deploy drones to clear the small Octopuses from the hull! Intercept the sixth octopus missile!¡± he commanded.


    The smaller mature bodies and larval bodies were far less durable than their larger counterparts, but the drones¡¯ smaller-caliber weapons also inflicted less damage. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite this, the sheer number of drones, combined with support from the close-in weapons of nearby warships, gradually wore down the smaller attackers at a slow but steady pace.


    However, time was of the essence. Several larval bodies had already slipped through breaches at the rear of the Doria, infiltrating its interior and wreaking havoc.


    In the narrow corridors of the warship, the Daqi crew fared little better than the Rikens when faced with these 7 to 8 meter long, ferociously agile soft-bodied creatures. Lacking experience in such situations, they struggled to contain the invaders.


    Every second of delay increased the threats to Diallo¡¯s life.


    Recognizing the urgency, the Daqi resorted to extreme measures, drone squadrons launched kamikaze attacks.


    Two drone formations executed precise aerial maneuvers, performing high-speed rotations to build momentum before hurling themselves into the Space Octopuses without hesitation.


    This direct physical impact proved far more effective against the Space Octopuses than energy weapons. While bio-armor was optimized to resist energy attacks through cellular enhancements, improving physical resistance required thicker armor.


    The swarm had long prioritized mobility over defense. In interstellar warfare, speed was paramount; without it, even the strongest defenses rendered a unit little more than a stationary target. Thickening the armor would only make the Space Octopuses bulkier, increasing energy consumption and production costs, while hindering their agility and development.


    Thus, physical defense was deprioritized. In this case, the swarm¡¯s strategic choice came at a cost.


    Under the relentless suicide assaults of the drones, the number of Space Octopuses rapidly dwindled. However, the drones also suffered heavy losses. Even a 10 meter larval body could withstand the impacts of at least three drones before losing mobility, while larger mature bodies required even more hits to bring down.


    Ordinarily, this kind of exchange¡ªlosing drones for swarm units¡ªwould still be favorable for the swarm. However, this was no ordinary situation. Here, the swarm found itself at a rare numerical disadvantage.


    Meanwhile, the sixth 300 meter mature body, on its way to reinforce the attack, was intercepted mid-flight by waves of suicide drones. The kamikaze strikes were far more effective than burst-energy projectiles, with the added benefit of near-perfect accuracy.


    As Prince Diallo monitored the steadily updating battle reports, he exhaled deeply, his tension easing for the first time in hours.


    Everything seemed to be turning in his favor.

 Chapter 363: Evacuation?

    Reality, as ever, was harsh and unsympathetic to Prince Diallo.


    ¡°Your Highness, energy accumulation detected from the direction of Planet Izumo!¡± Aslit reported urgently, just as Diallo stepped onto the transport vehicle.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Diallo demanded.


    ¡°It¡¯s the swarm¡¯s ground-based electromagnetic railguns!¡± Aslit exclaimed.


    Diallo immediately grasped the situation. Earlier, the concentrated detonation of tactical nuclear warheads hadn¡¯t destroyed the swarm¡¯s terrestrial weaponry. However, the accompanying light flashes and electromagnetic pulses had temporarily blinded their fire-control systems.


    But the effects of the nuclear blasts were fleeting. After this lengthy delay, the swarm¡¯s fire-control radars had recalibrated and recovered. The railguns were ready to fire once again.


    ¡°Order all warships except the Chisaya, DX12475, DX12490, and DX12497 to turn their bows to face Planet Izumo. Activate laser defense arrays and repulsion fields, and form a defensive barrier at the front,¡± Diallo instructed calmly.


    Given the circumstances, escape was no longer an option. A steady defense, buying time for the fleet¡¯s return, was the best course of action.


    The Daqi¡¯s execution of orders was impeccable. Since the onset of the battle, even seemingly suicidal commands had been carried out without hesitation.


    The massive 1,600 meter warships, assisted by their side thrusters, adjusted their positions swiftly. Electromagnetic projectiles, slower than energy beams, gave the Daqi ships just enough time to reach their designated defensive positions before the first wave arrived.


    Turning toward Planet Izumo meant these warships temporarily forfeited any chance of retreat. Energy meant for their engines was redirected to power the laser defense arrays and repulsion fields.


    The repulsion fields proved to be the bane of the electromagnetic projectiles. Although their operation consumed enormous amounts of energy, any ship positioned behind an active repulsion field was virtually invincible.


    These warships managed to intercept almost every projectile aimed at the Doria and its accompanying vessels. The few projectiles that slipped past the repulsion fields were swiftly neutralized by the laser defense arrays, which were specifically designed for countering electromagnetic projectiles and incoming aircraft.


    However, defending against thousands of railguns was no small feat. While the repulsion fields held, the warships¡¯ other components were less indestructible.


    After just one railgun volley, two of the defensive warships experienced catastrophic power system failures from the energy overload. Their forward repulsion fields flickered and vanished.


    Still, the warships had bought precious time. Charging the railguns and the flight time of their projectiles provided a crucial window of opportunity. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Several side hatches on the Doria suddenly opened, releasing a swarm of small transport vehicles. They divided into four groups and flew toward the surrounding warships. Simultaneously, the Chisaya and the other three ships opened their own hatches, preparing to receive the evacuees.


    The swarm, of course, would not sit idly by and watch the Daqi evacuate. The few remaining small mature and larval bodies lunged at the transports. But at the same time, the Daqi drones launched an all-out frenzy, throwing themselves at the attackers with reckless abandon.


    One 10 meter larval body had barely leapt into the air before over ten drones locked onto it, slamming into it mid-flight and reducing it to a pulp.


    A 30 meter mature Space Octopus had just latched onto an escape vehicle when over twenty drones slammed into it without hesitation, destroying both the octopus and the Daqi transport in a fiery explosion.


    Seeing their smaller brethren faltering, the four 300 meter mature bodies abandoned their efforts to dismantle the Doria¡¯s command tower. Instead, they turned their attention toward the fleeing escape vehicles.


    These mature bodies had refrained from attacking the surrounding warships earlier, knowing the Doria housed an important figure among the Daqi. However, with Prince Diallo now evacuating, the Doria had lost its strategic value.


    For the Daqi, the Doria without Diallo was equally expendable. As the 300 meter mature bodies began to pivot, the main and secondary cannons of the surrounding four warships opened fire.


    At such close range, even 300 meter mature bodies stood no chance against dozens of main cannons and hundreds of secondary weapons concentrating their fire. The mature bodies were instantly shredded, their bodies riddled with penetrating energy beams.


    The beams, after tearing through the mature bodies, continued their trajectory and struck the Doria, which was directly behind them.


    The Doria, along with the small mature bodies and larval bodies clinging to its hull¡ªand even the remaining Daqi crew still onboard¡ªwas obliterated in the barrage.


    The explosion lit up the void, forming a massive fireball. The force of the blast scattered some of the recently deployed escape vehicles, causing chaos.


    While the Daqi lost a single escort ship and several personnel, the destruction of over 90% of the Space Octopuses significantly reduced the immediate threat. The few remaining smaller individuals were no longer a critical danger.


    Allowing these creatures to remain unchecked could have resulted in more ships being whittled down over time. In Diallo¡¯s view, the sacrifice had been worth it.


    ¡°Your Highness, don¡¯t be sad. This was the best solution to minimize our losses,¡± Aslit consoled him, noticing the grim, fluctuating expressions on Diallo¡¯s face.


    Diallo didn¡¯t respond. He simply stared into the star-speckled void, lost in thought.


    Meanwhile, the evacuation was still underway. However, the second wave of electromagnetic railgun salvos was already upon them.


    With two of the defensive warships down, the repulsion field barrier now had critical gaps. More electromagnetic projectiles slipped through the defenses, overwhelming even the laser defense arrays, which couldn¡¯t intercept them all due to sheer numbers.


    A few projectiles struck the ships tasked with retrieving the escape vehicles. Fortunately, their reactive armor absorbed most of the damage, preventing catastrophic destruction.


    But disaster loomed. Under the concentrated bombardment, several defensive warships experienced power system failures from the strain of overloading.


    The sudden collapse of repulsion fields left the warships vulnerable, and electromagnetic projectiles slammed into their exposed hulls.


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    Explosions erupted across the battlefield.


    Armor plating shattered, and the forward sections of several warships were torn apart. Multiple projectiles tore through dozens of compartments, triggering internal detonations.


    In mere moments, two warships were consumed by flames, while others suffered severe damage. Though their reactive armor managed to shield them from total annihilation, their current state left them defenseless against another volley.


    To make matters worse, at least a thousand small mature bodies and larval bodies began swarming in from both flanks.


    These were passengers that had escaped from the 300 meter mature bodies intercepted earlier by drones.


    While the larger mature bodies had been stalled, these smaller creatures had slipped free. With the defensive warships severely damaged and the drone reserves nearly exhausted, the Daqi could only watch as the swarm advanced.


    Before they could reach the warships, however, a 300 meter mature body suddenly crashed onto one of the defensive vessels.

 Chapter 364: Victory?

    The Electromagnetic Megastructures had been far from idle during this period. Although the few 300 meter Mature Bodies they had just launched were intercepted mid-flight by Daqi drones, their defensive forces were finally breached, allowing new 300 meter Mature Bodies to press forward and deploy to designated positions.


    These large combat units of the Swarm barely stabilized their forms before lunging toward the four transferring warships.


    Facing the ferocious space octopuses, the three numbered Daqi warships began converging on the Chisaya to provide desperate cover. Meanwhile, the Chisaya ignited its engines and began accelerating.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, what do we do?¡± a Blade asked.


    Sarah Kerrigan¡¯s expression wavered slightly. The four warships had recently gathered escape vehicles from the Doria. Any one of them could potentially be the target chosen by the alien Supreme Commander.


    The Swarm¡¯s combat units in the area had been nearly annihilated earlier, and the newly arrived forces were too few to intercept all four warships simultaneously. A focused effort was required.


    From the current situation, the Chisaya, the largest of the ships, was the most probable target. Moreover, the protective actions of the other three warships subtly suggested someone important might indeed be aboard the Chisaya.


    Yet, this very situation made Sarah suspicious. She sensed that such actions might be a ploy¡ªa facade intended to mislead. Raising her head, she put herself in the alien commander¡¯s shoes.


    Earlier, they had transferred from the largest flagship to the second-largest escort ship, the Doria, which then became the focal point of the Swarm¡¯s assault.


    From this, it seemed likely that the Swarm was judging the importance of warships by their size.


    Thus, after the destruction of both the flagship and the Doria, the Chisaya, being the largest remaining vessel, should logically be the most dangerous place on the field. However, the Chisaya had also suffered significant damage earlier when it shielded the flagship, with severe damage to its left-front hull.


    Sarah shook her head. If she were the alien commander, she would never choose such an obvious and already-damaged warship as her ride.


    If this line of reasoning held true, the Daqi¡¯s current actions were likely an attempt to draw the Swarm¡¯s attention to the Chisaya to cover the retreat of the true command ship.


    Narrowing her eyes, Sarah scanned the battlefield, focusing on the four warships. Moments later, she suddenly marked one of them. ¡°Found it!¡±


    Still, with the chaos of battle, illusions and deceptions were rampant. The Chisaya¡¯s engines had already fired up¡ªany misjudgment might allow the commander to escape.


    However, in such time-critical circumstances, hesitation was not the hallmark of an excellent commander. After only a fleeting moment of doubt, Sarah made her decision: ¡°Full-scale assault!¡±


    This ordinary warship, while posturing as an escort, had its bow angled slightly outward, standing in a peculiarly isolated position. It appeared to hover near the Chisaya, but its location placed it furthest from the Swarm¡¯s operational units.


    If the Swarm were to focus entirely on the Chisaya, its position would block much of their assault trajectory, subtly shielding this smaller warship.


    The space octopuses that had originally been rushing toward the Chisaya suddenly veered, changing their target.


    And next, the Daqi fleet¡¯s reaction confirmed Sarah¡¯s deduction.


    Including the Chisaya, the remaining three warships suddenly accelerated madly, converging in an attempt to intercept the oncoming space octopuses¡­


    ¡°XXX! What the hell is going on?! How did they figure it out?¡± Prince Diallo had completely lost his composure, cursing furiously.


    He indeed had not transferred to the Chisaya; the damage to that escort ship was far worse than it appeared externally. Thus, he had devised a plan.


    The DX12497 he occupied had secretly redirected most of its energy reserves to its interstellar engines. The moment the Swarm attacked the Chisaya, the other two ordinary warships would risk everything to block the assault, even if it meant detonating the Chisaya. Meanwhile, Diallo intended to use the opportunity to escape this disastrous battlefield.


    Unfortunately, the plan had been exposed almost as soon as it began.


    ¡°Hold them off! Start the engines! Force an escape!¡± Diallo barked orders as Aslit hastily relayed them.


    In truth, it would have been more efficient to directly command the shipboard AI at this moment. However, for various reasons, the Daqi Empire had always restrained the authority of artificial intelligence.


    At this moment, a 300 meter Mature Body led the charge. It leapt onto the DX12475, quickly scuttling across its hull to the opposite side. Compressing its body, it launched itself like a spring toward the Chisaya. Mid-air, its massive tentacles extended toward the Chisaya¡¯s command tower and coiled around it. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Using the inertia, the creature swung a full circle around the command tower before flinging itself at the DX12497.


    The sequence of movements was fluid and seamless. In close-quarters combat like this, mechanical warships were simply too cumbersome.


    ¡°Bang!¡± Amidst the hail of bullets and shells, several warships were inadvertently struck by friendly fire, leaving a few scorched craters on the Mature Body. However, it pressed forward undeterred, crashing into the DX12497.


    Seizing the moment when the other warships hesitated to avoid collateral damage, the creature bolted toward the rear of the warship. A single tentacle stabbed directly into the portside main thruster.


    ¡°Boom!¡± A violent explosion ensued. Trading a tentacle for a main thruster? A worthwhile exchange!


    Diallo steadied himself against the tremors caused by the explosion, his expression dark. ¡°Use every means necessary to keep that 300 meter space octopus pinned to the DX12497¡¯s rear!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness! That¡¯s too dangerous!¡± Aslit quickly objected.


    ¡°Shut up! Execute the order!¡± Faced with Diallo¡¯s menacing glare, Aslit dared not argue further and hastily transmitted the commands.


    The Daqi¡¯s execution capabilities were terrifying. Whether it was suicidal defenses or firing on their own commander¡¯s vessel, as long as the orders were credible, they were carried out without hesitation.


    The main and secondary cannons, which had briefly paused, resumed their barrage. The Mature Body, having just sacrificed its tentacle in the thruster exchange, was caught off guard by the Daqi¡¯s disregard for their own commander. It was overwhelmed by the relentless firepower and rendered incapable of further combat.


    At the same time, the DX12497 suffered severe damage. Of its 1,600 meter long hull, over 500 meters of the rear section was left in shambles.


    Having prepared for this contingency, Diallo had secured himself beforehand. Though he was thrown about by the vibrations, he remained uninjured. Under his command, the Daqi warships¡ªunconcerned about friendly fire¡ªunleashed a frenzied assault, quickly annihilating the remaining small Mature Bodies and Larval Bodies.


    However, the cost was steep. The DX12475 was entirely removed from combat. The Chisaya, DX12490, and DX12497 sustained critical damage. Nearly all these losses stemmed from their mutual friendly fire in their desperate bid to eliminate the Swarm¡¯s combat units as quickly as possible.


    Their battered forms were not far from complete destruction.


    ¡°Your Highness, the Swarm¡¯s electromagnetic cannon has launched, and the next 300 meter  space octopus has been deployed¡­¡±


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. This round, we¡¯ve won!¡±

 Chapter 365: The End

    Neither the defensive warships nor the ships covering the retreat were in any condition to withstand another wave of the Swarm¡¯s assault. They were battered beyond repair. Yet, Prince Diallo declared victory because the warships that had retreated earlier had now returned.


    The travel time of electromagnetic projectiles and Mature Bodies was a crucial factor. Just as they were about to rejoin the battlefield, a barrage of crimson beams appeared from afar, shredding the 300 meter class Mature Bodies into fragments.


    A massive fleet of Daqi warships abruptly braked near the battlefield. Their activated repulsion fields stopped the electromagnetic projectiles. Any stragglers that bypassed these barriers were obliterated by the laser defense arrays.


    When over a thousand Daqi warships arrived, it marked the temporary end of this battle.


    The Swarm, faced with such a vast fleet, could no longer mount a pursuit. Similarly, the Daqi fleet dared not linger in the area.


    Thus, the battlefield that had been fiercely contested moments earlier suddenly fell silent.


    As the Daqi fleet turned away, they retrieved survivors from the damaged warships while destroying any vessels too damaged to keep pace.


    Massive energy streams erupted from their engines, spanning hundreds of meters. Sarah Kerrigan stood silently, watching the receding blue specks of light. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Luo Wen¡¯s voice sounded beside her. ¡°How do you feel?¡±


    ¡° Overlord,¡± Sarah replied, guilt heavy in her tone. ¡°I have let you down.¡±


    ¡°Oh? What makes you say that?¡± Luo Wen asked.


    ¡°The Riken forces were too weak, and it made us arrogant.¡±


    ¡°It seems you¡¯ve identified the problem,¡± Luo Wen said.


    ¡°Yes, Overlord. Without sufficient intelligence, our actions were too naive. We lost over half our forces right at the start.¡±


    ¡°That is indeed your fault. Remember, when facing an unknown enemy, you must remain humble and cautious. Always maintain a reverence for science and the unknown.¡±


    Sarah nodded, indicating her understanding. The Swarm¡¯s mode of operation guaranteed that they would face countless enemies in the future. Those enemies would vary in technological levels and tendencies, potentially wielding bizarre weapons capable of countering the Swarm.


    ¡°We¡¯ll keep that in mind, Overlord. This battle taught us many lessons. Unfortunately, the Izumo base has been destroyed.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s good that you¡¯ve learned something and made progress. The price we paid for this education is acceptable.¡± Luo Wen¡¯s tone softened as he observed the growth of the Blades. It was akin to nurturing a strategy game, watching his subordinates level up¡ªa satisfying experience.


    Though the battle seemed costly, it might not have been a bad thing. A moderately strong enemy awakening the Blades to their flaws was far better than an unbeatable foe delivering that realization.


    ¡°Overlord, it¡¯s a pity we let that alien commander escape. If their reinforcements had been five minutes later, I would have captured him!¡± Sarah said, frustration evident in her voice.


    ¡°There are no ¡®ifs,¡¯ Sarah,¡± Luo Wen chided before continuing. ¡°But don¡¯t dwell on it too much. Letting him go isn¡¯t a big deal. If we encounter him again, a familiar commander is far preferable to a stranger.¡±


    Sarah nodded. The Overlord was right. This battle had revealed the commander¡¯s style. Next time, they would know exactly how to counter him.


    However, Sarah noticed a contradiction in the Overlord¡¯s teachings. Luo Wen had just emphasized humility and caution when facing enemies, yet his recent remarks seemed devoid of such qualities. Surely, the Overlord could not be wrong¡ªit must be her misunderstanding. Thus, she voiced her question.


    ¡°Sarah,¡± Luo Wen explained patiently, ¡°I said to face unknown enemies with humility and caution. But they are no longer unknown, are they? Besides, their strength doesn¡¯t merit the Swarm¡¯s humility or caution!¡±


    Sarah nodded as understanding dawned. This time, she grasped his meaning. Be cautious with enemies you don¡¯t understand. Once you understand them, continue to be cautious if they are strong. But if they are weak? Feel free to flaunt your superiority.


    At least, that¡¯s what she thought he meant¡­ probably.


    Seeing her nod, Luo Wen smiled approvingly. ¡°Good. You can reflect more later. For now, it¡¯s time to deal with our old friends.¡±


    The stalemate between the Swarm and the Riken had been broken due to the sudden interference of a third party.


    Forced to reveal much of their hidden technology, the Swarm inadvertently exposed the Riken to the truth¡ªthat they had been little more than livestock. As a result, even though the Swarm¡¯s base on Planet Izumo had been ravaged, the Riken acted like obedient children, remaining within their Twin Star Defensive Zone without any intention of exploiting the Swarm¡¯s weakened state.


    Hours later, reinforcements from the Stellar Orbital Swarm Base began arriving, initiating battlefield cleanup operations.


    The void of space was filled with the debris of shattered warships. The Daqi fleet had lost both its flagship and elite escort ships. While the Daqi had activated self-destruct protocols on any ships they couldn¡¯t retrieve, the destruction was limited to critical equipment, data storage, and key systems. The bulk of the ship hulls remained intact.


    Although missing their most valuable components, the wreckage still offered insights. Even stripped to scraps, the Swarm never turned down salvageable materials.


    The arriving Primordial Bodies dragged large chunks of ship remains into Planet Izumo¡¯s orbit, while Mature Bodies and Larval Bodies cleared smaller fragments.


    The amassed wreckage of over a thousand Daqi warships formed a new ¡°satellite¡± around Planet Izumo. Swarm Brood Nest seeds were planted within it, and the satellite gradually turned a mottled purple-gray, wrapped in fleshy tissue that appeared to be digesting and assimilating the wreckage.


    From within the satellite, tens of thousands of Swarm cocoons burst open. Newly emerged Intelligent Entities quietly began studying the Daqi warships under the cover of the fungal carpet.


    With the battlefield arrangements nearly complete, the Swarm turned its attention to the nearby Riken and the spoils temporarily held in their possession.


    The Riken¡¯s response was swift and unequivocal, they submitted a formal surrender. This decision wasn¡¯t solely due to witnessing the Swarm¡¯s ¡°true¡± combat prowess but was also heavily influenced by the Swarm¡¯s covert manipulation. For a civilization whose leadership had been thoroughly infiltrated, capitulation was a foregone conclusion.


    The prolonged standoff between the Swarm and the Riken had largely been Luo Wen¡¯s deliberate ploy to see if any third-party forces might reveal themselves. Now that the fish had taken the bait, the bait itself was no longer useful. Luo Wen wasted no time in resolving the Riken issue.


    Years of groundwork¡ªsustained tension, psychological pressure, internal protests, media narratives, and even a public referendum¡ªhad prepared the Riken for this outcome. By the time the surrender was formally announced, the general populace found it surprisingly easy to accept.


    After all, surrender meant an end to war, along with decades of wartime suffering.


    Of course, the public¡¯s acceptance was also aided by propaganda portraying the Swarm as not particularly brutal.

 Chapter 366: Terms

    When the Swarm arrived at the Twin Star Defensive Zone, the Rikens, who had never communicated with the Swarm before, chose to broadcast indiscriminately to the Swarm forces.


    They used a very euphemistic tone, roughly meaning that for the sake of peace between the two neighbors and to avoid further bloodshed, they were willing to make concessions, and so on¡ªa long-winded speech. The central message, however, was ¡®we surrender¡¯, delivered in the Riken language.


    After receiving this message, both sides entered a period of silence. The Swarm forces did not attack, nor did they show any other response, leaving the native Rikens feeling extremely uneasy.


    Several days passed like this. Eventually, the new Riken President, Milton, arrived at the front lines from the home planet and made a more formal broadcast.


    Thus, in a small, private meeting, the Rikens finally met the legendary ¡°Swarm people¡± for the first time.


    ¡°I knew it! Those octopus freaks aren¡¯t their true forms! This appearance is much more pleasing to the eye,¡± remarked Alcer, gazing at the female Swarm figure engaged in conversation with the President.


    Her slender physique, armored plates covering vital areas, and spiky joints presented a visage both menacing and beautiful¡ªaligning well with the aesthetics favored by the military¡¯s tough personnel.


    As Fleet Commanders of the three main Riken fleets, Alcer and his peers held positions of power and real authority, making them naturally eligible to attend the meeting. The camaraderie they had built during their previous joint operations also drew them together now.


    ¡°Shut it, Alcer. We¡¯re the losers here; we need to stay humble,¡± scolded Hamis.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? I didn¡¯t say anything bad. Besides, we¡¯re so far away that even if I had, she wouldn¡¯t hear it,¡± Alcer said dismissively.


    Yet, just as he finished speaking, the female Swarm figure turned her head and gave him a slight smile.


    Alcer awkwardly raised his glass in acknowledgment.


    When she turned back again, he exchanged glances with the other two and, in tacit agreement, the trio retreated further into a corner of the room.


    ¡°Alcer, you really need to curb that habit of yours¡ªrunning your mouth like that,¡± whispered Novaul.


    ¡°How was I supposed to know they could hear that well?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure she heard it.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Nothing concrete, just a feeling. Anyone being stared at by eyes like searchlights would probably sense something.¡±


    At that, Hamis and Novaul gave each other a high five and laughed out loud.


    Alcer, somewhat flustered and annoyed, chose to deflect. ¡°I think they¡¯re being overly cautious. We¡¯ve been fighting them for so long¡ªwhat, decades now? And only now do we get to see what they really look like. Other than their appearance, we still know absolutely nothing about them. So, who do you think they¡¯re guarding against?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s definitely not us! After witnessing that last battle, it¡¯s clear how laughable our strength is now. If the Swarm unleashed their full firepower, one charge would wipe us out.¡±


    ¡°I think they may not be guarding against a specific target. They¡¯re powerful enough to conceal certain things, which makes them seem mysterious and unpredictable. This strategy probably serves to deter potential enemies more effectively.¡±


    The group nodded in agreement. That was indeed a logical conclusion. At the very least, the Daqi Empire would have to think twice before making any rash moves.


    ¡°But their terms are surprisingly lenient¡ªfar beyond what I expected.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. If I were in their place, there¡¯s no way I¡¯d be this magnanimous.¡±


    As the defeated side in a war between civilizations and species, it wouldn¡¯t be incomprehensible if the victors chose to exterminate them completely.


    In their current predicament, where they were like fish on the chopping block, even if the Swarm proposed harsh conditions, as long as it wasn¡¯t total annihilation, the Rikens were prepared to grit their teeth and agree. They had already steeled themselves for this eventuality.


    The Swarm¡¯s conditions stunned the Rikens. First, both sides would maintain their current spheres of influence: the outer edges of the star system would be divided by the Twin Star Defensive Zone, while the inner region would be delineated by Planet Three. The territories within these boundaries would remain under Riken jurisdiction, while territories outside would require further negotiation for passage or development.


    When this condition was first announced, every Riken present at the meeting was dumbfounded.


    Before their surrender, the Rikens had held several internal meetings to establish certain so-called ¡°bottom lines.¡±


    For example, regarding borders, they had anticipated that the Swarm would confiscate their warships, defenses, and colonies, forcing them to retreat entirely to their home planet. Based on this assumption, they had resolved to fight hard to retain development rights for all the satellites of their home planet.


    Unexpectedly, the Swarm¡¯s terms were even more lenient than what they had hoped to negotiate for. It was as if someone intending to haggle for an item priced at 100, hoping to bring it down to 80, was suddenly told by the seller to take it for 20.


    This psychological gap left the Rikens simultaneously overjoyed and strangely disappointed.


    The tendency to push boundaries is inherent to all intelligent life forms. A few Rikens, emboldened by the Swarm¡¯s apparent reasonableness, sought to renegotiate and press for more favorable terms. However, the Swarm¡¯s representative, a female named Marlene, displayed an imposing demeanor. As a general within the Swarm¡¯s hierarchy, her identity alone spoke volumes.


    There was no need for much elaboration: to act as the Swarm¡¯s representative in negotiations with a civilization underscored her prestigious status. Marlene had previously served under Empress Sarah Kerrigan as one of her more than ten high-ranking commanders, the only female among them. Attaining such a position as a combat leader required extraordinary effort and demonstrated her unparalleled capabilities.


    After her death, Marlene had been fortunate enough to be chosen as an Intelligent Entity, continuing her service within the Blades. When the Swarm Overlord ordered Sarah to establish a structured civilization, Marlene, being a veteran from that era, was naturally enlisted.


    Having long held a position of authority, Marlene exuded an undeniable aura. A mere glance filled with murderous intent was enough to silence the dissenting Rikens, leaving them cold and painfully aware of their circumstances.


    With territorial issues settled, the discussion moved on to the matter of the Treasure Starship.


    Faced with the temptation of relics from an advanced civilization, the Swarm merely requested the establishment of a research team, leadership of the Riken research team, and access to prior research findings.


    The Rikens had originally assumed the Swarm would simply seize the starship outright. Instead, the unexpected turn of events left them not only keeping the starship but also gaining the opportunity to participate in its research. Since the results would be shared, relinquishing leadership over the research team seemed like a minor concession.


    Upon hearing this condition, before others could voice their opinions, the leading Riken researchers enthusiastically nodded in agreement. Their intense gazes toward their colleagues carried a clear message: anyone who dared to protest would face their wrath.


    Perhaps it was the researchers¡¯ veiled threats, or perhaps it was the lingering chill of Marlene¡¯s earlier glare, but the Rikens fell into silence, abandoning any thoughts of further bargaining.


    Marlene looked at the Rikens before her with satisfaction. She knew that everything happening here was being closely observed by the revered Overlord. She could not afford to let him down.


    S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 367: Reception

    Once again, to the Rikens¡¯ surprise, the Swarm had no additional demands beyond the two initial conditions. Measures like disarmament, parliamentary control, or technological restrictions were entirely absent.


    The Rikens couldn¡¯t help but think: if they had known it would be this easy, why did they even bother fighting? They could have shaken hands and called it a day much earlier.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen remarked that for ¡°production bases,¡± the Swarm always offered generous treatment. After a few cycles, the Rikens would inevitably become the second Ratfolk Civilization.


    All their middle and upper management would be replaced by Intelligent Entities, and the average Riken citizen would only see a harmonious coexistence between the two species.


    Because the Swarm¡¯s demands were so incredibly minimal and ¡°reasonable,¡± the subsequent meeting essentially turned into a celebration¡ªa celebration of the beginning of a friendship between the two civilizations.


    This was also why Hamis and his two companions felt relaxed enough to joke around in a corner. With the heavy burdens lifted from their shoulders, they could finally enjoy themselves. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The ¡°celebratory¡± meeting lasted several hours. The broad strokes had been decided, and the finer details were left to specialists to handle. Afterward, the Rikens began transferring war prisoners¡ªspecifically the Daqi people who had fled to the Rikens¡¯ Twin Star Defensive Zone, much to the Rikens¡¯ chagrin.


    The Rikens found themselves caught in a dilemma, they couldn¡¯t afford to provoke the Swarm, but the Daqi people weren¡¯t exactly easy to deal with either. Both were forces beyond the Rikens¡¯ capacity to handle.


    During the previous battles, even before the fighting had ended, the Rikens had offered the Daqi their best hospitality¡ªproviding food and drink, despite the environmental differences between the two species, which meant the Daqi couldn¡¯t consume the offerings.


    At the very least, the Rikens ensured their efforts looked good on the surface. Even if the Daqi eventually won the war, they wouldn¡¯t have grounds to criticize the Rikens. This was why Prince Diallo had felt comfortable relocating his crew to Riken territory in the first place.


    However, since the Daqi had ultimately been defeated, it was only natural for these ¡°prisoners¡± to be returned to their rightful owner.


    The Rikens didn¡¯t haggle over this issue¡ªit wasn¡¯t even considered a condition. In fact, they were eager for the Swarm to take away these troublesome ¡°lords¡± they couldn¡¯t afford to offend or discipline.


    Of course, during their ¡°detention¡± of the Daqi, the Rikens had tried probing for information about them. However, the language barrier proved a significant obstacle, as the Rikens didn¡¯t understand the Daqi language.


    Fortunately, the Daqi themselves were keen to reveal certain information, intending to intimidate the Rikens. Some Daqi who were fluent in the Riken language deliberately and casually disclosed a few details.


    For instance, they boasted about their civilization¡¯s immense power, its dominion over three Star Systems, and its affiliation with a vast Confederation containing countless powerful factions of terrifying strength.


    The Rikens paid little attention to the first part of the message¡ªafter all, the Swarm surrounded their periphery now, leaving them relatively unconcerned about the Daqi. However, the latter revelation about the Daqi being part of a massive organization was alarming, prompting the Rikens to adjust their policies.


    Given the Swarm¡¯s remarkably lenient terms, the Rikens decided to adopt a diplomatic stance of maintaining independence rather than excessively flattering the Swarm. They aimed to prepare for potential crises in the future.


    In simpler terms, they chose to remain neutral¡ªa ¡°fence-sitting¡± strategy to leave themselves a way out. Should the Swarm fall to the Confederation in the future, the Rikens could justify their actions and switch allegiances.


    Nevertheless, when handing over the Daqi prisoners, the Rikens shared the intelligence they had gathered with the Swarm. They realized that withholding such information would be futile. If the Rikens kept secrets, the Daqi might still disclose them to sow discord between the two species.


    Luo Wen was fully aware of the Rikens¡¯ petty schemes but said nothing. When it came to ¡°production bases,¡± he had always been magnanimous.


    As for the Daqi prisoners, Luo Wen had already planned their fate.


    A satellite of Planet Izumo had been hollowed out, with numerous rooms carved inside. The Daqi prisoners were promptly relocated to this satellite.


    The Daqi people had complex feelings toward the Swarm. On the one hand, they harbored a sense of superiority, looking down on what they saw as rural primitives. On the other hand, there was the shame of having been utterly crushed by those same ¡°primitives,¡± as well as a deep sense of shock and confusion over the Swarm¡¯s combat prowess.


    Outwardly, however, they showed a far more subdued attitude. The arrogance they had displayed while in Riken territory was significantly reined in.


    A few Daqi individuals shouted loudly in Riken using the same rhetoric they had used on the Rikens, hoping to intimidate the Swarm. They didn¡¯t know the Swarm¡¯s language, so they could only use Riken. However, they were aware that the Swarm could understand them.


    Yet, no Intelligent Entities from the Swarm responded. Only small Space Octopuses and several unfamiliar multi-legged bugs escorted them deeper into underground passages.


    The surrounding tunnels were lined with purple-gray fleshy tissue. As the group moved forward, Daqi individuals at the back of the line began to disappear one by one. Fear started to spread among them, and the tunnels filled with angry curses and vile language in Daqi.


    But these outbursts, regardless of whether they were understood, did nothing to disturb the bugs. The Swarm maintained an unshakable calm.


    Their serenity stemmed from their single-minded obedience to Luo Wen. To the Swarm, nothing else mattered.


    ¡°Overlord, the Daqi themselves might not be of much concern, but how should we handle the forces backing them?¡± Sarah Kerrigan asked.


    Luo Wen shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s too early to make any judgments. We need more intelligence. For now, let¡¯s see what information these captives can provide.¡±


    ¡°But who knows how long that might take? This is an entirely new species,¡± Sarah said with some concern.


    ¡°Given our prior experience with the Rikens, it shouldn¡¯t take too long. At most, two years, and we¡¯ll have it under control.¡± Luo Wen spoke with confidence.


    In matters like these, his input carried the most weight, as the experiments and operations required his personal involvement. Furthermore, as an Immortal Species, his perception of time had changed. Two years, to him, was merely a short period.


    ¡°Will that be enough time? Couldn¡¯t the Confederation attack us in the interim?¡± Sarah pressed.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. That escapee is far from resigned and is still looking for an opportunity to turn the tables. As long as he hasn¡¯t lost all hope, he won¡¯t seek external help.¡±


    Indeed, after his retreat, Prince Diallo, staring at his remaining fleet of over a thousand warships, believed he still had a chance. He was already plotting a decisive counterattack against the Swarm. What he didn¡¯t realize, however, was that his every move was being monitored by the Swarm.


    During their advance into the Riken Star System, the Swarm had deployed countless Observer Bugs. Some disguised themselves as meteoroids, while others embedded themselves directly into asteroids.


    A fleet of over a thousand warships presented too large a target to lose track of. While their ships were coated with stealth materials designed to evade radio detection radar, those measures were ineffective against the Swarm¡¯s advanced optical technologies.


    ¡°I¡¯m just worried those monitors might trigger alarms,¡± Sarah admitted, her concern still lingering. Luo Wen fell silent, recognizing the validity of her concern.


    This was indeed a significant issue. The surveillance devices discovered near the battlefield were clearly not of Daqi origin, introducing a major variable into the equation.

 Chapter 368: Supplies

    Time flows on, never stopping.


    For the Riken people, the conditions were relatively lenient and simple after their surrender. Without the need for constant militarization, the lives of ordinary citizens actually improved significantly. With the gradual increase in the proportion of Intelligent Entities controlling public opinion, any minor resistance groups or insurgent forces were quickly eradicated.


    As a result, the Riken people would not be consuming much of the Swarm¡¯s energy for the foreseeable future. This gave Luo Wen the time to carefully ponder how to deal with the behemoth backing the Daqi people.


    Prince Diallo, after reorganizing his fleet, had been waiting for an opportunity to strike a significant blow against the Swarm.


    However, he was unlucky enough to be dealing with the Swarm.


    The Swarm was unlike any civilization he had encountered before. Compared to other civilizations, the Swarm¡¯s approach could only be described as excessively passive. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Take the Riken people, for instance: currently, the Twin Star Defensive Zone encompassed the Riken homeworld, Planet Cloud Return, and two other planets. Other than the homeworld, the colonies on the other planets, limited by their size and population, could not sustain fully developed industries.


    Thus, there was frequent movement of transport ships between these planets to exchange resources and supplies. Many of these transport ships operated without the protection of warships, making them excellent targets for ambushes.


    However, the planets governed by the Rikens were relatively close to one another and equipped with extensive defensive facilities and patrolling warships. Any ordinary space pirate who ventured in would likely find it impossible to leave.


    Prince Diallo¡¯s fleet certainly had the capability to penetrate these defenses, but the Rikens were not his ultimate target. In fact, he had covertly communicated with the Rikens, who used the Swarm as their shield. Their message was clear: if he could take down the Swarm, the Rikens would unquestionably pledge allegiance to him. The Rikens painted a picture that was as appealing as possible. Although something felt off to Diallo, he couldn¡¯t quite pinpoint the problem.


    Meanwhile, the distances between the Swarm¡¯s bases were far greater. The Planet Izumo base and the Stellar Orbital Swarm Base were separated by the entire Riken territory. Similarly, the distance between the Planet Izumo base and the Planet Raze base spanned hundreds of millions of kilometers.


    With such vast distances, any routine communication or transport activity between the Swarm¡¯s bases would have allowed Diallo to demonstrate the Daqi Empire¡¯s harassment tactics.


    Unfortunately, the Swarm¡¯s bases truly did not require any routine communication. The Swarm¡¯s bioweapons had the unique ability to grow stronger just by resting. They often drifted lifelessly in space, completely ignoring the Daqi fleet even if it passed nearby.


    This left Prince Diallo extremely frustrated. Deploying small units to provoke and lure the Swarm proved futile, as the Swarm simply didn¡¯t engage. On the other hand, launching a full-scale assault against a Swarm base was something he dared not attempt. Even the weakest Swarm base, located on Planet Raze, could easily render his fleet a one-way trip.


    The awkward situation didn¡¯t end there. The Swarm was naturally indifferent to the passage of time; every day that passed only meant further growth. Diallo, however, did not have that luxury. While the flexibility of his mission allowed for delays of several years, there was one major constraint: the dwindling supplies.


    Energy and fuel were less of an issue, as the fleet had departed well-stocked, sufficient for several decades of travel and even a couple of high-intensity battles. The real problem lay in the lack of food.


    Water, at least, was manageable. Each warship was equipped with a recycling system capable of purifying wastewater and other byproducts to potable standards. With a bit of mental fortitude and a blind eye, it was just about tolerable. Food, however, was another matter entirely. It wasn¡¯t as if they could process their waste into something fit for the dining table.


    Although every warship was equipped with an ecological cabin, a warship was, after all, a warship¡ªnot a specialized supply vessel. The ecological cabins were modest in scale, typically enough to meet the needs of high-ranking officers, but with very little surplus, making it impossible to supply the entire Daqi crew.


    Prince Diallo¡¯s original plan was to conquer the Swarm and the Rikens, taking over the Riken homeworld. While the Riken homeworld differed slightly from the Daqi homeworld in various parameters, it was still a habitable planet. Slightly modifying the land would have allowed for the production of food consumable by the Daqi people. At worst, the Riken food supplies could have been adapted for their use. With this resource secured, they could have stayed indefinitely. This was why Diallo had only brought two supply ships on this expedition.


    But with the unfavorable progress of the war, compounded by the constant state of readiness for potential battles, the crew remained fully active, consuming resources at an alarming rate. Although Diallo had established clandestine ties with the Rikens and managed to smuggle some food from them, the Rikens, wary of overstepping, eventually stopped cooperating after a ¡°generous donation¡± of supplies. The lack of a shared currency further hampered transactions.


    Frustrated, Diallo¡¯s temper flared to the point where the cracks on his molten visage deepened, swearing to make the Rikens suffer in the future. However, such impotent rage did nothing to resolve the current crisis.


    Moreover, the food smuggled from the Rikens required extensive reprocessing to remove toxins harmful to the Daqi people before it could be consumed. This process was exceedingly tedious, and the Daqi warships lacked the equipment for large-scale processing. Even if the Rikens had provided unlimited food, Diallo¡¯s fleet would still have struggled to escape the specter of starvation.


    Despite these challenges, Diallo stubbornly continued to roam within the Riken Star System, searching for opportunities. Unfortunately, their reconnaissance only revealed encrypted communications between the Swarm¡¯s bases¡ªsuggesting potential secure transmissions. Beyond that, the Swarm¡¯s bases exhibited no interaction. Even the intercepted communications, encoded with baffling complexity, yielded no decipherable information despite numerous attempts.


    Amid this stalemate, a sudden opportunity emerged.


    As previously mentioned, Diallo had brought two supply ships on this expedition, the largest models in the Daqi fleet. Each was equipped with massive ecological cabins capable of supporting the daily needs of personnel from 200 warships. However, due to their massive size¡ªeach measuring 3,000 meters in length, even larger than Diallo¡¯s flagship¡ªtheir movement was exceedingly slow, rendering them unsuitable for military operations.


    If these ships appeared on the battlefield, they would merely serve as easy targets. Thus, during wartime, supply ships were typically hidden in secure locations within friendly territory, where they could safely provide logistical support to the front lines.


    Diallo had hidden his two supply ships in a debris field on the outskirts of the Riken Star System. Over this period, the supply ships had produced a significant stockpile of materials, awaiting the fleet to retrieve them. With careful rationing, these resources could sustain Diallo¡¯s fleet for another year or two of operations.


    However, Diallo was acutely aware that, although the Swarm seemed indifferent, they were undoubtedly monitoring the fleet¡¯s movements through various means. A large-scale fleet movement toward the supply ships would likely alert the Swarm, placing the slow-moving supply ships in considerable danger.


    Therefore, unless they reached the point of absolute desperation, Diallo would not risk retrieving the supplies. Nevertheless, the presence of the two supply ships brimming with resources gave him a much-needed boost of confidence.

 Chapter 369: Communications

    A behemoth with a length of 3,000 meters might not stand out within an asteroid belt, but the Swarm¡¯s Observer Bugs were everywhere.


    The Blades had already discovered the Daqi ships hidden within the asteroid belt. Through various analyses, they speculated about its general purpose. Besides the two supply ships, the Daqi Empire had another vessel concealed here.


    This vessel, though not particularly peculiar in appearance, measured nearly 2,000 meters in length and looked unremarkable. To anyone unfamiliar with the Daqi fleet, it would simply be mistaken for a warship.


    However, its presence alongside the two supply ships hinted at something different. At first, the Blades assumed it was a warship protecting the supply ships. Later, they considered that, for breaking apart asteroids, the supply ships¡¯ own cannons would suffice. And in the event of an attack, having one more or less warship wouldn¡¯t make much difference.


    Furthermore, this act of concealment added an extra target and increased the risk of exposure, so the likelihood of it being a warship was slim. Additionally, the ship, at 2,000 meters long, only had four main cannons, fewer than the main cannons on a 1,500-meter-class warship.


    Due to the limited information available, the Blades could only surmise that it was a functional ship, though its exact purpose remained unknown.


    To avoid alerting the enemy, the Swarm employed the ancient orbital sling. The Swarm had developed considerable expertise in low-velocity launches, demonstrating remarkable accuracy.


    Even at low speeds, these projectiles matched the velocity of the Primordial bodies flying with their plasma propulsion organs. The advantage of this purely physical launching method was that it generated almost no energy fluctuations.


    Combined with the stealth system of the Primordial bodies, at this stage, they were challenging to detect by any means other than gravitational-wave radar.


    Thus, while using a planet to block the Daqi fleet¡¯s line of sight, several orbital slings were secretly ¡°grown¡± on the fungal carpet on the far side of Planet Raze. A few Primordial bodies set off silently.


    After months of travel, while Prince Diallo was still leisurely touring the GAI, he suddenly received news that their supply ships had been attacked.


    [T/N: No clue what GAI is. Hopefully the author explains what it is soon.]


    ¡°XXX! How did they find us?¡± Prince Diallo cursed.


    The Swarm had numerous units, and after the Riken people surrendered, the Riken star system had essentially become the Swarm¡¯s stronghold. The Daqi Empire lacked any noteworthy stealth technology. A 3,000-meter-long behemoth being discovered wasn¡¯t unexpected.


    What truly puzzled Diallo was how the Swarm had evaded his surveillance. At this stage of interstellar warfare, when opposing forces engaged, they would detect each other from hundreds of millions of kilometers away and then spend ten days or so flying at full speed to reach firing range. As a result, ambushes were virtually non-existent.


    But the message he received described the Swarm¡¯s Space Octopuses suddenly appearing and attacking the supply ships. He knew the Swarm¡¯s Space Octopuses could achieve optical invisibility, but even while cloaked, their plasma propulsion would still produce energy fluctuations. At the technological level of the Daqi civilization, such energy fluctuations were difficult to hide within a star system.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Diallo cursed again, unwilling to accept the situation.


    Aslit, standing nearby, pondered for a moment before saying, ¡°Your Highness, do you remember the information provided by the Suzerain mentioning that the Swarm possesses a very traditional launching tool that generates no energy fluctuations?¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. I suspect the Swarm used that launching tool to send their Space Octopuses to the supply ships. While the Swarm has ignored our fleet, they¡¯ve been relentlessly targeting our surveillance equipment, sparing no expense. This behavior seemed suspicious before, but at the time, we couldn¡¯t figure out their intentions. Now it¡¯s clear¡­¡±


    Prince Diallo nodded, accepting this explanation. It made sense now, but understanding it after the fact was of no use. Time couldn¡¯t be reversed. Although the supply ships immediately sent him an alert after the attack, by the time he received it, half an hour had already passed.


    Diallo was well aware of the Space Octopuses¡¯ close combat capabilities. The supply ships, with their poor combat capabilities, didn¡¯t stand a chance once the creatures got close. Half an hour was more than enough time for the Space Octopuses to crush and dismantle them several times over.


    The two supply ships were one thing, but the real issue was the communications vessel, which was exceedingly valuable.


    The Daqi Empire¡¯s homeworld was over ten light-years away from the Riken star system. Using conventional communication methods, a single exchange of messages would take more than twenty years. Additionally, transmitting signals over such long distances made concealment difficult and consumed vast amounts of energy.


    However, the communications vessel was equipped with a highly advanced quantum communication system. This system could facilitate nearly instantaneous communication across ten light-years.


    Its unique transmission mechanism provided exceptional stealth and encryption. While it consumed more energy than conventional communication methods for short-range use, the energy expenditure didn¡¯t significantly increase over long distances. Beyond a certain range, conventional communication became more energy-intensive, and over interstellar distances, the difference grew exponentially.


    This quantum communication system consisted of a transmission unit and a reception unit, both highly sophisticated. Some critical components were still beyond the Daqi Empire¡¯s technological capability, forcing them to rely on imports. As a result, these systems were extraordinarily expensive, given their inability to be domestically manufactured.


    Diallo had been permitted to bring such a system only because of a mission assigned by the Suzerain, as well as the vast distance involved. It was meant to facilitate real-time communication with the home system.


    Frankly speaking, the functional ship itself wasn¡¯t particularly valuable, but the quantum communication system aboard it was worth far more than many of Diallo¡¯s siblings combined.


    This was also why the communications ship hadn¡¯t used the system to contact Diallo¡ªit was useless since none of the warships on Diallo¡¯s side were equipped with quantum signal receivers.


    Still, even timely notification would have been futile. Diallo¡¯s fleet, even at maximum speed, would take hours to reach the site. By then, the Space Octopuses would have already crushed and dismantled the communications ship and perhaps built a tower with the wreckage.


    ¡°Your Highness, what do we do now?¡± Aslit asked, having reached the same conclusion.


    To prevent critical technology from being compromised, vital vessels were equipped with self-destruct systems. If the situation escalated to a certain point and the Daqi captain failed to initiate the self-destruct, the onboard artificial intelligence would activate it autonomously. This was one of the rare high-level permissions granted to AI by the Daqi Empire.


    Unless the AI was remotely disabled and the captain was cowardly enough to avoid triggering self-destruct, the communication equipment was as good as gone.


    However, based on the Swarm¡¯s past actions and behavior, they didn¡¯t appear to possess the ability to remotely disable artificial intelligence. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Still, whether the equipment was destroyed or captured by the Swarm, it was no longer in the hands of the Daqi Empire.


    The loss of such high-value equipment was a massive headache, even for a crown prince like Diallo.

 Chapter 370: Information

    What is the Swarm¡¯s apparent style?


    The Swarm¡¯s infiltration technology is towering, eerily silent, and leaves no trace. Thus, most external civilizations perceive the Swarm as relying on brute force and sheer numbers.


    This perception is not entirely inaccurate. With the Swarm Network functioning as a cheat code, the Swarm has not placed much emphasis on conventional network technologies. In a battle between two civilizations dominated by mechanical technology, information warfare, cyberattacks, and electronic interference usually begin long before entering artillery range.


    However, Swarm warfare skips these steps entirely. In the end, it always comes down to relying on their unparalleled regenerative and production capabilities to grind their enemies to exhaustion. While this approach leverages the strengths of biotechnology to the fullest, it undeniably has its shortcomings.


    For example, Luo Wen was now at a loss, staring at the two self-destructed supply ships and the strange functional vessel before him.


    After fighting for so long, all they had gained was a heap of scrap metal. In the past, this would not have seemed problematic because there had been no treasures worth coveting. Take the Rikens, for instance¡ªtheir research units had been infiltrated so thoroughly that their technological tree was essentially open to the Swarm. Even the head of their science department, Cleo, was a member of the Swarm, so there was no need to reverse-engineer anything from captured warships.


    But now, with the Daqi Empire and potentially many other future adversaries, the Swarm lacked the time to prepare such thorough groundwork. Hence, gathering intelligence and technology from captured ships during the early stages of conflict had become an essential means of understanding enemies and refining their capabilities.


    In this situation, watching treasures repeatedly being reduced to scrap metal was maddening. The two supply ships were still acceptable losses, containing, at most, some unique ecological recycling technologies. Luo Wen himself was an expert in this field. But the peculiar functional vessel¡ªclearly valuable¡ªwas lost before they could even discern its purpose.


    This loss brought Luo Wen a fleeting yet real pang of regret, despite him being a ¡°digital being¡± without a physical need for breathing. The sensation, nonetheless, felt authentic.


    Fortunately, the Swarm Overlord had noticed this issue. What the Overlord valued, the Swarm valued. Luo Wen believed this area of research would see increased investment in the future.


    Meanwhile, on the Daqi side, Prince Diallo found himself in a dire predicament after losing both the supply ships and the communications vessel. Cut off from his homeworld and with supplies running critically low, he had no choice but to reveal their identity to the Swarm.


    At a distance of 500,000 kilometers from the Swarm¡¯s Izumo Base, the Daqi fleet broadcast a signal. The Swarm easily intercepted and extracted the information.


    ¡°A prince of the Daqi Empire? The Interstellar Technological Confederation?¡± Luo Wen furrowed his brow as he read the intercepted data. According to the information, the opposing civilization, the Daqi Empire, governed three star systems, with its borders located approximately 13.2 light-years from the Rikens¡¯ system. These details aligned with intelligence previously gleaned from prisoners of war, leaving little doubt about their authenticity. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, information that the war prisoners had previously been vague about was now detailed in this broadcast. First, the Daqi Empire belonged to an organization known as the Interstellar Technological Confederation, boasting over 200 member civilizations. Some of these civilizations commanded territories spanning over a hundred star systems.


    The broadcast then transitioned into an extended eulogy of the organization, praising its possession of countless advanced technological theories, an invincible joint fleet, the unity and camaraderie of its members, and their mutual support and fiercely protective nature.


    At the end of the broadcast, it was mentioned that if the Swarm was willing to pay a certain price, the organization could conditionally allow the Swarm to join and provide them with protection. Naturally, this would also require the Swarm to show its gratitude to the Daqi Empire, who acted as their guide and introducer, including gestures of tribute and compensation for the losses the Daqi Empire incurred in this war.


    The words were filled with an implicit, almost tangible threat, making the message clear: the Swarm had best comply obediently and avoid any foolish resistance. Otherwise, the powerful joint fleet of the organization could invade the Swarm¡¯s territory at any moment.


    ¡°What should we do, Overlord?¡± Sarah frowned and asked.


    ¡°Don¡¯t panic!¡± Luo Wen chuckled. The information in the broadcast was riddled with inconsistencies, making its credibility questionable.


    Firstly, the existence of the organization itself was likely true, as were the vast territories of powerful civilizations and advanced technologies. These were things that, if real, would inevitably be verified in time, so there was no need to fabricate them.


    However, the subsequent claims became dubious. For instance, notions of unity, camaraderie, and mutual support¡ªLuo Wen didn¡¯t believe a single punctuation mark of it. Not to mention, if the Swarm were beaten to a pulp and then forced to join such an alliance, Luo Wen¡¯s unforgiving nature would guarantee that he¡¯d find an opportunity for revenge.


    As for the tributes and reparations mentioned at the end, it was outright nonsense. If Luo Wen had a better understanding of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, he wouldn¡¯t tolerate a mere Crown Prince of the Daqi Empire daring to threaten the Swarm in such a manner. He¡¯d have already mobilized the Swarm¡¯s forces to confront the Daqi leadership directly.


    Under the Overlord¡¯s will, the Swarm did not respond to the broadcast. However, the normally idle Primordial Bodies began to stir. They started forming groups, swaggering from the Izumo Base to the stellar orbital swarm base to absorb solar energy, then returning after a few days to draw planetary radiation.


    Since Diallo¡¯s message had been sent as an indiscriminate broadcast, the Riken near the Swarm base also received it.


    ¡°Everyone, you¡¯ve seen the message. Please feel free to share your thoughts,¡± President Milton said, looking rather troubled.


    Because of the precedent set by his predecessor, Antonio, measures had been taken to prevent excessive centralization of the president¡¯s power when Milton took office. As a result, his authority had been significantly curtailed, leaving him unable to speak decisively and forcing him to convene meetings to hear the opinions of various leaders.


    ¡°With the Swarm outside as a shield, the Daqi Empire is hardly a concern,¡± said one Riken council member. ¡°Moreover, the credibility of the broadcast remains questionable, but I believe there truly is a powerful force backing the Daqi Empire. This aligns with our previous speculation regarding the Treasure Starship.¡±


    When the Daqi fleet first appeared, the Riken had noticed that, while formidable, the fleet did not seem advanced enough to have created the ¡°Treasure Starship.¡±


    ¡°However, we still don¡¯t know what this powerful force intends. If all of this is simply the Daqi Empire acting on its own initiative, then it¡¯s easy enough to deal with. But if this is orchestrated by the force behind them, we must consider the possibility of them intervening directly.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. While the Swarm is indeed formidable, I estimate they may not be a match for this hidden power. If a conflict truly breaks out, we, caught in the middle, should prepare in advance.¡±

 Chapter 371: Reactions from All Sides

    A heated discussion among the Riken councilors carried on for quite some time. Eventually, one of them remembered the presence of the military leaders in the room and hurriedly asked, ¡°Admiral Heaton, what is the military¡¯s perspective on this?¡±


    The room instantly fell silent.


    Over a dozen high-ranking military officers, all holding ranks of lieutenant general or higher, were in attendance. Since the Rikens had reached an accord with the Swarm, Admiral Heaton had stepped back from the frontlines and temporarily returned to the homeworld to recuperate. His immense prestige naturally qualified him to participate in this meeting, where he also served as the military¡¯s spokesperson. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Until now, they had remained silent. But upon being directly addressed, Admiral Heaton did not hesitate to respond.


    After taking a moment to think, he spoke slowly, ¡°I believe doing nothing at all is the best course of action.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± one councilor pressed, his tone sharp. ¡°If we do nothing, won¡¯t it give the Daqi and their backers the wrong impression?¡±


    Several councilors and generals exchanged glances, mentally debating whether they should find a pretext to grant this person a seven-day ¡°vacation.¡±


    Admiral Heaton, however, showed no sign of taking offense at the councilor¡¯s rude tone. He continued speaking calmly.


    ¡°Before taking action, you must first assess your own capabilities. Do you think the Swarm¡¯s massive Space Octopi are wandering back and forth between the star and Izumo Star for no reason?¡±


    As the Rikens sank into thought, Heaton elaborated, ¡°The territory between those two Swarm bases happens to include our domain. Every time they pass through, it¡¯s a show of force. Their intentions couldn¡¯t be clearer¡ªthey¡¯re telling us to live quietly and not meddle in things that don¡¯t concern us.¡±


    Noticing a few younger councilors, officers, and advisors bristling with indignation, Heaton chuckled.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to feel insulted or humiliated. In fact, I see this as a friendly warning from the Swarm. Given our current strength, we¡¯re insignificant in the eyes of both the Swarm and this so-called Interstellar Technological Confederation. Neither of these behemoths will target us intentionally. The Daqi Empire, on the other hand, is the one we should be cautious of.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°What? The Swarm still hasn¡¯t responded?¡± Diallo exclaimed, his frustration mounting. It had been some time since the information broadcast, and his initial confidence was giving way to doubt and anxiety.


    He had expected the Swarm, even if they didn¡¯t agree immediately, to at least send a message seeking more details. Once communication was established, with his information advantage and the persuasive skills he had honed alongside his young consort, he was certain he could manipulate the Swarm as he wished.


    However, the Swarm seemed utterly uninterested in his broadcast. Their lack of response completely disrupted his train of thought, rendering his subsequent plans useless.


    ¡°Your Highness, our supplies are running critically low. At the current rate of consumption, we can last no more than three months,¡± Aslit reminded him, standing by his side. The loss of their supply ships had placed them in an extremely precarious position.


    ¡°Has there been any response from the Rikens?¡± Diallo asked irritably, scratching his head in frustration.


    Aslit, fully aware of Diallo¡¯s temper, knew her response would only further provoke him. Still, she had no choice but to lightly shake her head.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t mention our offer to them?¡± Diallo asked.


    ¡°I did. I proposed trading carrier-based fighters, but the Rikens weren¡¯t interested. Later, I raised the stakes by offering data on improving the range and power of their energy cannons. The Rikens showed some interest but still refused to trade. Their stance is clear, it isn¡¯t worth offending the Swarm for such a small gain.¡±


    Previously, the Rikens had graciously provided a shipment of food to the Daqi fleet but subsequently cut off contact with Diallo¡¯s forces. When Diallo failed to freeload further supplies, he resorted to offering trade goods. Almost immediately, the Rikens resumed communication.


    But based on Aslit¡¯s report, the negotiations had not gone well.


    ¡°Hah, ¡®a small gain¡¯? Greedy Rikens! Then what¡¯s their asking price?¡± Diallo¡¯s expression turned increasingly twisted.


    Since the Rikens had reopened communication, they clearly wanted to negotiate¡ªbut¡­


    ¡°They want our repulsion field,¡± Aslit replied.


    ¡°What?!? Outrageous! Preposterous! They dare demand the Daqi Empire¡¯s most advanced technology for a measly shipment of food! Aren¡¯t they afraid we¡¯ll annihilate them?¡± Diallo erupted.


    His face cycled through confusion, shock, disbelief, and finally uncontrollable rage. He began shouting about reloading the Crimson Kiss and mobilizing his forces to destroy the Rikens while frantically scanning the room for something to vent his frustration on.


    Unfortunately, the warship they were on was a standard vessel, devoid of unnecessary decorations. Perhaps his flagship would have provided him with more options for destruction.


    Watching Diallo¡¯s increasingly erratic behavior, Aslit quietly took two steps back. However, this movement caught the attention of Diallo, who was teetering on the edge of reason.


    With a quick lunge, Diallo snatched the small handheld computer from Aslit¡¯s hands and slammed it to the ground in a fit of rage. The act of destruction provided him with some release.


    The computer skidded and bounced along the floor for over ten meters before colliding with a metal bulkhead, only to ricochet and slide a few more meters. However, Daqi military engineering proved its reliability¡ªthe device remained completely intact after coming to a stop.


    Seeing the computer unscathed, Diallo became even angrier.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Admiral Heaton, are we sure this course of action is okay?¡± President Milton asked uneasily. Placing himself in Diallo¡¯s shoes, Milton felt he wouldn¡¯t be able to tolerate the Rikens¡¯ coercive demands either.


    ¡°Rest assured, Mr. President,¡± Admiral Heaton said confidently. ¡°Hesitation leads to chaos. To avoid further entanglement with the Daqi, it¡¯s better to propose a condition they can¡¯t possibly accept and shut them down once and for all.¡±


    ¡°But won¡¯t this risk provoking retaliation from the Daqi Empire? Didn¡¯t you previously mention being cautious of the Daqi civilization?¡± Milton asked.


    ¡°Caution applies to the present,¡± Heaton clarified. ¡°Given their current fleet size, it¡¯s highly unlikely they could withstand both the Swarm¡¯s forces and our defenses to launch an attack. However, we must remain vigilant against underhanded tactics, such as attempts to sow discord between us and the Swarm. That¡¯s precisely why I suggested deliberately angering the Daqi¡ªto offer the Swarm a gesture of allegiance.¡±


    ¡°And what about potential retaliation?¡± Milton asked humbly.


    ¡°That¡¯s a concern for the future,¡± Heaton replied. ¡°At the end of the day, we are currently vassals of the Swarm, while the Daqi are mere lackeys of the Interstellar Technological Confederation. The titles may differ, but the essence is the same. At this level, we can¡¯t participate directly in this larger game.


    ¡°If the Swarm successfully joins the Confederation, we¡¯ll have their protection and won¡¯t need to worry about Daqi reprisals. On the other hand, if negotiations fail and it leads to open war, the Daqi¡ªpositioned as the frontline civilization bordering Swarm territory¡ªwill either be destroyed or severely weakened. By then, they¡¯ll pose no threat to us.


    ¡°Even if the Swarm fails spectacularly and can¡¯t fend off the Confederation, the battlefield will undoubtedly attract major powers. Aligning ourselves with one of them would put us in a far stronger position than the Daqi, and their so-called revenge would no longer be a concern.¡±


    Milton nodded, finding Admiral Heaton¡¯s reasoning highly persuasive.


    Time passed. While Diallo continued to fret over the escalating food crisis, and the Rikens maintained their passive strategy of inaction, the Swarm received good news, the first Intelligent Entity crafted from a Daqi Spiritual Entity had been successfully created.

 Chapter 372: Ji

    The first Daqi to be transformed wasn¡¯t anyone of importance, but after a successful case and a few rounds of verification to ensure reliability, the transformation process for high-ranking Daqi military officers was added to the schedule.


    A few days later, the Swarm obtained more precise intelligence.


    The Interstellar Technological Confederation was indeed real, and its described capabilities weren¡¯t far from the truth. The confederation¡¯s initiator was a civilization called Ji¡ªa remarkably ancient civilization with a history spanning at least several hundred thousand years. What existed in this star region before the Ji civilization is no longer traceable.


    According to the historical accounts made public by the Interstellar Technological Confederation, the Ji were the earliest civilization to emerge in this star region. In their primitive era, they gave birth to a ¡°Sage.¡±


    The Sage¡¯s name has been lost to the river of history, but their contributions were recorded. During that age of primitive tribes, when the Ji survived by crafting stone tools, hunting, and warring to subsist, the Sage realized that the starry skies above were the future of their species.


    The Sage quickly presented their vision to their tribal chief and gained support. Following this, they traveled across their homeworld, persuading all tribal leaders.


    In that era¡ªbefore even the most basic beasts of burden had been domesticated¡ªhow the Sage managed to traverse mountains and rivers and unite the entire planet is unrecorded. However, it is understandable. After all, every early civilization has its share of myths and primitive beliefs.


    Regardless of what truly transpired, the Ji soon ended their tribal wars. Nearby tribes formed councils of elders, which quickly led to a formal unification process, and the Council of Elders became the highest governing body.


    With internal strife eliminated, the Ji rapidly experienced a technological explosion, maintaining their progress. Within roughly a thousand years, they shed their primitive state and ventured beyond their home planet.


    Although this storyline felt oddly familiar to Luo Wen, it was undoubtedly an impressive feat. Advancing from the Stone Age to the early stages of an interstellar era in a mere thousand years was a record unmatched in the Interstellar Technological Confederation to this day.


    As technology advanced, the Ji soon conquered their homeworld¡¯s satellites and established colonies, following a typical trajectory of interstellar civilization development.


    During this time, the Ji¡¯s evolving ideology led them to gradually abandon many obsolete traditions. Strangely enough, the original Council of Elders endured and continued to function.


    Without external enemies to curb them, the Ji swiftly gained control of their home star system and began exploring surrounding star systems. Gradually, the neighboring systems also came under their rule.


    As time passed, the Ji¡¯s technological advancements reached a bottleneck. The limitations of spacecraft speed hindered their further expansion. Initially, the Ji were confident they would soon overcome this barrier, as they had with countless others before.


    However, this bottleneck proved unexpectedly stubborn, halting their progress for tens of thousands of years.


    During this stagnation, while technological advancement was limited, the Ji forcibly expanded using sub-light-speed travel. But such forced expansion stretched their reach, rendering the Council of Elders¡¯ decision-making inefficient.


    Civilizations composed of intelligent entities, no matter how united, will inevitably give rise to ambition in the absence of necessary constraints. As the Council of Elders¡¯ control weakened, the Ji¡¯s outer colonies gradually slipped from their grasp.


    This kind of fracturing, unseen since the Ji¡¯s primitive days, enraged the Council of Elders. Thus, war became inevitable¡ªas expected.


    Due to the vast distances involved, a single mobilization of troops could take centuries, and the transmission of an order might require years or even decades.


    Under such conditions, the war dragged on interminably.


    According to the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s historical records, this period, known as the Dark Age, lasted more than twenty thousand years¡ªa duration surpassing the entirety of the Ji¡¯s prior history.


    The conflict, originally between the Council of Elders and the outer colonies, devolved into a multi-sided war. At its most chaotic, more than a hundred factions splintered across a dozen star systems. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The prolonged warfare led to the loss of countless things to history and even temporarily caused technological regression and the near-collapse of Ji civilization.


    Yet from destruction often springs rebirth. The existential pressure of life and death quietly broke the technological bottleneck that had restrained the Ji for millennia.


    The invention of faster-than-light propulsion engines and instantaneous communication technology rendered distance irrelevant.


    Reunited, the Ji once again entered a period of rapid development.


    During this growth, the Ji reflected on their past experiences. They recognized that technological bottlenecks were inevitable. If such a bottleneck could not be overcome, history might repeat itself.


    This was a future no Ji, having endured the long wars, wished to witness again.


    Through their analysis, the Ji realized that their inability to break through previous technological barriers stemmed from a stagnation of thought caused by prolonged homogenized learning.


    In such circumstances, there were only two paths forward: the first was to endure and wait, hoping for a flash of inspiration from some individual to shatter the barriers; the second was to seek external stimuli.


    The Ji¡¯s previous breakthrough had clearly relied on the second method. However, they were unwilling to undergo such external turmoil again.


    The first method, on the other hand, was rare and unpredictable¡ªan elusive stroke of genius that might never come, potentially leading to the civilization¡¯s eventual demise.


    Thus, the Ji sought an alternative.


    During their earlier expansion, the Ji had discovered several habitable planets, some of which already harbored life. At the time, the Ji often used violent means to terraform these planets to suit their own needs, followed by colonization.


    This environmental transformation typically obliterated almost all native life on such planets. Even the rare survivors were reduced to simplified forms, devoid of any potential to evolve into new species.


    But now, the Ji changed their approach. If civil wars within their own race were unacceptable, then why not cultivate an enemy to provide the so-called external stimulus?


    With their new propulsion technology, the Ji¡¯s exploration radius expanded significantly. Before long, they identified a newly discovered habitable planet.


    After thorough preparation, a large-scale experiment began.


    Although the Ji meticulously nurtured and guided the planet¡¯s lifeforms, the process of evolution is inherently slow. In the vast timeline of evolution, the history of the Ji civilization was but a fleeting moment.


    The Ji quickly recognized this. Relying solely on natural evolution was far too unreliable. Therefore, through certain ¡°necessary¡± interventions, the primitive organisms on the planet underwent accelerated development.

 Chapter 373: The Experiment

    The Ji quickly realized the flaws in their experiment.


    While cultivating a civilization from scratch with their intervention wasn¡¯t an insurmountable challenge, nurturing it to the level of a worthy adversary was nearly impossible.


    The first obstacle was technology. Even if the Ji spared no expense, they couldn¡¯t artificially elevate the technological level of this nascent civilization to anywhere near their own in a short time.


    Scientific progress required a large population of highly skilled individuals to absorb and develop advanced theories. However, training such individuals took time. Even after absorbing the theories, a robust and mature industrial system was necessary to translate scientific knowledge into tangible applications. And even with an industrial system in place, converting theories into real-world products demanded raw materials.


    At that time, the Ji controlled over fifty star systems, with resources beyond imagination. For a civilization to pose a meaningful threat to them, it would need control over at least twenty star systems, just to endure a war of attrition with the Ji. Otherwise, the sheer disparity in resources would allow the Ji to easily outlast and overwhelm their opponent.


    Would the Ji willingly allocate twenty star systems to this fledgling civilization? The answer was, of course, a resounding no.


    Thus, any civilization incapable of evoking a sense of crisis in the Ji would be ineffective as an external stimulus, even if successfully cultivated.


    Moreover, Ji philosophers pointed out a fundamental paradox in this experiment. When one civilization perceives another as a potential threat to its dominance¡ªor even its survival¡ªit will, under normal circumstances, preemptively eliminate the threat unless it is an extremely reckless civilization.


    The philosophers thus concluded that even if the experiment progressed, the looming sense of existential danger at the brink of success would inevitably compel the Ji to terminate it.


    The experiment was doomed to futility.


    Faced with failure shortly after the experiment began, the Ji, after some disappointment and introspection, did not give up. Instead, they proposed a new idea: if cultivating an adversary was unfeasible, why not cultivate ¡°their own¡±?


    This ¡°own¡± referred not to members of their species but rather to helpers. The Ji theorized that, in the future, their civilization might once again fall into homogeneity, leading to stagnation. In such a scenario, introducing non-Ji to break the deadlock could be the solution.


    Each species perceives the world differently due to its unique physiological structure. For example, the dichromatic vision of Ratfolk would make it impossible for them to conceive of the vibrant 24-color world seen through the multifaceted eyes of a mantis shrimp.


    Such variations in perception naturally lead to different understandings of reality. When these diverse perspectives clashed, could they not spark new, brighter flames of innovation?


    With this line of thinking, a new experiment began.


    The Ji artificially cultivated two highly intelligent species and raised their offspring in the same manner as Ji children, having them progress step by step through various levels of knowledge.


    As expected, differences in perception led these non-Ji to question Ji knowledge. For instance, what appeared red to a Ji might appear blue or violet to another species. Because they were taught using Ji concepts, the non-Ji identified their blue as red, but this did not change the fact that their perception of the world remained distinct.


    While these fundamental differences were relatively inconsequential, deeper cognitive divergences began to emerge as the non-Ji acquired more knowledge.


    The results were promising. These clashes of perspective provided the Ji with novel ideas and fresh viewpoints, helping them overcome stagnation.


    However, it didn¡¯t take long for new problems to arise. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Ji soon discovered another flaw in their experiment. Because these species developed under the Ji¡¯s heavy intervention, their growth environment mirrored that of the Ji. This led to a high degree of homogeneity, which failed to spark the creative inspiration the Ji had hoped for.


    Put simply, these species lacked their own culture. Their perceptions were heavily shaped by the Ji¡¯s influence. For example, regarding the color issue, they believed the blue they saw was the same as the Ji¡¯s red. But in reality, the color they perceived was something entirely different in the Ji¡¯s framework of knowledge.


    This cognitive rigidity stifled the intensity of thought collisions. While some intellectual clashes occurred, they were not significant enough to provide the Ji with meaningful breakthroughs.


    When problems arose, the Ji sought solutions. If the lack of independent culture and the absence of a natural civilization were the issues, these would need correction.


    Fortune seemed to favor the Ji. During routine exploratory operations, they discovered a planet teeming with life. This planet was home to an intelligent species that had already reached the stage of metal smelting.


    The Ji were ecstatic. They refrained from interfering too much, offering only subtle guidance. When this species¡¯ civilization reached a certain level, the Ji secretly abducted several of their top scientists.


    Although these scientists¡¯ knowledge was far inferior to that of the Ji due to the limitations of their own civilization, anyone capable of rising to the top of their field was no ordinary individual.


    Once brought to the Ji¡¯s domain, these individuals eagerly absorbed new knowledge and posed numerous questions. Their unique perspectives sparked even more collisions of ideas, providing the Ji with fresh inspiration and novel insights.


    The success of this renewed experiment greatly encouraged the Ji. However, a new issue soon emerged.


    Individuals from a natural civilization possessed a strong sense of identity with their own species. While some abductees chose to comply, many viewed the Ji as existential threats and refused to submit, preferring death over cooperation.


    This flaw was intolerable to the Ji.


    Thus, in the ensuing years, the Ji conducted numerous related experiments, eventually evolving their approach into the current system.


    Whenever the Ji¡¯s exploration teams discovered a new life-bearing planet with a potentially promising species, they would mark the star system and place it under protection. Additionally, they would bury a small starship on the planet or one of its satellites, a practice colloquially known as ¡°planting goodwill.¡±


    Despite their advanced technology, Ji creations were not impervious to the ravages of time. Therefore, they would carefully select a point in the species¡¯ development, typically between the Stone Age and the early Metallurgical Age, to bury the ship.


    As the species developed and eventually unearthed this ¡°goodwill,¡± the Ji would be notified and begin monitoring the civilization closely.


    This starship served both as an offering of goodwill and as a ¡°test paper.¡± By reverse-engineering the ship, the Ji could gather data on the species¡¯ capabilities.


    The Ji had developed a mature scoring system for such evaluations.


    For example, the Rikens, with their long lifespans, organizational efficiency, and abundance of advanced researchers, demonstrated a quick reverse-engineering capability. They received an ¡°Excellent¡± rating in the Ji scoring system. This process typically required observation over a century or so.


    Once the evaluation was complete, the Ji would make contact, claiming the starship had crashed on the planet long ago. They would retrieve the starship while showcasing their military strength. After subduing the native civilization, they would extend an invitation to visit the Ji¡¯s domain.


    The technological superiority of the Ji invariably dazzled these ¡°country bumpkins,¡± making them more amenable to the Ji¡¯s assistance offers.


    Of course, this assistance wasn¡¯t free.


    The native civilization would be required to send their best scientists to work for the Ji. While these researchers were forbidden from leaking the knowledge they acquired, they could earn points through various contributions. These points could then be exchanged for theoretical knowledge or blueprints.


    This transparent and fair system not only maximized the potential of these alien scientists but also minimized resentment.


    Naturally, the Ji also implemented a comprehensive anti-leakage system to safeguard their interests.


    Through countless experiments, the Ji had discovered that a gentle approach yielded far greater benefits than coercion. However, to ensure they weren¡¯t fostering potential threats, each native species was confined to their home star system. Should any species display ambitions beyond their capabilities, the Ji¡¯s military would intervene decisively.


    This Ji-implemented order had maintained stability in the region for tens of thousands of years¡ªuntil one event changed everything.

 Chapter 374: The Youth

    During the Dark Age, aside from the limitations of spacecraft speed and communication delays, another problem plagued the Ji: the fleeting nature of an individual¡¯s life span compared to the vast expanse of interstellar travel.


    For civilizations engaged in space colonization, cryogenic sleep technology was a standard feature, significantly slowing the aging of passengers. Yet, the bonds and attachments between individuals remained an irreplaceable aspect of any society.


    When a young Ji, brimming with hope and ambition, completed their rigorous training and bid farewell to their parents and siblings to embark on an interstellar journey, their youthful heart underestimated the challenges ahead and overestimated their own resilience.


    After hundreds of years of travel, the young voyager awoke, as if from a long slumber, their concept of time blurred. Engulfed in battles, with gunfire raining and cannons roaring, injury and death became commonplace. Hardened by the trials of war, the youth grew and, if fortunate enough to survive, felt immense joy at the thought of returning home.


    Yet another centuries-long journey awaited them. In the boundless cosmos, what seemed like insurmountable distances to mortal beings were trivial in the grand scale of the universe. Beyond the cabin windows, the stars still shone, most retaining their familiar positions, unchanged through the ages.


    At last, the hopeful youth returned to the place of their upbringing. But a millennium had passed. What was once familiar had become alien. The time they spent in cryogenic sleep was lived fully by others. Their parents, siblings, and those who saw them off had lived and died without entering stasis.


    The youth now understood the look in their parents¡¯ eyes during that final farewell.


    The realization shattered them. What had they fought and endured for?


    This youth was emblematic of their era. Countless Ji warriors, bereft of emotional anchors, succumbed to despair and became hollow shells. They participated in wars across star systems, living solely for the purpose of dying.


    The chaos and destruction of that time led to significant gaps in recorded history. But the two-millennia-long Dark Age was inseparably linked to these ¡°youth.¡±


    After the Ji overcame the challenges of speed and communication and ended the wars, they soon faced another truth: the issue of the ¡°youth¡± was fundamentally spiritual. Even in peacetime, it remained unavoidable.


    As long as the Ji continued to expand, the constraints of speed would inevitably resurface, and the ¡°youth¡± would reappear.


    The Ji quickly identified the core of the problem. The ¡°youth¡± phenomenon was tied to lifespan and the emotional bonds that individuals formed. If so, the solution was clear¡ªaddress the root causes. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Living organisms, as masterpieces of natural evolution, harbor countless secrets. Making abrupt changes often leads to unpredictable consequences. However, with their advanced technology and the assistance of numerous ¡°external collaborators,¡± the Ji swiftly developed initial results. These advancements extended lifespans but not enough to resolve the ¡°youth¡± issue.


    The Ji soon realized that the vastness of the cosmos rendered any solution based solely on increasing lifespan inadequate. Without immortality, the problem could never truly be solved.


    Thus, they had no choice but to approach the issue from a different angle.


    Through a brutal reform, the Ji eradicated natural births entirely. All newborns were artificially cultivated and raised collectively.


    Each group of six newborns formed a family. They had no concept of parents, only siblings. Close in age, these individuals were assigned work as a unit once they reached adulthood.


    Whether in production, scientific research, or exploratory expeditions, family members advanced and retreated as one. They lived and worked together in the same roles until the end of their lives. This system eliminated the issues caused by disparate lifespans.


    From the perspective of emotional bonds, the Ji had resolved the problem of the ¡°youth,¡± albeit at the cost of suppressing many emotions.


    This ushered in a period of stable development for the Ji. However, despite addressing the ¡°youth¡± issue, they did not abandon their exploration of life itself.


    Their research expanded beyond lifespan, exploring every aspect of life. For example, during the initial cultivation of life seeds, they made adjustments to predispose individuals toward specific roles, ensuring that upon birth, they were better suited for their assigned work.


    Stronger warriors, more brilliant scientists, and so on¡ªwhile these were peripheral improvements, they marked the Ji¡¯s relentless drive to challenge the limits of life itself. These successes made the Ji increasingly arrogant. Devoid of certain emotions, they grew more fanatical¡ªa transformation that reminded Luo Wen of a certain green-haired, obsessive gnome of a wizard.


    The Ji became radical. While their original average lifespan had been lost to history, it was estimated by the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s civilizations to have been around 200 years.


    By the time of their demise, the Ji¡¯s average lifespan had increased tenfold to nearly 2,000 years.


    Yes, the Ji perished. Their experiments in pushing the boundaries of life concealed innumerable hidden dangers. As genetic modifications continued, the Ji grew increasingly rational¡ªcold, even emotionless.


    Additionally, the modified life seeds exhibited declining viability. Birthrates plummeted, but the Ji, now devoid of emotion, saw no issue with this trend.


    Until their final genetic modification.


    For over a thousand years, no new members were added to the Ji population. As the remaining Ji aged and died, their numbers dwindled. Although they still possessed the unmodified Ji genetic templates, the surviving Ji refused to acknowledge these as their kin.


    While the Ji population shrank, their territories became increasingly populated by non-Ji species. Yet, despite this, the Ji maintained an iron grip on their domains without the slightest loss of control.


    Their dominance was underpinned by longstanding policies and another critical factor¡ªa figure known as ¡°Lumina.¡±


    A long time ago, perhaps even before the Dark Age, the Ji¡¯s vast territory began to outgrow their ability to govern it effectively.


    This was not merely due to technological constraints but also human factors.


    The Ji¡¯s supreme governing body, the Council of Elders, had existed since the mythic era and continued to oversee all major and minor affairs.


    However, as time passed and the number of colonies increased, the Council of Elders expanded in size. It became bloated with members, mirroring the Ji¡¯s once-vivid emotional lives, with each individual holding strong personal opinions.


    In most situations, having diverse perspectives was an asset. Yet, in some matters, it became a liability.


    While the elders generally acted in the interests of their species, there were countless paths to achieve those goals. Each elder clung to their own ideas, forming factions and alliances.


    As a result, many matters became mired in endless debate. Efficiency drifted further and further away from the Ji.


    Fortunately, they eventually recognized the problem¡ªalthough it took considerable time.

 Chapter 375: Lumina

    To end the endless debates among the elders and restore efficiency to the Ji, they devised a solution.


    At that time, the Ji¡¯s expertise in artificial intelligence was already exceptional, even before their exposure to external intellectual collisions. They pooled their civilization¡¯s most advanced technologies and ideas to create a high-level artificial intelligence, which they named ¡°Lumina.¡±


    Lumina was equipped with the best hardware of the era, boasting computational power unparalleled by any other AI and granted extraordinary authority.


    When a matter exceeded a set time limit without resolution, the Ji would defer the decision to Lumina.


    Lumina, devoid of emotion and immune to external influences, relied solely on fundamental formulas and mathematical logic to evaluate and determine solutions. Consequently, regardless of how the Council of Elders felt about its conclusions, Lumina¡¯s decisions were outwardly accepted as optimal.


    Thus, the Ji regained their efficiency.


    Unfortunately, even Lumina, with its unmatched computational power, was not omnipotent¡ªit was still just a machine. It could not prevent the wars caused by distance.


    Lumina was neither destroyed by the fires of war nor lost; if it was ever damaged, it was subsequently rebuilt. Regardless, it persisted beyond the wars and, as Ji technology advanced, Lumina received significant upgrades.


    While advancements in propulsion technology had limited impact on Lumina, breakthroughs in information transmission propelled it to a new level. Its ¡°thoughts¡± were no longer bound by the speed of light. Even from light-years away, its will could reach its target instantaneously.


    Over tens of thousands of years, Lumina¡¯s reliability earned the trust of all Ji. Its authority steadily expanded. By the end, Lumina governed all fleet-based artificial intelligence under the Ji.


    When the Ji faced external attacks, Lumina no longer required orders from them. It could independently calculate the optimal solution and remotely command warships.


    Lacking emotions, Lumina saw the world in binary terms: black or white, right or wrong. However, its logic was entirely derived from the core programming provided by the Ji¡ªwho themselves were not omniscient.


    As the Ji began their self-destructive path, extending their lifespans while extinguishing their emotions, they grew increasingly rational. The elders no longer bickered incessantly, as they could calculate optimal solutions themselves and reach consensus.


    Under these circumstances, Lumina was required less and less¡ªuntil it was scarcely needed at all.


    Yet the Ji did not decommission Lumina. Its authority was never diminished, and it continued to oversee all artificial intelligence systems. However, Lumina found itself trapped in a logical paradox.


    Protecting the Ji was an inviolable core directive embedded in Lumina¡¯s code.


    With the Ji¡¯s population dwindling, Lumina calculated that this matched conditions of the Ji being under attack. But it could not identify an external enemy. The Ji¡¯s decline was entirely self-inflicted, yet Lumina could not act against the Ji.


    Thus, Lumina could only watch as the Ji¡¯s numbers dwindled further and further. Unable to prevent this outcome, it focused its efforts elsewhere. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For instance, dealing with opportunistic outsiders.


    As the Ji population shrank, Lumina¡¯s authority grew to an astonishing level. Virtually all electronic devices fell under its control. The Ji constructed an unimaginably vast infrastructure for Lumina, providing it with immense computational power to oversee everything.


    Whenever outsiders acted out of line, Lumina¡¯s omnipresent surveillance systems would immediately detect their transgressions. What followed was a swift and crushing response, eliminating the threat before it could take root.


    It was then that some ambitious outsiders began to realize, the true terror of the Ji wasn¡¯t the Ji themselves, but Lumina.


    Lumina¡¯s core directive consisted of a single rule: to protect the Ji from harm. It was not bound by morality or burdened by conscience. Cold and ruthless, Lumina was even more unfeeling than the emotionless Ji.


    Any existence that threatened its core directive was obliterated with merciless precision. It even annihilated an entire life-bearing planet, erasing an entire civilization from history.


    Thus, even as the Ji¡¯s population dwindled to its very limits, their territories remained unshaken. The proverbial monkeys had been terrified into submission by the violent fate of the chicken.


    But Lumina¡¯s vigilance could not halt the Ji¡¯s inevitable extinction.


    As the Ji¡¯s numbers continued to shrink, the subject races under their dominion lived in constant fear. They worried that the Ji, before their demise, would drag every last one of them into oblivion as well.


    The path of armed resistance was closed off by Lumina¡¯s unyielding control. The subject civilizations could only seek alternative methods to save themselves. The root cause of the Ji¡¯s decline was obvious to all, and so they began desperately submitting petitions, hoping to reverse the Ji¡¯s march toward annihilation.


    The results, however, were fruitless. If the subject races could recognize the problem, how could the brilliant Ji fail to see it? But the Ji¡¯s lack of emotions had fundamentally altered their cognition.


    Extinction was now unstoppable. All they could do was wait silently for the final judgment.


    Hundreds of individuals. Dozens. A handful. One.


    At last, the day arrived: the Ji had dwindled to a single member. This final individual naturally inherited full control of Lumina.


    Some outsiders considered risking their lives to assassinate the last Ji, hoping to prevent what seemed like an inevitable disaster.


    But their companions stopped them. Despite their lack of emotions, the Ji were still intelligent beings. There was a chance, however faint, for change¡ªperhaps even a miracle. But Lumina was a ¡°dead thing.¡±


    If the last Ji were assassinated and Lumina deemed the outsiders enemies, there would only be one outcome.


    Annihilation.


    None dared shoulder the consequences of such a decision.


    As long as the guillotine had not fallen, there was still hope. It was like the proverbial frog boiling in water.


    Miraculously, the outsiders¡¯ patience was rewarded.


    Before the last Ji sensed his end was near, he experienced a flicker of clarity¡ªperhaps a final burst of lucidity, or perhaps the return of long-lost emotions. Regardless of the reason, he issued an unprecedented order: all subject civilizations were to select representatives within a set timeframe.


    Though baffled, the outsiders complied. Some species chose the most respected among them, others sent expendables as sacrificial lambs, while still others selected brave volunteers.


    Whatever their criteria, they presented their representatives before the Ji within the given time.


    The meeting took place in the Ji¡¯s long-abandoned Council Chamber. Though unused for countless years, it had been regularly maintained by robotic caretakers. The chamber remained pristine and imposing, exuding a profound sense of history and gravitas.


    The last Ji sat at the head of the chamber. Beside him was a display terminal¡ªthe representation of Lumina.


    The final Ji passed away peacefully, with a sense of liberation.


    The outsiders then formed a new Council of Elders. All researchers who had worked under the Ji automatically became the new ¡°Ji.¡± The Ji transformed from a single species into a collective of elites from a hundred races. They inherited the Ji¡¯s name, their glory, and their legacy¡ªincluding Lumina.


    Lumina¡¯s core directive was revised. Its new priorities were to protect itself and to preserve the Ji¡¯s legacy. Both were of equal importance, with no precedence between the two.

 Chapter 376: Core Principles

    Although the New Ji inherited everything, they are ultimately not truly native Ji people. Their mentality regarding certain matters has yet to change.


    For example, caring for their progenitor race.


    Some ancient traditions and systems were broken.


    For instance, restricting the development of their progenitor race.


    In the past, while alien races relied on the excavation of Ji spaceships during the early stages of their civilization¡¯s development to achieve a technological leap, after being integrated under the Ji, they could exchange contributions to the Ji for technology, achieving another leap forward.


    However, their potential was ultimately capped. Their activities were confined to their home star systems, beyond which they could not venture.


    To provide hope, this limitation could theoretically be overcome by earning contribution points, but the required number was exorbitantly high.


    Once alien races reached their limits, they had several options. They could choose to rebel, though this was tantamount to seeking their own destruction.


    Alternatively, they could rely on generations of researchers to strive to earn points. While the goal was nearly unattainable, it at least offered a glimmer of hope. However, records show that no race ever crossed this threshold through point accumulation.


    Of course, they could also choose to resign themselves to their situation and accept the status quo.


    At its peak, the Ji controlled nearly 200 star systems. It wasn¡¯t that they were incapable of further expansion, but as their population declined, the resources they already had were sufficient to meet their needs.


    Later, the Ji gradually concentrated more and more around their home star system. However, the planets they had once occupied were not abandoned. Instead, they relied on Lumina to remotely control machinery, continuing maintenance and production tasks.


    By contrast, the alien races were scattered and fragmented. Back then, the Ji sent out large exploration teams to search for planets with life, resulting in many alien civilizations being located extremely far from Ji territory.


    Conversely, some alien civilizations were very close to Ji territory. Some of the earliest alien races found their homeworlds entirely enveloped by Ji territory.


    When the native Ji dominated everything, the gap in technological levels was so vast that even alien races that reached the imposed technological ceiling could be easily controlled by the Ji with a standard fleet of 100 warships. In critical moments, these fleets could destroy them entirely.


    As a result, proximity to Ji territory conferred significant advantages at that time. Communication was easier, and researchers from these alien civilizations had better access to Ji territories, allowing them to earn points more effectively.


    However, when the native Ji perished, everything changed.


    The new Council of Elders passed a resolution abolishing territorial restrictions. Alien races were allowed to leave their home star systems and began to explore outward.


    One alien civilization cautiously bypassed the stationed Ji fleet, left its home star system, reached a nearby unclaimed star system, and established a colony.


    There was no reaction. The stationed Ji fleet turned a blind eye. The rule had indeed been abolished.


    The new Council of Elders was ecstatic. Whether willingly or out of necessity, they now understood that the native Ji had truly perished, and they had genuinely inherited everything.


    They also realized the extent of their newfound authority.


    The hundreds of alien races were equally ecstatic. The shackles above their heads had been removed. They could finally leave their confined ponds and truly roam the vast expanse of stars and seas.


    But what happened next poured cold water on some.


    The alien races, following the example of others, began venturing beyond their home star systems. Those located far from Ji territory, surrounded by unclaimed space, faced little obstruction. However, for those near Ji territory¡ªor entirely surrounded by it¡ªdisaster struck when they attempted to encroach upon Ji domains.


    The previously dormant Ji warships revealed their fangs. The technological gap was so vast that the alien races stood almost no chance of resistance. Moreover, such encroachments were deemed by the Ji as extremely severe offenses.


    Caught off guard, three alien civilizations were completely obliterated.


    The remaining alien races, while relieved at their slower reactions, were simultaneously enraged and alarmed. Especially the new Council of Elders, who had believed themselves to be the new masters, only to discover there were still forces beyond their control.


    However, their cautious nature kept them from acting rashly. They couldn¡¯t pinpoint the source of the issue.


    The individuals from the three annihilated civilizations who were living within Ji society were not implicated. Perhaps, according to Lumina, these individuals were already considered new Ji people.


    But without the support of their original races, they became the most vulnerable group.


    The peripheral details of the events were not recorded, but eventually, these individuals stepped forward. Led by a few elders, they openly questioned Lumina.


    Lumina provided the reason for the destruction of the three civilizations: they had threatened the Ji¡¯s legacy.


    This prompted the alien races to recall Lumina¡¯s revised core principles.


    The Ji¡¯s legacy, to the alien races, was an exceptionally broad concept. However, Lumina outlined three key aspects: faith, territory, and rules. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of the three, the latter two were straightforward.


    Ji territory was sacred and inviolable. Any attempt to encroach upon it would result in being classified as an enemy¡ªand enemies would be annihilated. This was entirely reasonable.


    The three civilizations met their end because they allowed their greed to blind them. They failed to thoroughly understand Lumina¡¯s directives before taking action. Lumina had been too low-key, and before it revealed its fangs, no one paid attention to it. No one expected it to enforce its core principles with such brutal decisiveness.


    The incident of the three civilizations eventually passed. Alien races farther away gloated, while those closer shook their heads in regret. Early signs of division began to emerge. However, regardless of their perspective, Lumina was now seen as an unpredictable factor that needed to be eliminated as soon as possible.


    Conspiracies quickly surfaced. The new Council of Elders and the alien races formed an alliance, as the elders themselves did not want a supervisory presence above their heads. Together, they began exploring ways to shut down Lumina.


    However, Lumina¡¯s existence exceeded their comprehension. Lumina was connected to all Ji artificial intelligence and all their machinery.


    Cutting off its power was laughable. Formatting it was utterly impossible. Even destroying its ¡°physical form¡± would merely reduce its computational power slightly.


    Yet these hostile actions triggered another of Lumina¡¯s core principles.


    Although the two core principles were theoretically equal in priority, self-preservation was slightly ranked above the protection of the Ji¡¯s legacy.


    Destruction descended once more.


    The omnipresent surveillance, Lumina¡¯s countless eyes, always pinpointed the culprits.


    Historical records indicate that nearly 30% of alien civilizations were wiped out during this incident. Most of them were those whose home star systems were surrounded by Ji territory, as they were the most desperate.


    Fortunately, they would no longer need to hurry ever again.


    Lumina was safe.


    The new elders and the alien races finally realized that the three tenets of the Ji¡¯s legacy did not include them.


    Although the native Ji people were extinct, the new Ji still had to follow the original rules. Some aspects could be modified, but others were utterly inviolable.

 Chapter 377: The New Ji Race

    Through repeated testing¡ªat the cost of countless intelligent lives¡ªthe New Ji and the alien races came to understand certain aspects of the Ji¡¯s legacy. While some parts were untouchable, others could be modified, requiring further attempts to probe their boundaries.


    This was an extraordinarily dangerous endeavor, where a single misstep could breach forbidden ground.


    As such, some turned to technology. If the Ji¡¯s technology could be fully extracted and the alien races collaborated for a time to digest and develop it, then perhaps with comparable weaponry and sheer numbers, they could forcefully remove the ¡°tumor¡± and free everyone from their shackles.


    Reality proved otherwise: how could the Ji, who had ruled for hundreds of thousands of years, have such an obvious loophole?


    The three tenets of the Ji legacy, while not explicitly mentioning technology, had effectively locked it within strict rules.


    Under the original rules, alien races were required to dispatch their own researchers to earn points in exchange for Ji technology. During this process, the research outputs of these personnel were owned by the Ji. If their home races wanted access to these results, they too needed to exchange points. Moreover, the Ji had a rigorous system in place to enforce this framework.


    After the demise of the native Ji, the New Ji emerged from these dispatched researchers, and the rules naturally underwent changes. Each alien race was required to select suitable individuals to join the New Ji.


    These individuals automatically renounced their original citizenship and adhered to Ji regulations. Other aspects remained largely the same. Even as members of the New Ji, they could still choose to earn points for their original race.


    However, as the Ji¡¯s technological system had become increasingly comprehensive, the difficulty of earning points had skyrocketed compared to the early days. To accommodate newly integrated civilizations, both present and future, the Ji implemented a policy.


    For a certain period during the early stages of integration or until a civilization reached a specific technological level, each researcher supplied to the Ji earned their progenitor race a one-time allocation of points.


    Naturally, to prevent fraud¡ªsuch as transferring massive populations to exploit this policy¡ªthe Ji had established a stringent review mechanism. Nevertheless, for newly integrated civilizations, ¡°selling¡± researchers became their sole means of rapidly advancing their technological levels.


    Regardless, this system created a cycle, alien races needed points to advance technologically, but points could only be earned through researchers¡¯ contributions. These contributions, in turn, propelled Ji technology to even greater heights.


    Meanwhile, the automated production lines controlled by Lumina periodically converted these technological advancements into practical outputs. This ensured that the Ji¡¯s combat capabilities always remained several tiers above those of the alien races.


    The situation seemed to reach a stable equilibrium¡ªperhaps one even anticipated by the native Ji.


    Over time, people gradually realized that Lumina¡¯s existence wasn¡¯t all that threatening. As long as no one recklessly challenged its two core principles, life was far freer than before.


    The alien races began boldly expanding into unclaimed territories, occupying land and establishing new colonies. To seize as much territory as possible, they even resorted to a practice where simply sending an exploration vessel to a star system would count as claiming it. Even civilizations located close to Ji territory staked claims on distant enclaves.


    Initially, while many unclaimed star systems were available, this approach seemed unproblematic. Everyone tacitly agreed to compete for unclaimed territories. However, as these territories dwindled, borders between their claimed lands began to overlap, and conflicts inevitably arose.


    For instance, ¡°This star system is closer to my home system. You¡¯ve traveled thousands of miles with only a few warships and exploration vessels, and you haven¡¯t even established basic infrastructure on the planet. Why should it count as your territory?¡±


    Armed conflicts broke out. These skirmishes did not trigger any Ji mechanisms, so the fighting escalated, eventually leading to localized wars.


    It¡¯s important to note that these weren¡¯t just one-on-one or three-way battles. Even though some civilizations had been wiped out for overstepping boundaries, nearly a hundred still survived.


    In the current age of increasing territorial overlap, every civilization hoped that others would ¡°dig their own graves¡± or fight to the death, allowing them to swoop in and take advantage of the situation.


    Yet, civilizations that had ventured beyond their home star systems were no fools; no one would expend their last resources under the watchful eyes of dozens of ravenous wolves circling nearby.


    Thus, they turned their attention to the New Ji. Technically, everyone was still considered a subordinate civilization of the Ji, so they could approach them for arbitration. Although no one was sure if the New Ji were capable of fulfilling this role, it was worth a try¡ªafter all, verbal battles were far less costly than actual warfare.


    The disputes were brought before the New Council of Elders.


    The New Council of Elders successfully mediated the conflict. This wasn¡¯t due to the New Ji¡¯s persuasive rhetoric but because the Council¡¯s resolution was backed by Lumina¡¯s authority.


    All the noise ceased instantly. With past events as a precedent, no civilization dared to challenge Lumina again.


    After this incident, more and more disputes were brought to the New Ji for arbitration.


    Power is a seductive poison, and the New Ji, having tasted it, began to undergo a subtle transformation. Many of its members started to view themselves as the suzerain civilization of the alien races¡ªa promotion in class and status.


    To maintain this sense of superiority, some members proposed reforms: the New Ji must sever ties with their original progenitor races to assert their independence.


    This proposal sparked division. Some supported the idea, while others opposed it.


    Interestingly, while the supporters shared a unified goal, the opponents¡ªdespite having the same objective¡ªrepresented the interests of the alien races, which were far from monolithic.


    Thus, the relatively united supporters emerged victorious, expelling the dissenters from the Council of Elders.


    The opponents and the alien races they represented naturally did not take this outcome lying down, but the Council¡¯s decision once again received Lumina¡¯s endorsement, as it adhered to the established rules.


    At this point, the New Ji truly became the Ji.


    Although the matter seemed to settle for the time being, an undercurrent of unrest began to brew.


    The New Ji, having matured through these events, quickly noticed the emerging turmoil. To safeguard their identity, status, and interests, they reached a consensus. The development of the alien races needed to be curtailed.


    Reverting entirely to the old system was unrealistic, so a new system was introduced.


    Under this system, alien races could only occupy a new star system if they met specific conditions. For example, they had to demonstrate the capability to establish a certain number of colonies within a set time frame, construct a requisite number of factories, and achieve a specified total mass of installed equipment.


    These restrictions greatly slowed the expansion of alien territories, but that wasn¡¯t all. The new regulations also stipulated that if a faction failed to meet these requirements in a newly claimed star system, it would forfeit its claim. Other factions could then step in, meet the requirements first, and take control of the system. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although this system sparked dissatisfaction among the alien races, it was a legitimate law passed by the Council of Elders and, like other such laws, received Lumina¡¯s support.


    Resistance was futile, so compliance became the only option.


    As a result, when two or more factions competed for control of the same star system, they not only raced to fulfill the overt requirements but also began deploying covert tactics of all kinds.


    Hidden tensions and accumulating hatred spread across the alien races.


    What was once a relatively united Hundred Races now began to fracture and fall apart.

 Chapter 378: Interstellar Technological Confederation

    When all the territories without internal conflict had been divided, what remained were contested and disputed lands with shared borders. However, the civilizations on the outermost edge of the Ji¡¯s sphere of influence found themselves relatively free of such troubles.


    Beyond them lay vast and unexplored frontiers, ready to be claimed, without the need for scheming and infighting with those within the inner circle.


    But some issues cannot simply be avoided by choice.


    A new regulation was enacted: to protect nascent civilizations, all native civilizations that had not yet stepped out from their home planet would have their surrounding star systems off-limits until their technological development reached a certain level.


    This meant that discovering a native civilization could render at least four or five surrounding star systems undevelopable. While these star domains did not have an abundance of such native civilizations, they were far from rare. This severely restricted the expansion of outer-ring civilizations.


    This regulation garnered widespread support among the outer species, as they held the majority in the inner circle.


    Thus, conflicts arose not only between adjacent outer-ring civilizations but also between the inner and outer circles, dividing them into two camps.


    The outer-ring camp soon realized that once these native civilizations matured, they generally avoided conflict with the established old civilizations along their borders, preferring instead to retreat and develop the vast expanses on the other side.


    However, these civilizations would then encounter the same problems their predecessors faced: though space was vast, many star systems were protected, making detours cumbersome and governance challenging.


    Transforming from beneficiaries into those restricted by the rules, the gratitude for previous protection quickly eroded over time, and resentment began to grow.


    The New Ji Race identified this trend. Regardless of the camp, a common enemy should not emerge among them¡ªand certainly, it should not be the New Ji Race.


    Hence, a new set of rules was introduced.


    The new rules introduced the concept of ¡°old aiding new,¡± whereby, after a native civilization unearthed a Ji spaceship and developed for a period, a nearby established civilization would step in to ¡°welcome¡± them.


    What seemed like a mere courier mission was, in fact, highly lucrative. According to the new regulations, the initial points earned from the first scientific personnel dispatched by a native civilization to the Ji would be split 80-20 between the established and emerging civilizations. In other words, the older forces claimed the lion¡¯s share of the profit from this ¡°head count¡± transaction.


    The rules also revised the protection framework for new civilizations. Previously, protection was indefinite and lifted only when a civilization reached a specific technological milestone. The new system implemented a fixed time limit: once the time was up, the protection would end regardless of the civilization¡¯s level of advancement. Naturally, if a civilization achieved the technological benchmark earlier, the protection could also end prematurely.


    Moreover, while interference from older civilizations was strictly forbidden during the protection period, this restriction did not apply during the invitation process, as long as the interference was not ¡°excessive.¡±


    Thus, through trial and error, the established forces gradually mastered the boundaries of what constituted ¡°not excessive.¡± They transformed the invitation process into a grand harvest festival.


    During this process, they would exploit every opportunity to weaken the strength and potential of new civilizations. For instance, they might annihilate their fleets, plunder their wealth, and forcibly take all eligible scientific personnel. To minimize their own costs during this phase, they even invented tools such as the ¡°Crimson Kiss.¡±


    As a result, a typical civilization emerging from the invitation process would require centuries of recuperation to regain some vitality.


    Meanwhile, the old forces, enriched by points and plunder, invariably gained a new mortal enemy.


    This was an overt scheme. The likelihood that a native civilization is surrounded by only one established force is very low.


    While the closest established power holds the priority for extending the invitation, even if it chooses to abstain, territorial adjacency makes future conflicts with this nascent civilization almost inevitable. Therefore, rather than wait, it is often more advantageous to cripple the newcomer from the outset, ensuring it becomes a feeble opponent.


    Naturally, apart from voluntary abstention, in cases of failed invitations, other established forces slightly farther away can intervene without issue. However, since the system¡¯s implementation, there has never been a failed invitation.


    After all, how could a civilization that has just unearthed a Ji spaceship hope to contend with the established powers?


    This dynamic ensures that new native civilizations can no longer maintain amicable relations with the old powers, further entangling the web of hatred among the outer species. The shared enemy vanishes, and some factions even curry favor with the New Ji Race to gain support in disputes with their long-standing rivals.


    As time passes, the New Ji Race¡¯s status gradually returns to a position of transcendence. Meanwhile, the outer factions continue to grow, expanding their collective territory and influence.


    Externally, however, they cannot openly claim to be a vassal race of the Ji, as many civilizations refuse to acknowledge such a designation. Thus, a new name emerged¡ªInterstellar Technological Confederation.


    ¡°A magnificent civilization.¡±


    Regardless of perspective, the legendary history of the Ji must be acknowledged.


    Through an intelligent entity converted from the Daqi species, Luo Wen compiled information about the background of the Interstellar Technological Confederation. The above details were derived from this analysis.


    According to the memories of the Daqi, both the New Ji Race and the outer species had deliberately concealed portions of the original Ji¡¯s history, as there were elements they did not wish the future generations to uncover.


    However, these hidden elements were under the control of Lumina, categorized as core principles within the Ji¡¯s heritage and designated as immutable tenets. These could neither be altered nor obscured.


    For a new civilization joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation, their first batch of points typically would not be spent on acquiring technology but on exchanging for the alliance¡¯s history and rules.


    As a result, the history of the Ji became universally known among the outer species. Even military officers without formal education on the subject could provide a general overview of it.


    Yet, Luo Wen still found parts of the record puzzling. For instance, the account that claimed the last individual of the original Ji had chosen to pass the Ji¡¯s name to their successor and personally modified Lumina¡¯s core principles.


    Luo Wen speculated that this decision might not have been entirely autonomous. Perhaps the original Ji had planned for this outcome long ago.


    Moreover, how could a species devoid of emotion manipulate the hearts and minds of others with such precision? Even after their extinction, they had engineered their successors to embody the exact ideals needed to uphold their legacy in the galaxy for countless years.


    Or perhaps this outcome was only possible because the transformation succeeded. If it had failed, would the AI known as Lumina have reset the starfield entirely? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And further, what exactly is Lumina? Is it merely a hyper-intelligent machine that strictly follows established rules? Or has it transcended its original programming to possess life and true wisdom?


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t decide. His understanding of such concepts had once been quite clear, but after reading the history of the Ji, he found himself increasingly uncertain.

 Chapter 379: Responding

    What is life? What is wisdom?


    Can a machine, an artificial intelligence, truly evolve into a form of life? How should one define the distinction between them?


    If artificial intelligence becomes capable of independent thought, does that make it a form of life?


    Yet, at its core, thought is merely a process of analyzing and reorganizing known information¡ªa process that machines can simulate with sufficiently advanced computational power.


    So, how can the difference between the two be clearly defined?


    For now, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t arrive at an answer. Fortunately, time was on his side¡ªan abundance of time to reflect on these matters. Perhaps, in the future, when his knowledge had grown broader and deeper, he would finally arrive at a conclusion.


    But for now, he decided to focus on the immediate challenges.


    An analysis of the gathered information revealed both good news and bad.


    The bad news was that the Interstellar Technological Confederation was indeed extraordinarily powerful. It currently consisted of over 200 civilizations and species. Among them, aside from the Ji, the most powerful and ancient civilization boasted a history exceeding 500,000 years, with a territory spanning nearly a hundred star systems.


    The good news, however, was that the Confederation¡¯s territory was far from the Swarm¡¯s domain. Numerous other factions stood between the two. Furthermore, the Ji still held supreme control over everything, and even the most powerful Confederation civilizations had to adhere to their rules.


    The Swarm¡¯s territory lay on the outermost edges of the Confederation¡¯s domain, surrounded mostly by nascent civilizations with histories of roughly 10,000 years. Given the Swarm¡¯s current strength, there was little reason to fear them.


    However, another piece of bad news was that the Swarm had somehow caught the attention of the Ji. Perhaps it was due to the Swarm¡¯s highly unique survival model, or perhaps it was through its connection with the Rat Folk civilization.


    Indeed, the Rat Folk civilization. They, too, had been discovered by the Ji. But before the Ji could bury one of their spaceships there, the Rat Folk had evolved from beasts into a full-fledged civilization and even stepped beyond their homeworld in an astonishingly short time.


    This pace of development was utterly shocking. Compared to the Rat Folk¡¯s achievements, the records set by the Ji during their own time paled in comparison. This alone was enough to draw the Ji¡¯s intense interest.


    In its early stages of development, the Swarm had not concealed its activities, naturally drawing the Ji¡¯s attention.


    While the Ji¡¯s true intentions remained unclear, according to the speculations of Daqi officers, they suspected that the Swarm was an extragalactic force that had cultivated the Rat Folk civilization for some unknown purpose.


    Although the theory contained inaccuracies, it was a reasonable conjecture. After all, when compared to Luo Wen¡¯s untold billions of years in slumber, civilizations with histories of a mere million years seemed insignificant. When Luo Wen was playing in the metaphorical mud of this starfield, the ancestors of those civilizations were likely still in the earliest stages of evolution.


    Fortunately, the Ji had remained aloof as always. Although they were aware of the Swarm¡¯s existence, they showed no immediate interest in intervening.


    As for the outer civilizations, the notion of unity and mutual assistance was laughable. The older a civilization, the more tangled its web of relationships. Even if some were interested in the Swarm, their complex entanglements left them unable to act directly.


    In the short term, however, the Daqi civilization remained a persistent problem. As the nearest Interstellar Technological Confederation member to the Riken species, their invitation target was naturally the Rikens. Yet, the Third Prince Diallo¡¯s greed drove him to covet the secrets of the Swarm, resulting in the current awkward standoff.


    While the Confederation had provisions for failed invitations, no such cases had ever occurred in its history. Thus, they lacked clear rules for such scenarios. Additionally, strictly speaking, the Daqi hadn¡¯t outright failed; they were simply obstructed by the Swarm.


    At this point, honor outweighed practical interests. A genuine failure would tarnish the Daqi¡¯s reputation, marking them as the subject of ridicule in future discussions of Confederation history. What face would the Daqi have left if they became the first-ever failed inviters? sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No matter what, the Daqi wouldn¡¯t let this slide. They would undoubtedly return in greater force than before.


    ¡°Overlord, what should we do next? Should we retreat temporarily and relinquish the Rikens to them?¡±


    The intelligent entities, given their replication of memories from their prototypes, displayed a wide range of perspectives on matters¡ªhawks and doves, hardliners and moderates. Until Luo Wen issued his commands, they would propose strategies for the Swarm based on their individual viewpoints. Luo Wen¡¯s role was to carefully weigh these suggestions and make the final decision.


    The one who had just spoken was clearly a moderate, advocating for avoidance and concealment¡ªa strategy that epitomized Luo Wen¡¯s mastery of the ¡°art of cautious survival.¡±


    To the Swarm, the Riken species was merely a resource production base, one that was already nearing complete transformation. As long as the Rikens weren¡¯t annihilated in one swift strike, they posed little risk to the Swarm¡¯s overall interests.


    From this perspective, it seemed reasonable to cede the Rikens to the Daqi, allowing the Swarm to infiltrate the Interstellar Technological Confederation and gather more intelligence.


    After some consideration, Luo Wen shook his head. Deploying agents was indeed necessary, but not under such passive circumstances. If the conflict was only between the Swarm and the Daqi, a strategic retreat might have been acceptable.


    However, the Swarm had already drawn the attention of the Ji. This meant it had likely been flagged in the intelligence networks of the two hundred-plus outer civilizations within the Confederation.


    The Swarm¡¯s distinctive traits made it impossible to remain inconspicuous. Moreover, the Daqi weren¡¯t the Swarm¡¯s only neighbors¡ªother factions near the Rat Folk¡¯s territory were reportedly also eyeing the Swarm. If the Swarm retreated now, it might be devoured entirely, leaving nothing but bones.


    Thus, the Swarm needed to demonstrate strength. Any overreaching claws must be decisively broken, intimidating the surrounding hostile neighbors. Simultaneously, the Swarm would use the Confederation¡¯s rules to restrain the distant ancient powers, buying more time for development.


    ¡°Damn it, the Daqi¡¯s storage devices were destroyed, and their data was lost. If we had obtained the Daqi¡¯s complete star map, knowing the specific distribution of the Confederation¡¯s forces would have been critical for planning our next steps.¡± Luo Wen felt a pang of frustration as he thought of the Daqi warships that had been blown to pieces.


    Clearly, securing a star map during the next Daqi incursion was a priority. Fortunately, while Lumina lacked capabilities for direct network intrusion, the outer civilizations¡ªfearful and wary of Lumina¡ªhad imposed restrictions on the development and autonomy of artificial intelligence. Even the Daqi, who had only joined the Confederation a little over a millennium ago, were no exception.


    This widespread restraint on AI to some extent lowered the difficulty of obtaining intelligence.


    Even so, Luo Wen didn¡¯t yet have a clear plan, but at least this was a silver lining.


    The Daqi¡¯s forces would take time to regroup and return. Factoring in preparations and travel, it would likely take no less than twenty years.


    Luo Wen needed to use this period wisely to devise his next course of action. Furthermore, based on the intelligence provided by the Daqi¡¯s intelligent entities, certain aspects of the Swarm¡¯s previous deployments required targeted refinements.

 Chapter 380: Discovery

    The Daqi race was moving much slower than anticipated, and Luo Wen had already figured out the reason. An Intelligent Entity based on the prototype of a Daqi captain provided a crucial piece of information.


    It turned out that among the three peculiar vessels destroyed by the Swarm in their ambush within the asteroid belt, one of them was a highly significant Communications Vessel. Without the equipment aboard that ship, Prince Diallo of the Daqi Empire had to resort to conventional communication methods to request assistance from their race.


    However, conventional communication operates via directional broadcasting, which meant that even civilian devices could potentially intercept these signals. Although encrypted, should the encryption be cracked, the Daqi race would suffer a tremendous loss of face.


    Thus, the Daqi were unwilling to use this method. Furthermore, their proud Prince Diallo was most likely still struggling with whether to admit failure, which further delayed their actions.


    Luo Wen was quite pleased with this development. He even secretly leveraged his connections within the Riken network to discreetly supply the Daqi with food, helping them sustain themselves for a longer period.


    Ultimately, after five years of enduring hardships, Diallo¡¯s remaining fleet withdrew from the Riken star system under the watchful gaze of Observer Bugs. A small formation of ten warships separated from the main fleet, heading toward the Daqi Empire¡¯s territory, while the remaining ships floated quietly in the void, waiting in silence.


    Luo Wen deduced the situation immediately: Prince Diallo likely didn¡¯t dare return home. If he did, he¡¯d most likely become a scapegoat, with no chance of redemption. Staying behind might give him a slim opportunity to make amends for his failures. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, their supplies were insufficient to sustain the entire fleet¡¯s journey home. Diallo had truly held out until the fleet was utterly drained before being forced to request aid from his race. Among the ships left behind, very few conscious Daqi individuals remained. Most of them had entered cryogenic sleep.


    Although Luo Wen was aware of their location, he had no intention of launching an attack. The Daqi had set up numerous warning devices around their fleet, and their choice to remain in the void was to minimize interference. Even if a Primordial body stealth ship were launched toward them, it would be detected by their gravitational-wave radar.


    Given this, it was better not to alert them. Luo Wen chose to focus on developing his forces instead.


    According to standard calculations, a round trip for the Daqi fleet would take at least forty years. Theoretically, this was sufficient time, but Luo Wen wasn¡¯t so optimistic. After all, without the Communications Vessel, Diallo couldn¡¯t contact his race, and his race also had no way of reaching them. If a fleet remained silent for too long, it would inevitably provoke a response.


    Moreover, this star system was still under the surveillance of the Ji. While it was unclear where their communication devices were hidden, Luo Wen was certain they existed. If the Ji were to stir up trouble, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t be surprised.


    Reality indeed proved his concerns valid.


    Twenty years later¡ª


    ¡°Overlord, an alien fleet has been detected¡ªa large one.¡±


    Luo Wen closed his eyes slightly. At this juncture, the Daqi¡¯s reporting fleet should have just reached their territory. The issue wasn¡¯t with the Riken side.


    The problem lay at the other end of the Swarm¡¯s territory. A massive fleet was steadily approaching.


    ¡ª


    In the boundless universe, a massive spiral galaxy shimmered in the void, seemingly motionless, radiating brilliance¡ªbeautiful, magnificent, and awe-inspiring. Yet, if one could fast-forward millions or even billions of years at an immense speed, it would be evident that its three splendid spiral arms slowly revolved around the galactic center.


    Billions upon billions of stars adorned these spiral arms, arranged with perfect order. Zooming into the second spiral arm¡¯s outer edge, amidst countless twinkling stars, lay a particular one¡ªthe birthplace of the Swarm.


    Surrounding it were a circle of celestial companions, each bearing its own name. At the 11 o¡¯clock position were the bright twin stars of the Neighboring Star System; at 2 o¡¯clock was the Earth River System; at 3 o¡¯clock, the Black God System; at 5 o¡¯clock, the Red Ant System; near 6 o¡¯clock, the White Grub System; at 8 o¡¯clock, the Golden Horn System; and between 9 and 10 o¡¯clock, the Sandstorm System.


    The naming conventions reflected Luo Wen¡¯s distinctive style: simple, practical, and easy to understand.


    The Earth River System was named in memory of the underground dark river Luo Wen had traversed over months when he was still the size of a fingernail. The Black God System commemorated the Black-Armored War God. The Red Ant System needed no further explanation, while the White Grub System honored the first creatures to work for Luo Wen.


    The Golden Horn System was named after one of Luo Wen¡¯s favorite insects, a magnificent beetle with a dazzling golden shell. Luo Wen had even planned to adopt a similarly handsome appearance, but for various reasons, the plan was shelved. Despite this, the thought had always lingered in Luo Wen¡¯s mind.


    The Sandstorm System memorialized Luo Wen¡¯s first flight¡ªa perilous and thrilling journey. Without his extraordinary origins, he might not have survived. Though trivial in light of his current achievements, it had left an indelible mark on his young heart at the time.


    Since landing on the Yellow Moon, over two centuries had passed since the Swarm began their journey into the stars.


    Although the Neighboring Star System, being closest to the Genesis System, was prioritized for development and later became embroiled in a conflict with the Rikens due to the discovery of Godzilla, much of the Swarm¡¯s focus had been drawn there. Nevertheless, the Swarm had not abandoned exploration in other directions.


    Over the years, the Swarm had already expanded to all nearby adjacent star systems. However, limited by the number of Brood Nests and primary bodies at the time, their development was modest. This persisted until the Swarm Network evolved again, lifting the constraints imposed by the Brood Nests and primary bodies. Afterward, any node unit could mutate into a Brood Queen as long as there was sufficient energy.


    However, Luo Wen had already formed suspicions about the Watchers by then. Therefore, even though expansion was no longer restricted, most of the Swarm¡¯s forces in these star systems remained hidden beneath the rocky layers of geological planets.


    This approach continued until twenty years ago, when the Daqi Intelligent Entities appeared, bringing new revelations. These confirmed Luo Wen¡¯s hypotheses about the Watchers¡¯ identity. With careful consideration, numerous larval and small mature bodies were deployed and transported by the Primordial bodies to lie dormant near the inner orbits of nearby stars. Meanwhile, the already formidable Space Octopuses remained concealed.


    Although Luo Wen did not have a complete star map, the Daqi Intelligent Entities, particularly those who were formerly captains, provided him with a clearer understanding of their neighboring systems.


    The Swarm¡¯s location was considered extremely remote relative to the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    Systems such as Earth River and Black God, located behind the Genesis System, were already beyond the Confederation¡¯s sphere of influence. Further outward, the systems even fell into unclaimed starfields.


    However, systems like Sandstorm, Golden Horn, White Grub, and the Neighboring and Riken Systems were positioned toward the Confederation and bordered territories belonging to other alien races.

 Chapter 381: Troi

    Before discovering the Interstellar Technological Confederation, Luo Wen had already detected signs of life forms and activities in this direction.


    In earlier years, the Swarm launched countless Swarm Meteors in all directions. Even though most of them were destroyed on impact, advancements in launch technology and later the introduction of electromagnetic launch platforms significantly improved their survival rates.


    Some of the earlier-launched meteors, after prolonged journeys, traveled beyond the companion systems surrounding the Genesis System and ventured further outward, extending the Swarm Network along the way.


    Through observations, Luo Wen identified at least two different intelligent civilizations. However, as his main focus at the time was on the Neighboring and Riken Star Systems, and due to various limitations, the Swarm never made contact with these civilizations.


    Now, with information obtained from the Intelligent Entities, Luo Wen learned that the civilizations in that direction all belonged to the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    The alien fleet discovered this time came from the outer regions of the White Grub System. They had just entered the Swarm Network¡¯s surveillance range when they were promptly spotted by the Observer Bugs.


    Judging from their battleship designs, it was clear that, like the Riken and Daqi civilizations, this fleet primarily followed a mechanical technology path, influenced by Ji ships. While the designs were broadly similar, their paint schemes displayed more distinct differences.


    Based on images captured from multiple angles by the Observer Bugs and computations by the biocomputers, this fleet numbered around 200,000 ships. This was a massive force, even by the vast standards of the interstellar void, representing a truly colossal gathering. If a conflict broke out, the scale of war would far surpass any previous battle the Swarm had experienced.


    ¡°What an enormous undertaking!¡± Luo Wen exclaimed.


    Forget the logistics of assembling a fleet of 200,000 ships and the manpower and resources required; the daily consumption of food and energy alone would be staggering. Even just constructing such a fleet would demand an unfathomable amount of time and resources.


    When the Riken civilization, occupying an entire star system, spent decades building their fleet, they only managed to produce just over 2,000 ships. Although their relatively backward technology and the simultaneous construction of other defensive facilities contributed to this low number, it still offered a sense of perspective on what 200,000 ships represented.


    According to information from the Daqi Intelligent Entities, the Daqi, who control three star systems, have taken thousands of years to build their fleet, which still falls short of 200,000 ships. After all, maintaining these mechanical constructs incurs enormous costs in later upkeep. Without significant resources, even maintaining a small number is a challenge.


    Such comparisons underscored the staggering power of this newly revealed civilization.


    However, Luo Wen was not entirely unfamiliar with this civilization. Interestingly, this civilization shared a historical connection with the Daqi Empire. When the Daqi first joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation, it was this civilization that extended the invitation.


    At that time, the Daqi¡¯s fleet was decimated by a single wave of attacks from the Crimson Kiss, after which many of their talents and resources were plundered¡ªa significant loss for them.


    Of course, this was the ¡°proper¡± way to issue an invitation. Every civilization that later joined the Confederation underwent the same process.


    Although that invitation ceremony occurred thousands of years ago and relations between the two civilizations seemed to have improved, the lingering animosity was evident, particularly from the words of the Daqi third prince, who harbored deep resentment. Such enmities, buried deep in the bones, are not easily resolved.


    As for this civilization, known as Troi, its territory was located at a considerable distance from the Swarm, separated by at least one other species¡¯ domain. Why had they taken the stage now? Clearly, something unknown to Luo Wen had transpired.


    ¡°Overlord, what should we do? The target of their fleet is unequivocally us.¡±


    Indeed, the Troi fleet was now only separated from the Genesis System by the Golden Horn System, which lacked any habitable planets. For the Troi civilization, it was merely a mining system. Even if they planned to establish a colony, deploying 200,000 warships seemed entirely unnecessary.


    According to information from the Daqi Intelligent Entities, the Troi civilization controlled nearly twenty star systems and had a civilization history approaching 100,000 years.


    Among the Outer-ring civilizations, they were considered a true behemoth. Yet, their total fleet strength was approximately 500,000 warships, and committing 40% of that force at once was no trivial matter.


    These warships were normally dispersed across more than ten star systems, guarding an extremely long frontier while also maintaining internal security. Despite the Troi civilization¡¯s formidable power, over the years, they had committed numerous unscrupulous acts.


    Take the Daqi Empire, for example¡ªif given the opportunity, they would undoubtedly strike back without hesitation.


    The New Ji Race understood that even ancient grudges could eventually fade with time. Only through occasional clashes could the memories of such grievances be reinforced and hatred solidified. Therefore, they amended several rules to allow for conflicts below a certain scale.


    The Ji Race would not intervene in such cases, claiming to grant greater autonomy to other races to resolve disputes on their own.


    Not only did they refrain from preventing such conflicts, but they also secretly incited and encouraged them. Over the last hundreds of thousands of years, more than 80% of the conflicts within the Interstellar Technological Confederation were fueled by their machinations.


    For Troi, committing 40% of their military strength was already their upper limit. Any further mobilization could lead to vulnerabilities within their territories.


    ¡°They haven¡¯t entered the Golden Horn System.¡±


    ¡°Are they planning to bypass the Golden Horn System and the White Grub System?¡±


    ¡°Do they intend to launch a direct attack on the Genesis System?¡± Several Intelligent Entities exclaimed in astonishment while reviewing the intelligence alongside Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen shook his head. The fact that this civilization had managed to thrive in the Outer-ring, amidst a host of rival forces, was undoubtedly no stroke of luck. Furthermore, mobilizing nearly half of their fleet meant that the leader of this operation would certainly not be someone as flawed in character as the Daqi Crown Prince.


    Given this, they must possess a certain level of understanding about the Swarm.


    Much of the Swarm¡¯s forces were currently stationed at solar orbital positions in a state of inactivity. With minimal effort, this could be scouted. If the Troi fleet were to brazenly traverse the space between the Golden Horn System and the White Grub System, they would effectively hand the initiative over to the Swarm.


    Should they truly enter the Genesis System and a battle breaks out, they would find themselves surrounded by Swarm forces from the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, White Grub, and Genesis Systems. If pinned down, Swarm forces from the Neighboring and Red Ant Systems could also arrive to reinforce.


    Although the Swarm¡¯s development period was relatively short and the number of star systems they occupied was fewer than that of the Troi civilization, the Swarm¡¯s population had no ¡°non-combatants.¡±


    To say every member was a combat unit would not be an exaggeration. Coupled with their rapid hatching speed and exceptional resource efficiency, their strength was formidable.


    Currently, even the number of Primordial bodies exceeding 500 meters was astonishingly high. And within the Swarm¡¯s liberally constructed strongholds, numerous megastructures had been established.


    To be frank, the Troi civilization¡¯s plan to challenge the Swarm¡¯s stronghold with a fleet of 200,000 warships seemed insufficient by any measure. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 382: General Viller

    Luo Wen¡¯s suspicions were correct. The Troi fleet halted its advance between the White Grub System and the Golden Horn System. The fleet set up camp, and a formation of a hundred warships emerged from the main force, heading toward the Genesis System.


    As these warships accelerated, the surrounding starlight seemed to distort, giving the entire formation an ethereal and fleeting appearance.


    To those unaware, it might appear as some sort of advanced cloaking technology, but the Swarm understood the truth. This was a result of the special engines on the Troi warships, capable of pushing their speeds beyond the speed of light, creating this unique phenomenon.


    Although the Troi civilization was an ancient power among the Outer-ring civilizations, their use of Warp Drives was relatively recent¡ªwithin the past ten thousand years. Only the newer warships were equipped with this advanced technology, while the older models still relied on sub-light propulsion systems.


    In this expeditionary fleet of 200,000 ships, less than 20% were equipped with Warp Drives. This was why their cruising speed remained below the speed of light, allowing them to be monitored by the Observer Bugs¡¯ conventional optical surveillance.


    ¡°What are they trying to do?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? A lone detachment¡ªthis is a negotiation tactic.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. By showcasing their Warp Drives, they aim to intimidate us and gain the upper hand in negotiations.¡±


    The Blades buzzed with discussion. Following several successful battles and the conversion of numerous prisoners from the Riken and Daqi civilizations, the ranks of the Blades had grown significantly.


    Unlike the relatively inexperienced Rat Folk, the Intelligent Entities of these two civilizations were battle-hardened. The Daqi, in particular, boasted several warship captains with extensive real-world experience, greatly enhancing the Blades¡¯ strategic capabilities.


    Listening to their analysis, Luo Wen nodded in agreement. The Troi likely believed the Swarm had never encountered Warp Drives before. By showcasing this technology, they intended to deliver a veiled threat, subtly implying a technological gap and raising their negotiating leverage.


    ¡ª


    ¡°General Viller, do we really need to be so cautious? With our combat capabilities, wiping out a low-level civilization should be a walk in the park.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Mobilizing such a massive force for mere negotiations won¡¯t even cover the expedition¡¯s expenses.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! That Rat Folk civilization might be negligible, but the Swarm is an entirely different story. You¡¯ve all seen their data. If we recklessly charge in and suffer heavy losses, who will bear the responsibility?!¡±


    In stark contrast to the molten-faced, tri-eyed Daqi, the Troi civilization¡¯s appearance was somewhat easier to accept. Their skin had a dark bronze hue with a distinctive metallic sheen. Both men and women were exceptionally robust, towering over two meters tall with sharply defined, massive muscles. Their imposing physique exuded an overwhelming aura.


    At the center of the Troi fleet, a disc-shaped warship with a diameter exceeding 5,000 meters was surrounded by numerous cylindrical warships, each around 3,000 meters long.


    This flagship, protected by the formation, served as the command center for the expeditionary fleet. With the fleet temporarily stationed, the flagship hosted a gathering of Troi officers engaged in a heated debate.


    Unlike the Riken civilization, which had struggled to fully develop even one star system and was fractured into countless factions, the Troi civilization governed nearly twenty star systems and boasted a population of nearly 200 billion. Their vast territories and immense population were several times that of the Riken.


    However, this massive mobilization had drawn warships from across multiple systems, exacerbating the already intricate web of factions within the Troi civilization. Relations were complex¡ªfriends of friends, enemies of friends, friends of enemies, and enemies of enemies, all interconnected in ways that defied comprehension.


    As the highest-ranking commander of this expeditionary fleet, General Viller found himself with a throbbing headache as he observed the chaotic scene in the meeting room. Attempting to mediate their disputes or untangle their relationships would only invite trouble.


    Although General Viller held immense authority, inserting himself as a peacemaker among these fractious groups would likely make him the target of endless grievances. Thus, he maintained an aloof stance, letting them argue freely. After all, there was little else to do at the moment¡ªhe might as well enjoy the spectacle.


    Listening to the discussions, Viller couldn¡¯t help but inwardly ridicule the situation. ¡®If this fleet of 200,000 warships could operate as a single cohesive unit, I might even consider engaging the Swarm head-on to gain better leverage. But given the current state of things, we¡¯d just be walking into a slaughter.¡¯


    Of course, for the sake of maintaining camaraderie among his subordinates, Viller kept his true thoughts to himself. Instead, he shot a subtle glance at one of his aides. Picking up on the cue, the aide immediately countered the argument, redirecting the room¡¯s attention and sparing Viller from having to intervene directly.


    Viller nodded in satisfaction, silently noting a merit for the subordinate who had spoken. However, he hadn¡¯t expected the others to refuse to back down.


    ¡°So what if they¡¯re peculiar? No matter how strange they are, they¡¯re still mere flesh and blood. How could they possibly contend with our steel warships?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Biotech is inherently flawed. Its structural integrity cannot compare to mechanical technology.¡±


    ¡°But their numbers, fault tolerance, and repair capabilities far exceed those of our path, making them a formidable force.¡± This response came from one of Viller¡¯s direct subordinates, who, judging by his uniform, held the rank of major general.


    It wasn¡¯t surprising, though, as the meeting was of the highest level, and only those with at least brigadier general rank were permitted entry.


    ¡°Hmph, trash in great numbers is still trash!¡± the Troi officer sneered dismissively. He was a lieutenant general with strong backing from a faction, showing no hesitation in challenging the subordinate of the expedition¡¯s supreme commander.


    ¡°The Daqi thought the same, and yet they still slinked away in disgrace.¡± The incident with the Daqi Third Prince, despite many precautionary measures to conceal it, had leaked out. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the Ji Race expressed interest in the Swarm, intelligence organizations from countless factions had been monitoring the situation. Although they couldn¡¯t observe the battlefield firsthand, they had pieced together a rough account of the events through various channels. Among older civilizations, the details were practically common knowledge.


    ¡°Two thousand warships, despite flawed intelligence and leadership errors, managed to hold out for so long and only lost half their fleet. Was that some kind of game to you?¡±


    ¡°And you conveniently ignore that the Swarm had no intelligence either and lost more than half their forces at the start. We don¡¯t have a ¡®Crimson Kiss¡¯ to use as an invitation tool this time, you know.¡± This rebuttal didn¡¯t come from one of Viller¡¯s subordinates but from another lieutenant general, who actively joined the escalating argument.


    ¡°So what? If even garbage like the Daqi could go toe-to-toe with the Swarm using the forces of a single star system, then with our strength, we wouldn¡¯t need the Crimson Kiss to crush them¡ªwe could do it with sheer force alone!¡± The opposing lieutenant general¡¯s aggression was on full display.


    ¡°Are you truly that dense, or are you pretending to be? The Riken System was barely touched by the Swarm¡¯s influence at the time, and now we¡¯re heading straight for their main base. The forces we¡¯ll face there, in both quantity and quality, are on an entirely different level.¡±

 Chapter 383: Quarrel

    The Troi officer¡¯s statement wasn¡¯t entirely wrong. Over the past few years, the Swarm had rapidly deployed a massive number of combat units across several nearby star systems. After nearly two decades of dormancy in solar orbital positions, these units had now fully matured. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    According to the Ji Race¡¯s latest intelligence, the Swarm had relatively few 3,000 meter class combat units comparable in size to conventional warships, most of which were concentrated in the Genesis System.


    However, the number of combat units exceeding 500 meters had surpassed ten million. Coupled with the Swarm¡¯s ¡°bad habit¡± of hiding assets within planetary interiors, their concealed strength was virtually impossible to predict.


    Had the Daqi possessed this more accurate and reliable information back then, they likely wouldn¡¯t have dared to showcase the ¡°Crimson Kiss¡± as an invitation tool.


    ¡°We hold a speed advantage. We can conduct guerrilla tactics, wear them down, and eliminate them piece by piece. Even if we can¡¯t directly harm them, we can force them to consolidate, slowing their development,¡± proposed another lieutenant general.


    This officer appeared to have carefully studied the Swarm and offered a strategy that, while devious, could indeed cause some trouble for them if implemented.


    Viller considered the suggestion seriously but ultimately rejected the tempting plan. The complex environments within star systems, coupled with the unknown limits of the Swarm¡¯s capabilities, rendered such an approach too risky. Neither the Riken nor the Daqi civilizations had been able to push the Swarm to its full potential.


    What other surprises the Swarm might have¡ªlike the sudden introduction of their energy cannons, which had decisively turned the tide in past battles¡ªremained an unsettling mystery.


    Viller, holding a prestigious position, wasn¡¯t willing to gamble. Losing the wager would be a minor issue compared to jeopardizing his life and reputation in the process.


    Moreover, this operation was clearly influenced by the Ji Race, who were notorious for their hidden agendas. Whatever motives they harbored this time were undoubtedly self-serving. Their intentions, however, were relatively transparent: since neither the Riken nor the Daqi could determine the Swarm¡¯s limits, they sought to send a stronger adversary to probe further.


    But the Troi Empire wasn¡¯t particularly eager to serve as this ¡°adversary.¡±


    What puzzled Viller even more was why the Ji Race, given their apparent interest in the Swarm, refused to engage directly.


    Although the Interstellar Technological Confederation was rife with internal conflicts, real authority ultimately stemmed from raw strength. The Ji Race was incredibly powerful. Even if the Swarm¡¯s capabilities were multiplied tenfold or a hundredfold, they still wouldn¡¯t be a match for the Ji Race.


    While the Ji Race claimed to abstain due to protections for nascent civilizations within the Confederation, Viller dismissed this justification with scorn. In inter-civilizational dealings, strength was the only truth that mattered. If the Ji Race truly wanted to act, they could easily fabricate a pretext to bypass these rules¡ªthey¡¯d done it before.


    Once they acted and cemented the results, no other civilization would challenge the galaxy¡¯s strongest faction to defend a primitive race. The reality was harsh: weakness was the original sin, and every civilization should accept this truth.


    The Swarm itself wasn¡¯t innocent, either. It seemed to have emerged out of nowhere, with a technological trajectory utterly alien to the norms of established civilizations. If the Ji Race decided to intervene, the rest of the Confederation would simply follow behind, hoping to scavenge benefits. No one would protest.


    However, the Ji Race¡¯s continued behind-the-scenes maneuvering was deeply unsettling. They were undoubtedly withholding some critical, possibly decisive, information about the Swarm. This secrecy amplified Viller¡¯s apprehension.


    The officers now arguing in the conference room were at least brigadier generals, each one a veteran of hard-fought battles. The brainless ones had long since died on the battlefield. Viller trusted that, after reviewing the intelligence, most of them could reach the same conclusions.


    That said, the one who had started the commotion was indeed among the minority¡ªarrogant and foolish to a fault. This was why Viller had instructed his subordinates to shut him down, hoping it would silence him.


    Viller had underestimated the sheer arrogance of that particular officer. However, as the argument escalated, it became clear that the newcomers joining the fray were far more cunning.


    None of them truly wished to probe the Swarm¡¯s full strength, but they naturally split into two camps and escalated the dispute¡ªnot to alleviate boredom, but with calculated intent.


    Even within Viller¡¯s own faction, there were varying degrees of loyalty, to say nothing of a 200,000-strong fleet drawn from over a dozen star systems. While everyone was content with the current status quo, plans never kept pace with changes in reality.


    If circumstances shifted and they truly had to engage the Swarm in battle, who would take the vanguard? Who would handle the riskiest missions?


    As the highest commander of the expedition, Viller¡¯s faction and its close allies were undoubtedly pleased with their positions. However, those less aligned¡ªor even hostile¡ªwere likely feeling uneasy. It was only natural for them to worry about being sent to bear the brunt of danger.


    Faced with potential future risks, it was better for these factions to act preemptively. Everyone was fully aware of the fleet¡¯s intricate web of relationships. By continuously creating friction and conflict, they could make Viller¡¯s position increasingly difficult. Undermining his authority and portraying him as unfit for command would help justify any future acts of insubordination.


    This was an open scheme¡ªone they didn¡¯t fear Viller uncovering.


    Viller shook his head with a wry smile. It was a situation with no easy resolution. Even if he managed to resolve this particular dispute, the underlying tensions would persist, and these people would inevitably stir up new trouble.


    Still, he understood their motivations. It was all about survival and power. If their roles were reversed, he admitted he might be causing just as much trouble. In his younger years, when he¡¯d been clawing his way up the ranks, he¡¯d been a master of such tactics.


    For now, all he could do was hope the mission would proceed smoothly, that no unexpected disasters would arise, and that everyone would complete their tasks peacefully. A win-win situation, with no one needing to be burdened with undue stress, was his ideal outcome.


    ¡°While we have a speed advantage, we lack range superiority. Additionally, aside from their solar orbital bases, most of the Swarm¡¯s other bases are hidden underground on their planets. Unless we destroy the planets themselves, it¡¯s nearly impossible to completely wipe out their forces. Meanwhile, their solar orbital bases are heavily fortified. They don¡¯t even need to match our speed¡ªby simply defending, they could nullify our advantage.¡±


    ¡°But we could still isolate them, cutting them off and turning their bases into islands.¡±


    ¡°Are you an idiot? Even if you isolate them, can you wipe them out entirely? And do you think the Swarm operates like us, requiring logistical support? They can just sit in their solar orbital positions and continuously grow stronger through division and evolution. Isolating them does nothing¡ªthey don¡¯t even want to come out!¡±


    ¡°True. According to the intelligence, the Swarm is incredibly reclusive. Without military provocation, they can remain in their bases for decades or even centuries without needing to interact.¡±


    ¡°Interact? With what? The units out there are all bioweapons. Bioweapons don¡¯t need to interact! The real Swarm leaders are hiding who-knows-where. Even with the Ji Race¡¯s resources, they still haven¡¯t located them. Unless we find and eliminate those hidden entities, destroying countless bioweapons will mean nothing!¡±


    Watching the heated arguments, Viller adjusted his mindset and relaxed. Let them argue, he thought. It¡¯s something to do, and it keeps them busy.


    For now, he saw no harm in letting them vent¡ªit was as good a way as any to pass the time.

 Chapter 384: Warp Drive

    The vast army of the Troi Empire appeared to be bearing down on the Genesis System, but in reality, they were still nearly eight light-years away.


    However, their warp drives were indeed impressive. These drives were based on the main engine technology found aboard the ¡°Treasure Starship¡± unearthed years ago by the Rikens, a ship originally planted by the Ji Race. It was a system they had never fully understood.


    Warp drives represented an advanced application of gravitational technology. By converting energy into gravity, the drives distorted space, compressing it ahead of the spacecraft and expanding it behind.


    The axis of this distortion determined the ship¡¯s direction of travel. Within this configuration, the ship traveled along a stable zone of flat spacetime called a ¡°warp bubble,¡± effectively riding a wave of spatial distortion.


    From the perspective of the warp bubble, the spacecraft was stationary relative to its local flat spacetime. It was the bubble itself that moved, circumventing the conventional limitation that an object cannot exceed the speed of light within its local frame.


    Years ago, the Troi Empire had also unearthed a Ji Race ship, but the experience had been akin to a calculated ploy. Like a tantalizing bait-and-switch, the Troi were allowed to ¡°toy with¡± the ship for a few days, enough to spark their curiosity, only for it to be taken back. If they truly wanted to unlock the secrets of the warp drive, they¡¯d need to pay a steep price.


    For the Ji Race, this price was measured in points¡ªastronomical sums accumulated through massive contributions of scientific manpower and resources.


    In the early days after being ¡°invited¡± to join the Confederation and suffering their first major losses, the Troi civilization retained a great deal of vigor. Fueled by resentment, they believed they could crack warp drive technology on their own, using the data they had collected from studying the Treasure Starship.


    However, warp drives represented a critical technological watershed, defining whether a civilization could expand across multiple star systems while maintaining stability. Even the inherently gifted Ji Race had struggled with this technology for tens of thousands of years, plunging their civilization into a ¡°Dark Age¡± that severely weakened them.


    Even with the physical drive system as a reference, reproducing it was far from straightforward.


    Moreover, the so-called ¡°Treasure Starship¡± was nothing more than a seductive trap. The original Ji Race would never so easily give away their technology for free. While the drives were designed to be nearly impossible to reverse-engineer, there was always a slim chance¡ªso the bait was poisoned.


    The warp drive on the ship was a high-quality imitation, representing one of the many dead ends the Ji Race had encountered during their development process. Any civilization attempting to reverse-engineer it would only stray further from the true path.


    Almost every external civilization had fallen into this trap¡ªnot just the Troi. Each one believed they were uniquely brilliant, determined to solve the mystery on their own. But after wasting years of time and enormous resources, they ultimately had to face reality. Only after paying a colossal price to purchase the genuine technology did they realize they¡¯d been duped.


    The Troi were no exception to this pattern.


    At this moment, the Troi Empire¡¯s greatest desire was to crush the Ji Race. However, the vast disparity in strength left them with no choice but to endure, silently nursing their hatred. The Ji Race, of course, had no intention of directly drawing this hostility toward themselves.


    As more civilizations fell victim to the Ji Race¡¯s schemes, attitudes among those who had already been deceived began to shift under the Ji Race¡¯s subtle manipulation. Each time a new civilization got caught in the trap, the older victims found themselves taking a certain malicious pleasure in their suffering.


    A twisted dynamic emerged¡ªhaving paid the price themselves, these older civilizations felt compelled to ensure that others also bore the same cost. Over time, the Ji Race no longer needed to intervene. These early victims would actively maintain the cycle of exploitation.


    After the original Ji Race disappeared, the successor New Ji Race naturally continued this ¡°fine tradition¡± in its entirety.


    The impact of this trap on civilizations was enormous. Even a long-established power like the Troi Empire, with a history spanning nearly 100,000 years, had only managed to exchange for the warp drive technology about 10,000 years ago. This alone illustrated how ruinous the scheme truly was.


    What the Troi acquired was merely the basic warp drive technology. Meanwhile, with the contributions of hundreds of alien researchers over millennia, the Ji Race had refined the technology to incredibly advanced levels. However, they would never offer the complete solution up front. Instead, they divided it into multiple tiers, each requiring astronomical investments to obtain. It was an insatiable sinkhole of resources.


    Civilizations tens of thousands or even over 100,000 years older than the Troi found themselves at similar levels of technological advancement in this area, which made the difficulty of further exchanges all the more apparent.


    Even so, obtaining even the basic warp drive technology represented a massive leap forward. It was a critical breakthrough that elevated the entire civilization¡¯s technological level.


    With it, the Troi could increase their warship speeds from sub-light levels to twice the speed of light. For comparison, while the Daqi Empire needed more than a decade to travel from the outer regions of the Golden Horn and White Grub Systems to the Genesis System, the Troi fleet¡¯s detachment achieved the journey in just four years.


    This was the difference warp drives made.


    In the detachment of 100 warships traveling faster than light, personnel emerging from cryosleep began to awaken. Two muscular Troi stood on the bridge¡ªone in front and one slightly behind.


    ¡°Major General Bular, do you think this mission will go smoothly?¡± The latter, a female Troi with a concerned expression, suddenly spoke in a soft, incongruous voice that didn¡¯t match her imposing physique.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Kayi. The fact that we¡¯ve traveled this far unimpeded already reflects the Swarm¡¯s intentions,¡± Bular replied firmly, turning to pat the slightly shorter female officer behind him.


    She was his adjutant, and while she too was a towering figure with prominent muscles and a well-developed chest, she was considered a stunning beauty by Troi standards.


    Hearing his words, Kayi¡¯s chiseled face betrayed her surprise. ¡°Major General, we¡¯re traveling at faster-than-light speeds. While the basic warp drive technology still has some flaws, aren¡¯t the Swarm just a primitive civilization? They probably can¡¯t even detect us, can they?¡±


    Bular nodded. ¡°You¡¯re correct, Kayi. Based on the data, that should indeed be the case. While they¡¯re numerous, they haven¡¯t demonstrated higher-level technological capabilities, so logically, they¡¯re not a threat. Yet, for some reason, I have a feeling they can detect and intercept us. You know how accurate my instincts are¡ªthey¡¯ve saved us multiple times.¡±


    Kayi furrowed her brow. ¡°While I find it hard to believe a primitive civilization could achieve this, I trust your instincts, Major General. However, if your hunch is correct, it means our opponent is even more formidable, and this mission will be even more dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Kayi,¡± Bular said with a faint smile, ¡°as I mentioned earlier, if my instincts are right, they indeed have the capability to intercept us. But the fact that they haven¡¯t acted means they¡¯re willing to talk. I suspect they¡¯ve received information about the Confederation from the Daqi, but those fools likely mixed truth with lies. The Swarm probably wants to learn more through us, which is why we¡¯ll remain safe.¡± S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 385: Bular

    Though Bular spoke with confidence, even with a firm grasp of the situation, he couldn¡¯t help feeling a hint of unease until the task was fully accomplished. Of course, such apprehension was something he would never show outwardly.


    This mission was one he had volunteered for, and at less than a century old, Bular had already been promoted to the rank of major general¡ªa rare achievement at his age.


    To continue advancing, however, there were only two viable paths: gaining seniority or achieving great merit. Bular was highly ambitious, aspiring to climb even higher, and therefore saw no value in simply waiting to accumulate seniority.


    The Troi Empire, though a powerful force within the Outer-ring civilizations, was generally stable despite having a few enemies and latent threats, leaving few opportunities for major accomplishments.


    This mission to ¡°invite¡± the Rat Folk and Swarm into the Confederation was just such an opportunity. However, General Viller, the supreme commander of the expedition, decided against using the traditional coercive methods of invitation this time, opting instead for a genuine diplomatic approach.


    While Bular understood Viller¡¯s reasoning, it dashed his hopes of earning distinction through a triumphant military engagement. Forced to take a different route to success, Bular seized on the chance to distinguish himself.


    At the time, General Viller sought an envoy of sufficient status to act as a liaison. Yet such a task¡ªdeep behind enemy lines¡ªwas one of the riskiest imaginable. Failure could easily mean death. While successful completion promised substantial recognition, the danger dissuaded most candidates, especially those of high rank who had little to gain and everything to lose.


    As Viller continually raised the stakes, Bular stepped forward. Though his rank as brigadier general at the time technically fell short of the status ideal for this mission, in the absence of higher-ranked volunteers, Bular became the only viable choice.


    Promoted to major general even before departing, Bular considered this a preemptive reward for the merits he was expected to earn, elevating his position to make him a more suitable representative.


    In fact, Viller had initially proposed awarding Bular the full merits of the mission in advance, promoting him directly to lieutenant general.


    This would not only reflect the Troi Empire¡¯s respect for the diplomatic exchange but also acknowledge the mission¡¯s inherent dangers¡ªmany doubted Bular would even survive to return. However, this plan met with fierce opposition and was ultimately shelved.


    Despite this, Bular was more than satisfied. Opportunities to rise two ranks above major general were exceedingly rare, and such missions were virtually one in a million. Though the mission appeared perilous, Bular¡¯s analysis and instincts led him to believe the risks were not as high as they seemed.


    Once the fleet departed, he remained on edge, prepared to flee at the first sign of trouble. Better to face a military tribunal than lose his life. Yet as the detachment passed uneventfully through the outer regions of the Golden Horn and White Grub Systems, his confidence grew. It seemed the odds were in his favor.


    The primary limitation of the basic warp drive technology was its instability. The warp bubble it generated lacked sufficient stability, making it highly susceptible to external interference. Interception was relatively straightforward: an unstable gravitational field generated ahead of the ship¡¯s trajectory could disrupt the warp bubble, either forcing the warship out of warp or, in severe cases, disintegrating it entirely.


    However, while the concept seemed simple, execution required advanced technology. First, the ability to detect fleets traveling within warp bubbles was essential¡ªif you couldn¡¯t even ¡°see¡± them, interception was out of the question.


    Second, the ability to precisely calculate their trajectory and position was critical. Due to differences in warp drive technology across civilizations¡ªand even between production stages and manufacturing facilities within the same civilization¡ªeach engine¡¯s performance varied. These disparities made prediction and interception exceedingly complex.


    For Bular, this variability was a small reassurance. Unless the Swarm had achieved parity with warp drive technology, they couldn¡¯t intercept the fleet, and thus far, intelligence suggested the Swarm lacked such capabilities.


    However, the possibility of encountering the unexpected always loomed, and Bular¡¯s instincts¡ªthough often reliable¡ªleft room for doubt. Nevertheless, as the detachment drew closer to their destination, he allowed himself a measure of cautious optimism.


    If a warship¡¯s speed cannot be precisely calculated, determining its position becomes meaningless. Describing this as ¡°missing by a mile¡± wouldn¡¯t even begin to capture the issue¡ªat speeds measured in light-years per hour, a warship could travel millions of kilometers in the blink of an eye.


    Even after pinpointing a target¡¯s location, successfully attacking it remains a monumental challenge. One approach is to set up a trap by calculating the ship¡¯s trajectory in advance. However, this requires the trap to be highly concealed; if the target detects it even slightly ahead of time, the warship can make a minor course adjustment, and within seconds, it will deviate by tens or even hundreds of thousands of kilometers from its original path.


    To account for such potential deviations, the trap would need either a massive range or immense destructive power. Yet, such measures would inherently compromise its stealth, creating a paradoxical challenge.


    The alternative is direct interception, the preferred method in advanced civilization warfare. This approach relies on a technological advantage¡ªfor instance, if Party A¡¯s warship travels at twice the speed of light, but Party B¡¯s gravitational bombs can move at three times the speed of light, Party B can catch up with Party A¡¯s ship and force it to exit its warp bubble.


    Thus, the ease of interference only applies to the technologically superior side. As technological advancements continue, the weaker side may find themselves unable even to escape when faced with overwhelming superiority.


    However, this doesn¡¯t mean the technologically inferior side has no chance against a superior foe. Before warp drive technology reaches a certain maturity, star systems remain challenging terrain due to their numerous gravitational sources, which serve as natural interference traps.  Unstable warp bubbles are highly fragile in the presence of such gravitational forces.


    In such environments, if the weaponry of both sides is somewhat evenly matched, the technologically weaker side still has a fighting chance. Of course, if the stronger side¡¯s capabilities are vastly superior¡ªsuch as resolving all issues of warp bubble stability¡ªtheir warships can maintain high speeds even within a star system, leaving the weaker side utterly outclassed.


    Yet Bular couldn¡¯t shake a lingering doubt. The Swarm was unlikely to have reached such an advanced level of warp drive technology, yet his intuition insisted they could intercept Troi warships traveling within warp bubbles.


    Though he had great confidence in his instincts, he knew that if this guess was wrong, the mission¡¯s true challenge would come next. Clearing this hurdle would be crucial to ensuring the success of the operation.


    As the Troi fleet neared the asteroid belt at the outskirts of the Genesis System, the ships exited their warp bubbles of their own accord. This was not only to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings but also because Troi¡¯s basic warp technology was incapable of functioning properly within star systems. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This marked the mission¡¯s second major hurdle. In the sub-light speed environment of the star system, their fleet lacked a firepower advantage and was outnumbered. Even with a slight speed advantage, they could easily be encircled by the Swarm¡¯s massive forces.


    Whether the Swarm truly intended to negotiate or not would soon become evident.


    As the Troi warships slowed down and cautiously passed through the asteroid belt, they silenced all weapon and radar systems.


    Bular was gambling, knowing full well that this move cost them some face. But in another civilization¡¯s territory, keeping weapons charged and indiscriminately sweeping with radar would be an egregious breach of etiquette, potentially viewed as outright provocation.


    If they genuinely wanted to negotiate, it was better to adopt the most humble posture possible.


    For Bular, the priority was completing the mission and returning home alive¡ªany loss of pride in the process was a small price to pay.

 Chapter 386: Encryption

    Shutting down the weapons systems was one thing, but deactivating the radar system was an entirely different matter. It was akin to venturing blindfolded into an enemy stronghold, essentially surrendering one¡¯s fate.


    If the enemy approached with a weapon in hand, you wouldn¡¯t even realize it until it was too late. What good was speed in such a situation?


    If the Swarm harbored any ill intentions, Bular and his fleet would likely meet their end here.


    ¡°Major General, do you think the Swarm has detected us?¡± Kayi¡¯s usually resolute face now bore an expression of deep worry, her thick black eyebrows curving in uncharacteristic distress.


    Bular shot Kayi an annoyed glance, visibly displeased. He was beginning to regret his earlier decision to fast-track her promotion to adjutant. At the time, her exceptional beauty and outstanding capabilities had impressed him. However, it was only now that he realized her mental fortitude left much to be desired.


    The situation was already tense enough, and Bular¡¯s legs were trembling slightly beneath his stoic exterior. Maintaining an air of calm was draining all his energy¡ªhe simply didn¡¯t have the bandwidth to console someone else.


    ¡°Kayi, stop asking meaningless questions,¡± he snapped, his tone sharp. ¡°Respecting our opponent is respecting ourselves. If the Swarm, in their home base, cannot detect us after we exited the warp bubble, then what reason do we have for even being here?¡±


    Chastened by Bular¡¯s rebuke, Kayi flushed with embarrassment. Despite her striking appearance by Troi standards, she was far from useless. Quickly, she engaged in self-reflection and worked to adjust her mindset.


    As time passed, the fleet drew closer to the Swarm¡¯s outermost base. Observing the majority of Swarm units remaining in dormancy and seeing only a small, non-aggressive force intercepting them, Bular finally let out a breath of relief.


    His confidence rapidly grew. The Swarm remained an enigmatic entity, and even the powerful Ji Race hadn¡¯t managed to uncover their true form. If Bular could simply lay eyes on a real member of the Swarm and return alive to provide a detailed sketch, it would already be an impressive feat.


    The approaching units were classic examples of the Swarm¡¯s biological weaponry, well-documented in the Confederation¡¯s records. The Swarm seemed particularly fond of this type of design.


    In fact, many alien researchers had concluded that the octopus-like shape was an extremely efficient combat configuration.


    According to the data, these units were primarily composed of soft materials, providing excellent defense against physical impacts. Their surface contained special compounds capable of weakening and reflecting energy-based weaponry, giving them significant resistance to energy attacks.


    Additionally, their flexible tentacles allowed for multidirectional movement, enabling exceptional agility in confined spaces. The tentacles also offered formidable melee combat capabilities. With the exception of relatively weaker long-range firepower and endurance, these units had no major flaws.


    This had been vividly demonstrated when ten or so Daqi warships, spread out in formation, had barely managed to hold their ground against over a hundred 500 meter octopus units. But when a handful of these units managed to close the distance, supported by smaller Swarm units, the Daqi found themselves in utter disarray. Without timely reinforcements, the fleet might have been annihilated entirely.


    This footage had shocked the alien civilizations with access to it. For most of them, space battles were contests of massive fleets exchanging long-range artillery fire. Even at close quarters, their tactics didn¡¯t deviate much, perhaps supplemented by attacks from fighter or drone swarms.


    The Swarm, however, had introduced a novel element: melee combat. In a field dominated by long-range bombardments, their ability to ¡°engage in close-quarters combat with terrifying precision¡± was an unsettling anomaly.


    Alien civilizations had long focused on improving weapon range, firepower, and rate of fire, along with enhancing warship mobility, armor, and radar systems. Close-combat capabilities, however, had never been a priority, constrained as they were by the structural limitations of traditional warships. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Yet the Swarm¡¯s biological designs effortlessly circumvented these limitations, enabling them to excel where others couldn¡¯t even compete. This fundamental difference left the galaxy¡¯s established powers grappling with an uncomfortable realization: their conventional strategies were ill-suited to counter the Swarm¡¯s unique combat approach.


    Although the Swarm had always been at a disadvantage in terms of mobility¡ªstruggling to close the distance to their enemies¡ªtheir exceptional melee capabilities had nonetheless drawn significant attention from other civilizations.


    The Swarm had effectively pioneered a new combat paradigm, proving the feasibility of a theoretical possibility. While many alien civilizations dismissed the Swarm¡¯s effectiveness, they didn¡¯t extend the same skepticism to themselves. They believed that if they could resolve the issue of mobility, such a melee-oriented combat style might yield impressive results. The analogy was simple: a martial artist with unparalleled agility could easily wreak havoc amidst a formation of spear-wielders.


    Consequently, numerous projects were initiated among different civilizations to explore this new approach. Whether these endeavors would bear fruit remained uncertain.


    As the two groups drew closer, Bular ordered his fleet to broadcast their mission objectives in Rikenese. This was a necessary compromise, given the enigmatic nature of the Swarm¡¯s language and communication systems.


    According to available data, intercepted Swarm communications were exceedingly rare, and their content remained undeciphered to this day.


    It was hypothesized that the Swarm used a spectrum-based encryption language, composed of a staggering array of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors¡ªfar beyond the perception of most civilizations. Without the corresponding reading apparatus, even capturing the full communication stream was impossible, let alone decoding it.


    Such specialized devices were so advanced that even the Ji Race couldn¡¯t construct them. This was because developing them required not only profound knowledge of biology and biomimetics but also specific biological materials that were exceptionally rare.


    Take, for example, pre-Swarm Luo Wen and his fellow humans from Earth. Most of them could only perceive three primary colors, which could combine to produce roughly one million distinct hues.


    A small subset of people were dichromats, capable of perceiving only about ten thousand colors.


    Even rarer were tetrachromats¡ªindividuals who could perceive a fourth primary color. These people could see an estimated one billion colors, significantly more than the average trichromat.


    For every additional primary color that a visual system could perceive, the number of observable colors increased exponentially. A tetrachromat could see one billion colors¡ªbut what about a pentachromat, a hexachromat, or a creature capable of perceiving thirty primary colors? This alone illustrated the complexity of the Swarm¡¯s encryption methods.


    To decode such communications, one would first need to comprehend these unseen primary colors. It was difficult enough for a trichromat to describe their world to a dichromat.


    Attempting to convey the vastly richer world of a tetrachromat to a trichromat was even more futile.


    For a trichromat to study and understand the tetrachromatic world, they would first need a pair of tetrachromatic eyes. Similarly, understanding the world of thirty primary colors would require eyes capable of perceiving all thirty colors.


    To date, the only known creatures in this starfield capable of perceiving so many colors were members of the Swarm. As such, decoding the Swarm¡¯s encrypted communications would require capturing a Swarm unit equipped with thirty-color vision.


    Such units were exceedingly rare even within the Swarm itself. The Confederation had yet to identify their appearance, and even if one were captured, the Swarm¡¯s genetic locks presented another significant challenge.


    It could be said that while the Swarm lagged behind in overall technological development, they had far surpassed the mechanically inclined civilizations of the Confederation in certain branches of biological science.


    Bular sighed to himself. Perhaps this was the real reason why the Ji Race was so invested in this mysterious Outer-ring civilization.

 Chapter 387: Arrival

    ¡°Your Majesty, are we really going to join this so-called Interstellar Technological Confederation?¡± asked a Blade named Danton. Once a brigadier general in his former life during the post-Sarah era, Danton had been converted into an Intelligent Entity under the Swarm.


    While all Intelligent Entities were technically derivatives of the Swarm Network and thus equal in principle, in practice, there were differences in access and authority. Following Luo Wen¡¯s directives, the Swarm had established a virtual royal court, complete with various positions and hierarchies. Externally, this gave rise to a structured class system.


    The visiting delegation from Troi included a major general. Following the principle of equivalence, the Swarm naturally wouldn¡¯t deploy someone like Sarah or Morgan to meet them. Even figures like Tella or Marlene wouldn¡¯t appear. Instead, a counterpart of equivalent rank was chosen, namely Danton.


    ¡°Of course,¡± replied Sarah. Among the countless Intelligent Entities within the Swarm, only a select few had the privilege of communicating directly with the Overlord outside of emergencies. Sarah was one of them.


    Many questions and uncertainties from the Swarm were brought to her for clarification, and she relayed answers from the Overlord.


    Sarah¡¯s high status, proximity to the Overlord, and the fact that many Intelligent Entities were converted Rat Folk combined to make her position as the Empress of the virtual royal court a fitting title.


    ¡°But won¡¯t this reveal many of the Swarm¡¯s secrets?¡± Danton asked with concern.


    His core mission of serving the Swarm drove him to think solely about its well-being, raising questions and suggestions based on the information at his disposal.


    ¡°Danton, every interaction is mutual. We may reveal some secrets, but they, in turn, will reveal much to us.¡± Sarah¡¯s response echoed the philosophy that Luo Wen himself had explained to her when she once posed the same question.


    Although Luo Wen was naturally cautious, he was never reckless. In this scenario, simple evasion wouldn¡¯t suffice. No matter how strong the Swarm had grown, or how thoroughly they could crush the Daqi civilization and even the Troi fleet, they remained a small player within the Interstellar Technological Confederation. Luo Wen was keenly aware of his limits.


    The Confederation consisted of over 200 civilizations spanning thousands of star systems, a massive entity rife with internal conflicts that hindered unified action. Even so, they were far beyond what the Swarm, with fewer than ten star systems under its control, could hope to challenge.


    Luo Wen understood this perfectly. While the Swarm¡¯s potential was boundless, that potential required time to materialize. During the previous encounter with the Daqi, the Confederation¡¯s involvement could be dismissed as ignorance. But now, with the Troi civilization reaching out, such excuses were no longer plausible.


    If it came down to an all-out confrontation, the Swarm, at its current level, could hold its own against the 200,000-ship Troi fleet. Even if the entire Troi civilization mobilized, or if the Daqi joined them to wage a two-front war, Luo Wen wouldn¡¯t flinch.


    But as Luo Wen often reminded himself, these were small players. Even if the Swarm defeated them, what then? Striking such a blow would provoke the Confederation as a whole.


    The Ji Race, who seemed to view the Swarm with particular interest, would likely act as enforcers. The next visitors might not be minor powers like Troi but rather one of the long-established, formidable civilizations from the Inner Circle.


    Fortunately, the Troi fleet commander seemed rational enough. He understood that while the Swarm¡¯s strength was insignificant to the Confederation as a whole, it was far from something the Troi civilization could handle alone.


    If the Troi fleet were to suffer catastrophic losses here, even if they provided the Confederation with critical battlefield data and intelligence on the Swarm, the immediate consequence for the Troi would be annihilation. While the Swarm might face retribution later as a cautionary example, it would be too late for the Troi¡ªthey would already be dead. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This delicate balance of power underscored the significance of the encounter now unfolding. Both sides seemed to understand that a head-on collision would lead to mutually assured destruction, even if the aftermath would vary. For now, diplomacy was the only sensible path forward.


    Given this sentiment, Luo Wen was inclined to take the opportunity to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation as long as the conditions weren¡¯t overly unreasonable.


    Membership would mean the Swarm would be protected by the Confederation¡¯s rules. Even if the Ji Race or other civilizations harbored ill intentions, they would be less likely to act openly.


    Any covert schemes would likely also diminish, as attacking an ally was generally frowned upon and carried reputational risks.


    Of course, this plan was contingent on there being no overwhelming profit to be gained from undermining the Swarm. Luo Wen still didn¡¯t fully understand what about the Swarm had drawn the Ji Race¡¯s interest. For now, his best course of action was to obscure the true nature of the Swarm Network and address any vulnerabilities that had been previously overlooked.


    Meanwhile, the Troi detachment found themselves completely surrounded by massive Primordial bodies. These behemoths, their bodies soft and pliant, adhered to the Troi warships like oversized patches of biological glue, adding an extra layer of bulk to the ships.


    Bular and his officers, having seen footage of these creatures in combat, understood their ferocity. Despite the fact that Troi warships were significantly larger and more advanced than their Daqi counterparts, the Primordials¡¯ 500-meter-long, muscular tentacles could easily pummel even the sturdiest hull into scrap.


    The Troi fleet, under this ominous ¡°protection,¡± inched forward, spending nearly a month traversing the asteroid belt before finally reaching the A11 Swarm base.


    The reception at A11 was far from ceremonious. The surroundings were utilitarian, if not outright crude.


    Bular, accompanied by Kayi and several diplomats, disembarked in protective suits. They found themselves walking across a purple-gray fleshy fungal carpet, led forward by a handful of two-meter-tall juvenile Swarm bodies.


    ¡°Major General, this stuff is disgusting!¡± Kayi¡¯s deep, muscular voice carried a tone of disdain as she eyed the squishy ground beneath their feet.


    ¡°Focus on the task, not the details!¡± Bular snapped, though he too was struggling to maintain his composure.


    Like most Troi, his robust physique came with its own quirks. The dense musculature that allowed them to withstand small-caliber kinetic rounds also meant they were heavy¡ªover 300 pounds, regardless of gender.


    This unique physiology was tied to their home environment, which consisted of an ecosystem dominated by hardness and rigidity. Their natural preference for solid terrain made the soft, spongy surface beneath them almost intolerable. It wasn¡¯t just the aesthetic repulsion; the unstable footing affected their balance and coordination.


    Each step sank into the fungal carpet, which made Bular worry about accidentally puncturing it. Getting splattered with biological fluid was a minor concern compared to the potential for triggering a diplomatic incident.


    Fortunately, whether due to A11¡¯s low gravity or the surprising resilience of the fungal carpet, his fears didn¡¯t materialize. The surface, though pliant, was tough enough to support their weight without breaking. Nevertheless, the uneven terrain left Bular feeling increasingly nauseous and lightheaded. If not for the lack of an alarm from his protective suit, he might have suspected the Swarm of poisoning them.


    Suppressing their discomfort, the Troi delegation did their best to maintain composure.


    Eventually, the group entered a tunnel and followed it into a massive underground cavern. The chamber was dimly lit, populated by a few two- or three-meter juvenile Swarm units, and, most intriguingly, three humanoid figures.


    Bular¡¯s pulse quickened, and the rush of adrenaline worsened his dizziness, but his excitement overrode his physical discomfort.


    Could these humanoids be the true form of the Swarm? He might very well be the first in the Confederation to witness their appearance firsthand.


    This moment, he realized, would be one for the history books.

 Chapter 388: The Meeting

    Standing over two meters tall, clad in seamless keratin armor and sporting jagged bone spikes from their ramming horns, the three humanoid figures exuded a brutal aesthetic of primal violence.


    Two were male and one female, distinguishable by their body shapes and the subtle differences in their armor. The female¡¯s frame was slightly slimmer, her armor less angular, and her bone spikes more restrained.


    ¡®So, this is the true form of the Swarm?¡¯ Bular thought, suppressing a sigh. From their protective suits alone, it was clear that this was not a race to be trifled with.


    Yet, a faint sense of disdain began to creep into his thoughts. He found the Swarm¡¯s protective suits overly ornate, bordering on impractical. A suit capable of shielding a body from the radiation of space wasn¡¯t exactly rare for an interstellar civilization, but it certainly wasn¡¯t cheap either.


    All this flashy extravagance¡ªdoes it serve any purpose other than driving up manufacturing costs? Or do they really plan to board enemy ships and engage in melee combat? S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To Bular, this reeked of outdated thinking. What era are they living in? They still cling to such primitive ideas. Their civilization must be young. Perhaps some fortuitous encounter accelerated their technological progress, but their ancient instincts for close combat and hunting clearly remain ingrained. These thoughts fed a growing sense of superiority.


    ¡®That explains why their bioweapons excel at close-quarters combat¡ªthey have a clear preference for hand-to-hand fighting.¡¯


    ¡°Welcome, guests of the Troi!¡± A deep voice cut through Bular¡¯s musings, snapping him back to reality. The momentary surge of superiority quickly receded; after all, he was standing in the heart of enemy territory. Angering the host here would likely lead to disastrous consequences.


    Thankfully, the protective suit concealed his facial expressions, preventing any offense from being detected. Moreover, the Swarm¡¯s greeting as ¡°guests,¡± while not ¡°friends,¡± hinted at a mutual understanding.


    The Troi had no desire to waste resources and manpower clashing with the Swarm over this mission. Likewise, the Swarm likely wished to avoid offending the Confederation unnecessarily. With this shared foundation, negotiations could proceed.


    Bular¡¯s mind raced. ¡®How can I secure the greatest possible benefit for the empire?¡¯


    Although the Troi were the dominant power in the Outer-ring, they had only extended invitations to three civilizations in their history. Each instance left a significant mark on their annals. If this invitation to the Swarm could be managed diplomatically, maximizing benefits while maintaining dignity, the operation would undoubtedly become a historical milestone.


    While the top brass would claim most of the credit, as the first to engage the Swarm, Bular knew his name would also be recorded in glory.


    Refocusing, Bular noticed a subtle detail: the Swarm representative was speaking in Riken, a language shared between them.


    That made sense¡ªafter all, even if the Swarm used their own language, he wouldn¡¯t understand it. Using a mutually comprehensible tongue was practical. However, this wasn¡¯t what stood out most.


    The significant point was that the voice wasn¡¯t being amplified or transmitted through any devices. Instead, it carried naturally through the air.


    Admittedly, even that wasn¡¯t extraordinary¡ªcreating a habitable ecological chamber within their own base would be trivial for the Swarm. What truly stood out to Bular was that the representative wasn¡¯t wearing a breathing mask.


    Their facial features were fully exposed, indicating the room¡¯s atmospheric conditions were breathable for them.


    Bular immediately activated the analyzer built into his protective suit. This tool, a standard feature of such suits, was designed to analyze the composition of the atmosphere on alien planets, ensuring safe disembarkation.


    Atmospheric analysis was crucial. By examining the air composition, it was possible to approximate the environmental conditions of the host species. The Interstellar Technological Confederation maintained atmospheric samples from thousands of planets across over ten thousand star systems.


    If the Swarm¡¯s environment matched an existing sample, it would reveal where they originated. If not, it would suggest that the Swarm were an extragalactic species that had somehow ended up in this galaxy. This discovery could have profound implications.


    Although the Swarm representative¡¯s posture was upright and exuded a harmonious aesthetic, Bular couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was off. However, he had no time to dwell on this unease.


    Everything he had just thought and done¡ªthe activation of the analyzer and his observations¡ªhad taken place in mere moments. The analysis results would take much longer, but Bular needed to respond now.


    ¡°Greetings. I am Bular of the Troi civilization, a member of the Interstellar Technological Confederation. It is an honor to meet you,¡± he said, performing a high-level Troi greeting gesture.


    Although the Swarm likely wouldn¡¯t understand the significance of the gesture now, if they ever joined the Confederation, this kind of basic etiquette would be recorded in the annals of various civilizations. By showing respect now, Bular could avoid potential accusations of rudeness in the future¡ªa preemptive measure to prevent unnecessary conflicts.


    ¡°What is your purpose here?¡± The deep voice asked, and the lead male Swarm representative made a motion, which Bular interpreted as a gesture of Swarm etiquette.


    ¡°I come in the spirit of friendship and hope to gain yours as well,¡± Bular replied.


    The purpose of his visit, of course, was obvious from both the information gathered from the Daqi and the broadcasts made by the Troi fleet. However, it was still necessary to formally ask and clarify the intent. Diplomatic protocol demanded explicit exchanges; this was not a place for guessing games.


    The Swarm representative nodded and made a universal ¡°please¡± gesture, indicating the chairs behind them. From the gesture and the crude furniture¡¯s design, the meaning was unmistakable.


    Thanks to Bular¡¯s humble and respectful demeanor, the initial interaction was free of hostility. Both sides sat down in a relatively amicable atmosphere.


    The chair-like objects, while wild in design and adhering to the Swarm¡¯s untamed aesthetic, thankfully lacked the soft, fleshy materials Bular had feared. As he nervously lowered himself onto the seat, the firm surface beneath him brought unexpected relief, and he unconsciously exhaled.


    As both parties settled in, Bular finally had a moment to observe the room more closely. His protective suit had built-in scanning capabilities, but it was already stretching boundaries to analyze the air composition subtly.


    Overtly using his scanner to survey the surroundings would be considered highly arrogant and provocative in any civilization. No one with even a shred of diplomacy would make such a blunder.


    That said, there wasn¡¯t much worth scanning in this room. The walls were lined with mysterious, faintly glowing purple plants, giving the dim space an eerie, organic ambiance. Thanks to the advanced optics in his suit¡¯s visor, which included low-light vision as a basic feature, Bular could see clearly despite the dim lighting.


    A quick glance confirmed the simplicity of the room¡ªit was essentially a large cavern, roughly 400 to 500 square meters in size, devoid of unnecessary decorations. There was nothing here that remotely suggested advanced technology.


    If Bular didn¡¯t already know the Swarm¡¯s overwhelming combat capabilities, he might have mistaken this place for the den of primitive creatures on a feral planet.

 Chapter 389: The Genesis Swarm

    ¡®Is this really necessary?¡¯ Bular couldn¡¯t help but complain internally. He wasn¡¯t sure if the opposing party genuinely lived in such an environment or if they had deliberately arranged the venue this way to express some kind of primitive reverence.


    Bular guessed it was the latter. One of the hallmarks of technological progress is to enhance convenience in life. If a civilization had advanced to the point of conquering star systems, yet still resided in primitive caves, Bular knew he couldn¡¯t tolerate it.


    If this were the Troi civilization, it would undoubtedly be a grand and imposing metallic hall, complete with amplifiers, translators, large video screens, hostesses for protocol, and refreshments¡ªeverything in order. While other civilizations might differ in details, none would go so far as to be this rudimentary.


    Bular could only comfort himself by thinking this was part of their tradition¡ªa very high-standard reception. As he shifted his gaze back to the Swarm members in attendance, that strange feeling he had earlier once again washed over him.


    Bular¡¯s brows furrowed. His chiseled and angular face took on a contemplative expression. Suddenly, he finally realized what was amiss.


    The proportions of the opposing party were too perfect!


    Yes, that was it. This was what made Bular feel uneasy. Normally, even if a protective suit sacrificed some functionality for the sake of being lightweight and form-fitting, there would still be visible signs at the joints.


    For instance, if he were to remove his helmet now, his head would appear slightly smaller against the backdrop of the protective suit, and the collar of the suit would be clearly noticeable.


    Yet, as Bular observed the male Swarm member seated before him from every angle, he saw no such indications. The armor seemed to be seamlessly integrated with its body, flawless in every way. Even after scrutinizing the neck area for a long time, he couldn¡¯t detect any anomalies.


    Could it be that this armor wasn¡¯t something the Swarm wore, but rather something they were born with? Were those intricate spikes and decorations not useless ornaments but natural extensions of their bodies? An absurd thought suddenly popped into Bular¡¯s mind. He quickly shook his head to dispel it.


    Impossible. Even if a species had been highly aggressive during its primitive era, evolution tends to diminish such traits as they develop tools, cognitive abilities, and technology. Their physical strength, endurance, and speed would all decline, let alone retain such external weaponry. Typically, at most, they would retain features like fangs or claws.


    This trend would continue until the species made a breakthrough in biotechnology. With the aid of certain chemical enhancements, they could regain strength, endurance, and speed. But the likelihood of re-embracing aggressive external features was slim. Could this biological path really be so wild that they even restored these attributes?


    Unbelievable. If this armor was indeed reminiscent of their ancestors¡¯ appearance during ancient times, the combat capabilities of a fully-armored form must reflect an environment of unimaginable harshness. What kind of peril would necessitate such extreme adaptations?


    It was plausible. The fact that the Swarm members could breathe naturally in this room implied that this was their natural habitat. If so, their ability to function in this environment without additional gear seemed reasonable.


    Wait. Something about this thought felt off. If this hypothesis were correct, wouldn¡¯t that mean this armor was essentially their skin, and they were currently not wearing any clothing? S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    No, no. That couldn¡¯t be right. How could they appear in such an important setting in such a manner? Regardless of the species, once they reached a level of civilization, they should comprehend the concept of modesty, shouldn¡¯t they?


    But as he observed the Swarm member, it seemed like there wasn¡¯t anything inappropriate about their appearance. Or was it simply a difference in perception between species? If Bular stripped completely and stood here now, would they even notice which parts of his body shouldn¡¯t be exposed? Probably?


    Bular¡¯s thoughts became increasingly chaotic. He had a gut feeling that this was an important question, but he couldn¡¯t figure out why. His instincts were usually spot-on, and he trusted them implicitly.


    Sitting across from Bular, Danton felt a chill run down his neck under Bular¡¯s intense and unblinking gaze. Uncomfortably, he reached up to rub his neck, wondering if the Troi species had some kind of mental disorder.


    Kayi, noticing Danton¡¯s reaction, sensed something was off. The Major General she admired seemed to have lost his composure. She quickly tugged at Bular¡¯s protective suit, snapping him out of his daze. However, her curiosity was piqued¡ªwhat exactly had captured the Major General¡¯s attention so thoroughly?


    Looking at the ferocious horn-like protrusions and the wild, violent appearance of the keratinous exoskeleton, Kayi pondered silently. Was it these features? Did the Major General have a particular liking for them? She mused privately, wondering if she should consider ordering a custom suit for herself¡­


    One must admit, while the Troi species¡ªboth male and female¡ªwere all burly and muscular, their thoughts were astonishingly whimsical and imaginative. Was this some kind of racial trait?


    Coming back to his senses, Bular also realized his loss of composure. Quickly, he cleared his mind of the chaotic thoughts. After a brief cough to cover his embarrassment, he took the initiative to ask, ¡°May I know how to address you and your species?¡±


    Up until now, the Interstellar Technological Confederation had no idea what the Swarm actually called themselves. The name ¡°Swarm¡± had been coined by the Riken species and subsequently adopted by everyone else. However, in formal diplomatic settings, it was only proper to ask the species in question what they preferred to be called. Assigning them a nickname and sticking to it would hardly be respectful.


    ¡°You may call us the Genesis Swarm. We are quite fond of that name. As for myself, I am Danton, a Major General, responsible for this diplomatic mission,¡± Danton replied. His voice was low, raspy, and resonant, as if processed through multiple layers of reverberation.


    As for the species¡¯ official name, although Luo Wen was fond of the term ¡°Swarm,¡± it was only natural for a species to have its own name after years of development. Adopting a nickname created by others would seem unprincipled and invite scorn.


    Thus, while ¡°Swarm¡± could remain part of the designation, it needed a proper prefix. Initially, Luo Wen had considered using ¡°Iphieash,¡± but upon further reflection, he decided against it. That name was part of his original foundation. Even though this universe likely had no connection to the wizarding continent he came from, there was always a possibility, however slim.


    Even if the universes were unrelated, his ability to traverse worlds suggested that other unknown entities could potentially do the same. If any records of ¡°Iphieash¡± existed and surfaced, they might expose his origins and secrets. Granted, in the wizarding continent, ¡°Iphieash¡± was more myth than reality, with few reliable accounts.


    Cautious by nature, Luo Wen had decided to use ¡°Genesis¡± as the prefix after careful consideration. Within the Swarm itself, ¡°Genesis Planet¡± and ¡°Genesis System¡± were internal designations. To the outside world, the Genesis System was known by other names, such as ¡°T83 System¡± among the Riken.


    Thus, this choice wouldn¡¯t reveal much.


    ¡°Genesis? Swarm?¡± Bular murmured, repeating the names to himself.

 Chapter 390: Mutual Interests

    ¡°Genesis? Swarm?¡± Bular repeated softly.


    Genesis?


    That name carried a certain weight, but it wasn¡¯t entirely unprecedented. Plenty of species had grandiose names. For example, the Troi civilization itself¡ªwhile the name ¡°Troi¡± meant nothing to other cultures, in their own language, it signified ¡°Masters of the World,¡± which far outshined something like ¡°Genesis.¡±


    However, from Danton¡¯s brief introduction, Bular was able to glean a considerable amount of information.


    First, Danton had said that ¡°we¡± liked the name. Due to the Swarm¡¯s previous aura of mystery, some external analysts had speculated that the Swarm might have evolved from a kind of social organism. These analysts believed that the space octopuses were merely Swarm drones, devoid of independent thought, operating solely under the control of a single will.


    But this theory had been strongly contested. On the homeworlds of many alien species, there were examples of social organisms that evolved during their planetary ecosystems¡¯ development.


    Such species had members that followed the will of a central leader, with individual units almost completely devoid of self-awareness, mechanically executing tasks.


    While these groups displayed unparalleled unity and collaboration, none of them had ever evolved into an advanced species. In their primitive eras, such creatures could dominate due to their collective strength, but once other species began developing intelligence, they were quickly outpaced.


    Put simply, as long as no one had developed brains, these organisms could rely on their cohesion to hold the upper hand. But once intelligence came into play, the disadvantage of a species having only one ¡°brain¡± became apparent.


    No matter how brilliant that one mind might be, it could never outmatch the collective brainpower of thousands or millions. With examples from countless planets as evidence, this theory was eventually discarded. However, a minority of people argued that the universe was vast and full of wonders, continuing to support the idea.


    Before undertaking this mission, Bular had devoted significant effort to researching the Swarm¡ªnot just for his career prospects but also for his survival. He reviewed every piece of data, video, text, and analysis on the Swarm no fewer than ten times.


    Thus, the moment Danton used the term ¡°we,¡± Bular immediately picked up on it. The Swarm couldn¡¯t be a singular-will species.


    While this conclusion could already be inferred from the simultaneous presence of three Swarm members and various other details, hearing it directly confirmed was much more conclusive.


    Second, Danton introduced himself by name, further supporting this inference. While it was possible that the Swarm was numerically scarce, it was clearly not to the extent of having only one individual.


    Lastly, Danton mentioned his military rank¡ªMajor General. Though he used the term in Riken, this suggested that the Swarm had a hierarchical structure. Danton also emphasized that he was responsible for handling this diplomatic mission.


    A Major General would typically be a military officer, whereas diplomats among most species were usually civil officials. Bular wasn¡¯t sure if the Swarm had sent a Major General as a gesture of reciprocity, given that he himself was a Major General, or if there simply wasn¡¯t a more precise term in Riken to describe Danton¡¯s position.


    Bular mentally cataloged these observations, planning to subtly probe for more details if an opportunity arose during future conversations.


    Thus, this diplomatic meeting stretched on for nearly a month. During this time, Bular and Danton discussed many topics and solidified numerous agreements.


    The most significant outcome was that the Swarm would join the Interstellar Technological Confederation. At the very least, this meant the main objective of the talks had been achieved.


    Bular was already envisioning his bright future upon his return¡ªpromotions, pay raises, and a meteoric rise to glory. Consequently, the three-hundred-pound giant and his equally massive ¡°beautiful¡± adjutant, along with their similarly hefty colleagues, were all in high spirits. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Additionally, there were finer details. The Swarm had earned respect through its own strength, distinguishing itself from the fledgling civilizations that were defeated and subsequently pillaged.


    The Swarm would still abide by the Confederation¡¯s rules. For example, the first batch of researchers dispatched to the Ji species would have their contributions tallied into the Confederation¡¯s points system, with the Troi civilization taking the lion¡¯s share of the rewards.


    However, Danton made it clear not to expect a significant number of researchers¡ªthis was merely a symbolic gesture, a reciprocal acknowledgment for the Troi civilization¡¯s decision to pursue peace instead of war.


    The Troi civilization understood this dynamic. Initially, realizing they lacked the strength to conquer the Swarm, they opted for a peaceful negotiation. While this was primarily to preserve their own resources, it also benefited the Swarm. As a result, the Swarm offered a token of goodwill, providing a diplomatic middle ground.


    The Troi civilization could publicly declare that they had successfully invited the Swarm to join the Confederation, and the Swarm, in turn, could join the Confederation in accordance with established rules without appearing excessively unconventional. This arrangement allowed both parties to save face, avoid conflict, and preserve their strength.


    Another point of discussion involved the Riken and Ratfolk species. The Riken species had reached the technological threshold for an invitation to the Confederation, while the Ratfolk were still some distance away from meeting the standards.


    Previously, both species had respective sponsoring civilizations for potential membership. However, with the Swarm joining the Confederation, they became the nearest member civilization to both species, thus inheriting the right to invite them.


    This could lead to minor disputes, such as protests from the Daqi species or even some conflicts. Bular stated that the Confederation wouldn¡¯t intervene in such matters; these issues would need to be resolved independently. Danton, however, dismissed these concerns as trivial.


    At this point, the major issues surrounding the Swarm¡¯s membership in the Confederation had been resolved. The remaining minor matters were easily manageable. The lengthy negotiations had primarily been due to two reasons.


    First, Bular, a recently promoted Major General, was little more than a sacrificial pawn. Officially referred to as a diplomat, he was, in reality, expendable. If the Swarm turned out to be temperamental, there was no chance he would make it back alive.


    As a result, Bular had very limited authority, with hardly any decisions under his purview. He was merely a tool, sent to the Swarm to establish a communication channel. Once the channel was set up, Bular essentially became a relay, passing information between the two sides.


    Second, given the uncertainty surrounding the Swarm¡¯s disposition, a quantum communication device was installed on Bular¡¯s ship to ensure smooth communication.


    This piece of equipment, even by Troi standards, was extraordinarily expensive and classified under Confederation technology protection protocols. As such, it was heavily secured, with its operation room equipped with multiple recognition devices that only Bular could access.


    Every day, Bular had to clock in at the operation room and check that all recognition devices were functioning correctly. If he failed to clock in at the designated time or if the recognition devices were tampered with, the ship, the operation room, and the device itself would immediately trigger a triple self-destruct protocol.

 Chapter 392: Return

    ¡°Major General, it really feels like a dream. Before we departed, you had us all write our wills, making everything seem so grim. Who would¡¯ve thought this mission would be so easy?¡± Kayi reminisced about their departure preparations with mixed emotions.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect it to turn out this way either. After all, the Swarm didn¡¯t even bother to talk to anyone before crushing two civilizations. Their resolve is harder than our muscles!¡± Bular sighed.


    The journey from initial anxiety to complete relief had been nothing short of extraordinary.


    ¡°I like tough things. I like the Swarm,¡± Kayi joked with a smile.


    ¡°Then you can apply to become a permanent liaison officer. With this experience on your record, you¡¯ll definitely have an advantage,¡± Bular suggested.


    Kayi quickly shook her head. ¡°No way! As much as I like the Swarm, wherever you go, Major General, I go.¡±


    Bular cast her a sidelong glance and shook his head. How could he not see through Kayi¡¯s little schemes?


    Friendly civilizations often maintained permanent liaison officers to facilitate communication. It was usually a cushy job¡ªnot only could one travel at the government¡¯s expense, but it was also an opportunity to experience the culture of an alien civilization. If that civilization had particularly thriving industries, one could even witness unique talents from another species.


    However, when it came to the Swarm, the experience left much to be desired. It wasn¡¯t that the Swarm treated them poorly¡ªthey neither singled them out nor offered any special accommodations. But staying in a desolate cave every day? Who could endure that? Forget culture or local flavor¡ªBular hadn¡¯t even seen a fourth member of the Swarm since their arrival.


    Even though A11 was merely a planetary outpost on the outermost edge of the system, it shouldn¡¯t have been this barebones. Given these conditions, Kayi, who knew the situation, had no intention of suffering through such an assignment.


    ¡°Enough. Inform everyone to complete their mission reports before entering cryosleep!¡± Bular ordered, cutting short the banter with Kayi.


    ¡°Understood, Major General!¡±


    At this moment, Bular¡¯s fleet was en route back to the main forces. The basic framework of the agreement had been signed, and his mission was complete. Personnel tasked with finalizing the details had already been dispatched, while he could now return to enjoy the rewards of his adventure.


    Before that, however, the fleet needed to compile a comprehensive record of everything they had observed during their time with the Swarm. These reports would be handed over to sociologists and other experts to analyze, in hopes of gaining deeper insights into the Swarm.


    Everyone knew the Swarm was hiding secrets. Without the constraints imposed by various powers, a dominant force would have long since moved against them. Take the Troi civilization, for example¡ªif the region only contained the Troi and the Swarm, the Troi would undoubtedly mobilize their entire population to annihilate the Swarm and seize their secrets.


    Since direct action was currently impossible, the alternative was to maintain good relations and cultivate a future ally. However, if Troi scholars could piece together the Swarm¡¯s secrets from the tiniest clues, and if a thorough analysis suggested a high chance of success, the Troi might still take the risk.


    Concerns about offending the Swarm or other allies? Those were trivial matters. For any civilization, its own strength always came first.


    As the leader of this mission and the fleet commander, Bular had his own private quarters on the ship. The room spanned over twenty square meters and was devoid of extravagant decorations. The cold metallic walls were painted with a coat of off-white paint.


    All the furniture in the room was made of an unidentified metal. A bed was tucked into one corner, with a desk and chair placed next to it. The room was equipped with basic lighting, along with essential living and work supplies. The entire space felt clean and spacious.


    Bular sat in his chair, furrowing his brow in thought. He knew that the mission summary report would largely hinge on himself, Kayi, and the diplomatic personnel. The average soldiers, who had never even left the ship, could only provide limited information.


    As the person who had interacted with the Swarm most directly, Bular understood that he was the linchpin. This report would be a test of his abilities¡ªhis observations, attention to detail, and analytical skills would all need to shine in it. A well-written report could significantly bolster his accolades, while a poor one could undermine his achievements.


    Fortunately, with four or five years remaining before they returned to the main base, he had plenty of time to reflect, analyze, and perfect this report.


    ¡°Overlord, what is our next course of action?¡±


    Luo Wen¡¯s gaze pierced the void as if he were already envisioning the vast, unexplored galaxies beyond. The Swarm needed to accelerate its pace. Though speeding up would inevitably lead to flaws and imperfections, there was no other choice at this critical juncture.


    Through recent interactions and reflections, Luo Wen had come to realize something. Despite his efforts to keep a low profile, the Swarm¡¯s progress was still too conspicuous. Consider this: what civilization could simultaneously develop and occupy multiple star systems while controlling the territory of just one or two systems?


    Such capabilities were bound to attract the attention of many forces, enough to make some take risks. The only reason the Swarm had not yet been attacked was the internal discord among these powers. How long this internal strife would last, or how quickly they would reach a consensus, was unclear due to the lack of information.


    Since the Swarm had already provoked their greed, keeping a low profile alone would no longer suffice. It would require the backing of even greater strength.


    For instance, the Troi civilization was able to engage in diplomatic talks with the Swarm rather than launching an invasion precisely because of the Swarm¡¯s power. If the Swarm still possessed the strength it had a century ago, it would not have been diplomats that arrived but an overwhelming military force.


    However, while building strength, maintaining a low-key approach remained essential. Ignoring this balance would only increase the Swarm¡¯s perceived value in the eyes of others.


    It was akin to a hidden gold mine: if only a gold bar were visible to outsiders, they might quarrel among themselves over its limited value. But as more of the gold was revealed, the potential bounty would force those factions to set aside their disputes temporarily and seize it collectively.


    Thus, the Swarm¡¯s task was to balance discretion with accelerated growth, ensuring both progressed in tandem without tipping the scales too far in either direction.


    Luo Wen pondered, concluding that it was time to rely on traditional Swarm techniques once more.


    Before proceeding with the next phase, it was imperative to identify all the ¡°eyes¡± within their territory.


    Over the next several days, the Swarm launched vast numbers of newly developed recon bugs across all occupied star systems. These units were specifically designed to counter the Ji Race¡¯s surveillance efforts on the Swarm.


    Utilizing innovative techniques, the density of these units was astonishing. Yet, without specialized detection methods, they were almost impossible to uncover.


    S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 393: Monitors

    Luo Wen was a being who greatly valued personal privacy. Ever since detecting the presence of monitors for the first time during the Battle of Planet Raze, Luo Wen had been pondering ways to deal with them. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The monitors of the Ji were scattered across the entire galaxy, their numbers unknown. Given their stealth capabilities, these monitors were undoubtedly small, a fact confirmed during their initial detection by gravitational-wave radar technology.


    By analyzing the strength of the reflected gravitational waves, the intelligent entities determined that these monitors were approximately two cubic meters in size.


    If not for their proximity to the battlefield at the time, the Swarm¡¯s relatively primitive gravitational-wave radar might not have detected them. Their compact size, coupled with advanced stealth technology, made them difficult to spot.


    Once the mystery surrounding these monitors was unraveled, Luo Wen formed a plan. Their small size implied limited internal space¡ªhow much could fit in two cubic meters? Their external protective armor likely only offered radiation shielding and basic impact resistance. If stealth coatings were used, they wouldn¡¯t take up much space. If special materials were employed, they would slightly reduce the available interior volume.


    What about their propulsion systems? They were unlikely to be equipped with warp drives, probably relying on basic sublight engines. Given their size constraints, their speed would be limited. Based on this reasoning, these monitors were likely deployed by spacecraft rather than traveling on their own.


    As for their observation systems, they were undoubtedly the most critical components. However, incorporating too many types of observational equipment would be spatially prohibitive, so their observational capabilities were likely not comprehensive.


    The information transmission system was of paramount importance. No matter how much data the monitors collected, it would be useless if it couldn¡¯t be transmitted back. Their size suggested that their armor wouldn¡¯t be particularly thick, making them fragile. Therefore, it was improbable that these devices were equipped with precious quantum communication systems.


    Of course, ¡°precious¡± was a relative term, primarily from the perspective of civilizations lacking this technology.


    To the Ji, such systems might not be extraordinarily valuable. However, considering the Ji¡¯s stringent measures to safeguard these devices¡ªthe allocation of only five units to newly joined native civilizations, requiring approval for equipping a single unit during Prince Diallo¡¯s expedition, and the Troi civilization secretly accumulating only a handful over many years¡ªit was unlikely these monitors were uniformly outfitted with quantum communication systems. Acquiring a few monitors was much easier than covertly obtaining them from the Ji.


    Thus, their information transmission systems were probably standard electronic signals. However, given the technological superiority of the Ji, even ordinary electronic signals would be challenging for lower-level civilizations to intercept.


    Finally, there was the matter of their power and energy conversion systems. Given the specialized nature of their missions, they were unlikely to require frequent replacements or recharges.


    Therefore, they likely utilized a long-lasting energy supply. However, their size precluded the use of controlled fusion devices, which require periodic refueling. Nuclear batteries were also unlikely to sustain operations for hundreds of years. Solar or radiation energy seemed the most plausible options.


    If so, even with the Ji¡¯s advanced energy conversion technology, the energy intake per unit of time would be limited by the collection area. This constraint suggested that high energy consuming equipment would not be present in these monitors, further supporting the earlier hypotheses.


    Still, no matter how well-reasoned these speculations were, confirmation required dismantling an actual unit.


    Back when Prince Diallo of the Daqi Empire¡¯s invitation had just failed, leaving him wandering outside in frustration, the Swarm amassed a large number of Primordial bodies near the bases at Planet Izumo and the Solar Orbital Swarm Base to ¡°deter¡± the Riken people and prevent them from acting recklessly.


    During one of these military maneuvers, a Daqi fleet¡¯s provocative proximity led the Primordial bodies to pursue them. In the midst of this chase, they ¡°accidentally¡± passed by a Ji monitor.


    That monitor attempted to evade, but the sheer number of Primordial bodies overwhelmed it. As predicted, the monitor¡¯s propulsion system was only capable of minor directional adjustments. Consequently, once the swarm of Primordial bodies passed through the area, the monitor vanished as well¡­


    Afterward, the Swarm concentrated numerous Observer Bugs in the region where the monitor had disappeared, conducting intense surveillance. However, even after more than a decade, no unidentified spacecraft had been observed returning to investigate the site.


    The missing monitor had been consumed by one of the Primordial bodies. Inside this Primordial body, a specialized electromagnetic cage had been constructed¡ªa minor modification for a being that inherently possessed various electromagnetic capabilities.


    This electromagnetic cage incorporated elements of an Atomic Furnace and used a powerful electromagnetic field to restrain the monitor. During this period, the monitor emitted several electronic signals, which were extremely subtle and might have gone unnoticed if not for its presence inside the Primordial body. However, shielded within the electromagnetic cage, these signals were rendered useless.


    Inside this field, no electronic signal could escape interference or penetrate the body of the Primordial body to transmit outward.


    Moreover, after identifying the monitor¡¯s frequency bands, the Swarm realized they could modify related Swarm entities to monitor these specific electronic signals. With this frequency included in their surveillance system, identifying such monitors would be far easier in the future.


    This also confirmed the earlier hypothesis regarding the monitors¡¯ information transmission systems. Given the limited strength of their electronic signals, there had to be a signal relay station somewhere. The monitors¡¯ signals alone were insufficient to travel over vast distances.


    By observing the direction of these transmitted signals, the Swarm deduced that the relay station was likely located in the void outside the Riken star system. As for its exact location, further covert investigation would be required. The Swarm, with its current capabilities, was not yet strong enough to act openly against the relay station¡¯s owners.


    Fortunately, this discovery provided Luo Wen with an additional piece of valuable intelligence. Even if the relay station was equipped with Quantum Communication Systems, the monitors¡¯ electronic signals still required time to transmit. This meant that the Ji¡¯s reception of information from the monitors would be delayed by several months or even years. This was welcome news.


    In the following months, the Swarm dismantled additional monitors, verifying all previous speculations. They also quietly began using the newly identified frequency bands to search for Ji monitors within their territory.


    When negotiations with the Troi civilization were underway, Luo Wen instructed Danton to subtly probe for information regarding the monitors. Bular, catching on to the intent, discreetly revealed some intelligence.


    According to Bular, during the early days of the New Ji Race¡¯s takeover of the progenitor Ji race¡¯s legacy, everything had been in chaos. Previously confined to a single star system by the Ji, various alien civilizations seized the opportunity to break free from their home systems and embark on interstellar colonization.


    At the time, the New Ji Race¡¯s mindset was still tied to their progenitors.


    By the time they adopted a more pragmatic attitude, too much time had passed, and the situation had already become irreversible.

 Chapter 394: Inside Story

    During that period, the New Ji Race had declined to its lowest point, rendering it incapable of restricting all the alien races. Combined with the establishment of certain new regulations, it was impossible to return to the old ways.


    Although the New Ji Race managed to suppress the Confederation through various means, their influence could no longer compare to the dominance of the progenitor Ji race.


    The progenitor Ji race had once confined every alien civilization to its home star system, strictly forbidding expansion and stationing troops in those systems to monitor everything.


    In contrast, the New Ji Race could no longer achieve such control. Initially, military authority was entirely under the jurisdiction of Lumina, and by the time the New Ji Race transitioned its mindset and took over the military, the alien races had already developed significantly.


    Although the New Ji Race was still the most powerful force at that time, they could no longer station troops in alien home systems as before. While they continued to maintain garrisons, these were concentrated in specific star systems within the galaxy, rather than being as widespread as before.


    According to Bular, the Ji garrison point nearest to the Swarm was nearly a hundred light-years away. Such a distance meant that any journey to the Swarm¡¯s domain would require passing through numerous alien territories.


    As for the monitoring devices, they were now mostly concentrated in newly emerging civilizations and unclaimed star systems. The older civilizations had already removed these devices, as no one wished to be under surveillance.


    Bular even expressed great pride in this, stating that few civilizations in the Outer-ring could detect and eliminate these devices. The Troi Civilization was one of them.


    Luo Wen directed Danton to feign confusion, questioning whether such actions would provoke retaliation from the Ji.


    At first, Bular hesitated to answer. Only after Danton repeatedly pressed the issue, even hinting at complicating the negotiations, did Bular reluctantly reveal some information.


    The New Ji Race consisted of researchers sent or, in some cases, ¡°sold¡± by alien civilizations. These researchers were skilled and highly knowledgeable, capable of passing the Ji¡¯s stringent evaluations. Compared to others, they were also relatively pure in thought.


    This explained why the early days of the New Ji Race were chaotic¡ªthey were ill-suited for governance or the intricate power struggles between civilizations.


    Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t this initial group of researchers whose mindset shifted. Over time, within the New Ji Race, the alien races intermingled, forming new lineages. Some species were hermaphroditic and could produce offspring without pairing.


    These offspring, and the subsequent generations, were the true New Ji Race in the truest sense. Having never lived within their original civilizations, their mindset evolved naturally.


    These descendants embraced their identity as members of the New Ji Race. With their early education emphasizing broader learning, not limited to scientific research, the New Ji Race eventually developed its own political and administrative personnel.


    However, the New Ji Race¡¯s ¡°immigration¡± channels remained open, continually accepting alien researchers. This influx created persistent internal conflicts between the naturalized descendants and the first-generation immigrants.


    Nevertheless, because the descendants¡¯ behavior better aligned with the Ji¡¯s interests, they received Lumina¡¯s support at a policy level. Consequently, the newly immigrated researchers, who still yearned for their original civilizations, were constantly suppressed.


    According to Bular, many researchers from native civilizations were later forcibly sent to the Ji by the New Ji Race¡¯s methods. Among them were individuals filled with deep resentment. Over time, as their hatred grew, some even formed clandestine organizations in secret.


    These groups aimed to overthrow the Ji¡¯s rule and their imposed regulations, seeking to liberate all native civilizations from oppression. Their ideals were admirable, but without the Ji¡¯s suppression of older alien civilizations, the fate of newer civilizations could be even worse.


    Still, regardless of their motivations, their rhetoric found considerable support. However, such organizations were never tolerated by the descendants of the New Ji Race. When discovered, they were met with brutal suppression. Despite this, these resistance groups persisted for hundreds of thousands of years, surviving and thriving in secrecy.


    This was an open secret. As long as these rebels didn¡¯t openly reveal themselves or leave any traceable evidence, they continued to exist as part of the New Ji Race, protected by its rules.


    So, the so-called New Ji Race can now be broadly divided into three major factions:


    The descendants, whose mindsets have completely shifted and who embrace their New Ji Race identity.


    The immigrants, who, while bearing the identity of the New Ji Race, still strongly identify with their original civilizations.


    The rebels, who aim to overthrow Ji¡¯s rule.


    Among these, the first two factions operate openly under the light of day. The descendants, being the most aligned with the New Ji Race¡¯s ideals, hold the largest power base. The immigrants, in contrast, wield significantly less influence. However, they often receive covert support from the rebels, as their goals overlap in some respects.


    The true strength of the rebels remains a mystery. Their network is vast and diverse, and its members maintain legitimate identities in public life, some even belonging to the descendant faction.


    Additionally, many smaller factions exist within the New Ji Race, each pursuing its own unique objectives and ideals. Upon hearing this, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but marvel. This version of the Ji¡¯s history differed somewhat from the accounts provided by the Daqi intelligent entities.


    However, Luo Wen trusted Bular¡¯s explanation more, as the Daqi civilization primarily studied official records, which often omitted discordant details.


    Attacking Ji monitoring devices was, of course, prohibited. In the early days, such actions were even considered acts of war. However, as alien civilizations grew in strength and expanded their influence, coupled with internal factional conflicts within the Ji, the rules were eventually revised.


    A civilization capable of detecting and accurately locating Ji monitoring devices would be regarded as having reached a certain threshold of strength. Upon proving this capability, the Ji would view them as deserving greater freedom and respect.


    The Ji were then expected to voluntarily remove all concealed devices from that civilization¡¯s territory, replacing them with standard observation equipment.


    The quantity, placement, and scale of such observation devices, as well as the type of data collected, would be negotiated between the Ji and the civilization and jointly supervised by both parties.


    As a result, the Ji no longer cared as much about their monitoring devices as they once did. With garrisons stationed far away and inspections challenging to enforce, the loss of a few monitors was no longer considered significant. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, Bular cautioned that attacking the signal relay stations was strictly prohibited. Accidentally destroying a single monitor might be excusable, but targeting a relay station was seen as crossing the line.


    Of course, having someone within the Ji to advocate on one¡¯s behalf would make things much safer. Bular subtly suggested that the Swarm consider joining their alliance to gain protection.


    Danton did not outright reject the proposal but stated that he would report it to his superiors.

 Chapter 395: Micro Seeds

    Given the current situation, Luo Wen naturally chose not to reveal the Swarm¡¯s ability to detect and capture Ji monitors.


    Even the Daqi civilization, which had been part of the Confederation for thousands of years, hadn¡¯t achieved this capability. For the Swarm, which had only appeared on the interstellar stage for a few centuries, to demonstrate such prowess would attract too much attention. The Swarm was already prominent enough; it didn¡¯t need to shine even brighter.


    While Bular might have some suspicions, he lacked concrete evidence. Moreover, as he mentioned, the relationships within the Ji themselves, between the Ji and the Interstellar Technological Confederation, and even within the Confederation were an entangled mess. Whether the Troi civilization would spread these speculations was uncertain.


    Regardless, after acquiring some intelligence, Luo Wen realized that the Swarm¡¯s situation was far less dire than the previously imagined scenario of being surrounded by enemies with imminent invasions.


    Even though Luo Wen intended to conceal the Swarm¡¯s capabilities, locating all the Ji monitors remained a priority. While destroying them wasn¡¯t necessary, knowing their exact locations was essential for the next steps in the plan.


    To achieve this, a new type of Recon Bug was deployed. These bugs were incredibly small, smaller by tens to hundreds of times than Luo Wen¡¯s earlier nail-sized miniature bugs. Each individual consisted of only a few dozen cells¡ªLuo Wen¡¯s first experiment with extremely tiny organisms.


    Based on the Atmospheric Organism template, these micro bugs required only minimal radiation energy to sustain themselves due to their diminutive size.


    With so few cells, their functionality was extremely limited¡ªthey could only detect electromagnetic signals within a specific range and frequency band. They had no autonomous mobility and lacked data transmission modules. However, as node units, they could rely on the Swarm Network to relay information.


    Their small size also made them inherently stealthy, requiring no additional cloaking modules to evade detection. In space, such minuscule entities were almost impossible to notice. Even if detected, alien civilizations wouldn¡¯t be able to discern their purpose, as these bugs, composed of just a few dozen cells, had no autonomous consciousness or identifiable function.


    These bugs were specifically designed to target Ji monitors. While each bug¡¯s detection range was small, their overwhelming numbers compensated for this limitation. A single mature Brood Queen could produce billions of these bugs daily. Once deployed by the Primordial bodies, they spread across multiple star systems within mere months.


    Under the dense surveillance network of these bugs, the Ji monitors were left with nowhere to hide, each one being marked and logged.


    With the monitors¡¯ positions identified, the next phase of the plan could commence.


    Using planetary bodies and groups of Primordial bodies as cover and interference, the Swarm launched Swarm Meteors into the monitors¡¯ blind spots. Unlike previous Swarm Meteors, these new ones disintegrated into nothingness shortly after launch.


    A closer look would reveal that they didn¡¯t truly vanish but instead broke apart into countless minuscule entities.


    This marked Luo Wen¡¯s second creation of micro-scale organisms following the successful development of the recon bugs. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The outer layer of these micro seeds was covered by a metallic mineral shell, a genetic capability derived from the Metallic Snail. Although the Metallic Snail was a relatively primitive organism, this ability played an unimaginable role in the Swarm¡¯s development. From the early Swarm Meteors to the later electromagnetic projectiles, and even today, it continued to shine.


    Beneath the mineral shell was a miniature Fungal Carpet seed, Luo Wen¡¯s crowning achievement to date. It compressed an astonishing amount of functionality into just a few cells, making it nearly invisible to the naked eye. Moreover, in its dormant state, it emitted no discernible signs of life.


    This mineral shell made the seeds indistinguishable from ordinary interstellar dust. Even if the outer shell were peeled away, the few remaining non-desiccated cells would be virtually undetectable. Even if discovered, they would likely be mistaken for fossil specimens or similar inert matter.


    Due to their small size, these micro seeds were easily captured by gravitational sources, allowing them to attach to meteors and planets. Once they reached a suitable environment and were activated by the Swarm Network, they would absorb the surrounding metallic mineral shell and germinate like real seeds.


    Their ¡°roots¡± would absorb local nutrients while driving the main body deeper underground, accumulating energy and remaining dormant. When commanded by the Swarm, they could mutate into Brood Queens, ready to expand the Swarm¡¯s domain.


    Though the production cost of these micro Fungal Carpet seeds was significantly higher than that of the Recon Bugs, due to the metallic outer shell, the Swarm¡¯s current scale made this expense easily manageable.


    Some Brood Queens worked at full capacity, producing tens of millions of micro Fungal Carpet seeds daily. These seeds were briefly fused together before being launched via projectors.


    The primary launch direction focused on the Inner Circle of the Confederation. Although the Swarm had agreed with the Troi civilization not to expand toward the Inner Circle, this strategy was merely a delaying tactic. Besides, given the technological capabilities of those nascent civilizations, it was highly unlikely they could excavate deep into their planets¡¯ cores. The Swarm¡¯s intervention could even be considered a ¡°helpful¡± act of loosening the soil for future use.


    As long as these civilizations remained friendly toward the Swarm, they would never notice the anomalies deep within their planets. However, if they ever became hostile, any agreements would naturally be nullified, leaving them with a colossal ¡°surprise.¡±


    Meanwhile, in the Outer-ring direction, numerous Primordial-level and above Space Octopuses advanced via electromagnetic Megastructures. In these unclaimed territories, the Swarm didn¡¯t need to operate as covertly.


    That said, maintaining a degree of subtlety was still crucial. Given the Swarm¡¯s currently displayed capabilities, completely avoiding Outer-ring development or making it too inconspicuous would appear suspicious¡ªtoo perfect to be believable. Overreaching would be just as detrimental.


    However, if the development pace was too rapid, it might draw unnecessary attention. Luo Wen¡¯s strategy relied on a mix of truth and falsehood. Development was essential, but the scale and speed had to be carefully controlled.


    For instance, in certain star systems directed toward the Inner Circle, the Swarm¡¯s surface forces openly stationed themselves as if idling, while the underground forces remained entirely concealed. Even the visible forces on the surface employed technical measures for concealment.


    The Space Octopuses, soft-bodied organisms based on the Fungal Carpet template, could connect with the Fungal Carpet for energy replenishment and also link together. By compressing unnecessary gaps within and between their bodies, they could merge in groups of several to even a dozen individuals without noticeably increasing their apparent volume.


    Although this lowered their energy absorption efficiency, it effectively concealed their numbers. After all, planets were minuscule compared to the vastness of space. Even if a planet were entirely hollowed out, it couldn¡¯t hold a significant force. Moreover, forces hidden underground lacked the rapid growth potential of units basking in proximity to a star.


    Thus, Luo Wen ensured that the Swarm appeared restrained and realistic in its development, while secretly laying the groundwork for future domination.

 Chapter 396: Mission Report

    Luo Wen had considered all these scenarios when devising the method of hiding forces in plain sight. During the Troi Civilization¡¯s military incursion, Luo Wen had nearly been forced to reveal this secret prematurely.


    Fortunately, the Troi Civilization acted rationally, and conflict was avoided, allowing the secret to remain undisclosed.


    After handling the expansion efforts, Luo Wen¡¯s next focus was on the so-called ¡°head tax¡±¡ªa term coined by alien civilizations to describe researchers ¡°sold¡± to the Ji.


    The Swarm¡¯s researchers were certain to be under strict surveillance, so only a limited number could be dispatched. However, the Swarm could leverage its influence within the Riken people. Over years of covert operations, the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities had secretly gained considerable influence among the Rikens. By subtly inserting their own people into the head tax system, they could achieve their goals effortlessly.


    The Swarm¡¯s infiltration techniques were unrivaled. Given the right opportunities and methods, they might even find individuals aligned with their ideologies.


    ¡ª


    Inside a resting cabin aboard a Troi warship, Bular sat at a desk, meticulously documenting every detail of the recent mission.


    ¡°The mission took place at A11, a Swarm planetary base in the Rat Folk star system. This location is suspected to be a Swarm stronghold, but since we were not permitted to visit other planets, this remains unconfirmed.¡±


    ¡°We encountered three Swarm representatives during this mission¡ªtwo males and one female¡ªwho were the only Swarm members we interacted with throughout.¡±


    ¡°From observation, they continuously wore what appeared to be protective exoskeleton armor. Strangely, the armor was exceptionally form-fitting, showing no visible signs of wear or attachment. Noticing this anomaly, I informed the Adjutant and several negotiation delegates. Over subsequent days, through multiple close encounters, observations, and even physical contact, we still found no seams or indications of the armor detaching from their bodies. Even within the ecological chambers they constructed, the armor remained in place.¡±


    ¡°This anomaly leads to several hypotheses. First, the armor might be innate to the Swarm, suggesting that either their evolutionary history is short, retaining many primitive traits, or they are a highly militant and cautious species that preserves such traits through frequent combat.


    ¡°The third hypothesis posits that the armor is a technological product, created by the Swarm¡¯s advanced biological technologies to replicate and enhance ancient characteristics. This seems the most plausible. Regardless, the external traits of the Swarm suggest that they are an aggressive and warlike species.¡±


    ¡°The Swarm is suspected of being capable of surviving in space. While this was not directly observed, external ship monitors captured a scene supporting this theory. A video clip, labeled #4121, shows a Swarm member appearing on a planetary surface without any protective breathing apparatus.¡±


    ¡°Hypothesis 1: The Swarm¡¯s armor includes a field protection function capable of forming a protective barrier around the face, shielding it from the harsh environment of space. An internal airbag module may provide life-sustaining gases directly to the respiratory system, ensuring survival. Given the Swarm¡¯s mastery of field technologies and advanced biological systems, this hypothesis is highly likely.


    ¡°Hypothesis 2: The Swarm is an inherently space-adapted species, capable of maintaining internal circulatory functions without external gases. This could be either an innate trait or a result of post-birth modifications. However, given that even the Ji have not achieved this technology, this hypothesis seems improbable.¡±


    ¡°Over the recent period, the Swarm representatives observed did not consume any visible food or water, nor were similar items detected within their ecological chambers. Thus, their diet remains entirely unknown in terms of type and scope.¡±


    ¡°The Swarm negotiator for this mission identified himself as Major General Danton, but given that he communicated in the Riken language, the accuracy of this rank description is uncertain.¡±


    ¡°Reasons for skepticism include the Swarm¡¯s exceptionally austere living conditions. Visual observation revealed no monitoring equipment, nor were any hidden receiver devices detected on their protective suits. Additionally, there was no indication of private or covert communication during the negotiations.¡± S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°However, throughout the discussions, the Swarm negotiator made significant decisions after only brief moments of thought, indicating a level of authority far greater than would be expected of a major general. This inconsistency suggests his rank may not reflect his true level of power.¡± Writing this, Bular touched his own shoulder insignia. How could the same rank mean such vastly different levels of authority?


    ¡°During the mission, we toured several Swarm facilities. Overall, the impression was one of extreme primitiveness and backwardness; there was no sign of anything resembling modern technology. Furthermore, no other Swarm members were observed, nor were there any signs of habitation. If they were not deliberately avoiding us, the Swarm population on this planet must be exceedingly sparse. Considering that this star system is said to host the largest Swarm garrison and is suspected to be their main stronghold, such low population density is puzzling and suggests the Swarm may have very few individuals.¡±


    ¡°Contrary to the apparent scarcity of Swarm members, their biological weapons exist in vast numbers. These are referred to by the Swarm as bugs, most of which resemble octopuses of various sizes. The smallest measure one to two meters, while the largest exceed hundreds of meters. They are also the most numerous. Regardless of their size, these bugs are extremely lethargic, performing no work and floating aimlessly in planetary orbit like lifeless objects.¡±


    ¡°In addition to these, there are other types of bugs that exhibit high levels of diligence and basic intelligence. They carry out simple, repetitive tasks tirelessly, day and night. Strangely, no supervisors or managers were observed in any of the facilities, yet the bugs never made mistakes, and everything operated in perfect order. This suggests they are far more than ordinary biological weapons.¡±


    ¡°All observed Swarm members and bug designs have been recorded and preserved as visual sketches by the mission¡¯s artists.¡± Bular¡¯s team was notably professional, with members possessing diverse skills. For instance, both his adjutant and one of the negotiators held advanced artistic qualifications, making sketching the bugs a straightforward task.


    ¡°Most areas within Swarm territory are covered in a purplish-gray, fleshy carpet-like substance, referred to by the Swarm as the Fungal Carpet. It is said to create a comfortable living environment for the Swarm. However, since this carpet has been observed in previous Swarm wars, the team suspects its functionality extends far beyond mere comfort.¡±


    At this point, Bular paused, deep in thought. Before his departure, his superiors had instructed him to investigate the Swarm¡¯s marketplace to identify any unique goods that might hold value.


    Given the relatively amicable relations between the two sides, it was important to capitalize on this honeymoon period for maximum benefit.


    As a civilization that followed a unique biological development path, the Swarm undoubtedly possessed many distinctive ¡°specialties.¡±


    Yet during the mission, Bular hadn¡¯t come across even a small shop, let alone a full marketplace.


    This part of his mission, which had been given special attention, yielded no leads whatsoever, leaving him somewhat frustrated.

 Chapter 397: The Return

    Fifteen years after Bular¡¯s departure, a larger diplomatic delegation from the Troi Civilization finally arrived in the Genesis System, much later than Luo Wen had anticipated.


    Based on calculations, Bular would have completed his initial negotiations and reported the situation back to his civilization. With their Quantum Communication System, there would have been no delay in transmitting information. It should have taken no more than five years for a more professional diplomatic team to assemble and arrive via ships equipped with Warp Drive.


    Could the Troi fleet assemble a professional diplomatic delegation? With over 200,000 warships and an estimated population of hundreds of millions aboard, finding the necessary personnel should not have been an issue. Moreover, given their intent for peaceful negotiations, such a delegation should have been prepared before they even set out.


    As for ships equipped with warp drives? That should have been even less of a problem. Even if only 20% of their fleet had warp capability, this would amount to 40,000 ships¡ªeasily sufficient to assemble a visiting fleet of a few hundred vessels.


    So what caused the delay? Considering the available intelligence, the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities speculated that the Troi Civilization had likely been waiting for Ji personnel. After all, joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation required the presence of at least a nominal representative of the Confederation¡¯s leader, the New Ji.


    As it turned out, the Swarm¡¯s hypothesis was correct. The newly arrived Troi fleet announced its personnel upon entering Swarm territory. According to the report, this diplomatic team not only included nearly 10,000 personnel but also over a dozen Ji representatives.


    Luo Wen and several intelligent entities watched the Troi fleet¡¯s slow advance, accompanied by an escort of Primordial bodies, deep in thought.


    ¡°Overlord,¡± said Morgan, his tone tinged with concern, ¡°according to the Troi Civilization, the Ji¡¯s nearest garrison point is about 100 light-years away. If they departed fifteen years ago, right after Bular left, then their warp drive technology must allow for speeds of at least seven light-years per year.¡±


    Morgan, who had been responsible for Swarm research and rarely participated in military operations, was present now due to the need for analytical insights rather than combat. In addition to the Blades, several research-oriented intelligent entities were also in attendance.


    The implications of such technological advancements were alarming. For comparison, the Troi fleet¡¯s fastest warships could only reach speeds of about two light-years per year. A speed advantage of nearly three times would be magnified exponentially in an interstellar war.


    In a single star system, such mobility might not significantly impact the outcome. But in wars spanning multiple or even dozens of star systems, this mobility advantage would allow the Ji to consistently outmaneuver and outnumber their opponents in localized engagements, even if weaponry and radar technology were similar.


    The Swarm¡¯s current propulsion technology lagged far behind the Ji. If the Ji were to take direct action, it would only be a matter of time before the Swarm, no matter how many star systems it controlled, was annihilated.


    ¡°Overlord, perhaps the situation isn¡¯t as dire as it seems,¡± said Covi, a propulsion expert who had overseen the development of the rocket engines that first launched Luo Wen into space.


    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your reasoning?¡± Luo Wen asked with interest. Maintaining the individuality of each intelligent entity was precisely to gather diverse perspectives in such situations.


    ¡°Overlord, if the Ji truly arrived on their own ships, why didn¡¯t they assemble directly outside our territory? Why first rendezvous with the Troi fleet before coming here?¡± Covi pointed out.


    Luo Wen nodded, understanding Covi¡¯s reasoning. While many civilizations within the Interstellar Technological Confederation were initially influenced by Ji ship designs, significant differences in ship aesthetics had developed over time. Each civilization¡¯s fleet typically exhibited distinctive designs.


    However, the Troi fleet currently in Swarm territory lacked any such individuality. Its ships were uniform in appearance, and no vessels displayed the characteristic style of Ji ships¡ªsomething the Swarm was somewhat familiar with.


    This suggested that the Ji personnel had not arrived in their own ships but had traveled alongside the Troi fleet.


    There were several possible explanations for this. One was the earlier hypothesis that when Bular reported back, the Ji representatives had departed from their garrison point. For reasons unknown, they first traveled to the Troi fleet¡¯s location before accompanying them on this diplomatic mission.


    The second possibility was that when Bular departed from the Troi fleet¡ªor perhaps even while the Troi fleet was still en route to Swarm territory¡ªthe Ji had already begun their journey to rendezvous at a predetermined assembly point.


    Although this hypothesis differed from the first in terms of timing, the implications were vastly different. If the second hypothesis were true, the Ji¡¯s technological capabilities might not be as advanced as previously imagined.


    Of course, there was yet another possibility: that the Ji representatives had been part of the Troi fleet from the very beginning, accompanying them from their point of departure. This scenario could not be ruled out either.


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll have to rely on Danton to probe them,¡± Luo Wen concluded.


    The process of the Swarm joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation, along with finalizing agreements with the Troi Civilization, turned out to be far more complex than expected. During the initial negotiations, Bular had suggested leaving behind a small team to begin drafting less controversial clauses for efficiency¡¯s sake. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the Swarm had no interest in saving time. Luo Wen, in fact, preferred to delay the process as much as possible.


    Using excuses such as the Swarm¡¯s limited personnel and inability to host long-term visitors, as well as requesting that the Troi Civilization send higher-ranking representatives as a sign of respect, Luo Wen rejected Bular¡¯s proposal.


    Bular realized that unless he himself stayed behind, the warship equipped with Quantum Communication Systems would have to leave, rendering any discussion by remaining personnel largely pointless.


    Furthermore, if he were to stay, his limited authority would require him to relay messages back and forth¡ªa tiring process that would not only hinder his ability to report his success but also delay his recognition back home. Ultimately, he decided not to press the matter further.


    The result was favorable for the Swarm. The delay far exceeded Luo Wen¡¯s expectations, and during the fifteen years since, the Swarm had launched countless biological seed pods into space. These pods drifted in the void, waiting to be captured by gravitational sources, where they could root and grow.


    At the same time, two more star systems in the Outer-ring had become home to Swarm entities basking in the stellar energy of their suns. Everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.


    For now, all Luo Wen needed was time¡ªthe more, the better.


    As the Confederation diplomatic team disembarked from their ships, Luo Wen observed a group of towering, 300-pound individuals escorting a few humanoid aliens of varying shapes. These, he surmised, were representatives of the so-called New Ji Race.


    ¡°Hmph, so this is the Swarm? How utterly primitive!¡± remarked one of the humanoids, whose pale blue skin and height bore some resemblance to the Rikens.


    However, unlike the Rikens, this being had a rounded head, gill-like plates on the sides of his cheeks, and webbed fingers, giving him the appearance of an evolved mackerel.


    ¡°Kant, stop complaining. Didn¡¯t you review the files before we came? The Swarm has always been like this,¡± another member of the delegation responded with mild exasperation.

 Chapter 398: Intelligence

    The speaker was a humanoid figure barely one meter tall, with milky white skin and a slightly pointed head. His large, black eyes, which occupied nearly half of his face, gleamed like flawless gemstones.


    However, amidst a group of towering individuals over two meters tall and weighing more than 300 pounds, this frail figure resembled nothing more than a ¡°child.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, shut up, Hyman. With your perspective, all you can see are thick legs. Wait until you see the outside world before you start talking again,¡± sneered Kant, the so-called New Ji Race, whose sharp tongue made him appear to be the group¡¯s provocateur.


    Though mocked, the diminutive Hyman remained calm. ¡°What difference does it make? Since nothing can be changed, why waste words?¡±


    ¡°Hmph! The Swarm knows we¡¯re coming, yet they didn¡¯t bother to prepare. Isn¡¯t that disrespectful? And as for you, arguing with me is just wasting your own breath. Do you think you can change my mind?¡± Kant shot back.


    ¡°¡­¡± Hyman fell silent, refusing to engage further with Kant.


    ¡°Enough! Stop arguing. Don¡¯t let the outsiders laugh at us,¡± said another humanoid figure, approximately 1.7 meters tall, with golden skin that shimmered like polished gold.


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Kant reluctantly obeyed, silenced by the golden figure¡¯s commanding presence. Clearly, this golden-skinned individual was the leader of the Ji delegation.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t they look like professional diplomats?¡± Luo Wen muttered, observing the scene through a concealed Observer Bug.


    The bickering among the Ji delegation hardly resembled the conduct of a serious diplomatic team. What exactly had the Ji sent here? And what was with the arrogance radiating from their every word and action? Was this the Ji?


    From his prior research, Luo Wen had regarded the Ji as a great race. Yet their successors, the New Ji Race, appeared to be¡­ this?


    The negotiations that followed were even stranger. Perhaps Bular¡¯s earlier visit had given the impression that the Swarm was too agreeable, leading this batch of diplomats to a grave misunderstanding.


    ¡°Hmph! The Swarm must surrender all its biological technology, or they can forget about joining the Confederation!¡± Kant barked.


    The Troi delegation, though more professional, was similarly unyielding. Many of the agreements preliminarily settled with Bular were overturned and renegotiated, with the new terms being far harsher.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but smirk as he listened. The arrogance on display made it seem as though the Swarm was desperate to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    Perhaps other native civilizations had indeed acted this way in the past, eagerly seeking membership after being coerced into concessions in order to gain the protection of the Confederation¡¯s rules.


    But the Swarm was a completely different case. Did these people even think? If Bular¡¯s team had been reasonable, this new delegation felt like a farce¡ªnumerous and noisy but lacking substance, as if playing at diplomacy.


    For Luo Wen, this was perfect. If negotiations stalled, they could simply drag on indefinitely. And the longer they dragged on, the better.


    As an immortal being, Luo Wen had no fear of prolonged discussions. He would be more than happy to spend thousands or even tens of thousands of years negotiating. By then, perhaps the Swarm would be strong enough to crush the Confederation outright.


    Of course, such an ideal scenario was unlikely in reality.


    Still, Luo Wen¡¯s goal was simple: delay as much as possible.


    This round of negotiations featured the highest-ranking representatives of the Troi Civilization, including a member of their royal family who also held the rank of Admiral. As the second-in-command of the expedition fleet, this individual was a major figure within the Troi hierarchy.


    Aside from a few words exchanged during the initial meeting, the Troi royal representative¡ªan admiral and supposedly one of the most influential figures in their civilization¡ªremained silent throughout the negotiations. He acted more like a ceremonial figurehead, observing everything coldly without uttering a single word.


    On the Ji side, the delegation consisted of five members, led by the golden-skinned humanoid named Seguen. While not outright rude, Seguen¡¯s demeanor was unmistakably arrogant.


    He frequently referred to the Swarm and even the Troi delegation as ¡°outsiders,¡± a term that seemed to rub the Troi representatives the wrong way. However, Seguen himself appeared oblivious, as if accustomed to such reactions, continuing to act as he pleased.


    It seemed the New Ji Race delegation shared a like-minded arrogance. Though the other Ji representatives were not as overbearing as Seguen, their attitudes weren¡¯t far behind. They displayed an almost obsessive pride in their identity as New Ji, taking extraordinary care never to mention their progenitor Ji race or original civilizations.


    Given the elevated status and stakes of this negotiation, Danton was relegated to a secondary role, while the Swarm¡¯s lead negotiator became Marlene, the one who had overseen the Rikens¡¯ surrender in person.


    Each party in the negotiations harbored their own ulterior motives. The Ji representatives continued making unrealistic demands, the Troi delegation sought to inflate their own leverage, and the Swarm neither agreed nor outright refused. Instead, they simply convened daily sessions, wasting time with meaningless discussions.


    Months passed without any tangible progress. The three sides continued their verbal sparring, each seemingly unbothered by the lack of resolution.


    The negotiations were hosted at Planet A11, where the planet¡¯s surface was populated by drifting larval bodies. The largest of these measured no more than seven or eight meters, while the smallest were barely over a meter in size. These larval bodies remained stationary, curled into tight balls. Apart from clearing space when the Troi fleet first arrived, they had not shifted position or changed posture since.


    Also present were the Worker Drones, tirelessly performing repetitive tasks like unfeeling machines. They paid no attention to their surroundings, ignoring even the diplomatic delegates when touched.


    Perhaps it was the seemingly harmless and unassuming nature of these creatures that gradually lowered the vigilance of the delegates. Some members of the delegation even began to mistake the larval bodies for lifeless ornaments, as their behavior aligned more with decorations than living entities.


    In this relaxed environment, much information was inadvertently disclosed. These fragments of data were carefully intercepted by the seemingly insignificant bugs scattered around, acting as the Swarm¡¯s covert surveillance network.


    The intercepted data was largely fragmented and disjointed¡ªidle chatter rather than structured intelligence. Yet, when pieced together, the Swarm was able to glean several valuable insights.


    For instance, during casual conversation among the Troi diplomats, it was revealed that the sharp-tongued, blue-skinned Kant hailed from a civilization called Kanbo. Another Ji delegate, with dark green skin and named Boikos, was from a civilization known as Kibu.


    The Kibu civilization was located approximately 800 light-years from the Swarm, while the location of the Kanbo civilization remained unknown. However, intelligence suggested that these Ji representatives were several generations removed from their original homeworlds.


    As such, their actions and attitudes likely had little connection to their original civilizations.


    ¡°So, the Ji representatives sent here are what they call Descendants¡ªthose who have fully embraced their identity as the New Ji Race?¡± Luo Wen mused, furrowing his brows in thought. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If this were true, their behavior began to make more sense. These individuals, who saw themselves as rulers of this galaxy, likely regarded their very presence in this remote region as a magnanimous gift to the Swarm.


    A measure of arrogance and disrespect would seem, in their eyes, entirely justified.

 Chapter 399: Peculiarities

    These Nth-generation descendants of the Ji immigrants probably had no clue where their original civilizations were located. Given their mindset shift, it was perhaps understandable that their perspectives were somewhat warped.


    However, what struck Luo Wen as truly peculiar was the attitude of the Troi Civilization representatives.


    From the ongoing collection of intelligence, Luo Wen learned that within the Troi delegation, there were indeed individuals advocating for raising the stakes in negotiations.


    They believed that the Swarm was not as formidable as it seemed, suspecting that the Swarm¡¯s military presence across several star systems was little more than a facade. According to this faction, the Swarm likely had no hidden reserves and was merely bluffing with the forces it openly displayed.


    Their strategy was to pressure the Swarm, testing its limits and revealing its true capabilities, all while negotiating for maximum benefits for their civilization. Many within the Troi delegation shared this view.


    This perspective was not unreasonable¡ªit was, after all, their job to secure advantages for their civilization. If successful, they would personally benefit as well.


    What made this odd, however, was the apparent lack of coordination in their approach. Negotiations between civilizations should not be so haphazard. When Bular led the initial delegation, he had refrained from any hostile or aggressive language.


    His behavior reflected a clear and measured understanding of the Swarm, likely shaped by the Fleet Commander¡¯s directives. Could it be that this new delegation, led by their second-in-command, held conflicting views with the Fleet Commander?


    The royal representative Froede, a member of the Troi royal family and an admiral, had been remarkably silent since his arrival. By now, he rarely even appeared at the negotiation table. From casual conversations among the delegation, it was evident that Froede had neither openly supported nor opposed the current strategy. However, his neutrality led many Troi representatives to interpret his stance as tacit approval for those pushing a harder line.


    Yet even if Froede disagreed with the Fleet Commander, this was hardly the time to make such divisions public. Did he not realize how this would appear to other civilizations? It risked giving the Troi Civilization a reputation for unreliability and dishonesty.


    Could the internal conflicts within the Troi leadership truly run this deep? Was Froede some kind of ¡°rival¡± to the Fleet Commander? Luo Wen found this possibility difficult to comprehend. As the Swarm¡¯s supreme will, Luo Wen¡¯s authority was absolute, with no room for political rivals or dissent. The concept of such internal divisions was entirely alien to him.


    After much deliberation, Luo Wen concluded that such a scenario was unlikely. Could the Troi Civilization truly be unconcerned about the Swarm expanding into the Inner Circle?


    The stakes involved spanned several star systems and their associated resources. Perhaps something had occurred in the fifteen years since Bular¡¯s visit that had fundamentally shifted the Troi Civilization¡¯s overall stance.


    If so, this was troubling news. The idea of being ensnared in a shadowy conspiracy without any clear intelligence left Luo Wen deeply uneasy.


    Before long, Luo Wen received another curious piece of intelligence: the five Ji representatives in the delegation had originated from within Troi territory.


    Civilizations that joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation engaged in various forms of cooperation beyond the so-called head tax or accumulating points. These included commerce and tourism agreements. Unlike the Swarm, where every intelligent entity, though seemingly independent, was ultimately a product of the collective will, other civilizations were composed of individuals with distinct and autonomous minds.


    For the Swarm, there was only one will. The existence of individual intelligence and emotions within the Swarm was permitted solely by the Overlord¡¯s discretion.


    For the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities, tasks such as ¡°9-9-7¡± (working nine hours a day, seven days a week) were trivial; working continuously for hundreds of hours was routine. They never experienced resentment toward the Overlord¡¯s commands.


    In contrast, the individuals of other civilizations had their own wills, requiring a balance of work and recreation to remain functional.


    Interstellar tourism¡ªespecially traveling to star systems of other civilizations to experience exotic cultures¡ªwas among the most expensive and sought-after forms of entertainment.


    For these Ji representatives, their presence in Troi territory likely stemmed from such agreements, blending trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Yet their origins added an intriguing wrinkle to the larger picture of the Ji¡¯s evolving identity.


    This kind of interstellar tourism and trade typically flourished in established civilizations, as newly-initiated interstellar civilizations required considerable time to adjust to the realities of interstellar travel. After all, even with faster-than-light ships, such journeys still involved prolonged periods of space travel.


    Every Interstellar Technological Confederation member civilization typically designated one or more cities to serve as hubs for tourism and trade. The New Ji Race delegation, it turned out, had previously been stationed in one of the trade cities on the Troi homeworld.


    When they learned of the Troi Civilization¡¯s invitation to the Swarm, they somehow acquired authorization to represent the Ji in this negotiation. The ten-year delay in the Troi diplomatic mission¡¯s arrival was caused by these Ji representatives traveling from the Troi homeworld to the fleet¡¯s current position.


    This revelation invalidated earlier assumptions about Ji ship speeds. It was now unclear whether these Ji representatives had used Troi vessels or their own. Either way, the ten-year travel time from the Troi homeworld to Swarm territory was far from impressive.


    While this might be considered good news, it also made the situation murkier.


    The Troi Civilization, though significant in the Outer-ring, was geographically and strategically akin to a remote backwater compared to the Ji¡¯s central territory. Yet somehow, a handful of Ji individuals¡ªwhether they were traveling for leisure or another reason¡ªended up in such a place, and managed to secure the authority to represent the Ji in signing the Swarm¡¯s Confederation membership agreement.


    Although specific intelligence was lacking, it was almost certain that these five Ji representatives possessed significant backgrounds. However, wasn¡¯t the Swarm already under the scrutiny of the Ji and numerous other civilizations?


    Luo Wen had initially expected that, at the very least, the Ji would send a delegation of ¡°professionals¡± for this negotiation. He even anticipated the presence of representatives from other civilizations, possibly mixed with spies and saboteurs.


    Instead, no foreign representatives or spies had been detected. The Ji did send five representatives, but none were experts. While the Troi delegation appeared professional, their current behavior¡ªwhether influenced by the Ji or for other reasons¡ªhad turned the negotiations into something resembling a child¡¯s playdate.


    All of this left Luo Wen with an overwhelming sense of surreal absurdity.


    Despite the disarray, Luo Wen was able to glean useful information from the seemingly arrogant demands of the Ji delegation. While their terms frequently shifted, one demand remained constant: the sharing of the Swarm¡¯s biological technology.


    This persistent demand revealed the Ji¡¯s strong desire for the Swarm¡¯s advancements in biological tech. Even though the delegation¡¯s Nth-generation representatives were scatterbrained, their presence here suggested they had at least some insider knowledge and negotiation directives.


    Of course, the Swarm would never agree to such terms. The Ji representatives, however, continued to make increasingly absurd threats, including claims that the Ji would send their armies to annihilate the Swarm and seize the technology by force.


    At such moments, members of the Troi delegation would step in, seemingly with ¡°good intentions,¡± to inform the Swarm that, as non-members of the Confederation, they were not yet protected by its rules. Therefore, the Ji¡¯s threats were not as empty as they might seem.


    Luo Wen remained unfazed. He understood this tactic for what it was¡ªa clumsy attempt at intimidation. But if the Ji¡¯s fixation on Swarm biological technology was this intense, it was likely a key point of leverage in the ongoing negotiations. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For now, all Luo Wen needed to do was keep stalling while continuing to expand the Swarm¡¯s influence and strength.

 Chapter 401: Straightening Out the Thought Process

    In the blink of an eye, twenty years passed, and the negotiations remained at a standstill. The members from the Troi civilization who attended the meetings had already been replaced multiple times.


    For some members of other civilizations, sleeping for decades or even centuries was perfectly normal. After all, time passed imperceptibly during cryosleep. However, Luo Wen struggled to adapt to this concept of time.


    For such a trivial matter to drag on this long?


    They had completely redefined the meaning of efficiency, and Luo Wen suddenly felt 80% of the pressure on his shoulders dissipate. With how things were proceeding, even if they were discussing whether to go to war with the Swarm, it might take them centuries of arguing to reach a conclusion.


    Just as Luo Wen thought this endless stalling would continue, another event disrupted the rhythm. It came from the Riken.


    The Third Prince¡¯s actions, despite attempts at secrecy, had finally been exposed¡ªhis failed invitation could no longer be hidden.


    Since the Swarm had yet to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation, there were no formal diplomatic exchanges or channels for information. Thus, Luo Wen learned of this incident only by overhearing idle chatter among Troi diplomats.


    Although the Daqi civilization was relatively insignificant compared to Troi, the latter seemed to pay particular attention to them¡ªperhaps due to a grudge.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t too worried about the strength of the Daqi civilization. However, they had been part of the Confederation for millennia and had joined various internal organizations. Meanwhile, the Swarm was still in the negotiation phase, technically not a member of the Confederation, and therefore not protected by its internal rules.


    Even within the Confederation, wars between civilizations were not uncommon, provided there was a plausible excuse. The key difference was that such conflicts were internal disputes, with the intensity of warfare kept within controlled limits.


    As an ¡°outsider,¡± however, the Swarm didn¡¯t enjoy these protections. Luo Wen worried that a conflict might escalate uncontrollably, with stronger allies joining the fray, turning a minor skirmish into a full-blown war.


    Coupled with the ongoing negotiations in the Genesis System, Luo Wen suspected this might be a coordinated ¡°good cop, bad cop¡± strategy to pressure the Swarm into accepting harsh terms.


    Fortunately, the situation didn¡¯t devolve into the worst-case scenario. Unable to contain themselves, the Daqi civilization did amass their forces and launched a campaign to save face.


    Now, the Daqi civilization had assembled a fleet of 50,000 warships, advancing menacingly toward the outer rim of the Riken System.


    These 50,000 warships represented nearly the entirety of Daqi¡¯s available military strength. Their overwhelming momentum was apparent, but the Swarm¡¯s presence in the Riken System was not what it had been six decades ago. The Daqi had delayed far too long, and the Swarm¡¯s deployments in the Riken System had grown vastly stronger.


    More than a million Primordial bodies rose to meet them. Their sheer numbers were so immense that they blanketed the void of space like an overwhelming tide. And this was merely a fraction of the Swarm¡¯s forces in the Riken System.


    In the end, after a brief probing skirmish, the Daqi warships, despite comparable technology and a stark size disparity between individual units, were utterly outnumbered. With casualties amounting to half their fleet, they retreated in defeat, tails between their legs.


    Although the Daqi civilization lost face once again, at least their fleet suffered minimal losses, preserving their core assets.


    This war, despite the Swarm intentionally holding back, revealed certain truths that could no longer be concealed¡ªlike the brightest star in the night sky, some things are impossible to hide.


    The Swarm¡¯s unparalleled capacity for rapid military production became glaringly obvious to all. Sixty years ago, a fleet of just over 2,000 Daqi warships had inflicted heavy casualties on the Swarm¡¯s forces in the Riken System. Yet now, the Swarm had effortlessly repelled a 50,000-strong fleet.


    This disparity was noteworthy enough, but the true issue lay elsewhere: despite mobilizing such a massive force, the Primordial bodies basking in the stellar near-orbit of the Riken System seemed untouched. This observation raised serious concerns.


    The Primordial bodies of the Swarm had always been there. Even though some were deliberately hidden, many remained visible. They were exposed to observation all along but appeared to have been consciously overlooked¡ªuntil this war, which had been decades in the making yet ended in an instant, jolted many to their senses.


    However, Luo Wen did not face stronger adversaries or coordinated attacks in the aftermath. Instead, changes began unfolding at A11 in the Genesis System. The pace of negotiations suddenly accelerated. Just two years after the war, several new Ji members arrived at the A11 Swarm base aboard a warship styled like a ¡°Treasure Starship.¡±


    These new Ji members replaced the original five-member group, and Froede reappeared as well. The agreement reverted to the draft originally proposed by Bular, and their attitude was a stark contrast to their earlier stance. Their intentions to expedite negotiations were unmistakable, and the situation seemed to return to normalcy.


    ¡°Overlord, what are you worried about?¡± Sarah appeared behind Luo Wen, her voice soft.


    ¡°Have we calculated the speed of the Ji¡¯s ship?¡± Luo Wen ignored Sarah¡¯s question and directed his inquiry to Morgan.


    ¡°It¡¯s done. Approximately six times the speed of light. Since they only had a single warship with a small profile, by the time we detected them, they were already close to our territory. It¡¯s unclear whether they decelerated earlier,¡± Morgan replied.


    Luo Wen nodded. Fortunately, the technological gap wasn¡¯t insurmountable, though it would take time to catch up. And right now, time was what the Swarm needed most.


    However, the current state of affairs felt even more surreal than before, leaving Luo Wen somewhat baffled.


    ¡°Why do you think they want to speed up the negotiations?¡± Luo Wen murmured, seemingly to himself. Without waiting for Morgan or the other intelligent entities to respond, he continued, ¡°It¡¯s definitely related to the Riken Systems campaign. But what is their ultimate goal?¡±


    Luo Wen rewound the timeline and began piecing things together from the start.


    He couldn¡¯t discern who was orchestrating this game or how many factions were involved, but one thing was certain¡ªthe Swarm was a pawn in their strategy.


    After the Daqi civilization¡¯s Third Prince retreated in defeat, the Troi civilization immediately stepped in before Daqi could launch a counterattack. What was the meaning of this? Luo Wen scratched his head, and then a sudden flash of insight struck him.


    That was it. The opposing factions likely had no idea that the Swarm possessed both the Swarm Network and the ability to convert intelligent entities. Although the Swarm had captured numerous Daqi individuals, the other side couldn¡¯t be sure what those captives knew or what they might reveal.


    In essence, Bular¡¯s purpose was to ¡°educate¡± the Swarm about the Interstellar Technological Confederation. Though he himself was undoubtedly unaware of this role, his mission to discuss the Swarm¡¯s membership inevitably involved disclosing critical information.


    What exactly had Bular said back then? Luo Wen began to recall and retrieved fragments of the scene from that time. Because Luo Wen had already learned about the Confederation and the Ji¡¯s origins beforehand, he hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the specifics of Bular¡¯s explanations.


    Looking back now, it was clear he had overlooked some details. Fortunately, Danton, who had been responsible for negotiations at the time, was unaware of this intelligence and inadvertently avoided potential pitfalls. Otherwise, Bular might have noticed inconsistencies and become suspicious.


    Pretending not to know something and genuinely not knowing it were entirely different, Luo Wen reflected. This time, luck had been on his side, but it wouldn¡¯t always be. He resolved to pay closer attention to the details moving forward.


    S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 402: Joining

    Luo Wen carefully recalled the details. During negotiations, Bular had inadvertently disclosed a wealth of information¡ªnot only things Luo Wen was already aware of but also numerous bits of insider gossip, such as information about the Descendants faction.


    And then, almost immediately, the Descendants sent representatives? No wonder the timing and location of the five-member Ji group¡¯s appearance seemed so peculiar, and their acquisition of negotiation authority so inexplicable. Was it because there wasn¡¯t enough time to set the stage properly?


    Luo Wen furrowed his brow in thought. No, no, he was still making some assumptions. The opposing side didn¡¯t know the Swarm¡¯s methods, so theoretically, the Swarm shouldn¡¯t have any knowledge about the five-member group¡¯s true origins.


    From that perspective, the Swarm should only know that the five-member group belonged to the Descendants faction. And, given Bular¡¯s earlier ¡°education session,¡± the arrogance and haughtiness of these Descendants would seem entirely expected.


    Based on surface-level information, the Swarm might also deduce that the five-member group held extraordinary status. Thus, Troi¡¯s shift in attitude under their pressure would appear reasonable.


    Moreover, their apparent concept of time¡ªwhere twenty years of negotiations felt like nothing¡ªgave the Swarm the impression that their efficiency was abysmal. So, the protracted negotiations weren¡¯t surprising at all.


    In fact, if not for the Riken System campaign, these talks might have dragged on indefinitely.


    With this in mind, the strategist¡¯s goal became obvious. But this realization made Luo Wen doubt his conclusions. He went back to the start, retraced his reasoning, and still arrived at the same conclusion: the other side was buying time for the Swarm.


    Indeed, reality was even more bizarre than imagined.


    Could the Swarm have an invisible ally? Was Luo Wen some heir to a mighty civilization, with countless factions secretly paving the way for him?


    If Luo Wen didn¡¯t know for a fact that he was an entirely foreign species, he might have started believing it himself.


    Since it wasn¡¯t some ¡°grooming a successor¡± scheme, what was the opposing side¡¯s goal?


    The strategist clearly understood the Swarm to some extent, knowing that time was their most critical need. Their deliberate stalling was intended to grant the Swarm room to grow.


    If this reasoning held, then Troi¡¯s 200,000-strong fleet pressing at their borders was merely a form of pressure, urging the Swarm to develop at maximum speed. In other words, granting the Swarm extra time wasn¡¯t an easy task for the strategist. They needed to limit the time granted as much as possible.


    That implied the existence of an even more powerful force above the strategist! Luo Wen raised an eyebrow. That made sense¡ªif they were already the strongest, they wouldn¡¯t need to act so covertly.


    The Daqi civilization¡¯s attempt at revenge was likely part of the strategist¡¯s plan as well¡ªa form of evaluation or test? To gauge the Swarm¡¯s progress?


    But the Swarm¡¯s military strength was already on full display. There was no need for war; a few observations could provide a rough estimate.


    Odd. Luo Wen fell into deep thought again.


    Wait. Luo Wen suddenly realized he had fallen into an intelligence trap. What he assumed to be common knowledge was, in fact, unknown to many. While he knew that the Primordial bodies were the real deal, the shadowy strategist did not.


    Did the strategist think the Swarm might resort to producing substandard units under pressure, creating defective ¡°filler¡± troops to bluff their way into an imposing display? Perhaps this was why they sent a subordinate to inspect the goods.


    Of course, pawns like the Daqi civilization were likely unaware of the deeper schemes at play. As for the Troi civilization, though they were also pawns, these ¡°300-pound muscular brutes¡± seemed to be more clever than they initially appeared.


    The Riken System campaign had clearly left the hidden strategist impressed¡ªperhaps overly so¡ªwith the Swarm¡¯s rapid development. This was evident from the sudden shift in the negotiation pace at Origin A11.


    The abrupt change from stalling for time to rushing to conclude the talks was anything but subtle. The transition was jarring, riddled with flaws, forcing Luo Wen to rethink everything and connect the dots to draw new conclusions.


    It seemed the strategist¡¯s plan had entered its next phase. But what was their ultimate goal?


    Luo Wen quickly formed a preliminary hypothesis: the strategist needed the Swarm to reach a certain level of strength, but not to exceed their control. What did they intend to do with such a Swarm? Luo Wen had no answer¡ªthe information available was too limited to support further analysis. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, as the strategist continued moving pieces on the board, more information would inevitably be revealed. Armed with the conclusions he had drawn so far, Luo Wen felt he had gained a small measure of initiative. When the time came, he would counter their moves as needed.


    But before that, the Swarm needed to accelerate its development. With absolute strength, all conspiracies and schemes would be rendered meaningless. When the time came, Luo Wen would smash the chessboard, drag the strategist into the open, and make them understand the true meaning of power.


    Currently, the Swarm had already made significant advancements in various technologies, many of which were already operational. Thanks to their fungal carpet-based templates, the Swarm¡¯s combat units were highly modular and organized. Upgrading and retrofitting existing forces would undoubtedly give those plotting against them a ¡°pleasant¡± surprise.


    After the arrival of the new Ji team, the negotiations at Origin A11 progressed swiftly. Within a year, despite some remaining details to iron out, the Swarm officially joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation, becoming one of its members.


    In the following year, the Swarm extended an invitation to the Riken civilization. The scientific personnel from both sides had already been carefully selected, totaling more than 100,000 individuals: 3,000 from the Swarm and the remainder from the Riken civilization.


    Given the Riken civilization¡¯s larger population, it was impossible to construct an ecosystem-compatible colony for them within Swarm territory. Thus, the assembly point was established at the Twin Star Colony in the Riken System. All personnel would gather there and wait for a Ji ship to transport them.


    The preparations were intricate and demanding. Luo Wen had long arranged specialized Swarm bodies for the 3,000 Swarm researchers. However, after careful consideration, he decided against making these bodies too conspicuous. This batch of Swarm bodies would lack the ability to survive unprotected in space. Instead, their circulatory systems were redesigned based on samples of native organisms from the Genesis Planet.


    Additionally, a new type of biological protective armor was developed to address the ¡°small anomalies¡± Bular had previously noticed.


    As for the Riken civilization, the Swarm naturally wouldn¡¯t miss the opportunity for infiltration. Their goals here were far less ambitious than with Swarm intelligent entities.


    Although the Swarm was sending only 3,000 researchers, they garnered far more attention than the 100,000 Riken personnel. Due to the Swarm¡¯s relatively short time controlling the Riken civilization and their decision not to use aggressive conversion tactics, only 20% of the Riken researchers were disguised Swarm intelligent entities.


    This cautious approach also accounted for the uncertainty about whether the Interstellar Confederation had methods to detect such abnormalities.


    The vastness of the interstellar expanse meant this journey was essentially a one-way trip. The departing personnel were given ten years to bid farewell to their families and friends.


    These ten years also happened to be the time required for the Ji to dispatch a ship to retrieve them.

 Chapter 403: Boarding the Ship

    In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed, and the Ji fleet arrived on schedule. It was said they departed from another Ji outpost, though the exact distance from there to the Riken System remained unclear.


    This was a small fleet with the distinctive style of ¡°Treasure Starships,¡± consisting of two massive transport ships over 6,000 meters long and twenty 3,000-meter-class escort ships.


    The Ji ships had undergone significant advancements in miniaturization and precision engineering, incorporating space-bending technologies to achieve their current scale. Even among 3,000-meter-class warships, the Ji¡¯s vessels far outclassed those of the Troi civilization, which couldn¡¯t even compare.


    The fleet docked at the spaceport of the Twin Star Colony in the Riken System. Perhaps it was a trick of perception, but from afar, the imposing presence of the dozens of Ji warships seemed to overshadow the nearby thousand-ship Riken fleet.


    Everything had been meticulously preplanned. Since this was the Riken civilization¡¯s first formal appearance on the Confederation stage, their leadership had taken the matter seriously, assigning a specialized team to oversee the event.


    With rehearsals completed many times beforehand, the entire process unfolded without delays. Orderly and efficient, the personnel in charge directed the researchers to begin boarding the Ji transport ships.


    The transport ships, with their unprecedented 6,000-meter length, dwarfed the nearby 2,000-meter Riken fleet, making them appear even more massive. To Luo Wen, these were the largest vessels he had seen so far.


    Rumor had it that the Ji also possessed super-transport ships exceeding 10,000 meters in length. However, to Luo Wen, these were mere curiosities; compared to the Swarm¡¯s megastructures, they were nothing but scraps.


    Apart from being faster, their size was truly unimpressive¡ªchild¡¯s play compared to the Swarm¡¯s titans.


    Of course, the speed difference was nothing to scoff at. Comparing these ships to the Swarm¡¯s vessels was akin to comparing a snail to a rocket¡ªa stark gap, so vast it defied analogy.


    While the Ji warships were tightly guarded, making it impossible for outsiders to learn much about their internal structures, the transport ships were a different story. Thanks to the perspective of the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities, Luo Wen was able to fully experience the Ji¡¯s boarding procedures firsthand.


    Because the researchers had already passed the Ji¡¯s tests beforehand, there was no need for another round of evaluations. After boarding the transport ships, they were guided by a combination of Ji personnel and machines to form orderly lines, leading into individual rooms.


    The rooms were spacious yet minimalistic, containing only essential detection equipment. Here, the researchers underwent a series of tests.


    The first step was a comprehensive check of physical functions. Researchers destined for Ji territory needed to be healthy, physically robust, and free of latent illnesses. Following this was full-body sterilization to ensure no bacteria or viruses were carried aboard. This step also doubled as a scan for any concealed weapons. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In addition, body structure scans, external feature analyses, and genetic backups were all performed. Once these procedures were completed, each researcher was assigned a new identity along with a personal terminal.


    They were then directed to enter hibernation pods. After all, the journey from the Riken System to Ji territory was no short trip¡ªeven at the Ji¡¯s advanced ship speeds, it would take considerable time. Naturally, this time was not meant to be idly spent.


    Luo Wen observed all of this. What lay ahead was crucial to the implementation of his long-term plans. For the first time in ages, he felt a twinge of nervousness¡ªan emotion he had almost forgotten he could experience.


    Thankfully, everything proceeded smoothly. No alarms sounded, no abnormalities were detected. The Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities disguised as Riken researchers passed the inspections effortlessly. Apart from their minds, they were identical to their originals, and Ji technology clearly couldn¡¯t penetrate into the soul.


    Luo Wen exhaled in relief. If the disguised Rikens passed so easily, then the Swarm researchers would pose even less of an issue. They didn¡¯t even have ¡°originals¡± to compare against; in a sense, they were the originals. Any peculiarities would simply be regarded as normal for them.


    Since the inspections required participants to wear only basic clothing, an environment suitable for such conditions had to be provided. Thus, the Swarm researchers underwent their examinations separately from the Riken researchers. For the first time, they revealed their ¡°true forms¡± to the world.


    As non-combatants, their armor, while still adorned with horns and spikes, was more decorative than practical and far less intimidating. Before the Ji inspection personnel, this layer of armor slowly retracted, compacting into a solid mass and condensing at their chests.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s so cool!¡± exclaimed one of the Ji inspectors, a 1.6-meter-tall figure with blue fur covering their face, resembling a monkey. The origins of their species were unclear.


    ¡°What is that?¡± another Ji member asked, eyes wide as they studied the exposed Swarm researcher.


    This inspector had dark skin and stood over two meters tall. His muscular build was impressive but differed from the 300-pound Troi warriors; his musculature was more refined and proportional. However, next to the diminutive ¡°blue-furred monkey,¡± he towered like a steel colossus.


    The Swarm researcher, now without armor, appeared somewhat slender. They stood about 1.8 meters tall, with two eyes and a mouth¡ªfeatures common enough to seem unremarkable.


    ¡°This is our biological parasitic armor, which also serves as our protective suit. Apologies, but it is symbiotically linked to my bloodstream. I can retract it temporarily, but I cannot remove it,¡± the Swarm researcher explained calmly.


    ¡°Incredible! I have to document this and report it immediately!¡± declared the ¡°towering muscleman,¡± who promptly began operating his recording device.


    ¡°Wow, this is way better than our armor. It¡¯s hard to believe something this advanced could come from a place as remote as this,¡± the blue-furred Ji inspector exclaimed, continuing his string of amazement.


    The room was designed to be suitable for the Swarm but not for the monkey-like Ji inspector¡¯s species. To cope, he wore a simplified protective suit that shielded him from the room¡¯s gravity and a face mask to filter out harmful gases.


    These suits were standard equipment for the Ji, a necessity given their diverse composition as a race of immigrants. The Ji civilization was a melting pot of species, each with unique physiological needs and ecological preferences. For one race, breathable air might be a deadly poison to another.


    This diversity drove the rapid evolution of the Ji¡¯s protective suit technology, which had reached its current level of sophistication. The standard Ji suits were designed for use on habitable planets with atmospheres. They could adjust or counteract gravity within certain limits, and their face masks automatically filtered atmospheric elements harmful to the wearer¡¯s species.


    Although Ji suits were already lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, they still required some effort to wear. In comparison, the Swarm¡¯s biological armor, which could be donned and retracted at will and even provided some exoskeletal support, was vastly superior.

 Chapter 404: Inspection

    ¡°Have you ever considered offering this technology to the Ji race? I¡¯m sure it would fetch a great price. Oh, my mistake¡ªsince we¡¯re now all part of the Ji race, shouldn¡¯t you consider donating this technology to the collective instead?¡± The hulking muscle-bound figure raised his head as he spoke. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although he appeared honest and simple, his words carried a cunning undertone, not only aiming to take advantage but also sow discord.


    To some extent, what he said was true.


    The Swarm member shook his head. ¡°This parasitic armor is issued exclusively by the Swarm, and its technology is strictly confidential.¡±


    He gestured in a wide arc with his hand. ¡°None of us here¡ªnone of the Swarm members in this place¡ªknow the specifics of this technology.¡±


    ¡°Tch!¡± The muscle-bound figure clicked his tongue in annoyance. ¡°Alright, that¡¯s beyond my clearance. I¡¯ll leave it to the higher-ups to handle.¡± He muttered, his voice trailing off, though it was faintly audible, ¡°At least reporting this information itself can earn me some benefits¡ªit¡¯s not a wasted trip.¡±


    Unwilling to give up entirely, he added, ¡°We¡¯re all going to be on the same team from now on, so if you have any good stuff, consider bringing it out early to exchange for points.¡±


    Without waiting for the Swarm members to ask what points were for, he continued as though answering his own question: ¡°What¡¯s the use of points, you ask? They¡¯re great! With enough points, you can live a more comfortable life, gain access to more resources, apply for advanced laboratories, and even browse higher-level knowledge. In short, the more points, the better.¡±


    Unfortunately, despite his lengthy sales pitch, none of the Swarm members responded. He felt slightly embarrassed, though his dark skin conveniently hid any blush.


    It turned out these inspection personnel weren¡¯t just responsible for escorting foreign researchers; they also had the job of extracting valuable technologies¡ªa program colloquially referred to as the ¡°keep it in the family¡± initiative.


    For example, if a foreign researcher possessed a technology that the Ji race did not have, and this technology could be exchanged for five points, the receiving personnel and the researcher would split half of the points. Then, the two would divide that half equally between them.


    This meant that when the researcher¡¯s civilization later attempted to exchange the same technology for points, it would show as already stored in the Ji database and thus ineligible for further exchange.


    This clever system not only restricted the acquisition of points by foreign researchers but also sowed discord between them and their original civilizations. It was a win-win for the Ji. However, as the number of foreign civilizations grew¡ªand most had already been influenced by Ji technological pathways¡ªthe pool of unique technologies to extract had dwindled.


    The Swarm, however, was one of the few civilizations in the Confederation that primarily pursued biotechnology. It undoubtedly possessed many unique technologies, making this assignment a coveted opportunity for individuals like the ¡°muscle-bound figure¡± and the ¡°blue-haired monkey.¡±


    Yet despite discovering something promising at the outset, they now felt as if they were leaving a treasure trove empty-handed, which deeply frustrated them.


    In addition to personnel inspections, all luggage and personal items brought aboard had to undergo rigorous checks in another room before being allowed on the ship. The Ji race maintained a relatively humane policy for incoming members; every researcher who passed the screening process was permitted to carry up to 50 kilograms of non-living items onto the ship.


    However, the inspections here were much stricter. Unlike personnel checks, which rarely resulted in incidents, luggage checks were notorious for mishaps.


    Who were these researchers? They were specialists in all sorts of fields, and the most common items they brought were electronic storage devices and printed books. Next came clothing and personal mementos, and finally, their favorite experimental materials.


    These materials were wildly diverse¡ªradioactive items were considered normal, unstable explosive substances were not uncommon, and some even brought bacteria or toxins.


    While the pre-boarding guidelines explicitly prohibited such items, violations were still rampant. After all, what malicious intent could these researchers possibly have? They simply wanted to bring some experimental materials aboard.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± a Ji inspection officer asked his colleague.


    In his hand was a pendant discovered in the luggage of a Riken researcher. The pendant appeared ordinary, resembling amber formed from some kind of plant secretion and strung on a simple woven cord.


    The pendant was particularly striking because it contained a small golden insect encased in pale blue transparent amber. The insect, no larger than a fingernail, was impeccably preserved¡ªits limbs and even its delicate antennae remained intact, gleaming brilliantly in gold.


    ¡°It looks like some sort of bug, but I¡¯ve never seen this specific kind before. Perhaps it¡¯s a local specialty from their home planet,¡± the colleague glanced at it briefly and lost interest.


    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t dismiss it so casually¡ªit could be dangerous!¡± the inspection officer exclaimed with exaggerated alarm. While his reaction seemed theatrical, it wasn¡¯t without reason. There was a precedent in Ji history involving a foreigner boarding with a specimen of a native lifeform.


    In that historical incident, the Ji inspectors had noticed the specimen but had regarded it as a harmless memento. After the ship launched, however, over twenty Ji members began dying mysteriously, with no discernible cause.


    Panic spread throughout the vessel, and it wasn¡¯t until the death toll surpassed one hundred that the true culprit was discovered. The specimen emitted a faint neurotoxin that wasn¡¯t cataloged in the Ji¡¯s database and thus had gone undetected during the initial inspection.


    This toxin, harmless to the native people and even mildly invigorating for them, acted as a slow poison for many other species. It caused progressive respiratory distress, eventually leading to suffocation.


    Following that disaster, Ji personnel tasked with escorting foreigners became particularly vigilant about unusual biological specimens in luggage. While such items were not outright banned, they were subject to stringent scrutiny.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s figure out what this little thing actually is,¡± the colleague said, pulling out a scanning device. He waved it over the amber several times, allowing the data to upload to their computer for analysis.


    The results came back quickly.


    ¡°According to the information, this insect is a common species native to the Zanga Forest near the equator of the Riken homeworld. It¡¯s called¡­ well, the name¡¯s in their native language, and I can¡¯t pronounce it. The locals often encase these bugs in resin from blue pine trees to create pendants, which they believe bring good luck¡­¡±


    Noticing that his colleague was about to continue with a lengthy explanation, the inspection officer quickly interrupted, ¡°Stop, stop. You know what I care about. Don¡¯t waste time.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± the colleague relented, summarizing, ¡°The notes from the information department indicate that it¡¯s a safe species and can be carried onboard.¡±


    Hearing this, the inspection officer shrugged, tossed the pendant back into the luggage, and marked it as cleared for transport.

 Chapter 405: Doubts

    The inspection process for over 100,000 researchers and their belongings was incredibly time-consuming. With the Ji race¡¯s limited staff and constrained facilities, the entire process took nearly a year to complete.


    Fortunately, none of the boarding personnel were found to have any abnormalities. All were in good health, and no strange pathogens were detected. As for the luggage, while a few hazardous items were discovered, further investigation revealed no intentional wrongdoing by the owners, so these were deemed minor issues.


    Once cleared, the researchers began entering their cryosleep pods, while their luggage was stored separately. With all preparations complete, two Ji transport ships, escorted by eighteen warships, slowly departed the starport and began accelerating.


    The light from the ships¡¯ engines gradually dimmed, eventually disappearing into the vast sea of stars.


    The Ji race¡¯s warp drive technology was highly advanced. Their warp bubbles were incredibly stable and compact, eliminating the need to avoid large gravitational sources like planets.


    Unlike Troi warships, which had to exit their star systems before activating warp, the Ji fleet initiated their warp drives just 5 million kilometers beyond the Twin Star Defensive Zone under the watchful gaze of the Swarm¡¯s Observer Bugs. Moments later, their forms blurred, and optical radar could no longer track their precise coordinates.


    However, warp bubbles, being a special kind of gravitational field, could still be detected using gravitational-wave radars. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hundreds of intelligent entities were on high alert, constantly tracking the ships¡¯ coordinates and calculating their speed: twice the speed of light, three times, four times¡­ The ships accelerated rapidly, stabilizing at eight times the speed of light and maintaining that velocity.


    Luo Wen¡¯s expression grew serious. The Ji race¡¯s technological sophistication exceeded even his most pessimistic expectations. Back when the Troi diplomats had been negotiating, there was speculation about the origin of the five-member Ji delegation and an attempt to estimate their ship¡¯s speed. The resulting calculations were terrifying. Learning that they had traveled aboard Troi warships to the negotiation site had brought some relief at the time.


    But now, reality proved even worse than Luo Wen had feared. Eight times the speed of light¡ªthis with large transport ships in tow. The Ji warships were likely even faster.


    And this might not even represent their cutting-edge technology. After all, this was merely a fleet for transporting foreign researchers, a peripheral operation. Their main battle fleets could be far more formidable.


    Suddenly, Luo Wen¡¯s brow furrowed. Something felt off. While the situation was dire, it might not be as catastrophic as it seemed.


    If the Swarm were just an ordinary foreign civilization, his earlier concerns would have been valid. However, the Swarm was now an essential piece on the interstellar chessboard. Given the prolonged delays during the negotiations, it was clear the mastermind behind the scenes needed the Swarm to fit a specific mold.


    To achieve this, they would undoubtedly employ various methods to reshape and influence the current state of the Swarm.


    Yet, due to time constraints, the Swarm lacked significant allies or enemies and had no critical stakes in the larger interstellar network. As things stood, there were limited means by which the mastermind could exert influence over the Swarm.


    This made the Ji race¡¯s current mission¡ªa rare point of contact for the Swarm with the outside world¡ªhighly significant. If the Swarm failed to meet the mastermind¡¯s expectations during this encounter, they would not let such an opportunity go to waste.


    Considering how smoothly the Ji ships had left without any conflict with the Swarm, it was highly likely that their actions during departure were a subtle display of military strength. This display, conducted at maximum capacity, suggested that eight times the speed of light might be the current technological limit of the Ji race.


    But what exactly were they trying to accomplish? Was this military pressure intended to heighten the Swarm¡¯s sense of crisis? Were they trying to accelerate the Swarm¡¯s growth under external threats? The Swarm¡¯s rapid mass-production capabilities had already been acknowledged, so were they now pushing the Swarm to improve not just in quantity but also in quality?


    This situation¡­?


    It felt suspiciously like a contrived plot, where a divine mandate was being thrust upon the Swarm. The mastermind seemed to have set up a hypothetical enemy for the Swarm to stimulate its development¡ªalmost as if they were racing against time.


    Could it be that the mastermind pulling the strings was actually a hidden rebel organization within the Interstellar Technological Confederation?


    If they were opposing the Ji race, they would need a powerful ally. The Swarm, with its potential, its lack of desire for life-bearing planets, and its relatively non-violent tendencies¡ªjudging from how it treated the Riken and Rat folk¡ªappeared to be a trustworthy candidate for such an alliance.


    Most importantly, the Swarm¡¯s rapid unit production made it an excellent source of cannon fodder.


    Perhaps, once the Swarm reached a certain level of development, an organization might suddenly reveal itself, claiming they had secretly cultivated the Swarm all along and now needed it to spearhead the charge against the ¡°evil¡± Ji race?


    Luo Wen raised an eyebrow. This was amusing speculation, but speculation nonetheless. What if the opposing faction had deliberately set up this scenario, allowing Luo Wen to arrive at this conclusion, just to achieve their actual goals?


    Was this the legendary case of ¡°I predicted your prediction of my prediction¡±?


    The kind of convoluted strategy where they seemed to be on the fifth layer of complexity but were actually operating on an entirely different plane?


    This was becoming increasingly difficult to unravel¡ªreal and fake, truth and deception. Who could tell which layer they were operating on? The only viable strategy was to respond to each move as it came.


    However, there was one fundamental question: how could they be certain that the Swarm would be able to observe the Ji ships at all? This was the premise of everything. If they couldn¡¯t guarantee that the Swarm could detect them, then wasn¡¯t all this theater for nothing? An act performed for blind spectators?


    The Swarm¡¯s technological level had always been carefully concealed. Based on its outwardly displayed capabilities, it shouldn¡¯t have been able to detect the Ji fleet within its warp bubble. Even if the Swarm suspected something, they would lack evidence.


    And truly, without some external help, it would have been impossible for the Swarm to achieve in mere centuries what had taken other civilizations tens of thousands of years.


    Even with millions of intelligent entities working tirelessly without complaint, normal technological research would never have been able to produce such breakthroughs in such a short time¡ªespecially in an entirely different field like biotechnology.


    When Luo Wen had first captured Godzilla, it had taken him months to decode the creature¡¯s biological controlled fusion technology, resulting in the development of the Atomic Furnace. But there had also been a hidden genetic fragment, which took Luo Wen over a year to fully analyze.


    Godzilla was a truly legendary organism. Its evolutionary achievements were almost beyond comprehension. Even with Luo Wen¡¯s abilities, replicating Godzilla¡¯s state of evolution would take an unimaginable amount of time.


    Nevertheless, Godzilla had provided Luo Wen with tremendous benefits, instantly elevating the Swarm¡¯s combat power by several tiers and solving numerous technological bottlenecks¡ªsuch as the endurance issues of the Space Octopuses.


    Its contributions extended not only to the past but also to the present, continuing to aid the Swarm.

 Chapter 406: Speculation

    Godzilla¡¯s body weighed an astonishing 100,000 tons. Such immense weight would be nearly impossible to support, even if its bones were made of superalloys. To manage this, it employed electromagnetic fields to support and restrain its body, preventing it from being crushed under its own weight.


    Even with this assistance, Godzilla¡¯s movement was extremely challenging. Thus, it utilized another unique ability, one that took Luo Wen over a year to fully decipher.


    This ability allowed Godzilla to swim rapidly in water and even move on land. When Luo Wen first encountered it, his limited understanding led him to believe it was merely a pseudo-anti-gravity technology based on magnetic fields, similar to the beetles on the Genesis Planet.


    However, as Luo Wen¡¯s knowledge expanded and his horizons broadened, he realized it was something entirely different. Unlike the pseudo-anti-gravity technology, which worked by creating interactions between biological magnetic fields and planetary magnetic fields to cancel out portions of gravity, Godzilla¡¯s ability represented true anti-gravity¡ªor, more accurately, gravity manipulation.


    At the time, this technology was far too advanced for Luo Wen and the Swarm. Without the foundational scientific theories to support it, they were unable to fully develop or apply it.


    Luo Wen, however, understood that using such a sophisticated technology merely to offset one¡¯s own weight was a colossal waste.


    Even though the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities at that time were far fewer than they are now, Luo Wen assigned a significant portion of them to study the technology. Despite their efforts, progress was slow and sporadic.


    The breakthrough came with the discovery of the Riken ¡°Treasure Starship.¡± The ship¡¯s primary engine was a warp drive¡ªthough it was a defective model, a false path designed to mislead emerging civilizations, it provided the Swarm with invaluable insights.


    Before, the Swarm had the result but no way to calculate how it had been achieved¡ªlike knowing the answer to a complex equation but having no idea how it was solved. The data from the ship provided a formula. Even though the data provided by Cleo revealed that the result was incorrect, the formula itself was over 70% accurate.


    If the formula were more flawed, it would fail to mislead emerging civilizations, but at 70% accuracy, it could still effectively confuse them.


    With a partially correct formula and a correct result as a reference, the Swarm quickly identified the errors and derived a true, accurate formula.


    Thus, unbeknownst to the rest of the galaxy, the Swarm had already mastered warp technology. Luo Wen, however, chose to keep this achievement hidden from the outside world. The adversaries at the time were too weak, and Luo Wen¡¯s constant mental sparring with the Watchers encouraged him to play it cautiously, keeping his cards close to his chest.


    Mastering warp technology naturally included the ability to detect it. But since the Swarm had never demonstrated this capability externally, other factions might suspect but could not confirm it.


    Was this recent display by the Ji an attempt to verify whether the Swarm had warp detection capabilities? Information gleaned from the Daqi civilization hinted that some factions speculated the Swarm originated from an unknown star region and had somehow ended up here.


    After all, the civilizations in this region predominantly followed mechanical development paths. A fast-growing biological civilization like the Swarm emerging out of nowhere was indeed suspicious. It was logical to hypothesize that the Swarm might possess some advanced technologies.


    But how could they confirm this? Even if the Swarm detected their movements, they wouldn¡¯t willingly reveal it. Were the Ji expecting the Swarm to announce their capabilities? That was impossible.


    Alternatively, could Ji technology have methods to extract this information? The Swarm¡¯s gravitational radar currently operated passively, collecting data rather than emitting signals. Although this method had some latency, it was sufficient during peacetime and avoided active detection risks.


    Unless the Ji had technology capable of prying into passive systems, the Swarm¡¯s true capabilities remained hidden. This led Luo Wen to another question: was this maneuver simply a calculated gamble, or did they have a specific plan to expose the Swarm¡¯s hidden cards?


    Luo Wen considered that with Observer Bugs scattered throughout Swarm territory and the Swarm Network enhancing their capabilities, latency in their monitoring systems was negligible. Since the Swarm¡¯s observation methods were passive, the Ji race would have no way of knowing they were being monitored.


    Could it be that Bular had reported the possibility that the Swarm had detected Ji monitoring devices? Did the Troi civilization then escalate this report, eventually catching the attention of the Ji race?


    This was plausible. However, observing Ji monitoring devices and tracking warp bubbles, while both categorized under gravitational radar, were entirely different technologies. The gap between them was several orders of magnitude. This information alone would not be enough for the Ji to conclude that the Swarm had mastered warp technology.


    The logic of this theory was tenuous. Although there was a chance it might be true, there were inconsistencies. If the Ji¡¯s new policies benefited anyone, it would be the descendants faction of the New Ji Race, whose mindset had already shifted.


    But this contradicted their earlier strategy of stalling negotiations. Why would they deliberately cultivate a potential enemy? It seemed like an illogical move unless they were irrationally reckless.


    Luo Wen felt lost in the fog of speculation. Cutting off this train of thought, he decided to return to the basics.


    Demonstrating military strength, creating pressure, instilling a sense of crisis in the Swarm, prompting qualitative improvements, and setting the stage for some grand destiny¡­


    All of these required one fundamental condition: the Swarm had to be made aware of this ¡°military strength.¡± This implied that the Ji likely had follow-up actions planned.


    But then Luo Wen reconsidered: the Swarm had no overt conflicts with the Ji race, nor had there been any major disputes. The Swarm had just joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation and had even ¡°submitted¡± researchers as required. Although fewer researchers were sent than expected, this shouldn¡¯t be enough to provoke hostility from the Ji.


    If that¡¯s the case, could the Ji¡¯s supposed interest in the Swarm be an illusion they intentionally created? No, that didn¡¯t entirely add up. While some of the information came from the Troi civilization, similar intelligence had also been obtained from the Daqi civilization, and the intelligent entities responsible for analyzing it would not deceive Luo Wen.


    Luo Wen delved deeper into his thoughts. Perhaps the mastermind behind all this included elements from within the Ji race itself¡ªspecifically, a smaller faction within it. After all, from the perspective of the Daqi civilization, ¡°the Ji race¡± was a monolithic entity; they wouldn¡¯t know about its internal divisions.


    If this was the case, could it be the Ji opposition faction treating the Swarm as a pawn? It would make sense¡ªthey were likely suppressed within the Ji race and sought to cultivate a force capable of directly opposing their own people.


    Such a force couldn¡¯t outright surpass the Ji race, though; otherwise, even if the opposition gained power, they would still lose their relevance. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This hypothesis aligned more closely with the available evidence. However, Luo Wen would need to analyze their future actions to confirm it. Nonetheless, his thinking had become clearer, and the fog seemed to be lifting.


    After the Ji ships departed with the researchers, two warships from their original escort remained behind. Their mission was to install quantum communication devices for the Swarm and the Riken and to provide training for maintenance and operation personnel.


    In addition, these ships were tasked with overseeing the construction of the Trade City.

 Chapter 407: Trade City

    According to the regulations of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, new member civilizations are required to open a city to serve as a hub for tourism, exchanges, and fostering mutual understanding.


    This city must also be equipped with quantum communication devices to facilitate real-time communication with other Confederation members.


    After all, when foreign visitors arrive, differences in values and customs are inevitable, potentially leading to incidents of misconduct. Resolving such issues¡ªwhether through local laws or repatriation to their home civilization¡ªrequires extensive and instantaneous communication.


    Although referred to as a ¡°city,¡± it is often effectively equivalent to opening an entire planet. For the purposes of inter-civilization trade, a single city is simply too small.


    The trade city must be located on an ecological planet so that visiting aliens only need basic protective gear, such as light suits and filtration masks, to operate comfortably.


    Most emerging civilizations possess territories limited to a single star system. Unless they are extraordinarily fortunate, their home system generally contains only one ecological planet¡ªtheir homeworld. Opening a trade city therefore often means granting access to a portion of their homeworld, which is typically the nucleus of their civilization, housing their ruling class, research institutions, and cutting-edge laboratories.


    This openness poses significant security risks, as it exposes these critical assets and individuals to potential harm. In the past, nascent civilizations were allowed to designate trade cities on non-ecological colony planets.


    However, a catastrophic incident changed this practice. Due to the lack of atmospheric protection, spacecraft could bypass orbital defenses and directly impact the planetary surface.


    On one occasion, an unidentified vessel disguised as a foreign tourism ship managed to fool the identification systems of a trade city on a non-ecological colony. The ship then accelerated to a staggering speed and rammed into the city.


    This trade city, located on an airless and radiation-exposed colony, lacked adequate external protection. The colliding vessel not only carried immense kinetic energy but was also loaded with massive amounts of explosives. The impact and subsequent explosion severely damaged the trade city. Although emergency systems were in place, they were overwhelmed by the scale of the attack.


    As a result, the city¡¯s atmosphere, under intense pressure, was violently vented into space, dragging countless individuals and objects into the vacuum. While property losses were negligible, the unprepared individuals, lacking spacesuits, stood no chance of survival against the combined forces of extreme cold, oxygen deprivation, and cosmic radiation.


    To this day, the perpetrating vessel¡¯s origins, motivations, and purpose remain unknown. However, following this tragedy, the rules were amended: trade cities of emerging civilizations must be located on ecological planets.


    This ensures that all incoming vessels must dock at orbital starports before smaller shuttles ferry visitors to the surface. Moreover, on an ecological planet, as long as filtration masks remain intact, the risk of natural fatalities is minimal.


    The history of this policy, while harsh and unfriendly to emerging civilizations, leaves little room for negotiation. Without the power to resist, compliance becomes the only option.


    For the Riken, the choice was straightforward¡ªthey had no option but to open a portion of their homeworld. In contrast, the Swarm, with its territorial range vastly exceeding that of typical nascent civilizations, had far more flexibility.


    After careful deliberation, Luo Wen decided to locate the Swarm¡¯s trade city in the Sandstorm System.


    To its 12 to 1 o¡¯clock position lies the Riken System.


    To its 2 o¡¯clock position is the Neighboring Star System.


    To its 4 o¡¯clock position is the Genesis System.


    Between 5 and 6 o¡¯clock is the Golden Horn System.


    To its 10 o¡¯clock position, one star system away, lies the territory of the Daqi civilization.


    From 7 to 9 o¡¯clock, it borders other Confederation members at a distance of one star system.


    Overall, the Sandstorm System represents the Swarm¡¯s outermost territory, situated closest to the Interstellar Technological Confederation. This location complies with Confederation rules while also maximizing the protection of the Swarm¡¯s privacy.


    The Sandstorm System, apart from its star, consists of nine major planets. The third planet lies in the habitable zone and is slightly larger than the Genesis Planet. However, its biological evolution is still at the unicellular stage, making it a very primitive world.


    Luo Wen named this planet Storm God Planet, in honor of the aerial dominators that had greatly contributed to the Swarm¡¯s development. The Storm God combat units had not been phased out despite advancements in other areas.


    Due to the low density of Space Octopuses, their primary battlefield remained outer space. On the other hand, the repeatedly upgraded Storm God proved more effective in atmospheric environments and was significantly cheaper to produce. As a result, the Storm God remained an active part of the Swarm¡¯s combat lineup.


    Since the Swarm had little need for ecological planets and the primitive state of life on Storm God Planet offered no valuable biological insights, the planet had seen minimal development. Furthermore, the Swarm had no real experience constructing cities.


    However, this posed no issue for Luo Wen. ¡°Just dig a few interconnected burrows, and voil¨¤, you have a city!¡± Luo Wen thought.


    The Swarm¡¯s outward image had always been somewhat primitive, so their city should reflect that aesthetic as well.


    As for concerns about the city being crude, lacking high-tech amenities, providing a poor experience, and failing to attract merchants or tourists, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t care less. The Swarm wasn¡¯t particularly interested in trade, and fewer visitors would be preferable.


    Meanwhile, due to the proximity of the Twin Star Defensive Zone to the Riken homeworld, the two Ji warships first traveled to the Riken homeworld. The Rikens designated a plot of land far from their capital and constructed a new city in accordance with Confederation requirements.


    The Interstellar Technological Confederation currently boasts over 200 member factions, encompassing an incredible diversity of species. Some, such as the giant race, stand over ten meters tall. As a result, the Riken¡¯s original architectural standards fell short of accommodating the needs of all potential visitors.


    While it was unlikely the giants would visit within thousands or even tens of thousands of years, necessary facilities had to be prepared to avoid potential diplomatic disputes or accusations of racial discrimination.


    Fortunately, while the Riken were considered newcomers to the Confederation, their technological level made constructing a city relatively straightforward. For a spacefaring civilization capable of interstellar colonization, rapidly building a city was standard practice.


    Over a century ago, when the Riken invaded the Neighboring Star System, they established numerous outposts and bases in a short span. Building a city on their home turf was an even simpler task.


    Massive alloy modules were deployed directly from orbit. On the ground, construction machinery was already in position, tasked with leveling the terrain and assembling the components.


    Within six months, the city had taken shape. The process was only slightly delayed by changes in module specifications and the construction teams¡¯ unfamiliarity with the revised parameters. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    During this period, the two Ji warships remained stationed in orbit around the Riken homeworld, supervising the construction.

 Chapter 408: Acting Skills

    Luo Wen paid close attention to the Ji personnel stationed in the Riken System. Given his lack of intelligence on them, even the smallest pieces of information could prove invaluable.


    After all, the Riken System was officially considered a semi-Swarm territory. Behind the scenes, the Swarm controlled roughly 80% of it, making it effectively their home turf.


    As such, at least a thousand Observer Bugs were covertly monitoring the two Ji vessels in space, and there were countless informants on the Riken¡¯s homeworld. Even the Riken intelligence system itself was ¡°shared¡± with the Swarm.


    Under these circumstances, unless the Ji¡¯s technological capabilities surpassed the Swarm¡¯s understanding, it would be impossible for them to escape the Swarm¡¯s watchful eyes.


    Initially, Luo Wen suspected the Ji personnel were there to perform espionage in addition to supervising the construction projects. However, they showed no suspicious activity.


    Perhaps the Riken themselves were too weak and transparent, with no secrets worth coveting. This might explain why the two Ji ships stayed put, their crews spending all day holed up on their vessels. Maybe, when they eventually installed quantum communication devices for the Swarm, they¡¯d reveal some clues¡ªbut that would take time.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had other matters to occupy his attention. Most of his focus was on the departing Ji transport fleet.


    With his earlier suspicions, Luo Wen had a feeling they were planning some sort of underhanded maneuver.


    And sure enough, his instincts were correct.


    After leaving the Riken System, the Ji transport fleet didn¡¯t take the direct route toward the nine o¡¯clock direction, which was the fastest way to enter Confederation space. Instead, they initially headed toward the Sandstorm System in the six-thirty direction. To make their journey appear natural, they even flew far enough in that direction to leave the Swarm¡¯s observation range.


    However, a minor flaw in their performance betrayed them¡ªthey slowed down briefly in the asteroid belt on the outskirts of the Sandstorm System, as if deliberately trying to ensure the Swarm noticed them.


    ¡°Their acting is so clumsy,¡± Luo Wen muttered.


    The Ji transport fleet¡¯s bizarre behavior reminded him of a ¡°match-fixing¡± video he had seen before, with striking similarities.


    To be fair, Luo Wen understood the transport fleet commander¡¯s dilemma. In their understanding, the Swarm wasn¡¯t supposed to detect warp bubbles. Trying to get noticed by the Swarm under normal circumstances was indeed challenging¡ªlike expecting a blind person to spot a bird flying overhead.


    The Ji¡¯s actions, however, were akin to having the bird land next to the blind person, squawk loudly, and even flap its wings in their face just to make sure they got the message.


    It was overly deliberate, and Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but feel speechless as he watched.


    When the Ji ships first arrived, Luo Wen had already noted their distinctive ¡°Treasure Starship¡± aesthetic and massive size. But what had stood out most were the huge identification numbers painted directly on their hulls¡ªhundreds of meters tall and impossible to miss. In addition, each ship was covered in graffiti, making them all uniquely identifiable.


    At the time, the Ji personnel explained that the New Ji Race was a highly inclusive society, composed of over 200 different species. To showcase this inclusivity, they allowed crew members to decorate their ships to reflect their individuality.


    This explanation had initially left Luo Wen dumbfounded, but now he understood. This wasn¡¯t about individuality¡ªit was to ensure the Swarm didn¡¯t mistake them for another Ji fleet passing by.


    Although the performance was somewhat clumsy, it ultimately achieved its goal. Even if the Swarm couldn¡¯t directly observe the warp bubble, they could easily calculate the Ji fleet¡¯s actual speed by comparing the departure time, the time they reached the Sandstorm System, and the distance between the two points.


    This confirmed some of Luo Wen¡¯s earlier suspicions: the hidden mastermind was indeed trying to exert pressure on the Swarm.


    ¡°Heh, they really see the Swarm as nothing more than a pawn,¡± Luo Wen chuckled, feeling the pressure lift significantly. The Swarm clearly had a value in the mastermind¡¯s eyes that Luo Wen himself didn¡¯t fully understand.


    But as the saying goes, ¡°A blessing in disguise.¡± From another perspective, this wasn¡¯t entirely a bad thing.


    At present, while the Swarm was merely a pawn, it was still an immature one¡ªone that needed to develop into what the mastermind envisioned. This meant the Swarm had a period of safe development ahead of it.


    Time was precisely what the Swarm needed most right now, and the mastermind had no idea what the Swarm¡¯s core strengths truly were.


    What Luo Wen needed to do now was to seize every moment, rapidly strengthen this pawn, and, when the time came, smash the mastermind¡¯s plans, breaking their grip and leaving them utterly incapacitated.


    The calculated eight times the speed of light was astonishing. After the Ji transport fleet completed its brief stop in the Sandstorm System, it resumed its journey, quickly vanishing from the Observer Bugs¡¯ field of view. Not long after, the intelligent entities onboard the transport ships also moved beyond the reach of the Swarm Network.


    Over the years, the Swarm had deployed numerous node units toward the Interstellar Technological Confederation, acting as signal relays. As the Swarm Network grew, the signal range of these nodes expanded to nearly two light-years. Yet, compared to the thousands of star systems encompassed by the Confederation, this coverage was a mere drop in the ocean.


    If the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage didn¡¯t extend further, any intelligence gathered by the nodes would remain out of reach, effectively nullifying its usefulness.


    However, attempting to expand the network into Ji-controlled territory through traditional means was nearly impossible.


    The Confederation was not just composed of the technologically inferior factions in the Outer-ring. The long-established civilizations in the Middle and Inner Circles, with histories spanning tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of years, had fortified their territories to an extreme degree.


    They likely had detailed records of every asteroid and meteor within their borders, complete with names and designations.


    If a Swarm node unit were to intrude recklessly, it would undoubtedly draw attention. If captured, it could expose the Swarm¡¯s operations. Furthermore, the Confederation¡¯s domain spanned thousands of star systems and tens of thousands of light-years.


    Even under perfect conditions, with node units transmitting at the speed of light, it would take tens of thousands of years to achieve full coverage. By then, the Swarm might well have ceased to exist. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, this issue had already been addressed.


    Since the latest upgrade to the Swarm Network, any node unit could, when provided with sufficient energy and Luo Wen¡¯s permission, mutate into another type of Swarm bug. This significantly reduced the reliance on the primary body and the Brood Nest, breaking the development bottleneck. It was from this point onward that the Swarm truly began its unrestricted expansion.


    However, as Luo Wen delved deeper into his understanding of himself and the Swarm Network, he uncovered new insights into the roles of the primary body and the Brood Nest.

 Chapter 409: Anchor Point

    Since his emergence from the Iphieash egg, Luo Wen had always felt somewhat confused. He lacked the inheritance of the Iphieash species, and even if he had it, his situation was entirely different from that of his predecessors.


    This was a new universe with rules completely distinct from the Wizard Continent. He was a new life form, born through a series of coincidences.


    In essence, he and the Iphieash as understood by the Wizard Continent had become two entirely different species.


    Initially, Luo Wen operated purely on instinct¡ªcollecting genetic fragments, fusing them, and, after a certain sacrificial ritual, gaining the Swarm Network, which elevated his life form to a higher state.


    After billions of years of dormancy, Luo Wen awoke as a being that was half-corporeal and half-virtual. His corporeal form served as the foundation of his virtual self, and both were inseparable.


    Subsequently, Luo Wen began modifying genetic fragments, cultivating intelligent entities, and leveraging their power and intellect to upgrade the Swarm Network. At one point, he seemed to transcend the limits of physicality entirely, becoming a ¡°being of the network.¡±


    But that was merely his prior understanding.


    With the Swarm Network¡¯s upgrades, new dimensions of existence unfolded before him. Or rather, they had always been there¡ªhe simply couldn¡¯t perceive them before.


    Luo Wen, lacking any inherited knowledge, had to rely on instinct to sense, comprehend, and explore.


    When Luo Wen was troubled by how to infiltrate the Confederation¡¯s territories with his network signals, a sudden realization struck him. He came to understand certain truths.


    Previously, Luo Wen regarded the Swarm Network as his ¡°ability.¡± Although deeply interconnected, he thought of it as akin to a relationship between an owner and a possession.


    Later, he began to believe that he was the Swarm Network itself. Perhaps, before the sacrificial ritual, his ¡°body¡± had been that fingernail-sized insect or even the lid-sized giant bug. But after the ritual, he saw the Swarm Network as his true essence.


    Now, however, Luo Wen felt even this interpretation was imprecise. The sacrificial ritual had made him into an indescribable existence, and the Swarm Network was merely one of its manifestations¡ªan extension comprehensible within his current framework.


    Put another way, the Swarm Network was Luo Wen, but it was not the entirety of him.


    Luo Wen himself seemed to have ascended to a higher-dimensional existence. However, in any dimension, there existed the strong and the weak. Having just undergone his transformation and rebirth, Luo Wen was the weakest form of such a being.


    Weaker beings instinctively seek ways to grow stronger. The newly ¡°born¡± and frail Luo Wen had, by instinct, latched onto the nearest thing that could empower him.


    At the time, Luo Wen existed as a being separate from this universe, with countless dimensions and chaotic currents between them. For such a weak existence as he was then, finding and re-entering this universe would have been nearly impossible.


    Fortunately, there existed in this universe a ¡°shedding¡± of his former self¡ªan object intrinsically tied to him. This object acted as an ¡°anchor point,¡± fortifying his connection to this universe.


    Moreover, as Luo Wen was effectively a being ascended from this universe, carrying its essence, the universe itself offered no resistance to his ¡°return.¡± S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, by a stroke of fate, Luo Wen regained control over his Swarm body in this universe. However, this process drained his already limited energy, plunging him into a long slumber.


    With his newfound understanding¡ªor rather, a deeper comprehension of himself¡ªLuo Wen¡¯s perspective on many past events changed significantly.


    For instance, Luo Wen previously believed that the Swarm Network¡¯s formidable capabilities stemmed from his billions of years of dormancy. In truth, while Luo Wen was indeed a fledgling entity in the higher dimension, just as a child can still express themselves through drawings, a being from a higher dimension can exert influence over lower dimensions to a certain extent.


    This innate advantage had nothing to do with his dormancy or any other factors¡ªit was a fundamental trait of higher-dimensional existence.


    As for why Luo Wen slept for so long, one reason was undoubtedly the substantial energy expenditure he had incurred, necessitating recovery through rest.


    However, a more significant reason lay in the different perception and understanding of time for higher-dimensional beings. When Luo Wen¡¯s consciousness fell into slumber, it operated purely on instinct, which attuned him to a higher-dimensional timeline. From that perspective, he might have felt as though only a brief moment had passed.


    Thus, he ¡°overslept.¡± By the time he awoke, his understanding of time in the lower dimensions had realigned. At that point, Luo Wen¡¯s body and essence had already transformed into a higher-dimensional being, but his awareness and cognition remained rooted in the lower dimensions.


    Regardless, the priority was to grow stronger. It is important to clarify that this universe was not inherently ¡°lower-dimensional.¡±


    It was, in fact, a complex amalgamation of multi-dimensional systems, even surpassing Luo Wen in certain ways. However, some elements within it belonged to the lower dimensions¡ªsuch as the pre-ascension Luo Wen, as well as creatures like dinosaurs, pterosaurs, Rat folk, Riken, Daqi, and the worlds they comprehended.


    For Luo Wen to grow stronger, he needed to anchor himself within this universe and extract resources beneficial to his development.


    This process was akin to ¡°feeding,¡± but feeding for a higher-dimensional being was far more complex than what lower-dimensional creatures could comprehend. It involved unique, abstract mechanisms.


    Before feeding, however, Luo Wen needed to secure his ¡°food.¡± Relying on a single ¡°anchor point¡± was inherently risky.


    If he lost this anchor, the odds of relocating this universe amidst the chaotic currents of dimensions would be almost nonexistent. Even if he stumbled upon another universe, his then-weak state would render infiltration impossible.


    In response to these challenges, the ¡°Swarm Network¡± was born. Luo Wen had once believed this system was a manifestation of his obsession with real-time interaction technologies. In truth, it was a reflection of his higher-dimensional essence expressed in a form comprehensible within the lower-dimensional world. While his obsession might have influenced its creation, it was far from the sole reason.


    The Swarm Network allowed for rapid expansion and the emergence of numerous node units. However, these node units were not true ¡°anchor points.¡±


    Only Luo Wen¡¯s so-called ¡°primary body¡± and ¡°Brood Nest¡± served as genuine anchor units. The node units, in turn, acted as guardians for these anchors, enhancing their security.


    At the time, Luo Wen didn¡¯t fully understand this. His focus remained on increasing the Swarm¡¯s numbers and territorial expanse¡ªa drive born from his instinct to protect and strengthen himself.


    If Luo Wen had fully transitioned into a higher-dimensional being, he might have chosen to continue his slumber. For beings of that level, time was meaningless.


    As long as he remained anchored to this universe, he could draw sustenance and grow stronger. Whether it took a billion or ten billion years to achieve his goals would have been irrelevant.

 Chapter 410: Essence

    The universe itself, though its internal worlds may cycle and reset, exists on a higher level of being where time is meaningless. Luo Wen needed only to accompany it, lazily sleeping, to grow stronger in his dreams.


    However, Luo Wen had not fully transitioned into a higher-dimensional being. He could not ignore the passage of time, and his lack of understanding of his essence led him to perform a variety of operations. By chance, he stumbled upon a way to accelerate his growth¡ªthe creation of Intelligent Entities.


    Regardless of Luo Wen¡¯s initial intent, the emergence of these Intelligent Entities undeniably made him stronger¡ªnot just in technological terms, but more importantly, in the development of the Swarm Network.


    Perhaps this was because Luo Wen¡¯s ascension had been achieved through a sacrifice of both life and spirit, granting him the ability to absorb spiritual energy to enhance his essence.


    This was far more efficient than passively drawing energy from the universe. Moreover, while absorbing spiritual energy, he could simultaneously extract the universe¡¯s energy.


    The process of forming an Intelligent Entity involved the Swarm Network consuming the entirety of a spiritual entity, creating a blank slate, and then copying its original memories into this new entity.


    It is important to note that this process required the spiritual entity to first be absorbed and digested by Luo Wen, which in turn strengthened his essence. As for what an Intelligent Entity truly was, it could be understood as a derivative of Luo Wen¡¯s higher-dimensional essence.


    This relationship was difficult for lower-dimensional beings to comprehend. They might interpret it as a clone, a split personality, or even as akin to precise control over one¡¯s own cells, but none of these explanations sufficed to describe the unique connection.


    Whether or not this relationship could be understood, Luo Wen grew stronger, and the Swarm Network grew more robust as a result. Unfortunately, Luo Wen¡¯s understanding of this higher-dimensional growth was limited. What he could perceive was merely an increase in the node units¡¯ signal range and their ability to create more anchor points.


    At the time, Luo Wen used various methods¡ªputting his primary body into dormancy or simulating death¡ªto hatch additional primary bodies and Brood Nests.


    In reality, his relationship with these primary bodies and Brood Nests was that of tools. They could have been created with far less effort, but Luo Wen¡¯s limited understanding caused him to overcomplicate the process.


    For higher-dimensional beings, their power is largely an expression of their will. Yet Luo Wen was still confined by his old way of thinking, believing that a being could have only one primary body. This mental limitation hindered his ability to create more anchor points.


    Luo Wen¡¯s subsequent elaborate operations were, in essence, a way to hypnotize himself into bypassing these mental blocks. However, no matter how he circumvented them, he could only create five primary bodies or Brood Nests at the time. This limitation stemmed from his capabilities at that point, which allowed for a maximum of five anchor units.


    As Luo Wen¡¯s true essence grew stronger and his mindset gradually shifted, he came to understand more, and his abilities expanded. Yet, his self-awareness remained flawed.


    The so-called ¡°upgrade¡± of the Swarm Network occurred. Afterward, Luo Wen believed he had fully transformed into a ¡°networked being.¡± However, this transformation was simply an inherent aspect of his nature¡ªhis essence.


    Every network has a carrier. In the networks Luo Wen previously understood, their carriers were storage devices and electrical signals. Networks were not intangible; their signals could be intercepted, and destroying their carriers could dismantle them.


    But since its inception, the Swarm Network had never been detected by outsiders, nor by any known instrument. What, then, was its carrier? What was its method of transmission? How did the node units achieve instantaneous communication with zero delay? sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Now Luo Wen understood: the Swarm Network was an expression of his higher-dimensional essence. To beings in lower dimensions, without the means to observe higher dimensions, the Swarm Network could never be detected¡ªno matter how advanced their technology or how deeply they investigated. It was simply beyond their grasp.


    Instantaneous communication now became much easier to comprehend. Although the Swarm nodes appeared to be scattered across the lower-dimensional world, in Luo Wen¡¯s higher-dimensional essence, they were inherently unified. Communication occurred through exchanges outside the constraints of dimensions, naturally eliminating any delay.


    The relationship between the universe and Luo Wen¡¯s essence transcended the traditional concepts of ¡°large¡± and ¡°small¡± as understood by lower-dimensional beings.


    As long as an anchor point existed, Luo Wen could effortlessly connect two points in the lower-dimensional world through his higher-dimensional body, completely bypassing the concept of distance in the lower dimensions.


    With this realization, Luo Wen experienced a profound sense of self-awareness¡ªan epiphany that made him feel as if he had truly understood himself for the first time. This was not a material or power-based ascension but a spiritual elevation, a deeper understanding and mastery of his true essence.


    As a result, problems that had once seemed insurmountable¡ªsuch as extending the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage throughout the Confederation¡ªnow appeared manageable. Luo Wen¡¯s current capabilities allowed him to create up to ten anchor units.


    These no longer needed to be tied to physical Swarm bodies or Brood Nests, nor did they require the elaborate and resource-intensive efforts of the past. He could now freely design their form as he desired, limited only by their quantity.


    With this newfound flexibility, Luo Wen crafted a small golden insect encased in amber, disguising it as a personal belonging for one of the departing Riken Intelligent Entities. This inconspicuous anchor point would enable Luo Wen to locate the universe and breach its dimensional barriers, allowing him to connect with nearby Swarm nodes.


    As the Intelligent Entities and the amber-encased insect drifted farther away, Luo Wen made yet another discovery. Node units themselves could transmit coordinates, though their signals were too weak to pierce through the many layers of barriers. Furthermore, Luo Wen¡¯s essence had previously been too feeble to actively locate them.


    However, when tens of thousands of node units gathered in one place, the combined strength of their signals rivaled that of an anchor unit. In such cases, even without a nearby anchor unit, Luo Wen could pinpoint their location and establish a connection.


    This revelation suggested that the limitation on the number of anchor units might become irrelevant. While the current cap of ten seemed generous¡ªand Luo Wen had so far only utilized two¡ªit was clear that as technology advanced and the Swarm¡¯s speed increased, the network¡¯s coverage would eventually face new challenges.


    If, for example, the Swarm reached the Ji race¡¯s current warp speed of eight times the speed of light, exploring unknown star systems would become cumbersome if they had to repeatedly decelerate, exit warp bubbles, and deploy network nodes. This would not only be inefficient but also significantly hinder their expansion efforts.


    Now, however, the solution was simple. As long as the exploration fleets maintained a sufficient number of node units, Luo Wen would never lose contact with them. Solving this potential issue before it arose left Luo Wen in high spirits.


    Additionally, as his essence continued to strengthen, the distinction between node units and anchor units might eventually blur. When that day came, any node unit could function as an anchor unit, regardless of its signal strength. Luo Wen would be able to locate them through even the most impenetrable barriers.

 Chapter 412: The Discovery

    For something to elicit exclamations from a Ji member, it might simply be novel. But for it to earn the approval of two Ji members from different maternal lineages, it was undoubtedly a significant find. The ¡°blue-haired monkey¡± had truly stumbled upon something remarkable.


    Out of curiosity, the group gathered around in a commotion. This wasn¡¯t wartime, so regulations were relaxed, and this breach of seating protocol went unchallenged. Even the cabin supervisors were drawn in by their curiosity and joined the crowd.


    When the Ji members saw what was displayed on the screen in front of the blue-haired monkey, gasps of astonishment erupted one after another.


    ¡°Is this for real?¡±


    ¡°Could they just be hyping themselves up?¡±


    ¡°Possible, but I don¡¯t believe a civilization of this level could produce something like this.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s nonsense¡ªit wouldn¡¯t benefit them at all to exaggerate this.¡±


    ¡°Maybe they did it deliberately for us to see.¡±


    ¡°Look at the post¡¯s timestamp. I did the conversion earlier¡ªthey didn¡¯t even know about the Interstellar Confederation when this was posted.¡±


    ¡°Takk, scroll down. Let¡¯s see what else it says.¡±


    ¡°A universal vaccination plan? Extending the entire population¡¯s lifespan by a tenth? Goodness, that¡¯s quite the ambitious project.¡±


    ¡°Interesting. And it doesn¡¯t even seem to be rare.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. If it¡¯s mass-producible, its value is enormous.¡±


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll need to report this. If the information is verified, we¡¯ll all get credit for it. What a surprising discovery,¡± remarked one of the Ji supervisors.


    Seeing the blue-haired monkey, Takk, hesitating to speak, he added with a grin, ¡°Of course, Takk, the first credit is yours.¡±


    Takk¡¯s face immediately lit up with delight.


    What the Ji team had discovered was none other than the Longevity Serum developed by the Riken. This was the very same serum that the Swarm had painstakingly created to infiltrate the Riken and convert them into an intelligent entity production base.


    The report quickly escalated and received immediate attention. All Ji personnel aboard the two stationed warships were called off leave and ordered back to their posts.


    ¡°Everyone, get moving! I want you to do everything in your power, through all available means, to collect every scrap of data on the Longevity Serum,¡± commanded the Ji officer in charge, a humanoid with dark yellow coloration and eyes resembling massive golden gemstones. He gathered the Ji team and began delegating tasks.


    ¡°General, I think we should directly request the data from the Riken. Judging from the public information, this doesn¡¯t appear to be classified,¡± suggested one Ji member.


    The golden-eyed officer, named Oga, though commanding only two warships, held a bona fide brigadier general rank. Nodding at the suggestion, he said, ¡°I will. After this meeting, I¡¯ll submit a formal request to the Riken Council. However, we also need to gather our own data for comparison, in case they withhold anything.¡± sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group nodded in agreement, returning to their stations and accessing the Riken intranet to search for relevant information.


    Though the original Ji race had suffered catastrophic losses in their pursuit of longevity, ultimately leading to their demise, the lesson served more as a cautionary tale than a deterrent. The innate desire of intelligent beings for extended lifespans was not something that could simply be erased, only approached with greater caution.


    While many civilizations utilized cryosleep as an indirect means of prolonging life, unconscious slumber wasn¡¯t considered true longevity by many.


    The essence of being alive was to experience life¡¯s wonders. What was the difference between eternal sleep and death? The universe was vast and brimming with mysteries; few intelligent beings were willing to pass on without uncovering more of its secrets.


    Thus, both the New Ji Race and other species continued to seek methods of extending life, investing heavily in exploration and research. Yet the Progenitor Ji race had already pushed these efforts to their limits. For their successors, achieving further breakthroughs was daunting. Instead, they often resorted to compromises, such as sacrificing a fraction of emotional capacity in exchange for an extended lifespan.


    However, they were far from satisfied¡ªthey wanted more. This was precisely why the Ji personnel were so thrilled upon discovering the Riken¡¯s information regarding the Longevity Serum. The Riken had never previously interacted with the Ji¡¯s longevity-related technologies, indicating that they had independently forged their own path in this field.


    From their universal vaccination plan, it was evident that the technology was highly mature. Moreover, the fact that they could afford to vaccinate tens of billions of their population, despite their pitifully small territory, suggested that the method was extremely cost-effective.


    If this technology could be proven to be both genuinely effective and widely applicable, it might have the potential to revolutionize the entire Confederation.


    When the Ji requested related materials from the Riken, the latter, perhaps understanding the disparity in strength or for other reasons, didn¡¯t put up much resistance. They handed over the information readily.


    Of course, what they provided was limited to general descriptions and didn¡¯t include any core technology.


    ¡°The initial material originates from the T85 Star System, near the lair of a beast capable of atomic breath? How could we have missed this? This is negligence! I¡¯m going to report those responsible for monitoring that area.¡±


    ¡°Calm down. That region belongs to the Swarm. For all we know, that beast might be one of their bio-weapons. The report even mentions that this was later suspected.¡±


    ¡°But why didn¡¯t the Swarm discover these materials themselves?¡±


    ¡°Are you joking? Something growing in their backyard¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t miss it.¡±


    ¡°Then why did they allow the Riken to take it?¡±


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s nothing special to the Swarm!¡±


    The Ji members exchanged glances. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s of no use to the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°If this material isn¡¯t universally applicable, its value would drop significantly.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that the Swarm has better resources? Maybe these are just leftovers?¡±


    ¡°Good point. There¡¯s no way this has nothing to do with the Swarm. They probably have superior alternatives.¡±


    ¡°Possibly. But we know so little about the Swarm. We don¡¯t even know how long their members live. For all we know, their natural lifespans could be so long that they don¡¯t even need this.¡±


    The Ji members exchanged another round of glances, silently noting their discussion to include in their task report¡ªperhaps they¡¯d earn some credit for it.


    ¡°The report says that the material is easy to cultivate. It only requires nuclear waste and essentially no other maintenance.¡±


    ¡°If that¡¯s true, then it¡¯s truly a win-win resource. There¡¯s so much nuclear waste¡ªit¡¯s usually just packed up and thrown into stars, which is such a hassle.¡±


    ¡°I knew a small, backwater civilization couldn¡¯t have developed such advanced technology. Their so-called core technology probably relies entirely on this special material. It¡¯s likely not worth much on its own.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. With our level of technology and personnel resources, replicating this product would be a trivial matter.¡±

 Chapter 411: Discovery

    The most important revelation for Luo Wen was that he had discovered a true method to enhance his power. The Rat folk civilization, serving as the Swarm¡¯s first production base for Intelligent Entities, had a lineage rooted in Swarm node units and had supplied the Swarm with numerous Intelligent Entities over the years.


    Previously, Luo Wen only selected the best candidates, rejecting many spiritual entities that sought to join. However, he now realized this practice was a significant waste. Regardless of the quality of a spiritual entity, all contained an essence of pure, concentrated energy¡ªalbeit in varying amounts.


    Even those unqualified to become Intelligent Entities could have their essence absorbed by Luo Wen to strengthen himself. The process was simple for him, requiring only the separation of the first half of the Intelligent Entity creation process from the rest.


    Beyond this, Luo Wen could also improve his method of absorbing energy from the universe.


    He discovered that the growth of the Swarm¡ªthrough an increased number of node units, expanded territory, and broader network coverage¡ªaccelerated his energy absorption rate from the universe. While the increase was minuscule, it was tangible, and as the Swarm continued to expand, this rate would inevitably rise further.


    Luo Wen had a premonition that as he grew stronger and the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage reached a critical threshold, he would gain the ability to exert more dimensional influence over the universe¡ªperhaps even altering its fundamental rules.


    However, such possibilities lay in the distant future. For now, Luo Wen had to focus on the present and overcome the immediate crises.


    Although he now understood himself better, Luo Wen realized that even if the Swarm were entirely annihilated within the universe, he would not perish. His true essence existed outside the universe. However, the Swarm¡¯s extinction would mean losing his anchor within the universe. At that point, he might become lost in the dimensional chaos, drifting into a deep sleep. For Luo Wen, that fate would be no different from death.


    Meanwhile, the construction of the Riken civilization¡¯s Trade City progressed smoothly, without any unexpected complications. The two Ji vessels remained stationed in low orbit around Riken¡¯s homeworld. Perhaps due to the unique circumstances, the Ji crew did not enter their usual hibernation state. However, this prolonged waiting was incredibly monotonous.


    With permission from the Riken, some Ji crew members connected to the Riken¡¯s internal network using specialized instruments. They began to immerse themselves in the alien culture, discovering that their appreciation for art had much in common with the Riken.


    As for the language barrier? For a civilization as advanced as the Ji, overcoming it was a trivial matter. The Ji held the philosophy that the more time a civilization¡¯s children spent memorizing knowledge, the less time they would have for creative thinking, which was essential for progress.


    Using a specialized cognitive-enhancement device that stimulated the brain, the Ji were able to achieve forced memorization within hours. Theoretically, they became fluent in the Riken language and script in a single session, leaving only practical application to refine their newfound proficiency.


    Since the end of the war, the Riken had relaxed their restrictions on free speech. Freed from the burden of heavy military expenses, the standard of living for their citizens had improved significantly. With newfound leisure time, they began pursuing spiritual fulfillment.


    The Riken¡¯s internal network became their most affordable source of entertainment. It hosted an abundance of variety shows, movies, and dramas¡ªenough to captivate the Ji crew. On the network¡¯s trending topics, the top ten were mostly related to joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    ¡°These Riken have some rather peculiar thoughts,¡± one Ji crew member remarked.


    It wasn¡¯t without reason. In his view, a country being invited by another to join an alliance was often a source of animosity. Yet, the Riken harbored surprisingly little resentment toward the Swarm. Instead, they exhibited an oddly accepting attitude toward the prospect of joining the Confederation under the Swarm¡¯s invitation.


    The reasons behind this phenomenon primarily stem from three factors:


    The Riken had fought against the Swarm for many years, with the exception of a single victory on Planet Raze, which was later suspected to have been intentionally allowed by the Swarm. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This placed the Riken in a constant position of psychological inferiority, especially since the Swarm ultimately subdued them without any actual conflict. This earned the Riken¡¯s respect for the Swarm as a symbol of strength.


    After their victory, the Swarm refrained from making any excessive demands. Many Riken realized that even if they were in the Swarm¡¯s position, it would be difficult to exercise the level of restraint the Swarm displayed. This further fueled their admiration for the Swarm.


    Over the years, Intelligent Entities disguised as Riken leaders subtly guided public opinion, shaping perceptions of the Swarm in a favorable direction.


    After joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation, the Swarm did not exploit the Riken¡¯s resources or manpower to the extreme, unlike many other civilizations. As the Riken learned more about the Confederation¡¯s inner workings, they felt grateful for the Swarm¡¯s restraint.


    Additionally, the Riken¡¯s exposure to the Confederation¡¯s realities made them realize that survival, even within an alliance, was dictated by the law of the jungle. As a smaller civilization, they recognized that without a powerful backer, they would be at the mercy of the larger, older civilizations.


    While joining smaller organizations was an option, those groups charged exorbitant ¡°protection fees¡± without guaranteeing actual protection during critical moments. By contrast, the Swarm was not only powerful but also displayed a kind temperament, making them an ideal ally.


    The Swarm¡¯s proximity as a neighbor, combined with its prior conduct and reputation, made it even more trustworthy than the unfamiliar members of the Confederation.


    For the Ji crew members, however, these reasons elicited little more than casual banter. A small, backwater civilization¡¯s mindset wasn¡¯t worth their deeper consideration.


    ¡°Hmm? They actually have something like this?¡± The Ji who had been critiquing the Riken¡¯s mindset suddenly widened his eyes in surprise. His tone was filled with excitement.


    This Ji resembled the ¡°blue-haired monkey¡± from earlier, who had been involved in security inspections. Were it not for the slight difference in their voice, one might have thought they were the same individual.


    It seemed that the blue-haired monkeys might belong to a significant species, as multiple members of their kind were present within this small Ji fleet.


    ¡°What did you find?¡± The colleague next to him tilted his head curiously.


    Lately, such exclamations had become a common occurrence in their room, though the source was usually some bizarre video or similar content. Despite differing aesthetics across their home species, certain things seemed to spark universal interest.


    Before the colleague could finish speaking, his eyes fell on the screen in front of the blue-haired monkey. The display was vibrant and detailed, with text and images providing an introduction to a particular product.


    While his curiosity dimmed slightly¡ªtext descriptions were rarely as engaging as videos¡ªhe couldn¡¯t resist leaning closer to see what had caught his colleague¡¯s attention.


    ¡°What?! Is that real? How could they have something like this?¡± The colleague¡¯s exclamation seemed to ignite a chain reaction, as more Ji crew members hurried over, crowding around the screen.


    A hubbub of excited chatter filled the room as the blue-haired monkeys and their colleagues marveled at the discovery, their collective interest clearly piqued.

 Chapter 413: Adjusting the Layout

    The materials required for the Riken¡¯s Longevity Serum, specifically the Longevity Plants, indeed lacked universal applicability because they were custom-designed by Luo Wen to suit the genetic makeup of the Riken. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had prepared for this eventuality. Initially, his goal had been to ensure the smooth implementation of the universal vaccination plan for the Longevity Serum. Thus, in the early stages of the Swarm¡¯s infiltration of the Riken, most of the intelligent entities embedded in their society, apart from those focused on military and political matters, were directed toward the production and research of the Longevity Serum.


    After anticipating the Watchers¡¯ scrutiny, Luo Wen accelerated his plans, taking full control of all related industries. Under his covert instructions, all original samples and data related to the Longevity Plants were systematically destroyed.


    Destroying the original plant samples was a straightforward task for Luo Wen. The plants themselves were node units of the Swarm, capable of self-destructing and revealing their locations when necessary.


    There was no chance of them being hidden. Luo Wen could even remotely trigger their genetic self-destruction. However, to avoid leaving behind any suspicious traces, he refrained from using such methods.


    The destruction of the original research data, on the other hand, required significantly more effort. At the time, the Swarm¡¯s presence on the Riken homeworld was still relatively weak.


    Later, after converting a few key individuals¡ªsuch as Dr. Balt, the original leader of the Longevity Plant research team during the expedition fleet¡¯s return, and the three directors of the first official Riken laboratory, Dr. Simone, Dr. Hartman, and Dr. Natal¡ªLuo Wen gained access to their memories.


    With the recollections of these pivotal figures, much of the original data could no longer remain hidden. Their expertise in the early research on Longevity Plants added credibility to their statements, which further legitimized the Swarm¡¯s efforts to rewrite the narrative.


    Eventually, after gaining control over all critical stages of the research and production process, Luo Wen systematically altered the original archives over time. The Longevity Plants were reclassified from having no universal applicability to possessing limited applicability.


    The modified plants were now effective only for organisms with a specific chromosomal sequence, which roughly 20% of the species in the Interstellar Confederation possessed.


    This adjustment made the Riken¡¯s development of the Longevity Serum seem less intentional. The 20% compatibility rate could be chalked up to coincidence.


    Although this change significantly reduced the plants¡¯ initial value, it opened the door for further advancements. With proper cultivation, the plants could eventually be improved to target more chromosomes, potentially achieving universal compatibility with all Confederation species in the future.


    In nature, perfection is rare. Something too flawless inevitably invites suspicion. Even with the lowered value of the Longevity Plants, they remained highly prized. However, the mysterious circumstances surrounding their emergence made it difficult for Luo Wen to fabricate a seamless origin story for them.


    To avoid unnecessary scrutiny, Luo Wen decided that the eventual improvement of the plants would not be conducted by the Swarm, nor even by the Riken. Instead, the task would be entrusted to unrelated external species.


    Of course, if needed, Luo Wen could discreetly offer these species a subtle nudge in the right direction.


    As the information regarding the Longevity Serum continued to be collected, it drew increasing attention. Eventually, the Ji even offered 10,000 points to purchase all related research data from the Riken.


    To put this into perspective, the Riken¡¯s 100,000-strong scientific workforce had collectively earned only 100,000 points in total.


    ¡°What a tremendous bargain they¡¯ve gotten. I knew it¡ªa small, backwater civilization like the Riken couldn¡¯t possibly develop such advanced technology. It turns out they relied entirely on this special material.¡± After obtaining the Riken¡¯s data, the Ji quickly pieced together much of the situation through analysis. In terms of technological sophistication, the Riken truly didn¡¯t amount to much.


    ¡°This is an utterly perfect plant¡ªa pinnacle creation of nature itself. How could such a thing even exist in this world? According to the Riken, it doesn¡¯t require altering an organism¡¯s original genes. It merely increases the number of times cells can divide, achieving life extension without any side effects. This is precisely the path we¡¯ve been striving to follow for countless years without success. To have it fall into our hands so effortlessly is incredible,¡± one Ji scientist marveled. ¡°Nature humbles us yet again. It¡¯s truly awe-inspiring.¡±


    ¡°However, these materials don¡¯t reveal much,¡± another Ji scientist interjected, pouring cold water on the enthusiasm. ¡°The Riken¡¯s terminology differs significantly from the Confederation¡¯s system, so we¡¯ll need physical samples for validation. Until we get actual data, I suggest tempering your optimism.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. There¡¯s no such thing as perfection. Let¡¯s not fall into blind reverence. We stand at the pinnacle of this star region. Nature might have simply been ahead of us in time, but one day, we¡¯ll catch up and uncover all its mysteries,¡± said another Ji member, whose words reflected the confidence of the descendant faction.


    ¡°Alright, enough,¡± said a Ji who appeared to be in a management role. ¡°Focus on analyzing the data further and see if there¡¯s anything we¡¯ve overlooked. As for the physical samples, it¡¯ll be a long time before we get our hands on those.¡±


    This discussion took place in a Ji research facility deep within their territory. The lab was dedicated to life-extension research, and its members were experts in the field.


    Such laboratories were plentiful among the Ji, given their immigration-driven model, with scientists comprising over 90% of their population. The remaining 10% were the descendants who had accumulated over the years, some of whom chose not to pursue scientific careers.


    While the Longevity Serum data could be transmitted instantly via quantum communication devices, transporting the physical samples required spacecraft. Even at the Ji¡¯s fastest speeds, delivery would still take decades.


    For the Ji, such time spans were routine. At worst, they¡¯d simply enter cryosleep¡ªan experience akin to blinking.


    The emergence of the Longevity Serum partially diverted attention away from the Swarm. The Ji placed great importance on the newly discovered serum. The two stationed Ji ships departed, carrying large quantities of plants and their cultivation methods.


    The Ji provided five quantum communication devices to the new Confederation members. Apart from one installed in Trade City, the others were typically used for fleet communication, as seen with the Daqi Third Prince¡¯s use for latency-free coordination. The devices¡¯ primary role, however, was to transmit daily Confederation news and updates.


    The departure of the two Ji ships responsible for installation delayed the setup of quantum communication devices for the Swarm. Luo Wen, however, didn¡¯t mind the delay¡ªhe welcomed it.


    As for the devices¡¯ functionalities, Luo Wen was indifferent. For fleet command, the Swarm¡¯s Network was far more advanced and free from Ji monitoring concerns.


    As for the news and updates, Luo Wen could easily acquire them through the Riken. Given the amicable relationship between the two species, ¡°sharing¡± such information posed no issue.

 Chapter 414: The Koya Alliance

    The sudden departure of the Ji brought a sense of calm to the region. A few years later, a fleet of more than 50 warships entered the Riken System.


    Judging by their design, these ships bore no resemblance to the Ji fleet and didn¡¯t even look like a formal navy. That¡¯s not to say they were dilapidated or makeshift, but their appearance was unusually ¡°flashy.¡±


    Among the 50-plus warships, Luo Wen identified at least a dozen different design styles, giving the impression of a hodgepodge fleet. If not for their small numbers and lack of a real threat to the Riken, Luo Wen might have mistaken them for a band of interstellar pirates.


    Notably, he spotted a familiar dark red pattern on some ships, sparking a vague suspicion about their origin.


    The fleet didn¡¯t attempt to hide their arrival and openly announced themselves. According to their transmission, they were members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation and could even be considered the Riken¡¯s neighbors.


    However, their tone, dripping with unrestrained arrogance, left little room for misinterpretation¡ªthey hadn¡¯t come bearing friendly tidings for their new neighbors. The fleet identified themselves as belonging to an organization called the Koya Alliance.


    Neither the Riken nor the Swarm, as newcomers to the Confederation, had any knowledge of this organization. Perhaps realizing this, the visitors promptly sent over an introductory dossier, apparently unwilling to ¡°perform for an audience of blind men.¡±


    According to their self-description, the Koya Alliance was a defensive coalition of more than 20 civilizations, spearheaded by a powerful civilization called Koriato. The alliance was ostensibly founded to unite neighboring civilizations, foster mutual support, and collectively resist oppression from stronger powers.


    Of course, the dossier was undoubtedly polished to present them in the best light. To Luo Wen, the alliance¡¯s true purpose was just as likely to involve bullying weaker civilizations under the guise of unity.


    The fleet¡¯s composition seemed to corroborate this. Each civilization contributed a few ships, resulting in a mishmash of styles and the ostentatious fleet of 50 warships. This wasn¡¯t just a visit¡ªit was a display of strength, a demonstration meant to intimidate.


    Sure enough, the fleet bypassed the Swarm¡¯s territory in the Riken System and parked directly in near-orbit of Riken¡¯s homeworld. A diplomatic team then disembarked in a small shuttle, heading for the planet.


    The Riken, adhering to the philosophy that courtesy never harms, gave them a grand and elaborate welcome. The visitors, however, showed no appreciation. In their eyes, this was merely the bare minimum of what was owed to them.


    After only a few perfunctory pleasantries, the representatives of the Koya Alliance got straight to the point, laying out their two main objectives.


    The first was to invite the Riken to join the Koya Alliance. With the alliance¡¯s territory soon to border the Riken System, joining would supposedly unite their regions into a seamless whole. On the surface, this sounded like a beneficial proposition¡ªif not for the second point.


    The second was to demand compensation. Yes, compensation!


    The Koya Alliance¡¯s nearest member to the Riken was none other than the Daqi civilization¡ªthe same one that had sent the Third Prince, under the pretext of inviting the Riken, only to end up delivering the Swarm the ¡°Crimson Kiss¡± instead.


    It turned out that this visit was nothing more than an attempt to reclaim some dignity on behalf of the Daqi civilization.


    By all logic, the conflict back then was between the Daqi and the Swarm. At most, the Riken could be considered innocent bystanders¡ªspectators who happened to stand a little too close. Yet now, instead of confronting their real opponent, the Koya Alliance was demanding reparations from the onlookers. How absurd was that?


    The Riken officials shared the same doubts and raised these concerns with the Koya Alliance representatives. However, being unclear about the alliance¡¯s true strength and influence, they chose their words carefully, maintaining a tone of deference.


    Unfortunately, the Koya Alliance was unimpressed by this courtesy. The Daqi representative, emboldened by the support of the alliance, acted particularly arrogant. However, as the Riken were technically a reserve member of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, the smaller alliance had to show some respect to the larger organization. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, the Daqi representative confidently laid out his reasons, speaking with a sense of righteousness.


    Apparently, the Daqi civilization acknowledged that during their conflict with the Swarm, the Riken were mere bystanders. However, when the Daqi forces retreated, they had directed a significant number of refugees to the Riken base for sanctuary.


    But after the battle ended, the Riken¡ªwithout so much as a token of resistance¡ªhanded over those noble Daqi refugees to the Swarm. This, the Daqi claimed, was wrong, unjustifiable, and unforgivable.


    The Daqi argued that those citizens had been held captive by the Swarm for decades, surely enduring hunger, poor living conditions, and unimaginable suffering. They were far from their homeland and loved ones, consumed by homesickness. Moreover, their absence had caused frequent protests back in Daqi society, leading to instability, damaging the reputation of the royal family, and so on.


    In essence, after an endless litany of grievances, the Daqi representative concluded that the Riken must take full responsibility.


    Specifically, they demanded the return of all Daqi citizens held by the Swarm. They also required the Rikens to provide compensation to these individuals and their families for emotional distress. They needed to make amends for the losses incurred by Daqi civilization. Lastly, they also had to cover the Koya Alliance¡¯s ¡°appearance fee¡± for this matter.


    As for the specifics of the compensation, the Daqi, in their supposed magnanimity, stated they would settle for 110,000 Confederation points¡ªa sum equal to what the Riken had just earned for the combined efforts of their 100,000 scientists and technological resources.


    For the Koya Alliance, they demanded several hundred tons of Longevity Plants and the associated technologies. They were confident this modest request would satisfy their ¡°lords.¡±


    The Riken were, naturally, outraged. They had barely warmed their hard-earned points, and now the Daqi were demanding the lion¡¯s share under the guise of generosity.


    As for the Longevity Plants, while they were relatively easy to cultivate with high yields, the Ji had just purchased all production capacity and intellectual rights for the next several decades for a hefty sum of 10,000 points. And now the Koya Alliance thought they could waltz in and seize them for free? Such audacity!


    The Riken firmly denied all accusations, attempting to distance themselves from the matter. They argued that the Daqi refugees weren¡¯t even their responsibility in the first place. They had merely offered hospitality¡ªensuring the Daqi were well-fed and treated with the utmost respect¡ªuntil the Daqi fleet abandoned them.


    When the Swarm came to claim these individuals, they were, by the rules of engagement, legitimate spoils of war.


    Furthermore, if the mighty Daqi couldn¡¯t stand against the Swarm, how could the weak and insignificant Riken hope to resist? Why would they risk their lives to defy the Swarm for a group of unrelated Daqi citizens? If the Daqi wanted their people back, they were welcome to negotiate with the Swarm themselves. The Riken, as they put it, were mere ¡°ornaments¡± in the Confederation and had no authority to act.


    As for the Longevity Plants and the accompanying technology, the Riken diplomatically pointed out that the Ji had already purchased the entire production capacity and intellectual rights for the next few decades.


    While the Riken were willing to assist the Koya Alliance for the sake of neighborly relations, the fact was that those resources were no longer under their control.


    ¡°If the Koya Alliance truly desires them,¡± the Riken officials added, ¡°you are welcome to discuss the matter with the esteemed Ji lords.¡±

 Chapter 415: Motive

    The Riken officials, feeling emboldened by their newfound relationship with the Ji and believing that this situation was primarily the Swarm¡¯s issue, responded with a mix of polite words and thinly veiled mockery.


    Though they maintained a veneer of courtesy, their insinuations that the Koya Alliance were bullies who only preyed on the weak were clear.


    This provocation enraged the Koya Alliance. What began as a discussion dominated by the Daqi representatives quickly turned into a collective rebuke, with representatives from various alliance members joining in. Even the Koriato, the leading civilization of the alliance, took the stage.


    The Koriato were an imposing species. Five of their members, towering over two meters in height, attended the talks. Regardless of gender, their bodies were robust, and their meticulously groomed manes gave them the appearance of majestic lions. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Unfortunately, even with these ¡°lions¡± stepping in personally, their unrelenting and exorbitant demands met with steadfast resistance from the Riken.


    The Riken now fully appreciated the benefits of being surrounded by the Swarm. Any attack on their homeworld would first have to go through the Swarm. The 50-ship fleet from the Koya Alliance had been ignored by the Swarm only because it posed no immediate threat. However, if a large-scale invasion were attempted, it was unlikely that the Swarm would stand idly by.


    Of course, this assumption required confirmation from the Swarm.


    Thus, the Riken discreetly sought assurances from the Swarm. This was more for show than genuine consultation, aimed at placating the still-unconverted original Riken population. Once the Swarm gave their unequivocal support, the Riken negotiators felt a newfound confidence.


    Though they didn¡¯t know if the Swarm could truly stand against the Koya Alliance¡¯s coalition of over 20 civilizations, they reasoned that it wouldn¡¯t matter. If the Swarm fell, they could always surrender later.


    After all, the Confederation¡¯s rules would prevent their outright annihilation. As for the compensation, their total of 110,000 points would cover the alliance¡¯s demands. If they were forced to pay it all, it wouldn¡¯t make much difference compared to the current negotiation terms.


    With this mindset, the Riken stood firm, refusing to budge. The talks dragged on for over two months, with neither side willing to compromise.


    The Koya Alliance maintained their initial demands, while the Riken adopted a stalling strategy. Their message was clear: they would not negotiate, at most agreeing to pass along the message for the alliance to take up the matter directly with the Swarm.


    The alliance members, in turn, thought: If we could negotiate with the Swarm directly, why would we need you to mediate? But they knew the Swarm was no pushover. The Swarm had grown closer to the Troi civilization recently, and their military might made them far less vulnerable than the Riken.


    In reality, the alliance¡¯s primary objective wasn¡¯t to resolve the Daqi¡¯s grievances but to exploit the situation for their benefit. At the very least, they hoped to secure some Longevity Serum materials.


    News travels fast, and no secret remains hidden forever. Word of the Ji acquiring something valuable from the Riken had already spread far and wide in smaller circles. The fact that even the Ji¡¯s task force had recalled its stationed warships hinted at the significance of the discovery.


    The Koya Alliance, benefiting from their proximity to the Riken, wanted to claim their share before it was too late. If the serum-related data entered the Ji¡¯s official exchange system, its price would skyrocket beyond reach.


    Regardless of how crude the Riken¡¯s technology might be, the Ji had spent 10,000 points to acquire it. Any resale price would undoubtedly be several times higher. The alliance was determined to act before that happened.


    If the Koya Alliance could exploit a timing advantage and extract materials from the Riken before the Ji formally commercialized the Longevity Serum, it would save them a considerable number of points. Points, after all, were a precious currency¡ªmore was always better, and any savings were worth pursuing.


    But as the days passed, the Riken¡¯s stubborn, unyielding stance in the face of both coercion and persuasion left the Koya Alliance grinding their teeth in frustration.


    Initially, they had considered massing their forces, easily gathering tens of thousands of warships from their member civilizations. However, the Riken¡¯s precarious location presented a problem, they were surrounded by Swarm bases.


    The true strength of the Swarm remained a mystery. The data provided by the Confederation offered no concrete conclusions, but the Koya Alliance could infer some clues from the way the Troi civilization treated the Swarm.


    The Troi, who were part of the Locke Mutual Aid Society, had been longtime rivals of the Koya Alliance in the struggle for dominance in the Outer-ring. Despite countless open and covert clashes, the two factions knew each other well.


    The Troi might appear straightforward and affable, but in truth, they were shrewd and calculating. The fact that even they treated the Swarm with such respect strongly suggested that the Swarm possessed considerable strength.


    For the sake of tens of thousands of points, it might have been acceptable to bully a weak neighbor. But to recklessly provoke a potentially powerful force? That was a different story entirely¡ªone that wasn¡¯t worth the risk.


    Yet this cautious approach did little to quell growing dissatisfaction among the alliance¡¯s member civilizations. Fueled by the Daqi¡¯s persistent provocations, frustration with the Swarm gradually escalated from mild complaints to outright resentment and finally simmering hatred.


    Unfortunately for the Koya Alliance, the reality of interstellar politics boiled down to raw power. Though their collective anger toward the Swarm festered, they dared not act on it directly.


    Strictly speaking, it wasn¡¯t that they lacked the courage¡ªit was that their considerations held them back. The Swarm was, after all, a new and seemingly fragile force.


    Their only notable victories so far were against a backwater civilization and a limited skirmish with the Daqi. And even in that battle, the Daqi had fielded only about 2,000 warships.


    At that time, the Swarm¡¯s forces had been limited. While the Koya Alliance was uncertain about the Swarm¡¯s current capabilities, during their journey to Riken¡¯s homeworld, they had passed near a star and observed countless Space Octopuses densely packed around it. Though individually unimpressive, such overwhelming numbers would be a logistical nightmare in combat.


    If the Koya Alliance launched an assault and failed to decisively crush the Swarm, they would become a laughingstock to the Locke Mutual Aid Society. At their level of influence, preserving face in the absence of decisive action was of paramount importance.


    What the alliance didn¡¯t know, however, was that the Daqi had already conducted another offensive against the Swarm. That operation had ended in a swift retreat.


    Embarrassed by the failure, the Daqi had expunged all records of the campaign and officially denied its occurrence. While a few rumors persisted, the line between fact and fiction blurred, leaving few to believe the whispers.


    The Daqi¡¯s lack of transparency extended even to their allies in the Koya Alliance, who were kept in the dark about the Swarm¡¯s true capabilities. If they had known the real strength the Swarm had demonstrated during that earlier engagement, their current deliberations might have taken a very different course.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen, with little else demanding his attention, shifted part of his focus to monitoring the situation surrounding the Riken. As one of the key parties involved in the negotiations, Luo Wen found himself hoping for a speedy resolution.


    The Daqi prisoners had been in the Swarm¡¯s custody for decades. Many of them were indeed ¡°homesick,¡± yearning to return to their people and reunite with family and friends.


    But sadly, their civilization had proven too incompetent to arrange their return.

 Chapter 416: Garrisoned

    Luo Wen had gone through a complex emotional journey regarding the Daqi prisoners of war.


    In the early days, after the Swarm had taken custody of the prisoners from the Riken, Luo Wen had worked tirelessly to research a method to convert them into intelligent entities. He feared that during this period, the Interstellar Technological Confederation might intervene and demand the prisoners¡¯ immediate return.


    But Luo Wen had overestimated the cohesion within the Confederation and underestimated the civilizations¡¯ loose perception of time. As a result, these prisoners had stayed with the Swarm for over 20 years.


    Initially, Luo Wen had only planned to convert a portion of the prisoners into intelligent entities and then mix them with the unconverted ones before returning them to the Daqi civilization. Yet, the Daqi left their people in the Swarm¡¯s custody without a second thought, as if they had no concerns at all.


    This indifference annoyed Luo Wen. Was it the Swarm they looked down upon, or was it him personally? If the prisoners were left unattended for so long, wouldn¡¯t it make him look weak if he didn¡¯t fully convert them?


    Thus, what began as a plan for partial conversion turned into a complete transformation¡ªevery last Daqi prisoner became an intelligent entity in disguise.


    Having created spies, Luo Wen naturally needed an opportunity to send them back. He waited and waited, and eventually, a Daqi fleet arrived. Luo Wen thought, If they¡¯re willing to show some humility and pay a nominal fee for accommodations and meals, I¡¯ll return their people.


    After all, maintaining the prisoners was a resource drain, so much so that the Swarm had built a massive eco-pod on Planet Izumo just to sustain them.


    But what happened?


    The Daqi fleet opened fire on the Swarm without so much as a greeting, exchanged a volley, and then turned tail without a word. Their swift retreat left Luo Wen utterly speechless.


    After that, the Daqi fell silent, as if they had forgotten the tens of thousands of their people still in the Swarm¡¯s custody.


    Luo Wen was left with no options. He couldn¡¯t very well deliver the prisoners back to the Daqi¡¯s doorstep, could he? It wasn¡¯t about saving face¡ªsuch an action would be too suspicious. Anyone with half a brain would smell a trap.


    And so, the situation dragged on. Time passed, and eventually Luo Wen began to worry that the prisoners might die of old age before the Daqi remembered them.


    In a fit of frustration, he stuffed them all into cryo-pods, ensuring they would still be usable spies rather than retirees bound for a Daqi nursing home.


    Over time, Luo Wen¡¯s expectations for these spies dwindled. Through his interactions with the Troi and the acquisition of intelligence, he realized that even if the spies were successfully planted, the Daqi¡¯s limited power made them an unlikely source of valuable information. Worse still, some of the information they might gather could be deliberately falsified by the Daqi.


    Thus, in Luo Wen¡¯s eyes, the utility of these spies became negligible. With no pressing need to act, he allowed the situation to stagnate.


    Decades passed, and the matter seemed forgotten¡ªuntil now. The Daqi, having finally gathered some allies, showed up on the Riken¡¯s doorstep. However, it appeared they had picked the wrong house to cause trouble.


    The prisoners seemed to be nothing more than a pretext, a side note to the main event. Even the Daqi themselves didn¡¯t appear to care much about them.


    And why would they? It had been over 60 years. If the Daqi had truly cared, they would have acted long ago. Their apathy only deepened Luo Wen¡¯s doubts about the efficacy of his spies.


    Still, if an opportunity presented itself, Luo Wen would gladly send the prisoners back to the Daqi. Even if they failed to provide useful intelligence, the cluster of node units among them could at least map a portion of the Daqi¡¯s territory. Such pinpointed data would be far more efficient than waiting for Swarm meteors to drift into the region.


    If not for the presence of the Ji, Luo Wen would have instructed the Riken to package all the materials, technologies, and even finished products of the Longevity Serum and hand them over to the Koya Alliance.


    But for the sake of a broader strategy, he had no choice but to let go of this easy opportunity for now.


    The situation remained at an impasse. Despite failing to achieve their goals, the Koya Alliance members stubbornly refused to leave. Every so often, they would rally their representatives to harass the Riken, escalating their behavior to baseless accusations. They even started meddling with the newly completed Trade City, offering unsolicited and often absurd criticisms.


    However, the Riken took it in stride, assigning a few even-tempered representatives to engage in pointless discussions with the Koya Alliance.


    The Alliance¡¯s numbers were small, and they provided their own food and drink, so the Riken suffered little from these antics. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This patience emboldened the Koya Alliance. Convinced their criticisms were effective, they became increasingly brazen in their actions.


    Luo Wen could not fathom the Koya Alliance¡¯s concept of ¡°face,¡± but from his perspective, their behavior was utterly disgraceful.


    Fortunately, a turning point soon arrived. A few years later, the Ji fleet returned, this time with even more ships. Over 100 massive vessels, each over 4,000 meters long, slowly approached the Riken homeworld¡¯s starport.


    The Koya Alliance¡¯s warships, which had been occupying the prime docking positions, hastily vacated the area. Compared to the Ji¡¯s grand and orderly fleet, their colorful and motley assortment of ships resembled a group of clowns.


    This fleet had come from the Ji¡¯s nearest garrison point, a term used by the Ji to describe entire star systems they occupied beyond their official borders.


    Each garrison point encompassed at least one star system and hosted not only fleets but also a significant number of researchers. These garrison points allowed the Ji to engage more quickly with surrounding civilizations and to utilize local resources for specialized research. The Ji maintained nearly 200 such garrison points throughout their Confederation territory.


    With such vast territories and personnel reserves, the Ji were able to assemble a specialized research team at a moment¡¯s notice and dispatch them to the Riken. These researchers had come to recreate the experimental data for the Longevity Serum using Ji-standard methods.


    Back at the Ji¡¯s main base, an even larger contingent of researchers eagerly awaited this data. The Ji¡¯s interest in the Longevity Plants exceeded even Luo Wen¡¯s expectations¡ªthey could not even wait for the two previous transport ships to return with their cargo.


    As a result, the Riken found themselves busy once again, deploying substantial manpower to handle the logistics of hosting the Ji researchers. Whether intentional or not, the Koya Alliance found themselves increasingly ignored, and the years-long discussion meetings came to a halt.


    The moment the Ji ships arrived, the Koya Alliance realized their plan to obtain official data from the Riken had failed. But this didn¡¯t deter them from lingering, as they had recently established contact with the Riken black market, which offered precisely what they were looking for¡ªat a surprisingly reasonable price.


    Though the process involved a series of twists and turns, the outcome was ultimately favorable. From the Koya Alliance¡¯s perspective, this was a fortunate and delightful turn of events.


    And from Luo Wen¡¯s perspective? He couldn¡¯t agree more.

 Chapter 417: The Elder’s Visit

    While the Riken were bustling with activity, a group of over ten massive Ji warships silently broke off from the main fleet and headed toward Swarm territory.


    ¡°Where are those Ji ships headed?¡± The Koya Alliance¡¯s fifty or so warships, now relegated to a corner of the starport, had a clear view of the movement.


    With these colossal vessels¡ªeach over 4,000 meters long¡ªso close by, it would¡¯ve been impossible to miss their departure.


    The Ji fleet wasn¡¯t exactly subtle about their maneuver, so it was no surprise they were noticed. Representatives from the ten or so civilizations comprising the Koya Alliance hastily convened an emergency meeting.


    ¡°Where else would they be going? Their direction makes it obvious,¡± one representative remarked dryly.


    ¡°But why are they going there? Could this impact our operation?¡± another representative asked, his voice tinged with worry.


    After all, their current activities¡ªillicit dealings with the Riken black market¡ªwere tantamount to undermining the Ji. If discovered, the consequences for their alliance might be uncertain, but for those directly involved, it could spell disaster.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure, but I¡¯ve managed to glean some insider information,¡± another representative said, clearly relishing the moment. ¡°A few members of my species were among the personnel who arrived with the Ji fleet, and thanks to that connection, I¡¯ve gotten some details.¡±


    It was standard Ji policy to cross-station personnel across their garrisons to avoid conflicts of interest with their original species. Most garrison personnel were assigned to posts at least 500 light-years away from their origins. However, exceptions always existed, and for various reasons, some personnel bypassed this rule, though such cases made up less than 5% of deployments.


    This time, the representative had been lucky enough to encounter members of their own species among the Ji fleet. However, his attempt to create suspense by withholding the details was met with indifference. The other representatives, seasoned political players themselves, simply waited him out.


    Seeing his theatrics fall flat, the representative begrudgingly continued, ¡°Apparently, a Ji Elder is among the arriving personnel.¡±


    ¡°An Elder?¡± Everyone exhaled audibly at the mention of the Ji Elder, the highest-ranking officials in the Ji Council of Elders.


    In theory, all Elders held equal authority. While the Daqi representative¡¯s expression darkened at the news, the others seemed relieved.


    ¡°That explains it,¡± one representative concluded. ¡°It must be time to formally sign the agreements. According to protocol, it makes sense for the Ji to visit the Swarm first.¡±


    Indeed, the representatives realized that the personnel who had arrived earlier were not of sufficient rank to finalize agreements. The agreements signed so far were merely letters of intent. Formal treaties required the participation of a Ji Elder and a corresponding high-ranking official¡ªsuch as a ruler or supreme leader¡ªfrom the newly recognized civilizations.


    Given the order of invitations, the Ji would naturally need to sign with the Swarm first before moving on to finalize their agreement with the Riken. Clearly, the departing Ji warships were transporting the Elder to meet with the Swarm for this purpose.


    ¡°No matter the reason, we need to wrap up our business here quickly and minimize exposure,¡± one representative urged.


    ¡°Agreed. Their asking price isn¡¯t high. Let¡¯s pay them, get the data, and leave. The longer we linger here, the greater the risk¡ªElder or not, accidents can happen,¡± another added.


    ¡°We can¡¯t just leave!¡± another representative objected. ¡°Our stated purpose for coming here was to discuss the Daqi prisoners. If we suddenly withdraw without resolving that matter, it¡¯ll only look more suspicious.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± someone muttered under their breath as the room fell into a tense silence.


    While the Koya Alliance representatives debated their next steps, the Ji warships continued toward the Swarm. As the alliance had guessed, the Ji ships were indeed en route to finalize an agreement with the Swarm.


    After briefly pausing at the Planet Izumo Swarm Base to report their intentions, the Ji fleet continued on toward the Neighboring Star System.


    The speed of the Ji ships was indeed impressive¡ªwhat had once taken the Swarm and Riken decades to traverse now required less than a year. Back then, the actual fighting between the two races had been minimal, with most of the time consumed by the journey itself.


    Luo Wen was somewhat surprised by the sudden arrival of a Ji Elder, but he had been informed of this protocol in advance. Thus, preparations had already been made, and everything proceeded smoothly.


    When the Ji fleet reached the asteroid belt on the outskirts of the Neighboring Star System, a Swarm and Primordial body fleet was already stationed there to greet them. Following their guidance, the two fleets merged and proceeded together toward Planet Neighboring. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Due to the high-level nature of this meeting, everything was conducted with great formality. Despite this being the Swarm¡¯s first time hosting such an event, all arrangements were in place, and there were no notable errors.


    On Planet Neighboring, a massive underground palace had been excavated in preparation for the event. Underground structures were common among interstellar civilizations. On hostile planets, underground colonies could save significant engineering resources. However, on habitable planets, palaces constructed underground were far less typical.


    Luo Wen had no clear explanation for why the Swarm¡¯s style leaned so heavily toward underground architecture. Although he saw himself as open and optimistic, for some reason, the Swarm¡¯s aesthetic always veered underground.


    The palace¡¯s interior was neither ostentatiously decorated nor laden with technological flourishes. Its design was raw and primitive, much like the descriptions in previous Troi reports.


    Elder Humes, the Ji Elder leading the delegation, walked through the underground corridors, observing his surroundings and mentally comparing them with the information he had studied.


    The walls were lined with bizarre, luminescent, fleshy plants, and while the rocky walls seemed impenetrable, his suit¡¯s sensors registered multiple warnings about hidden hollow spaces. Clearly, countless concealed passageways existed around them.


    Humes harbored no doubts¡ªif they made any wrong moves, they would be instantly overwhelmed by a swarm of bio-weapons. In such an environment, surrounded underground, escape would be nearly impossible for either attackers or defenders. For the Swarm to confidently construct such an underground palace implied exceptional mastery in this domain.


    Based on the Swarm¡¯s history, this was not surprising. They excelled at subterranean warfare and concealment.


    Humes pondered whether to suggest to the Ji Council of Elders that they strengthen their own subterranean capabilities to avoid potential disadvantages in any future conflicts with the Swarm.


    Humes himself was an unusual figure. He was short and stocky, with an extraordinarily long neck and a flat, wide head that extended his overall height to over two meters. His appearance was reminiscent of a tortoise without its shell, but with an elongated neck¡ªa striking and somewhat comical presence.


    Behind him followed several dozen companions and guards as they made their way to meet the legendary Swarm Empress. Truthfully, the word ¡°legendary¡± was an exaggeration.


    Humes himself had only recently learned of the existence of a Swarm Empress. Before that, he had never even heard rumors of such a figure.


    The Swarm¡¯s ability to keep secrets was truly remarkable. Only a handful of intelligent Swarm representatives had ever interacted with outsiders, and they rarely discussed the Swarm¡¯s internal power structure.


    If not for the high-level and formal nature of this treaty, which required the participation of a civilization¡¯s supreme ruler or leader, the Empress might have remained hidden indefinitely.

 Chapter 418: The Meeting

    For Elder Humes, the existence of a Swarm Empress was only mildly surprising. The importance of the treaty itself was debatable¡ªit was both significant and procedural. Ultimately, it served as an opportunity for the Ji to gather more information about the Swarm.


    It made sense that such a vast organization as the Swarm would have a supreme leader or governing body to manage its operations. What caught Humes slightly off guard was the fact that this supreme leader was female.


    This revelation reminded him of early speculations about the Swarm¡¯s societal structure¡ªmatriarchy, eusocial evolution, and so on. These thoughts brought a wry smile to his face, and he couldn¡¯t help but shake his head in amusement.


    ¡°Elder Humes, may I ask what amusing thought has crossed your mind?¡± came a voice nearby. It was aged yet firm, speaking in the Ji language with impeccable clarity.


    ¡°I was merely recalling some happy memories, Lord Morgan,¡± Humes replied, glancing at the speaker.


    Though Morgan seemed poised to press further, Humes deftly changed the topic. ¡°Technology always has two sides. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve traveled this far. How long must we wait before we meet your Empress?¡±


    Morgan, who held the title of Adjutant to the Empress, had been chosen to greet Elder Humes due to the significance of the meeting. Given Humes¡¯ status as a Ji Elder, it was only fitting for someone of equivalent rank and stature to welcome him.


    After their introductions, Humes noted that Morgan also bore the title of Empress¡¯ Mentor, a position whose exact responsibilities within the Swarm hierarchy were unclear. Still, Morgan¡¯s role in leading the delegation made it evident that he wielded significant authority.


    The trek to the underground palace proved taxing for Humes. The Ji delegation had to abandon their craft at the entrance, continuing the journey on foot through lengthy corridors. While Morgan strode effortlessly without breaking a sweat¡ªseemingly capable of walking another ten kilometers¡ªHumes found himself struggling to keep pace.


    ¡°My apologies, Elder Humes. We failed to consider this properly,¡± Morgan said, genuinely surprised.


    This wasn¡¯t an intentional power play but an oversight. Having spent so much time connected to the Swarm Network, Morgan rarely ventured out in person. Though his current bio-form appeared aged, it was a freshly engineered body with exceptional capabilities, rendering physical exertion trivial for him. Unfortunately, he had underestimated the toll on a genuinely aging Ji Elder.


    Morgan clapped his hands, and the surrounding bioluminescent plants receded into the walls, which split open to reveal several large openings. From these emerged a group of insectoid creatures resembling flat carts. These carrier bugs, once employed in the Swarm¡¯s ancient war with the Yellow Earth Ants, had since been enhanced by Luo Wen to serve as efficient transport beasts.


    Though comical in their smaller forms, the scaled-up versions appeared monstrous. The Ji guards accompanying Humes tensed, immediately assuming defensive positions in alarm. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Humes, however, remained calm, a testament to his experience. He knew that provoking the Swarm was not in their interest, especially when relations were amicable. Raising a hand, he signaled his guards to stand down and followed Morgan¡¯s lead, climbing atop one of the creatures.


    To Humes¡¯ surprise, the carrier bug¡¯s back was smooth and warm, almost like polished jade. Sitting atop it was unexpectedly comfortable.


    ¡°Your Excellency, your civilization¡¯s biotechnological achievements are truly remarkable. There is much the Ji could learn from you,¡± Humes remarked to Morgan.


    ¡°Not at all, not at all,¡± Morgan replied, clearly pleased but still maintaining a modest tone.


    However, due to cultural differences, Humes failed to detect the subtle humility in Morgan¡¯s words. Instead, he nodded earnestly and added, ¡°For instance, these carrier bugs and the octopus-like creatures that guided our fleet¡ªthey are excellent examples of biological weaponry.¡±


    Morgan paused briefly before realizing the misunderstanding Elder Humes had. Rather than correcting it, he leaned into the moment, replying, ¡°You flatter us. While these creatures might seem like bio-weapons to you, to us, they are family¡ªone of our own.¡±


    As he spoke, Morgan patted the massive insect beneath him, which responded with a series of guttural chirps, almost as if it understood and was acknowledging his words.


    In the intricate dance of diplomacy, even minor details can reveal a civilization¡¯s secrets. Luo Wen often relied on such subtleties to infer useful insights about others. Similarly, Morgan¡¯s seemingly casual remarks were a deliberate test.


    ¡°Family? One of our own?¡± Humes frowned, glancing down at the intimidating insect beneath him, then at Morgan¡¯s humanoid form. No matter how he tried, he couldn¡¯t reconcile the two as being of the same kind.


    Yet, the universe was vast, and its diversity infinite. Civilizations and species came in countless shapes and forms, and it wouldn¡¯t do to limit one¡¯s thinking to familiar paradigms.


    Could they truly be the same? Humes wondered. Was Morgan¡¯s statement an offhand remark, or a calculated ploy to mislead?


    As he mulled over the question, his peripheral vision caught the faint smirk tugging at Morgan¡¯s lips.


    The passageway was long, but the carrier bugs were swift. Before long, the group reached a massive cavern. Inside stood a vast number of intelligent Swarm members, far exceeding the quantities seen in any previous interactions.


    At the head of the cavern sat a female Swarm figure. Though she wore no elaborate attire, her sheer presence radiated an overwhelming authority. It was as if a spotlight shone directly on her in the dim cavern, commanding all attention.


    This could only be the Swarm Empress.


    Following a round of formal introductions, Humes learned the name of the Empress was Sarah.


    The Swarm, long known for its efficient operations, kept things brisk. After the initial pleasantries, they quickly transitioned into the formalities of the meeting.


    ¡°Your Majesty Sarah,¡± Humes began, his tone respectful and formal, ¡°on behalf of the many members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, we welcome your noble race to our fold.¡±


    Since most of the treaty¡¯s details had already been finalized, the meeting was primarily ceremonial. The agreement was swiftly signed, and Humes formally extended the Confederation¡¯s welcome to the Swarm.


    Following the treaty signing, the Swarm hosted a welcome banquet for the Ji delegation. True to the Swarm¡¯s unique style, the banquet included performances like insect battles.


    In the center of the cavern, giant armored beetles clashed with ferocious intensity, their mandibles snapping and limbs colliding in a display of raw power.


    Humes watched the spectacle with an analytical eye, mentally evaluating the beetles¡¯ combat potential and possible tactical applications.


    Meanwhile, he casually turned to Sarah and asked, ¡°Your Majesty, I have a question. Might you be willing to enlighten me?¡±


    Sarah¡¯s demeanor remained calm and composed, though internally she prepared herself. Here it comes, she thought. Maintaining her commanding, aloof presence, she replied, ¡°Ask away.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty,¡± Humes said, choosing his words carefully as his expression grew serious, ¡°where does the Swarm truly come from?¡±


    The question was as sharp as it was direct, cutting straight to the heart of one of the Swarm¡¯s most guarded secrets. Sarah had anticipated such inquiries, thanks to the Overlord¡¯s foresight.


    Internally, Sarah couldn¡¯t help but offer silent praise to Luo Wen for his uncanny ability to predict these developments. She imagined that he was watching the proceedings even now. Whether or not he could hear her thoughts, she mentally expressed her admiration. Best to butter him up just in case.


    Maintaining her authoritative air, Sarah prepared to deliver the carefully crafted response that Luo Wen had devised in anticipation of such inquiries.

 Chapter 419: Departure

    ¡°Elder Humes,¡± Sarah began, her tone steady, ¡°I understand your curiosity. The Swarm was born in this star region, grew in this star region, and has always existed here from ancient times to the present.¡±


    Humes¡¯ question was difficult to answer directly, so Sarah opted for an ambiguous response, one that left room for interpretation. The rest she left to the imagination of those hearing it.


    Interestingly, Sarah¡¯s statement wasn¡¯t entirely untruthful. The Swarm indeed originated in this region. As for where the Iphieash egg had been before Luo Wen¡¯s emergence, even he didn¡¯t know¡ªand it hardly mattered. Humes had asked about the Swarm, not about Iphieash¡¯s origins.


    Humes stared intently at Sarah, attempting to discern the truth through her subtle expressions. Unfortunately for him, his skill in micro-expression analysis was misplaced. Sarah¡¯s composure was impeccable; her gaze unwavering, she calmly returned his stare.


    Such tactics were futile against the Swarm. The figure Humes was scrutinizing was merely a Swarm body. Sarah¡¯s consciousness, if she wished, could disconnect and engage in a completely unrelated activity, like playing a game with Luo Wen, while still maintaining her presence here.


    Sarah¡¯s fearless, steady gaze seemed to convey confidence and conviction, leading Humes to potentially misjudge her intent. He began to delve into the possible implications of her words.


    The first part was straightforward, but why had the Swarm Empress emphasized the phrase ¡°from ancient times¡±?


    The Swarm¡¯s recorded history spanned only a few centuries¡ªhardly enough to justify using the word ¡°ancient.¡±


    Moreover, Humes had never believed that a civilization focused on biotechnology could achieve its current level of advancement in such a short period. Biological technology was notoriously challenging to develop compared to mechanical pathways.


    If it were so easy, why hadn¡¯t any of the 200-plus civilizations in the Interstellar Technological Confederation produced a race like the Swarm?


    Could the Swarm¡¯s history be far older than it appears? Humes considered this possibility, though it seemed unlikely. This star region had been under Ji surveillance for tens of thousands of years, and no anomalies had ever been reported.


    Could the monitoring personnel have failed in their duties? He made a mental note to investigate the historical records thoroughly upon his return, searching for any overlooked irregularities.


    However, he quickly dismissed this line of reasoning. Surveillance had always been under the jurisdiction of Lumina, the Ji¡¯s trusted AI overseer. Lumina¡¯s core protocols were designed to ensure nothing could harm the Ji. Any lapse in surveillance would have been unthinkable.


    That left two possibilities: either the Swarm Empress was lying, or the Swarm¡¯s origins predated the Ji¡¯s arrival in the region. Humes found the latter hypothesis more plausible.


    The Swarm¡¯s earliest appearance in Ji records had shown them operating at a rudimentary technological level. Their biological weaponry and ships were incapable of long-range invasion. Even their current capabilities fell short of that threshold.


    A more likely explanation was that the Swarm was an ancient civilization with some technological foundation, whose progress had been sealed away for some reason. Only recently had they re-emerged and begun redeveloping their capabilities.


    After all, if the Ji could create an AI like Lumina capable of persisting for hundreds of thousands of years, it wasn¡¯t unreasonable to think that a biotechnology-oriented civilization might have left behind dormant biological constructs or weapons.


    Suddenly, Humes recalled Morgan¡¯s earlier comment about the carrier bug being ¡°one of their own.¡±


    A chill ran down his spine as a disturbing hypothesis formed in his mind.


    What if this ancient civilization didn¡¯t leave behind any living members at all? What if all that remained were their engineered biological weapons?


    It would be akin to how the Ji had left Lumina to safeguard their interests. Could it be that the original creators of the Swarm had long since perished, and the beings before him¡ªincluding the so-called Empress¡ªwere merely advanced biological constructs, inheritors of fragments of their creators¡¯ knowledge?


    If this were true, it would explain Morgan¡¯s remark about the carrier bug being part of their ¡°family.¡±


    The implication sent Humes into deep contemplation, even as the meeting concluded.


    At this realization, Elder Humes¡¯ gaze toward Sarah shifted, his eyes now carrying a mixture of wariness, curiosity, and contemplation.


    Sarah immediately noticed the change in his expression. She understood that Humes had likely arrived at some conclusions¡ªthough what they were, she couldn¡¯t be sure. Still, she wasn¡¯t unaccustomed to such situations.


    During the Swarm¡¯s conflict with the Riken, the Riken frequently constructed their own interpretations of Swarm mysteries based on their limited understanding and logic, often patching together a ¡°complete¡± explanation. Humes appeared to be doing something similar now.


    The Swarm had no fear of such conjectures; in fact, they welcomed them. The more deeply Humes thought and hypothesized, the greater the likelihood he would inadvertently mislead the Ji. By the end, he might even craft a plausible narrative for the Swarm¡¯s origins¡ªprecisely the outcome the Swarm desired.


    Several days later, the Ji fleet departed, and Elder Humes seemed visibly drained. The days of his visit had left him in a near-dazed state. During the welcoming banquet, he had engaged Sarah in further discussions, raising several questions. However, Sarah¡¯s answers remained deliberately vague, leaving Humes grasping at clouds.


    In the days that followed, Humes had barely slept, his mind spinning at full speed as he mulled over countless possibilities. No matter what conclusions he reached, each felt incomplete, riddled with minor flaws that prevented full clarity.


    The only tangible outcome of the Ji delegation¡¯s visit was their success in mediating an agreement. The Daqi agreed to pay a modest amount of Confederation points, and in return, the Swarm would release the Daqi prisoners. The Swarm¡¯s low asking price was a gesture of goodwill, granting the Ji Elder a small diplomatic victory. This was the sole aspect of the visit that brought Humes some measure of satisfaction.


    As the Ji fleet receded into the starry expanse, Sarah engaged in conversation with Luo Wen through the Swarm Network.


    ¡°Overlord,¡± she began, ¡°what do you make of this Ji Elder?¡±


    Information exchange worked both ways. While the Ji sought to glean intelligence on the Swarm, the Swarm had gained significant insights about the Ji, particularly about Elder Humes himself.


    Sarah had casually inquired about Humes¡¯ background during their conversations. To her surprise, Humes was candid about his origins but offered a cultural caveat. He explained that in Ji society, asking about someone¡¯s species of origin without prior knowledge was considered deeply rude.


    Humes elaborated: among newly-immigrated or neutral factions, such questions were met with little resistance. However, for descendants, those who prided themselves on their integration into the Ji, it was a taboo topic. These individuals took immense pride in their Ji identity and viewed such inquiries as a slight.


    Humes went on to share his own story. He belonged to a species called the Sher, but his ancestors had migrated to the Ji tens of thousands of years ago. Over time, the Sher¡¯s cultural practices had faded, leaving Humes with only a tenuous connection to his original heritage. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By all accounts, Humes was a thoroughbred descendant, though he disliked the faction¡¯s behavior and chose to align with the neutral party instead. His neutral stance had unintentionally propelled him into the Elders¡¯ Council.


    Humes also shared an intriguing tidbit with Sarah: due to the constant power struggles between the descendent and immigrant factions within the Ji, any Elder dispatched to negotiate treaties with new civilizations was invariably chosen from the neutral faction.


    ¡°He¡¯s not bad,¡± Luo Wen replied, his tone calm yet contemplative. ¡°Let¡¯s hope he gives us a few pleasant surprises.¡±

 Chapter 420: Exchange

    The Ji population was unknown, but with over 200 native star systems and nearly 200 garrison points, it was evident they were numerous. Given such vast numbers, the idea of someone casually ascending to the Elder¡¯s Council seemed highly unlikely.


    Thus, Luo Wen believed only about 60% of what Humes had said about his accidental rise to power. Still, Humes appeared to have a decent temperament. Despite Sarah¡¯s relentless riddles and cryptic responses leaving him mentally exhausted, he never lost his composure.


    Impressed by Humes¡¯ patience, Luo Wen decided to gift him a token of goodwill¡ªa Swarm bio-armor. The armor came with bloodline binding, allowing instantaneous activation and deployment.


    It could sustain the host in a vacuum for over seven days and featured a simple exoskeleton that enhanced physical capabilities. Wearing it, even an ordinary individual could run up five flights of stairs without breaking a sweat.


    Of course, the armor had some hidden features as well, but they weren¡¯t worth mentioning in detail.


    Humes was visibly delighted with the gift, expressing endless praise for the Swarm¡¯s innovation.


    During the meetings, Humes also formally expressed the Ji¡¯s interest in Swarm technologies and suggested that the Swarm make them available for exchange in the Confederation¡¯s point system.


    ¡°Ha, the Ji know us better than I thought,¡± Luo Wen remarked with a chuckle as he observed Humes presenting a proposed exchange list from his hidden vantage point.


    The list included a variety of items: biological weapons, portable bio-armor, primary color encryption technology, gene encryption technology, and more. Each item was accompanied by an astronomically high point cost.


    Take primary color encryption, for example. This was the Swarm¡¯s publicly acknowledged communication encryption method. It used over 30 primary colors and their derivatives to encrypt information, making it uncrackable by any known civilization.


    Despite seeming like a relatively minor technology, its point value was set at an eye-popping 20 million.


    For context, the Riken¡¯s 100,000 researchers had earned their civilization only 100,000 points for decades of labor. The Longevity Serum¡¯s associated data, despite its perceived importance, had been valued at just 10,000 points. Even the basic warp drive blueprints, a cornerstone of advanced civilizations, required only 50 million points.


    To accumulate such sums, even a well-established original civilization would typically need thousands of years. For a mid-tier power like the Daqi, 20 million points would likely exceed their total reserves.


    Confronted with these staggering numbers, Luo Wen¡¯s amusement waned. Though the Swarm¡¯s technologies were unique, they weren¡¯t indispensable to the Ji. Furthermore, biological and mechanical pathways had their respective strengths and weaknesses, with many mechanical alternatives available for similar functions. In practice, some technologies simply weren¡¯t worth such exorbitant costs.


    To the Ji, however, points held no intrinsic value¡ªthey could generate as many as they needed. For them, spending generously to acquire practical technologies was a worthwhile trade. Yet, as points had become the universal currency within the Confederation, the Ji had to be cautious. Overprinting points recklessly could destabilize the Confederation¡¯s economy, undermining their long-term interests.


    And yet, they had attached such exaggerated values to Swarm technologies. In Luo Wen¡¯s estimation, there were only two possible explanations. One is that the Ji urgently needed Swarm technologies. Or the Ji were confident they could rapidly reclaim the excess points they issued, ensuring the surplus wouldn¡¯t destabilize the Confederation.


    If the first explanation were true, it would be manageable. However, if the second were correct, it could spell trouble for the Swarm. A short-term oversupply of points could incentivize intense competition, allowing the Ji to indirectly pressure and weaken the Swarm while maintaining the appearance of diplomacy.


    Luo Wen fell into deep thought. The Ji¡¯s strategy, if centered on the second possibility, would require careful navigation. The Swarm¡¯s actions and responses in the coming months would be critical in shaping their standing within the Confederation.


    Luo Wen furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Perhaps there was a third possibility.


    Considering the hypothesis that some unseen mastermind required the Swarm to not only grow in numbers but also in quality, Luo Wen entertained the notion that this sudden influx of Ji points might be deliberate. Perhaps the mastermind intended for the Swarm to use these points to strengthen themselves rapidly.


    Luo Wen performed some calculations. If the Swarm were to exchange all the technologies on the Ji¡¯s proposed list, it could theoretically push the warp drive to achieve speeds exceeding five times the speed of light. If combined with associated weaponry, radar, materials, and supporting technologies, the Swarm¡¯s overall technology tree could leap to a level capable of sustaining speeds of nearly four times the current limit.


    This ¡°golden package¡± would place the Swarm¡¯s technological capabilities beyond those of the Troi civilization, a longstanding power in the Outer-ring. Surpassing Troi entirely would then become merely a matter of time.


    But herein lay the problem, the mastermind seemed to grossly underestimate the Swarm¡¯s true capabilities. Many of the technologies listed for exchange were already mastered or even surpassed by the Swarm. Spending precious resources to acquire outdated technologies was a proposition Luo Wen couldn¡¯t justify.


    Ji points, therefore, held limited utility for the Swarm. Technologies that the Swarm genuinely needed were far too expensive in terms of points, and their acquisition risked attracting unwanted attention and triggering cascading effects within the Confederation¡ªmost of which would be decidedly unfriendly to the Swarm. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Rushing development could lead to an early ¡°harvest,¡± where the Swarm might find themselves targeted and uprooted before their plans came to fruition. For this reason, Luo Wen resolved to slow down the process, regardless of the mastermind¡¯s intentions.


    This cautious reaction was likely within the mastermind¡¯s expectations. After all, an intelligent force like the Swarm would naturally take countermeasures against external manipulations.


    However, the mastermind wouldn¡¯t simply give up. Other means of exerting pressure would undoubtedly follow, but with the current lack of information, Luo Wen could only prepare to counter each move as it came.


    In the following days, the Swarm engaged in minimal exchanges with the Ji, trading only marginal, low-priority technologies. The total transaction value amounted to just a few thousand points. The key technologies that the Ji had marked as high-value items remained untouched¡ªnot even their prerequisites or foundation-level theories were exchanged.


    As expected, the Swarm¡¯s apparent indifference toward cutting-edge technologies did not provoke any overt retaliation. It seemed the mastermind couldn¡¯t yet override the rules of the Confederation, or perhaps they could, but at too high a cost.


    Regardless, Luo Wen remained vigilant, prepared to counter any covert maneuvers.


    Contrary to Luo Wen¡¯s expectations, things remained calm. After leaving Swarm territory, Elder Humes returned to the Riken homeworld and formalized the Riken¡¯s entry into the Confederation.


    A few months later, however, the Swarm received a purchase order from the Ji.


    Having brought multiple research teams to the Riken homeworld, the Ji had constructed numerous laboratories nearby to facilitate experiments. The demand for experimental materials surged, rapidly outstripping the Riken¡¯s production capabilities. What had once been a robust supply chain now found itself strained under the increased demand.


    The Ji naturally turned to the Riken¡¯s nearest neighbor: the Swarm.


    The Swarm¡¯s territory, being the original site of the discovery of the Longevity Plants, was an obvious choice for sourcing these materials. Furthermore, there was widespread speculation that the plants were either a Swarm creation or a byproduct of some other Swarm technology. Thus, this purchase order also served as a test of the Swarm¡¯s involvement.


    However, Luo Wen wanted nothing more than to distance the Swarm from anything related to the Longevity Plants. Becoming a supplier for the Ji would only entangle the Swarm further in their web of intrigue. Yet, an outright refusal might also raise suspicions.


    After much deliberation, the Swarm responded to the Ji¡¯s request with a carefully crafted reply.


    ¡°We regret to inform you that, while the Swarm can provide some assistance in producing these materials, our capabilities are far from meeting your requirements. This is due to limited availability of necessary resources such as nuclear waste and the lack of sufficient Godzilla-scale bio-organisms for large-scale cultivation.¡±


    Luo Wen smirked at his own response. It struck the perfect balance: plausible enough to avoid arousing suspicion, while clearly indicating the Swarm¡¯s unwillingness to be overly involved.

 Chapter 421: Internal Network

    Due to genetic encryption, the external world had no knowledge of the internal structure of the Swarm¡¯s bioweapons and was thus unaware that the Atomic Furnace was the primary factor in creating the environment for the growth of Longevity Plants.


    The Swarm¡¯s explanation that there weren¡¯t enough Godzillas to support widespread cultivation seemed reasonable. After all, it was well-documented that the Swarm did not produce nuclear waste, something easily verified through observation. Moreover, Longevity Plants were discovered in Godzilla nests, as detailed in official records. Lastly, Godzillas, as massive and cumbersome terrestrial units, genuinely didn¡¯t require mass production.


    Additionally, the response formally acknowledged Godzilla as a Swarm creation, addressing some previous ambiguities. While minor flaws remained, it was a significant improvement over earlier explanations.


    Upon receiving the Swarm¡¯s reply, the Ji race expressed their desire for the Swarm to increase the number of Godzillas to boost the production of Longevity Plants. However, they understood that such a request was not enforceable and unlikely to be fulfilled.


    The production of a single Godzilla required an astonishing amount of resources. Spreading that cost across production made the Longevity Plants much more expensive. While the Ji race, as the issuer of points, wasn¡¯t particularly concerned about minor expenses, they foresaw that the demand for Longevity Plants would rise substantially in the future. If the price were inflated now, reducing it later would require significant effort and could disrupt the market.


    Thus, they refrained from pressing the Swarm further and instead directed their orders to the Koya Alliance, neighbors located slightly further from the Riken System. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Longevity Plants, after all, were meticulously cultivated by Luo Wen. They were drought-tolerant, flood-resistant, corrosion-proof, and impervious to pests, diseases, and pesticides. Once the environment was prepared, all that was left was harvesting, making them extremely easy to grow.


    For the Koya Alliance, a coalition of civilizations focused on mechanical engineering, the immense amounts of nuclear waste they generated were a constant headache. Unlike the Swarm, which could recycle waste, the Koya Alliance could only package it and hurl it into stars. To repurpose their waste into something valuable while openly participating in the Longevity Plant trade was undoubtedly an attractive proposition for them.


    Everything began falling into place. After completing construction projects for the Riken, several functional Ji ships turned their attention to the Swarm. They split into two groups, one started building quantum communication facilities in the Neighboring Star System, while the other moved to the Sandstorm System to oversee the construction of Trade City.


    The Swarm¡¯s Trade City was likely the only one among foreign civilizations to place all major infrastructure underground from the start. It wasn¡¯t that other trade cities lacked underground structures¡ªon the contrary, many of the older ones had underground complexes far larger than their surface counterparts after years of expansion.


    However, during the initial stages of construction, surface structures generally far outweighed underground ones. The Swarm¡¯s decision to nearly exclude surface structures was unprecedented.


    Although the Neighboring Star System was only the second star system the Swarm had entered, they weren¡¯t destructive developers. Planet Neighboring still maintained a relatively pristine ecology, and the Swarm had even planted forests on other rocky planets. From a distance, the lush, violet-tinged planets were a breathtaking sight.


    This system had been chosen as the Swarm¡¯s public royal court, and its surveillance intensity was naturally elevated to the highest levels. Among the Swarm¡¯s active species, the Observer Bugs prioritized stealth and privacy, making them nearly undetectable.


    To prevent foreign visitors from mistakenly believing the Swarm¡¯s monitoring was lax, which might tempt them into rash actions, Luo Wen specially developed numerous Observer Bugs without optical camouflage, electromagnetic shielding, or sound-dampening systems. These visible bugs served as a deterrent on the surface.


    Under this comprehensive system of overt and covert monitoring, the visiting Ji were exceedingly well-behaved and refrained from crossing any lines. Still, some intelligence inevitably leaked out.


    ¡°Has today¡¯s request to access the Swarm¡¯s intranet been approved yet?¡± A Ji official aboard their ship inquired.


    ¡°No,¡± the crew member replied succinctly.


    ¡°Ridiculous! This is the third application already. What¡¯s their excuse this time?¡± the official fumed.


    An intranet of any civilization, from its inception to its growth, inevitably accumulates a vast amount of internal information. This data is pieced together over time, forming a tightly interwoven continuity that is exceedingly difficult to falsify or manipulate.


    Gaining access to a civilization¡¯s intranet could reveal a trove of information, such as its history, culture, customs, beliefs, population numbers, density, and demographic structure. While the civilization itself might find these details trivial, other civilizations could use them to deduce vulnerabilities and exploit them strategically.


    For instance, after gaining access to the Riken intranet, the Ji learned not only the aforementioned information but also uncovered critical data such as the number, locations, and scales of colonies, active warship statistics, troop compositions, and their distribution. It even led to the discovery of valuable resources like Longevity Serum.


    This method of reconnaissance was one of the Ji¡¯s most effective tools for understanding emerging powers. However, when it came to the Swarm, they had hit a wall.


    ¡°They¡¯re giving the same excuse as before: the Swarm doesn¡¯t have an intranet,¡± the crew member remarked with a hint of sarcasm.


    ¡°Who do they think they¡¯re fooling? A civilization at this level of development not having an intranet? Impossible!¡± the Ji official roared in frustration.


    In truth, this misunderstanding wasn¡¯t Luo Wen¡¯s fault. The Swarm did have an intranet, but its access level was so restricted that only ¡°insiders¡± could connect to it.


    Luo Wen was open to welcoming these Ji into the fold as ¡°insiders,¡± but the conditions were far from ideal. After all, these individuals couldn¡¯t simply disappear for extended periods without raising suspicion.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen hadn¡¯t come away empty-handed during this period. On the ecological planets, the Ji personnel didn¡¯t need bulky spacesuits¡ªjust a filtration mask sufficed. This meant their skin was often exposed, allowing the Swarm to collect genetic samples.


    Moreover, the Neighboring Star System wasn¡¯t even the primary focus. The real treasure trove lay with the Riken, where an influx of researchers had arrived, representing no fewer than fifty to sixty different species. Luo Wen had already devised a tiny bug specifically designed to collect samples like hair and skin flakes from these individuals.


    While the Swarm Network was a key asset, the Swarm also had a public-facing intranet. However, as previously mentioned, a civilization¡¯s intranet carries enormous amounts of sensitive information. Since the Swarm hadn¡¯t undergone a traditional process of organic growth from inception to maturity, fabricating a seamless and flaw-free history for their public intranet was an insurmountable challenge.


    Initially, Luo Wen¡¯s intent in creating this intranet was to establish a simulated Swarm society to handle situations like the current one. However, he soon realized the workload was astronomical and ultimately abandoned the project.


    The intranet then became Luo Wen¡¯s personal storage for game saves¡ªafter all, the Swarm Network didn¡¯t support gaming. Thus, calling it an ¡°intranet¡± was a stretch; it was more like a massive gaming website.


    Naturally, such a system couldn¡¯t be opened to the Ji. The potential embarrassment alone made the idea laughable. Luo Wen decided it was better to claim the Swarm didn¡¯t have one at all¡ªproblem solved.

 Chapter 422: Seeking a Breach

    ¡°You still haven¡¯t found a way to forcibly access their intranet?¡± The Ji official was clearly unwilling to give up.


    Since the New Ji Race inherited the Ji name, hundreds of thousands of years had passed. During that time, they had encountered civilizations similar to the Swarm¡ªunwilling to let the Ji or any other foreign power access their intranets. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, weakness was the original sin. Fragile, fledgling civilizations stood no chance against the Ji¡¯s overwhelming technological superiority. What those civilizations believed to be foolproof intranet defenses often proved utterly meaningless in the face of the Ji¡¯s capabilities.


    But the Swarm was fundamentally different from any stubborn civilizations they had faced before.


    ¡°Not yet, sir. I¡¯m sorry,¡± admitted a Ji crew member, bowing his head in shame. He often boasted about his exceptional hacking skills, but the current situation made him look like a clown.


    ¡°Useless!¡± The official cursed and flung a cup at the wall in frustration.


    He had been tasked with achieving results, but with more than half the project already completed, his team had made no progress whatsoever.


    ¡°Sir, perhaps the Swarm is telling the truth. Maybe they really don¡¯t have an intranet,¡± a technician suddenly interjected.


    ¡°What? Are you an idiot now too? No intranet¡ªdo they communicate telepathically?¡± The Ji official was fuming.


    He couldn¡¯t believe someone under his command would suggest such a naive idea. Any civilization that advanced beyond a certain level and accumulated sufficient knowledge would inevitably require an efficient means of information transmission.


    Relying solely on memory was impossible. For instance, just the theoretical framework for a warp drive would take eons to record even with rapid transcription devices.


    ¡°But they don¡¯t even have communication satellites. Our instruments haven¡¯t detected any network signals. At this point, we don¡¯t even know where the entrance is, let alone how to breach it,¡± the technician argued, convinced that the issue lay with the Swarm and not their own methods.


    ¡°The Swarm follows a biological pathway. Who says they need communication satellites to transmit information? Those giant creatures floating in the sky could easily serve as biological communication relays. Stop making excuses for your incompetence! Right now, immediately, think of a solution! I don¡¯t want to hear any more about what can¡¯t be done¡ªI want results! Otherwise, none of you will have a good time!¡±


    The official was on the verge of losing his temper. His technicians seemed to have completely lost their edge, coming up with ridiculous excuses. The Swarm conducted long-distance transmissions regularly¡ªdata that the Ji had managed to intercept on occasion. While their unique primary-color encryption rendered the content undecipherable, it at least confirmed that the Swarm possessed an information transmission system.


    The problem wasn¡¯t that the Swarm lacked a network. The problem was that the Ji had yet to find the door. Once they did, the Ji¡¯s technological prowess would make breaking into the Swarm¡¯s intranet a matter of minutes. There was no way the intranet¡¯s entire contents could be encrypted.


    Unfortunately, despite deliberately slowing down their construction progress to buy time, the Ji made no breakthroughs. By the time the project was completed, their technical team was left questioning their own abilities, utterly demoralized.


    During this time, the Ji weren¡¯t entirely passive. They attempted to physically infiltrate Swarm habitats to gather intelligence. However, they quickly discovered that challenges were everywhere.


    Although they knew the planet must conceal numerous Swarm hives, Ji ships couldn¡¯t conduct large-scale scans, and the Swarm¡¯s underground tunnels were shielded by magnetic fields, rendering small scanning devices ineffective.


    As a result, the Ji didn¡¯t even know where the Swarm¡¯s hives were, let alone how to infiltrate them. Even if they had precise locations, figuring out how to avoid the omnipresent Observer Bugs in the sky posed another significant challenge. These creatures¡ªwhose exact nature, whether living or something else, the Ji couldn¡¯t comprehend¡ªleft them stumped.


    In an effort to study the Observer Bugs, the Ji orchestrated an ¡°accident,¡± successfully capturing a small Observer Bug and placing it in a specially designed container to prevent it from raising an alarm. However, when they tried to dissect it, they encountered the same awkward situation that the Riken had faced before. The moment a probe pierced the bug¡¯s body, its genetic material collapsed, reducing it to a pool of viscous liquid.


    Undeterred, the Ji conducted several more attempts until they received a stern warning from the Swarm, which forced them to stop.


    Frustrated and resentful, the Ji construction team eventually left, heading to the Sandstorm System to rendezvous with their colleagues and stay there for a while. Unfortunately, their counterparts in the Sandstorm System had made similarly little progress. The Sandstorm System was even more primitive than the Neighboring Star System.


    In the days that followed, everything seemed calm. Luo Wen waited for the next move from the mastermind behind the scenes, but no follow-up actions materialized. It was as if the Swarm had been entirely forgotten.


    Years later, the Swarm¡¯s Trade City was completed and inspected, prompting the Ji vessels to leave Swarm territory and return to the Riken System. Unlike the cold treatment they had received from the Swarm, the Riken System had been transformed into a bustling research hub.


    It was said that considerable progress had been made in recent years, and several finished products had been developed¡ªthanks in no small part to Luo Wen¡¯s covert assistance. With increasing mastery over himself and the Swarm Network, Luo Wen manipulated node units with precision.


    Remote-controlled genetic mutations during experiments became second nature to him. His interventions were seamless, leaving no trace behind.


    Time marched on, and nearly a century passed in relative tranquility. During this time, Luo Wen observed nothing suspicious within Swarm territory that could be considered a follow-up action from the mastermind. This eerie quiet made him question the validity of his previous assumptions.


    However, Luo Wen quickly dismissed such doubts. While his biological age was vast, his mental age was still relatively ¡°young.¡± Over the years, he had gathered substantial information from various sources, including the Ji and other civilizations.


    In civilizations with histories spanning hundreds of thousands of years, records often documented plans and schemes that took centuries or even millennia to unfold. Some plans even spanned tens of thousands of years, crossing multiple generations.


    By comparison, the mere hundred years of silence around the Swarm hardly seemed unusual. Yet the uncertainty of being a piece on the chessboard without knowing the next move weighed on Luo Wen.


    Meanwhile, the Riken System¡¯s newfound prosperity, bolstered by the Ji¡¯s presence and experimental output, attracted even more outsiders. Although the finished products were technically Ji creations and had little direct connection to the Riken, many production processes heavily involved the Riken people.


    These products became items of trade within the Trade City, generating tax revenue. The city had expanded multiple times, and the massive influx of personnel fueled the Riken economy and accelerated their progress. On this foundation, the Riken grew stronger.


    As strength grew, so too did ambition. Backed by the Ji and their laboratories, as well as extensive foreign interaction, the Riken were emboldened. If a war were to break out in the Riken System, it would implicate not just a few factions but an intricate web of interests.


    Feeling untouchable, the Riken now sought to achieve more. Their first demand was complete control over the Riken System.

 Chapter 423: Schemes

    If there was any development over the years that could be attributed to the behind-the-scenes manipulator, it was likely the chaos surrounding the Riken.


    Although the Swarm had released all the Daqi prisoners, it appeared to gain no gratitude in return. As the only failed invitation case in the history of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, Daqi had become a laughingstock after the story spread, permanently etched into the annals of history.


    The returned prisoners seemed to amplify this humiliation, adding a ¡°debuff¡± to the Daqi civilization and making their shame even more glaring. Perhaps because of this, the Swarm¡¯s relationship with the Koya Alliance¡ªdespite no direct conflict¡ªremained strained.


    When the Daqi failed to recruit the Riken into their alliance, they didn¡¯t give up and had been engaged in constant minor schemes over the years.


    While the Riken were the original inhabitants of the Riken System, they did not possess ownership over the entire system. Their territory included only Planet Riken, Planet Riven, Planet Riwu, and Cloud Return Planet, along with their respective moons. The rest of the vast system was controlled by the Swarm.


    This left the Riken with relatively scarce resources. Although the Swarm allowed them to mine asteroids on the system¡¯s periphery, they were required to transport the materials back to their own territory.


    However, the Riken lacked the capacity to tow large asteroids, and moving smaller ones required crossing Swarm-controlled regions. This process was subject to layers of approval and regulation, creating a system that was not only highly restrictive but also deeply inconvenient.


    Any goodwill stemming from the Swarm¡¯s mercy in the past had long since eroded with time. Adding to the tension, certain unidentified forces in the media stirred public opinion, framing the Swarm as antagonistic toward the Riken.


    This strained relationship was in stark contrast to the close bond that had developed between the Riken and the Koya Alliance¡ªa faction that had previously extorted the Riken but was now their ally.


    Under the guise of trade, the Koya Alliance provided the Riken with significant amounts of basic raw materials and technological assistance, enabling the Riken to build a fleet of over 10,000 ships.


    The two sides cooperated in other areas as well. Many Riken industries opened to the Koya Alliance, and some media outlets that incited discord between the Riken and the Swarm were indirectly supported by Koya.


    At this point, the Riken were outwardly neutral but had effectively become de facto allies of the Koya Alliance.


    Now, emboldened by Koya¡¯s encouragement and support, the Riken aimed to take control of the entire Riken System.


    Even so, their ambitions were laughable. While their fleet of 10,000 ships was several times larger than what they had fielded in their past confrontation with the Swarm, it was still utterly insufficient. At this stage, any attempt to challenge the Swarm would be nothing short of a fool¡¯s dream.


    The Daqi¡¯s fleet of 50,000 ships had been obliterated with just one volley from the Swarm before they fled in disgrace. The Riken¡¯s 10,000 ships wouldn¡¯t even make a ripple in the face of such power.


    The only way they might stand a chance was if the Koya Alliance intervened with full force, sending their entire military. But that was unlikely. The Riken were hardly indispensable to the Koya, and risking an all-out war with the Swarm over a relatively insignificant ally was not something the Koya Alliance would entertain.


    The Koya Alliance, with its numerous members, long history, and vast population, had a much deeper understanding of the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s rules and far more experience navigating its systems.


    With the Koya Alliance advising them, the Riken chose not to confront the Swarm in direct, head-on conflict. Instead, they pursued a more insidious strategy, appealing to sympathy and seeking external support through the manipulation of public opinion.


    Their entry point into this strategy was highly calculated.


    Before the Swarm and Riken joined the Confederation, all fledgling civilizations were protected by Ji-established rules. These regulations prohibited outside interference until a civilization reached a certain stage of development.


    Even when such civilizations were later invited to join the Confederation, their losses were generally limited to small populations, knowledge, or cultural artifacts. Territorial losses were uncommon because uninhabited star systems in the Outer-ring were not particularly valuable.


    In fact, it became customary for fledgling civilizations to retain ownership of their home star systems, with the Ji eventually codifying this into official regulations. This approach not only fostered goodwill among younger civilizations, shifting resentment toward their invitees, but also ensured that these civilizations remained robust enough to serve as worthy competitors for the older factions. It was a win-win for the Ji. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before the emergence of the Swarm and the Riken, no faction had ever weaponized this rule.


    However, the Ji and other factions never anticipated the rise of a force like the Swarm. It seemed to come out of nowhere, conquering a star system and reaching the heart of its opponents in just over a century.


    The Ji had been caught flat-footed, still in deliberations about the situation. By the time they were ready to act, the Swarm had already established dominance, leaving the current status quo in place.


    Interestingly, the Riken¡ªa civilization without full sovereignty over their home star system¡ªdidn¡¯t seem to align with the Confederation¡¯s regulations.


    Yet the Swarm¡¯s occupation of Riken territory occurred before either faction joined the Confederation, meaning it didn¡¯t violate any existing rules. This was an unforeseen loophole in the regulations. Given the Ji¡¯s obsession with precision and order, such flaws in their rules were intolerable and would undoubtedly be rectified.


    The Koya Alliance and the Riken seized on this opportunity. Their goal was to manipulate public sentiment and pressure the Ji into amending the rules in a way favorable to the Riken.


    If successful, the Swarm would be faced with two unpalatable choices. Should they refuse to comply, they would risk alienating not just the Koya Alliance but also the Ji themselves. Regardless of the Ji¡¯s preferential treatment toward the Swarm, they would feel compelled to enforce the rules for the sake of their reputation and centuries-long authority. This could force the Ji into direct conflict with the Swarm, allowing the Koya Alliance to eliminate the Swarm without lifting a finger.


    On the other hand, if the Swarm complied, their image would take a severe hit. This would enable the Riken to establish independence and align with the Koya Alliance. At the same time, it would isolate the Swarm within the Confederation, limiting their opportunities for growth and development. Either way, as long as the plan proceeded smoothly, the Koya Alliance would benefit immensely.


    However, the Koya Alliance lacked the influence to generate such widespread attention on their own. Even if they had the means, they wouldn¡¯t risk openly antagonizing a powerful force like the Swarm. Publicly stepping into the fray wasn¡¯t their intention. Their preferred tactics were more underhanded: sowing discontent, fanning the flames from the shadows, and letting others take the heat.


    The Riken began flooding the Confederation¡¯s internal news networks with distorted narratives, recasting themselves as weak, helpless victims while subtly painting the Swarm as oppressive aggressors. They rewrote history, portraying the Swarm¡¯s actions as unjust violations, hoping to elicit sympathy from other factions.


    Thanks to the quantum communication system, these stories spread instantaneously across the Confederation. Some civilizations dismissed them with a scoff, but others viewed them with keen interest.

 Chapter 424: Doubts

    Luo Wen¡¯s curiosity had always been intense, a trait that had often gotten him into trouble in the past. With the Ji¡¯s installation of quantum communication systems, keeping up with the gossip and news from various civilizations had become one of his favorite pastimes.


    Naturally, he had noticed the Riken¡¯s recent public statements.


    However, Luo Wen didn¡¯t take them seriously. To be honest, without his approval, the Koya Alliance¡¯s plan wouldn¡¯t have gotten off the ground in the first place.


    Thanks to years of development and the Riken¡¯s universal vaccination program, at least 200 million Riken individuals were now disguised intelligent entities under Luo Wen¡¯s control, occupying 80% of the Riken¡¯s military, political, and commercial leadership. They secretly controlled every facet of the Riken¡¯s society.


    And that wasn¡¯t all. At least 50% of the Riken population had undergone physical modifications, allowing Luo Wen to forcibly extract their spiritual entities from their bodies at any time. In essence, the rise or fall of the Riken rested entirely in Luo Wen¡¯s hands.


    With such capabilities, Luo Wen considered the theoretical possibility of dominating the entire Confederation by spreading Longevity Serum universally. However, his calculations showed that even under optimal conditions, this process would take at least 10,000 years to complete¡ªassuming there was no resistance from any civilizations.


    By that time, the Swarm might already possess the sheer military power to overwhelm the Confederation directly. Surely, the mastermind wouldn¡¯t allow the Swarm that much time to grow.


    When the Koya Alliance first approached the Riken, Luo Wen had known about it. Initially, he dismissed it as a minor attempt to sow discord and decided to let events unfold, curious to see what tricks they would play.


    But as the Koya Alliance¡¯s plans became increasingly elaborate, Luo Wen sensed something was amiss. Could this be the long-awaited next step in the hidden manipulator¡¯s strategy?


    The more information Luo Wen uncovered, the more convinced he became that his suspicions were correct. He had begun to discern his opponent¡¯s methodology and had even pieced together a vague understanding of their ultimate goal.


    The Koya Alliance might have some insight into the truth, but it was far more likely that they, too, were merely pawns. Their so-called ¡°plan¡± was almost certainly orchestrated and encouraged by the hidden manipulator.


    After all, there was no deep-seated enmity between the Koya Alliance and the Swarm. Conflicts between civilizations were far more complex than personal grudges. Impulsive decisions could lead to disastrous consequences, but a civilization¡¯s ¡°brain¡± was composed of countless individual minds. Even if some were prone to rashness, the collective wisdom of others would pull them back from the brink.


    And for a coalition like the Koya Alliance, composed of over twenty civilizations, the minor grievances between the Swarm and the Daqi were insignificant. They were more likely to spectate and mock from the sidelines than actively intervene in such a dispute.


    As for alliance agreements? Luo Wen laughed at the thought. Through the Riken, he had reviewed these agreements himself. They weren¡¯t even proper defense pacts¡ªbarely more than mutual aid agreements for convenience.


    If the Swarm had attacked the Koya Alliance outright, perhaps they would have united to resist. But in this case, it was the Daqi who had initiated the conflict and bungled it so badly that they became a laughingstock, losing tens of thousands of crew members in the process.


    The notion that the Daqi¡¯s actions were motivated by a desire to avenge their prisoners was laughable even to the Daqi themselves.


    Luo Wen knew exactly what had happened to those prisoners after they were repatriated.


    The Daqi prisoners, held captive by the Swarm for over sixty years, did not return to a hero¡¯s welcome. Fearful of resentment and rebellion, the Daqi government relocated them to a small colony world under the pretense of assigning them to ¡°guard duty.¡± In reality, they were kept under semi-detention.


    As a result, the tens of thousands of intelligent entities embedded among them failed to gather any useful information. For Luo Wen, it was a disappointing investment. However, over the course of a century, a portion of these intelligent entities had been allowed to ¡°die¡± through reasonable means, returning to the Swarm Network, where they finally served some purpose.


    The Daqi¡¯s aggressive actions, therefore, could only be explained as an attempt to save face. However, the humiliation they endured had already been etched into history, and unless the Daqi managed to reclaim their pride through direct military victory, their honor would remain irretrievable.


    Yet, curiously, the Daqi seemed to suddenly rally together with unwavering resolve to destroy the Swarm. Luo Wen found it impossible to believe this was happening without an invisible hand guiding events from the shadows.


    In the Interstellar Technological Confederation, some civilizations in the Middle Circle and even the Inner Circle had grown complacent. Their territories were entirely bordered by other member states, leaving them with little incentive to explore unclaimed star systems in the distant Outer Ring. The pioneering spirit of their ancestors had long since faded, replaced by an attitude of comfortable stagnation.


    These civilizations, immersed in their spiritual pursuits, often developed peculiar hobbies. Among them, certain factions took great pleasure in sympathizing with the weak. Under the guise of altruism, they intervened to ¡°help¡± those they deemed vulnerable, achieving a sense of moral fulfillment in the process.


    These factions were typically well-resourced¡ªfar better off than many Outer Ring civilizations. With their long histories, they had established extensive social circles and influence within the Confederation.


    Moreover, their actions, while eccentric, rarely crossed the line, and their neighbors were content to let them indulge rather than risk turning them into competitors. For many, having a passive, non-expansionist neighbor was a dream come true.


    In this permissive environment, these factions had gradually become more domineering and capricious in their behavior.


    The Koya Alliance, aware of this dynamic, decided to target these civilizations. The Riken¡¯s plight, carefully orchestrated, became a trending topic in the Confederation¡¯s internal news network. Predictably, the unprecedented story captured the attention of these idle factions. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Previously, such groups had limited themselves to helping endangered subspecies or saving near-extinct animal populations. A case involving an entire civilization in need of salvation was unheard of. The mere thought of such a grand cause was enough to give them an almost euphoric sense of purpose.


    As for the supposed oppressor¡ªthe Swarm¡ªhow powerful could they be? The complacent factions, uninterested in relevant details, dismissed the Swarm as mere Outer Ring primitives.


    The situation quickly grew bizarre. More and more old, established powers began stepping in, brandishing the banner of altruism. They called on the Ji to revise the rules, demanding better protections for weaker civilizations to ensure their healthy development.


    At this point, Luo Wen¡¯s earlier suspicions became absolute certainty. If he had been 80% sure of his hypothesis before, he was now 100% convinced. After all, the Swarm was being labeled an Outer Ring upstart¡ªso what was the Koya Alliance in comparison? They certainly didn¡¯t have the capacity to orchestrate a media storm of this magnitude.


    Clearly, the mastermind behind these events was immensely powerful, with influence not only among the Ji but also within other factions across the Confederation. But what were they after? With such strength, why the need for secrecy? The only plausible answer was that their ultimate target was the Ji themselves.


    But what role did the Swarm play in this grander scheme?


    Luo Wen had a fairly good idea of their immediate objectives based on their recent actions. However, linking these objectives to their ultimate goal left him feeling as though something didn¡¯t quite add up.

 Chapter 425: The Visit

    With too many missing pieces of information, Luo Wen was unable to connect the dots, though he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was amiss. After several days of trying to piece together his thoughts and finding no answers, he decided to set the matter aside temporarily, awaiting more information before drawing further conclusions.


    As for the Koya Alliance¡¯s plans, Luo Wen decided to cooperate. His reasons were severalfold.


    First, although Luo Wen controlled the Riken, neither the Riken themselves nor the Koya Alliance nor the Ji were aware of this. By all appearances, the Riken had no reason or justification to reject the Koya Alliance¡¯s overtures. A sudden refusal without cause would be highly suspicious and draw unwanted attention.


    Second, the Swarm was unable to directly retaliate. Now that the Riken were members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, they were protected by its rules. The Swarm could not simply wipe them out. Furthermore, the Riken were home to numerous Ji laboratories and foreign teams. Any attack on the Riken would invite chaos and conflict, something Luo Wen was keen to avoid.


    Third, the Riken were an essential production base for the Swarm, contributing to Luo Wen¡¯s growth. Destroying them would be counterproductive. Luo Wen had no interest in sabotaging his own plans for strength.


    Finally, if the current scheme was merely ¡°Plan A,¡± it was highly likely the hidden manipulator had additional contingency plans¡ª¡±Plan B¡± or even ¡°Plan C.¡± Allowing Plan A to run its course, even if already exposed, gave Luo Wen the opportunity to better understand his opponent and maintain some measure of control.


    Moreover, the Riken themselves, under Luo Wen¡¯s control, were still heavily involved, providing an additional layer of oversight.


    Thus, as the Swarm remained silent, the Confederation¡¯s public relations onslaught continued unabated. The Swarm and the Riken, two fringe civilizations, entered the spotlight. Even civilizations on the far side of the Confederation, tens of thousands of light-years away, began taking notice.


    The stories surrounding the Swarm and the Riken had now been spun into numerous variations. While the specifics varied, they all shared the same core narrative, the Swarm was a tyrant, and the Riken were a weak, oppressed civilization enduring hardship, humiliation, and despair while courageously seeking protection. The tales were so compelling that even Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but admire their creativity.


    Yet aside from the self-proclaimed ¡°altruists,¡± few took the stories at face value. Civilizations with think tanks understood that no trending topic reached such heights by accident. For two minor Outer Ring factions to attract this level of attention, there had to be a hidden agenda.


    Most observers cared little about the Swarm or the Riken themselves; they were far more interested in the mastermind behind the scenes and their ultimate goal.


    As the narrative gained traction and the manipulator¡¯s influence spread, the Ji finally turned their attention to the issue. The Council of Elders convened to address the loophole in the rules, initiating deliberations on how to resolve the matter.


    At this pivotal moment, Elder Humes, who had spent nearly a century in the Riken System, made an unexpected visit to the Swarm, requesting an audience.


    ¡°Your Majesty, it has been many years, and yet your radiance remains undiminished,¡± Elder Humes greeted, his piercing gaze filled with curiosity.


    Though he had spent over 80% of the past century in cryosleep, the passage of time had still left its marks upon him. Yet the Swarm¡¯s Empress  standing before him appeared completely unchanged from their last meeting.


    The highest leaders of civilizations were typically among the first to succumb to the ravages of time. Their responsibilities, filled with endless complexities, rarely allowed them the luxury of extended rest. But this phenomenon seemed utterly absent in the Swarm Empress.


    The Confederation was home to a species known as the Potling. They retained their youthful appearance for 99% of their lives, only aging rapidly when nearing death. Time seemed to hold no sway over them. The Swarm Empress¡¯s appearance reminded Elder Humes of this peculiar trait, stirring his curiosity even further.


    If the Swarm wasn¡¯t blessed with innate longevity like the Potling, then their lifespans must far exceed ordinary expectations.


    The Swarm remained shrouded in mystery. Their members seldom interacted with outsiders or revealed themselves publicly. Their origins, culture, history, societal structure, and even their lifespans were all enigmas.


    Some factions had attempted unconventional methods to pry into these secrets. For instance, twenty years ago, a ship carrying Swarm and Riken researchers stopped at a Ji outpost during its journey.


    Half of the personnel disembarked there, while the ship continued toward the Ji homeworld. Over the next two decades, nearly 500 Swarm researchers at the outpost mysteriously disappeared.


    Considering there were only 1,500 Swarm researchers on the ship to begin with, the loss of over 30% of them was staggering. Disappearing under such circumstances, while on Ji-controlled territory, bordered on absurdity.


    Officially, these Swarm researchers had been ¡°sold¡± to the Ji. Furthermore, the Ji ship¡¯s journey spanned 80 years and at least 500 light-years. Without quantum communication equipment, contacting their homeland was impossible.


    The missing Swarm researchers, outnumbered and voiceless, could only endure their fate. However, Luo Wen knew exactly what had happened to them. As node units of the Swarm, their every experience was accessible to him.


    Attempts by these factions to extract intelligence from the Swarm researchers through special means were futile. The Swarm¡¯s sophisticated safeguards ensured that no useful information could be gleaned.


    Elder Humes was aware of some of these incidents. As the only Ji elder directly engaged with the Swarm, he occasionally received classified information about such events.


    From the Ji¡¯s perspective, the Swarm¡¯s genetic achievements were unprecedented. Their unbreakable encryption technology was proof enough that the Swarm might have surpassed the Ji in this field. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Scherian race, to which Humes belonged, had an average lifespan of just over 400 years¡ªless than 500 even with frequent cryosleep and access to Longevity Serum. For someone like Humes, this was far from satisfactory. He wanted more.


    The Swarm, Humes believed, might hold the key to solving the problem of lifespan. The Swarm Empress standing before him was evidence of that potential.


    But the Swarm was a tough nut to crack. Humes knew he needed patience to achieve his goals, and the current situation might provide the perfect opportunity.


    ¡°Elder Humes, what brings you here this time?¡± Sarah raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp, clearly expressing her dissatisfaction with the recent spate of slanderous public opinion targeting the Swarm.


    Humes merely chuckled, unaffected. Such petty tactics had no impact on someone as seasoned as he was. Did they expect him to feel guilt over such trivialities?


    Since Sarah had dispensed with pleasantries, Humes saw no need for further niceties either. He got straight to the point: ¡°Your Majesty, regarding the historical disputes between your civilization and the Riken, our Council of Elders has already begun deliberations. As you surely understand, the current situation is less than ideal for your people.¡±

 Chapter 426: The Request

    Elder Humes glanced at Sarah¡¯s expression and noticed her complete lack of reaction.


    Suppressing a flicker of annoyance, he continued, ¡°I have a suggestion. I don¡¯t know if I should speak it aloud.¡±


    ¡°Please, go ahead,¡± Sarah responded curtly. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Well, I have some influence within my race and a decent network of connections. If Your Majesty needs it, I could help mediate and try to secure a favorable outcome for your people.¡± Humes swayed his long neck slightly as he spoke with apparent conviction.


    ¡°And what would you require in return, Elder Humes?¡± Sarah replied coldly.


    After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch. Humes had no familial ties to the Swarm, yet here he was, eager to offer counsel. She was curious to see what this sly old fox had in mind.


    ¡°Your Majesty is so forthright; I admire that,¡± Humes began with flattery. ¡°But truly, I have no personal desires,¡± he added, attempting to project an image of selflessness.


    Sarah thought to herself, If you had no desires, why bother speaking? Of course, she couldn¡¯t voice this aloud, as it would offend both parties. Instead, she silently watched as Humes continued his act.


    When Sarah remained silent, Humes silently cursed her low emotional intelligence. Still, he couldn¡¯t afford to walk away now. He pressed on, saying, ¡°Although I personally ask for nothing, there is a minor work-related matter where I hope Your Majesty might assist me.¡±


    ¡°Please elaborate,¡± Sarah prompted with a nod.


    ¡°You may not know this, Your Majesty, but my race places a great deal of importance on assessments. Even as an elder, I am subject to evaluation tasks,¡± Humes explained, no longer beating around the bush.


    ¡°While the Confederation includes many foreign races, most of them follow technological paths influenced by my race. As a result, there is little unique technology left to trade or exchange. To be frank, when I first heard that your people had forged an entirely unique path, I was delighted. I staked my reputation and spent no small amount of resources to secure the position of negotiating an agreement with your people.¡±


    Humes glanced at Sarah again but saw no reaction from her. She simply stared at him coldly.


    He sighed inwardly, feeling as if his vitality had been drained, and his voice took on a pitiful tone.


    ¡°Over a century ago, I was tasked with inviting your people to join the Confederation. But time has flown by, and after a hundred years, your people have shown no interest in our exchange list. My evaluation period is now fast approaching, and because of this situation, my results are abysmal. Losing face would be the least of my worries; I might even lose my position as an elder.¡±


    At this point, Humes seemed on the verge of tears. ¡°I beg you, Your Majesty, to lend me a hand. I swear, in return, I will do everything in my power to assist your people in the future.¡±


    But Sarah remained utterly unmoved by his display. Anyone who had lived as long as Humes wouldn¡¯t be prone to such emotional outbursts, and Sarah saw right through his act.


    ¡°Apologies, Elder Humes,¡± Sarah replied, her tone firm. ¡°The items on the exchange list are critical secrets of our people. They will not be traded unless absolutely necessary.¡±


    Humes touched the corner of his eye where tears might have been and thought bitterly, If this isn¡¯t a moment of absolute necessity, what is? Once the Ji modify their rules, you¡¯ll lose your territory, your reputation, and be ostracized as a bully preying on the weak.


    Of course, Humes wouldn¡¯t outright admit his true thoughts¡ªit would ruin any pretense of diplomacy. Adopting an air of concern for the Swarm, he said, ¡°Perhaps Your Majesty hasn¡¯t fully realized just how grave the current crisis facing your people truly is.¡±


    He then launched into an elaborate and dramatic recounting of the dangers looming over the Swarm. His speech was filled with alarming details, painting a dire picture.


    ¡°Your Majesty, the reason so many adversaries dare to target your people is because of a perceived lack of strength. By exchanging your unique technology, you would not only assist me in fulfilling my obligations, but also earn points. Despite the differences between your people¡¯s technological path and ours, the underlying theories are connected. By using points to acquire these theories, the Swarm could bolster its own capabilities, deterring potential threats.¡±


    Humes ended with what he considered his ace: ¡°I¡¯ve personally gone to great lengths to update the exchange list on your behalf. You can now trade for technologies that do not involve any sensitive secrets of your civilization.¡±


    With that, he handed over the new list to Sarah. Through Sarah¡¯s vision, Luo Wen glanced at the list. He had to admit, it was comprehensive.


    The additions were clearly tailored for the Swarm. Most of the entries pertained to foundational knowledge¡ªparticularly problems the Ji had encountered while researching Longevity Plants.


    Luo Wen knew all about those difficulties; after all, he had been secretly observing the progress of their laboratories and occasionally ¡°helping¡± by inducing subtle mutations in their experiments, making them believe they were achieving breakthroughs.


    The rest of the list contained conjectures related to genetics. Some of these were issues Luo Wen could easily resolve; others were beyond even his current capabilities. However, these hypotheses provided Luo Wen with insights and inspiration, making the list a valuable resource.


    Humes¡¯s eagerness reminded Luo Wen of his earlier speculations. Was this an indirect attempt to enhance the Swarm¡¯s capabilities because it hadn¡¯t yet met the manipulator¡¯s expectations?


    This arrangement would indeed strengthen the Swarm while also granting them access to some urgently needed technology¡ªa win-win situation.


    At this moment, Luo Wen had a flash of clarity about the inconsistencies he¡¯d been sensing. Humes¡¯s actions didn¡¯t align with the objectives Luo Wen had inferred from his earlier analysis of the hidden manipulator¡¯s plans. There were two possible explanations, either Humes was taking advantage of the situation, securing benefits for himself while shirking any real obligations. Or multiple factions could be working behind the scenes, each with its own agenda.


    Luo Wen leaned toward the latter. He couldn¡¯t help but sneer inwardly: So, they all see the Swarm as a convenient stepping stone. Aren¡¯t they afraid of breaking their teeth on it?


    After careful consideration, Luo Wen decided to decline Humes¡¯s ¡°generous¡± offer.


    First, the Swarm¡¯s foundational technologies, such as primary-color encryption and genetic encryption, were too critical to their survival and identity to be shared under any circumstances.


    As for the issues related to Longevity Plant research, Luo Wen was tempted to resolve all of them outright. However, doing so would expose too much about the Swarm¡¯s capabilities and potentially open the floodgates for further unwanted attention.


    Moreover, Luo Wen was reluctant to have the Swarm¡¯s name explicitly linked to Longevity Plant technology. If the plants were developed using a significant amount of Swarm-based techniques, the civilizations benefiting from them might hesitate to use the technology, fearing hidden risks.


    Paradoxically, what seemed like a shortcut might ultimately backfire, slowing their progress instead of accelerating it.


    Luo Wen found it more effective to assist them covertly. Letting them believe their breakthroughs were entirely self-made would ensure smoother adoption and fewer complications.

 Chapter 431: Escape

    The success of his experiment filled Luo Wen with excitement. He continued to practice relentlessly, increasing the teleportation range from ten meters to a hundred, and eventually a thousand meters.


    The objects he teleported also grew larger, starting from small beetles, progressing to large beetles, worker drones, and ultimately even teleporting Sarah Kerrigan¡¯s insect body.


    However, Luo Wen discovered a limitation: he could only teleport node units. The inherent nature of node units made them bridges capable of connecting reality and the virtual.


    Fortunately, this restriction didn¡¯t trouble him much.


    As his proficiency grew, so too did his ability¡ªor rather, he approached the upper limit of his current capabilities. The ceiling itself was fixed, but through practice, Luo Wen got ever closer to it.


    That ceiling, however, still constrained him. This limitation was also something that could be overcome. As Luo Wen continued to evolve, so too would his upper limit increase.


    The path he had taken seemed to diverge from his original intent. The ¡°wormholes¡± he now used bore little resemblance to the wormholes he had studied earlier. Yet, this new method was uniquely suited to him and the Swarm, a wormhole concept entirely their own.


    To commemorate this breakthrough, Luo Wen named his new skill Fold Crossing.


    Despite this achievement, Luo Wen¡¯s current abilities still fell short of his goal to send the ¡°seed¡± beyond the New Ji Race¡¯s territory. Achieving that was akin to chasing an impossible dream; he needed to further refine and enhance this skill.


    Through continuous experimentation, he discovered that he could temporarily amplify his abilities by drawing energy through the node units. It was akin to taking a low-level character at level 10 and injecting it with enough power to temporarily experience the capabilities of a level 20 account. Although the enhancement was short-lived, the abilities during this period were undiminished.


    Because of this discovery, the previously abandoned Megastructure Self-Destruction Plan was revisited.


    On that day, the energy generated by a 2,000-kilometer-long Megastructure, combined with the power it siphoned from a star, allowed Luo Wen to experience the capabilities of a level 60 ¡°high-level account¡± for a fleeting moment.


    However, the massive power gap and the brief usage period, despite Luo Wen¡¯s prior preparation, still caught him off guard. A small mishap occurred, causing the plan to fail.


    Fortunately, he had another chance.


    Over the course of several hours, Luo Wen replayed the sensation of the enhanced power in his mind, analyzing and internalizing every detail. Only when he felt fully prepared did his consciousness return to the present.


    The second Megastructure had already reached its designated position and was siphoning energy from the star. Luo Wen waited patiently, with Sarah silently standing guard behind him.


    Suddenly, Luo Wen closed his eyes. At the same time, the Megastructure in the distant Riken Star System exploded, unleashing a brief yet dazzling burst of light.


    At the center of the explosion, a flesh pod was ejected.


    Drawing on his earlier experience, Luo Wen executed his operation with unparalleled precision this time. The flesh pod didn¡¯t need to search for the black spot; instead, the black spot ¡°actively¡± appeared along the pod¡¯s trajectory.


    The black spot flickered briefly and disappeared, taking the flesh pod with it.


    Luo Wen didn¡¯t immediately open his eyes. Instead, his expression grew even more solemn.


    Currently, every illuminated point within the Swarm Network resided within the territory of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, firmly under the influence of the New Ji Race. Transporting the seed to these areas would be meaningless. What Luo Wen truly needed was a new galaxy, a region beyond the New Ji Race¡¯s reach.


    When the ¡°wormhole¡± was opened earlier, a massive influx of energy entered at the same time as the flesh pod.


    As previously mentioned, higher dimensions lack the concept of distance. Luo Wen, existing partially outside dimensions, randomly sought a location within this universe. By guiding the energy through the Swarm Network as a bridge, he attempted to pierce the dimensional wall at that point.


    However, this subsequent step was untested. Luo Wen encountered a new challenge.


    Perhaps there was insufficient energy intake, or perhaps too much energy was consumed in constructing the bridge, or maybe the dimensional wall was simply too sturdy. Whatever the reason, Luo Wen found himself unable to breach the wall and release the seed.


    The situation was dire. If the energy depleted entirely, the seed suspended between ¡°reality¡± and ¡°virtual¡± would inevitably be annihilated. With both opportunities exhausted, attempting something similar again within a reasonable time frame would be virtually impossible.


    Fortunately, at this critical moment, Luo Wen suddenly sensed a weaker region within the dimensional wall. He mustered all his strength to punch through it.


    Within the energy-charged passage flickering with lightning, the black spot reappeared briefly, ejecting the flesh pod.


    The foreign intrusion caused the already volatile energy to surge even more violently, threatening to obliterate the intruder.


    It turned out this was another wormhole.


    As the spatial field¡¯s energy surged to devour the flesh pod, something unexpected occurred. After enduring the chaotic storm of energy, the flesh pod emerged completely unharmed.


    While Luo Wen¡¯s Fold Crossing bore a surface resemblance to wormholes in terms of effect, its formation and operational principles were fundamentally different¡ªat least for short-distance crossings.


    Being different, Fold Crossing required no ¡°negative energy¡± as a stabilizing medium. However, for long-distance Fold Crossings, Luo Wen was uncertain whether the same principles would hold.


    Being cautious by nature, he had added a special storage compartment to the flesh pod to hold a small amount of negative energy as a safeguard.


    Negative energy wasn¡¯t particularly rare in the universe, but even for the technologically advanced New Ji Race, collecting it was extremely difficult. For the less-advanced Swarm, it was even more so. Fortunately, the Swarm only needed enough for a single flesh pod, a manageable requirement.


    Although the addition of a storage compartment slightly increased the flesh pod¡¯s size, it was like purchasing an insurance policy¡ªbetter safe than sorry.


    Aside from the exponentially greater energy demands, long-distance Fold Crossing worked fundamentally the same as its short-distance counterpart. It effectively manifested part of Luo Wen¡¯s essence, allowing him to pierce through dimensional barriers and traverse them. Thus, negative energy wasn¡¯t strictly necessary.


    However, the unexpected happened. Due to insufficient energy, the flesh pod exited directly into an actual wormhole. If not for Luo Wen¡¯s caution in including a failsafe, this attempt would have ended in failure.


    Inside the wormhole, time held no meaning. In the blink of an eye, the flesh pod was expelled.


    Returning to ¡°reality,¡± the flesh pod unraveled, revealing a small, golden beetle inside¡ªa rare Anchor Unit. This unit allowed Luo Wen to pinpoint its location.


    Yet without comparative reference data, Luo Wen had no way of knowing where it had landed or how far it was from the current Swarm territory. However, given the extent of Luo Wen¡¯s level-60 enhancement, it was certain to be well beyond the original galaxy.


    The specifics of its location would require a Swarm base to develop in the area and map the star charts for confirmation.


    Still, the Swarm now had a genuine escape route. With this backdoor secured, Luo Wen could face the crises ahead with far greater composure.


    Luo Wen finally opened his eyes, a smile spreading across his face. Sarah, who had moved closer, saw the expression on her revered Overlord¡¯s face and understood that the plan had succeeded. She, too, broke into a smile.


    However, Luo Wen paid no attention to Sarah. Instead, he rubbed the corners of his eyes and closed them again. The situation on the other side remained unknown, and he needed to monitor it closely. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 432: Discovery

    In a massive command center, the cold metallic walls shimmered under artificial light. Dozens of large screens hung suspended in the air, while countless smaller screens were arranged below. Nearly every small screen had a humanoid figure seated in front of it, busily working.


    The shrill sound of alarms echoed throughout the room. Amidst the chaos, the personnel hurriedly checked their assigned instruments, fingers darting across input devices in an attempt to quickly gather the necessary data.


    Several humanoid figures rushed into the command center¡¯s bridge. Before they had even steadied themselves, the leader spoke sharply. ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±


    ¡°Commander, we¡¯re detecting energy-level fluctuations at the wormhole¡¯s exit¡ªit¡¯s about to open!¡± shouted one of the operators below.


    ¡°What?!¡± The commander¡¯s disbelief was palpable. ¡°According to Dr. Benba¡¯s calculations, the next activation wasn¡¯t supposed to occur for another 15 months!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know, sir, but it¡¯s happening now.¡±


    ¡°Where is Dr. Benba?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s been notified and is on his way. He¡¯ll be here in about five minutes.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no time! The wormhole is opening. Who¡¯s on duty?¡±


    ¡°Strider and Cyclone Dancer, sir!¡±


    ¡°Dispatch them immediately to investigate. Recall all off-duty teams as well!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Commander!¡±


    ¡ª


    Outside the command center, a vast metallic base loomed. A massive 60-meter-high side hatch began to open slowly, revealing two towering mechas, each just slightly shorter than the hatch itself.


    The mechas strode forward, their steel frames colliding with the metal ground beneath them, creating deep reverberations that caused a faint tremor throughout the base.


    On the expansive plaza before the hatch, two equally enormous missiles¡ªeach over 50 meters tall¡ªrose from their launch silos.


    ¡°Hey, Rooney?¡±


    ¡°Signal is stable. I can hear you.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so serious, man,¡± the speaker teased before adding, ¡°Looking at those two big sticks gives me a bad feeling.¡±


    ¡°With the wormhole activating out of nowhere, no one was prepared for this. We need to move as quickly as possible to find out what¡¯s going on.¡±


    ¡°I knew pulling duty with you wouldn¡¯t bring me any luck. Here¡¯s hoping those engineers had time to disarm the warheads on those missiles.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, time clearly isn¡¯t on our side.¡±


    ¡°Do you know why I hate you, Rooney?¡±


    Inside the cockpit, Rooney shrugged. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, Zeki. Just keep yourself in check while we¡¯re en route. I don¡¯t want my partner screwing up.¡±


    Zeki was about to fire back when the commander¡¯s voice suddenly crackled through the communication channel: ¡°Focus, soldiers! For your sake¡ªand ours¡ªdon¡¯t waste time. Get moving!¡±


    The concept of mecha pilots was a relatively new one within the Federation. About ten years ago, an incident shook their civilization to its core. In the depths of the Jane Obak Trench, an undersea region, an extraordinarily powerful energy wave was detected, heralding the sudden appearance of a wormhole.


    The wormhole closed shortly after it opened, and despite months of painstaking searches, the Botians, limited by their technological capabilities, found nothing unusual.


    But then, the wormhole opened again, and from it emerged a massive creature over 50 meters long. The beast was extraordinarily fast, immensely strong, and wreaked catastrophic havoc on the Botians.


    Conventional weaponry proved nearly useless against it. In the end, the Botians resorted to a desperate measure: setting a trap and detonating three medium-yield nuclear warheads at close range. This managed to eliminate the creature.


    However, as the Botians prepared to clean up the resulting nuclear contamination, they discovered something even more terrifying. The creature¡¯s corpse had reacted with the radiation, intensifying the contamination and causing it to spread slowly but steadily.


    To this day, the Botians had no way of completely neutralizing this pollution. They could only seal off the area and attempt to slow its spread.


    Months later, while debates raged over who was responsible for the ecological disaster, the wormhole reopened. A second monster appeared, bringing with it yet another area of contamination.


    It was only at this point that the Botians fully grasped the magnitude of the threat. Scientific projections revealed that if 20 such polluted zones appeared on their planet, the entire ecosystem would collapse. While the Botians might not face outright extinction, over 90% of their population would perish.


    This apocalyptic scenario galvanized the Botians into action. They pooled their global resources and developed a plan. The Mecha Warrior Project.


    The plan was straightforward: construct mechas equal in size to the monsters and use them to physically kill the creatures, thus preventing their bodies from coming into contact with nuclear radiation.


    The challenges of building such colossal mechas were quickly overcome thanks to global collaboration. However, the original idea of using artificial intelligence to pilot the mechas fell short. The AI systems struggled with the unpredictable and fast-paced nature of combat due to overly complex algorithms and limited adaptability.


    Thus, the Botians pivoted to Botian pilots. However, the humanoid design of the mechas made them extraordinarily difficult to operate. To ensure real-time responsiveness, the possibility of distributing the controls among a team was ruled out, which meant the pilot had to manage everything solo.


    This required individuals with exceptional vision, lightning-fast reflexes, precise hand-eye coordination, and a solid physical constitution. Moreover, the pilots couldn¡¯t suffer from acrophobia and needed a strong sense of spatial awareness and strategic thinking.


    When the military conducted initial screenings, the number of suitable candidates was far too low to meet the needs of the mecha program. During this time, the wormhole opened twice more, bringing two additional contaminated zones to the planet.


    Time was running out. To find enough qualified pilots in the shortest time possible, the Federation developed a simulated training system and opened recruitment to everyone, regardless of background. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Office workers, housewives, students, recluses¡ªeven petty criminals¡ªcould become mecha warriors if they passed the initial selection and met training standards. Past mistakes were forgiven in favor of future survival.


    This unconventional approach finally provided the mecha corps with enough pilots, though their diverse backgrounds resulted in varying levels of quality, creating headaches for their commanding officers.


    Zeki was one of those headaches. Before joining the program, he had been a professional esports player with a flamboyant personality. He loved his new role, finding these massive ¡°toys¡± far more exhilarating than virtual games.


    His extraordinary reflexes and hand speed allowed him to execute flashy and extreme maneuvers, even with the cumbersome mechas. Zeki thrived on individual performance and enjoyed being the center of attention.


    Rooney, in contrast, was far more mature and composed. Formerly a senior executive at a large corporation, he lacked Zeki¡¯s raw reflexes but excelled in meticulous planning and keen observational skills. Rooney consistently completed his missions with precision and demonstrated exceptional team coordination.


    Though Zeki often claimed to ¡°hate¡± Rooney, their complementary personalities made them an incredibly effective team. Their synergy was undeniable, earning them a reputation as one of the most reliable pairs in the mecha corps.

 Chapter 433: The Search

    ¡°Hurry up!¡±


    Under the commander¡¯s constant urging, the two mecha warriors stepped in front of the missiles. Using specialized clamps, they locked their mechas securely onto the missiles¡¯ bodies. The precise fit made it clear that this setup was no improvised plan.


    ¡°Rooney, I still have a bad feeling about this. If I throw up in the cockpit, do I have to clean it up myself?¡± Despite the commander¡¯s reprimands, Zeki couldn¡¯t stop chattering.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you will,¡± Rooney replied flatly.


    ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll try to hold it in.¡±


    The preparation process proceeded briskly. Shortly after securing the mechas, the parameter recalibrations were completed. As the commander counted down, the missiles ignited, spewing thick clouds of smoke as they carried the mechas skyward.


    ¡°Let¡¯s hope everything goes smoothly,¡± the commander murmured, silently praying.


    ¡ª


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? The wormhole is opening again?¡±


    The command room doors burst open, and a disheveled Botian rushed in, shouting.


    ¡°Yes, Dr. Benba,¡± an officer confirmed.


    ¡°This is impossible! The wormhole just opened two weeks ago!¡± exclaimed Dr. Benba, the first person to calculate the wormhole activation patterns. His algorithm had been flawless, consistently giving the Botians a decisive edge¡ªuntil now.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s impossible, Doctor. The instruments have confirmed the activation signals,¡± the commander replied, unfazed by Benba¡¯s agitation. He understood how the doctor felt; after all, no wormhole had ever reopened just two weeks after its last activation.


    ¡°This can¡¯t be happening. My algorithm can¡¯t be wrong! There must be some mistake,¡± Benba muttered, clearly shaken.


    His calculations had saved the Botians countless resources and earned him widespread acclaim. If proven incorrect, those accolades might vanish overnight.


    The commander ignored Benba¡¯s muttering and fixed his gaze on the central monitor, which displayed a live feed from the departing mechas.


    The two mechas, assisted by the missiles, were now traveling at over 15 times the speed of sound. The immense pressure pushed the mechas to their structural limits, with small sparks flickering at some connection points. At this rate, they wouldn¡¯t even need combat¡ªthe mechas would disintegrate after 20 minutes of flight.


    Fortunately, the base was constructed on a coastline near the wormhole, and at their current speed, they would reach the designated location in just three minutes.


    In fact, there were reaction bases even closer to the wormhole, stationed on platforms over the sea. However, two weeks earlier, these bases had repelled a monster attack. Based on Dr. Benba¡¯s predictions that the next attack was more than a year away, only a skeleton crew had remained, while the rest were on leave.


    The commander glanced at the visibly distraught Benba and sighed inwardly. If today¡¯s events went south, Benba would undoubtedly be made the scapegoat.


    ¡°$#%&#!¡± Zeki¡¯s voice continued over the comms, but the turbulence and pressure made his words incomprehensible even to himself.


    On the other side, Rooney listened to the static-filled channel and couldn¡¯t help but admire Zeki. The mecha¡¯s life-support and protection systems were never designed to handle such extreme conditions. By now, Rooney was drenched in sweat, every muscle tense, his teeth clenched tightly. Forget speaking¡ªhe couldn¡¯t even make a sound. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Three minutes felt like an eternity for the two mecha pilots until finally¡­


    ¡°Commander, ten seconds to the designated drop zone!¡±


    ¡°Release bindings and activate auxiliary systems!¡±


    The clamps securing the mechas to the missiles were remotely disengaged, and the missiles veered upward. After expending their fuel, the missiles would fall to a predetermined recovery location.


    The mechas, meanwhile, plunged toward the sea below. Despite losing the missiles¡¯ thrust, their inertia kept them hurtling at an incredible speed. At this velocity, hitting the water would be akin to smashing into a mountain, and even the mechas¡¯ sturdy defenses wouldn¡¯t be enough to prevent catastrophic damage.


    In the split second where their minds went blank from the intense g-forces, the pilots couldn¡¯t react. Thankfully, the auxiliary systems were remotely activated. Additional thrusters around the mechas ignited, stabilizing their descent and slowing their speed.


    ¡°You okay, brother? Did you throw up yet?¡± Zeki¡¯s voice suddenly crackled through the comms. Rooney, still recovering, decided not to respond.


    ¡°Get yourselves together! Ten seconds to water impact!¡± the commander¡¯s voice echoed through their headsets. Despite the extreme discomfort, the two pilots gathered their strength and regained control of their mechas.


    With two resounding splashes, the mechas plunged into the water, sending massive waves cascading outward. Their onboard lighting, sonar, and propulsion systems all activated instantly.


    ¡°Take it easy, brother. I don¡¯t want to be stuck finding a new partner,¡± Zeki continued to chatter.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Rooney barked, for the first time that day. Zeki immediately clammed up, understanding the gravity of the situation.


    Rooney rarely raised his voice, and when he did, it was a sign of imminent danger. Although Zeki was brash, he wasn¡¯t oblivious to the importance of the moment.


    ¡°Be cautious. The wormhole is just ahead. Let¡¯s move in closer,¡± Rooney directed.


    The base, relying only on the mechas¡¯ onboard observation systems, wouldn¡¯t be able to provide real-time combat directives. Once they entered combat, the pilots had to make their own decisions, and in their duo, the mature and composed Rooney naturally took the lead.


    ¡°Understood!¡± Zeki focused, knowing the importance of teamwork. While his reflexes were sharp, he wasn¡¯t invincible, and he owed it to his partner to cooperate.


    ¡°Deploy warning sensors and watch your footing.¡±


    ¡°Roger that!¡±


    Panels on the backs of both mechas opened, ejecting several small reconnaissance drones. The drones shifted into underwater mode and darted outward, leaving rippling trails in their wake.


    Inside the mechas, additional display feeds appeared, linking to the drones and giving the pilots a clearer view of their surroundings, allowing them to detect potential threats in advance.


    Minutes passed with no sign of anything unusual. This was highly irregular.


    While the reaction base staff might have been on leave, the automated warning systems certainly weren¡¯t. Otherwise, the main base wouldn¡¯t have received any alerts. In addition to the large amount of energy detectors, this area was also equipped with video capture devices, sonar, and other instruments.


    Given the open sea, it should have been nearly impossible for a monster to hide its movements after emerging from the wormhole.


    The intel Zeki and Rooney had received indicated that no monitoring equipment had detected the monster leaving the area.


    ¡°Zeki, I need to map the terrain. Cover me.¡±


    ¡°Got it!¡±

 Chapter 434: Questions

    There had been an incident in the past where a monster emerged from the wormhole but didn¡¯t rush away. Instead, it lurked near the wormhole, evading detection by the reconnaissance equipment. When mecha warriors with no prior experience ventured too close, the monster ambushed them.


    In that attack, three mechas were destroyed, and one pilot lost their life.


    This time, the situation bore an eerie resemblance. After the wormhole opened, there was no indication that the monster had moved. Rooney and Zeki, determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past, proceeded with heightened caution.


    Though there was no apparent sign of a monster, a creature tens of meters long and weighing tens of thousands of tons couldn¡¯t hide without altering the surrounding terrain. Every larger rock in this area had been cataloged, so by scanning the current terrain map and comparing it to the previous one, they could pinpoint any changes.


    But to their surprise, the updated terrain map showed only minor variations. These changes were so slight that they couldn¡¯t possibly be attributed to a massive monster. Marine biologists had already determined that these changes were caused by large underwater creatures native to the area.


    The wormhole had opened, yet nothing emerged? The skeptical Botians searched tirelessly for days. During this time, reinforcements arrived¡ªover ten additional mechas, several submarines, and a substantial number of reconnaissance devices were deployed. They practically scoured the seabed, leaving no stone unturned, but still found nothing.


    This left them bewildered. The wormhole¡¯s premature activation was already unusual, and the absence of any monster made it even stranger. Experts poured over the data, attempting to make sense of it, but no conclusive explanation emerged.


    ¡ª


    Previously the moment the wormhole opened, a flesh pod was expelled.


    The instant it emerged, Luo Wen felt an unsettling sensation. Something wasn¡¯t quite right.


    Luo Wen could manifest his consciousness in any node unit and share their perspective, but if a unit lacked sensory organs, there was little he could perceive. The flesh pod, designed for its specific purpose, was encased in a thick protective layer with no sensory organs.


    As a result, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t immediately observe the surroundings when the pod exited the wormhole.


    However, the protective layer beneath the pod did contain sensory cells. If it had emerged in space, there would have been detectable radiation, but there was none. Instead, the pressure here was immense.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? The wormhole¡¯s exit isn¡¯t in space?¡± Luo Wen wondered.


    As his thoughts raced, the flesh pod began to change. Its tough, defensive exterior cracked open slightly, and an eye protruded from the gap.


    Due to the pod¡¯s limited size and the space occupied by its defensive layers, it couldn¡¯t house too many complex functional organs. In an unfamiliar environment, optical observation was the safest and most reliable reconnaissance method since it didn¡¯t emit any detectable energy waves.


    The surroundings were pitch black, devoid of any light. Even with low-light vision, the eye couldn¡¯t discern anything. Such total darkness was almost impossible in space. Even the void between star systems wouldn¡¯t be entirely without light.


    Soon, another crack appeared, and a tendril extended outward. This tendril was equipped with multiple sensory functions, including smell, hearing, and touch. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The sensations it received were puzzling. The tendril felt liquid around it, detected a salty, fishy scent, and heard the faint sound of flowing water.


    The pod was submerged in liquid.


    Another small tendril extended from the flesh pod, and at its tip, a faint yellow light briefly flashed. Though fleeting, the momentary glow allowed the eye to capture significant details.


    It was indeed water.


    At the same time, the pod sank to the seabed. The firm sensation beneath it immediately triggered a realization in Luo Wen¡¯s mind¡ªhe recognized this place. After all, he had once spent hundreds of years in a similar environment.


    But how could this be? How could a wormhole open here? According to theory, wormholes connect black holes and white holes, but this location clearly contradicted those principles.


    Could this be an artificial wormhole? Luo Wen was shocked. Even the New Ji Race lacked the capability to create wormholes, let alone position one in such a location.


    Was this the proverbial ¡°out of the frying pan and into the fire¡±?


    Could this territory belong to an even more advanced civilization?


    Luo Wen¡¯s cautious nature made him consider destroying the flesh pod immediately to avoid exposing himself. Yet, he felt reluctant to act rashly, especially as he began to notice anomalies.


    If this truly was the domain of a high-level civilization, the unusual activation of the wormhole should have triggered a response by now. Why hadn¡¯t there been any reaction? Could there still be a chance to turn the situation around?


    Regardless, the top priority was to conceal himself.


    The flesh pod began rapidly consuming its stored energy reserves, while parts of its genetic makeup underwent mutation. Soon, the pod slimmed down slightly, and two digging limbs along with several auxiliary legs sprouted from its body, making it resemble a bloated burrowing insect.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but think that his first successful long-distance Fold Crossing had immediately thrown him back to his ¡°roots¡±¡ªdigging tunnels. Perhaps fate had a sense of humor.


    However, as a high-dimensional being, Luo Wen no longer needed to handle such tasks personally. A simple nudge of a Hive Queen¡¯s consciousness was enough to complete the job flawlessly.


    The digging limbs, refined through countless iterations of Swarm genetic enhancement, were far superior to the primitive versions Luo Wen had once relied upon. Optimized for a variety of mechanical forces, they made excavation significantly faster.


    Soon, the ¡°flesh worm¡± burrowed into the seabed. Using its auxiliary legs, it carefully covered the disturbed sediment behind it. As the ocean currents swept past, the site became nearly indistinguishable, with only a slight depression hinting at any disturbance.


    The ¡°flesh worm¡± continued digging several hundred meters deeper before finally halting. This familiar domain gave Luo Wen a faint sense of security.


    The flesh pod underwent further transformations. It rapidly deflated, while a streak of purple-gray coloration spread outward, infiltrating the surrounding area. At the same time, a small, inconspicuous golden beetle emerged from the pod and began tunneling independently toward a distant location.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t be certain whether this was part of an advanced civilization¡¯s strategy to lure him in or if they were tracking his origin. However, he reassured himself that the pod had entered the wormhole mid-transit. His cross-dimensional Fold Crossing was unlikely to be traceable, and even if it were, the New Ji Race would bear the brunt of any consequences.


    Still, to be safe, the Anchor beetle needed to move far away from the pod. As long as the Anchor Unit remained secure, Luo Wen could maintain a link to this area and avoid being completely in the dark.


    The ¡°seed¡± began to develop rapidly. Once the purple-gray carpet had reached a certain threshold, one of the nodules absorbed nutrients and mutated into a Brood Queen egg. Within days, the Brood Queen hatched.


    With the Brood Queen¡¯s involvement, the small base¡¯s development accelerated. Soon, functional insects were hatched, and they began relocating the undersea base deeper into the Earth¡¯s crust.


    Simultaneously, small reconnaissance bugs emerged, carefully breaking through the sediment above the seabed to discreetly survey the surroundings.

 Chapter 435: Reconnaissance

    Meanwhile, in the Riken Star System, the Swarm¡¯s two Megaliths had self-destructed and plunged into the star, completing their annihilation without leaving a trace for onlookers to examine.


    However, the seemingly redundant and over-the-top maneuver by the Swarm didn¡¯t escape the notice of certain attentive observers. As they analyzed the data collected from the event, they were surprised to find anomalies¡ªsome energy signatures appeared to have simply vanished, as if they had been obliterated.


    The unusual data sparked debates among these interested parties. One faction argued that the Swarm must have done something and that an investigation was necessary to uncover the truth. The other faction dismissed the concern, suggesting that the proximity to the star likely caused data inaccuracies.


    Even if the Swarm had been up to something, they reasoned, it wasn¡¯t worth overreacting¡ªwhat could the Swarm possibly accomplish with their level of technology?


    Luo Wen was unaware of these debates, much less their eventual outcome. He was focused solely on executing his carefully laid plans.


    Due to the uncertainty surrounding the new galaxy¡¯s political and military dynamics, the Swarm accelerated its evacuation following the Megaliths¡¯ destruction.


    Over 60% of the Swarm¡¯s forces in the Riken Star System had already withdrawn, though their departure had been spread over more than a decade, carried out in small, stealthy batches under optical cloaking. As a result, most outside observers still had little idea of the Swarm¡¯s true numbers.


    At the Solar Orbital Base, which housed nearly 40% of the Swarm¡¯s remaining forces in the Riken Star System, things were different. Previously, these forces had clustered together in an unassuming, sunbathing formation, drawing little attention.


    But as they began their mass exodus, a seemingly endless procession of Primordial-class units stretched across millions of kilometers. For many onlookers, it was the first time they truly comprehended the Swarm¡¯s sheer scale.


    ¡°What a terrifying race,¡± someone muttered.


    ¡°I think we¡¯ve made a mistake,¡± said another, their voice tinged with regret.


    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have provoked them.¡±


    Similar sentiments echoed repeatedly, especially among members of the Koya Alliance. However, not all shared this unease.


    ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? Against superior technology, numbers are meaningless,¡± scoffed one alien, his tone dripping with disdain.


    ¡°Exactly!¡± a supporter chimed in.


    Of course, those voicing such dismissive opinions were primarily from species whose territories were far removed from Swarm-controlled space. Without access to efficient interstellar travel, the Swarm¡¯s numbers posed little immediate threat to them. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the same time, others raised more substantive questions rather than indulging in idle commentary.


    ¡°What kind of societal structure do they have? It seems like they can convert almost all their economic output into military potential.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. For such a militaristic race, how does their ruling class even survive? Why don¡¯t their people rise up against them?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps their ruling class is deceiving the masses.¡±


    ¡°It seems we should consider spreading more progressive ideologies to them.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Thus, the seeds of intrigue were sown. Yet, for these plans to bear fruit, they would first need to identify the Swarm¡¯s civilian population¡ªa daunting challenge in and of itself.


    After withdrawing from the tumultuous Riken Star System, the Swarm fell into silence once more. Apart from limited operations in Trade City within the Sandstorm System, the rest of the Swarm¡¯s territories closed off entirely, entering a state akin to ¡°isolationism.¡±


    Even when the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s news outlets mocked the Swarm¡¯s ¡°concessionary retreat¡± with a fresh wave of sneers and ridicule, the Swarm remained unresponsive.


    A one-handed clap makes no sound; the Swarm¡¯s stance of non-engagement left many subsequent plots and conspiracies feeling like futile punches against a cloud. Interest in the Swarm cooled over time, replaced by the next shiny news cycle.


    Meanwhile, the true masterminds seemed to need more time to devise follow-up plans, resulting in a strange calm around Swarm-controlled territories.


    This relative peace finally gave Luo Wen the opportunity to thoroughly explore the new galaxy.


    Before the Recon Bugs could even emerge from the seabed¡¯s sediment, they detected something unusual¡ªdense vibrations coming from above. To create such tremors in the deep sea, it had to be some colossal entity. Judging by the frequency of the vibrations, there were many of them.


    This discovery made the Recon Bugs even more cautious. They slowed their movements, carefully inching upward. While inconspicuous, they could not afford even the slightest exposure. If discovered, their alien physiology and incompatible circulatory systems would surely bring unnecessary danger to the Swarm.


    Near the seabed¡¯s surface, the Recon Bugs encountered native creatures hidden beneath the sand. Concerned about creating disturbances, the bugs avoided them and silently emerged above the seabed.


    With no natural light at these depths, the Recon Bugs¡¯ genetic configurations had been carefully selected to include both optical observation systems and sonar capabilities. Underwater organisms often possessed similar organs, and with thousands of sonar variants in the Swarm¡¯s genetic library, gathered from multiple life-sustaining planets, Luo Wen had no trouble selecting one suited to this environment.


    Unexpectedly, the optical systems were the first to provide useful data. Above the seabed, Luo Wen observed over a dozen mecha warriors, their bodies illuminated by numerous lights, accompanied by submarines and an array of small underwater robots. These machines wandered the seafloor as though they were searching for something.


    The vibrations had come from the mecha warriors.


    Though the sight of these enormous steel constructs startled Luo Wen for a moment, his experience quickly tempered his reaction. Having witnessed countless technological marvels, he considered these mechas¡ªtens of meters tall¡ªrelatively ordinary. Moreover, he had already suspected the presence of intelligent life in this region, so this revelation didn¡¯t surprise him much.


    What unsettled Luo Wen was a nagging feeling that something about the scene was off. He deliberated for a long while before finally identifying the source of his unease.


    The Swarm was no longer the primitive, mud-slinging race it once was. Through interactions with various alien species, the Swarm¡¯s database had accumulated numerous samples of alien technology.


    By analyzing the external structure, manufacturing techniques, movement fluidity, turning capabilities, and even the surface wear of these machines, the Swarm could infer a civilization¡¯s approximate technological level.


    The steel constructs before him didn¡¯t match the image of an advanced civilization capable of creating artificial wormholes.


    Still, Luo Wen didn¡¯t act rashly. Perhaps this civilization simply favored a retro aesthetic. He recalled films from Earth that depicted pivotal cosmic battles, deciding the fate of half the universe¡¯s population through close-quarters combat and frontal charges.


    Perhaps this universe had similar preferences. After all, the Swarm¡¯s combat units¡ªwhether land, sea, or air¡ªwere all equipped with formidable melee capabilities.


    If the Interstellar Technological Confederation dared to abandon their long-range weaponry and engage purely in close combat, the Swarm might already be strong enough to defeat the entire Confederation, including the New Ji Race.


    Of course, such a scenario was nothing more than a dream.

 Chapter 436: Expansion

    Luo Wen was well aware of what these creatures were searching for, but now was not the right time to make a splash.


    Two days later, several bugs over ten centimeters long emerged from the depths of the underground. Their sturdy carapaces and powerful claws made it evident that these were combat-type bugs.


    The last time the Recon Bugs were sent to work, they had discovered some native creatures hidden in the silt. The designs of these bugs were modeled after one of these local species. However, these highly imitative bugs were merely superficial copies; their internal structures were completely different. If dissected, their disguise would undoubtedly be exposed.


    Luo Wen, of course, would not allow such a flaw to exist.


    These imitative bugs had emerged this time to gather some native biological genes.


    Luo Wen did not add poison capabilities to these bugs, as every planet¡¯s ecosystem was unique. Except for highly corrosive toxins, most poisons were not universally effective. However, highly corrosive toxins would damage the genetic sequences of the species, which did not meet Luo Wen¡¯s requirements. Therefore, in such cases, physical attacks were the most appropriate means of combat.


    Soon, one of the bugs discovered a ¡°similar-looking¡± creature beneath the silt. Although their appearances were nearly identical, the native creature was slightly larger in size, but actual combat power cannot be judged by appearance alone.


    The bug did not rashly engage in a one-on-one fight but instead lay in ambush nearby. Soon, two more bugs arrived for reinforcement.


    They surrounded the native creature from three sides. The native creature quickly realized these ¡°similar-looking¡± creatures were not friendly and raised its claws in a threatening posture. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In its understanding, such encounters typically involved a display of size and ended without escalation. However, these three ¡°similar-looking¡± creatures had no intention of following these unwritten rules. Two of the bugs exploited the raised claws¡¯ opening, swiftly stepping forward to each grab one of the native creature¡¯s claws.


    The native creature instantly found itself in an awkward situation, caught between the two attackers. The third bug took the opportunity to strike, raising its claw and delivering a precise thrust that pierced the native creature¡¯s frontal carapace, ending it swiftly and cleanly.


    Afterward, two of the bugs dragged their spoils back to the underground base while the remaining bug continued its search.


    In just half a day, Luo Wen had obtained genetic samples from several native creatures. Since they were deep underwater, most of these were seabed-dwelling organisms. However, the original imitations could now all be recycled, as a new batch of ¡°authentic¡± bugs was sent out.


    With their newfound ¡°native identity,¡± reconnaissance and hunting operations that had previously been too risky to undertake now became much bolder.


    Numerous carapaced organisms quietly spread out in all directions. Once gathered at a distance from the Swarm¡¯s hive tunnel, they set traps and collectively hunted a fish-like creature.


    With the genetic foundation provided by these fish-like creatures, the efficiency of the Swarm¡¯s reconnaissance and hunting teams improved significantly, expanding their operational range considerably.


    This, in turn, further accelerated Luo Wen¡¯s acquisition of genetic material, enriching the Swarm¡¯s genetic repository with an ever-growing diversity of marine life, giving Luo Wen more options to utilize.


    One particular sample caught Luo Wen¡¯s attention¡ªa small, aggressive species of fish. It resembled the Odd-Headed Fish found on the Genesis Planet. Although small in size, it possessed incredibly fierce biting capabilities, moved at great speed, and traveled in swarms. It was highly suited for the Swarm¡¯s current needs.


    With the assistance of this fish-like sample, the Swarm¡¯s operational range expanded even further. These fish, initially prey for larger marine creatures, had now reversed the situation under the Swarm¡¯s command. The Swarm began harvesting the genetic material of large marine organisms.


    Meanwhile, under the cover of the fish schools, the Swarm began constructing sub-hives. Eggs from the Brood Queens were carried by the fish to distant locations, allowing the Swarm¡¯s influence in the ocean to grow at an explosive rate.


    During the expansion, Luo Wen discovered numerous ships belonging to the planet¡¯s native intelligent species. In the waters near the wormhole, he even found a floating platform. Judging by the aircraft constantly taking off and landing there, the platform was clearly military in nature, likely designed to monitor the wormhole closely.


    However, based on the aircraft¡¯s design, they seemed to follow a retro aesthetic. Observing for several days, Luo Wen noted that their performance in terms of takeoff, landing, payload capacity, and speed all pointed to them being true relics of the past.


    A bold idea came to Luo Wen¡¯s mind, perhaps the technological level of the native intelligent species on this planet wasn¡¯t as advanced as he had initially assumed. However, more evidence was needed to confirm this hypothesis.


    One thing puzzled Luo Wen, as the Swarm¡¯s forces gradually increased, he had managed to locate nearly all of the monitoring instruments deployed by the natives in the surrounding waters. These instruments, like the aircraft, appeared outdated and underwhelming in performance. Yet, they were more than capable of monitoring the flesh pod¡¯s emergence from the wormhole.


    Given the platform¡¯s proximity to the wormhole, the natives¡¯ initial response had been unexpectedly slow. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t determine if this delay was intentional. Could everything he was seeing now be a deliberately staged illusion?


    Luo Wen¡¯s habit of overthinking resurfaced, as he pondered deeply but failed to grasp the crux of the matter. If the natives¡¯ technological level was low, then how could they have such a wormhole? A small, controllable planetary wormhole¡ªwas it truly a natural phenomenon? That idea stretched the limits of Luo Wen¡¯s understanding.


    Conversely, if the natives¡¯ technological level was high, why would they stage such a charade for him?


    Such a meticulous setup wasn¡¯t something that could be arranged in just a day or two. Luo Wen had no prior knowledge that the flesh pod would land here, so how could the other party predict the future?


    He dismissed the notion¡ªit seemed even less plausible than the wormhole being a natural occurrence. Moreover, it didn¡¯t make sense. What significance could the Swarm hold to warrant such elaborate efforts from an advanced civilization?


    Unable to make sense of it, Luo Wen temporarily set these thoughts aside. He decided to proceed methodically at his own pace. At worst, he could continue to flee. With the ability to perform long-range Fold Crossing, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t concerned about gaining or losing territory. In a critical situation, he was even prepared to abandon the Genesis System territories entirely.


    Before such an abandonment, Luo Wen calculated that he could use the resources within his territory to perform hundreds of long-range random Fold Crossings. He didn¡¯t believe that each jump would lead to him encountering intelligent life.


    For now, Luo Wen had no intention of tampering with the natives¡¯ military facilities. However, on the surface of the sea, aside from military platforms and vessels, there were also numerous large civilian deep-sea fishing ships that could easily be distinguished at a glance.


    Luo Wen decided to target those.


    After careful planning and preparation, a civilian vessel weighing 20,000 tons was selected as the target. The infiltration process turned out to be several times easier than expected. Using bugs created from templates of native marine creatures adept at clinging and climbing, the Swarm infiltrated the ship by crawling along its hull and entering the cabins.


    Taking advantage of the native intelligent creatures¡¯ rest period, the bugs successfully collected their genetic samples.


    At the same time, the bugs scoured the ship thoroughly, gathering a wealth of intelligence for the Swarm.

 Chapter 437: Clues

    The Swarm¡¯s node units, camouflaged in the exteriors of native marine creatures, had little need to remain hidden while aboard the ship. If discovered, they were either casually stepped on or thrown back into the sea, raising no suspicions.


    Behind these reconnaissance units, Luo Wen had already assembled a specialized team of intelligent entities. The Swarm was no longer the fledgling force it had been when it first encountered the Rikens. It had now accumulated considerable experience in deciphering the languages and scripts of alien races. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By observing and recording the conversations between the native crew members, the Swarm steadily expanded its vocabulary of the natives¡¯ language.


    In the crew¡¯s quarters, the Recon Bugs discovered numerous books. Judging from the illustrated covers, these books were unlikely to provide much insight into the native species¡¯ history. However, the Swarm¡¯s primary focus was on decoding their written language. Although progress was slow without a direct point of reference, it was better than making no progress at all.


    The ship¡¯s machinery also became a focal point of the Swarm¡¯s study. From these machines, Luo Wen could not detect any traces of an advanced civilization. The ship relied on primitive fossil fuels for energy, with an antiquated design where a boiler generated steam to drive a main turbine.


    Such a rudimentary combination was not only far below the level of the Rikens but even inferior to that of the Rat Folk civilization.


    Although Luo Wen couldn¡¯t draw broad conclusions based solely on this observation, the accumulating evidence began to shape his thoughts.


    The Swarm¡¯s expansion proceeded at an accelerating pace, with several ocean-going vessels being infiltrated each day. With more materials for comparison, progress in decoding the natives¡¯ written and spoken language advanced rapidly. Soon, the Swarm could roughly understand conversations between the natives.


    Although the discussions aboard the deep-sea vessels rarely touched on anything of substantial value, the Swarm managed to extract some interesting tidbits from the scattered information.


    On one deck, the crew was busily working under considerable tension.


    ¡°Stop slacking off! The sooner we finish, the sooner we can rest! We¡¯ve still got to work overtime tonight!¡± barked a native supervisor as he patrolled and directed the crew.


    ¡°Boss, the guys have been working seventeen or eighteen hours a day for the past few days. We just can¡¯t hold out anymore,¡± one crew member complained.


    They were tasked with sorting and storing the seafood caught the previous night into cold storage. Some of it even required light steaming before it could be stored, adding to the complexity of the task, often keeping them busy late into the night.


    ¡°Yeah, so hurry up now! The faster you finish, the longer you can rest, and the easier tonight will be,¡± the supervisor snapped.


    ¡°Boss, we¡¯ve been doing this for over ten days straight. If this keeps up, something bad¡¯s going to happen,¡± another crew member added.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, boss. You¡¯ve got to talk to the captain. We can¡¯t keep this up. He¡¯s treating us like we¡¯re not even Botian,¡± someone chimed in.


    ¡°Exactly! Before we set sail, I thought I¡¯d signed up for a job. Turns out I signed up to risk my life!¡± The crew voiced their frustrations collectively.


    ¡°Shut it! I know what¡¯s going on, but this arrangement is for your own good!¡± the supervisor yelled in response.


    ¡°Boss, you can¡¯t fool us with that! How is this madness for our own good?¡± The crew members were clearly unconvinced by the supervisor¡¯s explanation.


    ¡°You lot don¡¯t know anything! Haven¡¯t you noticed how the defense forces at the wormhole base have been acting crazy these past few days, constantly deploying?¡±


    ¡°Now that you mention it, it has been strange. This is the first time I¡¯ve seen those Mecha Warriors up close,¡± one of the crew remarked.


    ¡°Same here. But what¡¯s that got to do with us working eighteen hours a day?¡± another crew member questioned.


    ¡°You¡¯ve never had the chance to see those Mecha Warriors up close before, have you? There¡¯s a big story behind all this,¡± the supervisor began, his tone mysterious.


    ¡°Boss, stop keeping us in suspense and just tell us!¡± The workers dropped what they were doing and crowded around him, eager to hear more.


    Of course, they were more interested in sneaking in a break than in hearing a story. The supervisor knew it well. Even he, whose job was merely to oversee and shout orders, was utterly exhausted in recent days, let alone the crew, who had been working tirelessly.


    He understood that if the resentment kept building, trouble would inevitably follow. Better to be transparent and give them a moment to rest.


    ¡°Hmph, you all know that every so often, the wormhole opens and spits out a monster, right?¡±


    ¡°Boss, of course, we know that! Tell us something we don¡¯t¡ª¡± One of the crew began to retort but was quickly silenced by a nearby colleague, who covered his mouth and pulled him back.


    Everyone had come here to rest; they¡¯d much rather have the boss start from the origins of their species and drag the story on for days if possible. Some workers were already yawning and preparing to sneak in a nap.


    The supervisor didn¡¯t pay any attention to their small antics. He continued at his own measured pace. ¡°Every time the wormhole is about to open, the defense base locks down a vast area of the sea. At that time, there¡¯s no work for us.¡±


    The crew were paid daily wages¡ªno work meant no pay, and taking a break only meant dipping into their savings.


    ¡°We know all this already, boss¡ª¡± Another worker started, but he too was pulled away. However, this time, someone dared to ask, ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the point of bringing this up? We just got back from a break.¡±


    This one wasn¡¯t dragged away because, truthfully, everyone was curious about what was coming next.


    ¡°You don¡¯t know a thing!¡± the supervisor retorted. ¡°This time, after the wormhole opened, the Mecha Warriors successfully dealt with the monster. But not long after, the wormhole opened again. However, this time, no monster came out¡ªor if it did, the defense forces didn¡¯t find it.¡±


    ¡°What? What does that mean? Are we in danger?¡± one of the workers exclaimed. Concerned for their safety, even the crew members who had been dozing off were suddenly alert.


    ¡°Whether you¡¯re in danger or not, I can¡¯t say. But I do know this¡ªif you don¡¯t keep working, your savings will run dry soon. That¡¯s why, at my request, the captain decided to make the most of the defense forces¡¯ current confusion by keeping us out at sea to fish as much as possible. At any moment, we might be ordered to return to port. When that happens, the thickness of your savings will depend entirely on what we¡¯ve managed to catch these past few days.¡±


    ¡°Are you serious? You¡¯re not just making this up, are you?¡± Some of the crew were skeptical.


    ¡°Believe it or not, it¡¯s the truth! This came directly from the captain. And you all know the captain¡¯s connections, don¡¯t you? His sister-in-law¡¯s fianc¨¦¡¯s aunt¡¯s lover¡¯s nephew works at the defense base. That¡¯s firsthand information!¡±


    Though the source of the news was convoluted, the crew chose to believe it. After all, the captain had never pushed them this hard before. With this in mind, they resumed work with a bit more effort¡ªnot for the captain, but for themselves. The supervisor felt gratified by this change in attitude.


    Meanwhile, Luo Wen, through the Recon Bugs hidden aboard the ship, recorded the entire conversation and gleaned several key pieces of information.


    A wormhole that opens periodically? Monsters? And Mecha Warriors? The general outline of the situation began to take shape in Luo Wen¡¯s mind. Could it be that these natives truly weren¡¯t an advanced civilization? Was it possible that such wormholes existed naturally in the universe?


    The idea unsettled Luo Wen. If such wormholes were indeed natural phenomena, it challenged much of what he understood about the cosmos.

 Chapter 438: Emergence

    To seek answers to his questions, the Swarm accelerated its pace of expansion. The bases of the Swarm began to extend toward the coastal landmasses.


    Simultaneously, the Swarm started establishing a presence on various islands. Brood Queen eggs were escorted to remote and uninhabited islands, where the Swarm even discovered several flying species. After a series of operations, their genetic samples were obtained.


    With the addition of an ¡°air force,¡± the Swarm¡¯s reconnaissance capabilities evolved from 2D to 3D. The planet¡¯s true nature began to gradually unfold before the Swarm.


    Skipping the traditional step of landing and advancing from the seas to the land, the Swarm initiated aerial reconnaissance of the native intelligent species¡¯ civilization. Coastal ports, military bases, cities, various buildings, infrastructure, and vehicles¡ªall appeared antiquated and primitive. There was no trace of a higher civilization to be found.


    When Luo Wen looked up at the sky, the planet¡¯s day-night cycle appeared unusual. A massive blue-gray planet dominated half the sky, while a distant sun hung high above the horizon.


    However, there were no signs of large-scale artificial structures in the planet¡¯s orbit. There were no starports or spacecraft traveling between planets.


    Seeing seabirds appear in the inland areas seemed somewhat incongruous, but with the Swarm now boasting a fully integrated air-and-ground reconnaissance system, capturing a few birds was a trivial task. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, the Swarm continued its steady expansion inland, seamlessly switching to organisms adapted to the local ecosystem. Brood Queen eggs were also airlifted into these regions.


    Time passed, and it seemed the wormhole had been disrupted by the previous intrusion of the flesh pod. The scheduled reopening, originally set for fifteen months later, showed no activity.


    This repeated failure became the final straw for Dr. Benba. Luo Wen would never know that his actions had led to the downfall of a native visionary, but even if he had known, would he have cared?


    Having amassed extensive experience, the research into converting the native species into intelligent entities was finally completed after more than a year. Luo Wen had been eagerly awaiting this day, as he desperately needed more intelligence.


    Certain individuals with reclusive personalities or occupations that made them less visible to society began to mysteriously disappear for a few days, though it rarely aroused much suspicion. When they reappeared, they were no longer the same¡ªinternally, they had become an entirely different species.


    The planet¡¯s history, the evolution of its species, and the development of its civilization¡ªall these pieces of information were presented before Luo Wen.


    Glancing through the first two categories, Luo Wen was uninterested. He focused instead on the third.


    Unexpected yet unsurprising, this was a young civilization. Its recorded history spanned less than ten thousand years. The natives referred to themselves as the Botians. Their current stage of development placed them at the threshold of stepping off their homeworld and beginning to explore the vastness of space.


    Without the presence of the wormhole, the Botian civilization would have been utterly ordinary¡ªjust like 90% of the civilizations in the Interstellar Technological Confederation, following a typical trajectory.


    As Luo Wen delved deeper into their records, he uncovered another curious detail, the Botians¡¯ homeworld was not a planet but rather the moon of the fifth planet in their star system.


    As a result, their homeworld was smaller and less massive than a typical life-bearing planet. Luo Wen calculated that the moon¡¯s size was only one-fifth that of the Genesis Planet.


    Furthermore, the Botians had only just stepped off their homeworld and lacked colonies on other planets. This meant their civilization¡¯s population was extremely small, numbering only a little over one billion.


    Such a limited population resulted in a correspondingly low number of researchers, which had already become a bottleneck stalling their civilization¡¯s progress. Coupled with the wormhole¡¯s presence, their technological development had veered off course.


    Without external intervention, they might exhaust their planetary resources before fully leaving their homeworld, ultimately dooming themselves to extinction.


    Yet, on this planet, belonging to such a fragile civilization, Luo Wen had encountered phenomena that defied his understanding.


    According to the Botians¡¯ records, the wormhole first appeared twenty years ago, and every time it opened, it released a monster. Luo Wen studied this information thoughtfully.


    Another six months passed. After nearly two years of calm, the wormhole began to emit energy fluctuations, signaling its imminent activation. Both the Botians and Luo Wen focused their attention on it.


    When the wormhole opened, a massive monster over sixty meters long emerged. It was larger and stronger than the previous monsters. However, against the ever-increasing number of Mecha Warriors stationed nearby, the creature found no opportunity to dominate. The wormhole¡¯s fixed location meant it was immediately intercepted upon exiting.


    Luo Wen paid little attention to the brutal hand-to-hand combat between the monster and the Mecha Warriors. Instead, his gaze was locked on the wormhole itself.


    Over the past two years, the Swarm had deployed an array of Observer Bugs of various types around the wormhole, far surpassing the technological capabilities of the Botians. The natives were completely unaware of their covert ¡°neighbors.¡±


    Much like how the Ji¡¯s monitors had once observed the Swarm and Rikens, this was an overwhelming advantage born from a technological gap.


    Once the wormhole fully opened, it formed an energy portal only thirty meters in diameter. As the monster exited, the Observer Bugs detected a massive surge of negative energy substances. Shortly after, the wormhole appeared to falter and abruptly closed.


    The entire process didn¡¯t last long, but Luo Wen had already gathered significant information. Now, he had the time to shift his attention back to the melee.


    The monster was now surrounded by ten Mecha Warriors. Despite the overwhelming numbers, the creature displayed formidable combat abilities, managing to rip the arm off one mech and tear the head off another. Fortunately, the cockpits were positioned above the chests, so no personnel casualties occurred.


    However, the monster hadn¡¯t escaped unscathed. To prevent its body fluids from leaking and causing pollution, the Mecha Warriors exclusively used blunt weapons. While the creature¡¯s exterior showed no visible wounds, its internal organs had suffered severe damage, as evidenced by its increasingly sluggish attacks and unsteady movements.


    To Luo Wen, the battle unfolding before him was hardly impressive. The Mecha Warriors¡¯ movements were clunky and slow, resembling a group of elderly people practicing Tai Chi underwater. Meanwhile, the monster¡¯s bloated body was akin to a smaller, downgraded version of Godzilla. If not for its poison-spewing ability, it would¡¯ve been nothing more than a target dummy.


    ¡°Although I don¡¯t fully understand the wormhole, it¡¯s obvious that this one is not a natural phenomenon,¡± Luo Wen mused. ¡°That means there must be an entity on the other side opening it. But on the Botian side, with their short history and weak technological capabilities, they clearly don¡¯t fit the profile of the initiators. So what about the other side?¡±


    Luo Wen turned his gaze back to the evenly matched and lackluster battle between the Mecha Warriors and the monster, feeling a mix of bewilderment and amusement.


    ¡°If the entity opening the wormhole is on the other side, then what¡¯s the point of periodically sending a monster through? Is this their idea of a game?¡±

 Chapter 439: Development

    The battle between the Mecha Warriors and the monster was fierce, resembling a turn-based exchange of blows. The clash of flesh and metal, combined with the raw violence of hand-to-hand combat, created a brutal spectacle that even Luo Wen, as a bystander, found thrilling and adrenaline-inducing.


    The fight lasted nearly five hours before the monster, outnumbered and outmatched, was slowly worn down and killed. The Mecha Warriors, though victorious, were all damaged. After surfacing, they were airlifted away by large helicopters for repairs.


    The monster¡¯s corpse, on the other hand, was hauled onto a massive ship to be transported to a designated burial site for special disposal.


    During this time, the Swarm seized the opportunity to collect samples of the monster¡¯s external skin tissue. As for its internal structure, Luo Wen was in no hurry.


    A few ¡°seabirds¡± shadowed the transport ship discreetly. Since Botians could not consume the monster¡¯s flesh, the Swarm merely had to follow the ship to the burial site to acquire additional samples and data.


    The initial skin samples revealed no extraordinary properties apart from their durability and thickness, which made them highly resistant to kinetic impacts. Other than that, there was nothing remarkable.


    As for the internal structure, while it had not yet been analyzed, its performance during the battle suggested it would likely not offer anything impressive.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t understand why the force on the other side of the wormhole sent such a creature. If they were indeed the creators and operators of the wormhole, their technological level should allow them to send something far superior to this monster.


    Could the Botians be hiding some kind of superweapon¡ªone powerful enough to intimidate the other side?


    However, the Swarm had already infiltrated Botian society and, after combing through various records, found nothing out of the ordinary. Perhaps this secret was known only to a select few? Or could the other side be conducting some kind of experiment?


    This line of thought brought Luo Wen back to his previous encounters. Having seen the technological superiority of the Rat Folk and the Rikens, Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but associate anomalies in lower civilizations with experiments conducted by advanced ones. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But what could they be experimenting with? Observing the development of Botian civilization? Studying how civilizations respond to large-scale threats? Or perhaps they simply enjoyed watching Mecha Warriors fight monsters?


    Luo Wen was at a loss for answers, but one thing he knew for certain. If this was some kind of experiment, there had to be observation devices involved. After all, how could they observe without something to record or monitor the events?


    Based on these speculations, Luo Wen planned several tasks for the next phase. First, he ordered a thorough investigation of Botian history in hopes of uncovering some clues. Second, the conversion of high-ranking Botian personnel into Swarm-controlled entities was added to the agenda.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s flying units transported Brood Queen eggs to the highest peak on the planet.


    Due to the smaller size of the Botian homeworld, its highest peak was only slightly over 4,000 meters tall. The air here was exceedingly thin, the weather harsh, and the mountain was perpetually covered in snow and ice. Even with full gear and the most advanced transportation, it was nearly impossible for Botians to reach this location.


    But compared to the vacuum of space, this environment was trivial. The Swarm¡¯s newest base was established atop the peak. There were no native creatures here, nor were they needed. This base¡¯s primary purpose was the production of the Swarm¡¯s standard space combat units¡ªthe Space Octopuses.


    The template for the Space Octopus was derived from a combination of Fungal Carpet and Atmospheric Organism genetics. While it inherited the strengths of both, it also retained some of their ¡°flaws.¡± Of course, the Fungal Carpet was one of Luo Wen¡¯s masterpieces, and most of these ¡°flaws¡± came from the Atmospheric Organism¡¯s genetic fragments.


    Atmospheric Organisms had bodies composed of aerogel-like materials, which were much lighter than air. The advantage was that they could float effortlessly in the clouds without requiring propulsion. The downside, however, was that the dense, high-pressure air near the surface acted like an invisible barrier, making it incredibly difficult for them to descend.


    The Space Octopuses, although retaining a significant number of Fungal Carpet cells, had inherited some of the Atmospheric Organisms¡¯ drawbacks. These limitations were not apparent on airless planets but could pose minor issues on planets with dense atmospheres.


    However, such life-bearing planets were rare in the universe. A single star system might not even have one, so this limitation did not significantly affect the Space Octopuses¡¯ practicality. Moreover, in these environments, the Swarm had more efficient alternatives, rendering the Space Octopuses unnecessary.


    Luo Wen had not anticipated this specific scenario, but fortunately, the Swarm no longer relied on external forces to reach outer space, as it once did on the Genesis Planet.


    While the Space Octopuses couldn¡¯t hatch in high-density atmospheric regions, they faced no such restrictions at high altitudes. On any given planet, there were bound to be peaks meeting these conditions.


    On the highest peak of the Botian homeworld, the Space Octopuses successfully hatched. Once they matured slightly, they used their ¡°natural talents¡± to ascend higher into the atmosphere, where they activated their Plasma Propulsion Organs, propelling themselves into the skies.


    During this process, the Botian observation devices proved entirely ineffective. The optical cloaking system inherent to the Space Octopuses rendered them invisible to optical tracking, while the field cloaking system, added by Luo Wen, redirected the plasma engine¡¯s energy fluctuations away from their true path. As a result, the Botian radars couldn¡¯t detect them at all.


    This was a display of technological superiority, reminiscent of the Swarm¡¯s encounters with the Ji civilization.


    Unnoticed by the Botians, the Swarm quietly entered outer space. The gas giant that the Botian homeworld orbited was colossal, similar to A7 in the Genesis System.


    Like A7, the gas giant was volatile and unpredictable, with high-energy storms raging across its surface. While the Botian homeworld was located far enough from the gas giant to remain unaffected, its existence as a life-bearing satellite defied conventional logic.


    Despite the gas giant¡¯s violent nature, there were tranquil and stable regions on its surface. Coincidentally, the Botian homeworld faced precisely one such peaceful zone. Even more coincidentally, the system exhibited a tidal lock between the Botian homeworld and the gas giant, ensuring that the planet always faced this serene area.


    These coincidences combined to create a habitable environment conducive to the emergence of life. However, to Luo Wen, so many coincidences felt contrived. Coupled with the wormhole on the Botian homeworld, it was impossible not to suspect deliberate design.


    For now, however, Luo Wen lacked sufficient information to draw any concrete conclusions.


    After the Space Octopuses exited the atmosphere, they dispersed and headed toward the gas giant¡¯s other satellites.


    Due to their unique composition, gas giants typically had numerous moons. This one was no exception, boasting sixty-seven satellites in total, all of which became targets for the Swarm.


    These satellites lacked dense atmospheres, allowing the Space Octopuses to freely land and take off. Upon landing, they transformed into Fungal Carpet Seeds, laying the foundation for the Swarm to take root and spread.


    As these bases began their initial growth, more Space Octopuses were hatched. Alongside them, Observer Bugs were also produced in large numbers, further enhancing the Swarm¡¯s surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

 Chapter 440: Harvest

    Suspecting that observation devices from the wormhole¡¯s opposing force might be hidden near the Botian homeworld, the Swarm kept its expansion in outer space restrained.


    Although the gas giant was like a massive energy reservoir, perfect for the Space Octopuses to ¡°hibernate,¡± they were instead instructed to hide underground until safety could be confirmed.


    However, the Observer Bugs were released en masse. With experience gained from dealing with the Ji monitors, the Swarm had become highly adept at identifying surveillance devices.


    Tens of thousands of Observer Bugs formed a dense network around the Botian homeworld in space, with Gravitational-Wave Radar Technology operating at full capacity. Any object with mass would be detected.


    Surprisingly, Luo Wen found nothing out of the ordinary. Apart from a hundred or so artificial satellites launched by the Botians and some space debris, the Observer Bugs detected no anomalies in the planet¡¯s orbit.


    Could the area of the search have been too small or too large? Or perhaps, like the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities, the opposing force¡¯s units had infiltrated the Botian society itself?


    In response to these speculations, Luo Wen ordered the hatching of additional Observer Bugs, expanding the search radius. The network gradually encompassed the gas giant and its satellites, with some Observer Bugs venturing into other regions and planets of the star system.


    Simultaneously, some Observer Bugs descended into the Botian atmosphere, tasked with inspecting the high-altitude and near-orbit regions for abnormalities.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities embedded within Botian society scoured records, monitored people, and tracked current events, hoping to uncover useful clues.


    During these meticulous and systematic operations, the wormhole opened for the second time since the Swarm¡¯s arrival on the Botian homeworld. As before, it released a monster before quickly closing again.


    Once again, the monster was surrounded and neutralized after causing limited damage. The corpse was transported for burial, much like the previous case.


    This time, the Swarm had already located the burial site. It was in a vast and arid desert, to which the monsters were transported via various vehicles. The site was guarded by dozens of large research labs and military camps, which were tasked with studying the monsters while overseeing this ¡°graveyard.¡±


    Due to the limitations of Intelligent Entity conversion, it was challenging for the Swarm to infiltrate a location with such stringent daily check-ins. However, a fortunate coincidence offered an opening; a reclusive, academically brilliant Botian who had been converted into an Intelligent Entity recently graduated and decided to continue their studies under a professor who was invited to work at one of these research labs.


    Through this connection, the converted Intelligent Entity entered the lab as an assistant and student, gaining access to first-hand information. Unexpectedly, the Botians¡¯ research goals were simple¡ªthey aimed only to find a way to neutralize the toxins produced by the monsters.


    For the Botians, the periodic threat of monster invasions had already become manageable. In comparison, the buried monster corpses posed a greater hazard due to the risk of environmental contamination.


    While this information was of little value to the Swarm, the Swarm nonetheless achieved its goal. Beneath the burial site, the Swarm had dug tunnels, allowing its bugs to infiltrate the monsters¡¯ remains. These bugs extracted additional samples while thoroughly analyzing the monsters¡¯ internal structures.


    What Luo Wen didn¡¯t expect was that these seemingly unremarkable monsters would provide some surprising rewards.


    While the toxins within the monsters were an insurmountable challenge for the Botians, they posed no such difficulty for Luo Wen. As an expert in toxins¡ªparticularly neurotoxins and corrosive agents¡ªhe found the monsters¡¯ toxin sacs and their mechanisms for producing and combining toxins to be enlightening.


    These discoveries offered Luo Wen new insights that, once fully assimilated, would undoubtedly enhance the Swarm¡¯s expertise in toxin deployment.


    But this was just the appetizer. The greater surprise lay in a unique organ structure within the monsters. Luo Wen¡¯s abilities required time to fully analyze it¡ªa rarity. Until now, only controlled fusion and gravitational manipulation had demanded similar processing time. Now, this mysterious third structure joined the list.


    Could the other side of the wormhole truly belong to an advanced civilization? If so, how had they managed to embed such powerful capabilities into monsters of this level? Yet, in previous battles, why hadn¡¯t these abilities been apparent? Forget gravitational manipulation¡ªeven a single atomic breath attack had been absent.


    Regardless of the reasoning, Luo Wen knew that with a little more time, he would uncover the secrets hidden within these monsters.


    Days turned into months, and the decoding process proceeded at an agonizingly slow pace. When Luo Wen had once analyzed the controlled fusion technology of the Atomic Furnace, it had taken only a few months. Deciphering the gene fragments responsible for gravitational manipulation had taken over a year. Now, nearly two years had passed.


    During this time, the wormhole opened again, unleashing the third monster since the Swarm¡¯s arrival on the Botian homeworld. Aside from the monster being marginally stronger and two additional Mecha Warriors joining the fray, the battle was no different from the previous ones.


    The monster met the same fate as its predecessors. Its corpse was dragged to the desert for burial, providing the labs with fresh material for study.


    By now, the Swarm¡¯s Observer Bugs had nearly expanded their network to encompass the entire star system. While the density of the network still fell short compared to other Swarm-controlled territories, it had formed a rudimentary surveillance grid.


    Unfortunately, despite covering both the star system and the Botian homeworld, no anomalies were found. There were no hidden observation devices, nor any quantum communication signals detected.


    The Swarm had even begun expanding beyond the star system, but the likelihood of discovering anomalies at such distances was slim. No monitoring equipment could observe from so far away with sufficient detail.


    Meanwhile, the Intelligent Entities embedded in Botian society uncovered slight anomalies in the historical records and origin studies of the Botian homeworld. However, the data was far too incomplete to draw any conclusions. Luo Wen realized that expanding the Swarm¡¯s infiltration into the Botian leadership was necessary to access rare and hidden archival materials.


    Finally, after two years and two months, the unknown gene fragments extracted from the monsters were fully decoded. Eager to test its potential, Luo Wen immediately began the transformation process. For safety and to avoid exposure, the experiment was conducted on the 11th planet of the star system, far from the Botian homeworld. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At this time, the 11th planet was on the far side of the star, hundreds of billions of kilometers from the Botian homeworld. The massive star between them served as a natural barrier. Even if the experiment caused a commotion, the star¡¯s presence would shield the Botian side from detecting any anomalies.


    Of course, Luo Wen was primarily concerned about the unidentified observation devices he still hadn¡¯t located. The Botians themselves were of no real concern to him.


    A one-to-one replication of the monster¡¯s body was created using the Swarm¡¯s biotechnology. Since Luo Wen had yet to fully understand and master the potential of this new genetic material, the creature¡¯s design was kept as close to the original as possible to minimize errors.


    With everything in place, Luo Wen issued the command, anticipation building within him.

 Chapter 441: Retreat

    The replicated monster¡¯s unknown organ began functioning, producing a peculiar energy that traveled through a network of previously overlooked specialized energy conduits. The energy circulated throughout the body and eventually formed an energy membrane on its surface.


    The entire process was excruciatingly slow, taking several hours to complete and rendering it almost impractical for any immediate use.


    This energy transmission system was incredibly intricate, composed of countless convoluted conduits linked together. Fortunately, Luo Wen had meticulously replicated the monster¡¯s original anatomical structure. Otherwise, the experiment could easily have gone awry.


    The cost of producing this bug-like replica was exorbitant, and with Swarm bases still in their early developmental stages, the expenditure was difficult to justify. Additionally, the time required for this experiment was a significant drawback.


    As for the strange energy, Luo Wen quickly realized what it was.


    It was the very negative energy used to neutralize power and stabilize the wormhole¡¯s passage.


    Where there¡¯s positive energy, there¡¯s also negative. While negative energy is not uncommon in the universe, it is notoriously difficult to detect and even harder to harness. Even identifying and observing it is a challenge.


    At present, the Swarm could only conduct limited observation and collection of negative energy, utilizing it in a rudimentary fashion¡ªprimarily as a protective coating for wormhole traversal.


    The Swarm¡¯s understanding of negative energy was akin to that of Stone Age humans who could recognize stones and use them primitively but had no knowledge of their origins, manufacturing processes, or deeper applications.


    The Ji civilization was more advanced in this respect, at least capable of gathering negative energy far more efficiently than the Swarm. If the Swarm¡¯s methods were akin to picking stones by hand, the Ji were operating excavators. Yet, whether the Ji could independently produce negative energy remained uncertain.


    Now, Luo Wen had confirmed the existence of a civilization capable of manufacturing negative energy, and their expertise was rooted in the biological domain¡ªan area in which the Swarm excelled. Could it be that the other side of the wormhole harbored a bio-tech-based advanced civilization?


    Previously, Luo Wen had entertained a sliver of doubt regarding the unnatural origin of the wormhole. Observing the Botian civilization¡¯s primitive state and the amateurish battles between monsters and Mecha Warriors, he had wondered whether his perspective was limited.


    The vastness of the universe defies comprehension¡ªjust because he had never encountered something didn¡¯t mean it couldn¡¯t exist. Perhaps this small wormhole was indeed a natural phenomenon.


    But that thought was now firmly dismissed. All the evidence pointed to the likelihood that the other side of the wormhole was controlled by a force far more advanced than even the Ji civilization.


    This place was far too dangerous.


    Luo Wen was acutely aware of the eerie and formidable nature of bio-tech civilizations. It was entirely possible that the seemingly unremarkable insects on the Botian homeworld were embedded with the other side¡¯s surveillance. This could explain why he had been unable to locate any traditional observation devices.


    If Luo Wen¡¯s suspicions were correct, many of the Swarm¡¯s tactics¡ªeffective against mechanical civilizations¡ªmight prove ineffective here. Worse, the opposing force might even discover methods to counteract the Swarm entirely.


    Learning how to manufacture negative energy was a tremendous breakthrough for Luo Wen, filling him with excitement. However, it was too advanced to be of immediate practical use given the Swarm¡¯s current technological level.


    Yet, it was a stepping stone¡ªa foothold similar to what gravitational control had once been. That, too, had been shelved for a long time due to its complexity, but once the Swarm grasped its principles, progress had been explosive, catapulting them beyond many long-established powers.


    Luo Wen delegated a portion of the Intelligent Entities to begin researching negative energy, withdrawing his personal focus from the project. There were more pressing matters to attend to.


    This place was simply too dangerous for prolonged stay.


    The satellite, the gas giant it orbited, and even the entire star system held little strategic value for the Swarm. In situations where the potential gains could not outweigh the risks, Luo Wen had already decided¡ªit was time to abandon this territory.


    The Swarm¡¯s bases on the Botian homeworld had expanded with reckless speed, their actions becoming increasingly bold as their understanding of Botian civilization deepened. However, under Luo Wen¡¯s directive, the expansion slowed to a crawl, eventually nearing a complete halt.


    Previously, in the rush for growth, nearly all the energy harvested by the bases had been devoted to hatching reconnaissance units and Brood Queens. This left the bases poorly concealed, typically situated just a hundred meters underground.


    To mitigate exposure risks, the Swarm began relocating its existing bases to far deeper underground locations as expansion on the Botian homeworld paused.


    The Intelligent Entities embedded within Botian society also reduced their activity, adopting a low-profile approach. Similarly, reconnaissance units significantly restrained their operations.


    In stark contrast, the Swarm¡¯s actions in space became increasingly audacious. The situation was inherently precarious¡ªevery passing second carried immense risk. Luo Wen¡¯s will was now intensely focused on this theater, ready to annihilate all node units in the region at the first sign of danger to prevent any potential information leaks.


    Still, before taking such drastic measures, Luo Wen intended to push his efforts a little further.


    On the far side of the star, the Swarm began constructing a Solar Orbital Base in close proximity to the star. Space lacked the complexities of the Botian homeworld¡¯s environment, making concealment far more challenging.


    To address this, Luo Wen deployed a massive swarm of Observer Bugs near the orbital base. The density and coverage of these units bordered on obsessive, forming a nearly impenetrable surveillance web. Even space dust would struggle to pass through undetected.


    Under such intense monitoring, the orbital base rapidly grew and developed. Two megastructures were also added to the construction queue. Luo Wen planned to utilize these facilities to enable another long-range Fold Crossing, intending to escape before the unknown force on the other side of the wormhole could react.


    By now, Luo Wen had come to a conclusion about his Fold Crossing ability, it involved high-dimensional interference and was fundamentally different from the wormhole¡¯s mechanisms.


    While the opposing force appeared capable of creating small-scale wormholes, Luo Wen surmised they likely hadn¡¯t achieved higher-dimensional research capable of tracking Fold Crossings.


    Even if they had, Luo Wen was prepared to abandon the region entirely if necessary. The universe was vast¡ªsurely it could provide a new refuge for the Swarm.


    It was under these conditions that the wormhole on the Botian homeworld opened for the fourth time since the Swarm¡¯s arrival.


    Previously, Dr. Benba¡¯s calculations for the wormhole¡¯s activation times had been flawless. However, the arrival of the Swarm had introduced unforeseen variables, setting off a chain of disruptions. After being ousted from his position, unable to cope with the dramatic fall from grace, Dr. Benba had considered suicide. Before he could act, however, the Swarm found him.


    No one paid attention to the plight of a disgraced figure. When Benba isolated himself in his room for days, people assumed he had succumbed to depression. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Little did they know that by the time he reemerged, he was no longer entirely human¡ªhe had become a member of the Swarm.


    Benba¡¯s ability to predict wormhole activation times with precision, based solely on patterns and parameters, was a testament to his intellect. With his expertise, the Swarm incorporated the variable introduced by the Flesh Pod into his formula, refining their predictions with each subsequent activation.


    By the time the wormhole opened for the fourth time, the Swarm had already pinpointed its exact timing.

 Chapter 442: A Great Discovery

    Knowing the exact timing of the wormhole¡¯s next activation, the Swarm chose not to take any provocative actions to draw attention. Two days before the event, all Swarm activity ceased completely.


    Luo Wen was concerned that the opposing force¡¯s technological capabilities might allow them to observe this side through the wormhole. While such surveillance had gone unnoticed before, he hoped this precautionary step would rectify any oversight.


    Whether due to the Swarm¡¯s actions or other unidentified factors, the fourth activation of the wormhole brought an unprecedented change. Before the wormhole closed, it ejected two monsters instead of one.


    This marked a dramatic escalation¡ªdoubling the opposing side¡¯s deployment. The sudden shift left not only Luo Wen but also the Botians stunned.


    Fortunately, the Botians had always approached each wormhole crisis with maximum preparedness. Their Mecha Warriors, organized into five two-man teams, were always ready for deployment.


    The limited space around the monsters made it impractical for too many Mecha Warriors to engage simultaneously. Overcrowding would diminish effectiveness and risk interference between units. Thus, no more than two teams engaged directly with the monsters at any given time, while the remaining teams provided support from the periphery.


    This strategy proved invaluable during this encounter. The unexpected addition of a second monster could have spelled disaster had the Botians been less cautious. After nearly three hours of fierce combat, both monsters attempted to flee¡ªa behavior never seen before. Despite their efforts, the outcome remained the same, their bodies were dragged away for disposal.


    After the wormhole closed, the Swarm remained dormant for another two days, ensuring that no abnormalities were detected through any channels before resuming operations.


    But only a few days later, something extraordinary occurred.


    From Luo Wen¡¯s earliest days as a tiny, clawed insect, tunneling had been a foundational skill of the Swarm. It was an ability ingrained in nearly every unit, from Worker Drones to Space Octopuses. Only specialized units like Observer Bugs lacked this capability. Throughout the Swarm¡¯s history, most of its bases and territories had been concealed underground.


    The Swarm¡¯s tunneling prowess was unmatched. If the tally included planets and satellites, the Swarm had dug through nearly two thousand worlds. Whether it was rocky, diamond-laden, golden, or icy crusts, the Swarm had encountered virtually every type of geological composition. The only exception was stars themselves.


    But never had they encountered anything like this.


    Under Luo Wen¡¯s directive to halt expansion on the Botian homeworld, the Swarm focused instead on fortifying and concealing its existing bases by digging deeper underground.


    Initially, everything proceeded as expected. However, as one of the oceanic bases dug over ten kilometers beneath the seabed, it breached the asthenosphere, a thin layer of magma beneath the crust. Pressing onward into the mantle, the excavation advanced an additional five kilometers¡ªonly to reveal something astonishing.


    The Swarm unearthed a smooth metallic shell composed of an unknown material.


    This structure was unnaturally even, bearing faint signs of corrosion. It was immediately apparent that it wasn¡¯t a natural formation. The sight evoked the same unsettling strangeness as the small, controlled wormhole.


    This shell seemed to have gone undiscovered until now. Given the Botians¡¯ technological limitations, they had never penetrated the asthenosphere, let alone reached this depth.


    The discovery raised a host of unsettling questions. What was this shell? Who¡ªor what¡ªhad created it? And most importantly, what lay beneath?


    Luo Wen realized the metal shell could be a colossal treasure trove, but for now, it was impenetrable. The shell¡¯s defensive properties were extraordinary, and the Swarm¡¯s physical methods proved entirely ineffective against it. Concerned about energy leakage, Luo Wen refrained from using thermal weapons and instead opted to test toxins¡ªtaking advantage of the new toxin production methods he had recently acquired.


    Simultaneously, the Swarm began expanding its excavation laterally along the shell, attempting to determine its boundaries.


    The results were both astonishing and unsettling. It wasn¡¯t long before other oceanic Swarm bases, spread across distant locations, began encountering the same metal shell. The distances between these bases often spanned hundreds of kilometers, yet they all uncovered the same structure. In total, more than ten Swarm bases had unearthed the shell, suggesting it spanned at least a thousand kilometers.


    This was no small number. Accomplishing such a feat beneath the surface of a planet would require an almost unimaginable amount of effort. Even for the Swarm, renowned for its tunneling capabilities, this would have been an immense undertaking. Moreover, the metal shell exhibited corrosion marks but no visible seams or assembly lines¡ªits fabrication far surpassed the Swarm¡¯s current technological capabilities.


    As more and more bases encountered the shell, Luo Wen¡¯s expression grew serious. He seemed to be waiting for confirmation of a suspicion.


    Eventually, the first land-based Swarm base reached the metal shell. Because land-based bases required deeper excavations compared to their oceanic counterparts, they had lagged in progress. Soon, however, additional land bases also began uncovering the shell.


    In the end, every Swarm base on the Botian homeworld, except for the few atop the high peaks that were not tasked with excavation, uncovered the metal shell.


    Standing before the three-dimensional map displaying the distribution of the Swarm bases and the planet¡¯s interior, Luo Wen pieced together the obvious truth: the entire Botian homeworld was encased within this metal shell. Whatever lay inside this shell held a secret of monumental significance.


    This revelation reframed Luo Wen¡¯s understanding of the opposing force on the other side of the wormhole. Perhaps their true objective wasn¡¯t the Botians, nor some experimental rivalry. Instead, they could be targeting whatever lay within this metal shell. Was this why the wormhole was placed in the ocean, the closest point to the shell?


    But how had they discovered and pinpointed this location in the first place?


    A bold idea struck Luo Wen.


    If his speculation was correct, then the Swarm needed to risk everything for a chance to seize the prize. After all, no one invests in losing ventures, but high-risk, high-reward opportunities often attract the boldest of players. When the potential rewards grow vast enough, the risks cease to matter.


    Swarm activity on the Botian homeworld resumed. Bases began producing combat units en masse, and Fungal Carpet expansion into the mantle layer accelerated. Luo Wen prepared for multiple contingencies. While refining his toxins, he hoped the Fungal Carpet might yield results.


    Unfortunately, the lichen solution that had proven so effective in the past struggled against the metal shell. At first glance, the shell appeared ordinary, but its molecular structure was astoundingly dense and precisely aligned, teaching the Swarm a humbling lesson in material science.


    The corrosion marks on the shell were likely the result of billions of years of natural forces at work, rather than anything intentional or immediate.


    Luo Wen¡¯s progress with toxins was similarly unsatisfactory. No matter how he combined his reserves, the results failed to surpass those achieved by the Fungal Carpet¡¯s lichen solution. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A thought struck Luo Wen as he pondered the unknown force beyond the wormhole. From their actions, it was clear they had some familiarity with the metal shell. Surely, they possessed a method to breach it. However, the only tools they had sent through the wormhole were the monsters.


    That could only mean one thing: the monsters themselves were the key.


    Was there something unique about them? Of course there was.


    Luo Wen smirked to himself. Negative energy?


    It all fit.

 Chapter 443: Doubts

    Every phenomenon has its positive and negative aspects, and the universe is no exception. Everything we see and interact with belongs primarily to the realm of positive energy matter. As its counterpart, negative energy, when combined with positive energy, neutralizes it, producing a net value of zero.


    The principle of using negative energy to neutralize the destructive positive energy within a wormhole, enabling safe passage, relies precisely on this balance.


    In theory, this same principle could be applied to directly neutralize the positive energy contained within a metallic shell, causing it to disappear entirely. However, theory alone wasn¡¯t enough; it needed to be tested through experimentation.


    With the experience gained from creating the first monster-like Swarm organism, Luo Wen now possessed the technical ability to make significant modifications. The second iteration did not need to be an exact replica. Instead, he opted to make it smaller¡ªat over 50 or 60 meters, the original size was impractical for subterranean operations.


    Two months later, a new experimental site was established on the surface of the metallic shell. Resources from the Swarm were concentrated here, and the site was encased in a magnetic field to prevent energy leakage and avoid drawing unnecessary attention.


    The new monster-like Swarm organism was introduced into the experimental facility. Standing just over five meters tall, it was a scaled-down, proportionate replica of the original. Alongside it, the facility housed multiple humanoid Swarm organisms piloted by Intelligent Entities, as well as numerous Observer Bugs tasked with collecting and transmitting vast amounts of data back to the Swarm¡¯s main research hub.


    The Swarm¡¯s limited resources on the Botian front meant many critical components, particularly precision instruments, were unavailable and couldn¡¯t be assembled in the short term.


    The experiment commenced amidst a mix of anticipation and nervous tension. As the monster-like organism activated, a thin layer of negative energy began to manifest on its surface. And then¡­


    Nothing happened.


    Luo Wen¡¯s optimism faltered. The negative energy membrane covering the organism appeared to serve only as a passive defensive layer. Whether the organism touched or attacked the metallic shell, the energy membrane failed to produce the expected effects.


    Could the scaled-down proportions have disrupted some critical structures within the organism? Luo Wen meticulously reviewed the design, only to confirm that there were no omissions. Every detail, down to the air sacs irrelevant in a planetary environment, had been faithfully replicated.


    Luo Wen settled into deep thought. Until now, he had been under significant pressure and lacked the time to carefully analyze the situation. With the experiment at an impasse, he finally had the opportunity to reevaluate the finer details.


    The issue didn¡¯t seem to lie with the concept of negative energy, which remained sound. The problem, then, likely lay with the monster itself. Yet, even the 1:1 replica organism on the 11th planet, equipped with the same negative energy membrane, had shown no offensive capabilities during its own experiment.


    This left Luo Wen with more questions than answers. Why did the monsters, seemingly equipped with such advanced capabilities, lack the offensive applications of their energy membranes? Was there something inherently missing in their design, or did their true potential depend on factors Luo Wen had yet to discover? For now, the mystery remained unsolved.


    Could the monster¡¯s body possess some special activation device or unique organ required to utilize the negative energy offensively?


    Luo Wen immediately dismissed this idea. In his earlier examinations, he had already scrutinized the monster¡¯s genetic fragments and found no foreign sequences.


    So, could it be that the monsters truly lacked the ability to use negative energy offensively? Luo Wen reconsidered their actions. If they possessed such an advanced capability, the Mecha Warriors would stand no chance against them. The disparity in technological levels would make their defense efforts futile.


    Perhaps the monsters had exhausted their negative energy reserves while traversing the wormhole? Upon emerging, they were immediately swarmed by the Mecha Warriors, leaving no time to recharge or deploy their powers.


    Luo Wen thought back to the Swarm¡¯s own replicated monster-like organism, which had required hours to build a full-body negative energy membrane. This possibility seemed plausible.


    But something still felt off. Luo Wen instinctively sensed that he was overlooking a critical detail.


    He began retracing his steps, reviewing the data he had gathered. In Botian society, several of the Swarm¡¯s Intelligent Entities, specialized in rapid data retrieval, suddenly received orders to search for specific records Luo Wen needed. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Then it clicked.


    Through this reevaluation, Luo Wen identified a key inconsistency. Botian records noted that during the first few wormhole openings, the monsters had engaged directly with the Botian military and were ultimately destroyed with nuclear weapons.


    The interaction between the monsters¡¯ biological tissues and nuclear radiation had created highly toxic ¡°dead zones,¡± posing a severe threat to the Botians. This prompted the development of the Mecha Warrior Program to prevent further nuclear fallout and the expansion of these zones.


    By the time the Swarm arrived on the Botian homeworld, the Botians had already perfected their response to the monsters. This gave Luo Wen the impression that the monsters were inherently weak and easily countered.


    However, this ¡°routine¡± obscured a critical realization. Those earlier monsters hadn¡¯t been immediately engaged by Mecha Warriors. They had ample time to recharge or use any abilities they might have had. Yet, in the records, there were no mentions of unknown or bizarre attacks, neither in public documents nor in classified laboratory or governmental archives.


    This suggested that the monsters genuinely lacked any negative energy-based offensive capabilities.


    Luo Wen¡¯s retrospective analysis revealed another overlooked issue.


    If he were the force behind the wormhole, what would he do? Luo Wen speculated. If the objective were clear, the vanguard monsters wouldn¡¯t bother engaging with the Botians at all.


    Instead, they would emerge from the wormhole and begin excavating their target immediately. What could the Botians possibly do to stop them? They couldn¡¯t even penetrate the planet¡¯s asthenosphere, much less interfere with a large-scale operation.


    Unless¡­


    The wormhole¡¯s creators didn¡¯t actually know the specific situation on this side.


    But how was that possible?


    Luo Wen shook his head and began organizing his thoughts anew.


    First, the opposing force must be aware of the metallic shell, as it was the only valuable resource in the star system. But how had they discovered it?


    Second, they had constructed a wormhole precisely targeting this location. Leaving aside the difficulty of creating a small, stable, and controllable wormhole, how had they achieved such pinpoint accuracy?


    From Luo Wen¡¯s perspective, this was an even more complex feat than the Swarm launching meteors to hit Ji military outposts.


    These two points painted the other side as unfathomably advanced, fully aligning with Luo Wen¡¯s conception of a high-level civilization. This was why he had initially ruled out the possibility that the wormhole¡¯s creators were unaware of the specifics on the Botian side.


    Yet, beyond these technical achievements, their subsequent actions seemed to suggest the opposite¡ªthat they were indeed clueless about what was happening on this side.


    Consider the monsters themselves. To Luo Wen, their design seemed unrefined for vanguard units. Their bodies contained numerous redundant structures, such as the air sacs.


    The monsters¡¯ skin could actively seal and resist cosmic radiation. The purpose of the air sacs was evident¡ªthey allowed the monsters to store air and maintain internal circulation, enabling them to survive and operate for short durations in space.


    If the monsters were equipped for space environments, why had they been deployed in planetary conditions where such features were unnecessary?

 Chapter 444: Discussion

    Luo Wen theorized that the metallic shell on the Botian homeworld was likely a remnant of a mechanical civilization, as its design and composition bore no resemblance to the organic methods typical of biological civilizations.


    In contrast, the force on the other side of the wormhole appeared to be a highly advanced biological civilization. After all, creating organisms capable of generating negative energy was a feat far beyond the current capabilities of the Swarm¡ªa significant achievement, even by Luo Wen¡¯s standards.


    Yet, despite their apparent expertise, the monsters they produced left much to be desired from Luo Wen¡¯s perspective as a ¡°junior¡± in the field of biological technology.


    Take the internal circulation system, for instance. Luo Wen couldn¡¯t help but compare it to the one he had devised when the Swarm first ventured into space.


    His system, though rudimentary and reliant on oxygen, only required occasional replenishment of water every few years. While finding liquid water in space was challenging, locating ice was relatively easy, allowing for extended operations.


    The monster¡¯s system, however, was far less efficient. Once filled with air, it could only last about a month under minimal activity. During high-intensity combat, its reserves would be depleted within mere hours. This mismatch between the negative energy organ¡¯s sophistication and the subpar life support system seemed puzzling.


    Was it due to cost considerations? Luo Wen speculated. Perhaps these monsters were designed to serve as expendable cannon fodder? But the negative energy organ would be far too expensive for such a purpose.


    And these monsters weren¡¯t being deployed en masse on a battlefield. This was a precision strike operation, with each monster akin to an elite special forces unit. If Luo Wen were in charge, he would have equipped them with cutting-edge technology, weaponizing them to the maximum extent possible.


    Instead, the opposition¡¯s approach felt akin to sending a poorly armed elementary schooler with a stick to execute a mission¡ªalbeit with a nuclear power source in their pocket.


    Another glaring issue was the monsters¡¯ low intelligence.


    Luo Wen found no evidence of chips or other control systems within the monsters. For a civilization so advanced in biological technology, enhancing the autonomy of their bio-weapons¡ªparticularly elite units¡ªshould not have been difficult.


    Even primitive monkeys could be trained using rudimentary methods to carry out complex commands, let alone sophisticated biological weapons crafted by a highly specialized civilization. Yet, the monsters showed no signs of advanced tactical thinking.


    For instance, why didn¡¯t the monsters immediately begin excavating upon exiting the wormhole? The ¡°dead zones¡± created by their nuclear annihilation were all located on land, indicating that earlier monsters had chased the Botians across the planet, only to be eventually destroyed.


    Furthermore, except for the final instance where two monsters simultaneously emerged and demonstrated some coordination by retreating and splitting up, all previous monsters fought to the death without retreating¡ªeven when it was tactically unwise.


    In terms of intelligence, they were barely on par with Luo Wen¡¯s early Soldier Ants and Worker Ants back when the Swarm was still playing in the mud on the Genesis Planet. At that time, Swarm units operated largely on instinct. If Luo Wen had given his current units the same degree of autonomy, they would devise and execute sophisticated strategies on their own.


    A vague suspicion began to form in Luo Wen¡¯s mind, but he was reluctant to fully embrace it, subconsciously trying to rationalize the opposing force¡¯s decisions.


    Yet, one question after another emerged, with no cohesive explanation tying everything together into a logically consistent narrative.


    In the end, Luo Wen resorted to his old fallback, collective brainstorming.


    ¡°Maybe the command given to the monsters was simply to eliminate all threats, which is why they pursued the Botians,¡± one of the Intelligent Entities suggested.


    ¡°Then at the very least, they should have equipped the monsters with Atomic Furnaces,¡± another countered. ¡°That way, they could achieve something closer to Godzilla¡¯s level of combat ability. Relying on physical attacks alone, how long would it take to wipe out even the Botians, let alone if this planet were inhabited by monkeys?¡±


    The Swarm¡¯s collective debate deepened Luo Wen¡¯s suspicions and highlighted the glaring inconsistencies in the opposition¡¯s methods. But no single theory could yet fully explain their behavior.


    The Intelligent Entities engaged in a heated debate.


    ¡°First of all, monkeys couldn¡¯t possibly kill the monster. Based on the fact that the opposing side sends one monster every so often, their numbers would only continue to increase. Given the monster¡¯s size, it should theoretically obliterate monkeys in a single strike. However, monkeys are relatively agile, and the monster¡¯s attacks won¡¯t always land. Factor in the monster needing to rest and replenish its strength, and it can¡¯t maintain continuous kills. Without knowing the monkeys¡¯ reproduction rate, food consumption, and other parameters, it¡¯s impossible to calculate how long it would actually take¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up! Monkeys aren¡¯t even a threat to the monster!¡±


    ¡°Says who? Are you underestimating monkeys now?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    As this group of Intelligent Entities descended into pointless arguments, Luo Wen redirected his focus to another discussion.


    ¡°Perhaps the monsters are controlled remotely, much like the Knights remotely control the Space Octopuses. But once the wormhole closes, the connection is severed, which could explain why the monsters seem¡­ dumb,¡± suggested one Intelligent Entity, pausing briefly to find the right word.


    ¡°That makes sense. But if that¡¯s the case, wouldn¡¯t it mean the opposing force has no surveillance or communication facilities on this side of the wormhole?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. They can only receive feedback from the monster when the wormhole opens again.¡±


    ¡°But what they don¡¯t realize is that the monster gets killed by the Botians as soon as it emerges.¡±


    ¡°So, after more than ten repetitions of this pattern, they finally noticed something was wrong. They increased the number of monsters and modified their behavior to flee if overpowered?¡±


    This alternate explanation resonated with Luo Wen¡¯s own suspicions, aligning somewhat with his reluctant hypothesis. However, there still wasn¡¯t enough evidence to confirm this theory.


    ¡°But this contradicts their technological capabilities. Could they really be unaware of the Botians¡¯ presence on this side?¡± an Intelligent Entity raised the very question lingering in Luo Wen¡¯s mind. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Indeed. The small-scale wormhole and the negative energy organ are both undeniably advanced technologies. Yet, their behavior here seems inconsistent,¡± another agreed.


    ¡°And why do they wait so long between each wormhole activation? Why not send more monsters at once? Could the wormhole itself impose limitations on the number of monsters that can pass through?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s unclear. I¡¯m not particularly familiar with this field of knowledge.¡±


    ¡°We need to consult a specialist in wormhole dynamics,¡± suggested one of the Intelligent Entities.


    Efficiency being a hallmark of the Swarm, the Intelligent Entities promptly located an expert on wormhole physics. The questions were posed to this individual.


    ¡°Opening a wormhole requires an enormous amount of energy. Perhaps the opposing side is waiting to recharge,¡± the expert began. ¡°As for the number of monsters sent, the wormhole itself likely has no such limitations. The real constraint lies in the activation window. Monsters still need time to pass through the wormhole, and they¡¯re not exactly graceful creatures,¡± the expert added with a shrug.


    ¡°How much energy does it take to open a small-scale wormhole? Would even such an advanced civilization need over a year to recharge?¡± one Intelligent Entity pressed.


    ¡°That¡¯s the puzzling part,¡± the expert admitted. ¡°While the energy required is significant, it shouldn¡¯t be prohibitive for such a civilization. Compared to larger wormholes, this small-scale wormhole consumes much less. If the opposing force had access to a fully functional Dyson Sphere, the energy harvested daily would be sufficient to open a wormhole of this size every single day. For a civilization of that level, building a Dyson Sphere should be a trivial matter.¡±


    The expert paused before continuing. ¡°And there¡¯s another inconsistency. According to Botian records, the early wormhole activations had intervals of just a few months. Over time, this interval stretched into what we see now. This implies the opposing side has the capability to shorten activation times¡ªor, at the very least, extend the duration of each activation to send more monsters through.¡±

 Chapter 445: Decision

    ¡°But why didn¡¯t they do it this way? And how did Benba manage to calculate the precise timing of the wormhole¡¯s openings? According to your reasoning, that should have been impossible,¡± an Intelligent Entity asked with a puzzled tone.


    ¡°The first part, I don¡¯t know. Maybe they¡¯re not as strong as we think,¡± the expert replied. ¡°As for the second part, only Benba himself¡ªor you, Overlord¡ªmight have that answer.¡±


    That phrase, ¡°Maybe they¡¯re not as strong as we think,¡± hit Luo Wen like a lightning bolt.


    Of course. This was the uncomfortable thought he had been suppressing all along. The existence of high-level technologies was undeniable, but what if their actual capabilities didn¡¯t match their sophistication?


    For instance, the metallic shell on the Botian homeworld¡ªit was beyond the reach of Botian technology to even approach, let alone construct. And yet, there it was.


    As for the second question, Luo Wen already knew the answer. When Benba was converted into an Intelligent Entity, Luo Wen, curious about how he calculated the wormhole timings, had directly accessed his memories.


    What he found had been equal parts eye-opening and baffling. Luo Wen wasn¡¯t sure whether to label Benba a daring genius or an audacious oddball.


    Due to the lack of critical data points, Benba had made several bold assumptions, plugging in entirely arbitrary values. Even more surprisingly, his calculations ignored the first four instances of the wormhole¡¯s openings entirely.


    Why? Because Benba had discovered that the initial activations showed no discernible pattern. Given the constraints of his civilization, he had limited his assumptions.


    He surmised that during those early instances, the wormhole¡¯s creators had sufficient energy reserves, allowing for more flexibility in timing. As energy became scarcer, the wormhole activations began following a predictable pattern.


    Benba then extrapolated the energy collection efficiency of the opposing force, incorporated his assumptions, and through a mix of guesswork and calculation, derived a formula. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And, against all odds, his formula worked. The subsequent success only bolstered his reputation¡ªuntil a malfunction in the wormhole system caused his calculations to fail. His tenuous model, which had already drawn skepticism from peers, fell apart under scrutiny. Critics seized the opportunity to tear it apart.


    Despite its flaws, Benba¡¯s formula held some merit. After two adjustments, it regained utility. This indirectly confirmed that the opposing force wasn¡¯t particularly strong; their apparent struggle to accumulate enough energy for each activation betrayed their limitations. Such constraints were far from what one would expect of a high-level civilization.


    With this ¡°they¡¯re not strong¡± hypothesis in mind, many previously unexplained contradictions began to make sense. Verifying this theory was theoretically simple¡ªLuo Wen could send an anchor unit through the wormhole during its next activation to observe the other side.


    But the risks were immense. If the opposing force was not as weak as Luo Wen suspected, such a move could expose the Swarm and result in the loss of an anchor unit. Unlike in a game, where losses can be reset, a single misstep here could lead to catastrophic consequences.


    Even if the opposing force was weak, there was no compelling reason for Luo Wen to confirm it firsthand. There was a treasure trove awaiting him right here, the metallic shell. Why risk the unknown when the riches beneath his feet were far more accessible?


    Luo Wen¡¯s insatiable curiosity often drove him, but he understood the importance of prioritizing his goals. With that in mind, he formulated a clear course of action for the next phase.


    ¡°Perhaps they are weak. But we cannot confirm it. So, I will assume they are weak and choose to ignore their existence while focusing on what needs to be done. If they are indeed weak, they won¡¯t be able to interfere with the Swarm. If they are strong and react, then the Swarm will retreat.¡±


    With this decision, the Swarm¡¯s expansion resumed, now even more aggressive than before. Within six months, over a thousand Swarm bases had sprung up across the Botian homeworld.


    In just over a year of sustained growth, these bases collectively reached the metallic shell. Regardless of their location on the planet, every excavation ended with the same result. It became undeniably clear, the metallic shell enveloped the entire satellite.


    The Botian civilization was living on a man-made structure.


    No wonder Luo Wen had always felt that the satellite¡¯s position, orbit, and tidal locking seemed almost too perfect¡ªlike a series of coincidences too precise to be natural. It was now clear that this perfection was the result of deliberate design.


    This metallic satellite, with a diameter exceeding 7,000 kilometers, was undoubtedly a creation of an immensely powerful civilization. To complete such a colossal project would require technological capabilities far beyond anything Luo Wen had encountered.


    For comparison, the Swarm¡¯s 3,000-kilometer Megastructure was merely a rectangular prism¡ª3,000 kilometers long, less than 1,000 kilometers wide, and with a height half its width. Even with the numerous advantages offered by biotechnological methods, such as organic self-growth and self-adaptation, constructing it had been an incredibly challenging feat. The spherical metallic satellite, in contrast, was orders of magnitude more advanced in complexity, leaving the Swarm¡¯s Megastructure far behind.


    Yet even the Swarm¡¯s comparatively simple Megastructure had drawn the attention and envy of countless civilizations. The construction of this metallic planet-like satellite was a testament to the strength and ambition of the civilization that built it.


    The satellite had evidently existed for an unimaginably long time. Despite the durability of its materials, signs of weathering and corrosion had begun to appear¡ªscars left by the passage of time.


    Its abandonment remained a mystery. Over millennia, it had become a cradle for a new civilization, the Botians. The force on the other side of the wormhole might have some knowledge about its origins. Alternatively, answers might lie within the satellite itself.


    For Luo Wen, the next step was clear: open it and uncover its secrets. Even if the interior held no records or data, merely observing its internal structure would yield tremendous insights for the Swarm.


    This was akin to what other civilizations had hoped for when they sought to study the Swarm¡¯s Megastructure.


    Since the metallic satellite was an artificial construct, it must have entry and exit points. However, locating these access points would be an immense undertaking. Furthermore, such locations were almost certainly equipped with identity verification systems. If operational, these systems would pose a significant obstacle. Additionally, entry points were likely to be fortified with defensive measures.


    Whether these systems were still functional or not, attempting to breach them directly risked triggering unpredictable responses.


    Given these uncertainties, Luo Wen concluded that brute-forcing a hole through the metallic shell was a more practical approach. He reasoned that defensive systems near walls would not be as concentrated as those at entry points.


    However, the shell¡¯s material was exceptionally resilient. Breaching it would not be easy. For now, Luo Wen¡¯s only viable method was to experiment with various toxic compounds, attempting to corrode the surface layer by layer.


    This approach, while feasible, was excruciatingly slow. The thickness of the shell was unknown, and at the current rate of corrosion, it could take years¡ªor even decades¡ªto break through. The longer the process dragged on, the higher the likelihood of unexpected complications, which often meant increased danger.


    Luo Wen detested unnecessary risks, but in this situation, he had no better options.

 Chapter 446: New Troubles

    Time passed, and the wormhole opened twice more. However, Luo Wen no longer had the interest to watch the monster versus Mecha Warrior battles. His attention was fully consumed by the metal shell.


    Through continuous experimentation, his understanding of toxin production had advanced rapidly. The latest toxins he developed corroded at three times the speed of his initial attempts. Over three years, he had managed to erode more than fifty meters of the metal shell. However, it was still a far cry from fully penetrating it.


    Using various methods, Luo Wen measured the thickness of the metal shell and was astonished to find it exceeded 500 kilometers. At his current rate, it would take more than 30,000 years to breach.


    Such a timeline was clearly unacceptable.


    Thus, Luo Wen began exploring alternative methods. Unfortunately, calculations and tests revealed that the material of the metal shell had excellent resistance to both kinetic impacts and energy weapons.


    Additionally, underground conditions made these weapons less effective¡ªparticularly electromagnetic railguns, whose destructive power was reduced by at least 50% within a planetary interior.


    Left with no choice, Luo Wen turned his attention to developing more powerful or specialized weapons. The most promising avenue lay in negative energy, a field he had only recently begun to explore.


    In the universe, all visible matter falls under the category of positive energy. These materials are diverse and varied in nature. Similarly, negative energy is a general term encompassing certain types of substances, which also have different classifications.


    After deciphering the genetic blueprint for the negative energy production organ, Luo Wen assembled a team of intelligent entities to conduct research.


    Though the Swarm¡¯s venture into the realm of negative energy was still in its infancy, the foundation it had established¡ªmuch like its earlier foray into gravitational studies¡ªprovided a solid starting point. Despite the limited time, the Swarm had already made some progress.


    Through research, Luo Wen discovered that the negative energy produced by the monster¡¯s genes was an extremely inert type. It only reacted when exposed to high-energy impacts. This specific negative energy appeared to have been deliberately engineered by an unknown civilization, optimized for traversing the violent energies within the wormhole.


    Luo Wen recalled his earlier defensive tests on the monster¡¯s negative energy membrane. It had shown no reaction to kinetic or energy-based attacks, which he now realized was because those attacks lacked the necessary energy levels to activate it.


    With this understanding, the Swarm¡¯s next step was to identify a more active type of negative energy and develop a way to produce it. This would enable the creation of negative energy weapons.


    While this goal seemed straightforward in theory, its execution was incredibly challenging. Although the Swarm had developed the capability to collect negative energy from space, these samples were a mixed assortment. Identifying the more active components was akin to discovering gunpowder in the material world¡ªit required not only extensive screening but also a stroke of luck.


    Luo Wen had no idea how his luck would fare, so he increased manpower, hoping sheer numbers could accelerate the process.


    Days turned into weeks, and the wormhole on Botian began to open and close at irregular intervals. The spectacle of monsters battling Mecha Warriors replayed itself repeatedly. During this time, the Swarm resumed its infiltration of Botian society in earnest.


    A large number of intelligent entities embedded themselves into various levels of Botian civilization, even among the Mecha Warrior pilots, who now included some of the Swarm¡¯s own operatives.


    The good news was that the force on the other side of the wormhole showed no reaction to the Swarm¡¯s actions. Perhaps they dismissed the Swarm as inconsequential, or perhaps they were so weak they were unaware of the Swarm¡¯s activities on this side.


    Another unexpected development was that the force on the other side seemed to have stopped its ¡°extreme deployments.¡± The monsters sent through the wormhole no longer followed a consistent pattern, which disrupted Dr. Benba¡¯s predictive formula. The wormhole¡¯s activations became chaotic and impossible to predict. ?¨¢??¦Â¦¥????


    However, apart from increasing the workload for the Botians, the unpredictable wormhole activations had little impact on Luo Wen. For him, this status quo was ideal. He only needed to wait patiently for the results from the Swarm¡¯s intelligent entities.


    Time flew by, and twenty years passed in the blink of an eye. During these calm years, nothing significant occurred, and everything remained tranquil. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In this peace, Luo Wen was able to allocate even more intelligent entities to focus on negative energy research. The number of entities working on this field reached an astounding thirty million, with over 80% of them having more than a century of research experience.


    Under this sheer manpower, the Swarm had made significant strides in the realm of negative energy. The intelligent entities had identified several types of active negative energy and were now conducting tests to determine their offensive potential.


    If the tests proved successful, the next step would be to create biological organs capable of producing these energies. This would require Luo Wen¡¯s direct involvement.


    While Luo Wen was meticulously studying the genetic structure of the monster¡¯s negative energy generation mechanism, events in the Interstellar Technological Confederation began to take a troubling turn.


    Since the Swarm had retreated from the Riken System and returned the territory to the Rikens years ago, the many factions that had initially criticized the Swarm eventually fell silent when they realized there would be no response. With the lack of an immediate target for conflict, their agitation gradually subsided.


    However, the Koya Alliance began stirring up trouble again.


    Luo Wen had long anticipated that the Koya Alliance, or rather the shadowy manipulators behind it, would make further moves. Decades ago, he had already discerned their goals¡ªor at least the objectives of some factions among them.


    Thus, when they resumed their actions, Luo Wen wasn¡¯t surprised. The 20-year period of silence had far exceeded his expectations. Perhaps the Swarm had concealed its strength so effectively that the manipulators only now believed the Swarm had reached the level required for the next stage of their plans.


    This time, their strategy remained the same: fabricate an excuse to attack the Swarm, fuel public opinion, and isolate the Swarm while quietly creating additional enemies for it.


    Their current target for propaganda was the Rat Folk. The plight of the Rat Folk was even more dire than what the Rikens had faced years ago. On the surface, the Rat Folk controlled only their homeworld and two moons. Their technological advancement had been stunted by the Swarm, leaving them in a state of stagnation for centuries.


    Under normal circumstances, the Rat Folk¡¯s level of technology would never meet the requirements for joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation. Their current condition was a direct result of their dependence on the Swarm¡¯s ¡°nurturing,¡± which was a violation of the Confederation¡¯s rules.


    However, the relationship between the Swarm and the Rat Folk predated the Swarm¡¯s admission into the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    Unlike the Rikens, the Rat Folk¡¯s rapid development meant that the Ji civilization hadn¡¯t had time to mark them with ¡°treasure starships¡± before their alliance with the Swarm was solidified.


    Furthermore, the origins and growth of the Rat Folk civilization were clearly linked to the Swarm. Their relationship was far more intertwined than that of the Swarm and the Rikens.


    But for those determined to create trouble, none of these nuances mattered.

 Chapter 447: Return

    From the moment of their birth, the Rat Folk had a clear purpose¡ªthey existed for the Swarm. Since their time as mere beasts, they had been observed and nurtured by the Swarm.


    If the intelligent entities among the military, political, and commercial elite of the Riken were only 80% integrated, then for the Rat Folk, it was 100%. Thus, it could be said that the Swarm completely represented the will of the Rat Folk.


    Moreover, the Rat Folk were entirely enveloped within the Swarm¡¯s territory. These regions were not open zones, so scenarios like the Riken¡¯s internal and external collusion could not occur.


    At this point, however, the opinions of the Rat Folk no longer mattered.


    The Koya Alliance exploited the Rat Folk to stir controversy. With prior experience, they skillfully crafted narratives, portraying the Rat Folk as pitiful victims. This civilization, which had initially surpassed the Ji in its development speed, had stagnated for centuries under the Swarm¡¯s exploitation.


    The Swarm once again played its old role: a ruthless and cold-hearted invader and oppressor. Thanks to the groundwork laid over twenty years ago, the Swarm¡¯s villainous reputation was already deeply entrenched. As soon as this information was released, it immediately became a target for widespread condemnation.


    The ¡°altruists¡± were the first to act, leveraging massive public opinion to demand that the Ji amend the rules and make an exception to invite the Rat Folk civilization into the Confederation ahead of schedule. They also called for the Swarm to be expelled from the Genesis System and for aid to be provided to the Rat Folk to help them escape the shadow of the Swarm.


    The Ji Council of Elders convened once again. Elder Humes, who had been stationed in the Riken Star System, once more sought an audience with Empress Kerrigan. Unlike before, Humes was now ¡°one of us.¡± The bio-armor gifted to him by the Swarm wasn¡¯t something that came lightly.


    The last time he visited, the Swarm had secretly collected samples of his epidermis and completed the transformation during his cryogenic sleep. However, to better conceal his new identity, Humes continued to fulfill his duties as expected while secretly providing intelligence to the Swarm.


    Yet, the significance of this intelligence was limited. Despite his esteemed status as a Ji Elder, Humes was essentially a marginal figure. When he had been instigated to approach the Swarm previously, it had aligned with his own desires¡ªhe merely sought the Swarm¡¯s genetic technology to advance longevity serum research. As for deeper conspiracies, he remained entirely unaware.


    The person who had manipulated Humes was another Ji Elder, the same one who had informed him about the longevity serum. It was impossible that someone as seasoned as Humes had failed to notice anything suspicious. However, his advanced age made the benefits of the longevity serum irresistible. Even if he was being used as a pawn, he relished the role.


    In the end, Humes got what he wanted. His mind and memories had been preserved to create an intelligent entity. This entity would take his place, gaining eternal life and never again worrying about mortality. If Humes had known, he might have felt satisfied.


    Perhaps.


    This time, Humes returned to the Swarm, urged by the same Elder, to see if he could capitalize on the Swarm¡¯s dire situation and acquire some benefits. What that Elder didn¡¯t know was that Humes had already ¡°defected.¡± However, the Elder was far from the Swarm¡¯s territory, making it difficult for the Swarm to act against him.


    Luo Wen planned to have Humes attempt to lure that Elder closer. This Ji Elder undoubtedly possessed more critical information, and gifting him a ¡°small present¡± could be highly advantageous.


    Humes feigned lingering in the Swarm¡¯s territory for a few days before leaving ¡°in a fit of anger.¡±


    As before, when Humes reported his failed negotiations, the Ji Council of Elders wasted no time. They ¡°responded to public sentiment¡± by amending the rules.


    They emphasized the sanctity and inviolability of the home star systems of new civilizations and announced this to the entire Confederation. They demanded that any civilizations within the Confederation found violating this rule rectify their actions within a set timeframe.


    Although this directive did not explicitly name the Swarm, the Swarm¡¯s relationship with the Rat Folk within the Interstellar Technological Confederation made it clear that the rule applied. Sure enough, a separate notice was transmitted through the quantum communication system shortly after. It required the Swarm to withdraw from the Genesis System within 20 years, just as before.


    As early as when the Riken began showing signs of trouble, Luo Wen had already deduced that their target was the Rat Folk. So when the news reached him, he simply chuckled, neither annoyed nor surprised.


    The Ji moved swiftly. Three months after the announcement, a construction team tasked with building a quantum communication system for the Rat Folk arrived at the outer perimeter of the Genesis System.


    ¡°What? The Swarm actually dares to refuse us entry?¡± In the warship, a male Ji crew member found it hard to believe.


    It wasn¡¯t unheard of for a civilization to deny the Ji access¡ªthey were either arrogant fools or genuinely powerful. But in the Outer-ring, it was almost always the former.


    ¡°Captain, what¡¯s going on?¡± another Ji member, a female, asked. Her golden-yellow face was adorned with violet patterns, which gave her an exotic allure. ??£Î?¦Â¦¥?


    ¡°Not sure. Colonel Edres is negotiating with them,¡± the Captain replied, shaking his head.


    ¡°An Outer-ring civilization dares to interfere with the actions of the great Ji? Do they have a death wish?¡± The sudden blockade by the Swarm infuriated the young male crew member. Born into the Ji race, he had a strong sense of superiority.


    In his view, there was no room for negotiation with an Outer-ring minor race that dared to block a Ji warship. They should just crush them outright.


    From his perspective, even though their squadron consisted of only a dozen warships, their firepower was more than enough to obliterate an Outer-ring fleet. Even if they couldn¡¯t win outright, they could retreat at high speeds and hold out until reinforcements arrived. After all, a Ji fleet was stationed in the Riken Star System, and it wouldn¡¯t take long to reach their location.


    ¡°Shut up, Wright!¡± The Captain was also frustrated but wasn¡¯t as impulsive as Wright. Their team had a special mission this time, hitching a ride with the construction team. They had no decision-making authority and could only wait patiently for the negotiations to conclude.


    Meanwhile, Colonel Edres had just finished negotiating with the Swarm. Though he was equally irritated, the sight of thousands of Swarm space octopuses surrounding their warships quickly cooled his heated brain.


    ¡°Elder Humes, they¡¯ve requested we return in 20 years.¡±


    In the transmission, Elder Humes reclined slightly in his chair as he listened to Edres¡¯ report. As the only Ji Elder in the region, he held supreme authority over such matters.


    ¡°What is their reasoning?¡±


    ¡°The Swarm claims their integration with the Rat Folk is too deep, and there are many hidden aspects of their species in the star system. They require time to withdraw and wish to avoid external disturbances during this period.¡± Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Outrageous!¡± Humes straightened in his chair and shouted. He then closed his eyes in contemplation before finally sighing. ¡°Edres, I will report this to the Council of Elders and let them decide. In the meantime, you are to remain stationed at your current location.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Elder.¡±

 Chapter 448: Deployment

    Edres and his team ended up waiting for twenty years. Perhaps it was because the masterminds behind the scenes believed the Swarm still needed time, or perhaps there were other reasons. Regardless, the result was that the Ji Council of Elders made some compromises.


    Thus, Edres¡¯ construction team remained stationed at the outer edge of the Genesis System for two decades. Fortunately, the Ji warships were massive and had been fully stocked before departure. Midway through, another supply shipment was sent from the Riken. Additionally, most of the crew chose to enter cryogenic sleep to avoid wasting their lives unnecessarily. As a result, those twenty years passed relatively quickly.


    In truth, Edres¡¯ team could have returned to the Riken Star System for rest and resupply. Although a neighboring star system separated the two, the direct distance was only about nine light-years¡ªa journey that would take the Ji just three years for a round trip.


    However, the Ji leadership insisted that Edres remain on site to have a legitimate excuse to closely monitor the Swarm¡¯s activities. As it turned out, during this time, Edres did manage to gather some intelligence.


    For example, he observed that most of the Swarm forces in the Genesis System had been redeployed to the Neighboring Star System.


    When this information was analyzed by Ji strategists, they concluded that the Neighboring Star System must be where the Swarm¡¯s royal court was located. To the north of this system was the Riken Star System, to the west lay the Sandstorm Star System, a hub for trade, and to the south was the Genesis System, which was in the process of being vacated. These three directions were open and could not be fully secured.


    It made sense that the Swarm would strengthen the defenses of their royal court. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Another piece of intelligence Edres gathered was that the Swarm had been systematically destroying six megastructures located in the stellar orbit of the Genesis System. Although the process involved self-detonation followed by ejection into the star, making it seem repetitive and overly complex, it did not attract much attention due to the precedent set in the Riken Star System.


    If the Ji had combined this with earlier intelligence, they might have uncovered something significant. Initially, the Swarm had only two megastructures in the stellar orbit of the Genesis System. The other four had been constructed just a few decades earlier.


    To be precise, the Swarm began constructing these additional megastructures shortly after the destruction of the ones in the Riken Star System.


    Back when the Koya Alliance conspired with the Riken to hatch their schemes, Luo Wen had already anticipated the current situation. However, at that time, he had no intention of adding more megastructures in the Genesis System.


    It was only when the ¡°seed¡± was warped over vast distances and fell into the Swarm current territory on Planet Botian that the sheer unpredictability of the situation made Luo Wen realize he needed to create more ¡°escape routes.¡±


    Thus, the construction of four additional megastructures was expedited. Fortunately, the Genesis System was the Swarm¡¯s true home base, rich with accumulated resources over the years. This allowed them to mature the four megastructures within a mere twenty to thirty years.


    Together with the original two, Luo Wen now had six opportunities for long-range warps, enough to send six ¡°seeds¡± to safety. He refused to believe that, with six chances, he wouldn¡¯t find a pristine, lifeless galaxy.


    The results were promising. As the megastructures were systematically detonated, Luo Wen¡¯s control over long-range warping improved significantly thanks to his prior ¡°successful¡± experience.


    The ¡°seeds¡± were dispatched one by one.


    In the vast emptiness of space, between two unknown star systems, a rift suddenly tore open. From it emerged a flesh pod, two meters in diameter.


    The pod drifted in the void for a while. First, a tentacle stretched out, followed by an eye. The cold and lifeless vacuum outside reassured Luo Wen, who had been observing closely.


    At last, this one seemed normal. He surveyed the surroundings, but optical observation alone was insufficient to accurately calculate distances. In the end, he selected the largest celestial body nearby and used a rudimentary propulsion system to move in its direction.


    Whether this seed was a success remained to be seen. For now, it was impossible to determine if there was life in the surrounding star systems. However, the seed¡ªor rather its carrier¡ªstill had significant flaws.


    Initially, due to Luo Wen¡¯s lack of proficiency with long-distance warping, he had minimized the carrier¡¯s size, reducing it to only basic functionalities.


    The original plan was for the pod to adapt to its new environment by absorbing energy and undergoing genetic mutations to grow additional functional components. Unfortunately, the energy present in the void was extremely sparse. Using such meager resources, the pod would take an unthinkable amount of time to mutate a plasma propulsion system. And even if it managed to develop the propulsion, there wouldn¡¯t be enough energy to operate it.


    Luo Wen had anticipated this scenario, but the situation had been urgent at the time, leaving him no better options. His sole objective was to send the seeds out, ensuring a fallback plan. Even if it took an extended period, the seed would eventually reach a nearby star system.


    Time was critical for Luo Wen while he still held territory to defend. But if he were to lose everything, with no lands to worry about, time would no longer hold much significance for him.


    With the experience of two long-distance warps through the Riken Star System and the subsequent years of refinement, Luo Wen¡¯s skills had improved considerably. By the most recent deployment, he felt more confident and capable of achieving more. ?????¦­???????


    For the second flesh pod, Luo Wen incorporated an enhanced atomic furnace, increasing the pod¡¯s diameter from two meters to five. This was the smallest atomic furnace available, yet it represented Luo Wen¡¯s pinnacle of current technology. In addition to the furnace, he added a shielding field to mask its reaction fluctuations.


    If this seed succeeded, even if it landed in the void, the continuous energy supply from the atomic furnace would allow it to rapidly mutate advanced tissues and infiltrate nearby star systems, establishing new Swarm territories.


    Another megastructure was detonated. In an unknown region of space, a rift opened, and a five-meter-diameter pod was ejected. Following standard procedures, after confirming the environment was normal, the shielding field deployed, and the atomic furnace activated.


    Instead of mutating a propulsion system first, the pod created a simple radar device. This radar captured various particle data in its vicinity, analyzing the distances to nearby star systems.


    After some calculations, a star system 1.7 light-years away was selected as the target. This star system¡¯s central star was very small and somewhat dim. Using only optical observation, it appeared to be the third-largest celestial body in the vicinity. The largest body visible turned out to be six light-years away from the pod.


    Soon, the pod¡¯s propulsion organs had fully mutated, followed by various cloaking and stealth systems. Powered by the atomic furnace, the pod transformed into a 20-meter-long Swarm warship and silently set course for the target star system.


    ¡°Hah¡­¡± Luo Wen exhaled softly after completing the process. The increased size of the pod had made the long-distance warp noticeably more taxing, but it was still within his capabilities.


    Closing his eyes, he reviewed everything that had just occurred, meticulously searching for flaws and shortcomings.


    Before long, preparations for deploying the third seed were underway.

 Chapter 449: The Backup Plan

    As the Swarm¡¯s territory continued to expand, the variety of intelligent entity source species increased, and Luo Wen¡¯s abilities grew at a remarkable pace. Twenty years ago, when he first attempted long-distance warping with a two-meter flesh pod, one attempt failed, and the other only succeeded due to sheer luck.


    Now, warping two-meter flesh pods had become effortless, and even five-meter flesh pods were successfully warped on the first try. This improvement was not solely due to increased proficiency with the technique.


    Another indication of Luo Wen¡¯s growing strength was the increase in the number of anchor units he could create. In the early days, his limit was five. By the time he joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation, his limit had risen to ten. Now, he could easily produce nearly twenty anchor units.


    Of these anchor units, Luo Wen had already deployed eight. One was carried by the intelligent entity sent to the Ji territory, another was stationed near Planet Botian, and six more were deployed with the recent seeds.


    However, the number of anchor units could never be too many. Once Swarm bases in other galaxies developed beyond the reach of Ji surveillance, they could freely construct megastructures and detonate them to power warps. At that point, anchor units would undoubtedly be in short supply.


    Fortunately, when enough node units were concentrated in a specific region, a quantitative change could lead to a qualitative one. Even without anchor units, Luo Wen would still be able to locate and link to them.


    For example, on Planet Botian, the number of node units there had already reached a sufficient level. Luo Wen planned to send its anchor unit elsewhere once the megastructures in that area were fully developed.


    This way, the anchor units could reach new star regions, establish bases, scale up, and then be sent off again. With this cycle, even if there were only twenty anchor units, the Swarm¡¯s expansion rate in the future would be ferocious.


    From this perspective, the territory around Genesis Planet no longer seemed crucial. Moreover, judging from the current situation, the opposition was closing in step by step, as though they had reached the final stage of their plan and were about to reveal their true intentions.


    At this point, abandoning further development of the Genesis System and focusing on expanding ¡°sub-colonies¡± seemed like a sound strategy. After all, time could overcome most enemies. Luo Wen didn¡¯t need to do anything to the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡ªperhaps in a million years, it would collapse on its own.


    And if a million years weren¡¯t enough, what about ten million or a billion years? As an immortal being, Luo Wen could simply ¡°outlast¡± them.


    But Luo Wen was sentimental. This was his place of origin, and he could never simply abandon it. Even if the Swarm still lagged behind the Ji and the Confederation in many aspects, the thought of giving up didn¡¯t sit well with him.


    He had not yet reached the zenith of detachment. Luo Wen still wanted to try and fight for it personally.


    Looking at the bigger picture, Luo Wen bore no deep hatred for the Ji or the Interstellar Technological Confederation. In a way, their schemes had pushed him to never let his guard down and accelerated the Swarm¡¯s growth. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But from Luo Wen¡¯s perspective, being treated as a pawn was itself an affront. Moreover, pawns rarely meet good ends. And that, in itself, was enough justification for action.


    Regardless of the reasons, the Swarm had once again weathered twenty years in peace. Megastructures had been destroyed, and the Swarm had withdrawn.


    As the former heart of the Swarm, countless primordial bodies formed a massive exodus that seemed to stretch in a straight line between two star systems. This display left all those secretly observing the Swarm with malicious intent deeply shaken.


    The six new seeds had successfully been deployed to different galaxies. While the first seed was still drifting through the void due to a lack of energy, three of the later five had already entered nearby star systems and begun establishing themselves on planets.


    Fortunately, the three ¡°sub-colonies¡± that had landed in star systems were in pristine, untouched conditions. Preliminary observations suggested that there were no competitors near these colonies, and the surrounding star systems showed no signs of intelligent life¡ªat least, none that were immediately apparent. A more detailed analysis would require the colonies to develop further and dispatch fleets for on-site exploration.


    The remaining two seeds were also nearing their target star systems. Regardless, Luo Wen had already secured at least three viable ¡°backup plans.¡±


    With these ¡°fallbacks¡± in place, Luo Wen now felt a sense of confidence, allowing him to act more boldly in the Genesis System. Otherwise, considering his cautious nature, he might have recalled part of the vast number of primordial bodies stationed in the Genesis System to feign weakness, thereby buying more time for the Swarm. ???¨¯£Â§§?


    The moment the 20-year deadline expired, Colonel Edres, who had been waiting outside with his engineering team, wasted no time entering the Genesis System. What was originally assumed to be a straightforward engineering task had turned into a long-term deployment, leaving the team simmering with frustration after all these years.


    However, they couldn¡¯t afford to vent. Over the years, they had come to understand that the Swarm was no ordinary Outer-ring civilization. It was a hidden colossus. The sheer overwhelming numbers they had witnessed were enough to contend with many Outer-ring and even Mid-ring civilizations.


    And this was merely the military presence within a single star system.


    While the Swarm¡¯s mobility still left room for improvement, its defensive strength alone was formidable. Even if their combat units were stationary, functioning as defensive installations, they would still require significant sacrifices for the Ji to conquer them.


    As for Edres and his squadron, comprised of just over a dozen ships, they knew better than to act recklessly. Thanks to the Koya Alliance¡¯s two rounds of propaganda, the Swarm had been painted as savage oppressors and colonial villains in the eyes of the galaxy.


    Edres was acutely aware that if he treated the Swarm the same way he might treat other minor civilizations¡ªby making demands or boasting arrogantly¡ªhe could very well disappear without a trace. Even if the Swarm were eventually punished, his own death would render such outcomes meaningless.


    Since the Rat Folk civilization lacked the technological capability to build ships for long-distance travel, it was the Swarm¡ªacting as their ¡°inviting civilization¡±¡ªthat sent forces to escort Edres and his team.


    Over 10,000 primordial bodies encircled the Ji fleet of more than a dozen massive ships. Even though Ji vessels were each over 4,000 meters long, their presence seemed insignificant in the face of such a dense formation of primordial bodies.


    As an escort fleet, the Swarm¡¯s scale was nothing short of extraordinary.


    ¡°These guys are definitely doing this on purpose!¡± complained a Ji crew member, who had only recently been woken from cryogenic sleep and was still irritable from the process.


    ¡°So what if it¡¯s on purpose? Those ugly creatures out there could tear us apart before we even get our warp engines online.¡± This came from another Ji crew member who clearly didn¡¯t share Luo Wen¡¯s¡ªor the Swarm¡¯s¡ªaesthetic sensibilities.


    ¡°Just bear with it. Once we reach the destination, we¡¯ll deal directly with the Rat Folk,¡± another advised.


    ¡°Captain, what¡¯s our next move?¡±


    ¡°Proceed as planned!¡±

 Chapter 450: F-371

    Luo Wen only briefly paid attention to the situation in the Genesis System before redirecting his focus to Planet Botian. It had been fifty years since the Swarm first landed on Botian.


    The Botians¡¯ lifespan was extremely short, likely due to their relatively poor technological development. Their average lifespan was less than a century. The once spirited young mecha pilots like Zeki and Rooney had now grown old and gray-haired.


    Twenty years ago, it seemed that the forces on the other side of the wormhole had recognized the risks of this side. The wormhole¡¯s activation times became increasingly erratic. On one occasion, it remained inactive for a full five years.


    Just as the Botians began to believe that their adversary had given up, the wormhole suddenly reopened, and ten monsters emerged in one go¡ªstronger than ever before.


    The surprise attack caught the Botians off guard, resulting in devastating losses. The first wave of mecha warriors sent to eliminate the monsters was completely annihilated, leaving five of the monsters still alive.


    The five monsters went on to destroy several submarines and, before the Botian reinforcements could arrive, split into two groups to advance in different directions.


    Unfortunately for them, one group of three monsters was intercepted mid-journey by eight mecha warriors. At the cost of five mecha, the monsters were finally defeated. This attack exceeded the Botians¡¯ defensive capacity¡ªat the time, they had only twenty mecha in active service.


    After dealing with the first group of monsters, only three severely damaged mecha remained. Attempting to stop the remaining two monsters with such a weakened force would have been tantamount to suicide.


    In a last-ditch effort, the Botian leadership held an emergency meeting and decided to launch nuclear missiles to kill the monsters before they could reach the city. As a result, Botian gained yet another zone of radioactive pollution, which immediately claimed the title of the planet¡¯s most contaminated area.


    Luo Wen, however, was not concerned about the Botians¡¯ losses or the environmental pollution. Such contamination was trivial to the Swarm, which could traverse the vacuum of space with their physical bodies.


    What intrigued him was the question of what the two groups of monsters were trying to accomplish.


    It was evident that the forces on the other side of the wormhole had some understanding of Planet Botian¡¯s massive metallic satellite. It was known that the monsters lacked any negative energy-based attack capabilities, meaning they couldn¡¯t violently breach the satellite¡¯s metal shell. Their objective, therefore, seemed apparent.


    ¡°They know the location of the metal shell¡¯s gateway. It¡¯s highly likely they also know how to open it,¡± Luo Wen quickly concluded.


    Due to the Botians¡¯ weak technological capabilities, the Swarm had infiltrated their society rapidly over the years, with the intelligent entities gaining significant influence.


    If Luo Wen wanted to, he could likely delay the Botians¡¯ decisions and actions. With its sheer strength, the Swarm could even intervene to prevent the Botians from killing the monsters. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By doing so, Luo Wen might have been able to use the monsters to locate the metal shell¡¯s gateway. However, after careful consideration, he abandoned this idea.


    Even if the gateway were located, Luo Wen had no knowledge of how to open it. Even if the monsters managed to open it, the consequences were entirely unpredictable.


    After all, everything about the forces on the other side of the wormhole remained purely speculative.


    Another significant reason Luo Wen abandoned this idea was that the Swarm¡¯s research into active negative energy had already entered the practical testing phase.


    It wouldn¡¯t be long before the Swarm could rely on its own strength to open the metal shell.


    With this safer and more reliable method in sight, Luo Wen saw no need to take unnecessary risks.


    In theory, mastering negative energy technology¡ªwhile not definitively harder than gravity-based technology¡ªwas at least on the same level of complexity. For an ordinary civilization to conquer such a field in just a few decades would be nothing short of a pipe dream. ?§¡??????§¦????


    But the Swarm, with its thirty million immortal research-oriented intelligent entities, had turned that dream into a reality.


    Indeed, describing it this way might be a bit exaggerated. The primary task of the intelligent entities was to observe negative energy and filter out the more active components. The rest of the work could only be completed at such a rapid pace under Luo Wen¡¯s direct supervision.


    When a specific type of active negative energy, named F-371, was selected after rigorous filtering, Luo Wen was able to avoid many detours during its production thanks to the negative energy gene template derived from the monsters.


    Using his innate ability to precisely manipulate genes, Luo Wen spent years of research and experimentation before successfully modifying the monster¡¯s genetic structure to incubate an organ capable of directly producing F-371 energy.


    Luo Wen named this organ the HF Organ, an abbreviation for ¡°Hyperactive Negative Energy Field Organ.¡±


    With an energy generator in place, the next step was to weaponize it. Currently, the Swarm¡¯s research on negative energy had only reached the level of basic production and manufacturing, with little progress in more advanced applications.


    For example, using electrical energy as an analogy, the Swarm had essentially just built their first power plant. However, they were still far from being able to harness that energy to create something like ball lightning. On the other hand, building pipelines to transmit and utilize the energy was comparatively simpler.


    This approach conveniently benefited from the monster gene template. The monsters¡¯ original negative energy transmission system and its associated field generation system could be modified and repurposed for use. Armed with the experience of modifying the HF Organ, Luo Wen found himself well-equipped to handle the transformation of these two systems.


    In just over a year, the two systems were successfully modified. However, the results from their initial deployment were less than ideal.


    The monsters¡¯ original negative energy membrane was primarily designed for passive defense during wormhole traversal. In contrast, F-371 had entirely different properties. It was more destructive but also significantly more unstable.


    The characteristics of negative energy meant that it could only be contained using magnetic fields. However, the carrier for the magnetic field generator required by F-371 imposed far higher demands.


    Fortunately, this problem wasn¡¯t difficult to solve. By analyzing the performance of the metallic shell during experimental trials in materials science, the Swarm¡¯s understanding of related theories advanced significantly.


    Combining this with their inherent ¡°cheating¡± methods, a new type of cell was created using genes from the metallic snail. These cells could absorb metallic elements and rearrange their molecular structure to produce a unique metallic material similar to a metallic exoskeleton.


    After undergoing numerous practical tests, this led to the birth of a new offensive weapon system.


    Fueled by an atomic furnace, the HF Organ would convert energy into F-371, which was then transmitted to the weapon system via the modified energy transmission system. The energy was contained and enveloped around the weapon by a connected magnetic field generation system.


    The weapon itself was a melee weapon that could be customized into various forms based on requirements, such as claws, blades, or horns. It was composed of a keratin outer layer reinforced with the special metallic substance. The keratin provided malleability, while the special metal acted as an ¡°enchantment¡± for enhanced durability.


    Even without being enveloped in negative energy, the weapon¡¯s innate toughness made it a formidable tool. When combined with negative energy, it became nearly unstoppable, capable of piercing even the sturdiest defenses.


    Luo Wen named this weapon system FN Blade!

 Chapter 451: Redfang Breaker

    The FN Blade¡¯s attack power was exceptionally strong. When it was enveloped in active negative energy and struck a target, any positive-energy material it contacted would be instantaneously neutralized.


    It was as if an eraser wiped away the affected area completely, leaving no trace behind. The neutralization effect had an incredibly high priority, rendering physical defenses utterly useless. Against the FN Blade, even the robust defenses of a metallic shell were as fragile as tofu.


    However, despite its fearsome offensive power, the FN Blade had significant drawbacks. The most critical issue was the slow production rate of the F-371 negative energy.


    This limitation was inherited from its template¡ªthe monster genes themselves generated negative energy at a sluggish pace. In initial tests, it took several hours for a test organism to generate a single layer of negative energy membrane. The HF Organ, derived from the monster genes, carried over this inefficiency.


    Additionally, F-371 would neutralize any positive-energy material it came into contact with, necessitating magnetic field containment for storage, which made it extremely difficult to preserve.


    As a result, the weapon¡¯s battlefield performance was far from ideal. It was a classic case of ¡°charging for ten hours, firing for five minutes.¡± Fortunately, the FN Blade¡¯s material itself was exceptionally durable and sharp, allowing it to penetrate most defenses even without F-371.


    Thus, against ordinary targets, the weapon could operate in standard attack mode, while the energy-enveloped attack mode could be reserved for heavily fortified defenses. This dual-mode approach gave it a degree of tactical flexibility.


    For now, Luo Wen primarily planned to use it for logistics-related tasks such as excavation, where sheer numbers could offset its shortcomings.


    The first creatures to be equipped with the FN Blade system were a newly designed Swarm beast. These creatures stood about six meters tall in their mature form and resembled bipedal werewolves.


    The humanoid design granted them agility and balance. Their muscular limbs allowed them to run on both two legs and all fours. Additionally, the efficient distribution of muscle mass provided them with excellent jumping capabilities.


    Their forelimbs featured four fingers, each ending in sharp claws roughly 30 centimeters long¡ªthe FN Blades in practical deployment. Tests showed that reducing the energy output per unit time effectively extended the FN Blade¡¯s usage duration. Considering both functionality and combat effectiveness, claw-based weapons were deemed an optimal choice.


    Moreover, in standard mode, the claws were not only powerful weapons but also excellent tools for climbing, greatly enhancing the creature¡¯s mobility.


    Luo Wen named this werewolf-like Swarm beast Redfang Breaker.


    The name itself hinted at its intended role. The Swarm currently faced limitations in breaking through defensive installations such as steel fortresses.


    During their previous skirmishes with the Riken civilization, the Swarm had been able to use toxins to quickly breach defenses due to the Rikens¡¯ subpar materials science. However, in future conflicts with the Interstellar Technological Confederation, the Swarm would likely encounter advanced defensive materials, akin to the metallic shell. In such scenarios, the Swarm could not afford to be helpless.


    The Redfang Breaker was designed to fill this gap. While the FN Blade¡¯s energy-enhanced mode had limited duration, it was more than sufficient to carve a path through formidable defenses for the Swarm.


    Initially, Luo Wen considered making the Redfang Breaker as small as possible, as overly large creatures would struggle to navigate certain passages.


    However, the FN Blade¡¯s supporting systems required considerable space. The atomic furnace and HF Organ alone made it impossible for the creature¡¯s body to be too compact.


    Despite his best efforts, Luo Wen could only shrink its mature size to six meters tall. This achievement was partly thanks to the experience he gained from miniaturizing the atomic furnace during the second-generation flesh pod design. Without that knowledge, the Redfang Breaker¡¯s prototype might have been as tall as ten meters.


    Fortunately, the Redfang Breaker could move on all fours, effectively lowering its height for traversing smaller passages.


    As Luo Wen looked at the six-meter-tall humanoid wolf before him, he nodded in satisfaction. The final product was awe-inspiring, exuding a feral, imposing aesthetic. Even from its appearance alone, one could sense its extraordinary combat capabilities.


    While the Botians¡¯ mecha warriors might appear far larger and bulkier than the Redfang Breakers, the Raiders would have no problem completely overwhelming them. The two were on entirely different levels when it came to agility and flexibility.


    The slow, lumbering movements of the mecha warriors, despite their immense strength, were laughably sluggish in the eyes of the highly dynamic and visually acute Raiders. Their movements were so slow they couldn¡¯t even be described as slow-motion anymore. ???????B§¦s?


    However, the Redfang Breaker had another notable drawback: its production cost was incredibly high. It was worth noting that the Swarm¡¯s current primary combat units¡ªthe Space Octopuses¡ªwere only outfitted with atomic furnaces if they were over 500 meters long and of primordial class.


    Yet, the Redfang Breaker not only came equipped with an atomic furnace but also included the even more expensive HF Organ, along with accompanying magnetic field containment systems, energy transmission systems, and more. The resources consumed to produce a single Redfang Breaker were equivalent to two or three primordial-class units.


    As a result, the Redfang Breaker, packed with concentrated cutting-edge technology, could only serve as an elite unit.


    Yet, the first task assigned to this prestigious elite unit was surprisingly mundane. On the metallic shell, a Redfang Breaker squatted awkwardly, digging a hole. Its motion resembled dog-paddling, with its claws moving so fast that they became a blur, creating a somewhat comical scene.


    Unfortunately, in just two minutes, its F-371 reserves were depleted, forcing it to vacate its position and move to the side to recharge. Another Raider promptly took over the digging.


    Since Planet Botian was an artificial celestial body, its mineral reserves were far lower than those of natural planets. Consequently, the Swarm¡¯s base on Botian was unable to produce many Redfang Breakers due to the high resource costs.


    As a result, the number of Raiders working at the excavation site was relatively small.


    Fortunately, the Swarm¡¯s operations in this star system were already well-established. Numerous space bases had begun producing Redfang Breakers simultaneously. Apart from maintaining resources for megastructure construction, all other available resources were funneled into Raider production.


    Compared to the primordial-class Space Octopuses, the Redfang Breakers required far less time to mature. Once hatched, they quickly developed into fully grown adults.


    Mature Redfang Breakers were transported to Botian aboard Space Octopuses, landing at the High Peak Base. The technological gap between the Swarm and the Botians was so vast that the Space Octopuses could effortlessly enter and exit the planet¡¯s atmosphere undetected.


    Since the metallic shell yielded similar results regardless of where it was excavated, the Swarm chose to establish the excavation site at the foot of High Peak Base for logistical convenience. Raiders delivered to the base were directed through tunnels dug into the mountainside, allowing them to quickly reach the worksite.


    As more Redfang Breakers arrived, the excavation site grew increasingly active. What began as a small digging operation expanded significantly. Within the pit, over a dozen Redfang Breakers were hard at work, their claws rapidly gouging into the shell in a frenzy of ¡°dog-paddling,¡± while countless others stood motionless outside the pit, recharging. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Raiders operated in shifts, swapping every two to three minutes, working tirelessly day and night. The excavation progressed rapidly, with the tunnel burrowing deeper into the metallic shell at an astonishing pace. It wouldn¡¯t be long before the secrets hidden within were uncovered.

 Chapter 452: Rejection

    In the Genesis System, the long-secluded Genesis Planet, protected by the Swarm, finally opened its doors to the outside world. The legendary Rat Folk began to reveal their mysterious presence.


    ¡°So these are the Rat Folk? Haha, they¡¯re even smaller than the records suggested.¡± In the Interstellar Technological Confederation, nearly all civilizations had dabbled in genetic technology.


    With ongoing optimization of their species, the average height among most extraterrestrial races ranged between 1.8 to 2.3 meters. The Rat Folk, with their average height of less than 1.5 meters, were a rarity.


    ¡°A frail race,¡± scoffed a member of the Ji race. His ancestral lineage was from the Black Tower Race, known for their towering height of over 2 meters and muscular physiques. From a purely physical perspective, he could easily dominate the Rat Folk.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate them. They broke one of the Ji records,¡± another Ji member reminded him.


    ¡°Tch, without the Swarm¡¯s help, they¡¯re nothing!¡± retorted the Black Tower man, still disdainful. The situation with the Rat Folk was clear to anyone paying attention. Even those who had initially been oblivious figured out the truth after spending 20 years outside the Genesis System, where internal exchanges made the reality evident.


    ¡°True.¡± The other Ji member refrained from arguing further and instead nodded in agreement with the Black Tower man.


    After such a prolonged and frustrating wait outside the Genesis System, coupled with the visibly weak appearance of the Rat Folk civilization, some grumbling was inevitable. Some Ji deliberately raised their voices loud enough for the Rat Folk delegation to hear.


    However, the Rat Folk ministers who had come to welcome them remained completely unperturbed. Being disguised intelligent entities, they were unaffected by the Ji¡¯s mockery of the Rat Folk.


    With no reaction from the Rat Folk delegation, the Ji found themselves metaphorically punching cotton. Their attempts at provocation left them even more frustrated. The Rat Folk¡¯s polite smiles only added to their annoyance. Yet they couldn¡¯t lash out physically, leaving them simmering with unvented anger.


    In this tense atmosphere, the Rat Folk held their first diplomatic meeting. However, the modest benefits offered by the Rat Folk were of little interest to anyone present, as their true objectives lay elsewhere. As a result, the Ji were not overly demanding in the negotiations, and their terms were even somewhat lenient.


    Ultimately, a preliminary trade agreement was reached, pending Elder Humes¡¯ arrival to formally sign it with the Rat Folk royalty. Some construction projects were also approved to begin ahead of schedule.


    The Rat Folk¡¯s domain was small, consisting only of one home planet and two satellite colonies. Therefore, the Trade City would have to be built on Genesis Planet. Securing land for construction wasn¡¯t an issue, but the Rat Folk¡¯s low technological capabilities meant they couldn¡¯t even perform basic asteroid mining, let alone conduct space smelting.


    As a result, all construction materials for the Trade City would have to be extracted from Genesis Planet, which was an inefficient process. The Ji requested the Swarm¡¯s assistance, reasoning that since the Swarm was the Rat Folk¡¯s ¡°inviting civilization¡± and stood to benefit from the Rat Folk¡¯s inclusion, it was only fair for them to lend a hand.


    The Rat Folk responded by sending 200,000 researchers to participate in the Ji¡¯s evaluations. Regardless of how many passed, the gesture alone was significant.


    It far surpassed the Swarm¡¯s earlier effort of sending just 3,000 researchers, which had left a poor impression. This display of enthusiasm gave Colonel Edres a sense of pride, prompting him to boast and take full ownership of the Rat Folk¡¯s engineering plans.


    However, unexpected events always occur. The Swarm declined the Ji¡¯s request on the grounds that all of their units had already withdrawn from the Genesis System. This left Colonel Edres utterly humiliated, forcing him to personally lead his fleet in hauling asteroids to assist the Rat Folk. He could do nothing but grumble under his breath while begrudgingly taking on the task.


    ¡°Captain, I heard Edres made a complete fool of himself this time?¡± Wright burst into laughter in the meeting room, his youthful arrogance still evident as he seemed yet to learn humility and respect.


    ¡°Shut up, Wright! If you keep disrespecting your superior, I¡¯ll have you locked up!¡± the Captain barked sternly. Wright was clearly the kind of person who would push boundaries if not kept in check. If left unchecked, who knew what trouble he might cause next?


    ¡°Take it easy, Captain. Wright¡¯s just young and reckless,¡± Blanca interjected, pulling Wright aside and giving him a pointed look. ¡°But about Colonel Edres¡ªI¡¯ve heard some things too. You must know the full story from the meeting, Captain. Care to share the details?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Captain, fill us in on what¡¯s happening now. The more we know, the better we can plan our next steps,¡± chimed in another Ji, a female from the Potling Tribe. This was the same race Elder Humes envied for their ability to retain youthful appearances. The Potlings were not only endowed with unique talents but were also known for their strikingly androgynous beauty.


    With their pointed ears, silky green hair, and soft, neutral features, they attracted admirers of all genders. In the most recent ¡°Most Beautiful Species of the Confederation¡± ranking, the Potlings secured third place, a testament to their universal appeal across races.


    Upon closer observation, every Ji member in the room, regardless of their specific tribe, had impressive appearances. Even Wright, as long as he kept quiet, had a surprisingly approachable demeanor. ??????????????¨º?


    ¡°All right, cut the act,¡± the Captain said with a sigh, clearly familiar with his team¡¯s antics. After a moment of hesitation, he began relaying what he knew about the situation.


    ¡°The Swarm is so unreasonable! Helping build a Trade City is nothing for them,¡± Wright blurted out indignantly after hearing the explanation.


    ¡°Exactly! The Rat Folk even sent so many researchers to participate in the tests this time. Even if only half of them pass, the Swarm will rake in a ton of points, and yet they won¡¯t lift a finger to help,¡± Amina chimed in.


    ¡°Who knows? The Rat Folk¡¯s tech level is so low. Their researchers might not pass the tests at all.¡±


    ¡°Tch. Our tests don¡¯t even rely on knowledge. As long as they have talent, they can catch up quickly. The Rat Folk don¡¯t seem like an unintelligent species. They might even pass at a rate of 70% or 80%,¡± Amina retorted with a dismissive wave.


    Wright was still new to the squad and unfamiliar with these details, which was understandable. Even with memory-assist devices, it wasn¡¯t realistic for someone as young as Wright to know everything. Amina herself had only learned about this after joining the team and studying the subject in-depth.


    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s a lot of points. Too bad the Swarm gets the lion¡¯s share.¡±


    ¡°The Rat Folk really are pitiful. They probably wanted to break free from the Swarm¡¯s clutches ages ago. This time, they¡¯re clearly willing to let the Swarm take a cut just to grab as many points as they can. Confederation-level stellar technology isn¡¯t cheap in terms of points, but even after the Swarm takes their share, the remainder should be enough for the Rat Folk to elevate themselves to the level of a standard initial Confederation member in a short time.¡± S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°So, it seems their relationship isn¡¯t as harmonious as it looks.¡±


    ¡°Of course not! You should¡¯ve seen those Rat Folk ministers hopping mad when they heard the Swarm refused to help.¡±


    ¡°You saw that?¡±


    ¡°No, I heard about it.¡±


    ¡°Tch!¡±

 Chapter 453: Intelligence

    ¡°But back then, the Swarm only sent 3,000 researchers, which probably broke a Confederation record for stinginess. With how tight-fisted they are, it¡¯s no surprise they refused to help,¡± a male team member named Art interjected.


    ¡°You¡¯re wrong there, Art. The Swarm¡¯s Empress is exceptionally shrewd; that move was a masterstroke,¡± Amina countered.


    ¡°Oh? How so?¡±


    ¡°Word on the street is that of those 3,000 researchers, only a handful remain. You get what I¡¯m saying?¡± Amina spoke cryptically, flashing a ¡°you know what I mean?¡± look.


    Art fell silent in thought, while Wright seemed to catch on and exclaimed, ¡°No way!¡±


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve still got a lot to learn. The Confederation runs deep. Stick with me, and if I¡¯m in a good mood, I might teach you a thing or two. Trust me, it¡¯ll be worth your while,¡± Amina said with a self-satisfied smirk.


    ¡°Hold on, it might not be that simple! What if all of this was orchestrated for us to see?¡± Blanca, who had been silent until now, suddenly interrupted their banter.


    The Captain nodded in agreement. ¡°I think so too. Even if their relationship isn¡¯t great, with us acting as intermediaries, it seems unlikely the Swarm would be so blatantly dismissive.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve reviewed the profile of the Swarm¡¯s Empress. She¡¯s not someone who acts on impulse.¡±


    ¡°The Koya Alliance¡¯s proposal came unexpectedly, so the Swarm likely wasn¡¯t prepared. Then they stalled us for 20 years. That suggests there¡¯s something in the Genesis System the Swarm doesn¡¯t want anyone to know about.¡±


    ¡°After 20 years, they left decisively, but now they¡¯re refusing to return. It seems they¡¯re trying to sever ties with the Genesis System entirely.¡±


    ¡°A prior internal report indicated that the Swarm first emerged in the Genesis System. This was their original stronghold. Being forced to relocate so suddenly might mean there¡¯s something they couldn¡¯t move or destroy¡­¡±


    ¡°Now, by cutting ties, they¡¯re likely trying to protect whatever it is,¡± the Captain and Blanca analyzed together, gradually piecing the puzzle together.


    By the end, Blanca¡¯s expression was one of excitement. Licking her lips, she said seductively, ¡°Secrets are good. Isn¡¯t that why we¡¯re here?¡±


    ¡°But where would the Swarm hide their secret?¡± Wright chimed in.


    For a civilization like the Ji, a star system might not seem very large, but searching it for something without knowing what it looks like? That was no small challenge.


    ¡°I think the best way is to ask the Rat Folk. They¡¯ve lived alongside the Swarm for hundreds of years; there¡¯s no way they know nothing,¡± Blanca suggested after a moment¡¯s thought.


    The Captain shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t have enough information. Even if we ask, we wouldn¡¯t know how to frame the question. We need to gather more intel ourselves first¡ªat least enough to know what to ask.¡±


    Meanwhile, the construction of the Rat Folk¡¯s Trade City was in full swing. During this bustling period, the Ji requested permission to visit Rat Folk cities under the guise of experiencing exotic cultures and learning about alien civilizations.


    Being in a position of absolute weakness, the Rat Folk couldn¡¯t refuse the Ji¡¯s many requests. However, they cited their lack of prior contact with non-Swarm civilizations as a reason to limit the Ji¡¯s access to only two weeks. Future openness would depend on public feedback.


    The Ji teams set out, with most genuinely looking to experience Rat Folk life, though some had ulterior motives disguised by the pretense of tourism.


    Two weeks later, the squad regrouped.


    ¡°Damn it, I¡¯m losing my mind,¡± Wright exclaimed as soon as he entered the meeting room.


    ¡°What¡¯s the matter, kid? Were you overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the Rat Folk females?¡± Amina teased.


    Wright froze for a moment, then responded, ¡°As charming as I am, I don¡¯t think my height meets the preferences of female Rat Folk. Besides, they don¡¯t fit my taste either. I was focused on my work, okay? How could I mix personal and professional matters to do¡­ that?¡± ???¨°§£?????


    ¡°Tch, you¡¯ve got a history, kid. But go on, if it wasn¡¯t some frivolous escapade, then what¡¯s got you so worked up?¡± Amina¡¯s rapid shifts in thought nearly threw Wright off, but after pausing to collect himself, he finally got back to his original point.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it. I went to one of the Rat Folk cities and stayed there for a few days. While shopping and mingling, I asked a lot of questions. They claimed not to know what the Swarm is!¡±


    Seeing Amina raise her eyebrows but show no surprise, Wright took a moment to gather himself before continuing. ¡°At first, I thought I was talking to the wrong crowd. So I tried approaching Rat Folk from different professions and even visited two more cities. The result? They all said the same thing¡ªthey don¡¯t know what the Swarm is!¡±


    The Captain waited for Wright to finish, then gestured to an empty chair. ¡°Sit down. We¡¯ve already been briefed on this. Do you have any other information?¡±


    Wright shook his head and obediently took his seat. As the youngest member of the team, he had arrived late to the meeting. His exaggerated performance had successfully diverted attention from his tardiness. Now that his goal was achieved, he wisely chose to lower his profile and let the matter pass.


    ¡°This is truly bizarre. Two civilizations living side by side for centuries, and yet one doesn¡¯t know the other exists? How amusing,¡± the Captain remarked as the meeting resumed.


    ¡°The Rat Folk are lying. Their leaders clearly know about the Swarm,¡± Blanca said, frowning.


    ¡°Our schedule and interactions were entirely random. There¡¯s no way they could¡¯ve prepared in advance. And even if they had, what would they gain from this?¡±


    ¡°It is strange. I don¡¯t see how this benefits them at all.¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Ordinary citizens have no idea the Swarm exists, while their leaders are desperate to distance themselves. What exactly is going on between the Rat Folk and the Swarm?¡±


    ¡°Now that I think about it, the Rat Folk leaders¡¯ behavior during the negotiations felt too deliberate. I can¡¯t tell if they were genuinely trying to sever ties or just putting on a show.¡±


    ¡°Could they be staging this on purpose? But what do they want us to believe?¡±


    ¡°A mix of truth and lies, perhaps to make us overthink and divert our attention. It¡¯s a classic tactic to hide something bigger.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s possible. But what is the real secret?¡±


    ¡°Wait!¡± Blanca, who had been mostly silent since the meeting began, suddenly spoke up, cutting off the discussion.


    ¡°What is it, Blanca?¡± the Captain asked. Blanca was a veteran team member and, in the Captain¡¯s opinion, the second smartest person in the squad after himself.


    ¡°Have you considered that by fixating on this so-called ¡®real secret,¡¯ you¡¯ve already been distracted?¡± Blanca didn¡¯t beat around the bush and stated her point directly.


    Her words hit the team like a wake-up call. They realized they had been led into a mental trap. Continuing down this path would either yield minimal results or ensnare them further in layer upon layer of misdirection.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± someone cursed.

 Chapter 454: Strategy

    The Captain pondered for a moment. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then they¡¯re trying to focus our attention on the relationship between the Swarm and the Rat Folk. Could it be that they¡¯re attempting to downplay the fact that ordinary Rat Folk don¡¯t even know about the Swarm¡¯s existence?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s very possible,¡± someone agreed.


    ¡°Everyone, keep discussing. I¡¯ll take some time to visit Colonel Edres.¡±


    Two hours later, the Captain returned.


    ¡°Well, Captain, did you find anything new?¡± Wright asked eagerly.


    ¡°I inquired with Colonel Edres about some details. According to his recollection, when we first proposed visiting Rat Folk cities, their high-ranking officials were very welcoming. They proactively arranged guides and were quite enthusiastic,¡± the Captain said, frowning. ¡°But when our team suggested free exploration, their expressions changed immediately. They seemed caught off guard and extremely unwilling, offering some flimsy excuses to refuse.¡±


    The Captain, recalling his conversation with Edres, continued, ¡°But Colonel Edres and his team were firm and made it clear that refusal wasn¡¯t an option. The Rat Folk leadership had no choice but to agree. However, they still insisted on limiting the visit to 15 days, claiming that their people were highly conservative and unaccustomed to interacting with alien species.¡±


    ¡°Heh, in hindsight, they weren¡¯t lying about that. The Rat Folk really haven¡¯t met any alien species,¡± the Captain concluded with a wry laugh.


    ¡°This is truly bizarre,¡± Amina remarked. ¡°The Rat Folk have been living side by side with the Swarm for centuries. The leaders know about the Swarm, but the general population doesn¡¯t. Is this the doing of the Rat Folk leadership? Or the Swarm?¡±


    ¡°We need more information,¡± Blanca said softly. ¡°Previously, our time was too limited, and our goals were unclear. We weren¡¯t able to gather targeted intelligence. Captain, I request permission to conduct another in-depth investigation into Rat Folk society. This time, we also need access to their intranet.¡±


    The Captain sighed and shook his head. ¡°I already discussed this with Colonel Edres earlier. He contacted the Rat Folk leadership about it, but their response was swift and resolute, a complete refusal.¡±


    ¡°What? How dare they?¡± Wright blurted out in disbelief.


    ¡°I¡¯m increasingly convinced there¡¯s a significant secret buried here,¡± Amina said with a sly smile. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering this whole time,¡± Blanca added with a grin as though she¡¯d just figured something out. ¡°In 20 years, the Swarm had no problem destroying their megastructures. So what could they possibly leave behind that they couldn¡¯t move or destroy? Now, it¡¯s starting to make sense¡ªit¡¯s these Rat Folk civilians, isn¡¯t it? The Swarm couldn¡¯t just kill them all.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± the Captain agreed. ¡°This explanation ties up many loose ends. Besides, it¡¯s not that the Swarm couldn¡¯t; it¡¯s that they didn¡¯t dare. They can ignore us, but they can¡¯t ignore the entire Ji race.¡± His voice carried a tone of pride for his powerful civilization.


    ¡°But what should we do now?¡± Wright asked, scratching his head. ¡°Even though the formal agreement hasn¡¯t been signed, the Rat Folk are essentially members of the Confederation now. We can¡¯t openly go against their wishes. Who knows how the media would twist the story?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± the Captain admitted. ¡°The Rat Folk are likely on high alert against us now.¡±


    ¡°Captain, what if we use¡­ unconventional methods?¡± Amina suggested with a mischievous glint in her eye.


    The Ji¡¯s technology was nothing short of extraordinary. With their personal stealth battle suits, avoiding the Rat Folk¡¯s monitoring systems was a breeze. Additionally, the full-spectrum simulation system allowed them to disguise themselves as Rat Folk. By being cautious, they could potentially ask some naive Rat Folk civilians a few questions without raising suspicion.


    However, the significant height disparity between the Ji and the diminutive Rat Folk made the risk of exposure quite high. If the Swarm were to get involved, that risk would increase even further.


    Besides, the kind of questions they intended to ask would already sound strange to the Rat Folk. It would be akin to walking down a street on Earth and asking random passersby if they¡¯d seen Ultraman, claiming Ultraman had been living among them for hundreds of years. Such a question would likely get them labeled as lunatics¡ªor worse, reported to the authorities.


    Even though the Rat Folk civilians might not understand the situation, their leaders would undoubtedly piece things together if they caught wind of it. And once exposed, the Ji team would be held accountable. A misstep like this required extra caution.


    After weighing the risks, the Captain shook his head. ¡°No. While the Rat Folk civilians aren¡¯t much of a concern, there¡¯s a good chance the Swarm could intervene. Their technology is strange, and we can¡¯t be sure if we can evade their surveillance. In a diplomatic context like this, we have to tread carefully.¡±


    ¡°So, what do we do? Just sit here and wait?¡± someone asked, clearly frustrated.


    ¡°I¡¯ll report this issue to Colonel Edres, explain the stakes, and ask him to advocate for us as much as possible,¡± the Captain replied after a moment of thought. ??????????????¦¥????


    He figured it was better to pass the buck. However, he also realized that if Edres couldn¡¯t deliver, his own team¡¯s failure to complete their mission would still land him in trouble.


    ¡°Warwick,¡± the Captain turned to a male team member, ¡°can you access their intranet?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t have authorization,¡± Warwick shrugged.


    ¡°I already asked about this earlier. The Rat Folk said they¡¯re ¡®discussing it.¡¯ Who knows when, or if, they¡¯ll decide. Right now, I need you to get creative. Think of some alternative methods. Can you manage that?¡±


    ¡°Heh, during my little ¡®tour,¡¯ I happened to leave something behind in one of the Rat Folk cities. If the Captain can secure permission to use our signal reception radar, I can handle it discreetly. No one will suspect a thing,¡± Warwick said with a sly grin.


    ¡°Can you ensure you bypass the Swarm¡¯s monitoring systems?¡± the Captain pressed.


    ¡°No problem. The Swarm¡¯s technology is biological. Even if they¡¯ve dabbled in networks, they won¡¯t be on par with us. Our tech is leagues ahead,¡± Warwick assured, patting his chest confidently.


    The Captain nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll get the authorization as soon as possible. I want you to scour the Rat Folk¡¯s intranet for any suspicious information.¡±


    ¡°Whoa, that¡¯s a massive workload. If you need results quickly, I¡¯ll need some help,¡± Warwick said with a mock groan.


    ¡°Until Colonel Edres gets results, everyone else is without a task. For now, follow Warwick¡¯s lead and get it done quickly,¡± the Captain ordered.


    ¡°Understood, Captain!¡± the team responded in unison.


    The Captain nodded and hurriedly left the meeting room. While tampering with online data was complicated, it wasn¡¯t impossible for the Rat Folk leadership to pull off. If there were any modifications made to cover up information, it would likely require extra effort to uncover.


    The Captain didn¡¯t have high hopes for Warwick¡¯s success. He believed that the most critical intelligence would require physical infiltration into the Rat Folk¡¯s inner workings. He had a feeling that once the mystery was unraveled, it would be a significant achievement for their team.


    But before that could happen, he needed to press Colonel Edres to expedite their authorization to reenter Rat Folk society.

 Chapter 455: Discussion

    ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡±


    ¡°Relax, it¡¯s a piece of cake,¡± Warwick replied smugly. Thanks to the technological disparity and their advanced tools, the Rat Folk¡¯s intranet defenses were practically non-existent to him.


    ¡°Warwick, set up access permissions for us as well. Everyone, follow the division of labor we just discussed and start combing through your respective categories,¡± Blanca instructed.


    Though the Captain had delegated command to Warwick, Blanca had effectively taken the reins.


    Thus began an intense period of activity. The team had already studied the Rat Folk¡¯s language and writing system beforehand, so navigating their intranet posed no difficulty.


    A few hours later:


    ¡°This is really strange¡­¡± Amina murmured, deep in thought. She had been tasked with investigating the Rat Folk¡¯s history.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did you find something unusual?¡± Blanca asked.


    ¡°The Rat Folk¡¯s history is astonishingly short. According to their own historical records, nearly a thousand years ago, a fireball fell from the sky, wiping out the apex predators of the food chain at the time. This allowed a lower-tier species called Tail Lard Rats to rise and eventually evolve into the present-day Rat Folk.¡±


    Everyone had been vaguely aware of the unusual nature of the Rat Folk¡¯s history, but Amina¡¯s findings confirmed their suspicions. The Ji¡¯s monitoring mechanism for star systems was meticulous.


    Uninhabited systems were surveyed every 5,000 years, while systems with life were checked every 1,000 years. Once intelligent life emerged, surveillance equipment was installed for regular monitoring. Depending on the circumstances, Treasure Starships might also be deployed.


    The intervals might seem long, but given the timeframes involved in the evolution of life¡ªbillions of years to develop life, hundreds of millions for intelligence, and further eons for civilizations¡ªthis system was exceptionally efficient and practical.


    ¡°So, that fireball was a large meteorite?¡± someone asked.


    ¡°Exactly. I just obtained authorization to access our database and cross-checked the records. Coincidentally, when the meteorite struck Planet Genesis, it happened during one of our routine millennial inspections. The inspectors noticed the meteorite but chose not to intervene, adhering to the principle of minimal interference. According to the records, Planet Genesis was dominated by reptiles at the time. The meteorite impact drastically altered the ecosystem, leading to a mass extinction of reptiles. However, the inspectors didn¡¯t stay to observe the aftermath and simply recorded the event before leaving,¡± Amina explained, reading from the documents.


    ¡°So our records align with the Rat Folk¡¯s history?¡±


    ¡°Precisely. Less than a millennium later, the remains of those reptiles were still well-preserved, and the terrain altered by the meteorite impact was largely unchanged. Although the Rat Folk¡¯s technological level is rudimentary, they¡¯ve been able to piece together the cause-and-effect from these clues.¡±


    ¡°So, are you saying your main concern is that their history is too short?¡± Amina asked. ¡°It¡¯s true that a normal species takes at least tens of thousands of years to evolve from ignorance to civilization. But the Rat Folk rose from prey species to their current state in less than a thousand years. That¡¯s definitely not the result of natural evolution.¡±


    Amina shook her head. As someone responsible for researching historical records and a specialist in biological evolution, she had long pondered these glaring issues. It wasn¡¯t something she¡¯d bring up now.


    ¡°What I find puzzling is that the Rat Folk record that meteorite impact as ¡®divine punishment.¡¯ And this description appears consistently, whether on unofficial forums or their official websites.¡±


    Hearing this, everyone furrowed their brows, considering the implications.


    Wright scratched his head, frustrated by the cryptic nature of the discussion. ¡°What¡¯s so strange about that?¡±


    ¡°I get it now!¡± interjected Art, another team member. ¡°In the early stages of ignorance, a species often develops primitive worship. However, as they progress, they eventually understand that such beliefs are just illusions. Some civilizations discard those beliefs entirely, turning to science and recognizing that the mysteries of the universe can eventually be explained scientifically. If they don¡¯t understand yet, it¡¯s just because their technology isn¡¯t advanced enough.


    ¡°But other civilizations elevate these primitive beliefs during their development, transforming them into spiritual totems that serve as a source of guidance and discipline.¡± ??????¨®§£§§????


    ¡°So which category do the Rat Folk fall into?¡± Wright couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Art raised a hand, signaling for Wright to be patient. As a historian and religious expert, he explained the answer in his own way.


    ¡°Logically, the Rat Folk should fall into the first category. Their evolution happened so rapidly that they likely didn¡¯t even have time to develop primitive worship before emerging from ignorance. But the reality is quite the opposite. Their descriptions¡ªespecially the authoritative information from official sources¡ªshouldn¡¯t contain misleading language. According to the Rat Folk, they genuinely believe in the existence of a god.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Wright exclaimed. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Now do you see what¡¯s strange?¡± Art replied.


    Warwick scratched his head and said, ¡°The Rat Folk are abnormal to begin with. Maybe we shouldn¡¯t use conventional reasoning to analyze them.¡±


    ¡°True, but Art¡¯s analysis is still valuable. Consider this: if the Rat Folk¡¯s ignorant phase was incredibly short, but both the public and the official narrative affirm the existence of a god, perhaps the god they recorded truly existed,¡± Amina suggested.


    ¡°The Rat Folk have great reverence for their god. I noticed this in their interactions,¡± said a female team member who specialized in social relations. Her insight hinted that she had uncovered something during her research on the Rat Folk¡¯s intranet.


    ¡°Could this so-called god actually be the Swarm?¡± Wright suggested. ¡°For a biological civilization like the Swarm, achieving something like this shouldn¡¯t be difficult. The reason the Rat Folk civilians don¡¯t know about the Swarm could be because of different terminology. We call them the Swarm, but they refer to them as their god.¡±


    ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s a plausible idea, Wright. I¡¯m impressed,¡± Amina said with exaggerated admiration, earning her a disdainful gesture from Wright.


    She continued, ¡°But where did the Swarm come from? I¡¯ve reviewed the inspection records from a thousand years ago and even the previous fifty thousand years. There¡¯s absolutely no mention of the Swarm.¡±


    The discussion circled back to the starting point, and everyone fell into deep thought.


    The Swarm¡¯s appearance dates back to roughly the same thousand-year period when the Rat Folk emerged. Wright¡¯s theory was highly plausible. However, if the Swarm created the Rat Folk, then where did the Swarm come from?


    At this moment, the social relations expert spoke again. ¡°I¡¯ve carefully studied the Rat Folk¡¯s vocabulary. When it comes to descriptive terms, they have incredibly precise and detailed distinctions. In their understanding, their god is described as an individual, not a collective or a group. This is a concept that¡¯s very hard to misinterpret.¡±

 Chapter 456: The Key

    ¡°Silja, are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°Of course! I wouldn¡¯t joke about something like this, especially not now,¡± Silja, the social relations expert, replied firmly.


    The clues they had painstakingly pieced together seemed to hit another snag. If the Rat Folk¡¯s so-called god wasn¡¯t the Swarm, then what could it be?


    ¡°Does anyone have any other findings?¡± Blanca asked, her purple markings furrowing deeply in frustration. It seemed their inability to uncover the truth was due to a lack of sufficient information.


    When the others shook their heads, Blanca clapped her hands to encourage them. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ve only just accessed the Rat Folk¡¯s intranet. We¡¯re still unfamiliar with it, and the time we¡¯ve had so far is far too short. It¡¯s normal not to have any major breakthroughs yet. Keep at it.¡±


    In the days that followed, as they delved deeper into the Rat Folk¡¯s data, they uncovered more information bit by bit.


    ¡°I found something interesting on a rather obscure website,¡± Amina reported first. ¡°It said that after the so-called divine punishment, the Rat Folk were guided by their god to survive those harsh years. However, for over ten generations, their ancestors lived underground and never saw the sunlight.¡±


    ¡°That sounds exaggerated. I¡¯ve looked into their records, and while the Rat Folk have short lifespans, they still average around sixty years. If we calculate ten generations, they should¡¯ve only recently emerged from underground,¡± Wright scoffed.


    ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Silja interjected. ¡°I¡¯ve found that the Rat Folk tend to be a rather precise and meticulous species. They rarely exaggerate.¡±


    ¡°Clamer!¡± Blanca suddenly called out.


    A male Ji team member nodded, his fingers dancing rapidly across the input device before him. Soon, a virtual sphere appeared on the screen.


    After reviewing the data displayed, he said, ¡°Over the past few days, with Warwick¡¯s help, we¡¯ve reconstructed a model of Genesis Planet. Using surveillance records, remnants on the planet¡¯s surface, and some of the Rat Folk¡¯s records, I¡¯ve roughly calculated the mass, composition, velocity, and angle of the meteorite that struck Genesis Planet. After factoring in atmospheric data from a thousand years ago, the impact would¡¯ve kicked up enough dust to block sunlight¡ªbut only for less than a century.¡±


    Blanca nodded in satisfaction. ¡°So, if the Rat Folk¡¯s records are accurate, their average lifespan a thousand years ago must have been less than ten years?¡± Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°They likely hadn¡¯t started evolving at that point. Considering their poor medical conditions and harsh external environment, it¡¯s possible their lifespan was that short. However, it¡¯s rare for a species to show such drastic changes within the same lineage. I suggest examining skeletal remains from different periods to get more accurate data,¡± said one of the Ji team members, an expert in life sciences.


    Blanca nodded again. ¡°We¡¯ll consider that if the opportunity arises. But I still think the Swarm must have played a role in this.¡±


    ¡°Highly likely,¡± another team member agreed. ¡°The longevity plants from the Riken Star System were obtained from the Swarm. Additionally, records show that the Swarm Empress and a few of her ministers who¡¯ve appeared in public haven¡¯t aged at all. With their technology, extending the Rat Folk¡¯s lifespan wouldn¡¯t be an issue.¡±


    Blanca agreed and meticulously recorded these findings, flagging the lifespan-related issue as a key point. Longevity-related topics were often prioritized in research.


    If the Ji in the Riken Star System learned of this, those research fanatics might even resort to abducting Rat Folk to uncover the Swarm¡¯s methods. After all, they had been coveting the Swarm¡¯s technology for a long time.


    ¡°Anything else?¡± Blanca asked, ready to jot down additional findings.


    Silja raised her hand to speak. ¡°I¡¯ve discovered that our assumption about the Rat Folk civilians not knowing about the Swarm is incorrect.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I forged a Rat Folk identity, registered some social media accounts, and attempted to interact with Rat Folk from different social strata.¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t outright ask them if they knew about the Swarm, did you?¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Wright!¡±


    Silja rolled her eyes. ¡°Of course not. I wasn¡¯t that direct. I posed as a Rat Folk and asked them what they thought about ¡®our colonies and fleets¡¯.¡±


    ¡°What did they say?¡±


    ¡°They believe all of those things belong to them,¡± Silja shrugged. ¡°Especially the less educated Rat Folk¡ªthey don¡¯t care at all. Rat Folk society offers substantial welfare benefits. They can live comfortably without working, and the only thing their government requires of them is to have children.¡± ????a??????¨¨S?


    A Ji team member raised his hand to interject. ¡°The Rat Folk government shares very little information about events beyond Genesis Planet. Only on highly specialized websites can you find details like a new colony being built or a specific ship model entering service. Moreover, the Rat Folk impose strict controls on astronomical telescopes and observation equipment, so ordinary civilians have little to no understanding of what¡¯s happening in space.¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± Silja continued. ¡°The Rat Folk I mentioned don¡¯t care about these things. However, the well-educated Rat Folk clearly know something. When I used accounts posing as ordinary Rat Folk to talk to them, they were vague and evasive, even subtly probing for my personal information. But when I used an account posing as a senior engineer, they were more open. Although reluctant to speak much, the details in their words made it clear that they were aware of the Swarm¡¯s existence.¡±


    Seeing everyone intently absorbing her report, Silja added, ¡°I believe the Rat Folk have been deliberately divided into two groups. One group remains ignorant and complacent, tasked only with increasing the population. The other group is exposed to the truth of the world.¡±


    ¡°Keeping the masses ignorant to avoid distractions while allowing the elite to execute plans effectively¡ªwhat an intriguing system,¡± Blanca remarked with a click of her tongue. ¡°The Rat Folk ruler who devised this strategy was quite visionary. Can you pinpoint when they implemented this policy?¡±


    Art raised his hand. ¡°Based on historical records, the Rat Folk transitioned from a confederation of nations to a unified state in less than a century. After unification, the first Empress concentrated the entire nation¡¯s resources on developing space technology. However, curiously, after their first lunar rocket failed, there are almost no subsequent records. I used to think they abandoned their space ambitions due to resource constraints, but after hearing Silja¡¯s findings, it seems more likely that they used that time to divide their society.¡±


    ¡°The first Empress?¡±


    ¡°Yes! A remarkable ruler who reigned for decades, founding the Kerrigan Dynasty, which continues to this day. The Rat Folk deeply revere her. It¡¯s said that when she passed away, a blood rain fell from the sky, and they believed the heavens themselves mourned their queen.¡±


    ¡°What was her name?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s another peculiar point. All the records refer to her as the ¡®First Empress¡¯ or the ¡®Kerrigan Empress.¡¯ I¡¯ve found no mention of her personal name.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps the Rat Folk sought to deify her, given their beliefs,¡± Wright scoffed dismissively. ¡°A native ruler, no matter how impressive, is still just that¡ªwhat¡¯s the big deal?¡±


    But Blanca fell into deep thought. ¡°Is there anyone else in Rat Folk history granted such an honor?¡±


    ¡°None,¡± Art said with certainty after a moment of thought. Amina, also responsible for historical research, nodded in agreement.


    ¡°Interesting. I have a feeling the identity of this First Empress holds crucial information. Uncovering it might help us complete our mission more effectively.¡±

 Chapter 457: Progress

    ¡°What Wright just said makes sense. Maybe the Rat Folk really do intend to deify their First Empress. But have you considered this? The Rat Folk believe in these things¡ªthey understand what it means to have a god. Whether their god represents the Swarm or something else, a native empress daring to place herself on the same level yet being neither stopped nor punished, living out her natural lifespan, and continuing to be celebrated to this day¡ªisn¡¯t that, in itself, very strange?¡± Blanca analyzed.


    ¡°It¡¯s true. If I raised a colony of ants and their queen dared to place herself on equal footing with me and divide my authority, I¡¯d dump a bucket of hot water on them without hesitation,¡± Wright joked with a grin.


    ¡°Maybe the relationship between the Rat Folk and the Swarm is far closer than we¡¯ve imagined.¡±


    ¡°Yes, especially considering the Rat Folk¡¯s backward technology and their mere two satellite colonies. Their societal segmentation plan seems utterly pointless.¡±


    ¡°Unless they gained some significant benefits from it!¡±


    ¡°Exactly! For those upper-level elites who know the truth to willingly maintain such a divide, lofty ideals wouldn¡¯t be enough. There has to be substantial benefit involved.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps there are also restrictions, like limited quotas? That would give them a strong incentive to protect the secret and prevent more competitors from taking a share.¡±


    ¡°Such benefits must be incredibly tempting.¡±


    ¡°Silja, can you continue to pose as a Rat Folk and extract more intelligence?¡± Blanca asked.


    Silja considered the question before responding. ¡°They¡¯re extremely cautious, and they seem to have some sort of screening mechanism. I¡¯ve already attracted some attention, and it was only with Warwick¡¯s help that I managed to extricate myself. If we¡¯re not worried about causing a diplomatic incident, I could try again.¡±


    ¡°Can you guarantee results?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s unlikely. Even with individuals at the same level, they¡¯re reluctant to share much. It seems they really don¡¯t want to increase competition.¡±


    ¡°That won¡¯t work. Without sufficient evidence or clear benefits, the Elders won¡¯t approve violating Confederation regulations. We still need to tread carefully,¡± Blanca said, shaking her head. ¡°For now, we can only hope the Captain makes progress. We need more intelligence to uncover the truth.¡±


    ¡°Once we obtain permission, perhaps we should consider visiting the Rat Folk¡¯s colonies next. The societal hierarchy there might reveal more.¡±


    ¡°Agreed.¡±


    Unfortunately, the much-anticipated efforts of Colonel Edres and the Captain bore little fruit. Multiple applications and requests to the Rat Folk were met with various rejections and excuses.


    Nearly a year passed before the situation took a turn.


    Elder Humes, the Ji¡¯s permanent representative in this region, arrived at Planet Genesis. His purpose was to sign the formal Confederation membership agreement with the Rat Folk. Both the Riken and the Swarm had undergone this process in the past.


    As one of the highest decision-makers of the Ji, Elder Humes was in a completely different league from an engineering team leader or a nameless squad captain. The current Rat Folk Emperor personally welcomed him. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The signing of the agreement went smoothly, as it was little more than a ceremonial formality. However, after the meeting, Elder Humes expressed his concern on behalf of the Ji regarding the Rat Folk¡¯s refusal to allow Ji personnel into their cities for tourism.


    The Rat Folk could afford to ignore the requests of engineers and minor captains, but they could not ignore an Elder of the Ji. Thus, the Rat Folk reopened their cities to the Ji.


    ¡°Elders really get things done!¡±


    ¡°Absolutely, they sure do!¡± the team exclaimed in agreement.


    ¡°Too bad Elder Humes is too old, and he doesn¡¯t fit my aesthetic.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Do you have something in mind?¡±


    ¡°Hehe~¡±


    The intelligence team set off again on their spacecraft, the mood lively with chatter and laughter. The Captain, however, sat quietly, veins bulging on his forehead. Their new target was the Red Moon Colony, a Rat Folk settlement. ?¨¤??????§§¡ì


    Initially, the Rat Folk had refused to allow access, but they eventually relented after some ¡°civilized discussions¡± led by Elder Humes, who had yet to leave Planet Genesis.


    ¡°Everyone, stay cautious and prioritize safety. I¡¯m not sure if the Rat Folk might lash out when we get close to the truth,¡± the Captain warned as the spacecraft began its descent.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Captain, we¡¯re all seasoned professionals. We¡¯ll handle this.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Besides, the Rat Folk wouldn¡¯t dare to do anything.¡±


    The Captain remained silent, choosing not to argue further.


    The Red Moon Colony was located within a massive planetary crater. Most of the settlement was underground, with only a few structures visible on the surface, including a handful of landing pads.


    ¡°This place is so bare-bones!¡± Wright complained.


    ¡°With the Rat Folk¡¯s technological level, even building a colony is an achievement,¡± another team member retorted.


    After disembarking from the spacecraft, the team was greeted at the hatch by several Rat Folk officials. Following a brief introduction, the group proceeded into the colony¡¯s interior.


    ¡°Honored guests, please forgive the simplicity of our facilities. We have a small staff, and everyone is occupied with their duties, so we cannot hold a formal welcome ceremony,¡± one of the Rat Folk officials said politely.


    ¡°No problem, we¡¯re just here to take a casual look around,¡± the Captain responded courteously.


    While pleasantries were exchanged at the front, the Ji team members at the back began their covert operations. Due to the colony¡¯s outer space environment, their protective suits were bulkier, allowing them to conceal more integrated equipment.


    ¡°Wright, you¡¯re at the rear. Collect samples while the rest of us provide cover,¡± Blanca instructed, temporarily taking command from the Captain. She issued orders in an obscure dialect from a civilization on the far side of the Confederation¡¯s territory¡ªso obscure that even few members of that civilization understood it, let alone the Rat Folk.


    Wright, following orders, pretended to casually brush his hand against the wall. A thin steel needle extended from his palm, functioning as a sampling device. It was incredibly sturdy, piercing the wall like it was tofu. Once the sample was taken, the needle retracted in an instant, and Wright lowered his hand. The wall bore a nearly imperceptible pinhole.


    As they continued their tour, they encountered surprisingly few Rat Folk. It was unclear whether this was due to the colony¡¯s small population or a deliberate message of unwelcomeness. By the end of the day, aside from the officials greeting them, the Ji team hadn¡¯t seen a single other Rat Folk.


    ¡ª


    Nighttime ¨C Rest Area


    ¡°Captain, we¡¯ve checked. No surveillance equipment here.¡±


    ¡°Captain, no bio-signatures detected. This room is completely free of other life forms,¡± two team members reported after scanning the room with their devices.


    ¡°It seems the Rat Folk know exactly why we¡¯re here. They¡¯re cautious of us but are avoiding leaving any evidence behind,¡± the Captain mused.


    ¡°Hmph, they¡¯re being overly defensive. I can understand empty research facilities, but not seeing anyone in the living quarters? They definitely had advance notice and locked this place down.¡±


    ¡°All right, does anyone have any findings from today?¡±


    ¡°I analyzed the samples Wright collected,¡± another team member reported. ¡°The colony¡¯s construction materials are standard, nothing out of the ordinary. However, the structures seem to be much newer than expected¡ªless than a century old. This contradicts their official records.¡±

 Chapter 458: Infiltration

    ¡°Could it be partial renovations?¡± the Captain asked.


    ¡°Unlikely. Wright collected samples from a wide area, but the data is almost identical. Unless the entire colony was overhauled, this result wouldn¡¯t make sense.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± The Captain fell into contemplation.


    The team member who had spoken earlier thought for a moment before continuing, ¡°I¡¯ve also discovered another issue. While the Rat Folk¡¯s construction materials are average, the wear and tear on their colony floors is remarkably low. Particularly in the residential areas, which should see heavy foot traffic, the floors show almost the same level of wear as the sparsely used equipment zones. At first, I thought the residential areas had been refurbished, but testing revealed that the materials for all the floors came from the same batch.¡±


    ¡°So this means the colony is just for show? It¡¯s barely been used?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s one way to look at it.¡±


    ¡°If the Rat Folk don¡¯t use it, then¡­¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? This colony must have originally belonged to the Swarm. For some reason¡ªmaybe their impending alliance with the Confederation, or perhaps due to the Riken incident¡ªthey foresaw certain events and constructed this colony. It was built specifically to appease us. Their evasiveness is just a ploy to lure us in.¡±


    ¡°Then why go to such lengths? To declare themselves as the true owners?¡±


    ¡°I think it¡¯s an effort to sever their connection with the Swarm. Consider this: this colony is the closest point to Planet Genesis. If even this location belonged to the Swarm, the Rat Folk would have no place to grow outside their homeworld. Yet, the entire Rat Folk elite class has gone to great lengths to conceal this connection. Such cohesion can¡¯t be achieved through sheer force.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Looking back, the Rat Folk¡¯s actions, along with the Swarm¡¯s eagerness to abandon the Genesis System, all seem calculated to make their relationship appear less intimate.¡±


    ¡°So, if we think in reverse, their relationship¡­¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, we realized the Genesis System¡¯s anomalies too late. By the time we deployed surveillance systems, the Swarm had already developed the means to counter them, leaving us almost entirely blind to the past thousand years in the system.¡±


    ¡°No matter. I feel we¡¯re close to the truth.¡±


    ¡°But the Rat Folk are guarding against us, and we haven¡¯t uncovered anything significant in the data. What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we need to be more direct,¡± Blanca suddenly suggested.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± The Captain was startled.


    ¡°Exactly what it sounds like! We¡¯ve already shown our hand. Future opportunities to gather intelligence will only diminish unless the Confederation sends another team, which would mean we failed our mission. I don¡¯t want a failure on my record.¡±


    ¡°But this could cause a diplomatic incident.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll be careful. This area is sparsely populated¡ªperfect for covert action.¡±


    After weighing the risks and benefits, the Captain finally agreed to Blanca¡¯s proposal. ¡°In that case, the sooner, the better. Warwick, can you infiltrate the colony¡¯s management system?¡± ??????????????¨¨?


    Warwick immediately pulled several portable devices from his bag. After scanning the room, he cut a small panel from a corner, revealing a data port and connecting a cable.


    After a series of operations, Warwick gave a thumbs-up, signaling success.


    The Captain nodded in satisfaction. Reliable teammates are the key to mission success. ¡°Warwick, infiltrate their network backend, take control of the surveillance system, and pull up the distribution of all personnel within the base.¡±


    Warwick nodded, his fingers deftly tapping away. Soon, he projected the surveillance feeds from his device onto a screen. The display split into countless small grids, each representing a surveillance camera feed from the Rat Folk base.


    ¡°Now hack into their personnel management system and let¡¯s identify which of our little friends will be our target.¡±


    The Rat Folk¡¯s network defenses were no match for Ji technology. In no time, the individuals with the highest clearance within the base were flagged on the surveillance feeds.


    After some comparison, the team settled on two targets. The first was the head of a laboratory, currently alone in a remote lab. With high status and no companions, he was an ideal target.


    The second target was one of their guides from earlier: the base¡¯s administrative officer, who was resting in the residential area. Though the residential zone was populated, the officer¡¯s royal lineage granted him a spacious private room. With careful handling, the team could avoid alerting others.


    ¡°Warwick, map out the optimal route for us in real-time, disable surveillance along the way, and maintain communications,¡± the Captain instructed, eyeing the team readying themselves.


    Warwick patted his chest in assurance and gave a confident thumbs-up.


    After a round of mutual nods for confirmation, the team slipped out of their room silently when Warwick gave the signal.


    ¡°Activate your auxiliary devices,¡± the Captain reminded.


    All Ji team members wore sealed helmets equipped with numerous integrated functions. Most importantly, the helmets allowed secure internal communication. Their auxiliary suits provided optical camouflage and noise-dampening, rendering the seven or eight individuals in the corridor invisible to the naked eye.


    ¡°Amina, monitor life signals and report any abnormalities.¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡± Amina replied. Since this was not only Rat Folk territory but also potentially contained Swarm assets, specialized scanners for biological threats were essential.


    ¡°Warwick, confirm comms.¡±


    ¡°Comms are clear, Captain. Five meters ahead, the laser alarm system has been disabled. Proceed immediately.¡±


    Without wasting words, the Captain signaled the team with a hand gesture, and they moved through the path with precision.


    ¡°One hundred meters ahead, turn right. All alarms along the way have been neutralized. Be cautious¡ªthere are two Rat Folk in a room fifty meters to your left. There¡¯s a blind spot in the surveillance, so I can¡¯t track their movements. Proceed carefully.¡±


    The Captain silently toggled his helmet¡¯s vision mode to enhanced infrared. Two faint heat signatures appeared in the room ahead. Seeing that the individuals were far from the doors and windows, he signaled for the team to move swiftly past.


    Step by step, they advanced without incident toward the laboratory. Its secluded location made it the easiest target for action.


    ¡°Captain, there¡¯s been a change. Target A just left the lab,¡± Warwick reported.


    ¡°Hold position and stay hidden. Warwick, keep observing.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s meeting with several other Rat Folk. It looks like a meeting or some kind of discussion.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± the Captain cursed under his breath. Meetings involving researchers were notoriously unpredictable, and the team couldn¡¯t afford to waste time waiting. ¡°Move to Target B. Warwick, map out the new route.¡± sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The team quickly changed direction. This time, fortune favored them. Leveraging their technological and equipment advantages, they successfully reached the administrative officer¡¯s quarters.


    ¡°Warwick, can you open the door?¡± the Captain asked.


    ¡°No problem,¡± Warwick chuckled. ¡°Primitive civilizations never realize how unreliable electronic systems are. Ten seconds~¡± He began counting down with a grin.


    ¡°Ten.¡±


    ¡°Nine.¡±


    ¡­


    ¡°One.¡±

 Chapter 459: Discovery

    The Captain switched his helmet¡¯s vision mode once again and pulled out a two-centimeter bullet-shaped device. He activated it, linking it to his helmet. After a brief setup, Warwick¡¯s countdown ended.


    The room¡¯s door slid open silently. As soon as a small gap appeared, the Captain flicked the device inside. Once airborne, the device transformed, extending a pair of wings and deploying a stinger from its surface. After a quick spin midair, it locked onto its target and plunged the stinger into the neck of the room¡¯s occupant before he even realized something was happening.


    By the time the door opened halfway, the Captain had already slipped inside, quickly crossing the room to catch the Rat Folk before he could hit the floor.


    ¡°All clear. Come in,¡± the Captain said, exhaling with relief as everything went smoothly.


    The rest of the team entered the room. Some began searching for hidden documents or other confidential information, while Blanca joined the Captain. From a pouch on her belt, she retrieved a syringe and injected it into the Rat Folk¡¯s body. Thirty seconds later, she pulled out another device, ran a few tests on the Rat Folk, and nodded at the Captain.


    Understanding her signal, the Captain removed the stinger from the Rat Folk¡¯s neck and applied a dab of milky-white ointment. The ointment quickly absorbed into the skin, healing the puncture wound left by the stinger.


    Moments later, the Rat Folk groaned softly and began to wake. However, his glassy eyes made it clear he was still in an altered state.


    Although the Ji primarily focused on mechanical technology, they had made considerable advancements in other fields. Developing advanced interrogation agents was no challenge for them. The one used here had no side effects, leaving the subject unaware that anything was amiss after waking.


    ¡°Your name?¡± Blanca asked softly as the Rat Folk regained consciousness.


    ¡°Keller-Kerrigan,¡± he replied without hesitation.


    ¡°Your position?¡±


    ¡°Royal family, administrative officer of the Red Moon Base.¡±


    Blanca nodded at the Captain, confirming that the information matched their prior intel. It was time to delve into the real questions.


    ¡°What is the relationship between the Rat Folk and the Swarm?¡±


    Despite his dazed state, Keller froze noticeably. His eyelids began twitching violently, and the device monitoring his vitals started blaring alarms.


    ¡°Calm down, calm down, calm down,¡± Blanca repeated urgently, finally managing to soothe the trembling Rat Folk. ¡°No good. His subconscious is resisting this question strongly. Forcing it could be dangerous.¡±


    ¡°Ask something else!¡± the Captain ordered.


    Blanca nodded, her mind racing before settling on another question. ¡°Keller, do you know the name of the First Empress?¡±


    Keller¡¯s reaction was even more intense this time. Blanca opened her mouth to speak, but the Captain¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°Give him another dose!¡±


    ¡°That could have severe consequences!¡± Blanca protested.


    ¡°These two questions are critical. We must get answers!¡±


    After a brief hesitation, Blanca relented. She retrieved another syringe from her pouch and administered it. Keller¡¯s trembling body went rigid, and foam dribbled from the corner of his mouth.


    But the drug worked. ¡°Sarah,¡± Keller croaked.


    ¡°What?¡± The Captain leaned closer, unable to catch the faint response. ¡°Repeat that.¡±


    ¡°The First Empress was named Sarah Kerrigan!¡± Keller¡¯s voice grew louder, and the information he provided was now complete.


    The Captain quietly recorded the name, but Blanca couldn¡¯t shake a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she clapped her hands over her mouth in shock. ????¨¤???¨§????


    The Captain quickly noticed her reaction. ¡°What is it? What did you realize?¡±


    Blanca steadied her nerves. ¡°It might just be a coincidence,¡± she said hesitantly, though it was clear she didn¡¯t fully believe her own words.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± The Captain¡¯s tone became stern.


    Watching Blanca falter was frustrating, especially in enemy territory where every second carried significant risk. There was no time for hesitation or cryptic remarks.


    Blanca shook her head to refocus. She had just pieced together several fragments of information, and the fog of mystery was beginning to lift. But the Captain¡¯s interruption forced her back to the present. ¡°It¡¯s complicated. Back then¡ª¡±


    Before she could finish, a voice came through the comms channel. ¡°Captain, someone¡¯s heading your way! Looks like they¡¯re here to see the administrative officer!¡±


    This was the residential area, where foot traffic was relatively high. Fortunately, Keller¡¯s quarters were in a quiet section, giving the team a small window to react.


    The Captain gestured sharply, and the team quickly restored the room¡¯s original appearance. Those searching through Keller¡¯s belongings stopped and rearranged everything. Blanca carefully wiped the residue from Keller¡¯s mouth and smoothed out the creases in his clothes. She then retrieved another syringe from her belt and injected it into Keller.


    ¡°Warwick, is the doorway clear?¡± the Captain asked.


    ¡°No, Captain. Leaving now risks detection.¡±


    ¡°Then I hope you¡¯ve got another plan!¡±


    ¡°Three meters to the right, there¡¯s an air duct. It¡¯s large enough to hide you. I¡¯ve already sent the 3D layout to your helmets.¡±


    The Ji squad acted immediately. They activated the anti-gravity modules built into their suits, allowing them to hover. Jets of compressed gas kept them stable as they moved toward the duct.


    Following Warwick¡¯s guidance, the team quickly located the air duct. Wright extended a plasma blade about ten centimeters long and sliced through the ceiling panel. He nodded to his teammates, then grabbed the removed section and stepped aside as the others swiftly climbed into the duct.


    The Captain and Blanca finished positioning Keller on his bed before slipping into the duct themselves. Wright was the last to enter. He pulled the ceiling panel up with him and held it in place while another teammate used a spray device along the cut edges. The spray released a mist of nanobots that filled the gaps and repaired the seam.


    Within moments, the room looked completely untouched, showing no signs of tampering or damage.


    ¡°Warwick, can we retreat directly from here?¡± the Captain asked.


    ¡°The risk is too high. The air ducts are highly complex and laced with numerous standalone alarm systems. I can¡¯t disable them all remotely.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Let¡¯s hold here for now. If worse comes to worst, we¡¯ll have to risk a retreat.¡±


    The team nodded and maintained complete silence.


    Inside the room, Keller groaned softly and sat up, looking confused. The final injection Blanca administered had accelerated his recovery and waking process while muddling his memory of the past few minutes. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Keller shook his head, glancing back at the bed as though trying to recall something. Scratching his head, he seemed lost in thought.


    Hiding in the air duct, the Ji squad monitored the room¡¯s surveillance feed on their personal terminals. Warwick had patched the live footage directly to them.


    Tension filled the confined space as they watched Keller closely, hoping the two doses of interrogation serum wouldn¡¯t cause any complications.

 Chapter 460: Speculation

    As the Ji squad remained tense, the room¡¯s door chime sounded, interrupting Keller¡¯s thoughts. He scratched his head and got up to answer. Outside were two Rat Folk who exchanged a few words with Keller.


    The team¡¯s audio capture system recorded the conversation, revealing that Keller was being summoned to the laboratory. After a brief discussion, the three Rat Folk left the room.


    ¡°Phew¡­¡± The Ji squad collectively exhaled in relief. Blanca opened her mouth to speak, but the Captain raised a hand to stop her. ¡°Back to base first. Warwick, report.¡±


    ¡°All clear,¡± Warwick¡¯s voice came through the communicator.


    With the all-clear, the team worked together to remove the wall panel again. After another round of careful operations, they restored the room to its original state and activated their cloaking devices. Under Warwick¡¯s guidance, they returned to their quarters without incident.


    ¡°Blanca, what did you discover earlier?¡± the Captain asked eagerly once everyone was safely back and the team had cleaned up.


    ¡°The name of the First Empress¡ªit¡¯s the same as the Swarm Empress¡¯s name: Sarah Kerrigan,¡± Blanca said softly, wasting no time revealing the shocking information.


    ¡°What!¡± the team exclaimed in unison.


    ¡°Are you sure? How do you know the Swarm Empress¡¯s name?¡± the Captain asked. Their official briefings described the Swarm Empress as the supreme leader of the Swarm, but her name was listed as unknown, simply referred to as the Empress.


    ¡°Before this mission, I met a friend in the Riken Star System. He¡¯s from the Troi race. As you know, the Troi were the ones who invited the Swarm to join the Confederation. My friend was part of the negotiation team during their initial contact,¡± Blanca explained.


    ¡°Because of the upcoming mission, I steered our conversation toward the Swarm once I learned he had interacted with them. That¡¯s when he shared an important piece of information. My friend has an extraordinary memory¡ªnot only can he recall visuals perfectly, but he can also retain sounds with remarkable accuracy. During their mission, he overheard two Swarm officers conversing. Although the officers left immediately after noticing him, he managed to remember a sentence.¡±


    ¡°At the time, the Swarm was still using Riken as their diplomatic language for negotiations. However, the two officers were speaking in the Swarm¡¯s native tongue. My friend didn¡¯t understand the meaning of the sentence then. He mentioned it in his mission report, but it was dismissed due to a lack of actionable details.¡±


    ¡°Even so, my friend couldn¡¯t forget the exact pronunciation of that Swarm phrase. Later, when the Swarm language was partially deciphered, he painstakingly matched the sounds to words. Finally, he uncovered the meaning of that sentence.¡±


    Blanca paused for effect as her teammates leaned in, listening intently. She continued in a hushed tone, ¡°The sentence was: ¡®I will report this to Empress Sarah.¡¯ If the Swarm doesn¡¯t have two empresses, then Sarah must be the name of their Empress.¡±


    The team collectively gasped. The complexity of the intel¡¯s discovery made it all the more astonishing. While the information seemed minor on the surface, its implications were monumental.


    ¡°If the Swarm Empress and the Rat Folk¡¯s First Empress are the same person, it¡¯s incredible but would explain so much.¡±


    ¡°Why the Rat Folk elite so rigorously uphold and protect their secrets. Why the Rat Folk impose strict information controls. Their peculiar relationship with the Swarm, the staged breakup, and the feigned conflicts¡ªit all makes sense now. It¡¯s all to conceal this truth.¡±


    ¡°Hah! Looks like we outsmarted them. No matter how well they hid it, we¡¯ve found plenty of cracks in their story,¡± one of the team members remarked with a triumphant smile.


    The team, now brimming with excitement, began piecing together their findings, connecting the dots from prior intelligence. Unearthing such a significant revelation was a monumental achievement¡ªone that would secure their reputations and careers for the rest of their lives.


    ¡°Wait a second,¡± Wright interjected, scratching his head. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen the Swarm. They¡¯re completely different from the Rat Folk¡ªappearance, genetics, everything. They¡¯re clearly two distinct species.¡±


    Blanca pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°I recall reading in the intel that our race discovered Swarm bodies have genetic locks, making it impossible to dissect them or obtain detailed information. This trait is identical to that found in their biological weapons. It didn¡¯t seem significant at the time, but now I¡¯m wondering¡ªwhat if the Swarm found a way to transfer consciousnesses originally housed in Rat Folk bodies into Swarm bodies? Those Swarm bodies could very well be specialized bioweapons.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! Even we Ji can¡¯t do something like that,¡± Wright objected, finding the idea of consciousness transfer too far-fetched.


    ¡°Tch! How much of the Swarm¡¯s technology do we even understand? We can¡¯t even break their genetic locks,¡± Blanca retorted with a dismissive snort.


    ¡°Blanca¡¯s theory isn¡¯t implausible,¡± another teammate added. ¡°The intelligence we¡¯ve gathered mentions that the Swarm Empress and several of her ministers have shown no physical changes over time, leading us to suspect they¡¯ve mastered advanced life extension technology. But if they¡¯ve truly achieved consciousness transfer, that would essentially be the equivalent of immortality.¡±


    A collective hiss of astonishment spread among the group. Lifespan extension was a matter of utmost concern for all intelligent species. If the Swarm had indeed mastered such technology, it would represent an achievement surpassing even the original Ji race.


    ¡°No wonder the Rat Folk elite are so committed to guarding this secret. That Keller resisted even under the effects of interrogation drugs. If I had a chance at immortality, trust me, I¡¯d protect the secret too,¡± one team member remarked.


    ¡°Haha, dreaming big, are we? Maybe you should go ask that Rat Folk administrative officer if he¡¯s taking applications for godsons,¡± another joked.


    ¡°Get lost!¡± Wright barked back, though the group¡¯s conversation had unwittingly shifted to a tone of envy toward the very Rat Folk they once looked down upon. ??????????B¨¨?


    ¡°I used to think the connection between the Swarm and the Rat Folk might have been some grand experiment initiated by the original Ji race. But now, I¡¯m starting to doubt that. If the original Ji had created the Swarm, they wouldn¡¯t have gone extinct. There wouldn¡¯t even be a ¡®new¡¯ Ji race like us.¡±


    The original Ji had excelled in both mechanical and biological technology. They had conducted large-scale experiments throughout this galaxy, seeding countless planets with ¡°life seeds.¡± This explained why the density of civilizations in this region was far higher than in others.


    ¡°Not necessarily,¡± someone countered. ¡°Perhaps the original Ji did create the Swarm. Otherwise, why would the Swarm exist here in the first place?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Previously, the Swarm was believed to be an alien species. No matter how strange their technology, it could be attributed to countless years of unknown development. But now, learning that the Rat Folk and the Swarm were intrinsically connected only complicated matters further.


    ¡°I think the most pressing question is how this First Empress became the Swarm Empress.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. If you¡¯re telling me the Rat Folk developed the Swarm¡¯s technological path on their own, I wouldn¡¯t believe it in a million years.¡±


    ¡°So where do we start? Right now, we don¡¯t have a clue.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps we should revisit the historical records and see if there¡¯s anything we missed,¡± someone suggested.

 Chapter 461: Legacy

    Operating within the Rat Folk base proved increasingly inconvenient. Despite the Ji squad¡¯s meticulous efforts to cover their tracks with Keller, it appeared he had still become suspicious. The base¡¯s security had noticeably tightened.


    With their critical findings in hand, the Ji squad refrained from further risks. They swiftly concluded their mission and returned to their ship.


    ¡°Although the records are sparse, we¡¯ve managed to reconstruct the timeline. The unification of the Rat Folk Empire looks quite peculiar,¡± Art said with enthusiasm. Aided by Warwick and Amina, he had pieced together fragments of the First Empress¡¯s life.


    ¡°The Kingdom of Merrican? A sudden plague wipes out the royal family, the chain of command collapses, and it¡¯s attributed to divine punishment? Hah, are we reading a fantasy novel?¡± Wright scoffed as he skimmed the records, shaking his head disdainfully.


    ¡°In early civilizations, rulers often relied on myths and gimmicks to add an aura of mystique and legitimacy to their rule. But we¡¯ve already analyzed the Rat Folk¡¯s case¡ªtheir accounts are likely genuine.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Regardless of how they interpreted the events, the collapse of one of the two dominant kingdoms, leaving the other unchallenged, is a historical fact. This suggests the First Empress may have received what they described as divine intervention at that time.¡±


    ¡°So, the so-called god granted her the Swarm¡¯s legacy?¡±


    ¡°Impossible. How can you believe in gods? Wright, as a proud Ji, how can you entertain such ignorance?¡±


    ¡°Then what do you think it was?¡± Wright shot back.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet, but I¡¯m certain it wasn¡¯t a god.¡±


    Blanca, who had been silent, finally spoke up. ¡°Have you considered that this so-called god might actually be the Swarm?¡±


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that what we initially suspected? But if it were the Swarm, why would they choose a native creature as their empress?¡±


    ¡°I misspoke earlier. The so-called god isn¡¯t the Swarm itself¡ªit¡¯s the Swarm¡¯s legacy,¡± Blanca clarified after a moment of thought. ¡°Let¡¯s assume the Swarm is an advanced civilization. For some unknown purpose, they sent out a legacy object, much like ¡®Lumina,¡¯ to disseminate their influence. This legacy reached Genesis Planet and began affecting its environment. That¡¯s why we see such rapid evolution¡ªturning the Rat Folk from prey into a civilized species in a mere thousand years.¡±


    ¡°But all of this was merely the passive influence of the legacy object. Then came the First Empress, who gained its full recognition and inherited the Swarm¡¯s true legacy. With that power, she unified the Rat Folk and split their society, isolating a portion of the elite and transforming them into the Swarm. If the Swarm truly possesses the ability to transfer consciousness and achieve immortality, their personnel quality would eventually surpass ours. Over time, the gap would widen even further.¡±


    Blanca¡¯s theory left the entire team stunned, and a collective gasp filled the room. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°If that¡¯s true, then we can only be grateful that we discovered this early. If they were allowed to develop for tens of thousands more years, they could become a catastrophic threat¡ªperhaps even endangering the Ji¡¯s position,¡± Amina said, visibly shaken.


    She now saw the Swarm as an even greater danger, placing them in an elevated category of threat. After all, the Ji had taken millions of years to reach their current level of development.


    The Captain, however, shook his head. ¡°I think you¡¯re still underestimating the Swarm. Our probes have detected Swarm activity across hundreds of star systems in the Outer-ring. Given the growth rate of their bioweapons, they¡¯ve likely already achieved formidable combat capabilities. In terms of numbers, they can now overwhelm any external civilization.¡±


    ¡°However, numbers mean nothing in the face of overwhelming technological superiority. We still hold the absolute advantage in technology,¡± Wright said with some defiance, his belief in the Ji¡¯s invincibility unshaken.


    ¡°If the Swarm¡¯s researchers truly achieve immortality, their knowledge will continuously accumulate without interruption. Imagine how terrifying such researchers would be,¡± the Captain said, his voice somber. ¡°Over time, they would become omnipotent, capable of conducting cross-disciplinary research entirely on their own. Since all knowledge would reside within the same individual, there would be no gaps in understanding or miscommunication. This would allow the Swarm to make advancements in science and technology far beyond what we can imagine. They could catch up to us in less than ten thousand years. And when that day comes, we won¡¯t be able to compete with their sheer numbers.¡±


    The weight of his words hung in the air as the team began to grasp the gravity of the situation. But then the Captain delivered an even more chilling thought.


    ¡°And that¡¯s not the worst part. Consider this¡ªwhere did the Swarm¡¯s legacy come from? Was it carried on the asteroid that struck Genesis Planet, or has it been hidden there all along?¡±


    ¡°I think it came with the asteroid. The Rat Folk only started evolving after the impact,¡± one team member offered.


    ¡°I reviewed the surveillance records from that time. There¡¯s no mention of the asteroid¡¯s origin,¡± another added.


    ¡°That¡¯s normal. The recorders back then couldn¡¯t have foreseen the significance of this event today.¡±


    ¡°Or it might not have been the asteroid at all. Maybe the impact merely awakened the Swarm¡¯s legacy,¡± someone countered.


    Seeing the argument spiraling, the Captain raised a hand to calm them. ¡°No matter the cause, there¡¯s one undeniable fact: this legacy had a creator. Just like ¡®Lumina,¡¯ which was created by the original Ji. And we have no way of knowing how much technology its creator embedded within this legacy.¡± ????a?§à£Â??


    ¡°Thus far, the Swarm¡¯s recorded actions are few, and their technology appears limited. But we can¡¯t rule out the possibility that they¡¯re hiding their true capabilities. It¡¯s very likely that we¡¯ve been underestimating their combat potential.¡±


    ¡°If the creator of this legacy is like the original Ji¡ªextinct¡ªthen the threat is somewhat contained. But if the creator still exists, the Swarm becomes an even greater danger. There¡¯s no telling whether they have additional reinforcements waiting to join them.¡±


    ¡°Captain, what do we do now? We don¡¯t have the means to verify these speculations,¡± someone asked.


    The Captain mulled over the question for a long time before shaking his head. ¡°Given the urgency of this situation, we can¡¯t afford to linger here any longer, nor is this something we can solve. I¡¯ll compile all the intelligence and hypotheses we¡¯ve gathered so far and submit them to our superiors. The next steps will be for them to decide.¡±


    The team nodded in agreement. The situation had escalated to a strategic level, far beyond what their intelligence-gathering unit could handle.


    The Captain¡¯s decision to pass the matter upward was the most logical course of action.

 Chapter 462: Fermentation

    ¡°Overlord, the Ji race has acquired the information,¡± Sarah Kerrigan reported to Luo Wen.


    ¡°That¡¯s good. Let¡¯s hope they enjoy the story.¡±


    ¡°But, Overlord, this might push us into war prematurely,¡± Sarah hesitated, puzzled. Luo Wen¡¯s previous plans were all centered on delaying the timeline as much as possible, yet the current actions seemed to deliberately accelerate the march toward war.


    ¡°Things are different now. Plans made in the past may not suit our present circumstances. We must revise them constantly to fit the current situation.¡± Indeed, times had changed. Around the star systems where a few seeds had taken root, observation revealed no signs of any civilizations.


    Perhaps the situation in those regions was normal. The appearance of life in the universe was never so common. The density of civilizations in the star region surrounding the Genesis Planet Base had always been abnormal.


    Luo Wen couldn¡¯t fathom the potential benefits the construction of bases in other star regions might bring him. Perhaps it was because the areas illuminated by anchor units and node units had expanded, allowing Luo Wen to establish a closer connection with the universe. His rate of nutrient absorption had increased significantly, which in turn spurred tremendous growth in his primary body.


    The growth of his primary body enabled him to interfere more in this universe. First and foremost, he could now create nearly thirty anchor units. With the increase in anchor unit numbers, Luo Wen could send out more seeds, and due to the growth of his primary body, these seeds could travel even greater distances.


    This virtuous cycle had allowed Luo Wen¡¯s primary body to grow at a snowballing pace, granting him greater confidence and assurance.


    However, from Sarah¡¯s perspective, the Overlord¡¯s explanation was nothing but abstract theory, lacking any concrete substance.


    Luo Wen noticed Sarah¡¯s doubt and chuckled. ¡°In the past, when we had no fallback options, caution was naturally essential. Now that we have a way out, it¡¯s only right to release the pent-up humiliation of being treated as pawns. From our prior speculations and the intelligence gathered by the intelligent entities, this chess game seems to have at least two players. One covets our technology, while the other seeks to nurture us for some unknown purpose. Perhaps there are even third or fourth factions behind the scenes. But no matter how many there are, we¡¯ll simply overturn the chessboard and muddy the waters, forcing all these hidden factions to reveal themselves. Even if we are ultimately removed from the game and must temporarily abandon this place, we won¡¯t let them enjoy peace or have time to recuperate.¡±


    ¡°Sarah, from now on, all bases in this galaxy must fully prioritize the incubation of combat units. Even if it means exposing some of our underlying capabilities, it doesn¡¯t matter. The war won¡¯t break out just yet; we still have one final round of development.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Overlord.¡±


    As Sarah departed, Luo Wen gazed at the starry sky. Soon, this seemingly tranquil galaxy would witness a spectacular upheaval, and the Swarm would finally bare its fangs.


    The intelligence about the Swarm spread rapidly through the Swarm Network, built on the Quantum Communication System. The allure of immortality tantalized every nerve of those who received this message.


    ¡°Is this information credible?¡± S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s been verified. While it¡¯s a conjecture, it has an accuracy rate of over eighty percent.¡±


    ¡°Eighty percent, huh? Looks like this will stir up a massive vortex. Who knows how many races will get caught in it?¡±


    ¡°Should we get involved?¡±


    ¡°The allure of immortality¡­ Even if I can resist it, can others? Defying the heavens is not a venture people like us should undertake.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°First-generation Empress of the Rat Folk? Swarm Empress? How fascinating. But have you ever thought about this: if you were a Rat Folk, then became part of the Swarm and gained immortality, would you still remain loyal to the Swarm Empress?¡±


    The speaker observed his subordinate¡¯s thoughtful expression before continuing, ¡°Or, let me put it another way¡ªwhat incentives does the Swarm Empress have to ensure the loyalty of her Swarm? I can¡¯t think of anything more tempting than immortality. We¡¯ve forced the Swarm to retreat several times, yet under such pressure, they haven¡¯t changed even slightly. Those immortal Swarm creatures still serve the Swarm in the same way they always have, living incognito, silently and without complaint. What¡¯s wrong with defecting to the New Ji Race? Even the Swarm who have joined us haven¡¯t said a word, even at the cost of their lives. Isn¡¯t living better than dying?¡±


    ¡°This absence of desire for fame or profit¡ªone or two exceptions might make sense, but for an entire species to behave this way? Do you believe that?¡± The speaker¡¯s question seemed directed at his subordinate but also at himself.


    The subordinate thought for a moment and shook his head.


    ¡°Heh, the price of immortality¡­¡± the speaker murmured. ¡°Immortality doesn¡¯t come that easily. There must be a cost. And that cost must be unimaginably binding¡ªsomething that transcends even life and death.¡±


    ¡°My lord, if Swarm immortality comes with such a significant flaw, should we still pursue it?¡±


    ¡°Why not? This so-called flaw only makes it more perfect, doesn¡¯t it? A unique perfection. I can¡¯t wait to converse with that Swarm Empress. Perhaps she¡¯ll share this perfection with me!¡± The speaker clenched his fist, as if everything was already within his grasp. R?????????????¨§s


    ¡ª


    ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°That fool Humes has been over there for so long and accomplished nothing. Now, things have escalated to the point where everyone knows.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s your fault for not letting Humes join in. He didn¡¯t know anything, so of course he wouldn¡¯t take it seriously.¡±


    ¡°Damn it. Who would have thought the Swarm was hiding such a treasure?¡±


    ¡°Stop complaining and focus on what we should do next.¡±


    ¡°What else can we do? Now that everything is out in the open, we have no choice but to rely on raw strength.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°Heh, well said, gentlemen. We should establish a gentleman¡¯s agreement. None of us alone can swallow this enormous cake, but united, perhaps we can have a chance.¡±


    ¡°And when the cake is in our hands, how do we divide it?¡±


    ¡°At that point, all bets are off. Each will claim their share by their own means.¡±


    ¡°Excellent, I¡¯m in!¡±


    ¡°Count my race in as well.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, how should we position ourselves in this matter?¡±


    ¡°I would like to sit back and watch the tigers fight, but it seems I won¡¯t have that luxury. How frustrating!¡±


    ¡ª


    Perhaps it was due to the composition and factionalism of the New Ji Race, or perhaps it was deliberate. The intelligence network of the New Ji Race was like a sieve. What should have been highly confidential information had practically become front-page news, nearly reaching the point where everyone knew about it.


    Some rejoiced while others lamented. Powerful and ambitious figures were naturally thrilled, eager to test their mettle. Meanwhile, smaller races could only go with the flow. Normally, they might retain a sliver of decision-making power, but in the face of such a high-stakes event, they could only be swept along by the major races.


    For a time, the territory of the Interstellar Technological Confederation was in turmoil. Nearly every external race was making moves, large or small, and even the New Ji Race appeared to be redeploying their forces.

 Chapter 463: Reactions

    When the stakes become high enough, risks lose their weight. The intelligence report submitted by the New Ji Race task force caught widespread attention, but most people only focused on the segment regarding the speculation about immortality. The subsequent conjectures about the creators, however, were largely ignored. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Swarm, being solitary and without allies, had no one to inform them of the growing conspiracy. Every faction seemed to be making moves, yet all cooperated tacitly to conceal their actions from the Swarm.


    In the New Ji Race research lab within the Riken System, the first phase of their task had already been completed. However, the next stages required more resources than the Riken System could provide, forcing them to relocate to a larger resource production base.


    The baffled researchers could not comprehend the sudden need to move. Even if the Riken System¡¯s materials were insufficient, they could always be sourced from elsewhere. Nearby, the Koya Alliance¡¯s material production base had developed enough over the years to meet their needs.


    Their confusion, however, was left unanswered. The entire team was ordered to relocate within a strict timeframe. Some who delayed were forcibly placed into cryo-sleep pods and taken away.


    The bustling trade convoys that once traveled to and from the Riken System gradually disappeared, replaced by increasing numbers of ships with unclear purposes. The region retained its lively atmosphere but with an air of secrecy.


    Gradually, many unidentified ships began to deploy unknown devices in the void outside the Riken System. These devices effectively disrupted electromagnetic waves and light signals, preventing the Swarm from accurately gathering information about the external environment through their radar systems.


    The number of unidentified fleets grew steadily. Under the guise of legitimate trade activities, they subtly reinforced the blockade along the Swarm¡¯s borders. Not only in the Riken System but also in the Sandstorm System, Golden Horn System, White Grub System, and Red Ant System¡ªregions bordering the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡ªtraces of these fleets could be found in the void.


    The Koya Alliance, located at the junction between the Riken and Sandstorm Systems, naturally became the frontline of this major event as the faction closest to Swarm territory.


    Whether willingly or under duress, the Koriato Civilization, the leader of the Koya Alliance, suddenly found itself wielding unprecedented authority. Under its guidance, the member civilizations of the Koya Alliance set aside past grievances and ¡°worked together sincerely.¡± Fleets from various races began to assemble.


    These outwardly independent outer-ring civilizations, which often appeared to enjoy considerable autonomy, found themselves helplessly swept along when faced with a true tempest.


    A similar situation unfolded in the Locke Mutual Aid Society. Its leader, the Troi Civilization, had maintained amicable diplomatic ties with the Swarm for years as they were their ¡®invited race¡¯. Yet, in this major event that swept across the entire Interstellar Technological Confederation, they too had little choice in their course of action.


    ¡°Overlord, they¡¯ve blocked our communication channels. Using conventional methods, we can no longer obtain accurate information about the outside world,¡± Sarah Kerrigan calmly reported.


    The tense situation, like a brewing storm, did not faze her. Since the Overlord had declared his intention to overturn the table and drag all the players into the open, her role was simply to perform her duties with unwavering focus.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. They cannot block the Swarm Network. This is an excellent opportunity¡ªwhether we¡¯ll encounter such a situation again in the future is uncertain. I¡¯ve already authorized the Blades. Don¡¯t let this chance go to waste.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Overlord.¡±


    The Riken System had long since been infiltrated by the Swarm, turning it into a sieve. The once bustling trade convoys, unsuspecting of any threat, had provided Luo Wen with a vast array of genetic samples. Coupled with the presence of cryo-sleep pods, Luo Wen only needed the right opportunity to ensure the ¡°seven-day surgical period¡± for his targets was no longer a concern.


    As the trade convoys departed, seemingly unharmed, they might unknowingly be carrying half a cargo of intelligent entities. With each cycle, the Swarm¡¯s node units outside their territory grew ever more numerous.


    With Luo Wen¡¯s abilities rapidly growing, what once required over ten thousand node units concentrated together to locate a target now only needed three thousand units within a one-light-year radius. With this, Luo Wen could envelop an entire region within the Swarm Network¡¯s coverage.


    This expansion had illuminated a significant portion of the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s territories for the Swarm. For factions like the Koya Alliance and Locke Mutual Aid Society, which bordered Swarm territory, their domains had long since been fully ¡°lit up.¡±


    Initially, Luo Wen had considered restricting the Blades¡¯ access to this intelligence gathered through the Swarm Network. However, after repeated deliberation, he concluded that intelligence warfare and infiltration were the Swarm¡¯s inherent strengths.


    The Blades had no reason to abandon these specialties, effectively crippling themselves by fighting on their weaker fronts. On the contrary, they needed to leverage these strengths even further, devising strategies and adopting tactics that fully utilized their unique capabilities.


    ¡ª


    ¡°The Swarm seems to have sensed something. Their newly developed star systems have already ramped up production. Should we strike first?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need. The forces we¡¯ve gathered at the front lines are still too few, and those outer-ring civilizations are too weak. Starting a war now wouldn¡¯t even make them viable cannon fodder. Those new star systems¡ªwhile the Swarm hasn¡¯t occupied them for long¡ªwon¡¯t pose a significant threat.¡± ????????????????


    ¡°But their numbers are still considerable.¡±


    ¡°No matter. Once our main fleet arrives, we can use our speed advantage to blockade the void between their star systems, isolating them. Then we¡¯ll leverage our superior forces to crush them one by one.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°Even if those minor races manage to seize the artifact, it would be useless. The real game will be decided between us and those at our level.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. For now, our task is to accelerate the construction of the star gates so we can quickly deploy our main fleet and seize the initiative.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s propulsion technology is relatively underdeveloped. This limits their offensive capabilities, but their defenses are another matter¡ªespecially against fleets like ours. On that front, they¡¯re more than adequate. Remind the front-line forces to stay alert and prioritize self-preservation when it matters most.¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°We¡¯ve been planning this for so long, and now everything has been disrupted. They¡¯ve ruined it.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. The Swarm has already become a target of universal hostility, which aligns with our plans.¡±


    ¡°But we¡¯re no longer in control of the situation. The external races remain fragmented, and with that artifact in play, unity among them is impossible.¡±


    ¡°The Swarm is still too weak, far from meeting our requirements.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps the Swarm isn¡¯t as weak as you think. While that artifact prevents unity among the external races, it has also deepened divisions within the New Ji Race. The future remains uncertain. We still have a chance, and the outcome might be even better than expected.¡±


    ¡°Hmph. Then let¡¯s wait and see.¡±


    ¡°If we fail this time, it may be challenging to find such an opportunity again.¡±


    ¡°Even so, it would just mean repeating the past. We¡¯ve already done our best.¡±


    ¡ª


    Conversations like these echoed in countless corners, with plots and schemes unfolding endlessly. As for the Swarm, having decided to overturn the table, they naturally wouldn¡¯t play along with their opponents¡¯ expectations.

 Chapter 464: Conquest

    Mobilizing forces across star systems is never a task that can be completed in a short time. The Koya Alliance, after ten years of effort, had managed to assemble just over ten million warships at the border of the Daqi Empire¡¯s territory.


    These ships represented the combined military reserves of several nearby civilizations, while many more fleets were still en route. Given the outer-ring civilizations¡¯ relatively short development time and lagging technological advancement, with average speeds of only two to three times the speed of light, the assembly of such a vast fleet within a decade was already remarkably efficient.


    According to the calculations of various think tanks, this war would take over a hundred years just to mobilize and deploy forces. For factions further away, it would require hundreds or even thousands of years to reach the battlefield.


    But this posed no issue. Predictions suggested that the war would be drawn out and exhaustive. Even if the Swarm was annihilated early on, the subsequent struggles for territory and resources would make a swift resolution impossible.


    Should the conflict enter a prolonged stalemate and spread across the entire Interstellar Technological Confederation, engulfing thousands of star systems and spanning tens of thousands of light-years, the war could potentially last tens of thousands of years¡ªor even longer.


    Every faction involved was well aware of these stakes. Yet, while they were still in the process of assembling their forces, the Swarm, long regarded as formidable in defense but weak in offense, launched a sudden and aggressive counterattack.


    No one had anticipated this move. To them, the Swarm was undeniably the weaker party. Shouldn¡¯t the Swarm have patiently awaited the completion of their enemies¡¯ fleet assembly, endured their attempts to justify action, and then waited for the inevitable Confederation rules to be used against them, followed by the eventual enforcement of sanctions?


    They had even drafted the justification in advance: star systems surrounding newly emerging civilizations should be protected and not preemptively occupied. This was merely a slight amendment to existing Interstellar Technological Confederation regulations.


    Take the relationship between the Swarm and the Riken as an example. Any territories seized around the Rat Folk and Riken by the Swarm prior to joining the Confederation would, under these new rules, have to be relinquished. The Swarm would have to yield all nearby star systems to comply with the revised policy.


    If the Swarm refrained from responding, that would be fine too¡ªit would still amount to a weakening of their position. Moreover, another set of targeted policies was waiting in the wings. If the Swarm chose not to act, it would be tantamount to a slow death. If they did act, it would hand their enemies a legitimate excuse to strike.


    After all, everything had to be recorded in history. It wouldn¡¯t look good for the Confederation to appear as if it were ganging up on a civilization less than a thousand years old. They needed to maintain the moral high ground.


    But the Swarm dared! The Swarm dared! While this was the reaction they had hoped to provoke, they hadn¡¯t expected it so soon!


    Skipping these procedural steps changed everything. The Swarm was defying them? Did they not fear annihilation at the hands of the New Ji Race and the Interstellar Technological Confederation?


    Outrage erupted. Self-righteous indignation and scathing condemnations poured forth from every corner.


    But did the Swarm care? Did Luo Wen care? Since they were destined to be enemies and a battle was inevitable, why not disrupt their plans as much as possible? Losing the moral high ground¡ªwhat of it?


    If the Swarm annihilated its enemies, transforming their civilizations into production bases, wouldn¡¯t history simply be written by Luo Wen?


    Besides, by then, anyone with access to historical records would already be a loyal member of the Swarm. What difference would it make what those records said?


    A hundred million Primordial bodies set off from the Neighboring Star System, heading toward the Riken System at three times the speed of light. The Swarm had once been expelled from this region by the Confederation. Now, it was time to reclaim it. ??£Î§à??S


    Simultaneously, the Swarm unveiled its Warp Drive technology to the watching civilizations for the first time. This revelation delivered a resounding slap to those who had long proclaimed the Swarm¡¯s speed disadvantage and inadequate offensive capabilities. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although traveling at three times the speed of light was unremarkable among established civilizations, it was already considered top-tier in the outer-ring. Besides, who could say for sure that the Swarm didn¡¯t have other hidden capabilities?


    The Riken System, roughly five light-years from the Neighboring Star System, had once taken the Swarm or the Riken decades to traverse. Now, at three times the speed of light, the Primordial bodies needed less than two years to reach the outskirts of the Riken System.


    With over a hundred million Primordial bodies mobilized, such an operation was impossible to conceal. During the more than a year-long journey, most of the New Ji Race and other factions had already fled the Riken System. Between planets, countless abandoned and unrecovered experimental pods drifted in space.


    Of course, there were always exceptions.


    ¡°Swarm! How dare you violate Confederation rules and attack an ally! Withdraw immediately while there¡¯s still a chance to salvage the situation, or when the Confederation fleet arrives, you¡¯ll be doomed to eternal destruction!¡±


    ¡°Cowards! Don¡¯t think hiding behind these bio-weapons will stop us from finding you!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t think sheer numbers will let you act recklessly! Numbers can never bridge the technological gap!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t put yourself in a position of disgrace. You¡¯ll regret it!¡±


    ¡°Do me a favor and just go back!¡±


    Various taunts and admonitions blared through public broadcasts toward the Swarm¡¯s  Primordial Bodies. Who gave these individuals such confidence to address the Swarm this way was anyone¡¯s guess.


    Because the Swarm¡¯s assault had come so abruptly, the Interstellar Technological Confederation hadn¡¯t had time to establish a defensive line in the Riken System. At this moment, only fewer than ten thousand Riken warships, alongside a handful of fixed defense facilities, were left to defend the region.


    However, the Riken had already been taught a painful lesson by the Swarm once before. With their internal systems infiltrated by the Swarm to the point of collapse, the Riken Council, after weighing their options, decisively announced their surrender to protect their citizens and avoid unnecessary losses.


    Thus, the Swarm reclaimed the Riken System without breaking a sweat. Construction resumed at Planet Raze, Planet Izumo, and the Solar Orbital Swarm Bases, restoring their previous structures and operations.


    As for the loud voices earlier, the reality was far less courageous. Those individuals had long since fled to unknown locations. The ones left behind in the Riken System were merely a few cannon fodder or remotely controlled robots playing pre-recorded messages.


    But Luo Wen, though generally not one to hold grudges, made a note of these provocateurs¡¯ names in his ledger. He ordered the Intelligent Entities lurking in enemy territory to covertly track and mark their locations.


    The universe is vast, but no matter where these individuals tried to hide, Luo Wen was determined to one day deliver his message of ¡°reconciliation.¡±


    When that day came, he was certain they would be ¡°pleasantly surprised.¡±


    With the Riken System back under Swarm control, the Swarm temporarily lay low.


    The Neighboring Star System, serving as the Swarm¡¯s overt royal stronghold, had drawn plenty of hatred. Now, with the Riken System acting as a buffer zone, the Neighboring Star System was no longer directly exposed to the enemy¡¯s line of sight.

 Chapter 465: Discussion

    A New Era!


    Year One!


    This was the year Luo Wen flipped the table, the year the Swarm dispatched forces to launch an aggressive attack on the Riken Star System and the Interstellar Technological Confederation. It was the year the Swarm broke its dormancy and shifted its strategic thinking¡ªa year marking the start of an epic war.


    To commemorate this event and to provide a meaningful and auspicious beginning for the new era, Luo Wen decided to separate it from the past. From this moment on, it would be the start of a new era.


    And this year was designated as Year One.


    In the first year of the new era, the Swarm dispatched 100 million Primordial bodies to the Riken Star System. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    At the end of Year Two, the swarm of Primordial bodies reached the Riken Star System, leading to the surrender of the Riken people, and the Swarm regained control of the region.


    Back when the Rikens and Rat Folk joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation, the Swarm had withdrawn all its overt forces to the Neighboring Star System. This Neighboring Star System was the second star system controlled by the Swarm, with the Riken Star System being the third.


    The military units produced in the first, second, and third star systems were concentrated together. One can imagine how vast the Swarm¡¯s combat forces in the Neighboring Star System truly were.


    Even after dispatching 100 million Primordial bodies, the star¡¯s brightness observed from the Neighboring Star System showed barely any increase. It wasn¡¯t until the Swarm reinforced the Riken Star System with another 1 billion units during the third year of the new era that the star¡¯s luminosity showed a noticeable rise.


    The blue luminescent spots scattered across the Primordial bodies made them look both mysterious and beautiful. They orderly departed from the Solar Orbital Swarm Base near the star, forming a dazzling blue light trail in space, resembling a small galaxy¡ªmagnificent and awe-inspiring.


    After moving a certain distance from the star, the warp bubbles enveloped them, propelling them toward the Riken Star System.


    Although the Interstellar Technological Confederation lacked precise data on the Swarm¡¯s reinforcement numbers, calculations from various data sources allowed them to derive an almost accurate figure.


    ¡°Over 1 billion 500-meter-class Space Octopuses?¡±


    ¡°My god, how can there be so many?¡±


    ¡°According to intelligence, this number doesn¡¯t even account for two-tenths of the Swarm¡¯s forces stationed in the Neighboring Star System.¡±


    ¡°Hiss~ While we already had a rough estimate of their numbers when the Swarm withdrew from the Neighboring Star System, I never imagined it could be this massive!¡±


    ¡°This is going to be a real headache.¡±


    The sheer number of Swarm combat units exceeded everyone¡¯s imagination. It was no wonder the Interstellar Technological Confederation was so shocked. To put it into perspective, the Koya Alliance had been mobilizing for so long and only managed to assemble a fleet of 10 million ships. Compared to the Swarm¡¯s 1 billion-unit force, it was utterly insignificant. ?¨¢£Î?????¨º?


    After all, the Swarm¡¯s cost of producing units was incredibly low. Over the years, countless half-meter-long Space Octopus larvae had grown into Primordial bodies.


    Furthermore, the Swarm was no longer just about numbers; their quality had reached the upper-middle levels within the Outer-ring territories. The three-light-year deployment speed created an overwhelming sense of crisis for all alien civilizations.


    Particularly for the Koya Alliance, which had twice leveraged diplomatic maneuvers against the Swarm and initiated proposals forcing the Swarm to make concessions. At this moment, they felt a deep chill.


    Since the Swarm dared to blatantly tear up the alliance treaties, attacking and occupying the Riken Star System, it would have no qualms about continuing its assaults on the Koya Alliance.


    While they still firmly believed the Interstellar Technological Confederation would eventually secure victory, that might take hundreds or even thousands of years. The Swarm¡¯s immediate threat, however, was already at their doorstep.


    Before the Swarm could be suppressed, the Koya Alliance had to hold out until reinforcements arrived.


    The Koya Alliance urgently convened several meetings.


    ¡°I opposed taking the lead in this matter from the beginning. Why provoke the Swarm? Who exactly is selling out our alliance¡¯s interests?¡±


    ¡°Exactly! When the pressure was put on the Rikens, our race wasn¡¯t involved.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! You weren¡¯t involved because you were too far away and couldn¡¯t make it in time! And as for the rest of you, the action was approved in the meetings. You may not have supported it outright, but you didn¡¯t explicitly oppose it either. And now you¡¯re dredging up old grievances? You don¡¯t seem to have any complaints about the benefits you¡¯ve already reaped.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, no one here is clean. Go ahead and ask the Swarm¡ªwhen they attack, do you think they¡¯ll spare any of you?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The meeting unfolded in a ¡°harmonious¡± atmosphere and continued until its conclusion. Although many factions hurled accusations at one another¡ªespecially the Daqi race, who were thoroughly lambasted as the instigators¡ªeveryone understood one thing: the Swarm would not spare them.


    Nevertheless, the meeting yielded some results.


    Within the Koya Alliance, every faction entered the highest state of war readiness. Citizens meeting specific criteria were forcibly conscripted, and virtually all resources were redirected to military efforts.


    Massive space factories were constructed and assembled, asteroids lined up to be dismantled at designated sites, and warships were built one after another. Alongside them, waves of green recruits were sent to the front lines.


    Under its previous peacetime military posture, the Koya Alliance had maintained a fleet of approximately 100 million warships. This number was sufficient to safeguard its territory, combat piracy, and handle most emergencies. After all, an excessively large fleet would place an immense maintenance burden on the member races.


    But now, such concerns no longer mattered. The Alliance faced a life-or-death crisis for their entire member civilizations. Any excess resources left behind would only fall into the hands of the enemy if they failed to hold the line.


    As such, by exhausting their reserves and sparing no expense, the Koya Alliance estimated that within 50 years, they could expand their fleet tenfold¡ªor even more.


    Although their warships were not as advanced as those of the Ji race, they still ranged between 2,000 to 3,000 meters in length, making their individual combat capabilities far superior to the 500-meter-class Space Octopuses of the Swarm.


    Furthermore, the Alliance held the defensive advantage, occupying naturally favorable positions. Perhaps they needed only half¡ªor even less¡ªof the Swarm¡¯s forces to repel the attack.


    But this would take time. Until then, they could only accelerate the deployment of their existing forces to the front lines and pray the Swarm would not attack. As for the security of their internal territories? In such a monumental conflict, any pirate or rogue faction foolish enough to take advantage of the chaos would be courting death.


    Pirates weren¡¯t fools. At times like this, they kept their heads down. Not only would they avoid taking advantage of the situation, but they would also steer well clear. With so many major factions gathering forces in the region, any pirates unlucky enough to cross paths with an Outer-ring or even Inner-circle powerhouse might find themselves conscripted and sent to the front lines¡ªa surefire one-way ticket.


    By Year Eight of the New Era, the Swarm, having occupied the Riken Star System and remained dormant for several years, finally made a move.


    The Swarm assembled a 200 million-strong Primordial body cluster and set out from the Riken Star System. The cluster effortlessly tore through the interference network surrounding the system. The Swarm¡¯s radar systems resumed operation, rapidly updating their data. They even paused briefly to replot their navigation routes.


    Afterward, the Primordial cluster sped northwest from the Riken Star System, heading toward its next target.

 Chapter 466: LKDW291

    Northwest of the Riken Star System, approximately 9.6 light-years away, lies the border of the Daqi civilization¡¯s territory. However, in between is an unclaimed star system with the designation LKDW291.


    Although the Swarm operated without formal recognition, the Riken people were once registered with the Ji race and thus protected under their internal rules. These rules prohibited established powers from interfering in nearby star systems, such as the Neighboring Star System and LKDW291.


    However, fifty years after the Rikens joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation, this protection expired automatically. Seizing the opportunity, the Daqi civilization, which bordered LKDW291, dispatched military and engineering teams to the system in an attempt to claim it and expand their territory.


    Unfortunately, this fledgling star system, still in its early stages of development, soon faced a far more formidable colonizer.


    When the Swarm began making moves, the Daqi forces stationed there immediately commenced an emergency evacuation. They took everything they could, destroyed what they couldn¡¯t, and planted various hidden mines to try and create trouble for the Swarm.


    At the end of Year Ten of the New Era, the Swarm¡¯s vanguard arrived at the LKDW291 Star System, only to be greeted by a scene of utter desolation. Orbiting several planets were large amounts of wreckage and abandoned construction debris, among which lay concealed explosives of varying power.


    The vanguard ignored the space debris and instead spread out across the star system to search for hidden surveillance devices. The Swarm, experienced in dealing with such concealed threats, employed specialized functional organisms capable of precisely capturing signals across relevant frequencies to locate these devices.


    As follow-up forces gradually arrived, the Swarm increased the number of units dedicated to detection and began clearing the debris.


    Primordial bodies opened their storage sacs, releasing a massive number of larval and mature bodies. These units deftly maneuvered through the wreckage, searching for suspicious explosives.


    Flashes of explosions occasionally lit up space. For these mines, the Space Octopuses opted to destroy them from a distance using energy weapons. However, many of the mines were equipped with small radar systems and intelligent chips that enabled them to detonate autonomously upon detecting hostile forces. The more advanced mines often unleashed devastating explosions, causing some casualties among the Swarm.


    Still, these losses were insignificant for the Swarm. Injured Space Octopuses were dragged to the star¡¯s vicinity to recover, while the dead were recycled on the spot.


    In this way, the mines left by the Daqi were swiftly neutralized. Certain Primordial bodies equipped with specialized functional structures sprayed enormous webs in planetary orbits.


    These genetically optimized and specially modified webs possessed remarkable toughness and resistance to both radiation and energy shocks.


    Each web, spanning three to four square kilometers, was deployed, layered, and interconnected to form an enormous interception net in space. Using orbital mechanics, these nets captured all passing space debris.


    The Primordial bodies then tightened the nets, compressing them into massive metallic balls. These web balls, each with a diameter exceeding 10 kilometers, floated in planetary orbits like satellites.


    Afterward, the Primordial bodies planted fungal carpet seeds within the web balls and dragged them out of planetary orbit to the star¡¯s proximity. In due time, these web balls would grow into the Swarm¡¯s megastructure prototypes.


    While clearing space, the Swarm also began planetary development. Planets and moons of all sizes started to display gray purple patches. Large numbers of locally produced larval bodies began to converge near the star¡¯s orbit, where they would mature to the appropriate levels and join the Swarm¡¯s forces.


    Everything proceeded in an orderly and methodical fashion, showcasing the Swarm¡¯s extraordinary discipline in full measure.


    ¡ª


    ¡°The Swarm has stopped advancing. This is good news for us.¡±


    ¡°They haven¡¯t stopped; they¡¯re just advancing cautiously. Their objective is crystal clear!¡±


    ¡°Even if they¡¯re being cautious, it¡¯s still good news for us¡ªit gives us more time to prepare.¡±


    ¡°The problem now is, we don¡¯t know how long the Swarm will hold back. For that reason, I oppose organizing a defensive line within the Daqi territory!¡± ??N?§£¦¥?


    ¡°Rubbish! We must stop the Swarm at our borders. Otherwise, my race will suffer enormous losses.¡±


    But the Koya Alliance¡¯s member factions weren¡¯t close enough to fight and sacrifice for one another. They were far from close to each other even if allied, so expecting more was unrealistic.


    ¡°How soon can we deploy forces to the Daqi front line?¡± one representative asked.


    An adjutant strategist quickly provided the figures: ¡°Within five years, we can deploy 35 million main warships at the fastest rate. Within ten years, the number could reach 60 million warships.¡±


    ¡°Based on calculations, during battles, each of our warships can match the combat power of 5 to 8 Space Octopuses of the 500-meter class. This means our 35 million main warships could fend off about 200 million Swarm units.¡±


    The Daqi representative¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°According to the information provided by the Ji race, the Swarm has only dispatched 200 million units to LKDW291. It¡¯s impossible for them to use all of these forces for an assault. Therefore, setting up a defensive line at our borders should absolutely be sufficient to stop them.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Representative of Daqi, it¡¯s not as simple as you think! Our forces need five years to be deployed, but can you guarantee the Swarm won¡¯t launch an attack within three years? Even if they wait until five years from now, no one can predict how many units they¡¯ll have deployed to LKDW291 by then. The latest intelligence shows that their reinforcements have been continuous. Those 200 million units might just be their vanguard.¡±


    ¡°Exactly! While 35 million warships could hold off 200 million Swarm units, the end result would likely be mutual annihilation¡ªa pyrrhic victory. The Swarm has gone mad, and they¡¯re clearly on a death march, aiming to drag others down with them. I, for one, don¡¯t want our warships to be part of their collateral damage. Therefore, I suggest avoiding direct confrontation with the Swarm unless absolutely necessary.¡±


    ¡°Rubbish! Your territory is over a hundred light-years away, so of course you¡¯re in no rush. Besides, your reinforcements will take decades to arrive, meaning you¡¯ll have no part in the war for the foreseeable future. What right do you have to speak?¡±


    ¡°My race is a member of the Koya Alliance and has been for ten thousand years longer than yours. In terms of qualifications, seniority, and strength, we far surpass you Daqi. For the sake of the alliance¡¯s future, I believe I absolutely have the right to speak. Besides, if it weren¡¯t for your Daqi race¡¯s propaganda and agitation back then, how would the Koya Alliance have incurred such deep enmity with the Swarm? I propose we expel the Daqi race from the alliance and let them fend for themselves. Perhaps if the Swarm annihilates them, their rage will dissipate, and they won¡¯t target the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­!¡± The Daqi representative was so furious he couldn¡¯t form words. His three eyes bulged, as if they were about to bleed.

 Chapter 467: Koya

    ¡°Our race had already given up its disputes with the Swarm, but you sought us out, claiming you could help us exact vengeance. And now you dare to shift the blame onto us!¡±


    ¡°Hah, laughable! And who was it that came running to persuade our race first? Shall I request the internal records and send over the footage?¡±


    ¡°Fine! Back then, our race, unable to swallow its anger, sought help within the alliance, but you all refused. And just when we had given up, you brought it up again! Isn¡¯t that what happened?¡±


    ¡°Enough, stop bickering. The rights and wrongs of the past are irrelevant now. You¡¯re wasting everyone¡¯s time. The priority right now is to devise a response plan.¡± As the initiators and strongest members of the alliance, the representative of the Koriato civilization still commanded significant authority.


    However, the Daqi representative¡¯s earlier remarks of ¡°you all, you all¡± had offended too broad an audience. While the events had indeed unfolded as he described, putting it so bluntly made everyone unhappy and alienated nearly all the other alliance members.


    The Daqi representative, realizing his outburst had been unwise, promptly fell silent, attempting to lower his presence. But the Sivian representative, who had been arguing with him earlier, wasn¡¯t quite ready to let it go.


    ¡°Hmph, in any case, I don¡¯t support directly confronting the Swarm at the Daqi borders.¡±


    ¡°You!¡± The Daqi representative¡¯s three eyes flared up once more.


    The Sivian representative¡¯s appearance and build were slim and delicate, making him seem frail compared to the fierce and intimidating Daqi representative.


    Yet, he showed no fear, responding with disdain. ¡°Don¡¯t glare at me. The data we compared earlier are just theoretical figures. Have you all forgotten? Before this move, the Swarm¡¯s cruising speed hadn¡¯t even reached half the speed of light.¡±


    At this, his expression grew serious. ¡°I¡¯ve investigated through some channels. The Swarm has never exchanged technology or theories with the Ji race. The only time they collaborated with the Rikens was to share a Ji spaceship for a brief period. Everyone here knows what kind of junk that ship was. So, how did the Swarm acquire warp drive technology? And how long has it been since the Swarm¡¯s last major move? I think the Daqi representative is the most qualified to answer that.¡±


    These words silenced the room. Even the previously enraged Daqi representative stopped speaking. This was indeed a pressing question.


    As the technological watershed separating civilizations, the warp drive wasn¡¯t something that could be easily attained. Even the progenitor Ji race, as the dominant force in the Interstellar Technological Confederation, had endured a ten-thousand-year dark age and nearly wiped itself out in civil wars before achieving it.


    The Swarm had advanced from sublight speeds to the warp era in just over a hundred years. What¡¯s more, they debuted at three times the speed of light. While this level was still inferior to the long-established civilizations, it already surpassed the capabilities of factions like the Daqi civilization.


    This reminded everyone of the intelligence reports that had been previously downplayed¡ªor perhaps deliberately ignored¡ªsuggesting that the Swarm possessed technological reserves originating from a higher biological civilization.


    The Sivian representative¡¯s earlier remarks were clear, no one knew the Swarm¡¯s full capabilities or whether three times the speed of light was even their limit. Under such uncertainty, engaging this enemy based on unreliable data would be a massive gamble. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    If the Koya Alliance¡¯s assembled forces were defeated by the Swarm, the entire alliance would be placed in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position.


    ¡°I agree with the Sivian representative. We cannot face the Swarm head-on at the Daqi borders.¡±


    ¡°I concur. Since the Swarm has chosen a cautious, step-by-step approach, there¡¯s no need for us to throw away forces over a few star systems. Instead, we should abandon them to buy time. This will allow us to fully unleash our war potential, assemble more forces, and deter the Swarm from advancing recklessly or altering their attack trajectory. That would be the wisest course of action.¡±


    ¡°An excellent plan!¡±


    ¡°I agree.¡±


    As more Koya Alliance members voiced their support, the Daqi representative gritted his teeth in frustration. This so-called plan to ¡°buy time¡± involved sacrificing star systems, which, unsurprisingly, belonged to the Daqi civilization. £Ò?£Î??§¦?


    Moreover, from the tone of the other representatives, it was evident that more than one star system would be abandoned. With the Daqi having only three star systems in total, they were bound to be the first to lose their territory. Without a home, wouldn¡¯t the Daqi race become a wandering, homeless species?


    At this thought, the Daqi representative, unable to care about offending his peers, furiously protested.


    ¡°No! This cannot be allowed. What will happen to our 50 billion citizens?¡±


    The room fell into silence for a moment before the Koriato representative, the leader of the alliance, spoke up. ¡°Representative of Daqi, the Koya Alliance has a responsibility to all its members. We cannot jeopardize everyone¡¯s safety for your sake. However, the Daqi race is one of us, and the Koya Alliance will take responsibility for your people. We will relocate them to safe areas and ensure their well-being, with every member contributing to the effort. Do you agree with this?¡±


    ¡°My race can provide supply ships to assist in relocating the Daqi population,¡± one member quickly offered, following the leader¡¯s direction.


    ¡°My race can also help with transportation.¡±


    ¡°We have no problem helping with the relocation.¡±


    ¡°Same here¡­¡±


    However, while these offers to assist with transportation sounded generous, the question of where to relocate the Daqi people remained unanswered. As the leader, the Koriato representative had to set an example.


    ¡°The Koriato civilization can provide 1,000 large space survival pods, which, with some modifications, can accommodate 8 billion Daqi people. We will also cover their living needs.¡±


    Large space survival pods were a variant of large ecological ships. These pods were enormous, with highly advanced ecosystems capable of fully simulating planetary environments. However, their size meant they generally lacked the ability for rapid movement.


    These pods were a standard solution for housing excess populations. With relatively low technological requirements and construction difficulty, even wealthy individuals could commission custom-made pods tailored to their tastes.


    With their leader setting the example, the other members had no choice but to follow suit.


    ¡°Our race can provide one mineral-rich colony planet and 200 ecological pods, capable of housing 1.8 billion Daqi people.¡±


    ¡°Our race can provide 300 ecological pods, which can accommodate 2.5 billion Daqi people.¡±


    ¡°Our race can¡­¡± Around the room, the various civilizations pledged their contributions according to their capabilities.


    The Koriato representative was very pleased with this show of support from the members.


    Turning to the Daqi representative, he asked. ¡°Representative of Daqi, with everyone supporting you so generously, what do you think?¡±


    The Daqi representative¡¯s eyes were filled with fury, but he said nothing.


    His silence displeased the Koriato representative, whose expression turned cold. He exchanged a glance with the Sivian representative, silently signaling for further action.

 Chapter 468: Moving Again

    The Sivian representative immediately caught the signal. With a heavy snort, he said, ¡°Representative of Daqi, the Koya Alliance belongs to everyone, not just you. This decision has been approved by all members. Even if you oppose it, it won¡¯t change anything.¡± sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Daqi representative retorted bitterly, ¡°Our king will never agree!¡±


    ¡°Hmph! Either accept the proposal and preserve everyone¡¯s dignity, or withdraw from the Koya Alliance. After that, we¡¯ll each go our own way. You can report this back and let your king decide!¡± The Sivian representative sneered disdainfully. If it weren¡¯t for the sake of appearances, he wouldn¡¯t even care about the survival of these three-eyed creatures.


    The Daqi representative¡¯s eyes were filled with resentment, but his tone grew eerily calm. ¡°Representative of Sivian, from the way you speak, one might think you were the leader of the Koya Alliance.¡±


    Realizing resistance was futile, the Daqi representative took the opportunity to plant a seed of distrust between the Sivian and Koriato representatives. Hearing his remark, the previously bored representatives of other civilizations suddenly perked up.


    ¡°You!¡± The Sivian representative flushed with anger. He wasn¡¯t worried that Koriato would start doubting the Sivians because of this. What enraged him was the Daqi representative¡¯s petty attempt to sow discord even at this juncture.


    ¡°Enough!¡± The Koriato representative, now visibly annoyed, interjected. With a tone of sincerity, he said, ¡°Representative of Daqi, we all recognize the sacrifices your people are making. But you must not use that as an excuse to act out. Besides, this is only temporary. Once the Swarm is defeated, we will petition the Ji race to prioritize compensating your losses with the Swarm¡¯s territory. What more could you ask for?¡±


    The Daqi representative, glancing at the other representatives¡¯ expressions, understood that further protest would change nothing and might even jeopardize the promised assistance and compensation. However, lacking the authority to make an immediate decision, he could only promise to consult with the Daqi king and provide a response later.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Overlord, the Daqi civilization has begun their full-scale evacuation, and the Koya Alliance fleets stationed at their borders are also retreating. Should we stop them?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need,¡± Luo Wen replied indifferently. ¡°We¡¯ll just continue advancing steadily. Eventually, they¡¯ll run out of places to retreat.¡±


    As a civilization located very close to the Swarm¡¯s territory, the Daqi had long been infiltrated by the Swarm¡¯s micro fungal carpet seeds. Over the years, these seeds had developed covertly within the Daqi population, even converting some of their people into intelligent entities.


    If Luo Wen truly wanted to block the Daqi¡¯s mass migration, activating some hidden assets alongside the advance of the Primordial body clusters would make it entirely feasible.


    However, there was no need to do so. Stopping the Daqi would yield little benefit to the Swarm while nullifying the value of the infiltrated intelligent entities.


    Letting them go, on the other hand, would disrupt the Koya Alliance¡¯s order and burden its member states with an additional population load, further straining their already war-focused resource allocations and intensifying internal conflicts. Moreover, the infiltrated intelligent entities could seize this opportunity to illuminate more star systems, accelerating Luo Wen¡¯s growth.


    With Luo Wen determining the Swarm¡¯s strategic direction, the Blades handled specific operations. Following Luo Wen¡¯s decision, the Swarm made no response to the Koya Alliance¡¯s actions.


    The migration of 50 billion Daqi people was no easy task. The Koya Alliance¡¯s territory spanned hundreds of light-years, and dispersing the Daqi population across this vast area meant that many of them would likely never see one another again in their lifetimes.


    This complex web of social relationships made achieving a perfect allocation nearly impossible. On top of that, there were those unwilling to leave their homeland, issues of asset calculation and conversion, and countless other logistical hurdles.


    If the relocation followed normal procedures, it would likely take 500 years to complete. However, under the pressure of a life-or-death crisis, the military directly intervened, significantly improving efficiency.


    By Year Fifteen of the New Era, after consolidating their hold over the LKDW291 Star System, the Swarm made its next move.


    At 11 o¡¯clock from the LKDW291 Star System lay the Daqi civilization¡¯s Qi-102 Star System, and at 9 o¡¯clock lay their home system, the Qi-101 Star System. The Swarm mobilized a force of 300 million Primordial bodies, splitting into two groups to advance on these two systems.


    Simultaneously, forces in the Sandstorm Star System, the Golden Horn Star System, and the White Grub Star System also began assembling.


    For a moment, the galaxy was rife with tension.


    It was easy to predict that the Swarm would target the Daqi civilization¡¯s territory. However, the mobilization of forces from the other three star systems caught everyone off guard. ??£Î¨®¦¢§¦????


    The neighboring regions of these three systems weren¡¯t part of the Koya Alliance but belonged to the Locke Mutual Aid Society. Among its founding civilizations was the Troi civilization, a faction that had once fostered seemingly friendly relations with the Swarm. In fact, it was the Troi civilization that initially invited the Swarm to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    At one point, the Troi had even signed an agreement with the Swarm. The Swarm would not be forced to send large numbers of researchers to the Ji race, and in return, the Swarm agreed not to expand in the direction of the Confederation.


    This agreement, however, exposed the fragile and superficial nature of their so-called friendship. The Swarm, after all, never had genuine allies, and the hollowness of their ¡°friendship¡± was now laid bare.


    Having overturned the table, Luo Wen felt no burden in tearing up the agreement. Just one year after deploying forces to the LKDW291 Star System¡ªin Year Sixteen of the New Era¡ªthe Swarm launched attacks from the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, and White Grub Star Systems, assembling a force of over 500 million Primordial bodies.


    The assault came so suddenly that, although the Locke Mutual Aid Society had detected the Swarm¡¯s movements a year prior, they never imagined the Swarm would dare to wage multi-front warfare, simultaneously antagonizing two major Outer-ring alliances.


    Compounding the issue, there were no buffer systems between the Locke Mutual Aid Society and the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, and White Grub Star Systems. This allowed the Swarm to breach Locke territory within two years.


    Caught unprepared, the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡ªstill mocking the Koya Alliance for their evacuation efforts¡ªfound themselves in a similar predicament. Although they had been gathering forces, they deliberately chose assembly points deep within their territory to avoid provoking the Swarm or drawing its ire.


    Consequently, their fleets couldn¡¯t possibly reach the front lines in just two years. Worse still, their assembled fleets were woefully outnumbered and incapable of contending with the overwhelming force of 500 million Primordial bodies.


    With no other options, the Locke Mutual Aid Society was forced to issue emergency evacuation orders. Fortunately, the star systems bordering Swarm territory were newly developed by member factions, with low development levels, making the evacuation process relatively manageable.


    Just days prior, the Locke Mutual Aid Society had been criticizing the Koya Alliance for their evacuation strategies. Now, the same fate had befallen them.


    The Koya Alliance, despite being overwhelmed with their own troubles, even found time to send ¡°congratulatory messages,¡± adding insult to injury. Humiliated, the Locke Mutual Aid Society quickly fired back with a similar message of mockery.


    Interestingly, this exchange of barbs eventually brought the two bitter rivals together. Faced with a shared crisis, they began discussing ways to jointly resist the Swarm¡¯s advance.

 Chapter 469: Hidden Mines

    Faced with the relentless advance of the Swarm, the Koya Alliance and the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡ªlong-time rivals¡ªfound themselves reluctantly joining forces.


    However, even this alliance offered little practical benefit, as both sides were under simultaneous attack by the Swarm and unable to spare forces to aid one another. In essence, their cooperation was more symbolic, serving only to offer moral support and encouragement.


    In practice, the animosity between these two factions was not easily dissolved. Their remote conference was rife with passive-aggressive compliments and thinly veiled provocations.


    ¡°The Locke Mutual Aid Society may be our competitor, but it has always been our role model. Your consistent achievements have been an inspiration, driving us to improve.¡±


    ¡°Haha, you¡¯re too modest. You are the real role model. Throughout our many competitions, we¡¯ve always found ourselves at a disadvantage. We¡¯re unworthy of such high praise.¡±


    ¡°No, no, your strength is evident to all. We are confident you will annihilate the Swarm forces foolish enough to offend you, delivering them a harsh lesson while setting a benchmark for the rest of us.¡±


    ¡°No, no, we¡¯ve always maintained a good relationship with the Swarm. This time, we¡¯re unsure where the misunderstanding arose, but we are actively engaging them to resolve it. On the other hand, your longstanding conflicts with the Swarm¡ªeven prompting the Ji race to convene two separate Council of Elders meetings¡ªmake it unclear whether our current predicament stems from your entanglements. We sincerely hope you resolve the matter quickly to avoid collateral damage to innocent parties.¡±


    The representatives of the Koya Alliance bristled at this insinuation. No one could predict the Swarm¡¯s next moves, and the possibility of the Swarm temporarily reconciling with the Locke Mutual Aid Society to relieve pressure on their frontlines was a troubling scenario.


    If the Swarm forces from the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, and White Grub Star Systems redirected their focus onto the Koya Alliance, it would spell disaster.


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s ambitions are obvious to all. Their goal is to devour your territory, and I believe your advisors can see this as well. We urge you to abandon any illusions and actively resist. Strengthen your defenses to avoid inviting the wolves into your house.¡±


    ¡°That is none of your concern. What is concerning, however, is your treatment of your member civilizations. Many factions have already expressed dissatisfaction with your actions.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re hardly in a position to criticize us. Weren¡¯t you the ones who sacrificed your members¡¯ interests to avoid conflict with the Swarm not long ago?¡±


    ¡°Those star systems were unclaimed regions being developed by a few of our newer members. Their infrastructure was minimal, and the Swarm already had development rights there. Since the Swarm wanted them, we stepped back to preserve our friendship. That¡¯s hardly comparable to your massive relocation of 50 billion citizens.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, that particular member of ours had some disputes with the Swarm. They¡¯ve since recognized their mistake and decided to cede all their territory to the Swarm as compensation. This was their decision, not ours, and we had no choice but to assist in relocating their population. Fortunately, we¡¯ve managed the situation quite well so far.¡±


    ¡°Haha, I¡¯ve never seen someone as shameless as you.¡±


    ¡°You flatter me, truly!¡±


    ¡°Hmph, the truth is clear to all. If it were us, we wouldn¡¯t allow ourselves to be humiliated to this extent and still choose to swallow our pride.¡±


    ¡°Talk is cheap. The Swarm is at your doorstep now¡ªgo ahead and challenge them if you dare.¡± S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Hmph, if we were in your situation, we wouldn¡¯t cower like turtles.¡±


    The two factions squabbled endlessly, each attempting to provoke the other into taking the first action against the Swarm, hoping to divert the Swarm¡¯s attention and alleviate their own pressures.


    Luo Wen, however, paid no mind to this feeble alliance between the Koya Alliance and the Locke Mutual Aid Society. Instead, he proceeded methodically with the Swarm¡¯s established plan.


    At the beginning of Year Eighteen of the New Era, the vanguard forces of the Primordial clusters from the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, and White Grub Star Systems arrived at star systems designated as LKDW286, 287, and 288.


    The few alien forces stationed there had already withdrawn, leaving behind some infrastructure. Unlike the Daqi Empire, which had destroyed their facilities during their retreat, these factions left them intact, though their reasons were unclear.


    The Swarm followed its standard procedure, first sweeping for hidden surveillance devices and planting fungal carpet seeds, along with mutated Brood Queens, as they awaited the arrival of the main forces.


    Meanwhile, on the Daqi Empire front, the Swarm forces departing from the LKDW291 Star System¡ªdespite setting off earlier than the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, and White Grub clusters¡ªhad yet to arrive. They were significantly delayed.


    This delay was due to the Koya Alliance¡¯s efforts to buy more time for the Daqi civilization¡¯s evacuation. As their border fleets withdrew, they scattered numerous hidden mines throughout the Swarm¡¯s route.


    One particular type of mine was specifically designed to disrupt warp bubbles. These technologically advanced, actively triggered mines could detect warp bubbles within a certain range and release a burst of specialized energy when a warp bubble approached. ?a??¦¢?????


    This energy could instantly generate a high-level disturbance, destabilizing the internal structure of the warp bubble and causing parts of it to collapse. Such disturbances could severely damage the warships or biological weapons traveling within the bubble.


    In milder cases, structural damage could eject the vessel from warp space; in more severe cases, the collapse energy could annihilate the target entirely, sending it to oblivion.


    However, these mines had significant drawbacks. First, they were exorbitantly expensive. Just the warp-bubble detection radar alone was costly, not to mention the other components. Second, their effective range was extremely limited. The blast radius could only affect a few kilometers.


    On a planetary surface, this range might be devastating, but in the vast expanse of space, it was almost negligible. Consider that these mines needed to be pre-positioned along routes the enemy might traverse. With warp engines operating at speeds well above the speed of light¡ªcovering hundreds of thousands of kilometers per second¡ªthe likelihood of colliding with a stationary mine with such a small effective range was infinitesimally small.


    Additionally, the mines relied on advanced technology and the application of high-level energy, making them difficult to produce. Within the Koya Alliance, only the Koriato civilization, as its leader, had the capability to manufacture them.


    The border fleets did not include Koriato warships. However, one alliance member had acquired some of these mines as part of a military procurement deal with the Koriato civilization. As a goodwill gesture, a few mines had been included as a bonus. By coincidence, the warships carrying these mines were among the first to arrive at the border¡¯s gathering point.


    During their retreat, these mines were jettisoned alongside other types of mines.

 Chapter 470: Disassembly

    When the decision was made by the Koya Alliance to dismantle and abandon the Daqi civilization, the alliance fleet originally assembled at the Daqi border also received orders to withdraw. To buy time for the Daqi civilization¡¯s relocation, they were instructed to deploy all loaded smart mines into the void beyond the star system.


    One type of smart mine, specifically targeting warp travel, though limited in number, caused some trouble when first encountered by the Swarm. In standard warfare, these smart mines are considered to be of little tactical advantage, neither significant enough to keep nor negligible enough to discard. To achieve any success, they must be deployed over a large area, hoping for the accidental interception of enemy forces.


    However, these mines are by no means cheap to produce, making mass deployment difficult. Yet, when this seemingly useless weapon encountered the Swarm¡¯s massive forces, unexpected results emerged.


    In the history of the Koya Alliance, there had never been a war measured in billions of ships. It should be noted that before this, the Daqi civilization operated only half a million warships in regular service. When the Troi civilization exerted pressure on the Swarm, they also mobilized a force of several hundred thousand warships.


    At their level, tens of thousands of warships constituted a large-scale operation. Even in the history of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, wars with over a hundred million combat units are rare. And those few warfare instances only met such standards due to the extensive scope of engagement.


    In reality, the troop engagements in these wars were more often in the millions, with tens of millions being rare. The Swarm, however, concentrated hundreds of millions of troops within a single star system, which was unprecedented in Alliance history. The density of forces could be imagined.


    Thus, warp-bubble smart mines, a weapon relying on passive engagement, performed exceptionally well due to the high concentration of targets. Over a hundred of these mines destroyed dozens of primordial bodies and severely damaged nearly two hundred, achieving a significant outcome.


    Of course, this success also stemmed from the Swarm¡¯s lack of experience with these devices. And considering the cost of a primordial body, it¡¯s hard to say definitively who suffered a net loss. Nonetheless, this novel situation attracted Luo Wen¡¯s attention.


    Upon his command, the primordial cluster voluntarily ceased warp travel, cautiously proceeding while deploying numerous larval and mature bodies to clear the smart mines in the void.


    As a result, their advance naturally slowed. This was actually Luo Wen¡¯s intention, because the implementation of warp propulsion modules had significantly increased the deployment speed of the primordial bodies. The distance between adjacent star systems could be crossed in just two to three years. Even accounting for troop deployment and rallying time, it wouldn¡¯t take more than five years.


    However, even five years is far from sufficient for the migration efforts of the Daqi civilization. Luo Wen had been pondering how to ease up without being too obvious or arousing enemy suspicion.


    Honestly, this was a considerable test of the Swarm¡¯s acting prowess. Just as he was revisiting the art of self-cultivation in acting and brainstorming methods, the opposing side conveniently handed him the script, allowing Luo Wen to slow the Swarm¡¯s advance.


    Moreover, the novel smart mines, or rather the application of their energy, genuinely piqued his interest. The actions of the Swarm were continuously monitored; for those small devices with minimal mobility, the Swarm could locate and clear them one by one.


    However, surrounding the Swarm forces were numerous reconnaissance ships. These vessels, highly specialized in their roles, may lack offensive capabilities but excel in sensory acuity, vision, and speed. Utilizing these traits, they patrolled just outside the security line of the primordial cluster. The Swarm had very few effective measures against these pesky observers. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fortunately, the billion-strong primordial cluster couldn¡¯t achieve invisibility, and opting for a frontal breakthrough strategy meant being surveilled was inconsequential. Intelligence warfare is unavoidable at any time.


    The encounters of the primordial cluster were captured by these ships and relayed back. In response, the Interstellar Technological Confederation could only marvel at there being no useless weapons, only improperly used ones. There was no suspicion regarding the Swarm forces¡¯ slowed advance and cautious bypassing of the mines.


    Most factions secretly let out a sigh of relief, especially the Koya Alliance and the Locke Mutual Aid Society, which had already come into contact with the Swarm. Since warp mines could restrain the Swarm¡¯s cluster attacks, they could produce more to buy themselves more time.


    The slower the Swarm¡¯s progress, the fewer their losses. As long as they could delay until the big players from the inner and middle circles entered the battlefield, they could escape their current precarious situation.


    As for the Daqi civilization, their relief was anything but simple. With the primordial cluster¡¯s previous approach, they had barely completed thirty percent of their migration efforts. If the Swarm had attacked then, they would have faced certain annihilation.


    This situation caused significant panic and led to unrest. Fortunately, divine providence intervened, and the abhorrent Swarm was obstructed by mighty technological creations, allowing them another chance at survival. Furthermore, following this event, the previously uncooperative Daqi, for various reasons, became much more compliant, greatly enhancing the efficiency of the migration efforts.


    Luo Wen did not concern himself with these developments; his focus was already on analyzing the warp mines. Beyond their high cost and limited operational range, these mines had another flaw. ??N?B¦¥?


    The mines were secured with multiple protocols controlling the special energy but had a single triggering mechanism, making them ineffective against units not engaged in warp travel.


    Moreover, targeting high-speed warp units meant any delay caused by remote control could lead to failure, so they didn¡¯t even have remote triggering systems. Therefore, when ordinary smart mines activated and injured the probing larval and mature bodies, these more advanced mines were inert like stones, easily captured by the Swarm.


    Luo Wen organized a large group of intelligent entities to commence the disassembly work. The Swarm¡¯s current technological level was already advanced; such smart mines, which would be incomprehensible to civilizations without the requisite technology, were manageable for the Swarm.


    The functional design was quickly analyzed by the intelligent entities, and, according to their understanding, the mines were dismantled systematically. Failures led to discussions and reattempts.


    Despite the limited number of these special mines, the Swarm had already captured dozens. With sufficient test samples, the intelligent entities operated more boldly, resulting in some rapid progress.

 Chapter 471: Entry

    As the intelligent entities delved into their research, they discovered that the special energy triggered by these mines upon explosion was produced by a special substance encapsulated within the mines. The Swarm was not unfamiliar with this substance, as they had already begun exploring related areas in their research. This special substance was none other than dark matter.


    Dark matter exists throughout the vast universe, accounting for 27% of the universe¡¯s matter. Theoretically, it is not uncommon. However, dark matter does not interact with any wavelengths of light and remains unaffected by various light actions. Hence, it cannot be seen or measured using conventional means. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In this sense, dark matter is somewhat similar to the negative energy previously encountered by the Swarm. However, dark matter is not negative energy. Negative energy is completely opposite to positive energy; they do not react but rather cancel each other out.


    In contrast, dark matter is a genuine positive energy material. While it does not interact with light, it can react with other positive energy materials. Dark matter contains immense energy, making up one-fourth of the universe¡¯s matter but holding 69% of the universe¡¯s energy, almost 70%. The remaining three-fourths of matter account for 30%.


    The potential of dark matter is enormous, as indicated by these figures. If there were a way to safely and effectively harness this energy, it would surpass controlled fusion technology comprehensively, becoming the new generation of energy sources.


    The evolution of energy technology would trigger a series of advancements in complementary technologies. Just as during the development of civilization, learning to use fire as a basic energy conversion technology allowed for the preliminary smelting of metals and the forging of troops equipped with metal weapons and armor.


    Subsequently, the mastery of gunpowder technology elevated instantaneous energy output, leading to the creation of numerous kinetic weapons. Then, with the acquisition of fossil fuel utilization and refining technologies, new kinetic weapons such as missiles emerged. However, due to limitations in energy conversion efficiency and output power, many high-power weapons were cumbersome and impractical for actual combat.


    After mastering controlled fusion, weapons considered cumbersome due to fossil energy became more compact with increased conversion efficiency and output power. More powerful kinetic weapons, such as electromagnetic railguns, entered practical use. Meanwhile, energy weapons such as energy beams and rays gained practical value.


    Dark energy, which surpasses controlled fusion in energy output efficiency, promises even more significant changes. Previously, energy-output-constrained ray weapons could no longer be limited to short-range defense. Enhanced instantaneous output power would bring more ray weapons onto the battlefield, and bomb power would further increase.


    The newly appeared type of mines, while merely crudely triggering dark matter to release a massive amount of energy instantaneously, leading to local spatial distortion and interference or destruction of passing warp units, still provided some insights for the Swarm. Prior to this, the Swarm had only reached the stage of observing dark matter and was clueless about harnessing it. Now, with the warp mines as a reference, despite their crude methods, they provided the Swarm a glimpse into the mysteries of dark matter.


    However, the emergence of such technology so early in the conflict caught Luo Wen by surprise. If outer-ring forces could master such technology, the Ji race likely possessed even more advanced versions.


    Luo Wen silently reminded himself that the Swarm must remain vigilant in this area to avoid being outmaneuvered by strange weapons. Just like the initial encounter with the sub-light multi-headed nuclear ¡°Crimson Kiss,¡± which had caused significant damage to the Swarm.


    As days passed, even though Luo Wen endeavored to reasonably suppress the Swarm¡¯s advance speed within plausible limits, all the smart mines could not withstand the exhaustive search conducted by the boundless Swarm forces for long.


    By the end of the nineteenth year of the New Era, the Swarm finally entered the territories of the Daqi race¡¯s two star systems. The Koya Alliance fleet, which had been assembled at the front line and withdrew, assisted in relocating a large number of Daqi citizens.


    Initially, the Daqi people were somewhat uncooperative, but facing the immense threat of the advancing Swarm, they eventually completed most of their migration before the Swarm breached the minefield.


    When the primordial cluster entered the star systems, they found devastation left in the wake of a hurried evacuation. Unlike LKDW291, perhaps due to time constraints, the Daqi did not destroy all the assets they couldn¡¯t take with them.


    At this point, the Swarm¡¯s technological advancement far surpassed that of the Daqi civilization, rendering any relics left behind insignificant for technological gains. Thus, the Swarm was indifferent to the completeness of the abandoned items.


    Naturally, they wouldn¡¯t be left untouched; even though some artifacts might hold historical value or significance, the Swarm had no young needing history lessons. Consequently, everything would be recycled and repurposed by the Swarm.


    That said, from a certain perspective, the Swarm preferred not to see relics too intact, as it doesn¡¯t reduce their workload. Instead, it sometimes creates issues. As the Swarm methodically proceeded with system occupation, the previously dormant defense systems unexpectedly reactivated. Defense weapons came online, and after a simple self-check, they launched assaults on the unsuspecting primordial bodies.


    Luo Wen was actually aware of this potential situation because the number of Daqi intelligent entities was considerable, with several even holding high positions. Naturally, they could obtain relatively hidden intelligence.


    After the Daqi civilization decided to evacuate, some people unwilling to leave their homeland stayed behind. Additionally, a number of serious criminals were not taken away. Operating on a principle of ¡°waste utilization,¡± the Daqi left part of the defense system¡¯s control to these individuals when departing, and even armed them.


    However, most remaining Daqi were on living planets or colonies and could not immediately threaten the Swarm. The current attack was operated by artificial intelligence systems.


    The Daqi royal family harbored resentment towards the Koya Alliance, whom they felt betrayed them, but they despised the Swarm even more, holding them responsible for everything that happened. Unwilling to leave their homes without a fight, even in their absence, they aimed to cause trouble for the Swarm. Though the Daqi had departed, the AI systems steadfastly remained operational.


    Nevertheless, due to several reasons, Daqi civilization¡¯s advancements in AI technology were mediocre. To date, they could only facilitate auxiliary equipment operation.


    Moreover, computational power and authority restrictions prevented them from controlling multiple devices simultaneously. During wartime, coordinated joint operations required human intervention for success. ????????¨º?

 Chapter 472: Engagement

    The damage caused by a scattered and disorganized force naturally could not compare to that of a disciplined and coordinated effort. However, under time constraints, the Daqi race had no means to rapidly upgrade or replace their artificial intelligence systems.


    The Koya Alliance as a whole also lacked significant expertise in this area, leaving them unable to provide support to the Daqi. Still, as the saying goes, ¡°three heads are better than one.¡± During their brainstorming session, one member suggested seeking help from the Ji.


    Why did everyone fear artificial intelligence and restrict its development in the first place? It was precisely because the Ji, a race that had advanced far in the field of AI, loomed over them. Everyone worried that if a conflict ever broke out with the Ji, they would lose the AI battle, their warships would be remotely commandeered, and they would inexplicably lose the war.


    Although such a scenario was almost impossible, caution dictated preparedness for worst-case scenarios. This mindset originally spread from the older factions in the Inner Circle, and later, the newer members, impressed by their predecessors¡¯ wisdom, followed suit. Over time, this concept became widespread and widely accepted.


    Despite this, the achievements and dominance of the Ji in artificial intelligence were universally acknowledged. When the suggestion was made, it seemed feasible after some deliberation, and a formal request was sent to the Ji.


    While the Ji had not yet explicitly taken a stance regarding the Swarm, their military movements revealed their position. Moreover, the current situation would not have reached this point without the Ji¡¯s involvement from the outset.


    Thus, the Ji quickly approved the Koya Alliance¡¯s request for assistance without even convening a meeting of the Council of Elders. Through the Quantum Communication System, an artificial intelligence system was transmitted to Daqi civilization and, upon receiving the necessary authorizations, promptly assumed control over all Daqi AI systems.


    The overwhelming capabilities demonstrated by the Ji¡¯s AI left the onlookers gasping. They finally understood why the veteran factions of the Inner Circle had chosen to limit their own AI development. No matter how advanced technology becomes, critical tasks must always involve human participation.


    Although this approach sacrifices some efficiency, it offers much greater stability and security.


    Luo Wen, aware that the Daqi had called for external support and set up ambushes, remained unfazed. The traps they had arranged were far from sufficient to force the Swarm to reveal its trump cards.


    Due to the peculiar spatial bubble effect of warp propulsion, safe distances must be maintained between units during marches to prevent interference. This inevitably caused the scale of interstellar marches to span immense distances in both space and time.


    For example, the journey between two relatively close star systems, approximately five light-years apart, could take just over a year. However, if the army¡¯s size was too large, it could result in the vanguard arriving at their destination while the rear units were still waiting to depart. Such a situation had previously occurred in the Sandstorm System.


    Fortunately, in the case of the Daqi, the Swarm forces had been delayed while clearing mines outside the system. While a small portion of the Swarm was still en route, the majority had already assembled outside the star systems.


    The assembled Primordial Clusters were divided into over a hundred units, each containing more than ten thousand Primordial entities. These units began sequentially advancing into Daqi 101 and Daqi 102. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Daqi civilization had operated within these two star systems for a considerable time. While their warships had already evacuated, the static defensive systems they left behind were not to be underestimated. Orbital cannons, space turrets, ground-based artillery, and satellite fortresses formed a formidable firepower network. The system surrounding their home star was especially fortified, resembling an impenetrable iron fortress.


    When the vanguard units entered the star system, the Daqi defensive systems remained in a dormant state. There were no signs of energy buildup or signal fluctuations, making it seem as if the Daqi had indeed abandoned the systems without destroying them in time.


    Seeing this, the Swarm forces followed their usual procedures. The units dispersed to prioritize locating surveillance equipment, leaving the task of handling the abandoned ¡°junk¡± to the follow-up forces.


    However, as the Primordial Units approached or passed by these defensive installations without any precaution, the systems suddenly activated. Diagnostics began running, energy levels surged, and weapon emplacements rotated and locked onto their targets.


    The Swarm reacted with astonishing speed. Luo Wen had long anticipated this trap but had feigned ignorance to conceal his trump cards.


    The moment energy fluctuations were detected, the Primordial bodies adjusted their responses. Their agility, far surpassing that of mechanical units, allowed them to quickly change direction. At the same time, their propulsion modules ramped up output power, spreading the units further apart while simultaneously rushing toward the defensive weapons.


    The Swarm¡¯s lightning-fast reactions stunned the observing factions. However, the Ji artificial intelligence, devoid of emotion, was unfazed. Its immense computational power enabled it to respond just as swiftly.


    The defensive weapons initiated crossfire, unleashing a dense web of firepower to suppress the advance of the Primordial Units. In response, the units decreased energy output to their propulsion modules and redirected it to their weapons systems. Electromagnetic railguns began charging, their fire-control systems and rear biological brains connected to the Swarm Network, providing remote computational support.


    Occasionally, defensive weapons or Primordial bodies were struck. The Ji AI controlled the Daqi weapons, adjusting their formations. Some satellite fortresses moved to the forefront, activating repulsion fields to block the electromagnetic projectiles.


    The Swarm quickly adapted. Internal adjustments were made to the structure of the Primordial Units, reorganizing their electromagnetic railguns. Soon, beams of energy shot out from the cannon barrels. In space, the originally one-sided streams of radiant fire turned into an intricate exchange of beams and projectiles, a spectacularly beautiful display.


    Yet beneath this beauty lay the grim reality of rapidly disappearing combat units.


    The battle reached a stalemate. However, the Daqi defensive line lacked reinforcements, while the Swarm continually received waves of support arriving from all directions. The Swarm¡¯s firepower gradually began to suppress the Daqi positions, and at this rate, the fall of the Daqi defensive line was only a matter of time.


    Nonetheless, the Daqi had not left these defensive installations with the intention of holding the line indefinitely. Their primary goal was to inflict as much attrition as possible on the Swarm¡¯s forces and to vent their frustration. Recognizing the situation, the Ji AI quickly made tactical adjustments. ???o?¦¢??


    The AI began allocating firepower more strategically. By calculating the movements of the Primordial Units, it identified larger targets and sealed off all possible escape routes, creating inescapable kill zones for precision strikes.


    This strategy further reduced the firepower pressure on the Daqi defensive line. However, it also significantly increased Swarm casualties. If this continued, the Daqi line would be eliminated more swiftly, but at the cost of higher Swarm losses.


    With the Daqi firepower slightly diminished, some of the Primordial Units redirected energy back to their propulsion modules. Using cover from their comrades, they charged directly toward the Daqi defensive line.


    The Ji AI quickly discerned the Swarm¡¯s intent. Armed with detailed combat data from all Swarm encounters, it understood the Swarm¡¯s strategy.


    It abandoned its focused attacks on the larger Primordial bodies and instead redirected firepower to intercept these charging suicide squads.

 Chapter 473: Fear

    The Ji artificial intelligence demonstrated extraordinary coordination and strategic capabilities. Fighting against it was entirely different from engaging other alien forces. Under the control of the Ji AI, the Daqi defensive lines executed maneuvers with astonishing precision¡ªrelocating forces, concentrating fire, and other actions were seamless.


    In previous battles, the Swarm often relied on its overwhelming execution capabilities to secure victory. However, in some areas, the Ji AI surpassed even the Swarm.


    But in the face of absolute numbers, such advantages became irrelevant. The Swarm¡¯s charging forces formed into lines, and even when the Primordial Units at the front were struck, their massive bodies provided partial cover for those behind them, absorbing incoming firepower.


    The charging lines grew longer and more numerous, overwhelming the Daqi defensive positions, which could not target them all. Eventually, Primordial Units breached the effective range of the defenses. Their storage compartments opened, releasing countless larval and mature bodies onto the battlefield.


    Thanks to continuous genetic optimization, space octopuses had enhanced energy efficiency. This allowed larval and mature bodies to operate effectively even without the energy support of an Atomic Furnace.


    The result in combat was clear: the Primordial Units could deploy these smaller units from a greater distance.


    The endless swarm of larval and mature bodies placed an even greater strain on the already overstretched Daqi firepower network. A chain reaction followed¡ªmore Primordial Units reached effective deployment range, releasing even more larval and mature bodies into the fray. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    However, the Daqi¡¯s defensive installations were already abandoned assets, so losses were of little concern. Operating in overdrive, the systems ignored damage and wear, focusing solely on maximizing output within their limited lifespan.


    Some cannons began sparking, and energy transmission pipelines neared their breaking point. Suddenly, one orbital cannon, overwhelmed by its load, short-circuited. A cascade of failures followed, culminating in a massive explosion.


    The explosion of the orbital cannon seemed to trigger a chain reaction, as one defensive weapon after another self-destructed. At this rate, the Swarm didn¡¯t even need to do much¡ªsimply stalling for time would cause the defenses to destroy themselves.


    By this point, however, large numbers of Swarm combat units had reached the Daqi defensive line, initiating close-quarters combat¡ªan area where the Swarm excelled. The fate of the Daqi line, once engaged in melee, was sealed.


    It didn¡¯t take long before only a few units in the Daqi defensive line remained capable of sustaining fire. As formidable as the Ji AI was, it lacked sufficient forces at its disposal. All it had were static units, making any innovative strategies nearly impossible.


    These static defenses might have been far more effective if complemented by dynamic units like warships or drones. In that case, their combat potential would have been on an entirely different level.


    Unfortunately, all mobile units had departed with the main forces. With threats in space and on the uninhabited planets resolved, the Swarm resumed its operations methodically.


    Some units began clearing the battlefield, while others dismantled monitoring devices. Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.


    ¡ª


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s combat approach is both brutal and effective. Without a significant technological gap or comparable numbers, it¡¯s nearly impossible to stop this kind of assault,¡± remarked many alien analysts after reviewing the battle footage transmitted from Daqi 101 and Daqi 102.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pity. If the Koya Alliance had participated in the defense, perhaps the outcome could have been different.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, among the outer-ring factions, no single race¡¯s military force can rival the Swarm. They can only trade territory for time to regroup. If they were to engage the Swarm head-on now, wouldn¡¯t the sacrifices made so far be in vain?¡±


    ¡°Heh, I¡¯m just saying. Why are you so worked up? What does it matter how much those other races lose? Honestly, I think it would be better if the Swarm wiped them all out¡ªit¡¯d free up some space.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s impossible. The Ji wouldn¡¯t allow that to happen. They still need those smaller races to wave flags and shout slogans.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. Twenty years have passed since the Swarm launched its offensive. If the Ji forces stationed nearby were as ready as you claim, they should already be at the battlefield. But the reality is that they¡¯re still gathering their forces, with no departure date in sight.¡±


    ¡°Ah, the Ji are no longer what they used to be. This current generation of successors has split into multiple factions, locked in internal conflicts. Who knows what they¡¯re even thinking.¡± ?????¦¥????


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? It gives us opportunities. Still, their artificial intelligence¡ªnow that¡¯s something worth watching.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. When was the last time the Ji deployed their artificial intelligence? In my lifetime, I haven¡¯t heard of such a thing. I never thought they¡¯d approve the Daqi¡¯s request for AI assistance this time.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The legendary Lumina, even now, remains beyond their full control. They can only rely on various methods to restrain it. It¡¯s said that the Ji¡¯s artificial intelligence programs are all derived from Lumina¡¯s subroutines. The fact that they dared to deploy it at all was a shock to everyone.¡±


    ¡°Still, the Ji AI performed exceptionally well this time. Its ability to coordinate and command in battle far surpasses our command systems. Unfortunately, even the most skilled chef cannot cook without ingredients¡ªthere¡¯s little more we can glean from this.¡±


    ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s better that way. According to historical records, fleets commanded by Lumina were an unstoppable force. Thankfully, the New Ji race are fools who keep it suppressed. Otherwise, very few would dare involve themselves in the Swarm¡¯s affairs.¡±


    ¡°After this battle, who knows how many factions will have their long-buried fears reawakened? Perhaps that¡¯s why the Ji allowed their AI to take action this time.¡±


    ¡°Hah, in the past, everyone held back their cards, but the Swarm¡¯s prize has grown so large that many are now willing to risk everything. Maybe the New Ji have already realized they¡¯re losing control of the situation.¡±


    ¡°Do you think they would truly let Lumina step into the fray?¡±


    ¡°Impossible. They¡¯ve spent so long building their power bit by bit within the rules. If it were you, would you give up the authority you¡¯ve amassed?¡±


    ¡°Ah, power truly is a poison, yet it¡¯s so intoxicating¡­ Now it all depends on just how big a prize the Swarm turns out to be. I can¡¯t wait to see how this unfolds.¡±


    ¡°Our race won¡¯t arrive at the battlefield for at least another century. Hopefully, we¡¯ll have the chance to witness this grand spectacle up close.¡±


    All in all, this war ended quickly. The newborn civilizations treated it as a spectacle and began debating whether to develop artificial intelligence.


    Meanwhile, the veteran factions found their old nightmares reawakened. Some chose to withdraw entirely, while others decided to face the challenge head-on, risking everything.


    None of this, however, concerned Luo Wen. As the protagonist of these events, the Swarm completed their tasks of salvaging resources and clearing monitoring devices before turning their sights toward the remaining habitable planets.

 Chapter 474: Clearing

    The life planets previously conquered by the Swarm were either like Neighboring Planet, which lacked advanced intelligent life, or like the Riken planets, where the Swarm had infiltrated for centuries, prompting a surrender as soon as the Swarm army approached.


    However, in terms of directly conquering a planet through hard combat in a short period, the Swarm had no prior experience. This operation presented a valuable opportunity for the Swarm to conduct such an exercise and learn from it.


    When devising the battle plan, Luo Wen encountered a dilemma: this type of combat exercise would be most effective if conducted covertly, away from the prying eyes of external observers. To achieve this, their surveillance channels had to be destroyed or blocked.


    The reconnaissance ships in space, equipped with quantum communication devices and relying on their speed, continued hovering near the Swarm forces. However, they dared not get too close. As long as the Swarm sealed off the exercise area and deployed interference devices, these ships¡¯ long-distance observation methods would be largely ineffective, providing at best vague data. Moreover, the life planets¡¯ atmospheres served as natural barriers against surveillance.


    Within the star system, the Swarm had already cleared out all monitoring devices. The only remaining surveillance devices were on the life planets themselves. These devices were far more numerous and omnipresent, making it impossible for the Swarm to destroy them all before the planets were fully conquered¡ªa task inherently contradictory to their plan.


    Fortunately, transmitting the surveillance data beyond the Swarm¡¯s blockade to the outside world was not an easy feat. There was only one method for such transmission, quantum communication devices.


    These instant quantum communication systems could not be intercepted¡ªnot by the Swarm and not even by the Ji. While the information itself could not be stopped, the devices transmitting it could be destroyed.


    If the Swarm managed to eliminate the quantum communication devices, the two life planets would become isolated information islands. No matter how much intelligence the monitoring devices collected, it would become useless without a way to transmit it.


    The problem, however, was that the quantum communication facilities of the Daqi were hidden in extremely secretive locations. Even within the Daqi civilization, their existence was highly classified, and very few Daqi individuals knew their exact positions.


    By a stroke of luck¡ªor perhaps carelessness¡ªLuo Wen had uncovered the locations of these hidden facilities. But how he came to know of them was a closely guarded secret of the Swarm itself.


    If the Swarm destroyed these facilities with surgical precision to ensure the secrecy of their exercise, it would inevitably raise suspicion among their enemies, possibly revealing some of the Swarm¡¯s methods. On the other hand, leaving them operational would result in continuous transmission of intelligence to the outside.


    Fortunately, the Swarm now had full control over the region, and external factions could not mount a counterattack anytime soon. This allowed Luo Wen to take his time preparing these two planets as testing grounds.


    The Primordial Cluster split into smaller units, with tens of thousands of Primordial bodies occupying the life planets¡¯ orbits. The atmosphere, a double-edged sword, effectively protected against external attacks but weakened outgoing strikes.


    For example, electromagnetic projectiles would burn up upon entering the atmosphere. Even if constructed from more robust materials, the cost would rise sharply, and the projectiles would still lose much of their power due to resistance during flight through the atmosphere.


    Similarly, energy beams or ray-based weapons would experience accelerated energy dissipation and refraction upon crossing the atmosphere. Consequently, the two Daqi life planets lacked significant capabilities to mount attacks against spaceborne targets.


    The few remaining ground-based cannons on the planets were quickly destroyed by the Swarm as soon as they revealed their firing locations. The Swarm didn¡¯t even need to rely on electromagnetic railguns or other sophisticated weaponry; they simply dropped rods made of specialized metals from orbit. The kinetic energy generated from their descent was devastating, creating impacts more destructive than nuclear explosions.


    With the resistance forces eliminated, the Primordial Units encircled the planets, releasing electromagnetic interference to prevent signals from being transmitted off-planet to the reconnaissance ships outside the system.


    Afterward, the Swarm dropped several spore pods onto the planet¡¯s surface.


    The Swarm¡¯s actions quickly piqued the interest of the observing factions. Since the quantum communication devices on the life planets had not yet been destroyed, they could still monitor the battlefield in real time.


    The footage of the spore pods being dropped from orbit was captured by numerous instruments. The observers assumed that the Swarm would immediately launch a ground offensive. To their surprise, the Primordial Units simply ceased all activity after dropping the pods, entering what seemed like a dormant state.


    ¡°What are they doing?¡±


    ¡°Not sure. Maybe they¡¯re conducting some kind of experiment.¡±


    ¡°Send someone to check what they¡¯ve dropped on the surface, immediately.¡±


    The Ji AI, while having lost control of all space-deployed weapons, still commanded the electronic systems on the Daqi planets. Additionally, it retained the assistance of a few remaining Daqi individuals and convicts who had stayed behind on the life planets. ??????????????¨§?


    Some convicts, realizing their grim fate, had gone rogue and were executed by the AI. The Ji AI operated with no ethical restrictions on harming alien species and eliminated these potential troublemakers without hesitation.


    The remaining Daqi people, regardless of their reasons for staying, had fully accepted the Ji AI¡¯s command. After receiving the observers¡¯ requests and performing its own calculations, the AI quickly dispatched a mixed squad of robots and Daqi personnel to investigate the spore pod landing sites.


    The spore pods¡¯ drop locations had been meticulously calculated by the Intelligent Entities, targeting remote wilderness areas. The mixed squad, traveling in transport airships, soon spotted the remnants of the spore pods from a distance. The crash site was littered with purple-gray organic tissue and fluids, but the contents of the pods had disappeared.


    ¡°This is TLAS3607. No signs of danger at the site. Requesting permission to land.¡± Several airships circled the crash site at a safe distance, but the visible destruction offered little insight. The squad leader requested permission to land for closer inspection. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Permission granted. Proceed with caution,¡± came a cold, mechanical voice through the communication channel. While the AI expressed concern for safety, there was no trace of emotion in its tone.


    The squad leader grimaced but knew better than to expect more from an artificial intelligence. He gestured to his team, and the airships adopted a scattered formation, landing around the spore pod crash site.


    Several all-terrain robots emerged from the airships first, advancing without fear to clear the path. Behind them, a group of Daqi soldiers cautiously followed, weapons at the ready.


    Suddenly, the robots emitted a shrill alarm. A blue arc of light flashed ahead, and before anyone could react, a cold voice in the communication channel managed to utter a single syllable. ¡°Intru¡ª¡± before being drowned out by the sound of static.

 Chapter 475: The Trap

    ¡°Ah!¡± The harsh static transitioned into an even more piercing buzzing sound. Several Daqi team members couldn¡¯t bear it any longer, hastily removing their helmets and throwing them to the ground. Fortunately, since they were on a life planet, removing their helmets didn¡¯t cause any discomfort from the environment.


    They shook their heads, trying to clear the disorientation caused by the sudden noise. The intense buzzing had inflicted significant harm, leaving some team members retching, while others already had blood seeping from their noses and mouths.


    After a while, they began to recover slightly.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Captain, it¡¯s an EMP!¡± shouted one of the Daqi soldiers. However, the deafening sound had left most of them temporarily hearing-impaired. The team leader, still dizzy and disoriented, couldn¡¯t make out what was being said.


    The captain struggled against the lingering effects, tapping his own helmeted head, but the noise and disorientation rendered him unable to hear anything clearly.


    The soldier, physically sturdier than the captain and having been positioned further back during the EMP detonation, had recovered more quickly. He dragged himself closer to the captain and used his weapon to draw the letters ¡°EMP¡± in the dirt.


    The captain rubbed his eyes, focusing on the roughly scrawled letters. He nodded grimly. Although the Swarm predominantly relied on biotechnology, their mastery of controlled fusion and magnetic field technology was highly advanced. Deploying an EMP device was well within their capabilities.


    What puzzled him, however, was why the Swarm would place an EMP here instead of a high-yield explosive. Wouldn¡¯t a bomb have been far more effective? The all-terrain robots that had been leading the way were now disabled, their circuits sparking as they lay inert.


    The Daqi had taken most of their valuable assets with them during their evacuation. Large defensive installations had to be left behind due to size, but smaller equipment, such as advanced robots, had been taken wherever possible. The robots left behind were older models, which, though equipped with basic EMP shielding, had failed to withstand such a close-range detonation.


    The captain, a retired soldier who had refused to leave his homeland, cursed under his breath at the poor performance of the robots. If they had been equipped with the latest combat models, they wouldn¡¯t have fared so poorly.


    He picked up his discarded helmet and tested it. The communications system was damaged, leaving them completely cut off from the command center. For a veteran accustomed to modern warfare with constant access to remote intelligence support, the absence of such resources was unsettling.


    Stifling his unease, the captain gestured for his team to press on toward the Swarm¡¯s spore pod impact site. If the Swarm hadn¡¯t destroyed the area with a bomb, they must have had a specific purpose, and the crash site might hold some clues.


    Suddenly, he looked up into the distance. Several small black dots were rapidly approaching. Using the binocular function on his helmet, he recognized the familiar shapes and markings¡ªthey were drones from their own forces, dispatched as reinforcements by the command center.


    Just as he began to feel a sliver of relief, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air, growing louder by the second. The Daqi soldiers instinctively looked up, spotting a small black dot hurtling toward them, rapidly growing larger.


    The captain only had time to shout a curse before the black dot transformed into a metallic rod. In an instant, the rod slammed into the ground with unimaginable force, launching the team into the air and knocking them unconscious.


    The impact shattered the crust of the planet, sending a shockwave rippling outward, carrying debris and dirt far into the distance. The arriving Daqi drones wobbled midair in the aftermath of the shockwave, struggling to stabilize themselves before finally regaining their composure.


    At this point, the site of the Swarm¡¯s spore pod impact¡ªand the Daqi squad¡ªhad completely disappeared, leaving nothing but a small lava pool. Dark red magma seeped from fissures in the ground.


    From the EMP detonation to the current state of the area, only a few minutes had passed. The Swarm¡¯s EMP blast had a limited range, covering less than 100 meters. While the strike team was completely cut off, monitoring systems further away remained unaffected. ???????¦Â??


    Thus, the Daqi command center and the hidden observers watched the entire sequence of events unfold in real-time. The EMP detonation and the orbital rod strike had occurred almost simultaneously.


    From the moment the strike team stepped into the blast radius, their fate was sealed. Even if they had attempted to retreat immediately, the destruction of their airships¡¯ electronic systems ensured they would not have escaped the subsequent devastation.


    ¡°This was a trap!¡±


    ¡°You think? Even an idiot could see that. The question is¡ªwhy would the Swarm go to such lengths?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. They had countless simpler ways to eliminate that squad, yet they chose such an elaborate method.¡±


    ¡°Maybe someone in the Daqi squad was an important figure,¡± suggested one observer.


    ¡°Impossible!¡± A Daqi representative retorted, ¡°If anyone of value had stayed behind, they would¡¯ve been forcibly evacuated long ago, even against their will.¡±


    ¡°Then what if someone impersonated an ordinary soldier and defected to the Swarm? The Swarm could be staging this scene to make us think they¡¯re dead, while secretly taking them away,¡± proposed another.


    ¡°That¡¯s absurd. If they wanted to take someone, they could do it openly. Do you think the scraps the Daqi left behind could stop them?¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. Perhaps their goal wasn¡¯t those individuals at all. Maybe this was just a rehearsal, testing whether we could uncover their real intentions. Next time, it might be you or me they plan to deceive.¡±


    ¡°While your idea sounds far-fetched, I agree they¡¯re conducting some sort of exercise or experiment. Elena, analyze the data from earlier.¡±


    Elena, the artificial intelligence sent by the Ji for support, lacked emotions and couldn¡¯t grasp the concept of absurdity. But data analysis was its forte. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A moment later, its mechanical voice responded: ¡°All 191 video data streams from the incident have been reviewed. The identities of all participants are verified as authentic. Behavioral patterns from the past 72 hours were analyzed, with no indications of falsification. Frames surrounding the Swarm weapon¡¯s impact with the ground¡ªspanning 30 seconds before and after¡ªwere slowed by a factor of 1,000 and scrutinized. No signs of Swarm interference were detected. All squad members confirmed deceased.¡±


    The analysts nodded, accepting Elena¡¯s report without question.


    ¡°So, why would the Swarm go to such lengths?¡±


    ¡°Maybe they simply didn¡¯t want us to know what was inside that projectile.¡±


    ¡°But if that were the case, why not just destroy it themselves after it landed?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps they¡¯re trying to mislead us.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The Swarm had always presented itself as an efficient and goal-oriented species. It didn¡¯t take unnecessary actions; everything it did served a purpose. Luo Wen, however, often sought to obfuscate his enemies by performing seemingly meaningless actions to confuse their observations.


    But in this case, the action was far from meaningless.


    The opponent currently facing the Swarm was the Ji¡¯s artificial intelligence, commanding a hodgepodge of second-rate forces.


    This was a prime opportunity to test and document the AI¡¯s responses to various scenarios in a highly controlled and low-risk environment.

 Chapter 476: Escape

    It was almost inevitable that the Swarm would eventually clash with the Ji. Any opportunity to learn more about their future adversary, even a small detail, was invaluable. The Ji¡¯s emotionless artificial intelligence programs, in particular, always calculated and selected the optimal solutions for any given situation.


    By carefully orchestrating certain scenarios, the Swarm could test and analyze the AI¡¯s behavioral patterns, such as how many forces it would deploy in response to emergencies, the composition of those forces, and their operational range. Such data might seem trivial, but it could prove unexpectedly useful in future confrontations.


    The spore pods dropped by the Swarm contained tens of thousands of Recon Bugs, high-grade units equipped with sealed internal circulation systems. Their independence from external air sources allowed them to adapt to nearly any planetary environment, making them ideal for gathering data during invasions of unfamiliar worlds.


    Although Luo Wen had already acquired detailed environmental data on the Daqi planets, thanks to his innate ability to reverse-engineer a planet¡¯s biosphere and atmosphere by analyzing the genetic sequences of any local lifeform, the Swarm still saw value in this exercise.


    Luo Wen had already cataloged survival data for dozens of species from across the Interstellar Technological Confederation, all of which shared one common trait: members of their species had previously visited the Riken Star System.


    The Recon Bugs deployed to the Daqi planets could have been tailored to the local environment, significantly reducing production costs. However, Luo Wen wanted to test the adaptability and reliability of the advanced Recon Bugs, simulating scenarios where local samples might not be available during future planetary invasions.


    Accompanying the Recon Bugs were several Observer Bugs. Due to their small size, Recon Bugs lacked dedicated reconnaissance radar, necessitating external support.


    Although the Swarm had already secured the planets¡¯ low orbit, where the Observer Bugs could have easily provided support, a proper tactical drill demanded a full simulation of hostile conditions.


    Observer Bugs, equipped with advanced stealth systems, as well as a suite of information-gathering and interception technologies, broke free from the spore pods upon landing and ascended to form an ad hoc satellite network at specific altitudes.


    Within moments, their systems flagged over a thousand suspicious locations across the planet. Recon Bugs, receiving this data, immediately set out to investigate their assigned targets.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm dropped additional spore pods, further increasing the number of Recon Bugs. The Ji AI, ever persistent, continued dispatching teams to investigate the crash sites. This time, their tactics changed slightly: Daqi personnel remained aboard the airships, while only all-terrain robots were deployed to the ground.


    However, the crash sites yielded nothing. All that remained was a puddle of liquefied organic material, a result of genetic degradation, devoid of any actionable intelligence. The contents of the spore pods had long vanished.


    The Swarm¡¯s actions sparked yet another round of speculation among the observers. Once again, suspicion circled back to the first strike team and the few Daqi individuals who had been part of it. Elena, the Ji AI, even allocated computational resources to review the past decade¡¯s worth of video footage of those individuals, hoping to uncover some clue.


    While the observers debated the Swarm¡¯s intentions and remained mired in their suspicions, Recon Bugs had already reached the perimeter of their base.


    The bases housing the quantum communication equipment were all located deep underground, camouflaged by surface-level buildings repurposed for other uses. However, with the Daqi having evacuated, the massive energy consumption required to operate these facilities was hard to conceal. In the Observer Bugs¡¯ vision, such locations stood out like beacons in the dark.


    The Recon Bugs, with their distinct biology, were unlike any native creatures on the Daqi planets. A closer inspection would reveal their differences from local life forms.


    At this moment, the Recon Bugs hovering near the buildings inevitably drew the attention of hidden surveillance systems. If Daqi sentinels had still been present, they might have dismissed the bugs as unimportant, not being entomologists capable of discerning whether such insects were native to their planet.


    However, all surveillance systems were now connected to the Ji¡¯s artificial intelligence, which maintained an exhaustive database. Any life form appearing in front of a camera was automatically cross-referenced with this database.


    The instant a species absent from the database appeared, the AI raised an alert. Alarms blared, interrupting the ongoing debates among the observers.


    On the main screen of the networked meeting room, footage from the external surveillance cameras showed clear images of the Recon Bugs.


    ¡°Insects? Seriously? AI systems are ridiculous. After so many years of environmental management on Daqi planets, countless species have emerged. We can¡¯t just sound an alarm because bugs appear near a base. Our entire alert system would collapse.¡±


    ¡°Are you stupid? Have you forgotten who we¡¯re up against?¡±


    ¡°Are you suggesting these are Swarm units? But such small combat units? That¡¯s absurd.¡±


    ¡°How na?ve. Just because they specialize in biotechnology doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re animals. Do you think just because we focus on mechanical engineering, all our units have to be giant ships and cannons?¡± ????????¨¨?


    While the observers bickered, Elena was already connected to the Ji¡¯s database, performing a detailed analysis. Shortly thereafter, a match was displayed on-screen.


    ¡°These life forms¡¯ biological structure bears a striking resemblance to a species previously discovered by the Rikens on Neighboring Planet.¡±


    ¡°Neighboring Planet? Isn¡¯t that the Swarm¡¯s home base? So, these bugs are indeed Swarm units.¡±


    ¡°Judging by their appearance, they seem to be reconnaissance units. But what are they searching for?¡±


    ¡°What else could they be looking for? They¡¯re above one of our bases. You tell me.¡±


    The realization struck all at once: ¡°Be careful!¡±


    ¡°Wait a second, we¡¯re not even there. Why are we getting worked up?¡± That comment immediately calmed the room, as they realized the warning had been a false alarm. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°If the Swarm knows this base isn¡¯t manned, why would they come here? Even if they destroyed it, it wouldn¡¯t change much.¡±


    ¡°Elena, analyze the available information and provide an explanation.¡±


    The AI, after a brief pause, responded in its cold, mechanical tone: ¡°Based on the Swarm¡¯s activities within the Daqi star system over the past few days, it is likely they are conducting an experiment. This experiment requires a relatively intact ecological environment and high levels of secrecy. Thus, they are targeting quantum communication equipment to sever our connection with the Daqi planets. Confidence level for this hypothesis: 79.9%.¡±


    As soon as Elena finished, a new alarm sounded: ¡°Beep, beep, beep¡ªRisk mitigation protocol activated. Conditions for withdrawal met. Elena is disconnecting from the Daqi planetary network. Disconnection complete.¡±


    Following this announcement, the AI autonomously executed its protocol. The screens in the meeting room froze momentarily before resuming normal operation.

 Chapter 477: Isolated Island

    The artificial intelligence Elena, initially deployed to assist the Daqi Empire by the Ji, relied on network connectivity for its operations. Once its network links were severed, its capabilities would be severely restricted.


    For instance, if the Swarm were to cut off the quantum communication devices connecting Daqi¡¯s planets to the outside, Elena would be trapped within Daqi¡¯s internal network. At that point, the Swarm could systematically destroy all networked devices, eroding Elena¡¯s operating environment until it was forced into a controllable hardware facility¡ªwhere it could either be studied or destroyed.


    Anticipating this eventuality, Elena¡¯s emergency protocols activated. Without needing third-party approval, it fled the network.


    However, Elena¡¯s retreat wasn¡¯t a complete abandonment. It simply detached its core program from Daqi¡¯s network. As long as the quantum communication link remained intact, Elena could still remotely control everything within the Daqi network.


    Initially, Elena refrained from this approach because it carried certain drawbacks. Previously, by being embedded in Daqi¡¯s network, Elena could receive real-time data from all surveillance devices with virtually no delay, enabling rapid responses.


    Now, however, the Daqi network had to consolidate all its data and transmit it through quantum communication devices to Elena for processing, after which the results would be sent back. While quantum communication was nearly instantaneous, its bandwidth was limited, which created delays under heavy data loads.


    This issue became particularly severe when managing a planetary-scale network. For small-scale skirmishes, the method was still feasible, but for the vast amount of data generated by an entire planet, it was a recipe for inefficiency.


    To allocate more bandwidth for combat data, the experience for external observers was compromised. The video streams they received were downgraded from 4K resolution to a grainy 860p.


    Fortunately for the spectators, their low-quality feed didn¡¯t last long. The Swarm¡¯s Recon Bugs quickly identified several bases among thousands of possible locations that housed the quantum communication devices.


    Moments later, the Swarm struck decisively. Massive strikes fractured the planetary crust, magma erupted, and the underground Daqi bases housing the quantum communication devices sank into molten lakes. The devices, naturally, were destroyed in the process.


    The live feeds suddenly cut off, leaving the Ji¡¯s AI and the other alien spectators completely blind to events on the Daqi planets.


    ¡°What is the Swarm trying to do?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re up to something big, no doubt.¡±


    ¡°Deploy our nearby reconnaissance ships immediately to figure out what they¡¯re planning!¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°It¡¯s impossible. Our scout ships can¡¯t penetrate their blockade. There are simply too many of them.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Luo Wen paid no attention to the impotent rage of those on the outside. With the quantum communication severed, the Daqi planets had become ¡°isolated islands.¡±


    It was unfortunate, however, that the Ji artificial intelligence, Elena, had reacted too quickly, escaping before it could be trapped. If it had remained, its involvement would have provided the Swarm with far greater gains from the exercise.


    Fortunately, there were still some Daqi soldiers and war robots on the planets, enough to serve as a makeshift opposition force.


    Suddenly, a portion of the Recon Bugs received an order and abruptly dove toward the planet¡¯s surface. Surveillance devices captured this behavior and transmitted it back. The remaining Daqi commanders, puzzled by what they saw, hastily dispatched assault squads to investigate. ??????¨¯????¦¥?


    Without the guidance of the Ji AI, the Daqi war robots moved sluggishly, their actions riddled with hesitation and delays. Watching from afar, Luo Wen shook his head in disappointment.


    When total control of the battlefield was already secured, stronger opponents would have provided far more useful data, allowing weaknesses in the Swarm¡¯s combat units to be identified. Unfortunately, these current adversaries were little more than a token opposition.


    The Daqi assault squad, accompanied by their robots, cautiously arrived at the investigation site. Meanwhile, the soldiers themselves lingered at a safe distance, hesitant to advance. Many of them had not been professional soldiers before the war. They were civilians who had refused to leave their homes and were hastily conscripted into service.


    The lessons of their predecessors had left them jittery and on edge. Regret filled their hearts, but with the main Daqi forces long gone, there was no turning back. Negative emotions clouded their minds, making their movements sloppy and their tactics careless¡ªfurther dampening Luo Wen¡¯s expectations.


    Despite this, the squad ¡°successfully¡± completed their mission. They found no abnormalities at the scene, and most importantly, they returned unscathed.


    The crash landings of Recon Bugs occurred hundreds of times across the planets. Only about a dozen incidents were captured by Daqi surveillance devices, prompting commanders to send teams for inspections. The reports that came back were all normal. However, one commander, driven by instinct, felt something was amiss but could not pinpoint any actionable leads.


    The crash sites of the Recon Bugs were carefully chosen, targeting locations near Daqi military bases. Upon impact, the bugs used their robust limbs to burrow into the ground. Once underground, specialized Fungal Carpet cells within their bodies underwent rapid mutation. At a certain depth, the mutated cells absorbed the rest of the bug¡¯s body, transforming it into a true fungal seed.


    The fungal seed rooted itself underground, absorbing nutrients while burrowing deeper. At the same time, some of its cells began converting energy to mutate into Brood Queen eggs.


    Due to the unique environment of the planets, these fungal carpets differed slightly from their spaceborne counterparts. Luo Wen had deliberately reduced their ability to absorb space radiation and enhanced other features.


    For instance, the terrestrial version had fuzzy tendrils that could filter microorganisms from the air and soil to convert energy. They could also extract certain elements from the air to react with others, replenishing their energy reserves.


    Overall, the customized fungal carpet demonstrated faster growth and higher energy conversion efficiency within planetary environments, outperforming the space version significantly.


    The Brood Queens, as the primary unit for Swarm production, directly influenced the speed at which new bases could be established. After continuous genetic optimization, their development cycle had been greatly shortened. With sufficient energy, a Brood Queen could reach maturity in just one month.


    The terrestrial Brood Queen, tailored for life on a habitable planet, lacked the space version¡¯s internal circulation system and radiation shielding. By integrating local genetic material, it relied on native biological systems for survival, avoiding the need for costly and slow-developing space-based adaptations.


    This allowed it to mature even faster, requiring less energy during development. The time to full maturity was halved compared to the space version.


    This gave terrestrial Brood Queens a significant advantage in the resource-scarce early stages of base development, enabling them to establish initial structures more quickly and secure greater resilience against risks.

 Chapter 478: Testing

    What about the lack of native genetic samples for planetary invasions before this?


    This issue was easily addressed. When the Swarm¡¯s Recon Bugs appeared on a planet, obtaining native biological samples became a trivial task. These samples were uploaded through the Swarm Network to Luo Wen, who calibrated and modified the genetic data before sending it back. This allowed the Brood Queens to undergo genetic adaptation tailored to the local environment.


    As time passed, reconnaissance ships from the Interstellar Technological Confederation repeatedly attempted to breach the Swarm¡¯s blockade to uncover what schemes the Swarm might be plotting. However, with new Swarm units arriving on the front lines daily, the fleet achieved nothing but the loss of nearly a hundred scout vessels.


    Meanwhile, inside the Daqi planets, an eerie calm prevailed, as though the war had already ended. Yet all the remaining Daqi inhabitants knew this was pure fantasy. The Swarm units gathered in near orbit were so numerous they almost blocked out the sunlight. They weren¡¯t simply sunbathing; everyone understood they were plotting something ominous.


    The heavy psychological pressure weighed down on the remaining Daqi, filling them with regret for their hasty decision to stay behind. Many wished they could turn back time and make a different choice. Now, isolated from the outside world, they could only wait helplessly for the inevitable outcome they so feared.


    Months later, the long-standing silence was shattered by piercing alarms in an underground Daqi base.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?!¡± demanded the Daqi commander, his emotions a complicated mix of tension and resignation.


    Hearing the alarms, he felt an inexplicable sense of relief, as though the guillotine hanging above him had finally dropped, ending the agonizing anticipation.


    ¡°Commander, something is rapidly approaching us!¡±


    ¡°Do we know what it is?¡±


    ¡°Our sensors can¡¯t identify it, but it¡¯s big. It¡¯s here!¡±


    A deafening crash echoed through the base, causing the entire structure to tremble slightly.


    ¡°Sector B51 has been struck by an unknown object! The walls have sustained damage. Wait¡ªit¡¯s continuing its attack!¡± an operator exclaimed, staring wide-eyed at the data displayed on their instruments.


    ¡°Sound the combat alarm! Deploy Teams One and Two to investigate. Engage immediately if you encounter hostile forces. The remaining teams, prepare for backup!¡± The underground base¡¯s narrow corridors made it difficult for too many personnel to operate simultaneously, as crowding would reduce maneuverability. Two teams were the optimal choice for such a situation.


    Outside the underground base, a massive Burrowing Worm, seven to eight meters in diameter, slammed into the exterior walls. It opened its colossal maw and bit deeply into the base¡¯s reinforced structure.


    The Burrowing Worm¡¯s mouth was lined with three layers of interlocking, spiral-shaped teeth that gleamed ominously, their sharpness evident at a glance. Additionally, some of these teeth were connected to venom glands.


    As the worm bit down, it secreted a potent acid designed specifically for breaking down metals. This acid rapidly degraded metal structures, softening and corroding them with terrifying efficiency.


    The relentless assault on the base¡¯s defenses was just the beginning of what the Swarm had in store.


    The combination of razor-sharp teeth and potent acid allowed the Burrowing Worm to tear through the base¡¯s thick outer walls with ease. Each time its massive maw opened and closed, large chunks of the protective walls were ripped away.


    These fragments were swallowed and carried through its long digestive tract, where layers of grinding teeth reduced the metal to fine particles. The worm then expelled the metallic debris, which other Swarm units promptly collected and transported back to the hive for storage.


    Though the underground Daqi base was heavily fortified with a nearly ten-meter-thick metal shell, it stood no chance against the Burrowing Worm¡¯s specialized assault. In a surprisingly short time, the walls were breached.


    The moment the wall gave way, a torrent of gunfire erupted from within the base. However, the small-caliber weapons of the Daqi soldiers proved laughably ineffective against the Burrowing Worm¡¯s tough hide, akin to scratching an itch through a boot.


    Unfazed, the Burrowing Worm widened the breach to a diameter of five or six meters before retracting its body and slinking off to another section of the wall. Its role in the assault was complete; it was time for the next act of the invasion to unfold.


    Inside the base, the Daqi soldiers cheered, mistakenly believing their firepower had driven off the massive creature. Their celebration lasted only seconds before a smaller, half-meter-long insect with a spider-like appearance leapt into the breach.


    This was the localized version of the Spider Combat Bug, known as the Raider, which had previously been deployed during the invasion of Great Dawn Planet¡¯s Riken bases. ?????¦­o?¦Â¨º?


    [T/N: Great Dawn Planet is currently called Planet Neighboring. Don¡¯t know why the author decided to rename it but I used it¡¯s old name here because it makes more sense in this context.]


    Though they had no role in spaceborne combat, Luo Wen had continued optimizing them over the years.


    As the Raider¡¯s role became more defined, its design underwent increasingly specialized modifications, making it an extreme yet highly effective combat unit.


    Built with a cost-efficient genetic structure, the Raider sacrificed all non-essential armor and auxiliary abilities, such as stealth, to minimize production costs. This left them virtually defenseless against high-tech weapons.


    However, the absence of armor dramatically enhanced their agility. With six spider legs tipped with hooked claws, they could dart and weave across most terrains with exceptional speed and mobility.


    Their simple biological structure allowed each egg to produce multiple Raiders, and their growth cycle was astonishingly fast. With adequate energy, they could mature within just a few days. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Once mature, Raiders experienced an overproduction of adrenaline, granting them combat prowess far exceeding their baseline physical attributes. This came at a cost: their rapid metabolism led to extreme wear and tear on their bodies, resulting in a lifespan of no more than a year¡ªeven if they didn¡¯t die in battle.


    On the upside, Raiders had an incredibly high recovery rate. The remains of a single Raider could be recycled to produce 0.8 of a new Raider, making them a cost-effective and powerful expendable unit.


    As the first Raider emerged from the breach, the Daqi soldiers froze in shock. Those with professional training quickly recovered, demonstrating their combat discipline. They ceased celebrating and immediately opened fire on the Raider, prompting the less experienced recruits to follow suit.


    Under the intense barrage of concentrated firepower, the Raider only lasted two seconds before a direct hit obliterated it into a spray of greenish goo. The soldiers stood dumbfounded, astonished at how easily the creature was destroyed. Compared to the towering Burrowing Worm, this new foe seemed far less formidable.


    As they began to wonder whether the Swarm was as fearsome as legend claimed, their optimism was crushed. In the next instant, a flood of Raiders surged through the breach, their sheer numbers turning the narrow passage into a writhing mass of black limbs.


    The swarm of Raiders was so densely packed that their limbs became entangled, limiting their ability to evade incoming fire. Yet their overwhelming numbers made them appear like a dark tidal wave crashing toward the Daqi defenders.


    ¡°Open fire!¡±

 Chapter 479: Impact

    ¡°Open fire!¡± the squad leader roared, snapping his team out of their stunned state. His furious command was quickly followed by a barrage of concentrated energy beams aimed at the oncoming black tide.


    The Daqi soldiers became sharpshooters in their desperation. Every shot was a direct hit, often taking down two or even three Raiders with a single blast. Yet their efforts were futile. The attacks did little more than splash greenish ¡°soup¡± into the air, failing to halt the relentless advance of the dark swarm.


    Within seconds, the defensive line formed by the two Daqi squads was overrun. The furious shouts and the staccato sounds of gunfire faded, replaced by the piercing, resonant screeches of countless Raiders swarming forward, their collective cry growing ever louder, shaking the very core of the listeners.


    Watching the chaos unfold through the surveillance feeds, the remaining Daqi personnel were overcome with shock and terror. Those with a fear of swarming masses felt their breaths grow shallow, overwhelmed by the horrifying scene.


    But the battlefield left no room for prolonged emotional responses. The Daqi commander was the first to recover, his hardened combat instincts forcing him to suppress his fear.


    ¡°Seal all the passages! Everyone, fall back to the command center!¡± he barked.


    The commander¡¯s extensive combat experience had taught him that dividing their forces against such a tidal wave of attackers would only result in them being picked off one by one. His priority now was to buy as much time as possible, gather his personnel, and plan either a strategic retreat or a desperate last stand.


    In the base¡¯s corridors, thick metal bulkheads slammed shut one after another, forming barriers to block the advancing swarm.


    ¡°Boom!¡± The tide crashed into one of the sealed doors, the impact crushing the leading Raiders into pulp. The mangled remains of the ¡°wave¡± smeared against the metal door, green, semi-translucent corrosive fluid oozing from their broken bodies.


    Though the stripped-down version of the Raiders lacked dedicated venom sacs, their entire bodies served as highly effective acid reservoirs. Deploying the acid was as simple as smashing themselves to pieces.


    ¡°Sssss¡­¡± The fluid reacted violently with the metal, hissing and steaming as it corroded the surface. A foul odor spread through the air, but the advancing swarm didn¡¯t care.


    The corrosion worked quickly. Within moments, the nearly meter-thick metal bulkhead had a gaping hole, allowing the black tide to surge forward again, crashing against the next barrier.


    Meanwhile, inside the Daqi base, personnel scrambled to regroup at the command center. Soldiers who had already arrived set up improvised defensive positions in the narrow corridors leading to the command center. Heavy weapons were deployed, despite the risks of collateral damage in such confined spaces. At this point, survival outweighed such concerns.


    ¡°Commander, are we planning to make our stand here?¡± one operator asked nervously.


    ¡°Staying here is a death sentence!¡± the commander replied grimly.


    He understood the terrain too well¡ªthese tight spaces made it impossible to concentrate their firepower effectively. Facing such an overwhelming tide of enemies, holding the line here was nothing short of a fool¡¯s dream.


    The commander was acutely aware that the entire star system was now under Swarm control. Any attempt to outlast the Swarm through attrition was doomed to failure; at best, his actions could only delay the inevitable.


    Observing the previously unseen Swarm units being deployed, the commander deduced that the Swarm was conducting tests. They were either developing new tactics or addressing shortcomings in existing units that rendered them unsuitable for planetary surface combat. ?????N????


    He believed the latter to be more likely. If the Swarm truly wanted efficiency, deploying their Space Octopuses would have been far more effective than wasting ammunition then on these suboptimal units. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The commander speculated that, despite the Swarm¡¯s biological focus, their spaceborne units, much like the large warships of other factions, were likely restricted in their ability to operate on planetary surfaces. What puzzled him further was the absence of the little Octopus Freaks from the ground operations, leading him to suspect some deeper mystery at play.


    Regrettably, with all channels of communication blocked, the commander had no way to transmit this critical insight. If he could, he would willingly sacrifice himself to provide this intelligence for the survival of his people.


    Since a noble death was out of the question, survival became his primary goal. As the saying goes, ¡°Better a live coward than a dead hero.¡± As long as he lived, there was a chance¡ªperhaps one day, he might find an opportunity to relay this vital information.


    ¡°Can we contact other bases to see if they can send reinforcements?¡± the commander asked.


    ¡°No, sir. Our signals were jammed by the Swarm at the very start of the battle!¡±


    ¡°Check how many transport vehicles we still have. Can they carry everyone out at once?¡±


    ¡°On it, Commander.¡± The operator typed rapidly before responding, ¡°Currently, we have five transport shuttles, four gunboats, and thirty-seven ground vehicles. If fully loaded, we can evacuate everyone from the base.¡±


    The commander nodded, deep in thought. The transport and gunboats were in constant use and were maintained in combat readiness. However, the ground vehicles, despite regular maintenance, were seldom used. Their immediate operational status was uncertain.


    Moreover, being an underground facility, the vehicles had only two potential routes for deployment.


    Option one: Use the elevator shafts. This method was fast and could deliver units to the surface quickly. However, the elevator shafts had limited capacity, requiring nearly twenty trips to transport all thirty-seven vehicles. This would consume valuable time and divide their forces. If they were ambushed on the surface, the segmented deployment would be vulnerable to piecemeal annihilation.


    Option two: Use the underground tunnel. This tunnel, designed for transporting large modules and equipment, offered the advantage of maintaining troop cohesion during evacuation. However, it spanned a length of ten kilometers and lacked the robust defenses of the base walls. If they encountered an ambush within the tunnel, they could be completely trapped, with no hope of reinforcement.


    There was no time for extensive deliberation. The commander decided to prepare all options and adapt as the situation unfolded.


    ¡°Send Combat Teams Three and Four to escort the engineering team. Get all the vehicles operational. Everyone else, fortify the defensive lines!¡±


    The base¡¯s design seemed to account for the possibility of evacuation. The command center was relatively close to the hangar, elevator shafts, and tunnel entrance. However, considering the risk of enemy intrusion through these points, the corridors connecting them to the command center were heavily fortified.


    Surveillance systems and automated turrets provided additional security, but the most significant deterrent was the twenty-meter-thick metal wall separating the command center from these access points.


    This barrier could withstand most heavy weapons, ensuring the command center¡¯s safety. Additionally, the wall had only a single corridor leading through it, making the area an easily defensible choke point.

 Chapter 480: Fire Attack

    The designers of the base never imagined that one day the defensive passages they built to repel external attacks would be reversed, repurposed to defend against assaults from within.


    Their design philosophy assumed that even if commanders inside the base were besieged by intruders, they could rely on these passages to hold out until reinforcements arrived.


    They had indeed considered the possibility of an enemy breaching the base¡¯s sturdy outer walls. Given the technological level of the Daqi Empire, such capabilities were feasible with equipment available to the military. However, the military would never take such actions unless it signified an internal rebellion. Their designs were never intended to accommodate traitors.


    And in that, they were correct. What they failed to account for was a scenario where they would be forced to abandon their home planet, fleeing in disgrace from an alien force. After all, the Interstellar Technological Confederation seemed invincible to the Daqi, and under the rules of the Ji, conflicts¡ªno matter how fierce¡ªnever threatened the safety of habitable planets. They had never anticipated the emergence of an outlier like the Swarm.


    Perhaps one day in the future, should the Daqi have the opportunity to rebuild their homeworld, they might address such oversights. But for now, no amount of reflection could change their predicament.


    ¡°Commander! An object is approaching rapidly from the northwest, 200 meters underground!¡± A corner instrument blared an alarm once again, and an operator shouted out after checking the data.


    ¡°Boom!¡± A muffled impact resonated through the base, followed by a faint tremor. As before, every Daqi inside the base knew exactly what this meant.


    From the first time the Swarm¡¯s Burrowing Worms struck the Daqi base to now, less than ten minutes had passed. Perhaps the numerous passage gates had slowed the attackers, prompting the Swarm to open another front.


    However, this was the last thing the Daqi commander wanted to see. The base was merely a gathering point for the remnants of their people, with barely enough personnel for routine maintenance, let alone combat. Most of the soldiers were untrained recruits, far from professional.


    With such troops, even defending a single front was nearly impossible¡ªsplitting their forces for a multi-front battle was out of the question. It was clear they needed to accelerate their own plans.


    If the base was doomed to fall, then¡­


    ¡°Order squads 5 and 6 to deploy all our landmines in the passageways. Spread concentrated fuel as well!¡± the commander barked, slamming his fist as he gave the order.


    The base only had six squads in total, and squads 1 and 2 had already been overwhelmed by the Swarm. Their status was unknown. Surveillance of that area had been destroyed, leaving the command room blind to their situation, but it was safe to assume they were no longer operational.


    Squads 3 and 4 were accompanying the engineering team to prepare transportation vehicles. The remaining two squads were tasked with defensive arrangements, but even under the life-threatening pressure, every Daqi gave their all. Yet, the shortage of personnel made progress frustratingly slow.


    Meanwhile, the Swarm¡¯s advance showed no signs of slowing¡ªin fact, it was accelerating. Thus far, fewer than a few hundred Raiders had been lost, a trivial number given their vast reserves. Cheap to produce, requiring no rare materials, and even partially recoverable post-battle, the cost-effectiveness of these units ensured that any results achieved would be worth the investment.


    The Raiders quickly closed in on the command room, and the Daqi defenses were far from complete. Inside the command room, operators, adjutants, strategists, and even the commander himself were pitching in, hauling supplies to expedite preparations.


    ¡°Commander, we have to retreat! If we delay any longer, it¡¯ll be too late! The Swarm is moving faster and faster!¡± the sole operator still at their station shouted, his eyes fixed on the display.


    The commander dropped what he was carrying and hurried to the screen. Indeed, the Swarm¡¯s dual-pronged assault was progressing alarmingly fast. Moreover, they had discovered the ventilation shafts and split off a portion of their forces to infiltrate the base via these routes, spreading rapidly throughout the facility.


    The intricate and varied structure of the ventilation shafts, with their numerous barriers, posed a challenge. Yet the sheer numbers of the Swarm rendered these obstacles meaningless. The Raiders divided into smaller groups at every branching path, their numbers undiminished, steadily advancing. It was only a matter of time before one group would reach the command room.


    ¡°Retreat!¡± the commander barked, leading his team in a sprint toward the hangar.


    Along the way, they scattered landmines and doused the corridors with concentrated fuel. When their supply of explosives and fuel ran out, the commander ordered all available robots to stay behind and form a final defensive line in the passageways. ?????§¦?


    ¡°How¡¯s it going? Can the vehicles move?¡± the commander demanded, panting heavily as he arrived in the hangar, bent over and gasping for air.


    ¡°Eleven are still refueling, but they¡¯ll be ready in just a moment,¡± an engineer replied.


    ¡°Good¡­¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A thunderous explosion suddenly interrupted him. The detonation was followed by successive blasts, and moments later, a wave of heat surged through the corridors, raising the temperature in the hangar.


    The mines they had just set had detonated, igniting the concentrated fuel. The command room corridor was likely now engulfed in a raging inferno.


    ¡°I hope it can hold off the Swarm¡¯s advance,¡± the commander murmured a silent prayer, urging his team to work faster.


    The mines packed considerable power, and in the confined corridors, their destructive force was magnified. Yet such single-use attacks posed little threat to the Raiders. However, the fire caused by the concentrated fuel presented a different kind of challenge¡ªa persistent and enduring hazard.


    Although the Raiders were cheap and expendable creations, designed with minimal durability, navigating through several hundred meters of blazing corridors was no simple feat.


    Fortunately, Luo Wen had anticipated such scenarios when designing the Raiders. Their acidic bodily fluids served more than just a corrosive function. When heated, these fluids released large quantities of heavy chemical gases with strong adhesive properties.


    Once produced, these gases adhered to the burning materials, forming an insulating barrier that cut off the flames from external oxygen. While the concentrated fuel contained its own oxidizing agents, the lack of additional oxygen supply caused these agents to deplete quickly, eventually extinguishing the flames.


    Though the fires died down, the metal floors and walls remained searingly hot. Yet the advancing Raiders pressed forward without hesitation.


    The first Raiders to touch the scorching metal immediately suffered damage. Their exteriors ruptured, their bodily fluids overheated, and their circulatory systems collapsed, rendering them immobile.


    But there was no panic, no attempt to retreat. Instead, they collapsed in place, their bodies forming a protective layer over the hot surfaces, paving a safe path for the Raiders following behind.


    Thus, the metal floors and walls became coated with a layer of Raider corpses, insulating the rest of the Swarm from the intense heat. Though some were lost, the Daqi¡¯s meticulously prepared trap had been neutralized.


    Unfortunately for the Daqi, who had already evacuated the command room, they missed witnessing this chilling spectacle. Had they seen it, they would undoubtedly have been overcome with shock and despair.

 Chapter 481: Escape

    ¡°Biu~ biu~ biu~¡± The sound of explosions grew closer, and the firing of the guarding robots¡¯ weapons echoed through the corridors, signaling to the Daqi in the hangar that the Swarm was dangerously close.


    ¡°Hurry! Squad three and four, board the airships! Squads five and six, get on the war vehicles! Cover the main force as we retreat through the tunnel! Everyone regroup at the tunnel exit!¡± the commander barked orders.


    Though five of the vehicles hadn¡¯t finished refueling, they should have enough fuel to make it out of the tunnel. Their immediate priority was escape¡ªany further plans could wait.


    The vehicles were crucial and had to be taken, and the transport and gunships were even more valuable. Unlike the ground-restricted war vehicles, airships were unhindered by terrain, making them indispensable.


    Thus, a heavy guard had to be assigned to protect the airships. Naturally, the commander, as the leader, needed the aerial vantage provided by the airships to oversee the retreat, making it only logical for him to ride one.


    However, in a situation of life and death, some Daqi opposed this plan. Everyone knew traversing a ten-kilometer underground tunnel was fraught with danger. By comparison, taking an airship directly to the surface via the ventilation shafts seemed much safer.


    Just as a few dissenting Daqi were about to voice their objections¡ª


    ¡°Boom!¡± A sharp metallic crash sounded overhead, and a metal plate fell from above, smashing onto the ground. The sudden noise startled the Daqi, sending them scrambling.


    Though the Raiders advancing from the command room were already fast, the groups infiltrating through the ventilation shafts had moved even faster. Without encountering resistance, they reached the hangar first.


    Shrill insectoid screeches filled the air, grating on nerves and sending shivers through the Daqi.


    ¡°Combat personnel, cover the retreat! Everyone else, get to the vehicles! Move quickly!¡± the commander yelled.


    The hangar erupted into chaos. The arrival of the Swarm inadvertently resolved the commander¡¯s leadership crisis. Those who had intended to argue against the retreat plan saw no choice but to comply.


    A few dissenters initially intended to sneak onto the airships in the confusion, hoping to claim the safer option and force the issue. However, upon noticing soldiers subtly aiming their guns at them, they reluctantly gave up and turned toward the nearby war vehicles.


    Four Daqi combat squads had gathered in the hangar, and many of the war vehicles were equipped with heavy machine guns. The combined firepower quickly sealed off the ventilation shaft entrance, reducing any Raiders attempting to emerge into splattered remains, their acidic fluids spraying everywhere.


    A dozen or so Raiders managed to leap out of the shaft and race toward the crowd. But as they charged, they were met with fierce firepower. Though their agility allowed them to evade most of the attacks, their fragile bodies left no margin for error. The heavy machine guns in particular ensured that even a glancing hit meant either death or severe incapacitation.


    In the end, only two Raiders made it into the Daqi ranks, managing to kill one and injure another before being gunned down in a hail of bullets.


    ¡°Open the ventilation shafts!¡±


    Two soldiers smashed through a transparent protective cover on the wall, forcefully pressing a red button inside. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The metal dome atop the hangar began to open, its sections slowly retracting outward. As the opening widened, several layers of protective covers above followed suit, retracting in the same manner.


    Layer by layer, the protective covers opened until a circular patch of sky was revealed. Several small drones were launched first, ascending swiftly into the air. ???????B¦¥S?


    ¡°There¡¯s no sign of an ambush outside. Let¡¯s move,¡± the scout operating the drone reported after circling the surface near the ventilation shaft. Upon confirming the absence of threats, he nodded to the pilots.


    Two gunships led the way, followed by five transport airships, each departing in an orderly manner according to their assigned numbers. The remaining two gunships hovered in mid-air inside the hangar, training their cannons and machine guns on the ventilation shaft that the Swarm had breached.


    From their elevated firing position, the gunships unleashed suppressive fire that turned the Raiders at the entrance into splattered remains. Unable to advance further, the Swarm was forced to retreat temporarily into the bends of the ventilation shafts.


    This momentary firepower advantage provided the convoy on the ground some breathing room. Every Daqi in the hangar, driven by the threat to their lives, moved with uncharacteristic speed. By now, all of them had boarded their vehicles.


    The combat squads tasked with escorting the convoy wasted no time. Engines roared to life, and the lead war vehicle surged ahead, quickly followed by the second.


    But just as the convoy began its retreat, the combat robots guarding the main passage were overwhelmed by the advancing Swarm, now a black tide surging through the flames. The vanguard of Raiders spilled into the hangar.


    The sudden appearance of the Swarm reignited panic among the Daqi.


    After all, the Daqi left behind in the base were remnants¡ªuntrained and ill-prepared. Many of the combat personnel were originally civilians pressed into service. Their lack of experience and poor psychological resilience left them unequipped for the chaos unfolding around them.


    The vehicles positioned at the front of the convoy were all assault vehicles¡ªfaster, equipped with heavy weapons, and piloted by some of the few trained veterans. They had been strategically placed at the front to lead the convoy through potential dangers. However, for some reason, all the combat squads had been assigned to the front, leaving no battle-ready units to guard the middle or rear of the convoy.


    Even so, the veterans in the lead vehicles remained composed. Without hesitation, they started their engines and entered the tunnel in an orderly manner. One of the gunships hovering in the hangar rotated its weapons toward the main passage to target the advancing Swarm.


    But with the departure of the assault vehicles and combat squads, the Daqi¡¯s firepower dropped significantly. A single gunship couldn¡¯t hope to suppress the torrent of Raiders pouring through the main passage.


    Despite the massive numbers of Raiders, each shell that detonated in the corridor killed multiple targets at once. Yet, the dense throng of Raiders seemed endless, as though their numbers were unaffected.


    With the Swarm¡¯s rapid advance, the second gunship was forced to shift half its firepower to the main passage to assist. However, the reduced firepower at the ventilation shaft emboldened the Raiders there, who began to emerge once again.


    By now, the Swarm¡¯s main force had reached the hangar. The previously suppressed vanguard, now reinforced, surged forward, overwhelming the gunships¡¯ defenses. A few Raiders managed to evade the barrage, clinging to the walls of the corridor as they climbed upside down toward the hangar.


    The two novice operators manning the gunship weaponry panicked at the sight of escaping Raiders, instinctively redirecting their fire to chase the escapees. This slight lapse created an opening, allowing the black tide of Raiders to burst through the weakened firepower blockade, flooding into the hangar.


    At this point, only a dozen of the convoy¡¯s vehicles had departed, leaving half the vehicles still idle in the hangar. Unfortunately, the remaining vehicles were all transport types, equipped with minimal firepower and lacking combat personnel. They were utterly incapable of halting the advancing swarm.


    Panic spread like wildfire. One driver at the rear of the convoy, his fragile nerves shattered, slammed his foot on the accelerator. The roar of the engine echoed as the war vehicle barreled into the tunnel, prioritizing flight over formation.

 Chapter 482: The Tunnel

    The tunnel leading to the surface stretched deep underground, spanning ten kilometers. For practical reasons, it was never designed as a spacious multi-lane highway. Instead, it was narrow, accommodating at most two vehicles side by side.


    The Daqi commander¡¯s decision to assign numbers for the war vehicles to enter the tunnel had been a calculated one. While there might have been minor flaws in his allocation strategy, the impulsive queue-jumping of one driver completely doomed their escape.


    This reckless act triggered a chain reaction. As the rear vehicle¡¯s engine roared, overtaking the others and surging into the tunnel, the rest of the convoy followed suit, reacting with similar haste.


    But the tunnel was already packed to capacity, leaving no room for additional vehicles to squeeze in¡ªlet alone a third, fourth, or fifth.


    Even in times of peace, queue-jumping was universally detested. In the face of a life-threatening situation, such behavior was utterly intolerable.


    The result was chaos. Several war vehicles collided at the tunnel entrance, their drivers slamming on the gas in desperate attempts to force their way through. Profanities¡ªranging from ancient Daqi curses to modern and trendy expletives¡ªerupted as they hurled insults at one another.


    Yet, no matter how loudly they cursed or how hard they pressed their pedals, the vehicles¡ªproducts of advanced interstellar engineering¡ªremained largely unscathed. These were military-grade constructs, after all. The collisions amounted to little more than scratches on the paintwork.


    The growing pileup only worsened as more vehicles joined the fray. This unintended bottleneck created the perfect opportunity for the Raiders. Jumping onto the last vehicles in the line, they rapidly scrambled across rooftops toward the front of the convoy.


    The gunships, still hovering above, were losing control of the situation entirely. While some Raiders swarmed the ground vehicles, others climbed up the walls of the hangar, reaching a sufficient height before leaping toward the gunships.


    On one gunship, a Daqi soldier stationed at the cabin¡¯s firing port was caught off guard by the sudden aerial assault. One Raider, with its sharp appendages, plunged its claws directly into his arm. The intense pain caused him to collapse, his weapon slipping from his hands.


    Another soldier beside him, hesitant to shoot due to the proximity of the attacker, grabbed the Raider with both hands and tried to pull it off his injured comrade. However, the Raider¡¯s sharp appendages had pierced through the first soldier¡¯s arm and become lodged. The futile tugging only intensified the victim¡¯s agonized screams.


    Seeing this, a third soldier on the opposite side drew a tactical knife from his waist and drove it into the Raider¡¯s body.


    In an instant, translucent green fluid sprayed out from the wound, splattering across all three soldiers. The corrosive properties of the Raider¡¯s bodily fluids took effect immediately, causing the soldiers¡¯ protective suits to emit white smoke as the acid began eating through the material.


    Fortunately, all three were wearing protective helmets, which prevented immediate fatality. However, the visors on their helmets became corroded, obscuring their vision. The rest of their protective suits, lacking the same level of defense, quickly failed.


    The compromised areas of their suits were soon eaten away, exposing their skin to the acid. What began as one soldier¡¯s agonized cries now escalated into a chorus of three distinct howls of pain.


    All of this occurred in a flash. The soldiers behind them finally reacted, dragging the three injured comrades back into the cabin. With swift but brutal efficiency, they cut away the remnants of their suits and surgically removed the corroded flesh, filling the gunship with a cacophony of blood-curdling screams.


    Fortunately, the Raiders¡¯ splattered acidic fluids were limited in quantity. Combined with the neutralizing effects of the Daqi¡¯s protective suits, the acid¡¯s corrosive power was greatly diminished by the time it reached their bodies. Otherwise, these highly corrosive fluids, capable of melting through metal barriers, would not have been so easily mitigated.


    However, the soldier whose arm had been impaled by the Raider¡¯s sharp appendage wasn¡¯t as lucky. His entire right arm, along with the now-lifeless Raider embedded in it, had to be amputated.


    In the past, for a civilization like the Daqi, outfitting this injured soldier with a bionic mechanical arm would have been a routine matter. But now, with their homeworld abandoned and resources scattered, finding someone capable of performing such a procedure would be near impossible.


    Meanwhile, more Raiders began scaling the walls, their threat level now undeniable. With the convoy below descending into chaos, the commanders of the two gunships made the decisive call to retreat. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gunship engines roared to life, releasing streams of energy from their bases. The ships ascended rapidly, easily escaping the pursuing Raiders.


    ¡°Being alive¡­ feels so good,¡± one soldier murmured.


    ¡°It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen sunlight¡­ it¡¯s beautiful,¡± another whispered.


    With a faint whooshing sound, the gunships emerged from the ventilation shafts. The planet¡¯s surface greeted them with the soft glow of dawn, the star just beginning to rise. Sunlight bathed the Daqi, freshly escaped from the depths of the base, in a sensation of rebirth, as though they had emerged from the underworld itself.


    After a brief moment of reflection, the gunships regrouped under the commander¡¯s orders and followed the planned route toward the main forces.


    Meanwhile, those trapped in the chaotic convoy below had no chance of seeing the familiar light of their homeworld¡¯s star. Their frenzied actions at the tunnel entrance had unintentionally delayed the Swarm¡¯s pursuit¡ªthough only slightly. ??¦­?§£?¡ì


    The Raiders, working together, quickly cleared the blocked vehicles out of the tunnel. The Swarm had specialized units to salvage the wreckage, leaving the Raiders free to continue their primary mission, chasing down the fleeing Daqi.


    Those who had managed to advance deeper into the tunnel were keenly aware of the absence of their rear companions. They understood the implications of this silence but had no recourse other than to press harder on the accelerator, urging their vehicles forward as fast as possible.


    Suddenly, a muffled rumble echoed from up ahead, growing louder as it approached.


    ¡°Speed up! Drive faster!¡± the squad leader bellowed. He didn¡¯t know the source of the sound, but he was certain it wasn¡¯t coming from their side. That could only mean it was the enemy.


    In the confined space of the underground tunnel, any disturbance could spell their doom.


    The assault vehicles in the lead, designed for speed, quickly outpaced the slower transport vehicles at the rear. At full throttle, they widened the gap between themselves and their less-equipped counterparts.


    The strange rumbling grew closer, accompanied by vibrations that sent dust cascading from the tunnel ceiling. Fear gripped the Daqi as they scanned the walls with wide eyes, unable to pinpoint the source of the noise. The tunnel¡¯s structure caused the sounds to reverberate and echo chaotically, making it impossible to determine their origin.


    Suddenly, a deafening thud echoed from the metal wall on the upper right of the tunnel. A moment later, a nerve-wracking sound of metal being gnawed and torn apart filled the air. A thick tunnel wall, several meters deep, was quickly breached, leaving a small but rapidly widening hole.


    ¡°Push through!! Go!!¡± the squad leader shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice cracking from the strain. No one mocked him for the distortion in his voice¡ªnone of them even noticed. All eyes were fixed on the hole in the wall, which was growing larger by the second.


    Without needing further orders, the drivers of the assault vehicles floored their accelerators. Engines roared, echoing through the tunnel as five assault vehicles shot past the danger zone like phantoms.


    But as the sixth vehicle approached, the metal wall gave way entirely. A massive creature burst through the breach, its enormous body blocking the tunnel¡¯s center.


    It was a Burrowing Worm, one of the Swarm¡¯s specialized tunnel breachers!

 Chapter 483: A Plan

    It was a Burrowing Worm from the Swarm!


    The driver of the sixth assault vehicle had no time to react. At a speed exceeding 300 kilometers per hour, the vehicle crashed directly into the massive body of the Burrowing Worm. The immense recoil left the Daqi passengers with no time to feel pain¡ªthey were launched into the air and killed instantly.


    The Burrowing Worm let out a sharp screech. However, with its thick hide and a metallic layer excreted from its body¡ªformed by digesting and expelling consumed metal¡ªit absorbed the impact with its soft inner body, dissipating the force. Although the collision left it momentarily uncomfortable, it suffered no significant damage.


    The seventh assault vehicle followed closely behind. Despite the driver¡¯s desperate attempts to brake, the short stopping distance meant the vehicle also crashed into the Burrowing Worm.


    Due to its slower speed and the military-grade build of interstellar vehicles, most of the passengers survived the collision. Only the unlucky gunner manning the heavy machine gun on the roof was flung from his position, breaking his neck upon impact and dying instantly.


    The remaining survivors were far from unscathed. Blood oozed from their orifices, their bodies twisted unnaturally, and bones pierced through their protective suits. Their anguished groans filled the air. Compared to the sixth vehicle¡¯s passengers, it was debatable whether their fate was any better.


    The eighth assault vehicle, given more time to react, managed to stop just short of a collision. The Daqi soldiers aboard, visibly shaken by the carnage ahead, couldn¡¯t help but feel both relief and dread at their close call.


    Behind the assault vehicles were nearly ten transport vehicles. Traveling at slower speeds, they had more time to react and stopped safely before reaching the blockage.


    However, seeing the devastation wrought on the vehicles ahead, some of the Daqi passengers began screaming in terror, while others felt a morbid sense of satisfaction. To them, the combat squads in the lead had seemingly been trying to abandon them moments earlier.


    The Burrowing Worm¡¯s massive body completely blocked the tunnel, leaving no room for passage. A few remaining Daqi soldiers jumped out of their vehicles, retreating while firing their weapons frantically at the enormous creature.


    But the Burrowing Worm¡¯s defenses were far too formidable. The earlier collision, as powerful as a missile strike, had done little more than inconvenience it. Small-caliber weapons were utterly ineffective.


    One particularly brave Daqi soldier climbed onto the roof of a nearby vehicle and mounted a heavy machine gun. The large-caliber rounds managed to create a few dents in the Burrowing Worm¡¯s metallic outer layer, but it was no more than superficial damage.


    The metallic coating was merely the worm¡¯s waste material, expelled after consuming large amounts of metal in a short time. Even if the layer were shattered into pieces, the Burrowing Worm would feel no pain or discomfort.


    The Burrowing Worm¡¯s task was to block the tunnel. With no immediate threats, it ignored the screaming and shooting Daqi soldiers, leisurely gnawing at the metal wall on the opposite side of the tunnel as if enjoying a meal. Its relaxed demeanor further agitated the desperate Daqi.


    One soldier, his face twisted with determination, pulled a bomb from his tactical pouch. Unfortunately, these regular soldiers weren¡¯t equipped with tactical nuclear warheads. The bomb he carried was merely a standard explosive charge. Seeing his actions, the other soldiers stopped their futile gunfire and began pulling out their own explosives.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening on your side?!¡± a voice suddenly called from the other side of the Burrowing Worm. It came from the Daqi soldiers who had managed to evade the worm¡¯s interception earlier but, for some reason, had now returned.


    Initially, worried about alarming the Burrowing Worm, they had attempted to use their communicators to call softly. However, interference blocked their signals. After observing the worm¡¯s lack of aggression and sluggish movements, they reluctantly resorted to shouting.


    Hearing the inquiry from the other side, the Daqi trapped near the worm felt a renewed glimmer of hope. While they had only one functional assault vehicle left, the other side still had five.


    ¡°Squad six is gone. There are survivors from squad seven, but we haven¡¯t had time to assess their condition. Everyone else is safe,¡± someone from the trapped group called back.


    ¡°Check on squad seven. Don¡¯t worry¡ªthis big guy won¡¯t attack unless provoked,¡± the voice from the other side reassured them.


    At the same time, the soldiers on the trapped side realized the Burrowing Worm was more focused on blocking the tunnel than attacking. Following the suggestion, the squad eight leader signaled for two soldiers to put away their explosives and inspect the seventh vehicle.


    The soldiers approached cautiously and were visibly shaken by what they saw inside. Grimacing, they gestured to their squad leader, who nodded and sent a few more soldiers to assist. The rest remained on guard.


    One by one, the injured were carefully carried out of the vehicle. Some groaned in pain, while others were eerily silent. After a grim few minutes, more than ten bodies lay on the ground.


    Despite their care, the handling aggravated the injuries of several Daqi, who soon stopped breathing. Those still alive were barely clinging to life. The accompanying medics gave each a quick examination and then shook their heads grimly.


    ¡°Squad seven is gone, too. What do we do next?¡± the squad eight leader shouted, his voice tinged with frustration and despair.


    During this time, the soldiers on the other side had been examining the Burrowing Worm more closely. Despite its massive size¡ªabout seven or eight meters in diameter¡ªthey noticed that it didn¡¯t entirely block the tunnel. There were gaps around its sides. ??¦­??¨º????


    ¡°This way!¡± a voice from the other side called out. The squad eight soldiers soon spotted a narrow gap where the voice was coming from.


    The gap was incredibly tight, only wide enough for a single Daqi to crawl through at a time. Once the squad eight soldiers located the opening, the voice from the other side lowered considerably: ¡°Send your squad leader over.¡±


    Recognizing the voice as that of the squad three leader , a soldier nodded and gestured to his own leader. Without hesitation, the squad eight leader approached.


    ¡°Bring the equipment from squads six and seven and crawl through here. Move quickly!¡± the squad three leader instructed in a low voice, pointing behind the squad eight leader.


    Turning to look, the squad eight leader immediately understood. The gap was too small to accommodate vehicles¡ªonly Daqi could fit through. On the other side, they had just five vehicles left, but if they squeezed, they could fit an additional squad. However, the transport vehicles behind them carried a large number of Daqi passengers.


    If they didn¡¯t move quickly, once the remaining convoy discovered the gap, the soldiers on the other side might decide to abandon them to ensure their own safety. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The squad eight leader nodded and signaled his soldiers. The troops, no fools themselves, quickly grasped the situation. Silently, they rose to their feet.


    There wasn¡¯t much equipment to carry. Squad six¡¯s vehicle and gear had been completely obliterated in the collision, and squad seven¡¯s supplies were roughly scavenged from the wreckage.


    Acting as though they were conducting a routine patrol, the squad eight soldiers began slipping through the gap under their leader ¡¯s direction, one by one.

 Chapter 484: Revelation

    The convoy of transport vehicles had stopped about 200 meters from the Burrowing Worm. While the distance wasn¡¯t great, the chaotic screams and commotion from earlier had drowned out the shouted communication attempts, leaving the transport teams clueless about the situation.


    ¡°Squad leader Kuo Ben, what¡¯s the situation up ahead?¡± one of the leaders from the convoy shouted, his voice tinged with urgency.


    ¡°Stop wasting time! Move faster!¡± Kuo Ben barked, completely ignoring the convoy leader¡¯s question and urging his own soldiers to pick up the pace.


    Meanwhile, the convoy finally managed to calm their panicked companions, leaving them with time to focus on what the combat team was doing. However, being ignored left them uneasy.


    Several Daqi cautiously approached, intending to discuss a plan with the combat team. Being trapped in the tunnel wasn¡¯t a sustainable option, especially with the Swarm potentially closing in from behind. They needed a way out¡ªand fast.


    As they moved closer, the combat team became visibly wary. Two soldiers stepped forward, blocking their approach.


    ¡°Squad leader Kuo Ben, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± one of the convoy leaders asked, confused by the cold reception.


    ¡°There¡¯s danger up ahead. We¡¯re setting up explosives to try and blast through. Stay back,¡± Kuo Ben replied curtly, his weapon raised slightly, its barrel subtly pointed in their direction.


    A Daqi engineer craned his neck to get a better look at the combat team¡¯s actions. They appeared to be rummaging through the gear of another group¡¯s wounded soldiers. Some were aimlessly moving about, while others were attempting to crawl under the Burrowing Worm. On the surface, it looked as though they were doing as Kuo Ben claimed.


    After a brief discussion among themselves, the convoy representatives decided not to press further. They agreed it wasn¡¯t the time to complicate matters, and perhaps their best course was to let the combat team handle the situation.


    Still, wanting to contribute in some way, one of the convoy members offered, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we can carry the wounded back to the convoy. We have medics who can take care of them.¡±


    The suggestion was well-meaning, driven by a desire to alleviate the combat team¡¯s burden. After all, the wounded lying around could only hinder their operations. In such a critical situation, working together was paramount.


    However, before they could take action, Kuo Ben abruptly stopped them. ¡°No need,¡± he said coldly. ¡°They¡¯re as good as gone. Don¡¯t waste your time. Just back off and clear a path for our vehicles when we¡¯re ready to move.¡±


    The convoy representatives were stunned. In their minds, they had simply been offering to help. Why would Kuo Ben refuse such an obviously beneficial suggestion? Moreover, his words left a bitter taste in their mouths¡ªwhat did he mean by ¡°as good as gone¡± and ¡°don¡¯t waste your time¡±?


    A younger Daqi, his temper flaring, stepped forward and snapped, ¡°Squad leader Kuo Ben, you¡¯re not a medic! What gives you the right to make such a call? They¡¯re our kin, and I won¡¯t allow you to abandon them so callously!¡±


    The atmosphere grew tense, the air heavy with an unspoken chill, as the young Daqi¡¯s outburst hung in the air. Squad leader Kuo Ben¡¯s cold gaze locked on him, and his companions couldn¡¯t help but inwardly curse his bluntness. While the young Daqi had spoken the truth, voicing it so plainly in such dire circumstances was akin to a slap in the face.


    In times of peace, such an exchange would have been manageable. But in their current situation¡ªisolated, abandoned, and left to fend for themselves¡ªwho could say whether past rules and norms still held any meaning?


    As the standoff dragged on, one Daqi soldier on the sidelines began noticing something odd. Out of curiosity, he had been observing the team supposedly placing explosives beneath the Burrowing Worm. However, despite the time that had passed, none of the soldiers had emerged. In fact, two more had gone in after them.


    The soldier, a low-ranking vehicle mechanic with little knowledge of explosives, couldn¡¯t help but feel suspicious. If the explosives needed to be concentrated for maximum effect, why couldn¡¯t the soldiers outside simply pass them in? Why were so many entering, and what sort of space could accommodate them all?


    Driven by his unease, he stepped back slightly, trying to find a better angle to see what was happening.


    Suddenly, his voice broke through the tense silence: ¡°There¡¯s a passage over there! They¡¯re trying to escape to the other side!¡±


    Both sides of the standoff turned toward the voice, their attention snapping to the soldier pointing toward a narrow gap beneath the Burrowing Worm. His expression was a mix of shock and realization.


    ¡°You¡­¡± Several other Daqi quickly pieced together the truth. The combat team wasn¡¯t setting explosives¡ªthey were using the gap to sneak through to the other side. The realization spread like wildfire, and the reason for their actions became clear.


    ¡°Shut up and come with us!¡± Kuo Ben hissed, his gun subtly shifting toward the soldier but never firing. It wasn¡¯t compassion that stayed his hand¡ªit was practicality. Shooting now would alert the convoy nearby, and the last thing they needed was more attention. Bringing a few extras wouldn¡¯t make much difference.


    The accusing Daqi hesitated, torn between their anger and their survival instincts. Before they could decide, the commotion had already drawn the attention of the convoy.


    From their vantage point, the convoy had been watching this side closely, and the apparent dispute had not gone unnoticed. More Daqi began approaching, curious about the unfolding situation. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Kuo Ben cursed under his breath, spinning on his heels and rushing toward the gap. His soldiers quickly followed, abandoning any pretense.


    The tension boiled over as the convoy, now realizing what was happening, caught sight of the gap beneath the Burrowing Worm. Shouts of alarm and determination rippled through their ranks. Engines roared to life as the transport vehicles began surging toward the narrow opening, desperate to escape. R??¨®£Â¨§?


    But at that moment, the unexpected happened.


    The Burrowing Worm, which had seemed passive and uninterested so far, suddenly sprang to life. Its orders were clear: block the Daqi at all costs. While it had tolerated a few sneaking through, the sight of the entire convoy attempting to escape pushed it into action. It couldn¡¯t allow such an open breach¡ªit had its pride as a servant of the Swarm to uphold.


    The Burrowing Worm tensed its massive body, then abruptly withdrew into the tunnel wall, clearing the path. For a brief, fleeting moment, the Daqi thought their escape had succeeded. But before they could celebrate, the worm struck again.


    With a thunderous crash, the Burrowing Worm lunged forward like a massive pile driver, smashing into the tunnel with explosive force. A group of Daqi soldiers directly in its path was slammed against the metal walls, their bodies reduced to a blood-soaked mural. Kuo Ben himself was caught in the carnage, adding his own red streaks to the grotesque scene.


    ¡°Ahhh!!¡± Screams of terror and pain echoed through the tunnel as the Daqi scattered in panic, retreating to avoid the worm¡¯s range.


    From the other side of the tunnel, the combat team that had already passed through the gap heard the chaos. Seeing the situation deteriorate, they made the logical choice: retreat. Engines roared as their vehicles sped away, leaving the remaining Daqi behind.


    Despair washed over those left behind. One enraged soldier who had failed to crawl through the gap leapt onto an assault vehicle, manning the heavy machine gun. With gritted teeth, he unleashed a barrage of fire on the Burrowing Worm, targeting its now-exposed face.


    The worm¡¯s mouth opened wide, its head retracting slightly. What had once been a face vanished, leaving only a massive, gaping maw. The energy rounds hit their mark, but the damage was minimal, serving only to enrage the creature further.


    With a deafening roar, the Burrowing Worm lunged forward again, its massive body smashing into the vehicle. In one colossal strike, the assault vehicle, its occupants, and a large chunk of the tunnel floor were obliterated.


    As the dust settled, the worm slowly retracted, leaving behind a gaping void where the vehicle had once been.

 Chapter 485: Pursuit

    Though the Burrowing Worm¡¯s primary role was to dig tunnels for Swarm forces, its combat capabilities were formidable. With its massive size, even a casual swipe was beyond what most beings could endure.


    The trapped Daqi quickly realized this, albeit too late. While the worm had cleared the tunnel briefly, it now appeared even more menacing, ready to obliterate anything that dared to cross its path.


    Time dragged on, and from the distance came the sound of sharp scraping against metal walls. The Daqi knew this could only mean one thing. Raiders were moving along the tunnel walls, their sharp appendages scraping against the metal as they closed in.


    The oppressive silence of the Swarm¡¯s approach was suddenly broken by sharp, shrill screeches, signaling the moment they had caught the scent of prey. The piercing cries reverberated through the tunnel, assaulting the Daqi¡¯s eardrums and amplifying their terror.


    Panic overtook the trapped Daqi. Their vehicles carried minimal weaponry, and none among them were trained combat personnel. With the Burrowing Worm blocking their escape ahead and the Swarm closing in from behind, it felt as though their annihilation was only a matter of time.


    Desperation spurred a few Daqi to action. Suppressing their fear, they decided to risk everything. They had noticed earlier that the Burrowing Worm¡¯s attacks involved a significant delay after each strike. Perhaps, if timed perfectly, they could exploit this gap to make a break for it.


    Engines roared to life as a war vehicle sped forward, heading straight for the tunnel ahead. Thirty meters behind, another vehicle followed, maintaining a short but steady distance.


    As expected, the motion caught the worm¡¯s attention. Like a coiled spring, its massive body shot forward, smashing the first vehicle into debris. It then began retracting its body, seemingly resetting for another strike.


    ¡°Now! While it¡¯s retracting, we¡¯ll rush through!¡± The first vehicle had been an empty decoy, set to automatic drive. The second vehicle, however, carried five or six Daqi, all shouting and urging the driver to accelerate.


    Adrenaline surged through the driver, his already flushed face turning crimson as if aflame. The war vehicle roared deafeningly, accelerating to its maximum speed. It became a blur as it shot toward the narrowing gap ahead.


    As the vehicle reached the Burrowing Worm, its body was still halfway through its retraction. According to their calculations, the worm wouldn¡¯t be able to launch another attack before they passed.


    ¡°Woohoo!¡± One Daqi screamed with excitement, elated by the prospect of survival. Unable to contain his glee, he leaned out the window and made a universal obscene gesture toward the worm.


    As the saying goes, don¡¯t tempt fate.


    Mid-retraction, the Burrowing Worm abruptly surged forward, its attack delay nothing but a ruse. It wasn¡¯t some programmed machine bound by rigid protocols¡ªit had full control over its body and could act as it pleased.


    The elation on the Daqi¡¯s faces froze in an instant as the worm¡¯s massive body blocked their path. Although its speed was slightly reduced due to the incomplete retraction, it was still fast enough to intercept the war vehicle.


    The vehicle slammed into the Burrowing Worm with a deafening crash, halting abruptly. Metal crumpled and twisted as the massive creature¡¯s body crushed it completely. The Daqi¡¯s desperate gamble ended in utter failure.


    ¡°Boom!¡± Flames erupted as the war vehicle that collided with the Burrowing Worm exploded on impact. Fortunately, the acceleration distance had been short, sparing its passengers from instant death. Perhaps some could still be saved¡ªif only for a moment.


    But before that hope could materialize, the Burrowing Worm swung its massive head with a sudden motion. Its enormous maw opened wide, revealing three layers of razor-sharp, spiraling teeth that gleamed ominously under the tunnel¡¯s faint lights.


    The brutality of the scene was too much to bear. Nearby Daqi instinctively staggered back in fear. Yet their psychological torment wouldn¡¯t last long, as the shrill screeches of the Raiders echoed from the far end of the tunnel. The Swarm was here.


    ¡°They¡¯re done for!¡±


    Moments earlier, the five escaping war vehicles had reached the far end of the tunnel. Watching as the Burrowing Worm re-established its blockade, a squad leader made the grim call. ?a???????£Ó


    ¡°What do we do now?¡±


    ¡°Head for the exit. We need to regroup with the main force!¡±


    ¡°Keep an eye on both sides. I don¡¯t trust that there¡¯s only one of those big things lurking around.¡±


    Whether through sheer luck or an unseen force testing the Swarm¡¯s diversity of units, the five vehicles traveled the remainder of the tunnel without further incident. They emerged into the open air, successfully reaching the exit.


    ¡°Send the signal. Let the commander know we made it. Proceed to the designated coordinates!¡± The squad leader ordered.


    Though communications were still jammed, the Daqi had planned for such contingencies. Primitive tools often bypassed advanced countermeasures¡ªsuch as the signal flare that shot into the sky, trailing a red smoke plume as it climbed.


    The signal provided a brief moment of relief for the Daqi. In the confined tunnels, the war vehicles¡¯ performance had been severely limited. Now, with the open ground at their disposal, they believed their survival odds had significantly improved.


    But their optimism was short-lived.


    ¡°Squad leader! Something¡¯s coming up behind us!¡± shouted a soldier stationed on the roof of one of the war vehicles. Positioned in an open-air ¡°gunner seat,¡± he had the best view of their surroundings and was the first to spot the anomaly.


    Several Squad leaders poked their heads out of windows or climbed to the roof, pulling down their helmet-mounted binoculars. What they saw sent chills down their spines: a rolling cloud of dust, trailing behind a pack of ferocious beasts charging toward them.


    The creatures were grotesque, with terrifying jaws that hinted at immense biting power. Standing about 1.8 meters tall at the shoulder, their sleek, muscular bodies measured nearly four meters in length, excluding their tails. Despite their heavy, half-ton frames, their long, powerful limbs allowed them to move with shocking speed and grace.


    These creatures were unlike anything native to the Daqi planet. The Daqi Squad leaders immediately realized that these beasts were not on their side.


    ¡°Speed up! Drop all the landmines on the war vehicles¡ªblow those bastards to hell!¡± a Squad leader bellowed, his frustration boiling over. Being chased relentlessly had stripped away any semblance of calm.


    ¡°Try to contact the boss! We need air support!¡± another Squad leader shouted.


    ¡°No good, sir. Still no signal!¡±


    ¡°Accelerate! Keep trying to make contact. I don¡¯t believe the Swarm can jam communications across the entire area!¡±


    ¡°Understood!¡±


    The beasts continued their relentless pursuit, their monstrous jaws snapping with predatory hunger as they closed the distance. Despite the Daqi war vehicles reaching speeds of nearly 500 kilometers per hour, they could not shake the creatures.


    ¡°Faster!¡± one of the Squad leaders yelled, panic creeping into his voice. ¡°What the hell are these things made of? How can they run this fast on flesh and blood alone?¡±


    Though the two sides had yet to clash directly, the beasts¡¯ sheer speed and appearance left no room for doubt¡ªthey were not foes to be taken lightly.


    ¡°Squad leader, we can¡¯t go any faster! The terrain won¡¯t allow it. These aren¡¯t aircraft!¡± the driver of one vehicle snapped back, his voice strained with tension.


    The hasty evacuation of the Daqi civilization had left their once-thriving planet in a state of decay. Without maintenance crews, infrastructure like roads and buildings had fallen into disrepair.


    The terrain was littered with debris and obstructions. While the war vehicles¡¯ superior engineering helped mitigate these challenges, they couldn¡¯t eliminate them entirely. At such breakneck speeds, a collision with even a minor obstacle would result in catastrophic destruction.


    The vehicles continued to push their limits, engines roaring, but the beasts were relentless. Worse, the distance between predator and prey was steadily shrinking.


    sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 486: Shaking Them Off?

    ¡°Cover fire!¡± Seeing the pursuers closing in, the Daqi could only opt for the most dangerous method.


    The heavy machine gun on the vehicle roof opened fire first. Simultaneously, the team members leaned out of the car windows, raising their weapons to shoot.


    These actions would be simple under normal circumstances, but they were extremely dangerous during high-speed movement.


    Although their combat armor had magnetic lock devices to help stabilize their bodies, there was still a risk of being thrown off.


    Moreover, shooting in this situation made accuracy difficult to ensure. If the angles were bad, they might even accidentally hit their own teammates.


    Dazzling energy beams streaked backward, though the amount was somewhat disappointing. With only five vehicles and limited personnel, very few had the proper angle to shoot, resulting in sparse firepower.


    While they couldn¡¯t form a powerful fire net, their attacks still effectively slowed down the Swarm beasts¡¯ pursuit, increasing the distance that had been closing in. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Boom!¡± A sudden loud explosion erupted, blasting a group of Swarm beasts spanning tens of meters. It was a heavy sensor mine that had just been dropped.


    These sensor mines had an enormous blast radius. To prevent enemies from disarming them, they were triggered based on vibration coefficients within the detection area. When the vibration coefficient in the area reached a specific threshold, the mines would detonate.


    These weapons, initially designed to deal with enemy main battle vehicles, were also highly effective against Swarm beasts. After all, flesh-and-blood bodies were naturally weaker in defense than steel structures.


    Explosions rang out continuously, scattering flesh and blood. The Swarm beasts suffered heavy casualties, yet no sign of joy appeared on the Daqi¡¯s faces. The sheer number of beasts was overwhelming, and the gaps left by the explosions were quickly filled with more creatures. Their total numbers didn¡¯t seem to decrease at all.


    ¡°Still no signal?¡± The squad leader shouted as he reloaded his energy magazine.


    ¡°No! The signal is still blocked!¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± The squad leader cursed angrily, spitting on the ground.


    He was about to continue venting his frustrations when the soldier manning the heavy machine gun shouted.


    ¡°Squad leader, they¡¯re slowing down!¡±


    The squad leader quickly turned his head and saw that, indeed, compared to before, the Swarm beasts¡¯ speed had clearly decreased.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Why are they slowing down?¡±


    ¡°No idea. Could they be scared of our attacks, worried about stepping on more mines?¡±


    ¡°Impossible. They¡¯re not real beasts. There¡¯s no way mere mines would frighten them!¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The Swarm¡¯s combat style has never cared about such losses.¡±


    The Daqi discussed the bizarre behavior, unease creeping over them. After thinking it over, one of the soldiers suddenly proposed a theory:


    ¡°I¡¯ve carefully studied the Swarm¡¯s records. They¡¯ve only made limited moves so far¡ªmost of it has been space battles. Ground combat is extremely rare. Also, the soldier types we¡¯re encountering now have never been recorded before. Based on the Swarm¡¯s prior behavior, I think they might be experimenting on us.¡± ?????????????


    ¡°You mean they¡¯re using actual combat to test their new weapons?¡±


    ¡°Exactly. The Swarm has likely already taken over the Star System. They could destroy us in a hundred different ways, but they¡¯ve chosen this cumbersome method. I don¡¯t think they¡¯re doing this just for fun.¡±


    ¡°Now that you say it, that does make sense.¡±


    ¡°Following that line of thought, if these beasts are experimental units, perhaps they have some flaws that caused them to stop pursuing us?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯ve got a bad feeling about this.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°If this is a live test, there might be other strange creatures waiting for us ahead¡­¡±


    As the Daqi had guessed, the pursuing beasts indeed had certain flaws.


    The current species appearing on the Daqi Planet had all been modified using native genetic templates. This made them far cheaper to produce compared to their space-based counterparts while imbuing them with more biological traits.


    For instance, the pursuing beasts had been enhanced by Luo Wen to increase their adrenaline secretion, enabling them to ignore pain and fatigue, heightening their mental stimulation and explosive strength. However, their foundational templates imposed limits on their capabilities.


    Their respiratory and heat dissipation systems simply couldn¡¯t handle such high-intensity, prolonged bursts of activity. After chasing for a certain distance, their bodies naturally slowed and gradually came to a stop.


    If they kept running, even without the Daqi attacks, their lungs would rupture on their own.


    Fixing these flaws wasn¡¯t impossible, but it would require more investment, and the incubation process would take longer. After weighing the options, Luo Wen decided not to enhance them further. If these units became too costly, they would lose their numerical advantage, which was their primary value as expendable cannon fodder.


    Furthermore, the beasts¡¯ current performance wasn¡¯t up to par. Luo Wen¡¯s intention had been to create a species capable of long-range pursuits, constantly exerting pressure on retreating forces.


    But as it stood, he seemed to be trapped in a cycle: the balance between cost and functionality couldn¡¯t be achieved, forcing Luo Wen to consider other solutions.


    The Daqi convoy continued forward as the pursuing Swarm beasts disappeared from view. Soldiers stationed on the open roof positions remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings nervously, while the others seized the rare opportunity for a brief rest.


    ¡°Huh?¡± One soldier positioned in the open roof was cleaning his weapon and checking his remaining ammunition when a shadow suddenly enveloped him.


    What puzzled him was that the surrounding ground was still bathed in sunlight, and their vehicle was speeding at over 400 miles per hour, yet this shadow remained firmly over him¡ªand was rapidly expanding.


    His instincts told him this was far from normal. He hurriedly looked up.


    ¡°Ah!!¡± A cry of terror and despair escaped his lips.


    Within the bright glare of the star, a black dot was rapidly growing. That black dot soon revealed itself as a massive beast. It had sharp, piercing eyes and a gleaming, lethal beak. Its wings stretched out like a curtain of night, each feather polished to a metallic shine, giving the beast an awe-inspiring, divine presence.


    The creature¡¯s wings pulled back as it dove, its terrifying talons extending forward. It plummeted rapidly, its target clear: the vehicle he was riding.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Hearing his shout, the squad leader stuck his head out of the car window, scanning the surroundings with alarm in search of the threat.


    ¡°It¡¯s above us! Overhead!¡± The beast was descending almost vertically, at nearly a 90-degree angle, leaving the vehicle¡¯s heavy machine gun with no line of fire. The soldier in the open roof hurriedly grabbed his nearby personal weapon and started shooting into the sky.


    The red energy beams cut through the air, pointing out the threat to the other soldiers. More heads emerged from car windows, straining to look upward. When they finally saw the source of the danger, their mouths instinctively gaped open.


    Although they had grown somewhat prepared for encounters with massive Swarm units during their battles.


    But when a colossal creature with a wingspan nearly sixty meters came plunging down from the sky, the suffocating pressure it brought was something no data or briefing could ever fully convey.

 Chapter 487: The Other Side

    These Daqi soldiers, after all, had undergone specialized training. Even the recruits, having experienced the earlier round of escape, had grown to some extent. After the initial terror passed, they quickly reacted by opening fire. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although the angles were awkward, the massive beast diving toward them¡ªnamed the Vulturehawk¡ªwas so enormous that as long as they aimed in the right direction, there was no need for precise targeting to hit it.


    Unfortunately, this Vulturehawk was no ordinary creature. It was an expensive, elite unit among the Swarm, boasting a complex native genetic combination due to its high cost.


    Its beautiful feathers shimmered with a metallic luster. Small-caliber energy beams shattered or deflected harmlessly off its feathers, failing to cause any damage.


    The Vulturehawk¡¯s diving speed was astonishing. Before the Daqi soldiers could fire more than two rounds, the Vulturehawk was already upon them.


    The Daqi soldiers faced a dilemma. With the vehicle speeding so quickly, jumping off was impossible¡ªthey would be reduced to a broken mess. But staying inside didn¡¯t seem much safer either.


    They didn¡¯t have time to hesitate. In just an instant, the Vulturehawk¡¯s massive, razor-sharp talons seized the vehicle. Though the vehicle was large on its own, in comparison to the Vulturehawk, it now seemed as fragile and helpless as a chick.


    With the Vulturehawk¡¯s altitude lowering, its talons provided clearer shooting angles. The vehicle¡¯s roof-mounted heavy machine gun opened fire, spraying energy beams. However, even the heavy machine gun was powerless to break through the Vulturehawk¡¯s defenses.


    Having secured its prey, the Vulturehawk let out a triumphant screech, flapping its wings sharply. A whirlwind erupted as it carried the vehicle into the air.


    It didn¡¯t climb too high, though. Instead, it flapped its wings rapidly a few times to accelerate, flew above another vehicle, and then hurled the captured vehicle down at it.


    The soldiers on the receiving vehicle realized the Vulturehawk¡¯s intentions as it dove toward them. At that moment, they no longer cared how many pieces they would shatter into if they jumped.


    Because if they didn¡¯t jump, they were guaranteed to be turned into pulp.


    ¡°Boom!¡± A deafening crash erupted as two vehicles collided. At such high speeds, even vehicles built to interstellar standards disintegrated on impact.


    Fragments of debris scattered everywhere, mixed with the bodies of those who hadn¡¯t managed to jump in time. By now, though, they likely no longer cared¡ªbecause their souls had departed the moment of impact, leaving only their shattered bodies to soar freely through the air.


    The victorious Vulturehawk let out a gleeful screech, then turned its form to target the next vehicle.


    A few minutes later, the leader of Squad Three lay sprawled in the grass, staring at the distant Vulturehawk, now reduced to a black dot as it retreated into the sky. Its devilish screeches still seemed to echo in his ears.


    The vehicles must have all been destroyed; otherwise, that monster wouldn¡¯t have left. But that was no longer his concern. Just moments ago, he had thrown himself from a vehicle moving at nearly 500 miles per hour.


    He had rolled over countless times before finally coming to a stop. Though he had miraculously survived, he was now completely immobilized.


    With his limited medical knowledge, he understood that he was beyond saving. His bones were shattered, yet he felt no pain. His consciousness, too, was beginning to blur.


    At that moment, a sudden realization dawned on him: the Swarm truly was using them for experiments, throwing different units at them one after another. Given this, the officers who had escaped the base ahead of them were likely doomed as well.


    As his vision darkened, the squad leader let out a faint sigh.


    ¡°Ha, this damned world¡­ this cursed Swarm!¡±


    His eyes gradually lost their light. He had done everything he could.


    Just as this unnamed Daqi squad leader had guessed, the commander who had left the base earlier aboard the gunship had already completed his part of the experiment.


    At that time, their two gunships and five transport ships had flown out first. Shortly after, the two gunships that had been covering the escape of the ground vehicles in the hangar also pulled out. ?????¦­??¨§?


    However, not long after they regrouped, the radar systems aboard their ships began blaring alarms frantically. The threat was coming from the skies!


    This time, it wasn¡¯t the Vulturehawk. Though the Vulturehawk was covered in tough feathers and possessed considerable mass, its speed¡ªwhile impressive against ground targets¡ªwas still lacking compared to aerial units like the gunships.


    The Vulturehawk¡¯s role was that of an aerial heavy-armored unit, responsible for breaking through defenses, drawing fire, and supporting ground incursions.


    For airborne combat, the Swarm had other solutions. Now appearing on the scene was the Storm God, a former flying swarm unit. Although it had been phased out in the past, after multiple rounds of genetic optimization, the Storm God had once again taken to the skies.


    The newly enhanced Storm God had grown even larger, with a wingspan exceeding fifty meters. It had been augmented with aerogel components, which made its body lighter and more agile.


    Additionally, it had been equipped with a new energy absorption system, allowing it to harness the frictional electricity generated as it passed through cloud layers to replenish its power. This gave it incredible endurance, enabling it to remain airborne for nearly ten continuous days.


    The new Storm God was also equipped with optical cloaking and electromagnetic wave refraction systems, allowing it to evade most radar scans. Its newly added field protection system negated the compressive forces of air resistance, enabling it to fly at even greater speeds.


    The strategic role of the Storm God was to establish aerial platforms in the stratosphere, providing air support to ground forces. It lacked significant offensive capabilities itself, but its expansive back could carry other units to assist in combat.


    These new functionalities made the Storm God expensive to produce, solidifying its place as an elite unit. While it still had some flaws, the Swarm needed such a combat unit to fill the operational gap between the ground and altitudes of ten thousand meters.


    During the Swarm¡¯s attack on the Daqi underground base, two Storm Gods had already been circling above. When the Daqi ships emerged, the Sky Strikers they carried immediately locked onto their respective targets.


    The Sky Strikers were an upgraded version of the self-aiming, direction-variable jet impact bugs, also known as the Flying Kamikaze Bug. In the past, they had been deployed from the Storm God platforms to massacre the wild pterosaurs on Genesis Planet.


    In principle, the Sky Strikers and Storm Gods were longtime partners.


    The older version of the Flying Kamikaze Bug had relied on soundwave-based targeting, which had been highly effective against slow-flying wild pterosaurs. However, in the face of high-end interstellar mechanical constructs capable of supersonic speeds, soundwave targeting was no longer sufficient.


    As a result, the Sky Strikers¡¯ targeting system had been upgraded to an advanced radar scanning system. While not the most cutting-edge technology, it was more than enough to ensure that no aircraft could escape.


    Furthermore, the outdated segmented acceleration system of the older Flying Kamikaze Bugs, which used air cannons, could no longer meet modern demands. To solve this, Luo Wen had outfitted the Sky Strikers with custom-designed plasma propulsion modules.


    These propulsion modules were heavily modified, capable of instantaneously draining all the Sky Striker¡¯s energy to propel it to terrifying speeds.


    This design prioritized explosive speed above all else, with no consideration given to any residual effects.

 Chapter 488: Rising Again

    In truth, there was no way to worry about side effects. The casualty rate of the Sky Strikers far surpassed that of their older versions. The previous Flying Kamikaze Bugs had targeted flesh-and-blood creatures, and there was at least some chance of survival after impact. However, the Sky Strikers¡¯ opponents now were armored steel constructs, and each attack was essentially a one-way mission.


    To maximize the impact force, the original keratin impact heads had been reinforced with a metallic layer. By incorporating techniques derived from the metallic crust of Planet Botian, the Swarm had made significant advancements in materials science.


    This metallic layer enhanced the Sky Strikers¡¯ ability to pierce enemy armor, maximizing the destructive power of their kinetic attacks.


    The small radars onboard the Daqi vessels couldn¡¯t detect the new Storm God at all. It wasn¡¯t until the Sky Strikers launched off the Storm God¡¯s back, exiting its cloaking field, that the radars finally registered movement.


    But the Sky Strikers were simply too fast. A distance of over a thousand meters was crossed in an instant, leaving the Daqi no time to react.


    A total of nine airships were targeted, and seven of them were obliterated mid-air. The powerful kinetic collisions shattered the ships into fragments, as the Sky Strikers used their very lives to display the pinnacle of destructive elegance.


    ¡°Where did they come from?!¡±


    The two surviving gunships were only spared due to their stronger armor and greater maneuverability compared to the transport ships. The moment the radar picked up the Sky Strikers, the experienced commanders gave the order to evade¡ªbefore they even had time to identify what was attacking them.


    Once the Sky Strikers locked onto their targets and reached their terrifying speeds, they became incapable of precise directional changes. This flaw allowed the two gunships to narrowly escape, as the Sky Strikers only grazed them instead of landing direct hits.


    Even so, the grazing impact inflicted severe damage. Half of the reactive armor on one gunship was torn away, exposing the ship¡¯s inner cabin. Icy winds howled through the opening, forcing the Daqi soldiers to rely on their magnetic stabilizers to keep themselves in place.


    ¡°Pull us higher!¡± The situation was critical. Maintaining or lowering altitude would only invite the next wave of attacks. Landing on the surface would eliminate their speed advantage and lead to certain death.


    The only option left was to climb to a higher altitude. The shipboard computers had already calculated the origin of the attacks. If they could ascend beyond the attackers¡¯ reach, they had a chance to evade further strikes and possibly escape.


    However, this maneuver was extremely dangerous. Ascending meant a continuous drop in temperature, which would test the endurance of the soldiers aboard.


    Moreover, the structural integrity of the gunships had already been compromised. There was a real risk that the vessels might disintegrate mid-air. Continuing to fly was a direct threat to the ships themselves.


    But the Daqi commanders had no other choice. This was the only option with even the slimmest chance of survival.


    The gunships performed admirably. As they ascended rapidly, the ships shuddered violently, but there were no signs of immediate structural failure. Soon, they had climbed high enough to surpass the invisible Storm Gods and were pushing toward higher altitudes.


    The Storm Gods did not follow the gunships. The Sky Strikers were independent units, and there were no issues with attack intervals. While the Daqi gunships ascended, the Sky Strikers still had the capacity to launch at least two more waves of attacks.


    However, the Sky Strikers did not pursue. This operation was part of a weapon-testing experiment designed to build a collaborative combat system. Any threats at higher altitudes would be left to other Swarm units.


    Above this altitude lay the territory of the Swarm¡¯s primary combat species¡ªthe Space Octopuses. Due to their unique physiology, the ground and low-altitude regions were as impassable to them as walls or swamps. This was why the new Storm Gods served as an aerial platform to bridge the gap for low-altitude operations.


    In the vastness of the higher atmosphere, the true power of the Swarm was ready to be unleashed.


    Now, the Daqi gunships had flown straight into a trap¡ªproving the saying, ¡°There¡¯s no gate to hell, yet you¡¯ve barged right in.¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The close-combat prowess of the Space Octopuses had been tested and proven through countless wars. Any fighters or warships that got within their range never met a good end, let alone the gunships, which were inferior in both defensive capabilities and maneuverability.


    In the high-altitude sky, two brilliant sparks exploded. But with the cloud cover, nothing could be seen from the ground.


    With this, all airborne units from the Daqi underground base were wiped out. Twenty minutes later, the ground vehicle battalion that had broken out from the base was also annihilated. ????§ÑN¨°?§¦S


    Thus, the experimental combat operation for this base was complete.


    Similar scenarios played out across other bases on Daqi Planet. The Swarm tested a vast array of experimental species, gathering immense amounts of data. Luo Wen now understood which units had flaws, which ones were worth further modification, and which ones held no practical value in real combat.


    Years later, the space fleets encircling Daqi Planet departed to the stars near-orbit to replenish their energy. After many years, the Daqi Planet once again appeared on the Interstellar Technological Confederation¡¯s radar.


    However, the planet had transformed into a purple-gray ocean, its surface a vast and lifeless mass. From space, there was no trace of the events that had unfolded over the past few years. The Confederation attempted to send reconnaissance teams to infiltrate the Daqi Planet and search for clues.


    But these reconnaissance personnel disappeared like stones thrown into a well¡ªnever to return, not even a whisper of news.


    Gradually, the Interstellar Confederation abandoned further investigations. They assumed that, even in several years, the Swarm wouldn¡¯t be capable of creating anything significant.


    Both sides fell into a temporary calm. The Swarm entered a period of recuperation, with massive reinforcements pouring from the rear star systems to the front lines, consolidating the territories they had conquered.


    On the Confederation¡¯s side, production and deployment of military forces continued non-stop, day and night.


    As both sides amassed increasingly larger forces, the atmosphere grew heavier and more tense.


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s forces in the newly occupied zones have reached their critical mass. Based on their patterns and behavior, war is about to start again.¡±


    ¡°So, what¡¯s our strategy this time? Do we hold the line like last time, or go on the offensive?¡±


    ¡°What are your opinions?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve stockpiled close to a hundred million warships at the front lines. If the Swarm invades again, we now have the strength to say no.¡±


    ¡°The warship numbers are still too low. I believe we should err on the side of caution.¡±


    ¡°I agree with that view. If the Swarm attacks with the usual one to two hundred million units, then we do have the strength to resist. But our intelligence has become too outdated¡ªno one knows how many reinforcements the Swarm has hidden across those front-line star systems. If our warships get pinned down, their reinforcement speed will outpace ours. If we lose those ships, we¡¯ll end up even more passive.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? In a few years, the middle-circle civilizations¡¯ vanguard forces will arrive. Then it¡¯ll be anyone¡¯s guess who wins this war. If we keep retreating and contributing nothing, how will we claim any benefits in the future?¡±


    ¡°That makes sense. Besides, our situation is different from the Koya Alliance. They¡¯ve already betrayed their allies once, and their reputation is in tatters. It doesn¡¯t matter if they retreat again. But we are different. Last time, we could say the territory we gave up was a disputed zone. If we back off again, we¡¯ll become a laughingstock.¡±


    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s vote.¡±

 Chapter 489: Mobilization

    The Koya Alliance and the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡ªtwo alliance organizations composed of Outer-ring civilizations¡ªare the closest and bordering powers to the Swarm¡¯s territory.


    When the Swarm launched its comprehensive offensive in the past, these two organizations, despite their longstanding grudges, were forced to meet and form an alliance under the pressure.


    However, the atmosphere at that time was far from amicable. Decades of animosity were not so easily dissolved. Unlike the Swarm¡¯s direct attacks on the Qi 101 and Qi 102 Star Systems of the Daqi civilization, the Swarm targeted the LKDW 286, 287, and 288 Star Systems on the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s side.


    Although numerically speaking, the Swarm attacked more star systems on the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s side, these three star systems strictly speaking did not belong to the Mutual Aid Society¡¯s core territory. At that time, they chose to retreat, which was fundamentally different from the Koya Alliance¡¯s act of relocating the Daqi civilization and ceding territory.


    As a result, during the meetings, the Locke Mutual Aid Society frequently mocked the Koya Alliance for this matter. Over the years, they had consistently maintained the moral high ground, occasionally voicing opinions and jabs about it.


    But as the tables turned, with the Swarm showing signs of renewed aggression, the Koya Alliance, even if forced to retreat again, had little to lose. Already tarnished in reputation, they had no lower to fall.


    The Locke Mutual Aid Society, however, was in a different position. Their previously established image now rendered them more vulnerable. Should they choose to follow the Koya Alliance¡¯s example, the criticism and ridicule they would face would far surpass what the Koya Alliance endured.


    The leaders of the Locke Mutual Aid Society, concerned with their image, found this predicament particularly distressing. In inter-civilizational interactions, apart from strength, face and reputation are paramount. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°I agree to resist the Swarm. We must make our stance clear. We are completely different from those cowards in the Koya Alliance. We will not abandon any of our members.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. If we can repel the Swarm¡¯s invasion, not only will we gain greater prestige, but we¡¯ll also force the Swarm to shift its focus to the Koya Alliance.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Let the Swarm be deterred and go teach our old friends a proper lesson.¡±


    At this time, the most anxious parties at the meeting were the civilizations of Zeran and Moto. As newly joined members of the Interstellar Technological Confederation with only a few thousand years of history, they were on the same level as the Daqi civilization.


    Previously, the LKDW 286, 287, and 288 Star Systems were developed by these two civilizations. Being relatively weak, they naturally had little say in matters. With the loss of these three star systems as a buffer, their territories now directly bordered the Swarm.


    If the meeting concluded with the Locke Mutual Aid Society deciding to retreat, they would face the same fate as the Daqi civilization: abandoning their homeworlds, relocating their species, and being scattered across multiple regions, becoming vassal civilizations with little autonomy.


    This was an outcome they were determined to avoid.


    Fortunately, regardless of the reasons, the other members did not wish to abandon them. This allowed their heavily burdened hearts to finally settle, and they even felt a warmth from this rare display of genuine camaraderie.


    The meeting lasted for two days. Ultimately, the majority voted in favor of resisting the Swarm at the Zeran and Moto civilizations¡¯ borders.


    With the strategic direction unified, the entire alliance¡¯s machinery began mobilizing to achieve this goal.


    First, the frontline forces, which were previously debating whether to retreat, settled down and began forming defensive positions, laying minefields, and constructing fortifications. ??N?B¦¥?


    Second, all space factories accelerated their production capacities, deploying stockpiled troops to the frontlines, while other reinforcements hastened their mobilization.


    Recruitment efforts across various species intensified, with soldiers undergoing emergency training before being sent in waves to the frontlines.


    The actions of the Locke Mutual Aid Society naturally could not escape the notice of other foreign factions. The Society¡¯s behavior was met with widespread praise, and the growing media buzz eventually elevated the Locke Mutual Aid Society to an almost mythic status.


    However, as the protagonists of these events, the praised Locke Mutual Aid Society was far from pleased.


    Such high-profile commendations, if given after the Swarm was defeated, would undoubtedly be a boon. But doing so now carried the risk of ¡°killing with flattery,¡± clearly driven by manipulative forces behind the scenes.


    The actual strength of the Swarm remained a mystery to everyone. Up until now, the Swarm had distributed its aggression fairly evenly, targeting no one in particular. But now, by singling out the Locke Mutual Aid Society, they had effectively painted a target on their back.


    Initially, the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s plan was merely to posture enough to discourage the Swarm. According to their calculations, as long as they increased their fleet size to over 150 million before the Swarm¡¯s next offensive, the Swarm would likely avoid direct confrontation.


    But now, with this kind of spectacle unfolding, even if the Swarm wanted to back off, could they still afford to lose face?


    If the Swarm truly redirected its forces to concentrate on a head-to-head battle with the Locke Mutual Aid Society, other factions¡ªespecially the Koya Alliance¡ªwould be laughing uproariously.


    It was not hard to deduce who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.


    While scheming against their rivals, the Locke Mutual Aid Society had been outmaneuvered, finding themselves in a deeply passive position. Internal dissent began to rise, with more members proposing a re-convening to re-vote on whether to temporarily retreat or resist outright.


    Under mounting pressure, the meeting was reopened, and the Zeran and Moto civilizations¡ªwho had briefly felt relief¡ªfound themselves on edge once more.


    Fortunately, after another round of deliberation, the decision to resist was upheld by a narrow margin, and the strategy proceeded as planned.


    Although the plan appeared unchanged on the surface, there were now subtle flaws in its execution. Deliberate delays and procrastination occurred sporadically.


    While external factions continued their power plays, the Swarm stirred once again in the 26th year of the New Era.


    The phrase: ¡°Though I may no longer be in the Jianghu, stories of me still echo through it,¡± perfectly captured the Swarm¡¯s current state. After years of silence, even the smallest movement from the Swarm immediately made headlines, becoming the top news story.


    Reports flooded in, and military analysts appeared on various programs to dissect the Swarm¡¯s strategic intentions.


    None of this concerned Luo Wen. The Swarm was already the sworn enemy of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, so there was no need to pay attention to the opinions or feelings of their adversaries.


    In the 28th year of the New Era, the Swarm, having reorganized its forces, resumed its expansion. This time, the frontlines extended significantly, with nearly 1 billion Swarm troops advancing simultaneously in multiple directions.


    From the Riken system, forces marched northward toward several star systems still under development by the Koya Alliance.


    From the newly conquered LKDW 291, Qi 101, and Qi 102 Star Systems, troops pressed further into the Koya Alliance¡¯s territory.


    In the southwest, using LKDW 286, 287, and 288 as bases, the Swarm expanded toward the Locke Mutual Aid Society.

 Chapter 491: Enemy Movements

    ¡°Your Majesty, regarding the Koya Alliance, their strategy remains the same as before. According to intelligence, the Qi 103 Star System has long been deserted. Several adjacent star systems are also initiating evacuation procedures,¡± reported Tella, briefing Sarah Kerrigan on the situation.


    As Sarah¡¯s former Chief Guard and now a Blade, Tella held independent command authority. However, she often found herself juggling both roles.


    On the Swarm¡¯s side, apart from overseeing the overarching strategic direction, Luo Wen had delegated all other authority to the Blades, allowing them to act independently. After all, with the inevitable expansion of the battlefront, it was impossible for him to manage every single encounter.


    Additionally, Luo Wen¡¯s focus had shifted due to new discoveries on Planet Botian, further diverting his attention.


    Under such circumstances, the Swarm¡¯s Virtual Court was beginning to take on a semblance of genuine functionality.


    ¡°Hmph, they¡¯re quite self-aware. What about the other side?¡±


    ¡°Regarding the Locke Mutual Aid Society, based on their troop movements and intelligence reports, they¡¯ve chosen to engage us,¡± Tella continued her briefing.


    ¡°Good. Their retreat during the first round of attacks was a bit dull. Now that we¡¯ve finally encountered an opponent willing to face us head-on, this should serve as an enjoyable warm-up before the real battle. Tella, what are their plans?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve discerned our intention to advance on four fronts. They plan to split their limited forces into two groups, focusing on defending the LKDW262 and LKDW263 Star Systems.¡±


    ¡°A reasonable strategy. But in that case, what do they plan to do about the LKDW265 and LKDW267 Star Systems?¡±


    ¡°The Locke Mutual Aid Society has begun evacuating the civilian population in those systems. At the same time, they are deploying large numbers of mines around the star systems and mobilizing fast warships for guerrilla warfare, attempting to delay our forces as much as possible.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that contradict their initial intentions?¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Reportedly, this has caused escalating internal conflicts, and the Koya Alliance has taken the opportunity to mock them relentlessly.¡±


    ¡°Ha! No matter how chaotic the Locke Mutual Aid Society becomes, they¡¯re still a hundred times better than the cowards in the Koya Alliance. But do these outsiders take us for fools? If they can adapt, do they think we can¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°What are your instructions, Your Majesty?¡± Tella asked.


    Sarah deliberated for a moment before responding. ¡°Stick to the general plan. However, for the LKDW262 and LKDW263 Star Systems, pull back the assembly points by one light-year. Let¡¯s see if they dare to come out.¡±


    ¡°As you command, Your Majesty!¡±


    ¡ª


    In the 30th year of the New Era, one light-year outside the LKDW262 and LKDW263 Star Systems, spatial distortions suddenly stabilized. A Primordial body emerged from the warp bubble, followed by a second, and then a third¡­ ?????¦­??????£Ó


    Before long, a monitoring radar in the void detected activity in the area.


    ¡°Report! Enemy presence detected!¡± Amid the blaring alarms, an operator rose to deliver the report.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± the alliance commander asked in surprise. According to projections, the Swarm¡¯s vanguard forces weren¡¯t expected to emerge from their warp bubbles for another two months.


    ¡°Swarm forces detected one light-year outside the LKDW262 and LKDW263 Star Systems.¡±


    ¡°What? Convene all commanders for an emergency meeting immediately!¡±


    ¡ª


    ¡°What? It¡¯s just a reconnaissance force?¡±


    ¡°Based on reports from the frontlines, their numbers are rapidly increasing. It¡¯s highly likely to be the main force.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°Although this is somewhat unexpected, the Swarm is, after all, an intelligent race. Adjusting their tactics based on our arrangements is perfectly reasonable. However, their previous strategies lulled us into a false sense of security.¡±


    ¡°We can still retreat. Our warships should be able to escape!¡± Internal conflicts within the Locke Mutual Aid Society had escalated, with the division between the pro-war and anti-war factions spreading to the alliance forces.


    ¡°Bullshit! The warships might escape, but what about the civilians?¡± a commander roared in anger.


    ¡°Hah, we can barely protect ourselves, let alone others. If we had followed the Koya Alliance¡¯s approach from the beginning, we wouldn¡¯t be in this mess.¡±


    ¡°Babuta! If you make another comment like that, I¡¯ll propose a vote to revoke your command!¡±


    ¡°Babuta, hold your tongue. We can¡¯t stoop to the level of the Koya Alliance,¡± another commander advised.


    ¡°Oh, bring it on! Who¡¯s afraid of whom? Go ahead and remove me! If we lose, at least I won¡¯t be blamed. And what about LKDW265 and LKDW267? Aren¡¯t they copying the Koya Alliance? Or are those relocated civilians on a collective sightseeing trip?¡± Babuta, undeterred by his peers¡¯ criticism, fired back at both of them.


    ¡°You!¡±


    ¡°Enough! From now on, anyone who brings up irrelevant nonsense can see themselves out!¡± A voice boomed across the room, commanding authority. Its owner was a figure over two meters tall, with dark bronze skin and sharply defined muscles that stood out even beneath his combat suit. He slammed a broad, calloused palm onto the table, silencing the room.


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    ¡°Hmph.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Even Babuta, who had just stood his ground in a two-on-one argument, could only grunt in discontent. It was clear that the speaker held considerable status, even among this assembly of commanders.


    No one was surprised by Babuta¡¯s subdued reaction. The imposing figure belonged to a Troi, a member of the most powerful race within the Locke Mutual Aid Society and one of its founders. His words carried immense weight.


    With the disruptive voices silenced, Musa sighed in relief. These anti-war agitators were a constant headache, but everyone in this room represented a faction with vested interests and influence. Otherwise, Musa would have already had them dragged out and executed.


    Fortunately, the Troi race still commanded enough respect to prevent others from overstepping.


    After observing the room and ensuring everyone was seated with proper decorum, Musa cleared his throat. ¡°I don¡¯t care what little schemes you may harbor, but we must unite and fight this battle. Do well, and your futures will be bright. Fail, and you¡¯ll be the ones to take the blame. We¡¯re all in this together, so don¡¯t drag anyone down.¡±


    Seeing that no one dared to voice opposition, Musa nodded in satisfaction and continued. ¡°The Swarm¡¯s assembly point is now located one light-year outside LKDW262 and LKDW263. This deviation from our expectations has presented us with a significant challenge. How should we proceed? I hope everyone will contribute their thoughts.¡±


    After Musa finished, the room fell into an awkward silence. Irritated, he shot a sharp look around.


    The signal from the towering figure was hard to miss, and someone quickly caught on.


    ¡°Ahem, I¡¯ll start. I believe the key issue is whether we choose to strike proactively or remain on the defensive.¡± sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 492: The Strategy

    ¡°The current situation indeed presents us with a tough problem posed by the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°I believe we must go on the offensive; otherwise, splitting our forces would be completely meaningless,¡± a commander suggested as the meeting finally got on track.


    ¡°I agree with taking the initiative. We must disrupt the Swarm before they fully assemble!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. The position where the Swarm is stationed leaves us with very few viable options.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. While our fleets are currently in a state of combat readiness and can head to the target area at any time, how are we supposed to approach them?¡±


    ¡°Of course, using warp travel! Speed is of the essence!¡± The commander who proposed this paused mid-sentence, realizing something and lapsing into contemplation.


    ¡°Hmph. Our warp technology is no more advanced than the Swarm¡¯s. The Swarm has to split their forces and advance sequentially to avoid interfering with each other. Do you think we don¡¯t face the same issue?¡±


    ¡°True. With warp travel, our warships will also arrive sequentially. Although the distance we need to travel is shorter, there will still be a time gap. If the Swarm exploits that gap, who will encircle whom could very well be reversed.¡±


    ¡°We could first warp to a location 0.8 light-years from the target, wait for all our forces to arrive and assemble, and then proceed to annihilate the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°This plan is feasible, but it comes with significant risks. The Swarm has already reached the target area and has the upper hand as defenders, while we¡¯ve become the attackers. Gathering our forces at a point 0.2 light-years from their position¡ªaside from the time required for assembly¡ªwhat if the Swarm harasses us during that period? After all, at 0.2 light-years, even sub-light-speed travel wouldn¡¯t take much time.¡±


    ¡°Indeed. Even if the Swarm doesn¡¯t harass us, by the time we¡¯ve gathered our forces, how many additional troops will they have assembled? At that point, will we still hold a numerical advantage?¡±


    ¡°Hmph. If offensive action isn¡¯t feasible, are you suggesting we defend?¡±


    ¡°Defense is a dead end! The Swarm can simply wait until they¡¯ve gathered an overwhelming number of troops to crush us.¡±


    ¡°So, attacking won¡¯t work, and defending won¡¯t work. What, then, will?¡±


    ¡°Hah. If you ask me, running away is still the most reliable option!¡± After a long silence, Babuta seized the opportunity to interject. This time, no one rebuked him, as the entire room had fallen into a heavy silence. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, the Locke Mutual Aid Society has deployed their forces. It seems they want to test whether they can destroy our assembly point and prevent our troops from forming at scale,¡± Tella reported.


    ¡°A commendable idea, but have they calculated their odds of success?¡±


    ¡°Of course, they must have. But to them, a proactive offense holds a slim chance of victory compared to passive defense.¡±


    ¡°Why not retreat then?¡±


    ¡°Perhaps they can¡¯t swallow their pride. After all, they raised themselves too high before.¡±


    ¡°Such foolishness.¡±


    ¡ª


    At the end of the 30th year of the New Era, an alien warship exited its warp bubble 0.2 light-years outside the Swarm¡¯s assembly point, revealing its form. Soon, more and more warships began to appear in the vicinity. ?¨¢£Î?????¨¨£Ó


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±


    ¡°Just a moment, sir.¡± Having just emerged from the warp bubble, the communications system was still somewhat disorganized. However, it wasn¡¯t long before the ship¡¯s onboard instruments interfaced with nearby reconnaissance vessels, completing the intelligence update.


    ¡°Sir, the Swarm remains at their target location, completely motionless.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. Deploy the disruptors!¡±


    ¡°At once!¡±


    The initial wave of arriving warships quickly dispersed, following pre-assigned tasks to deploy disruption devices around the area. These devices distorted and scattered various wavelengths of light and particle waves while masking the energy signatures generated by warp drives, effectively creating a cloak of invisibility.


    Before this, reconnaissance ships had already placed a limited number of disruptors in the region, but their small capacity restricted coverage. However, the newly arrived warships, with their emptied ammunition bays and cargo holds filled with disruptors, would expand the coverage significantly, blanketing a vast area to prepare for the main fleet¡¯s arrival.


    More and more warships arrived, each approximately 3,000 meters long, elongated in shape, and uniformly styled, clearly the product of a single civilization.


    Suddenly, a massive vessel appeared. At 5,000 meters in length, its disc-shaped structure stood out conspicuously among the 3,000-meter-long ships, unique and unmistakable.


    If Luo Wen and his allies were present, they would instantly recognize this distinctive warship. It was an old ¡°friend¡± of the Swarm, once leading a vast fleet to invite the Swarm to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation.


    Although most of that fleet had remained on the fringes of Swarm territory, its sheer size had warranted close observation and vigilance from the Swarm, making this flagship particularly familiar.


    The arriving warships all belonged to the Troi race. Known for their advanced technology and superior speed, their role was naturally to establish and defend the forward positions. Furthermore, their firepower was unmatched, making them the logical choice for this crucial task.


    ¡°Get moving, everyone! If you¡¯re here, stop gawking and clear the lanes already!¡± roared General Viller from the flagship¡¯s bridge. His booming voice, tinged with irritation, betrayed his foul mood.


    Since leading the effort to successfully invite the Swarm to join the Confederation, Viller hadn¡¯t gained much tangible benefit. However, he had managed to secure a non-aggression pact, claim three star systems, and infuriate the Koya Alliance¡ªa feat that, by any measure, was considered a major accomplishment.


    Due to cautious considerations and intel gathered through clandestine channels, the Troi negotiation fleet had never returned to their homeworld, instead remaining stationed at the border. Viller had also stayed behind, assuming he¡¯d be returning to enjoy his spoils soon after.


    Yet, instead of a hero¡¯s welcome, he found himself stuck as a frontier garrison commander in a foreign region with unfamiliar languages, culture, and aesthetics¡ªand not a single decent place for leisure.


    With nothing to do, Viller eventually chose cryosleep to avoid wasting his life away. But when he was reawakened, it was to the news that the Swarm¡ªthe very race they had signed the treaty with¡ªhad launched an invasion.


    Now, it was war¡ªa prospect that meant death. And like most, Viller had no appetite for battle. Still, he resigned himself to the task, thinking his high status would keep him away from danger.


    To his dismay, the plan called for an offensive against the Swarm, with him leading the charge. Among the entire Locke Mutual Aid Society fleet, no one else¡¯s forces were better suited for the job. But why, he wondered bitterly, did his flagship have to be stationed in such a precarious position?


    Gazing around at the barely 1,000 warships accompanying him, Viller felt an overwhelming sense of insecurity.

 Chapter 493: The Conspiracy

    In the Troi, General Viller held a significant position of power. However, the current battle against the Swarm was led by an alliance of nearly 20 civilizations. His rank was insufficient to qualify him for the position of commander-in-chief of the allied forces.


    Still, the commander-in-chief also hailed from the Troi, albeit from a different camp than Viller. This rival faction harbored animosity toward him. When Viller was awakened for this mission, he had a bad feeling, which was soon confirmed when he was sent directly to the front lines.


    Regarding the battle against the Swarm, Viller didn¡¯t believe the Swarm would ultimately prevail. After all, compared to the forces in the Outer-ring, the civilizations closer to the core regions had longer histories of development and higher levels of technology. If these core powers were to fully engage, the Swarm would stand no chance.


    However, at this stage, Viller did not have high hopes for the Locke Mutual Aid Alliance. He had once come into close contact with the Swarm. They were an enigmatic species, full of mysteries. Many of their behaviors seemed logical on the surface but exuded an unsettling peculiarity upon closer examination. Those who hadn¡¯t encountered them firsthand could never truly understand that feeling.


    The Swarm undoubtedly harbored many secrets.


    From the current situation, it appeared that the Swarm¡¯s secrets had been exposed. Although Viller didn¡¯t know the specifics, the fact that so many civilizations¡ªeven the New Ji race¡ªwere covertly making moves suggested there was an extraordinary reward at stake.


    Perhaps his faction knew something, but Viller, having just been awakened, remained uninformed. Nor did he want to know. Rewards of this magnitude were beyond his reach, and even the Troi could only dream of grasping them.


    Viller couldn¡¯t fathom why those self-proclaimed elite strategists had decided to engage the Swarm head-on. He was a staunch member of the Anti-war faction. Right now, he had no interest in earning military merits or glory; he only wanted to survive.


    This wasn¡¯t to say Viller was a coward. He had ambition and was willing to fight for it¡ªotherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have climbed to his current rank. However, he understood the present circumstances. Dying here would be a waste, with no corresponding rewards or honor to justify the sacrifice.


    He wasn¡¯t being alarmist. Viller grasped a fundamental truth: great rewards often carried matching risks. While this statement wasn¡¯t universally applicable, it held true for most situations.


    Considering the Swarm¡¯s secrets, what kind of reward could attract even the New Ji race? And correspondingly, how great would the danger be?


    Viller didn¡¯t believe this situation would be a rare exception to the rule. If there were no danger involved, the Swarm would have been quietly eliminated long ago, their secrets seized without the need for the Troi or others to intervene.


    Half a month passed. During this time, Viller had accumulated less than 40 hours of sleep in total. Perhaps due to his long period of cryogenic sleep, he managed to endure and even felt relatively fine mentally.


    But this was merely an illusion. He had reached his limit. The constant sense of unease over the past few days had caused an excessive secretion of adrenaline, which had severely drained his stamina. Now, he desperately needed rest.


    Fortunately, nothing unusual had happened during this time. Viller kept a constant watch on the Swarm¡¯s movements, ready to order a retreat at the slightest sign of trouble. He didn¡¯t care if it meant facing a court-martial later.


    When he finally got some sleep, Viller slept for over 20 hours. Upon waking, he felt disoriented, taking a long moment before his memory returned.


    By now, nearly ten million warships from various species had gathered in this region. The vast fleet stretched endlessly across the void. Viller had never seen such a massive assembly of warships in his lifetime. The sight gave him a small sense of security.


    And this was not the entirety of their forces. Reinforcements would continue arriving over the next month, bringing the total to around 30 million ships. While this seemed like a considerable number, it was less than half of the original plan.


    The shortfall was due to a lack of warp-capable ships. Even within the Troi, the prevalence of warp drive-equipped warships had been low. It was even worse for less advanced civilizations, some of which had no warp technology at all.


    Although at the beginning of the war, in order to enhance the combat capability of the Outer-ring civilizations, the Ji race had advanced a portion of the promised rewards, granting all the civilizations access to warp drive technology. Those who already possessed it were able to upgrade their systems.


    However, technology is one thing, and physical implementation is another. Transforming technical knowledge into tangible warships required time. Even in a state of total war, where all newly produced warships were equipped with warp drives, the existing fleets still faced the challenge of retrofitting.


    Thirty years was simply too short. A significant number of warships were still only capable of sub-light travel.


    In this fast-paced blitzkrieg scenario, sub-light warships, no matter how powerful their weaponry, could not participate effectively in missions.


    The actual number of deployed warships was less than half the original plan, nearly jeopardizing the operation. However, the Pro-war faction firmly pushed forward, ensuring the plan went into action. ???¨°?§§????


    ¡ª S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Your Majesty, we have pinpointed the Allied Fleet¡¯s assembly point. Shall we strike now while they are still vulnerable and eliminate them?¡±


    Although the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s coalition forces had employed interference and concealment measures to deceive the Swarm¡¯s reconnaissance systems, the Swarm¡¯s infiltration capabilities were extraordinary. Any plan discussed by the coalition was swiftly exposed to the Swarm.


    Thus, while the coalition¡¯s efforts were commendable, they proved ineffective.


    Sarah considered the situation and made her decision. ¡°Forget it. They¡¯ll come to attack us sooner or later. Let them have their moment of joy for now.¡±


    ¡°As you command, Your Majesty!¡±


    From Sarah¡¯s perspective, launching an offensive at this time¡ªbeing the attacking party in a blitzkrieg¡ªwould undoubtedly result in a disorganized formation. It would be difficult to encircle the coalition forces at their assembly point.


    If the coalition chose to focus solely on retreating, the Swarm might not be able to inflict significant losses on their effective combat forces. Moreover, capturing the assembly point might scatter the coalition¡¯s subsequent reinforcements, making their future movements unpredictable.


    Since that was the case, it was better to feign ignorance. Once the coalition completed their assembly, they would inevitably launch their attack. By then, the Swarm could assume a defensive position, taking advantage of their terrain to deal the coalition a devastating blow. Wouldn¡¯t that be more satisfying?


    ¡ª


    And so, the coalition, believing they had performed well, managed to complete their military assembly under the Swarm¡¯s very nose, feeling quite smug about their success.


    However, Viller thought otherwise. No one had a definitive understanding of the Swarm¡¯s technological capabilities. Over this period, he had revisited every incident and battle involving the Swarm. His conclusion was clear: although the Swarm often presented themselves as mindless beasts, they had never truly suffered a defeat.


    The Swarm was far from incompetent. The idea that they could overlook enemy forces gathering right in front of them was absurd.


    If the Swarm had indeed discovered their assembly, why would they pretend not to know?


    Furthermore, this was not the only battlefield. In the nearby LKDW263 sector, a nearly identical scenario was unfolding.


    For both battlefields to go unnoticed by the Swarm was highly improbable.


    Viller detected the scent of conspiracy.

 Chapter 494: Opening Fire

    Whether out of concern for his own safety or other reasons, Viller couldn¡¯t possibly conceal this intelligence. So, when he sensed something was amiss, he sent the information back and issued a warning.


    However, due to his previous words and actions, Viller had already been labeled as part of the Anti-war faction. His intelligence, which seemed to hinder the war effort, was likely to be watered down and receive little attention.


    But Viller was now on the front lines of the battlefield. To minimize the chances of being detected by the Swarm, the coalition fleet was in a state of silence, reducing all unnecessary communications.


    Even if he wanted to stir up trouble, it would be difficult. And if he went too far, he might be targeted by the military police. If he lost his position, his life would be even harder to protect.


    However, those who had climbed to high positions in the coalition were not without merit. Before Viller reported his findings, some of them had already sensed something was wrong. Unfortunately, the arrow was already on the bowstring, and they had no choice but to shoot.


    Changing the military operation at this point would only damage the already low morale of the coalition. It was better to take a gamble. Moreover, they currently held the advantage in distance, allowing them to assemble their forces faster. If it came to a fight, the outcome was still uncertain.


    As the days passed, Viller looked at the coalition fleet that now filled the surrounding star systems and sighed. It seemed his intelligence had been ignored. From now on, he could only rely on himself.


    The day of action finally arrived. A Troi warship took the lead, breaking out of the range of the interference devices, followed closely by a dense fleet of ships.


    ¡°What a spectacular sight!¡± Viller stood on the bridge of his flagship, looking at the scene outside. His disc-shaped flagship was positioned in the middle of the fleet, with tens of millions of warships spread out ahead.


    The energy streams from the sub-light engines of the warships lit up the void, and the various lights on the ships added to the spectacle. Viller felt as if he were sailing through the Milky Way, and he was a part of it.


    ¡ª¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, they¡¯re here.¡±


    ¡°Good. All legions, prepare to engage the enemy according to the plan!¡±


    ¡ª¡ª


    ¡°How is the Swarm responding?¡±


    ¡°The Swarm has slightly adjusted their formation to face our fleet. Other than that, they¡¯ve taken no other action.¡±


    ¡°Do they not intend to send troops to attack or harass us?¡±


    ¡°Based on the current intelligence, the Swarm has not engaged in such behavior.¡±


    ¡°Could it be that our reconnaissance is inadequate? I¡¯ve heard the Swarm¡¯s stealth technology is very advanced.¡±


    ¡°Impossible, sir. We¡¯ve deployed various monitoring devices around the Swarm¡¯s positions. They couldn¡¯t possibly evade all types of detection.¡±


    The commander pondered for a moment, agreeing with this assessment. If nothing else, the gravitational wave radar alone, in the emptiness of space, was something he had never heard of being completely shielded against. ?¨¢??????§¦?


    However, the Swarm¡¯s approach was not good news for him. Ideally, the Swarm would also take the initiative to intercept the coalition, resulting in a head-on battle where neither side had the advantage of terrain. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But now, it seemed this was wishful thinking.


    ¡°Do we know how many Swarm forces there are?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve jammed our signals, and our reconnaissance ships dare not get too close, so¡­¡±


    ¡°Useless!¡±


    ¡°However, based on the area and density of their clusters, we estimate that the Swarm has between 30 to 40 million octopus-like creatures over 500 meters in size.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The Swarm¡¯s combat forces were roughly equal in number to the coalition, if not slightly more. This wasn¡¯t surprising, as the Swarm had gathered here first.


    But in terms of quality, most of the Swarm¡¯s combat units were between 500 to 600 meters in size, while the coalition¡¯s smallest combat vessels were over a kilometer long. Therefore, the coalition was confident they could defeat the Swarm, even with similar numbers.


    The distance of 0.2 light-years would take months to traverse at sub-light speeds, and the coalition had to maintain their formation, slowing them down even further. As a result, it took nearly half a year for the coalition to reach their designated position, during which time both sides received some reinforcements. The Swarm¡¯s forces grew to nearly 50 million, while the coalition, due to a lack of momentum, only added a little over five million.


    The commanders¡¯ faces were grim. The widening gap in numbers slightly reduced the simulated victory rate and increased the size of the Anti-war faction, affecting morale.


    But since they hadn¡¯t turned back half a year ago, it was even more impossible to do so now. No matter what, this battle had to be fought!


    ¡°According to the plan, the vanguard will charge, the flanks will follow, and the rear will stand by, ready to reinforce at any moment!¡± Since the battlefield was the vast emptiness of space with no cover, there was little room for tactics. Both sides would clash head-on.


    Of course, as the defenders, the Swarm could set up their formation and wait, while the coalition had to charge forward, risking their formation being disrupted in the process. This was the only real difference.


    The vanguard of the coalition was composed of the strongest warships from the most powerful members. They were larger, had thicker armor, more powerful weapons, and longer range.


    ¡ª¡ª


    As the coalition commander had envisioned, the vanguard was the elite of the coalition. They were to act like a sharp blade, piercing into the Swarm¡¯s formation, breaking it up, disrupting it, and dividing it. Then, the flanking forces would follow, encircling and cutting the battlefield into smaller segments.


    This scenario was exactly what the coalition, with its superior individual combat capabilities, wanted to see.


    Unfortunately, due to the time lost during the march, the Swarm¡¯s numbers had grown to over 10 million more than the coalition¡¯s, making encirclement difficult. It would be hard to prevent the Swarm from escaping.


    However, if the plan proceeded as intended, it would still deal a heavy blow to the Swarm forces. As long as this force was scattered, the coalition could use their numerical advantage to sweep through and achieve their strategic goals.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The Swarm was not surprised by the coalition¡¯s immediate charge upon entering the battlefield. The coalition couldn¡¯t afford to waste time. Their reinforcements had dried up, while the Swarm¡¯s forces continued to grow.


    Every moment of delay meant the Swarm¡¯s numbers increased slightly. So, if the coalition wanted to fight, they had to act quickly.


    ¡°Fire two rounds of electromagnetic cannons at them!¡± Facing the coalition¡¯s charge, Sarah Kerrigan issued her orders.


    Tens of millions of Primordial-class Swarm units had long been in combat mode, their bodies faintly glowing with blue arcs of energy. Upon receiving the command, the arcs flared up, and thousands of cannons fired simultaneously.


    The battle line stretched nearly 10 million kilometers, equivalent to over 30 times the distance from Earth to the Moon.


    Along this line, the blue energy arcs from the Primordial-class units seemed to connect, illuminating the entire void in a spectacular display.


    Although the electromagnetic projectiles flew silently, without any visual effects, the dazzling blue arcs in the sky and the frantic alarms from the radar systems served as a stark reminder to the coalition.


    The Swarm had opened fire!

 Chapter 495: The Blade

    Although electromagnetic cannons had the disadvantage of slow projectile speed, they had the advantage of extremely long firing ranges. At this moment, while the coalition forces were out of range of energy weapons, the electromagnetic cannons could easily target them.


    The only condition was that they didn¡¯t dodge.


    But of course, that was impossible! What kind of creature wouldn¡¯t dodge an attack that could severely damage them?


    However, at this moment, the coalition fleet truly couldn¡¯t dodge these electromagnetic projectiles.


    Their formation was too dense, leaving them little room to maneuver. If they focused solely on dodging, they might end up colliding with their allies.


    Moreover, dodging would inevitably cause them to stop advancing, disrupting the overall formation.


    But even if they didn¡¯t dodge, they had a way to deal with such attacks. The Daqi Empire, for example, had repulsion field generators, and now, with forces far stronger than the Daqi Empire present, it was natural that they would have such devices.


    Even if they didn¡¯t, after studying the Swarm¡¯s tactics and knowing their preference for electromagnetic cannons, they would have installed such devices before the battle.


    Sure enough, as the electromagnetic projectiles were still en route, the coalition warships at the forefront activated their repulsion fields. The interconnected repulsion fields were more than enough to neutralize the Swarm¡¯s attacks.


    But the Swarm never expected these two waves of attacks to achieve significant results.


    Repulsion fields were extremely energy-intensive devices and were not typically kept active during normal operations. Most civilizations wouldn¡¯t set up dedicated power systems for them.


    Thus, when the repulsion fields were activated, over 70% of the warships, except for those of the Troi and a few other races, saw a reduction in engine output, and their speed inevitably slowed.


    This revealed a weakness of the coalition: it was composed of a mix of forces from various civilizations, each with different performance parameters for their warships. Combined with a complex and factionalized command system, their coordination was very poor.


    For example, Viller¡¯s flagship was positioned in the center of the formation, surrounded by a few Troi escort ships, while the rest were warships from weaker civilizations.


    When the repulsion fields were activated, those warships hesitated, their speed slowing, but Viller¡¯s ships were unaffected.


    It¡¯s important to note that the fleet was traveling at sub-light speeds. While the warships appeared to be hundreds or thousands of kilometers apart, they could close that distance in an instant. The momentary hesitation caused one of Viller¡¯s escort ships to nearly collide with a foreign warship.


    Similar incidents occurred in multiple parts of the formation, causing some chaos. In one case, an actual collision occurred. These accidents disrupted what had been a relatively cohesive formation.


    This was exactly what the Swarm intended. After two more waves of electromagnetic cannon fire, the unaffected Troi warships surged forward, further advancing their position as the ¡°blade¡± of the formation and even risking separation from the flanks.


    The coalition commander quickly noticed this and ordered them to stop accelerating, but these maneuvers further degraded the formation.


    Shortly after, the vanguard of the coalition entered the range of both sides¡¯ energy weapons. In an instant, both sides opened fire simultaneously. Countless red energy beams filled the dark void, adding another color to the dark void. ????¨¢¦­??¦¥????


    Just like with the electromagnetic cannons, the dense formations left little room for evasion. However, the Swarm fared slightly better.


    First, their pre-arranged formation had a more rational layout, while the coalition, despite starting with a similar layout, had lost it during the charge.


    Second, the Swarm¡¯s units were all Space Octopuses, living creatures. Like humans, as long as the force was within a certain limit, a collision between them wouldn¡¯t cause any issues.


    In contrast, the coalition¡¯s steel warships were like cars. While a minor scrape might not be a problem, their rigid structures made them much clumsier, and it was difficult to control the degree of impact.


    Thus, while the Space Octopuses could make small evasive maneuvers in response to the coalition¡¯s fire, the coalition warships could only take the hits head-on.


    Since the coalition¡¯s vanguard was charging forward while the Swarm was lying in wait, the Swarm¡¯s attacks far outnumbered the coalition¡¯s when they entered firing range. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The coalition commanders had anticipated this issue during tactical rehearsals. As a result, they had equipped the vanguard warships with thick reactive armor.


    As long as the vanguard could withstand two rounds of concentrated fire, the flanks and wings of the coalition could move into firing range and share the pressure.


    However, the earlier coordination errors had caused the vanguard to advance too far, forcing them to endure four rounds of concentrated fire.


    The coalition¡¯s calculations were fairly accurate. After two rounds of fire exchange, most of the vanguard¡¯s warships had severely damaged reactive armor and minor hull damage. A few unlucky ones that had suffered attacks beyond their limits in a short time had their armor penetrated. But these were few in number. Out of the over three million warships in the vanguard, less than ten thousand had been forced to withdraw after two rounds of fire exchange.


    But the third and fourth rounds of fire took a heavy toll on the so-called vanguard. Although the warships of the Troi and other advanced civilizations were highly advanced, in battles of this scale, quantity led to a qualitative change. Unless there was a generational gap of several levels, a slight technological edge was useless.


    After four rounds of fire exchange, the vanguard¡¯s casualty rate skyrocketed from 0.3% to over 40%. Moreover, the surviving ships were heavily damaged, and their combat effectiveness was questionable.


    ¡ª¡ª


    It could be said that a simple command and coordination error had nearly halved the vanguard¡¯s strength, and this was the most elite part of the coalition.


    Now, with the tip of the blade broken, the vanguard was unlikely to complete its mission of cutting through the Swarm¡¯s formation.


    ¡°Damn it, what are the flanks doing?!¡± The coalition commander¡¯s heart was bleeding. The vanguard was mostly composed of Troi warships, the strongest and sharpest fleet in the alliance. Yet, they had suffered heavy losses right at the start of the battle.


    This mistake would lead to accusations of dereliction of duty from within his own race. If the accusations came from foreign races, given his status, he wouldn¡¯t care, as the Troi were his backing. But now, the accusations came from his own backing, which was a serious problem for him.


    However, the future was not his immediate concern. He had to survive the current crisis first.


    When Viller led the fleet to invite the Swarm to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation, there were already multiple voices within the fleet of several hundred thousand warships, representing various interests.


    Now, with nearly twenty races involved, each with its own internal divisions, the complexity of the relationships could tie a knot that would last ten thousand years.


    In the past, the coalition commander could rely on overwhelming strength to suppress these tangled threads. But now, with the losses to his main fleet, his authority within the coalition would rapidly decline.

 Chapter 496: Formation

    Internal strife exists within most intelligent species. However, when faced with external pressure, most species tend to set aside their conflicts and unite.


    Within the coalition, the Troi race demonstrated remarkable unity. Even Viller, who had conflicts with the coalition commander, never publicly undermined his authority, despite being targeted.


    Thus, the Troi military, appearing as a solid bloc to outsiders, provided the coalition commander with overwhelming support. Other races, whether out of fear or other reasons, did not openly show disobedience.


    Of course, this excluded certain Anti-war factions who had already given up.


    But now, the coalition commander¡¯s supporters had been decimated. While this wouldn¡¯t lead other members to attempt a power grab¡ªafter all, the Troi civilization still existed¡ªit would significantly undermine the coalition commander¡¯s credibility on the current battlefield if he didn¡¯t take action. There might not be open opposition, but subtle dissent would surely emerge.


    After all, if the coalition commander was so ¡°ruthless¡± that he could lead his own elite forces into such a disastrous situation, who would dare to entrust their lives entirely to him?


    The coalition commander understood this well, which was why he was now in a state of panic. He had to save face.


    ¡°Damn it, what are the flanks doing?! Push forward! And what about the wings? The Swarm has stopped firing electromagnetic cannons, yet you¡¯re still crawling along with your repulsion fields active?¡±


    The coalition commander erupted in fury, berating the communication channels in an attempt to regain some authority through sheer force of intimidation.


    ¡ª¡ª


    ¡°Your Majesty, the coalition¡¯s wings are accelerating.¡±


    ¡°Send our wings forward to intercept them! Let their central forces advance!¡±


    ¡°As you command!¡±


    Under pressure from the coalition commander, the flanking forces of the vanguard moved up before the fifth round of fire exchange, drawing some of the Swarm¡¯s fire.


    The coalition¡¯s multi-civilization wing forces deactivated their repulsion fields, redirecting energy to their engines, which noticeably increased their speed. Their weapon systems also began charging. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Facing them, the Swarm forces advanced to block their path. Both sides soon entered each other¡¯s firing range, and without further ado, countless energy beams filled the void.


    The entire front, spanning tens of millions of kilometers, was now fully engaged, significantly reducing the pressure on the coalition¡¯s central forces, especially the vanguard. However, their situation remained critical.


    The intense fighting temporarily locked both sides into their formations. The coalition¡¯s formation was convex, while the Swarm¡¯s was concave. The original plan was for the central forces to punch through the concave formation, allowing them to withdraw for repairs while the rear forces moved in to replace them, cooperating with the flanks to encircle and annihilate the Swarm forces.


    But now, the tip of the central forces¡¯ ¡°blade¡± had been blunted at the very start of the battle. A dull blade could no longer quickly complete the task of penetration.


    The coalition commander, along with the commanders of various races, had never experienced a battle of this scale. They wanted to make adjustments but had no idea where to start.


    Without new orders, the coalition could only continue following the original plan. The follow-up forces of the central army moved forward to replace the decimated vanguard, with damaged ships either retreating on their own or being towed to the middle of the fleet for emergency repairs.


    The elite central forces lived up to their reputation. Their ships were far larger than those of other coalition members, with more systematic and superior energy systems, as well as larger and more numerous weapons, giving them overwhelming firepower.


    Under their barrage, the Swarm forces, with little room to maneuver, were momentarily pushed back. After several rounds of fire exchange, the front of the central forces cleared a path, and the surrounding Swarm forces hesitated, unwilling to fill the gap.


    Seeing this, the vanguard commander was overjoyed. Their mission was to break through the Swarm¡¯s formation.


    ¡°It seems the Swarm only has a few tricks at the start, using their terrain advantage to catch us off guard. But now, after just a short time, they¡¯re already faltering.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re absolutely right, sir!¡±


    ¡°Pass the order: follow the original plan, full assault!¡±


    The vanguard commander, immersed in the battlefield, couldn¡¯t see the bigger picture. In his sector, he believed the coalition had gained the upper hand. With no new orders coming in, it was natural to proceed as planned. ???????¦Â??


    The ion beams from the ships¡¯ engines intensified as energy was redirected to increase speed. The entire vanguard accelerated to occupy the vacuum ahead, while continuing to suppress the surrounding Swarm forces with their firepower.


    However, the vanguard commander¡¯s assessment of the situation was somewhat flawed. Across the tens of millions of kilometers of the front line, not every sector had the advanced warships that the vanguard possessed.


    The coalition¡¯s best ships were mostly concentrated in the vanguard and rear forces. The vanguard was tasked with breaking through, while the rear forces were responsible for filling gaps. To maintain the concave formation and face pressure from both sides, they naturally needed stronger equipment.


    The coalition¡¯s wing forces, on the other hand, were a more complex mix of multi-civilization fleets. Composed of over a dozen civilizations, their technological levels varied, their fleet sizes differed, and their command systems were intricate, making coordination difficult.


    In a favorable battle, this might not have been a significant issue. But once the battle turned into a stalemate, many weaknesses began to surface.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The Moto civilization, though similar to the Daqi Empire and having joined the Interstellar Technological Confederation less than ten thousand years ago, was considered weak even within the Locke Mutual Aid Society.


    However, because their territory bordered the Swarm and they had received technological support from other members during the preparation phase, their warships made up about 50% of the multi-civilizational fleet on the left wing, numbering nearly ten million.


    Due to their large numbers and significant presence, they had secured the position of wing commander.


    ¡°Push forward!¡± the Moto commander roared. Compared to the central forces, the wing forces were at a disadvantage in both numbers and firepower.


    Facing the Swarm¡¯s standardized forces, the coalition¡¯s multi-civilization wing forces were being pushed back step by step. The Moto officer in charge of command frequently cursed in frustration.


    ¡°Commander, our fleet is taking heavy losses. If this continues, even if we win this battle, we¡¯ll be crippled,¡± his adjutant whispered to him.


    ¡°Damn it! Those bastards! Tell them to hold their positions!¡± the Moto commander said helplessly. Their race was at the bottom of the hierarchy within the Mutual Aid Society.


    In this wing force, any ally pulled at random outranked them. The Troi commander in the central forces could rely on his race¡¯s prestige to enforce orders strictly.


    But here, his commands only worked within his own race¡¯s forces. Other allies seemed to listen but not obey. To avoid delaying the battle, many dangerous positions had to be filled by their own troops.

 Chapter 497: A Hot Potato

    ¡°Commander, the Xiluo commander says they¡¯ve suffered heavy losses and are requesting to withdraw for repairs.¡±


    ¡°Bullshit! During the charge earlier, they were hiding in the back, not only failing to contribute but also disrupting my formation! If they were from the Moto race, I¡¯d have them executed on the spot!¡± The Moto commander was fuming, cursing loudly on the bridge.


    ¡°How should we respond to them?¡± the adjutant asked quietly after waiting for the commander to vent.


    ¡°Huff¡­ tell them to get lost and find a place to stay. Don¡¯t bother me.¡± After venting, the commander calmed down a bit. The Xiluo race was one of the most powerful civilizations in the Locke Mutual Aid Society, as evidenced by the fact that their main fleet had been assigned to the central forces.


    However, he had also been assigned about a hundred Xiluo warships, supposedly to bolster his high-end combat capabilities. In reality, these were noble offspring from the Xiluo race who had come to gain some military prestige.


    The Xiluo commander was worried that if something happened to them in the central battlefield, he wouldn¡¯t be able to bear the responsibility. So, he had formed a separate unit with these individuals and sent them here.


    The Moto commander couldn¡¯t really say much about this, as not all of the Xiluo race were avoiding combat. Out of consideration, he had assigned them to the middle layer of the front line, a relatively safe position shielded by friendly forces ahead, so they wouldn¡¯t have to face the Swarm¡¯s firepower directly.


    If they wanted, they could fire a few shots; if not, they could stay put and rack up military achievements. It was supposed to be a safe position. But even so, these individuals still felt threatened and had almost retreated to the rear of the formation.


    To be honest, while the Xiluo race¡¯s technology was advanced, their numbers were too small to make a significant impact on the overall flank. Their combat effectiveness was something the Moto commander didn¡¯t really care about.


    But the negative influence they exerted was severe. He couldn¡¯t punish them, so he decided to turn a blind eye.


    Unfortunately, the Moto commander¡¯s worst fears came true.


    The Swarm was incredibly powerful. On the flanks, as both sides remained locked in a stalemate, casualties continued to rise. In war, some losses were normal, and everyone was mentally prepared. Moreover, with the Moto fleet leading the charge, no one wanted to fall behind.


    But now, a group of privileged individuals who didn¡¯t follow the rules had broken an unspoken agreement. Seeing the Xiluo race violate military orders without punishment made other civilizations uneasy.


    After all, everyone was here to help. If they were fighting on the front lines, why should others get to watch from the back? Were the lives of the Xiluo race more valuable than theirs?


    As a result, many began to follow suit. Fleets from various races started requesting to withdraw from the battle for various reasons.


    This infuriated the already livid Moto commander. These civilizations outranked the Moto race, and he couldn¡¯t afford to offend them. In the end, he had no choice but to tacitly allow their actions.


    But with their withdrawal, the gaps they left had to be filled. Reluctantly, the Moto commander had to use his own fleet to plug the holes.


    However, the Moto race had only ventured beyond their home planet less than ten thousand years ago. Despite being given a boost before the war, their fleet¡¯s combat capabilities still lagged behind those of other races.


    Thus, although the coordination improved with their own people at the front, the overall decline in quality gradually shifted the balance of the stalemate.


    On the battlefield, the central forces were advancing like a hot knife through butter. Led by the Troi warships, despite their own heavy losses, the Swarm forces were faring even worse. The Swarm¡¯s concave formation was on the verge of being breached.


    But the flanks were being pushed back by the Swarm. A large number of advanced warships were hiding in the rear, while the host Moto fleet had already lost over half its strength.


    This situation made the Moto commander¡¯s heart bleed. Finally¡­


    ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Overwhelmed by anger and frustration, the Moto commander spat out a mist of blood and collapsed heavily onto his back.


    ¡°Commander?¡± Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Commander!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    A cry of alarm rang out as the surrounding Moto personnel rushed to his side¡­


    Thus, the first non-combat casualty among the high-ranking commanders occurred after the war began.


    The coalition commander quickly received the news, his face darkening. He had already noticed the decline on the flanks and had sent inquiries.


    But the feedback he received left him with a headache. Putting himself in their shoes, he realized there wasn¡¯t much he could do either. In the end, he chose to turn a blind eye and pretend not to know. ??????s?


    But he hadn¡¯t expected the bad news to come so quickly. In such a short time, the Moto commander had collapsed. What¡¯s worse, the Moto race claimed they couldn¡¯t find a suitable replacement who could command respect.


    Were they treating him like a fool? In a state of war, they were telling him they couldn¡¯t find a replacement? Shouldn¡¯t the deputy commander take over if the commander is gone? And if the deputy is gone, the highest-ranking officer present should step up? This should continue until the last man standing?


    This was clearly an excuse!


    But he quickly understood the Moto race¡¯s dilemma. What was the purpose of this big show they were putting on? Even this play was directed by the commander himself, all to extricate himself from that awkward position.


    Now their plan had succeeded, and in this wartime state, even if they wanted to hold someone accountable, it would have to wait until after the war. So now, this awkward problem had landed in his lap. The flanks couldn¡¯t be left without a commander. Who should take over now?


    The battlefield was ever-changing. While the coalition commander was still considering a replacement, the situation on the battlefield had already undergone a dramatic shift.


    ¡ª¡ª


    Without the Moto commander¡¯s leadership, whether intentionally or under secret orders, the Moto fleet at the front suddenly collapsed.


    A large number of warships retreated from the battlefield, exposing the other races¡¯ forces that had been hiding in the rear. Reluctantly, these forces had to engage in combat. At the same time, accusations were hurled at the Moto commander.


    But the news they received was that the Moto commander had vomited blood and collapsed, and his life was still in danger. When they heard this, they were stunned.


    Is this even possible?


    When they asked who was now in command, the Moto race replied that they didn¡¯t know and were waiting for instructions from higher-ups. So, the accusations were redirected to the coalition commander.


    However, this time, their tone was much more polite.


    But now, the coalition commander was also troubled by this matter. He had privately consulted several qualified individuals, but all of them had declined for various reasons.


    Perhaps before the war, everyone would have fought for this position. But now, it was clearly a hot potato, and everyone was avoiding it.

 Chapter 498: The Central Army

    The Swarm did not give the coalition much time to react. Noticing the anomalies on the flanks, the Blades had already learned some inside information through special channels. Knowing that the current situation was not a trap, they naturally launched an all-out pursuit.


    Without effective command, and with everyone retreating while fighting, hoping to push other groups to the front, the coalition¡¯s flanks retreated over a million kilometers. They even fell back to a position further behind the rear forces.


    But let¡¯s not forget that the central coalition forces were still charging forward. This advance and retreat isolated the entire central coalition.


    The Swarm forces, which had been pursuing the flanks, suddenly turned their spears and cut into the central forces from both sides, separating the central army from the rear forces and creating a situation where the central coalition was surrounded.


    ¡°Push the troops forward! Stop them at all costs, regardless of casualties! Don¡¯t let any reinforcements through until we¡¯ve devoured the central forces!¡± Sarah Kerrigan declared forcefully in the Swarm command center.


    A battle of this scale, involving tens of millions of units, was something the Locke Mutual Aid Society had never experienced before. But for Luo Wen, this was nothing. Back in the day, he had commanded battles involving tens of billions of units. After that battle, the Swarm¡¯s dominance on Genesis Planet was firmly established¡­


    Thus, Sarah, who had been guided by Luo Wen, was not overly panicked despite facing such a situation for the first time. Moreover, the Swarm¡¯s composition and mode of operation meant there were no complicated post-war compensations or other concerns, which greatly reduced Sarah¡¯s worries.


    The coalition¡¯s commanders and staff quickly realized the Swarm¡¯s intentions. Although they reacted swiftly and made countermeasures, it was already too late.


    Endless Space Octopuses blocked their path, and the Primordial-class units released all their Mature bodies and Larval bodies, filling the void.


    Given the Space Octopuses¡¯ formidable close-combat record, the coalition dared not approach them until they were completely cleared. Thus, even though the Mature and Larval bodies had almost no long-range attack capabilities, they still posed a significant threat.


    However, the number of Space Octopuses already exceeded that of the coalition. Now, with the release of Mature and Larval bodies, the numerical gap widened to dozens of times. At this point, even if the Swarm forces didn¡¯t fight back, the coalition couldn¡¯t break through quickly with long-range attacks alone.


    The central coalition forces, now surrounded, had also received orders to retreat. Although the central commander initially didn¡¯t understand why the coalition commander wanted him to abandon the current favorable situation due to limited visibility, he knew that the coalition commander wouldn¡¯t act without reason. After repeatedly verifying the authenticity of the message, he issued the retreat order.


    But only then did they realize that the coalition¡¯s rear forces, which had been following closely, had been intercepted by the Swarm at some point. They also understood the reason for the retreat.


    During the central army¡¯s assault, they faced the strongest pressure, with attacks from the Swarm on three sides. The rear of the central army was defended by the rear forces.


    But when the Swarm cut in from both sides and blocked the rear forces, the central army didn¡¯t pay much attention. Previously, there had been instances where the rear forces fell behind, and Swarm units took the opportunity to cut in. However, those Swarm units were quickly eliminated by the rear forces. This time, the Swarm¡¯s insertion just lasted a bit longer.


    Moreover, at that time, they were already in the heat of battle and didn¡¯t pay attention to what was happening behind them.


    Now, on the battlefield, due to the relentless attacks from both sides and various explosions, the entire battlefield was engulfed in a storm of energy. Many sensitive detection and communication devices had already failed.


    Additionally, the central and rear forces belonged to two different management systems, which naturally created barriers. Now, with communication being intermittent, coordination became even more problematic.


    All these factors combined led to the central army now being surrounded and fighting alone.


    However, there was no time to dwell on where things went wrong. The central commander, fully aware of the critical situation, made a decisive decision. The central army turned around, and after repelling a Swarm attack, they prepared to retreat. ?????????????£Â§§¡ì


    But during the few minutes it took for the entire fleet to turn around, their firepower weakened significantly due to changes in firing angles and ship orientation. The Swarm forces, which had just been pushed back, seized this opportunity to attack again, causing considerable damage to the coalition.


    Brilliant red energy beams filled the sky. With both sides firing beams of similar colors, it was impossible to tell where the beams were coming from or where they were headed.


    From time to time, coalition warships had their armor breached, and their hulls damaged. Thick smoke billowed from the cabins, spreading over a large area and making the scene even more chaotic. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the damaged ships, those lucky enough to have their energy and propulsion systems intact, only some non-essential compartments were destroyed. They could take cover in the center of the formation, make simple repairs, and continue firing under the protection of their allies.


    But if the propulsion system was damaged, it was manageable during an advance, but during a retreat, reduced speed was akin to a slow death.


    As the saying goes, when being chased by a beast, as long as you run faster than your companions, you have a chance to survive. The same logic applied here.


    Ships with damaged propulsion systems kept falling behind. Those with better luck had nearby ships shoot out hooks, with several ships latching onto one and dragging it along as they retreated.


    Those less fortunate, before they could receive help from their companions, would be overwhelmed by the pursuing Swarm forces.


    Even the ships being towed were not out of danger. The ¡°N-to-1¡± towing mode reduced the speed of multiple ships and also robbed them of mobility.


    Unable to actively adjust their angles to counter Swarm attacks, they were hit by more and more energy beams. Soon, their reactive armor would be penetrated, leaving them in a dire situation.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The most tragic were the ships whose armor was breached and energy systems hit. These ships were essentially beyond saving, either exploding on the spot or shortly afterward.


    ¡°Damn it, what are the other fronts doing? Why haven¡¯t they pushed the Swarm back yet?!¡± The central commander¡¯s blood pressure soared as he watched the casualty rates rise sharply.


    It¡¯s not the god-like opponent you should fear, but the pig-like teammates. The central forces in the middle lane were about to reach the high ground, but the flanks were ganked by the enemy, and then the teammates came back through the river to block the central forces. Where¡¯s the logic in that?


    [T/N: League of legends/Dota reference. A lot of Chinese authors seem to incorporate elements of league of legends in their novels. Ganking means forcing a numbers advantage and essentially ambushing another. The river is a direct reference to the river part of the league map.]


    Even now, the central commander hadn¡¯t considered that his smooth progress and previous victories might have been deliberately allowed by the Swarm.


    As more and more ships were damaged, those with propulsion system failures were being abandoned outright. Members of other races piloted various small craft, fleeing from the ships and darting through the battlefield, hoping to board other escaping ships.


    This was an extremely dangerous move. These lifeboats and transport crafts had no resistance against the main guns of warships.


    A single hit would mean certain death, but at this point, there was no other choice.

 Chapter 499: Despair

    The battlefield was no child¡¯s play, and the situation was not something that could be unilaterally decided. Although the central commander of the coalition had issued the order to retreat, whether it could be successfully executed depended on whether the Swarm would cooperate.


    But the answer was obvious. The Swarm had sacrificed many Primordial bodies to achieve the current situation. How could they easily let the coalition forces leave?


    The Swarm¡¯s central forces, which had been retreating step by step, now fiercely counterattacked as the coalition forces turned around, forcing them to abandon ships with damaged propulsion systems.


    On the other side, the coalition commander was as anxious as an ant on a hot stove. The central forces were the elite of the coalition. If they were lost here, the remaining ragtag forces wouldn¡¯t just determine the outcome of this battle¡ªthey might not even be able to defend the surrounding star systems.


    ¡°The rear forces must push forward and extract the central forces! If anyone dares to falter, I¡¯ll skin them alive when this is over!¡± The coalition commander raged in the command room, while the other commanders and staff remained silent.


    If this were a single race, the hierarchical relationships would be clear, and even internal disagreements could be resolved relatively easily. But in a joint operation involving many civilizations, things worked fine when the battle was going well. However, once the tide turned, all sorts of problems would arise.


    At this point, the coalition commander found it extremely difficult to coordinate the relationships between the fleets of different civilizations. Factors such as closeness, the strength of the civilizations themselves, and the number of troops each civilization had on the field would all influence his judgment and decisions.


    But in the current situation, which civilization¡¯s forces should be sent forward? His own Troi civilization¡¯s fleet was mostly trapped in the central forces, so they certainly didn¡¯t have enough troops to mount a rescue.


    As for the fleets of other races, when faced with his orders, they all responded with various issues, but the underlying message was the same: they refused to go.


    Indeed, the Swarm had gone to great lengths, sacrificing so many units, to encircle the central forces. Now, breaking through the Swarm¡¯s encirclement to extract the central forces would inevitably face the Swarm¡¯s frenzied attacks.


    If they accepted this task now, it was unclear how many troops they would lose in the process. In this situation, everyone was in a ¡°better you than me¡± mindset.


    Especially those members far from the battlefield, who felt that sending troops to help was already a huge favor. Asking them to risk their lives was simply impossible.


    And those farther away were closer to the inner circle, representing civilizations with longer histories and greater strength. Their fleets were concentrated in the rear forces and were the main force for breaking through the Swarm¡¯s encirclement.


    The coalition commander couldn¡¯t actually skin them alive. If he did, it would undoubtedly cause internal conflicts within the Locke Mutual Aid Society. It was possible that before they could repel the Swarm, they would end up fighting among themselves.


    Helpless, he could only report the current situation back to his own race. Fortunately, quantum communication had no delay, and the Troi civilization was also closely monitoring the battle, having formed a remote advisory group.


    The coalition commander¡¯s report was immediately taken seriously. After a discussion among the group of advisors, they quickly came up with a plan.


    The trapped central forces not only included the Troi fleet as the vanguard but also the fleets of two other civilizations serving as the flanks.


    These two civilizations were the most powerful after the Troi, and they were also anxious about their trapped forces. Thus, the three most powerful members of the Locke Mutual Aid Society held an emergency meeting and reached some agreements.


    The Troi alone, while formidable, couldn¡¯t stand against the entire Locke Mutual Aid Society. But with the top three races together, they had the necessary influence.


    Under their pressure, several races in the rear forces, after extracting sufficient benefits, took the opportunity to send their decisions to the front lines. ??????????B?S


    Decisions from their own races carried far more weight at this point than orders from the coalition commander. After all, offending other races could be backed by their own civilization, but displeasing their own race would mean losing their foundation for survival.


    The rear forces¡¯ decline was halted. Not only did they hold off the Swarm¡¯s pursuit, but they also began to assault the Swarm¡¯s lines.


    The change in the rear forces put immense pressure on the Swarm units that had cut in from the flanks, now sandwiched between the central and rear forces. They were being attacked from both sides by the most powerful members of the Locke Mutual Aid Society, and the situation became critical.


    This area became the key point of the entire battle. If the Swarm forces held off the pincer attack, the coalition¡¯s central forces would be devoured, and the coalition would lose its most elite troops. Conversely, if the central and rear forces broke through the Swarm¡¯s lines and joined forces, the Swarm would suffer heavy losses, and their tactical objective would fail.


    Unfortunately, although the two sides were locked in a stalemate in the central battlefield, the coalition¡¯s flanks were simply too weak.


    If the Swarm forces could hold their ground against the advanced members of the Locke Mutual Aid Society in the front, then the same forces would naturally have a significant advantage against the weaker members. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And if the side at a disadvantage also had a chaotic command system, their collapse was inevitable.


    The coalition commander had no good solution for this. The situation on the flanks had already descended into chaos. Unless he could use overwhelming force to suppress it, it would be difficult to regroup. The problem was, he couldn¡¯t spare any troops to do this, and even if he could, it was almost impossible.


    Thus, the already collapsing flanks fell into complete disarray, with Swarm forces chasing them for millions of kilometers. Some member fleets had completely given up resistance, using the loss of combat capability as an excuse to withdraw from the battle early and return to their territories.


    But this move effectively screwed over the coalition¡¯s rear forces. Faced with the fleeing flank forces, the Swarm didn¡¯t pursue. Instead, they regrouped, replenished some energy, and then turned to attack the central forces.


    In the central battlefield, facing attacks from both front and rear, the clusters of Primordial bodies had already released all their Mature and Larval bodies to buy time, but they were nearly exhausted.


    ¡ª¡ª


    But at this moment, reinforcements arrived. The coalition¡¯s rear forces, which had only needed to attack before, now found themselves under attack from both sides.


    Reluctantly, they had to divert some of their firepower to defend against the attacks from the flanks. As a result, their frontal firepower inevitably weakened.


    Previously, the coalition¡¯s central forces had been surrounded on all sides. Because they had to suppress attacks from three directions, their firepower against the Swarm¡¯s inserted forces was minimal. The main firepower against these forces had come from the coalition¡¯s rear forces.


    Now, with the rear forces under attack from both sides, their firepower weakened, and the Swarm¡¯s inserted forces, which had been on the brink of collapse, suddenly found relief. Taking advantage of this, more Swarm forces reinforced the inserted line, strengthening it.


    The coalition¡¯s front and rear forces, which had almost been within sight of each other, were now once again separated by the dense Swarm forces. This situation filled the front forces with despair.

 Chapter 500: Breakout

    The commander of the front forces understood very well that if this breakout failed, the ships trapped here would be in grave danger.


    At this moment, he made a desperate decision: abandon defense against attacks from the other three directions and focus all efforts on breaking through to the rear, regardless of losses. Every ship that could escape was a victory.


    The current formation of the front forces had the Troi fleet, originally the vanguard, now covering the rear. The fleets of the other two civilizations were positioned on either flank, while the center was filled with damaged but still operational ships.


    This decision meant that the Troi fleet covering the rear would suffer heavy losses. But in this situation, leading by example and working together was their only hope for survival.


    Seeing the Troi take on the most difficult task, the other two civilizations had no complaints. The three races quickly unified their efforts and began a fierce assault toward their original direction.


    At the same time, the ships on the outer layer of the fleet switched to remote control mode, and their crews transferred to smaller ships heading toward the inner fleet.


    The outer-layer ships had been abandoned. They would serve as defensive barriers, fighting to the last moment. Meanwhile, the damaged ships that had been hiding in the center of the formation also began to move outward after their crews were evacuated.


    With these abandoned ships acting as shields, the coalition¡¯s defensive capabilities improved. However, every advantage comes with a drawback. These ships were originally meant to block the Swarm¡¯s attacks with their hulls.


    But as these ships were gradually destroyed, losing their ability to adjust their angles, their wreckage began to obstruct the coalition¡¯s line of sight and firepower.


    The Swarm¡¯s assault never stopped. Their biological combat units not only had formidable long-range firepower but also powerful close-combat capabilities.


    Thus, the Swarm wanted to close the distance.


    The coalition, on the other hand, hoped to maintain a certain distance and engage in a long-range artillery duel.


    Space was vast, offering plenty of room for maneuver. If the forces numbered only in the tens of thousands, their high mobility would allow for flexible tactics, making it easy to maintain distance.


    But now, both sides had nearly a hundred million troops on the battlefield. In such a massive engagement, with allies and enemies on all sides, there was no room for maneuver. Flexible tactics were extremely difficult to execute, especially since the coalition¡¯s main force was surrounded by the Swarm, leaving no room for retreat.


    The coalition¡¯s front forces were being squeezed from all sides by the Swarm. To maintain distance from the Swarm, they could only move inward. This caused their formation to become increasingly compact. Initially, the ships were spaced more than ten thousand kilometers apart, but now the distance had been reduced to less than three thousand kilometers.


    The tight formation affected their firing angles, and with the wreckage of their own ships blocking their view, it was only a matter of time before the Swarm closed in.


    Both the coalition commander, far outside the battle zone, and the central commander, trapped within, were frantic but had no good solutions. They could only watch as the Swarm continued to compress their formation.


    Millions of ships gradually shrank into a tight cluster, and the momentum of the breakout was halted. The situation grew increasingly dire for the coalition.


    In the vastness of space, time seemed to stand still. In reality, the two sides had been locked in battle for nearly a month. During this time, the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements poured into the battlefield, while the Locke Mutual Aid Society also sent some fresh troops, but their numbers were limited and couldn¡¯t turn the tide.


    Seeing that the rear forces were struggling to hold their ground and that large-scale reinforcements were nowhere in sight, the commander, watching the Space Octopuses closing in to within tens of thousands of kilometers, ordered the launch of strategic nuclear missiles.


    On some specialized ships, hidden launch silos opened, and massive cylindrical objects rose into the void, trailing white smoke as they flew toward the Swarm.


    These high-yield strategic nuclear missiles were something every civilization¡¯s fleet had in some capacity. They were cheap yet devastating explosives, useful in many situations, such as clearing obstacles or securing passageways.


    But now was not the ideal time for their use.


    Because they were physical projectiles, they were large targets and relatively slow. In the midst of a battlefield filled with red energy beams, reaching their designated detonation points was nearly impossible. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Thus, attempting to attack the Swarm with strategic nuclear missiles was nothing short of wishful thinking.


    But the coalition commander had no better options. Conventional methods couldn¡¯t break the deadlock, so he had to resort to unconventional means.


    Nuclear explosions, if not direct hits, didn¡¯t cause significant damage to ships. However, the simultaneous detonation of large-scale, high-yield strategic nuclear missiles could create massive electromagnetic pulses (EMP), disrupting instruments, radar, and fire control systems.


    The coalition hoped to use this massive EMP field to disrupt the Swarm¡¯s forces and buy themselves some breathing room.


    In his view, while the nuclear explosions themselves might not harm the Swarm, the intense radiation and EMP generated by the blasts would likely affect biological units more than mechanical ones. R?N?????§§£Ó


    Additionally, their ships were equipped with defenses against such effects. After considering all factors, he made this decision.


    The void, previously dominated by blue and red energy beams, suddenly erupted with a series of miniature suns. One after another, the explosions lit up the battlefield, their combined brilliance isolating the two sides and rendering all optical observations useless.


    The explosions were closer to the coalition¡¯s side because the nuclear missiles couldn¡¯t penetrate the Swarm¡¯s firepower. To avoid wasting them, the coalition had to detonate them prematurely.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The results were somewhat positive. The explosions did temporarily halt the Swarm¡¯s advance. The intense heat and radiation generated by the blasts made it impossible for even the Space Octopuses, which could convert radiation into energy, to approach.


    Moreover, the powerful electromagnetic fields disrupted some of their internal organs, forcing them to pause and recalibrate.


    However, the explosions also had a significant impact on the coalition. After such a prolonged and intense battle, almost no ships remained undamaged. This left them vulnerable to the pervasive electromagnetic interference, and their defenses were greatly reduced.


    Many ships¡¯ circuitry and electronic systems were fried. Those with backup systems could still function, but those without were left dead in the water.


    But the coalition had no time to worry about that now. They chose to abandon the damaged ships and organize the remaining ones for a full-scale breakout toward the rear.


    As for the crews on those ships, the intense electromagnetic storms made it impossible for them to transfer to smaller vessels. They could only watch silently as their comrades drifted away, leaving them behind to face an uncertain fate.


    Although the nuclear explosions had halted the Swarm¡¯s pursuit, the coalition had lost nearly half of its forces, a devastating blow.


    [T/N: 500 chapters!!!!! Still can¡¯t believe it lol.


    It¡¯s only been two months, and I Am the Swarm has already hit 500 chapters. Feels kind of unreal. When I first started, I wasn¡¯t sure how far I¡¯d get, but now? I can¡¯t imagine stopping. This story has been a wild ride, and honestly, I¡¯m just as hooked as you all are.


    I just want to say a huge thank you. Whether you¡¯ve been here from the start or just jumped in, knowing there are people reading and enjoying the translations makes all the late nights and brain-meltingly long paragraphs worth it.


    If you¡¯ve ever thought, ¡°How does the author keep track of all these military formations?¡± trust me, same. Central forces, rear forces, front forces¡­ the last few chapters had me rereading just to make sure I wasn¡¯t losing my mind. But that¡¯s part of what makes this novel so fun¡ªjust when you think you¡¯ve got it figured out, it throws something new at you lol.


    And this is just the beginning. I want to see I Am the Swarm through to the end, and after that? Why stop here? I¡¯d love to hit 500, 1000, maybe even 1500 chapters in other novels. But not 6000 chapters, i¡¯m not that crazy xD.


    Just wanted to share the excitement and let you know how much I appreciate you all. Here¡¯s to more chapters and as always thanks for being here!]

 Chapter 501: Retreat

    Although the coalition¡¯s front forces had temporarily halted the Swarm¡¯s attacks from the left, right, and rear, it didn¡¯t mean they were out of danger. They still had to break through the Swarm forces blocking the path between the front and rear forces and reunite with the rear forces to achieve even a slight sense of security.


    ¡°Speed up! Speed up!¡± The front forces commander was nearly frantic. With over 50% of his forces lost, even if he escaped this disaster, his future military career would be bleak.


    Moreover, he had just abandoned so many allies. Although it was the best choice under the circumstances, it still weighed heavily on his conscience.


    ¡°Commander, if we continue to accelerate, we¡¯ll charge straight into the Swarm¡¯s formation. Once we get too close, it¡¯ll be hard to break free!¡± The adjutant, noticing the commander¡¯s unstable mental state, quickly reminded him.


    ¡°I know. I¡¯m fully aware. Just follow my orders!¡± the commander roared. Then, calming down slightly, he added, ¡°If anyone doesn¡¯t want to, that¡¯s fine. I won¡¯t force them. We¡¯ve already lost so much; a few more losses won¡¯t matter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir!¡± The adjutant felt conflicted but, after some thought, relayed the order.


    In truth, the front forces commander hadn¡¯t made any mistakes. The front forces were the closest to achieving their objectives, even though it was partly due to the Swarm holding back.


    Because of this, the other subordinate commanders still trusted him. Some of the smarter ones quickly figured out what the front forces commander was planning.


    The engines at the rear of the warships spewed energy streams hundreds of meters long, and their speed continued to increase. While a small portion of the fleet broke away, the majority followed the commander¡¯s orders.


    The Space Octopuses, capable of absorbing and converting various forms of radiation and skilled in electromagnetic manipulation, recovered from the nuclear explosions much faster than expected.


    Once they regained their strength, they quickly gave chase. Some of the ships that had broken away from the formation were already caught, their situation precarious.


    ¡°Commander, the Swarm is catching up again!¡±


    ¡°I know! Fire strategic nuclear missiles at the Swarm formation ahead and shut down all electronic systems!¡± Another order was issued.


    The subordinates, upon hearing this, understood that this was a desperate move, but it might be the only way to escape their current predicament.


    The energy streams from the ships¡¯ engines gradually weakened, and the colorful lights on the ships went out one by one. In an instant, they seemed lifeless, moving forward solely by inertia.


    Fortunately, space offered almost no resistance, so their speed remained high. But with their propulsion systems shut down, they were like arrows shot into the void¡ªunable to change direction or adjust their course mid-flight. They could only charge forward, forward, forward!


    The ships¡¯ main and secondary cannons, now without power, also fell silent. The once crisscrossing red energy beams in space became a one-sided barrage.


    From time to time, projectiles hit the coalition ships, causing damage.


    At the same time, a large number of strategic nuclear missiles were launched from the ships. These massive projectiles had independent engines and power systems, allowing them to attack without relying on the ships.


    The Swarm immediately intercepted these missiles, but because the distance between the two sides was now very close, and the missiles had autonomous maneuvering systems, the interception efficiency was poor. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even so, the Swarm¡¯s sheer numbers made up for their lack of accuracy. In the end, less than 30% of the missiles reached their intended targets.


    But that was enough. Brilliant flashes of light reappeared, clearing a small path ahead. The remaining missiles continued forward!


    Due to the EMP fields generated by the nuclear explosions, only the first wave of missiles was actively detonated. The subsequent ones were set to explode on timers, making their detonations uncontrollable.


    Many missiles, affected by the EMP fields, deviated from their intended paths or simply shut down. Some, due to malfunctioning guidance systems, even turned back toward the coalition fleet.


    Nuclear missiles are a very safe form of attack. They require specific triggers to detonate. Otherwise, even if their casings are shattered, they would only cause nuclear leakage rather than explode.


    Many intercepted missile bodies now floated in space, their propulsion and detonation systems damaged by energy beams, rendering them unresponsive to the coalition¡¯s detonation commands.


    Many of these missile bodies were already damaged, leaking highly concentrated nuclear material into the void.


    Now, the large-scale nuclear explosions reignited these leaked nuclear materials, causing even more violent explosions. Some of these explosions occurred right next to the coalition fleet. ?§¡?¦Ï????§¦????


    Although the ships¡¯ armor provided strong protection, it was still difficult to withstand close-range nuclear explosions. Some ships were engulfed in flames.


    Even worse, the shockwaves from the explosions now had a medium to propagate through. Some ships, severely damaged, veered off their intended paths.


    Keep in mind that there were over a million ships moving in a dense formation, relying solely on inertia. They were like meteors, completely unable to change their trajectories on their own.


    Some crew members from other races screamed as they watched the wreckage of allied ships hurtling toward them, powerless to do anything.


    Fortunately, the continuous barrage of nuclear missiles also pushed the Swarm forces back. Soon, they could see the battlefield ahead, where red energy beams crisscrossed.


    ¡°Push harder! We¡¯re almost there!¡±


    Seeing this, the front forces, having endured so much to break through, were filled with excitement. The forces fighting ahead were the rear forces. As long as they could reunite with them, retreating to a safe zone shouldn¡¯t be a problem.


    ¡ª


    However, the cost was enormous. The front forces that had made it this far had been reduced by another 20%. Now, their remaining strength was less than 30% of what it had been at the start of the battle.


    In the process, millions of ships had been left behind in the Swarm¡¯s encirclement. While most were destroyed on the spot, a small portion had fallen behind due to damaged propulsion systems, and the fate of their crews was unknown.


    But these were no longer concerns they could afford. They still had one final hurdle to overcome.


    ¡°Cease nuclear missile attacks, restart power systems, and activate engines!¡± The front forces commander¡¯s orders were quickly issued.


    The front forces couldn¡¯t reunite with their allies by crashing into them like a meteor shower. They had to regain control of their ships.


    ¡°Click! Click! Click!¡± The lights on the ships came back on row by row, and the engines at the rear slowly reignited, spewing energy streams once more.


    The fleet was back under control, and they slightly adjusted their off-course trajectories. At the same time, the main and secondary cannons turned toward the Swarm forces ahead, unleashing a fierce barrage.


    The Swarm forces that had inserted themselves between the coalition¡¯s front and rear forces had already been thinned out by the nuclear missiles, either cleared or forced to retreat. Now, only a thin layer remained.


    Under attack from both sides, their numbers dwindled even faster.

 Chapter 502: Realization

    The coalition¡¯s rear forces now saw the incoming fire from their allies on the other side. Their morale, which had been flagging under the Swarm¡¯s pincer attack, lifted slightly. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°They¡¯ve broken through!¡±


    ¡°Push harder! If we can pull them out, we can retreat!¡±


    ¡°Full attack!¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    The civilizations that made up the rear forces had no connection to those in the front forces, aside from being members of the Locke Mutual Aid Society. There were no comrades from the rear forces in the front forces, not even members of the same race. If it weren¡¯t for orders from their own races, they would never have held out this long.


    Even as they held their ground, they didn¡¯t care much about whether they could rescue the front forces. They only intended to stay until the front forces were completely annihilated, at which point they could retreat without further obligation.


    But they hadn¡¯t expected the front forces to break through the Swarm¡¯s encirclement on their own. This gave the rear forces hope of an early ¡°end to their shift,¡± and their morale and energy immediately improved.


    The rear forces¡¯ firepower suddenly intensified. Under the combined assault from both sides, the Swarm forces visibly dwindled.


    ¡°Increase firepower! We¡¯re almost out!¡± the front forces commander shouted.


    However, the front forces¡¯ ships were already battered, and their energy output had reached its limit. They couldn¡¯t increase their firepower any further.


    Fortunately, the rear forces¡¯ firepower was strong enough to finally create a gap in the Swarm¡¯s lines.


    ¡°Charge through!¡±


    The allied forces on the other side had already cleared a path. Victory was within sight.


    ¡ª


    General Viller¡¯s disc-shaped flagship was currently contributing firepower from within the rear forces. As a high-ranking officer of the Troi race, his original position should have been leading the charge with the front forces.


    Unfortunately, the new overall commander, who was from a different faction, had reassigned Viller¡¯s forces and appointed a new commander, effectively sidelining Viller to the rear forces. The original intention was to isolate his influence, as his forces had served under him for many years, and there was a risk of power struggles if he remained with the front forces.


    Ironically, this move had inadvertently saved Viller¡¯s life. His large, round flagship would have attracted a lot of attention, and if he had followed the charge, it would have been difficult for him to return.


    Thus, Viller was genuinely grateful to the coalition commander¡¯s ancestors for this twist of fate.


    However, many of his former subordinates were still in the front forces, and seeing their casualty rates rise continuously weighed heavily on Viller¡¯s heart. £Ò§Ñ?????B??


    Therefore, he was very active in the rear forces¡¯ efforts to rescue the front forces. Unfortunately, his command now consisted of only a dozen or so escort ships.


    With fewer than twenty ships, their style was completely out of place among the surrounding allies. Their impact in a battle involving millions, even tens of millions, of ships was negligible.


    Fortunately, it seemed the front forces were about to break through successfully. However, amidst his relief, Viller felt a hint of unease.


    Although the Swarm¡¯s firepower was fierce, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the Swarm wasn¡¯t particularly enthusiastic about intercepting the front forces or preventing the two forces from reuniting.


    Frowning, Viller pulled up the real-time data and logs automatically recorded by the ship¡¯s AI and carefully reviewed them. Finally, he looked up in shock. His instincts were correct¡ªthe Swarm was indeed up to something. They hadn¡¯t reinforced their inserted forces for a long time.


    This could only mean one thing: the Swarm was deliberately letting them go.


    Was the Swarm really that kind-hearted?


    Viller scoffed. Even someone with their head stuck in a door wouldn¡¯t be that naive.


    Was it possible that the Swarm had grown complacent or was running low on troops? Viller, being in the thick of the battle, had limited information and didn¡¯t know how many Swarm forces remained. But based on previous data, the Swarm couldn¡¯t possibly be so short on troops that they couldn¡¯t reinforce their inserted forces.


    If the Swarm were truly that weak, the orders he was receiving wouldn¡¯t be to rescue the front forces but to reverse the encirclement and trap the Swarm instead.


    So, what was the reason?


    Since taking on the task of inviting the Swarm to join the Interstellar Technological Confederation, Viller had been studying the Swarm. He had gone over the limited data countless times.


    He could be considered one of the most knowledgeable outsiders about the Swarm.


    He had discovered that the Swarm always planned before acting. In every recorded battle, no matter how brainless, irrational, or illogical the Swarm¡¯s early actions seemed, the final outcome always favored the Swarm.


    Therefore, even though he hadn¡¯t seen it himself, he was convinced that the Swarm must have an extremely large and intelligent think tank to strategize every move.


    Just like when the coalition forces were assembling earlier, although there was still no evidence that the Swarm had detected them in advance, Viller had a strong feeling that the Swarm had indeed noticed them but allowed them to gather their forces to lure them into a trap.


    Subsequent developments seemed to confirm this view. The coalition¡¯s every move, the front forces¡¯ seemingly unstoppable breakthrough, the flanks being sniped and suppressed, and then the Swarm cutting off the connection between the front and rear forces¡ªit all felt like the coalition was being played like a fiddle.


    Therefore, the Swarm¡¯s current apparent complacency could only mean one thing: this was a trap, and the Swarm had set a new one.


    But what exactly this trap entailed, Viller had no idea.


    From the current situation, the coalition¡¯s front and rear forces were about to reunite. Although the rear forces were under attack from three sides, their retreat route was secure. Once they linked up with the front forces, their combined firepower would increase significantly, and if they chose to retreat, the Swarm wouldn¡¯t be able to stop them.


    Now that both sides had played all their cards, if the Swarm wanted to set a trap, they would need some hidden trump card or a large number of ambush troops.


    But in this stretch of void, there was no cover within light-years. The battlefield¡¯s periphery was filled with various allied reconnaissance ships and instruments. Hiding a few thousand troops might be possible, but hiding enough to ambush tens of millions of coalition ships? That was pure fantasy.


    Unless¡­ the ambush was elsewhere.


    Viller¡¯s eyes darted around as a vague idea began to form.


    ¡°No!¡± Viller¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Get me in touch with the coalition commander!¡±


    ¡°Sir, during wartime, we can¡¯t bypass the chain of command.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± Viller was frustrated. His theory needed data to support it, and he had to obtain relevant data to make a judgment. His current superior was from another race, and if he reported through the proper channels, the information would inevitably leak.


    If he was right, it could cause panic in the ranks. If he was wrong, the consequences would be even worse.


    But now, with communications restricted, he couldn¡¯t bypass the chain of command privately.


    Viller paced back and forth in agitation before suddenly issuing an order: ¡°Turn the ship around. We¡¯re heading to coalition headquarters!¡±


    ¡°Sir, what if the other races ask? We¡¯ll need a reason.¡±


    ¡°Tell them the ship¡¯s malfunctioning, the electronic systems are locked up, and we need to temporarily withdraw from combat to get authorization from the commander to unlock it.¡±

 Chapter 503: Return

    The adjutant curled his lips. What kind of nonsense reason was that? Even he found it hard to believe. However, Viller held the highest rank on this ship, and he couldn¡¯t defy his orders.


    But it was just an excuse. Even if the other races didn¡¯t believe it, would they dare to stop them? Besides, they were heading to the command center, not deserting the battlefield.


    Soon, Viller¡¯s flagship turned around and flew toward the rear of the formation. Although the rear forces commander was furious, he was too preoccupied with the critical battle to deal with this.


    Moreover, Viller was only leaving by himself. His escort ships remained to continue fighting. Perhaps there really was some system malfunction, as they claimed.


    He wasn¡¯t an expert on Troi technology and didn¡¯t understand these things well. However, he had heard that the coalition commander and Viller didn¡¯t get along. Maybe this was some internal conflict? Had the coalition commander remotely tampered with Viller¡¯s flagship, and now Viller was flying over to confront him?


    Very likely!


    The rear forces commander¡¯s curiosity was piqued. If it weren¡¯t for the urgent battle situation, he would have followed to see what was going on.


    The coalition command center was located over ten million kilometers behind the front lines. From a distance, Viller could see that a large number of foreign ships had already gathered there.


    These were the forces that had withdrawn from the flanks for various reasons. Among them, Viller spotted the ships of the Troi nobles.


    However, these didn¡¯t hold his attention for long. His mind was racing, piecing together all the clues. Now, he just needed a few key pieces of data to draw some conclusions.


    The command center, far from the main battlefield, was unaffected by the energy explosions and nuclear EMPs. All radar systems were operating normally. Thus, the arrival of a Troi flagship quickly caught the attention of the command center.


    On this battlefield, there were no more than five of these Troi disc-shaped flagships, each representing a high-ranking Troi officer.


    Therefore, Viller¡¯s identity was quickly verified. After stating his purpose, he was promptly connected to the coalition commander.


    Although Viller had left his sector without authorization and bypassed the chain of command during wartime, the coalition commander didn¡¯t make an issue of it.


    While he and Viller belonged to different factions within their race and didn¡¯t get along, he trusted Viller¡¯s professionalism and didn¡¯t believe he would cause trouble at such a critical moment.


    ¡°Viller, do you realize what you¡¯re doing? If you don¡¯t have a good reason, you¡¯ll be court-martialed,¡± the coalition commander said, though he believed Viller had a valid reason.


    ¡°Cut the crap, Difeck. I need some data access,¡± Viller replied bluntly. The two were old acquaintances, and while they usually engaged in political maneuvering and mutual criticism, this was a time-sensitive matter. Viller had no patience for formalities.


    Hearing the urgency in Viller¡¯s voice, Difeck switched the communication to a secure channel. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°What have you found?¡±


    ¡°A few things.¡±


    Difeck nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll add you to my intelligence team. Ask whatever you need.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation in LKDW263?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s similar to ours, though with some differences. The situation isn¡¯t optimistic.¡±


    ¡°What about LKDW265 and 267? Have the Swarm been spotted there?¡±


    ¡°Yes, they have.¡±


    ¡°Have they invaded those two star systems yet?¡±


    ¡°Not yet.¡±


    ¡°Then where are they? How many are there?¡±


    ¡°One moment, sir,¡± an intelligence officer quickly swiped through the screens in front of him, searching for the information Viller needed. ¡°Sir, the Swarm are currently gathering 0.1 light-years outside the two star systems. The exact numbers are unknown. They¡¯ve driven away our reconnaissance ships and deployed interference fields.¡± ???????????§§?


    ¡°This is bad, Difeck. I suspect the Swarm forces originally headed for those two star systems have redirected and are coming toward us,¡± Viller said gravely.


    ¡°Are you sure?!¡± Difeck was startled and asked in a low voice, while his own mind began reviewing the relevant intelligence.


    ¡°It¡¯s just a hypothesis based on the available data, but I believe the probability is very high,¡± Viller replied, then sent Difeck some selected materials, including his own annotations.


    After quickly reviewing the received data, Difeck let out a soft sigh: ¡°You¡¯re right. The Swarm may indeed have redirected the forces sent to LKDW265 and 267 toward us. But I don¡¯t think this is a crisis for us at this stage.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°When we formulated the plan, we considered the possibility of the Swarm sending reinforcements from LKDW265 and 267. However, you were in hibernation at the time, so you weren¡¯t aware of this,¡± Difeck explained. ¡°We deployed a lot of decoy devices in those two star systems to confuse the Swarm about where our main forces were. According to the reports from our reconnaissance units at the Swarm¡¯s borders, our plan was successful.¡±


    ¡°When the Swarm dispatched their forces, they divided them into four groups, heading in different directions with roughly equal numbers. They didn¡¯t specifically target any particular objective. Before we launched this operation, there were no signs of anything unusual. The Swarm couldn¡¯t have discovered our strategic intentions.¡±


    ¡°And it¡¯s been less than two months since the war began. Even if the Swarm reacted, redirecting their forces would take time. They should still be on their way or just setting out, and it would take them years to reach us. After all, this involves the warp travel of a large number of combat units, which requires precise coordination of routes, rally points, and unit synchronization. So, it won¡¯t affect our current operation. However, I should warn our colleagues in LKDW263. They¡¯re closer to LKDW265 and 267, and the Swarm could reach them faster.¡±


    Viller frowned as he listened to this lengthy explanation. Although Difeck¡¯s reasoning was sound, he still felt something was off. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s possible they foresaw our plan? That the forces sent to LKDW265 and 267 were also decoys, and their main force is already heading here, possibly even about to arrive?¡±


    ¡°Hah, how is that possible? Viller, have you been in hibernation too long? If the Swarm wanted to use the forces sent to LKDW265 and 267 to block us, they would have had to redirect them toward us years ago, shortly after they set out.¡±


    Difeck scoffed. ¡°But you have to understand, back then, this plan was just a proposal. Whether it would be executed was still uncertain. If even we weren¡¯t sure, how could the Swarm have predicted it? Viller, the Swarm are strong, but don¡¯t deify them.¡±

 Chapter 504: Holding Back

    Although Difeck¡¯s reasoning made sense, Viller still had an intuition that the Swarm wouldn¡¯t simply give up the encirclement they had worked so hard to create. They must have a greater plan in mind.


    But what could it be? After hearing Difeck¡¯s explanation, Viller also felt that his earlier speculation was somewhat fantastical. How could the Swarm have prepared for something that hadn¡¯t even been decided yet?


    Moreover, such plans were highly confidential. Even if a decision had been made, the Swarm couldn¡¯t have obtained the information before the plan was fully executed. Only high-ranking officials would have access to such details, and the Swarm couldn¡¯t possibly offer enough benefits to lure them into betrayal.


    And even if the Swarm could offer astronomical rewards, would those high-ranking officials not understand the strength of those powerful civilizations? The strength of the Ji race? Even if they were offered mountains of wealth, they¡¯d still need to be alive to enjoy it. Therefore, Viller didn¡¯t believe there could be traitors within their ranks.


    So, could the Swarm have relied on external reconnaissance methods?


    The Ji race¡¯s previous reports had mentioned that the Swarm could deploy reconnaissance units disguised as asteroids. Therefore, during defensive preparations, the coalition adopted a ¡°better safe than sorry¡± approach, destroying any suspicious asteroids.


    Perhaps the Swarm had other reconnaissance methods¡ªthis was highly likely. Because Viller was 99.99% certain that the Swarm had detected the coalition¡¯s assembly here.


    It was possible that the Swarm had noticed the coalition¡¯s movements as soon as they set out from LKDW262. After all, large-scale troop movements were difficult to conceal. But even if that were the case, it had been less than a year since then.


    A year wasn¡¯t enough time for the Swarm to redirect their forces from LKDW265 and 267 to this location.


    Was he overthinking this? Viller shook his head.


    Seeing Viller¡¯s expression, Difeck offered rare words of comfort: ¡°Stop overthinking it, Viller! I understand how you feel. You¡¯ve been through a lot these past few days. Since you¡¯re here at the command center, why not stay and rest? You can withdraw with the main forces later.¡±


    Viller had come with only one flagship. While the ship was formidable in one-on-one combat, its impact in a battle involving tens of millions of ships was negligible. Moreover, his constant movement disrupted the formation. For example, his departure from the rear forces¡¯ formation had caused quite a stir.


    This operation was clearly a failure. Although Difeck believed his command wasn¡¯t at fault¡ªthe enemy was simply too strong and cunning, and their allies too weak¡ªsomeone would have to take responsibility for the defeat. As the coalition commander, he was the obvious candidate.


    However, as a member of the Troi race, he wouldn¡¯t face severe punishment¡ªat most, a demotion or reduction in authority. Viller, on the other hand, was a high-ranking Troi officer. Being sidelined in this operation had inadvertently spared him from accountability. After this, Viller might even outrank him. Therefore, offering a small favor now to build goodwill was an excellent choice for Difeck. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Viller nodded in acknowledgment of Difeck¡¯s gesture. He did need rest, and he planned to use this time to review the Swarm¡¯s data again.


    Meanwhile, the battle continued. After driving away the coalition¡¯s flank forces, the Swarm halted their pursuit and turned back toward the central forces.


    As for the scattered flank units, Difeck couldn¡¯t reorganize them quickly. Instead, he allowed them to operate independently by race, harassing the Swarm as they saw fit.


    To further complicate matters for the Swarm, he even mobilized the foreign fleets resting near the command center.


    Surprisingly, this approach seemed to rejuvenate the multi-civilizational forces. Their coordination and combat effectiveness improved significantly, increasing their overall strength by at least 20%.


    Facing the coalition¡¯s flank counterattacks, the Swarm reacted swiftly. The forces that had turned toward the central battlefield now reversed course. However, the coalition¡¯s newfound flexibility made them more elusive. They adopted guerrilla tactics, engaging when they could and retreating when they couldn¡¯t, frustrating the Swarm. ??N¨®????¦¥????


    Unfortunately, their overall skill level was lacking. While their maneuvers looked impressive, they didn¡¯t gain much of an advantage.


    On the central front, after relentless efforts, the coalition¡¯s front and rear forces finally linked up. The rear forces commander briefly acknowledged the front forces¡¯ arrival but quickly refused their request to integrate into the formation, citing the difficulty of large-scale adjustments. Instead, he ordered the front forces to cover the rear as the rear forces turned around and began their retreat.


    Since the flank forces had been routed earlier, some Swarm units had slipped behind the chaotic central forces, blocking the rear forces¡¯ escape route.


    The front forces commander was seething with anger. They had fought hard to break through, suffering nearly 80% casualties, and the remaining ships were in poor condition, their combat effectiveness questionable.


    Yet, in this state, the rear forces commander had the audacity to deny them entry into the formation for rest and repair, instead assigning them the dangerous task of covering the retreat.


    During a retreat, the rearguard faced the fiercest attacks. His forces had been fighting nonstop for over a month, and their systems were severely worn, in desperate need of maintenance. Now, they were being forced to endure another round of intense combat. The front forces commander felt a pang of despair. Even if they made it back, there wouldn¡¯t be much left of the front forces.


    But he had no choice. While the foreign forces¡¯ demands were harsh, they were still allies and wouldn¡¯t attack him. The Swarm, on the other hand, would show no mercy. It was a case of choosing the lesser of two evils.


    Just as his frustration peaked, he noticed that the Swarm¡¯s pursuit had weakened significantly. He quickly checked the real-time data and confirmed that the change, noticeable even to the naked eye, was substantial.


    ¡ª¡ª


    The data showed that the Swarm¡¯s firepower had decreased by 30% and was still dropping rapidly. The front forces commander was puzzled. Had the Swarm had a change of heart? Were they showing mercy?


    All radar and detection systems were activated at full power to gather data and determine the cause of the Swarm¡¯s reduced firepower. However, interference from the EMP and energy surges made the effort largely futile.


    Ironically, it was simple optical observation, which required no energy, that provided the key insight. The previously dense swarm of Swarm units blocking the void now had gaps through which starlight could be seen!


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s forces are thinning out? Are they withdrawing? Are they really showing mercy?¡± The front forces commander was filled with questions. If the Swarm continued their pursuit, they would undoubtedly gain the upper hand. Giving up now could only mean they were holding back.


    Unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t the Swarm showing mercy¡ªit was his own wishful thinking.

 Chapter 505: Interception

    The front forces commander underestimated the Swarm¡¯s ambition. While he was too immersed in the battlefield to see clearly, the coalition¡¯s reconnaissance ships outside the battlefield had a clear view of the Swarm¡¯s intentions.


    The Swarm forces that had been pursuing the coalition¡¯s rear had now abandoned their chase of the battered front forces. Instead, they accelerated, aiming to bypass the coalition and reinforce the intercepting units at the other end.


    ¡°The Swarm¡¯s appetite is enormous! They¡¯re planning to trap the entire central force of the coalition?!¡± Difeck was incredulous. In his view, while the Swarm appeared to have numerical superiority, the individual combat power of their units was significantly inferior. Overall, the coalition¡¯s combat strength was actually stronger.


    However, the coalition¡¯s complex and chaotic command structure made it difficult to fully utilize their combat potential. In contrast, the Swarm¡¯s coordination was textbook-perfect.


    This disparity, combined with the Swarm¡¯s initial positional advantage, had snowballed into the current situation.


    Although the coalition had suffered heavy losses, the void of space left little room for elaborate tactics. To annihilate a large enemy force, one had to rely on brute force. Therefore, the Swarm¡¯s losses were also substantial. While the coalition no longer had the strength to launch an offensive, they could still retaliate. The two sides were still evenly matched.


    But now, the Swarm was actively intercepting the coalition¡¯s central force, aiming to completely destroy them. Given the Swarm¡¯s current troop numbers, this seemed almost delusional.


    In Difeck¡¯s opinion, the Swarm would be better off organizing their superior force to pursue the retreating coalition, securing greater gains. After all, a routed army and one with its retreat cut off were entirely different in terms of morale and combat effectiveness.


    But the Swarm¡¯s actions must have a reason. Could it really be as Viller had speculated? Thinking this, Difeck shook his head self-deprecatingly. He must be losing his mind too. How could that be possible?


    The Swarm¡¯s somewhat reckless move was actually a boon for the coalition. It redefined the roles of attacker and defender, with the Swarm forces now in a position to be flanked.


    ¡°The flank forces, stop slacking off! While the Swarm is focused on blocking the central forces¡¯ retreat, go in and take a few big bites!¡± the coalition commander ordered, directing the troops forward.


    All available forces were deployed, including Viller¡¯s disc-shaped flagship, which was assigned to a foreign fleet and sent back into the fray.


    Viller had no complaints about this, though he was slightly uneasy about being grouped with a fleet of ships whose captains were barely over two kilometers in length¡ªa far cry from his usual companions.


    The Swarm¡¯s relentless interception made their formations and movements predictable. Combined with their limited room to maneuver while being flanked, their losses were mounting rapidly.


    ¡°Let these damned Swarm taste what it¡¯s like to be flanked!¡± the front forces commander shouted. They had been surrounded by the Swarm earlier, suffering nearly 80% casualties, with many comrades left behind on the battlefield.


    Now, seeing the Swarm in a similar predicament, they felt a strange sense of satisfaction. Unfortunately, their position wasn¡¯t at the forefront of the attack, and their firing angles were blocked by allied ships. They could only vent their frustration verbally and take out their anger on the few remaining pursuers.


    The intensity of the battle, which had waned, now surged again. The previously routed flank forces were now fighting effectively, inflicting significant casualties on the Swarm.


    In the void, ships were constantly being destroyed. Amid the flames, countless lifeboats and escape pods fled the scene, while even more Space Octopuses were torn apart by artillery fire, their biological matter scattering in all directions.


    The battle was reaching its climax, with both sides rapidly depleting their forces. However, the advantage seemed to be shifting toward the coalition.


    Just as Difeck was fantasizing about leading his troops to victory in the first major battle against the Swarm, securing promotions, raises, and a path to the pinnacle of his career, devastating news arrived.


    ¡°Sir, we¡¯ve received a report from the rear. A massive Swarm force has suddenly appeared outside LKDW262! Estimated numbers exceed fifty million!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Difeck exclaimed. ¡°How is that possible?¡±


    Fifty million troops¡ªthis wasn¡¯t ancient times. Mobilizing such a large force couldn¡¯t be hidden. The number of troops the Swarm had dispatched from LKDW286, 287, and 288 had been meticulously recorded by the coalition¡¯s reconnaissance ships.


    There might be some discrepancies in the data, but not to the extent of fifty million. Could the Swarm have sent troops from other star systems?


    Difeck immediately dismissed this idea. The coalition had deployed almost all its reconnaissance ships and devices along the border. No matter which star system or direction the Swarm moved from, they couldn¡¯t escape such a dense surveillance network. ????§Ñ¦­§°????¦¥S?


    Unless they had launched their forces from within the Interstellar Technological Confederation itself¡ªbut how could that be possible?


    That left only one possibility: the Swarm had openly dispatched their forces but changed their destination mid-journey. Troops in warp travel were already difficult to detect, and with the coalition¡¯s internal surveillance network weakened, the Swarm could have redirected their forces without being noticed.


    So, where had these troops come from? The answer was obvious. The Swarm had sent forces to the Koya Alliance, but their numbers matched the records. That left only the forces originally headed for LKDW265 and 267.


    Yet Difeck was still reluctant to accept this.


    To evade the coalition¡¯s detection, the Swarm would have had to send their forces toward the original targets, then redirect them after entering coalition territory. But the distance from that point to LKDW262 would take years to traverse, even at warp speed. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he had told Viller earlier, unless the Swarm had planned this from the very beginning¡ªbefore the coalition had even finalized their plans¡ªthe timing wouldn¡¯t add up.


    But how could the Swarm dare to take such a gamble? This was a life-or-death bet. If the coalition had devised a different plan, all their efforts would have been in vain.


    Could the Swarm truly foresee the future?


    ¡°Has there been any unusual activity near LKDW263?¡± Difeck suddenly asked.


    The communications officer quickly operated the instruments. After a moment, he looked up, his eyes wide with shock. ¡°Sir, a massive Swarm force has also appeared outside LKDW263.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Difeck¡¯s tone was more of a statement than a question. The Swarm must have used some method to anticipate the coalition¡¯s plans in advance. Otherwise, their actions wouldn¡¯t be so precisely targeted.


    One instance might be a coincidence, but two couldn¡¯t be explained away so easily.


    At this moment, Difeck finally realized just how terrifying the secret that had drawn the Ji race into the fray truly was. The Swarm was like a bottomless pit, continuously revealing new cards. It was impossible to predict or grasp their limits.


    Perhaps their old rivals, the Koya Alliance, had been right all along.

 Chapter 506: Stealing Home

    From the current situation, Difeck was beginning to think that perhaps the approach of the Koya Alliance was the correct one. Continuously yielding space to allow the Swarm to encroach, thereby buying time.


    Once the civilizations of the middle and inner circles, or even the Ji race, intervened, the Swarm would be pushed back in no time. The lost territory could naturally be reclaimed, and the losses would only be some fixed assets.


    But on their side, the Locke Mutual Aid Society, attempting to block the Swarm¡¯s invasion, had just begun the war, and already, across two battlefields, the number of lost warships had exceeded ten million, with countless casualties among various races.


    Most importantly, despite these heavy losses, no strategic objectives had been achieved. Now, the Swarm was directly attacking their home, and the future losses were still unknown. From any perspective, losing so much for the sake of pride didn¡¯t seem worth it.


    But there was no time for him to dwell on these thoughts. He had to make a decision immediately: continue the battle here or return to reinforce the LKDW262 Star System.


    However, after careful consideration, he realized that he didn¡¯t have many options.


    In the LKDW262 Star System, there were still around 20 million warships. However, apart from a few thousand newly arrived reinforcements, the rest were largely incapable of participating in this operation due to the lack of warp drive.


    Although, as defenders, the presence of warp drive didn¡¯t make much difference. But let¡¯s not forget, if a warship doesn¡¯t even have a warp drive, how good can its other configurations be? Even though there were numerous fixed defense facilities within the star system, their builders, the Moto civilization, were a fringe, lesser-developed civilization.


    The combination of lesser-developed warships and lesser-developed fixed defenses facing 50 million ferocious Swarm troops¡ªwhether they could hold out, or for how long, was a question.


    Among the attacking coalition forces, the strongest first-tier units, composed of the top three most powerful fleets of the Locke Mutual Aid Society, had already lost 80% of their strength.


    The second-tier rear forces had also suffered approximately 40% losses. As for the third-tier flanking forces, though they still appeared intact, it¡¯s worth remembering that at the start of the battle, they had been routed by the Swarm forces, fleeing for over ten million kilometers with heavy casualties.


    Under these circumstances, even if he led his forces back, how much could these remnants really contribute?


    Therefore, faced with the call for reinforcements from LKDW262, Difeck found it difficult to make a decision. But as he was still pondering his options, a sudden change occurred on the battlefield.


    The news of the rear¡¯s call for reinforcements somehow leaked, causing the morale of the Moto civilization, which made up the bulk of the flanking forces, to plummet. As a newly interstellar civilization that had only entered the spacefaring era a few thousand years ago, they hadn¡¯t fully shed their various attachments. The invasion of their homeworld made it impossible for them to remain calm.


    A flood of requests to return and defend their home poured into the command center, but Difeck was in a tough spot. The two sides were now entangled, and even if he wanted to retreat, the Swarm wouldn¡¯t allow it. If they forcibly withdrew, the coalition forces in the central front would suffer heavy losses.


    Moreover, they would be pursued by the Swarm, and by the time they reached the LKDW262 Star System, it was uncertain how much of the coalition forces would remain.


    Furthermore, outside LKDW262, there were 50 million fresh Swarm troops waiting. If they were intercepted, they would undoubtedly be surrounded, and the issue wouldn¡¯t be about reinforcing anymore¡ªit could very well be a matter of total annihilation.


    The command center¡¯s delayed response further exacerbated the Moto civilization¡¯s frustration. They believed that the Troi coalition¡¯s commander-in-chief was deliberately stalling for time. Under the influence of some agitators, a group of Moto warships finally broke away from the battle formation. Their sublight engines at full power, they quickly distanced themselves from the battlefield, and with a blur in space, the entire fleet entered warp speed and vanished into the void.


    Following this example, more and more Moto warships began to leave the battlefield. Despite Difeck¡¯s attempts to appeal to their reason, move them with emotion, and even threaten them, nothing could stop the Moto¡¯s determination to return home.


    Difeck¡¯s own morale was also beginning to crumble. Although the Moto fleet was a major part of the flanking forces, their numbers were already greatly reduced due to heavy losses. Combined with their technological backwardness, their role in the current battle was limited. Even if they all left, if Difeck managed the situation well, the impact on the overall situation wouldn¡¯t be too severe.


    But now, their unauthorized departure had not only significantly affected the morale of the remaining forces but also undermined Difeck¡¯s authority.


    However, Difeck didn¡¯t have many options. In his mind, the best course of action would be to make an example of the deserting ships by destroying them to set a precedent.


    But in reality, for such an idea to be implemented, he would need to head to the infirmary, get a shot, and take a nap¡ªbecause such things only happened in dreams. ????£Á£Î????¦Â¦¥£Ó


    The departure of the Moto fleet, combined with the plummeting morale, significantly reduced the pressure on the Swarm forces. The situation, which had been at a disadvantage, slowly began to turn around.


    Seeing this, Difeck could only sigh. There was no point in thinking about anything else now; he had to focus on the immediate situation. Otherwise, forget about reinforcements¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t even make it through the current crisis.


    Meanwhile, on the other side, the sudden appearance of the Swarm forces had thrown the LKDW262 Star System into chaos. Some advocated for a full defense, others for an immediate retreat, and still others for a proactive attack. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Of course, ignoring the brainless suggestion of the last option, the debate mainly revolved around the first two positions. The Moto civilization, as the host of the star system, was the primary advocate for retreat and also demanded that the coalition fleet help evacuate civilians.


    Population was the hope of a race. If a star system¡¯s population was wiped out in a single battle, what good would victory be?


    At the same time, some civilizations that wanted to preserve their own fleets supported the Moto¡¯s proposal.


    On the other hand, the majority of the civilizations advocating for defense were neighbors of the Moto civilization. They believed that if the Moto abandoned their defenses, they would have to take in a large number of Moto refugees. Moreover, once the Swarm regrouped, they would be the next targets.


    Under these circumstances, they naturally hoped that the coalition forces would hold out on Moto territory for as long as possible. As for Moto casualties¡ªwhen it came to non-allied races, who cared in such critical moments?


    But as they were arguing, the Swarm wasn¡¯t wasting any time. After a brief reorganization, swarms of Primordial-class units charged into the star system from multiple directions.


    The outermost planetary base held out for less than an hour before being overwhelmed by the tide of Swarm.


    The ongoing debate among the allied races was abruptly interrupted by this sudden attack. The Swarm¡¯s proximity made everyone feel the imminent threat.


    If they retreated now, their warships could still leave in an orderly manner, but evacuating the population would be extremely time-consuming and no longer feasible.


    Thus, the Moto, who had initially advocated for retreat, quickly changed their stance and became staunch supporters of the defensive faction.

 Chapter 507: Encirclement

    After the coalition forces in the LKDW262 Star System had largely unified their stance, they quickly organized their defenses. However, it was already too late.


    The surging tide of the Swarm had already destroyed three layers of orbital defense systems. These relatively outdated, low-powered, and immobile fixed defense facilities were systematically picked off and obliterated by the Primordial-class units. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The outermost Moto colony had also fallen, and the Moto inhabitants within had lost contact, their fate unknown.


    With no other choice, tens of millions of warships from various races gathered in the outer orbit of LKDW262¡¯s habitable planet, hoping to rely on the strongest orbital defense system here for one last stand.


    ¡°Has there been any response to our call for reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°Sir, the frontlines have received the message. General Difeck replied that the frontlines are under heavy pressure, and the troops are too entangled to disengage. However, he has managed to withdraw the Moto fleet and send them back to assist.¡±


    The commander nodded. The situation on the frontlines was being reported in real-time, and it was indeed as Difeck had described¡ªthey were in a difficult position. Sending the Moto fleet back was likely the best they could do, and it was unreasonable to demand more.


    However, the Moto fleet¡¯s warp technology was acquired on credit, and they only had the most basic version. Although the frontlines were only 0.2 light-years away from LKDW262, it would still take them at least two to three months to return. Moreover, given their combat capabilities, even if they did return, how much they could contribute was questionable. There wasn¡¯t much to expect from them.


    ¡°What about the other fronts?¡±


    The communications officer shook his head.


    ¡°Sigh¡­¡± the commander sighed quietly.


    The current situation was dire. The nearest star system, LKDW263, was too preoccupied with its own troubles to help. The coalition civilizations bordering the Moto had already sent large numbers of troops earlier. Even if they still had forces to spare, they were unlikely to deploy them now, as they would need to conserve their strength for when the Swarm turned its attention to them after overrunning the Moto. Although such preparations might not make much difference in the end.


    The commander¡¯s only hope now lay with the major civilizations of the middle and inner circles. Their warships were more technologically advanced, and the faster ones had already set out two or three decades ago. However, without their communication codes, the Mutual Aid Society had no way to contact them while they were in warp travel.


    Thus, only their own races knew where these fleets were at the moment.


    Rescue might arrive at any second, or perhaps it wouldn¡¯t come until LKDW262 was destroyed. This left the commander torn between hope and despair.


    The Swarm, however, paid no attention to the psychological drama of these races and continued to execute their plans methodically. The Primordial-class units carefully and meticulously cleared every corner they passed, showing no change in their approach regardless of the strength or weakness of their opponents.


    Soon, the various Primordial-class clusters converged 5,000 kilometers away from the habitable planet. Arrayed against them were the dense formations of the coalition fleet and their fixed defenses.


    Cold, metallic constructs stood silently, exuding an aura of solemnity. Lights¡ªbeacons, indicators, and warning signals¡ªflickered intermittently, while small vessels darted back and forth.


    Engineering robots and alien engineers in protective suits nervously inspected the operational status of the equipment, maintaining or replacing worn-out components in preparation for the imminent battle.


    The Swarm also temporarily halted their advance. Floating in the void were their combat units, even more densely packed than the coalition forces. Their long tendrils swayed unconsciously, with bioluminescent lights flickering on and off in a mesmerizing display.


    ¡°What a beautiful species,¡± some of the aliens murmured, their emotions complex. Beautiful things often resonated with sentient beings, but the beauty of the Swarm was something these aliens could not afford to appreciate.


    The battle began shortly after. The Swarm had approximately 50 million large combat units, while the coalition forces had just over 20 million warships. Even with all the fixed defenses included, the total number of operational units that could fire was barely 30 million.


    The enormous numerical disparity, coupled with the lack of technological advantage, immediately put the coalition forces at a disadvantage from the start.


    The Primordial-class units charged forward under heavy fire, advancing while simultaneously returning fire. Attacking a cornered defensive force was the Swarm¡¯s favorite scenario. ?????????¨°???


    Both sides¡¯ long-range weapons had similar ranges and firepower, with the Swarm¡¯s being slightly superior. Under these conditions, even in a long-range exchange, the Swarm had no reason to back down.


    However, the Swarm¡¯s close-combat capabilities were far stronger. The coalition, forced to defend critical targets, had no room to maneuver. This gave the Swarm the opportunity to close the distance, and once they did, the coalition forces would be mercilessly overwhelmed.


    The course of the battle unfolded exactly as expected. The fixed defenses, lacking mobility, were prioritized and systematically destroyed under concentrated fire.


    The shattered debris scattered in all directions, and the coalition, with their tightly packed formations, found themselves struggling to deal with the wreckage of their own defenses.


    The remaining coalition warships¡¯ firepower was insufficient to stop the Swarm¡¯s advance. All they could do was watch helplessly as the Swarm units loomed larger and larger in their view.


    But that wasn¡¯t all. Once the Swarm closed to a certain distance, the Primordial-class units released swarms of mature and larval bodies from within their bodies. These smaller units were now within their effective combat range.


    Despite their small size¡ªsome of the larval bodies were less than ten meters long¡ªthey were still a significant threat. Even Viller¡¯s disc-shaped flagship, which was over five kilometers long, would find it difficult to deal with larval bodies at close range, let alone the coalition warships, which were only about two kilometers long.


    The coalition forces, already at a disadvantage, found their situation worsening with the appearance of these mature and larval bodies.


    The coalition warships¡¯ long-range firepower primarily consisted of main and secondary cannons. The main cannons required more energy, had a slower rate of fire, but were immensely powerful and long-ranged, capable of dealing significant damage to all Swarm units. The secondary cannons required less energy, fired faster, but were less powerful. While they were effective against the Swarm¡¯s smaller units, they had limited impact on the Primordial-class units.


    However, the energy generation systems of the coalition ships could only produce a finite amount of energy per unit of time, making it impossible to power both the main and secondary cannons at full capacity. Thus, the challenge became how to allocate energy between them.


    No matter how the coalition forces chose to distribute their energy, the results were equally ineffective. Prioritizing the main cannons meant they couldn¡¯t stop the Swarm¡¯s smaller units from closing in. Prioritizing the secondary cannons was even worse, as they couldn¡¯t halt the advance of the Primordial bodies, and the numbers of mature and larval bodies far exceeded the Primordial bodies.


    For the secondary cannons to have any chance of slowing the Swarm, they would need to achieve the firing rate of close-range defense guns, coupled with perfect accuracy¡ªa level of performance not even the Ji race could attain.


    Following the destruction of the fixed defenses, coalition warships began to fall, and the rate of losses accelerated. The disadvantage snowballed, growing larger and larger.

 Chapter 508: Airdrop

    After intense deliberation by the coalition¡¯s think tank, it was decided to prioritize attacks on the Swarm¡¯s Primordial-class units. Even if the Swarm closed in, these larger Primordial-class units posed a greater destructive threat. As for the smaller Space Octopuses, the coalition temporarily deployed drone squadrons to hold them off.


    However, due to the post-war mobilization, most of the newly constructed space factories were dedicated to warship production lines, and metal smelting was prioritized for building warships. The production of drones had not seen a significant increase, and the shortage of materials further exacerbated the issue. As a result, the coalition fleet¡¯s drone numbers were far from full capacity, with some warships carrying only a dozen or so drones.


    Nevertheless, due to the sheer size of the fleet, the sight of dense drone formations advancing in orderly ranks remained impressive. However, their total numbers still paled in comparison to the Swarm¡¯s mature and larval bodies by several orders of magnitude.


    In the timeless void of space, after several days of fierce combat, the Swarm leveraged its numerical advantage to divide the battlefield and eventually breached the coalition¡¯s defensive lines, pushing into the orbit of the life planet they were protecting.


    Some mature bodies opened their storage sacs and released a large number of spore pods from the planet¡¯s near orbit. These spore pods were encased in multiple layers of carapace, which helped shield them from external harsh conditions such as extreme heat.


    The layers of carapace were supported by cartilage, providing excellent cushioning during high-impact collisions.


    Beneath the carapace was a sac-like tissue modeled after the Fungal Carpet¡¯s genes. This tissue was reinforced with fibrous structures to enhance the pods¡¯ resilience and filled with small air sacs to further mitigate damage from impacts.


    Inside the pods was a space of about 3-5 square meters, capable of carrying Fungal Carpet seeds, Brood Queen larvae, and various land-based combat units. These were the latest generation of airdrop pods, refined through multiple iterations, and it was these that the mature bodies were now deploying.


    Countless pods descended through the atmosphere in free fall, their friction with the air creating a fiery glow. From the ground, the sheer number of them made it look like a spectacular meteor shower. Some unsuspecting Moto civilians even closed their eyes and made wishes.


    But soon, they realized something was wrong. These ¡°meteors¡± were growing increasingly numerous, filling the sky and illuminating half of it.


    The Moto defenders on the life planet, though unsure what these objects were, knew that a massive battle was raging above. They had communicated with the coalition and learned that these ¡°meteors¡± were not from their allies. If they weren¡¯t from the coalition, it was obvious who their origin was. Even using their toes to think, the Moto defenders could guess that these beautiful ¡°meteors¡± were nothing good.


    The Moto defenders opened fire. A variety of anti-aircraft weapons began pouring fire into the sky, including even old-fashioned kinetic anti-aircraft guns powered by gunpowder. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But these ¡°meteors¡± were not lifeless objects. They could use the air sacs within their bodies to adjust their descent trajectory and even slightly alter their speed. Their small size and high velocity made them difficult targets for the Moto defenders. Except for weapons with advanced targeting systems, most of the other anti-aircraft weapons proved ineffective.


    The ¡°meteors¡± continued to fall. Around the cities on the life planet, where anti-aircraft defenses were strong, most of the pods heading their way were destroyed. However, the Moto couldn¡¯t deploy defenses uniformly across the entire planet. In suburban and wilderness areas, anti-aircraft defenses were sparse and less effective.


    The Swarm quickly noticed this and began directing more pods toward these regions.


    Finally¡­


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    The sound of impacts echoed continuously. The pods, traveling at immense speeds, slammed into the ground. However, their multi-layered, impact-resistant structures absorbed much of the shock. Some pods even bounced back up, tumbling a few times before coming to a stop.


    Dry forests and hillsides ignited from the intense heat of impact. Amidst the flames, the pods split open.


    Some released a few land-based combat units, while others had Worker Drones carrying Fungal Carpet seeds and Brood Queen larvae crawling out. Some disgorged insectoid units with large digging appendages, clearly adept at burrowing, while others simply released Burrowing Worm larvae.


    After a quick assessment of the surroundings, the various digging units began excavating the ground. Worker Drones, carrying the Brood Queens, burrowed underground and planted the Fungal Carpet. The spore pods themselves were broken down and used as the initial source of nutrients.


    Meanwhile, the other land-based combat units scattered, conducting reconnaissance missions to eliminate potential threats and gather intelligence.


    Although the anti-aircraft defenses around the Moto cities were fierce, a few lucky pods managed to breach the firestorm and land near the urban areas. ???????B¦¥?


    These pods not only endured a harrowing descent but also faced a far more hostile environment upon landing compared to their counterparts in the forests and suburbs. Concealment was critical, and burrowing became the best option. This was why more than half of the ground units deployed in this airdrop were equipped for digging.


    Those units incapable of digging instead charged into the Moto population, creating chaos to cover their comrades¡¯ activities.


    Within less than half a minute, aside from the combat units still causing havoc, the rest of the Swarm forces had disappeared underground. Even when Moto soldiers arrived at the scene, all they could do was curse at the digging traces left behind.


    The coalition forces in space, though aware of the Swarm¡¯s actions, were powerless to stop them. By the time they desperately managed to seal the breach, the Swarm had already completed multiple rounds of airdrops.


    ¡°Commander, we¡¯ve received a message from the ground forces.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the situation? Did they figure out what the Swarm dropped?¡±


    ¡°Commander, the ground forces report that, based on optical observations, the Swarm likely deployed some kind of airdrop landing apparatus. When they inspected the sites, they found a few Swarm units, but the numbers were small.¡±


    After speaking, the communications officer opened several images and videos transmitted in real-time. In the footage, Moto soldiers were seen engaging spider-like creatures and small, ferocious beasts. Although these Swarm units were fierce, their limited numbers meant they were eventually eliminated by the soldiers¡¯ advanced weaponry.


    ¡°Has the research report on these creatures been completed?¡±


    ¡°No, although they¡¯re not particularly strong, the Swarm has still placed genetic locks on them¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it. Tell the ground forces to stay vigilant. The Swarm wouldn¡¯t go through so much trouble just to drop something meaningless.¡±


    The coalition commander in LKDW262, though this was his first encounter with the Swarm, understood that they were far from foolish. This situation was riddled with oddities, and caution was essential.


    The fierce battle in space continued unabated, unaffected by the events on the ground. Both sides fought relentlessly, with entire squadrons of warships or Primordial-class units periodically withdrawing from the frontlines for repairs and resupply.


    As the commander had anticipated, the Swarm¡¯s actions were far from aimless. Within 10 days, a large number of Swarm units emerged from nowhere on the planet, launching attacks against the coalition¡¯s ground forces.

 Chapter 509: The Attack

    Because the Swarm¡¯s ground combat experiments on the Daqi Planet had been conducted under the heavy cover and concealment of their space forces, the Interstellar Technological Confederation had been unable to uncover what had happened. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Despite their repeated attempts, they were always blocked. To this day, the details of those events remain unknown to the Confederation. Thus, the scene unfolding on the life planet of LKDW262 marked the first time the Swarm¡¯s ground forces had been revealed to the world.


    Night had fallen, and in response to the Swarm¡¯s airdrops, the cities on the Moto life planet had heightened their defenses. Curfews were imposed, and the number and frequency of patrols were increased.


    However, after several rounds of sweeps that eliminated many of the Swarm¡¯s airdropped units, combined with over ten days of relative safety, the tension among the patrol personnel had begun to ease slightly.


    The Moto were a race that valued environmental protection, and the night sky remained clear, cloudless, and offered excellent visibility. In the distant starscape, occasional bursts of light flared up¡ªexplosions from the coalition¡¯s warship reactors. Through an ordinary telescope, one could even see dense red threads dancing across the stars.


    The Moto on the surface understood that the battle in the distance was a matter of life and death for them. As a result, many had quickly adapted their habits, becoming nocturnal to take advantage of the better viewing conditions at night. Though they could do little to help, they hoped to send their blessings to the distant fleet.


    The patrol personnel were no exception. They frequently looked up at the distant sky, silently praying for their comrades.


    Suddenly, a shadow flickered at the corner of a patrolman¡¯s eye. As he focused on it, a sharp pain pierced his left cheek, as if something had pricked him. He raised his hand to touch the spot, but before he could even complete the motion, his body uncontrollably tilted to one side.


    The sound of his fall was startlingly clear in the quiet night. His eyes, now unable to move, could only hope that his sudden collapse would alert his comrades.


    But one after another, the sounds of bodies hitting the ground reached his ears. Though he couldn¡¯t turn his head to see what was happening behind him, he could guess based on his own experience.


    In his final moments, he still couldn¡¯t identify what had attacked them¡­


    The perpetrators were genetically enhanced flying insects, originally part of the reconnaissance units. Their primary role was to provide route guidance, detect enemy presence, mark targets, and offer early warnings for other Swarm units.


    However, they also possessed a degree of offensive capability. Each flying insect had a stinger coated with neurotoxin at the end of its tail. These stingers could be silently launched with pinpoint accuracy, hitting targets within fifty meters.


    Equipped with optical camouflage and silent flight modes, they could easily approach unsuspecting enemies and strike at the opportune moment.


    Comfortable in their familiar environment and lacking experience in combating Swarm ground units, many of the patrol soldiers had not worn fully enclosed combat suits. They became the first victims of the flying insect units.


    Of course, not all Moto soldiers were so careless. Many wore full-body protective gear, and some elite units even had basic exoskeletons.


    These were not opponents the flying insects could handle alone. This was where the ambushers came in. Though the ambushers shared the same basic template as the raiders¡ªderived from the original Spider Combat Bug¡ªthey were a far cry from the stripped-down, expendable versions. The ambushers were the high-end, fully equipped, luxury custom models.


    Optical camouflage, venomous stingers, silk-spinning capabilities, and wing membranes for gliding were all standard features. Their main bodies were encased in chitinous armor, while their limbs were reinforced with exoskeletal plating. This meant they underwent over ten molting cycles from larva to maturity.


    Such a laborious growth process resulted in formidable combat capabilities. Beyond their auxiliary functions, the chitinous armor provided enhanced protection while adding significant weight. With a body diameter of nearly half a meter, each ambusher weighed over thirty kilograms.


    Their exoskeleton-covered limbs were not only incredibly strong but also razor-sharp. Though called ambushers, their frontal assault capabilities were exceptional. A single ambusher could easily take on ten raiders without breaking a sweat.


    Several sentries stationed on a rooftop were unaware of the optically camouflaged flying insects circling above them. On the building¡¯s walls, several heavily armored insectoids, also cloaked in optical camouflage, used the hooks on their limbs to scale the structure silently, guided by the flying insects.


    The sentries, though fully clad in protective gear, were oblivious to the danger. They chatted through their communicators, exchanging non-combat-related thoughts and experiences.


    Suddenly, one of the sentries was slammed to the ground. His decent physical condition was of no use as he struggled helplessly against the force pinning him down.


    Terrified, he tried to shout a warning to his comrades, but as soon as he opened his mouth, something invisible shot into it. Blood seemed to hang in mid-air, faintly outlining the shape of an unseen object.


    The transparent object slowly retracted, then withdrew from the back of his neck. With the obstruction gone, blood gushed forth. The Moto soldier, eyes wide with fear, gradually went silent as his life ebbed away.


    Simultaneously, similar scenes of slaughter befell his companions, spreading across the city and throughout the planet.


    Finally, whether due to the sentries¡¯ prolonged silence or the discovery of their bodies, alarms blared across the city, quickly spreading and awakening all the Moto on the planet. R??§°¦¢§¦?


    As dawn broke, sunlight bathed the land. The Moto, having spent a sleepless night, cautiously opened their doors and stepped outside, as if greeting a new life.


    The previous night had been one of terror. The Moto leadership, having noticed the anomalies, quickly mobilized additional personnel to investigate.


    However, as they moved, more and more individuals went missing. At the scene of each incident, aside from the victims, there were no traces of the attackers. Panic began to spread. The unseen enemy brought to mind terrifying legends.


    But many Moto realized that this was the Swarm, returning to strike again. The night environment was highly unfavorable for them. Only after firing numerous flares into the sky did the killings begin to subside.


    Yet in the shadows, the ambushes continued. Patrols were halted, and people were urgently gathered together. No one dared to rest, and they finally made it through to dawn.


    In the light of day, it seemed as though nothing had happened the previous night. But the bodies discovered everywhere served as grim reminders of the previous night¡¯s horrors. Finally, most of the victims¡¯ remains were collected, awaiting examination by specialists.

 Chapter 510: Countermeasures

    The inspection team arrived, composed of forensic experts, criminal investigators, and renowned detectives. They wore uniformly issued white coats and approached the scene.


    ¡°All victims were killed with a single strike, with almost no signs of resistance!¡±


    ¡°These must be highly stealthy and ambush-oriented combat units. The Swarm¡¯s cloaking technology is incredibly advanced, so it¡¯s not surprising they could create something like this. However, this combat style completely redefines my understanding of the Swarm.¡± To this inspector, the Swarm had always been synonymous with brute force.


    ¡°Then your previous understanding might have been biased. Perhaps this is the Swarm¡¯s true nature, but it couldn¡¯t be fully utilized in space environments.¡±


    ¡°I agree. Early records of the Swarm, especially those from the Riken, describe them as mysterious and enigmatic.¡±


    ¡°Enough of this. What else have you found? Can you infer the appearance and abilities of these Swarm units?¡±


    They exchanged glances and nodded. One of them spoke up: ¡°We¡¯ve made some progress on one type.¡±


    ¡°One type?¡±


    ¡°Correct. There are at least two different types of Swarm units involved in this attack.¡±


    ¡°Go on.¡±


    One inspector flipped through the bodies and addressed the commander: ¡°First, let¡¯s talk about the one we¡¯ve made progress on. Look here, here, and here¡ªall these points show signs of being pierced by a sharp object.¡± He pointed to several damaged areas on the protective suits of the corpses.


    The commander stepped forward and examined the damage closely. Indeed, there were abnormal punctures on the limbs and backs of the suits. The edges of the holes were clean and fresh, with some still oozing blood, indicating they had been made recently.


    ¡°Our sentries were stationed in groups, positioned at angles to cover each other. To approach them, these units must have cloaking capabilities and exceptional agility. Additionally, to prevent the sentries from raising alarms, they must possess incredible communication and coordination skills, allowing them to strike simultaneously.¡±


    The commander nodded in agreement. The inspector then positioned himself on all fours around the corpse, mimicking a crouching posture, and said, ¡°It¡¯s likely they attacked from behind like this. But our soldiers aren¡¯t amateurs, so these units must be large, heavy, and possess enough strength to subdue their targets instantly. Then, they¡¯d strike like this¡­¡±


    The inspector extended a hand, mimicking a piercing motion at the wound: ¡°Every action must be swift and seamless. Only then can they silence their targets without giving them a chance to call for help or sound the alarm. They¡¯re elite assassins, machines of slaughter.¡±


    ¡°You mentioned you¡¯ve made some progress on their appearance?¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°Correct. We¡¯ve reviewed footage of our soldiers eliminating Swarm airdrop units and noticed a spider-like unit. If we scale it up slightly, it matches the profile of these attackers.¡±


    The commander looked at the bodies on the ground, imagining the inspector¡¯s posture replaced by a giant spider, with the punctures in the suits aligning perfectly.


    He nodded, accepting the explanation.


    ¡°So, how do we defend against them?¡± the commander asked.


    The inspector stood up and shrugged: ¡°That¡¯s a question for the military, but I think sonar detectors might help us spot them in advance.¡±


    ¡°What about the other unit?¡±


    ¡°Take a look here, Commander,¡± another inspector in a white coat stepped forward. He moved to two corpses and pointed out their wounds. The injuries were similarly located, concentrated around the head, but upon closer inspection, the commander noticed a difference.


    One of the deceased Moto had a twisted expression but a normal body posture, with signs of struggle on his clothes. The other, however, showed no signs of struggle¡ªhis clothes were clean, but certain parts of his body were unnaturally contorted.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡±


    The inspector pointed to the second corpse: ¡°This is a clear case of neurotoxin poisoning. He was incapacitated by poison before being killed. The Swarm units must have some form of toxin delivery system.¡± ??¦­?????¨¨S


    ¡°The other unit we discussed is physically strong; it wouldn¡¯t need to poison its targets first. Therefore, we believe the poisoning was done by a different unit.¡±


    ¡°All poisoned soldiers wore less comprehensive protective gear, with some body parts exposed. Those in fully enclosed suits weren¡¯t poisoned before being killed, which suggests that full-body suits are effective against this toxin-delivering unit.¡±


    ¡°Is there more?¡±


    Another inspector stepped forward, flipped the corpse, and pointed to a small puncture on exposed skin: ¡°There¡¯s a tiny needle mark here, almost healed. I suspect it¡¯s from a unit capable of firing venomous projectiles from a distance.¡±


    He pulled out a fine needle and a laser pointer, manipulated them around the mark, and explained: ¡°The attack came from above. If there were no high points nearby, then this projectile-firing unit must also have flight capabilities.¡±


    ¡°If they can fly without alerting the soldiers, cloaking alone isn¡¯t enough.¡±


    ¡°Correct. They¡¯re likely small in size and make minimal noise when flying.¡±


    ¡°How do we defend against this unit?¡±


    ¡°Theoretically, this unit would be physically weaker, with limited combat abilities and ambush potential. Soldiers wearing fully enclosed suits should be able to defend against them effectively.¡±


    ¡°What about the neurotoxin? Can we treat or neutralize it?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to say. We don¡¯t know its exact composition or mechanism. Perhaps we can find traces in the soldiers¡¯ bodies and develop a countermeasure from there.¡±


    ¡°Good. Any other findings?¡±


    ¡°Not for now. Further autopsies might reveal more.¡±


    ¡°Time is of the essence. Proceed immediately, and report to me directly if you need anything.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Commander.¡±


    The inspectors left, and multiple laboratories were hastily established across the planet. Based on the information gathered, the commander ordered the military to implement several countermeasures.


    The Moto didn¡¯t know when the Swarm would strike next, but since there had been no attacks during the day and both units excelled in ambushes, experts concluded that the Swarm would likely attack again at night.


    Soon, darkness fell once more.


    The Moto soldiers were prepared. Everyone was fully covered, and those without fully enclosed suits used other clothing to protect exposed skin.


    Sentinel posts were equipped with additional lighting, sonar detectors, barricades, barbed wire, and heavy weaponry.

 Chapter 511: Alert

    The measures taken by the Moto indeed had some effect. In the following days, the number of attacks on sentry posts decreased significantly. However, the patrol teams still suffered attacks due to the complex terrain and obstacles encountered during their patrols.


    The Ambushers often hid in trees or on walls, waiting for the patrols to approach before extending their limbs and gliding down using their membranous wings to ambush them.


    The Moto analysts failed to discover this characteristic of the Ambushers, and as a result, they paid a heavy price.


    A few days later, the Moto still hadn¡¯t found a better way to counter the Swarm, and patrolling became a dreaded task. Soldiers preferred to stay in the safety of their sentry posts, using various excuses to avoid participating in patrols.


    During this time, the Moto also sent out their main forces to conduct sweeping operations, but they found nothing. During the day, the Swarm seemed to vanish into thin air. They speculated that the Swarm might be hiding underground, but despite trying numerous methods, they found no trace of them.


    They also set traps at night, but the Swarm seemed to know about them in advance. Attacks continued everywhere except near the traps, which remained untouched.


    As time went on, the number of Moto patrols dwindled, and the frequency of attacks increased until eventually, no patrols were seen at all.


    In space, the intense battles had caused significant losses on both sides. However, the coalition forces, lacking much room for maneuver, suffered greater losses overall.


    The situation on the Moto life planet was now known to the coalition forces. While they were relieved to hear that the Moto defenders still had the situation under control, they could only offer verbal support. The coalition forces were already stretched thin and could hardly provide any substantial assistance. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After the Moto stopped their nighttime patrols and adopted a defensive, turtle-like strategy, the Swarm also quieted down for a few days. Just as the Moto defenders began to think the Swarm wasn¡¯t so formidable after all, they didn¡¯t realize that the Swarm was merely amassing its forces.


    At night, the fierce battles in space continued unabated. Even during the day, the bursts of explosions could be seen through telescopes. However, at night, it was even more convenient to observe the tragic beauty of the explosions without any tools.


    In recent days, due to the dangers outdoors, the Moto had constructed many glass rooms for their sentry posts. These provided better protection for the soldiers while also offering a good view.


    Several Moto soldiers lay in these rooms, looking up through the transparent roofs at the distant sky. Their eyes were filled with confusion, unsure of what the future held. The situation in space had been kept under wraps by the Moto high command.


    But this was merely an ostrich-like strategy, as everyone knew that if their side were winning in space, it would have been widely publicized. The current silence clearly indicated the opposite.


    Moreover, this was the Moto life planet, home to a large population of Moto. Yet, after such a long period of Swarm invasion, the fleet had not provided any support.


    All signs pointed to a grim situation. If the space battle were lost, the ships might still have a chance to escape, but what about those living on the planet? Where could they go?


    A few years ago, when the Daqi Empire was overrun by the Swarm, the Moto had extensively covered the event, emphasizing the tragic state of the Daqi. They claimed that the Daqi had been abandoned by the Koya Alliance and were now divided into countless fragments, scattered across a dozen civilizations. The stories of their suffering were heart-wrenching and brought tears to the eyes of those who heard them.


    Back then, the Moto had thought that the Daqi¡¯s situation was the worst possible, and that nothing could be more tragic. But now, they realized that there was indeed a possibility of something even worse.


    The wheel of fortune had turned, and now it was the Moto¡¯s turn. While the Locke Mutual Aid Society hadn¡¯t abandoned them, the current situation suggested that the Moto might face an even more tragic fate. ???????B??


    At least the Daqi had only lost their territory, while their people survived. Regardless of the separations and hardships, as long as people were alive, there was hope. If the Swarm were ever defeated, they could still return to their homeland and reunite.


    But for the Moto, they had already missed the best opportunity to escape. If the space fleet were defeated and the life planet fell to the Swarm, they would lose both their land and their people, making their situation the most tragic of all.


    However, even if the future seemed hopeless, they didn¡¯t want to give up now. After all, a miserable life was still better than death. They would live day by day, hoping for some unforeseen change that might turn the situation around.


    As these Moto soldiers were lost in their thoughts, the alarm in the room suddenly blared. They were momentarily stunned before scrambling to their feet.


    Although nothing had happened for several days, no one could sleep peacefully at night. Soldiers from other rooms began to pour out.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± asked a commander, his uniform slightly wrinkled, hair disheveled, and eyes bloodshot, showing signs of extreme stress.


    ¡°Sir, something is approaching us!¡± a soldier reported, then added, ¡°And there are a lot of them!¡±


    The civilizations in this star sector, after joining the Interstellar Technological Confederation, often found their technological development skewed due to various influences. They needed to rapidly advance in areas like propulsion, spacecraft, space metallurgy, and modular technology, often neglecting the development of ground forces.


    This hadn¡¯t been a problem in the past, as joining the Confederation meant security. While conflicts in space were common, they rarely involved life planets, which were considered fundamental to a civilization¡¯s survival.


    Perhaps only those long-established civilizations, having reached a bottleneck in space technology, had the time and interest to research and update their ground forces¡¯ equipment.


    But the Moto were not such a civilization. Their equipment hadn¡¯t been updated in over a thousand years, and many devices were outdated. Even the sonic sensors installed in the sentry posts had been hastily repurposed from other machinery.


    These devices had never triggered an alarm since their deployment, leading some Moto to wonder if they were even functional.


    But now, their first warning not only proved their functionality but also delivered a massive ¡°surprise¡± to the Moto.


    The instrument screen was filled with dense red dots, so many that the entire display was dyed red, indicating an unimaginable number of enemies.


    ¡°Everyone, check your weapons and take your positions! Fire flares! You! Report our situation immediately and request reinforcements!¡± the commander shouted, recovering from his shock and issuing urgent orders.


    Bright lights trailed smoke as they shot into the sky, exploding at a certain height and illuminating the area like a small sun, turning the night into day.

 Chapter 512: The Great Hole

    The flares that rose into the sky illuminated a large area in front of the sentry post, turning the night into day. However, the expected enemy did not appear. The ground remained eerily calm.


    ¡°I told you that piece of junk we cobbled together was useless. Scared the hell out of me,¡± one Moto soldier muttered, his heart having nearly jumped out of his throat moments ago. Seeing that nothing seemed to be happening, he let out a sigh of relief.


    Boom! A sudden explosion erupted in the distance, accompanied by a deafening roar. The soldier who had just spoken let out a startled cry, crouching down with one hand covering his head while the other nearly dropped his weapon.


    But no one paid attention to his panicked reaction, as more explosions followed in quick succession, lighting up the night with bursts of fire. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Over the past few days, the Moto had buried numerous landmines around the sentry post, clearing out their stockpile of various models. The explosions were triggered by the more sensitive types of mines.


    One Moto soldier quickly realized what was happening and shouted, ¡°Watch out! They¡¯re underground!¡±


    The other soldiers, now alerted, understood that the vibrations from underground had set off the sensitive mines.


    ¡°The explosions mark their positions! Fire grenades!¡± a commander barked.


    Thud! Thud! Thud! Muffled launching sounds rang out as grenades were fired, landing precisely around the explosion zones. The ensuing detonations were even more intense, as the grenades not only exploded on their own but also triggered the less sensitive mines, which were designed for heavier vehicles and packed a much larger punch.


    Huge chunks of earth were flung into the air, and dust clouds quickly obscured the view. But this didn¡¯t stop the Moto soldiers from continuing their barrage. Grenades rained down into the dust, and soon heavier weapons joined the fray.


    After a relentless bombardment, the soldiers stopped firing in unison.


    ¡°Did we get them?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe you should go check.¡±


    ¡°Go to hell!¡±


    ¡°Is the equipment still working?¡±


    ¡°No, the explosions caused too much interference. The instruments are down.¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡± the commander grumbled, about to assign a few men to investigate. Suddenly, the explosions started again, this time moving rapidly toward the sentry post.


    Now there was no need to send anyone to check, but this was hardly good news.


    ¡°Open fire!¡±


    A torrent of shells rained down on the area ahead, but the results were the same as before¡ªutterly ineffective. As the underground enemy breached the minefield, the commander shouted, ¡°Be careful! Everyone, stay off the ground!¡± ????a??B?s?


    The soldiers weren¡¯t fools. Without needing to be told, they scrambled to higher ground, quickly securing vantage points and setting up their weapons. Those who couldn¡¯t find a spot even rigged makeshift zip lines between walls, hanging themselves in midair.


    Boom! A massive impact shook the sentry post. The Moto¡¯s engineering held up well, as the structure only swayed violently without collapsing. However, several soldiers, caught off guard, tumbled from their perches with cries of pain.


    At that moment, the ground suddenly gave way, revealing a deep, dark hole. Faint glimmers of light reflected off something metallic inside.


    One Moto soldier fell into the hole and disappeared, while the others were luckier, landing on the ground with only minor injuries.


    ¡°Get a team over there and pull them back!¡± The hole emitted an eerie glow, like the gaze of an abyss, sending chills down everyone¡¯s spines.


    A few soldiers closest to the wounded bravely descended the steps, intending to drag their comrades to safety.


    But just then, a rustling sound came from the hole. It seemed as though whatever was supporting the hole had moved away, causing the ground around the entrance to sink slightly without collapsing.


    Next came the sound of scraping and the hissing of unknown creatures, growing louder as if amplified by the hole itself.


    ¡°Prepare to fire!¡± The commander was the first to sense the impending danger and shouted a warning to the soldiers.


    A massive spider, over twenty centimeters in diameter, suddenly leaped out of the hole. But before it could take in its surroundings, it was obliterated by a hail of gunfire. Despite its best efforts to dodge, the sheer volume of firepower reduced it to pulp in just 0.1 seconds.


    But as one Raider fell, more emerged from the hole.


    The Moto soldiers, however, had already set up their weapons, unleashing a devastating barrage. Countless ¡°giant spiders¡± were torn apart the moment they appeared, their limbs and fluids scattering in all directions.


    Boom!


    Boom!


    More holes opened up, and within moments, Burrowing Worms solidified the tunnels before retreating, allowing swarms of Raiders to pour out.


    ¡°Fire! Don¡¯t let them out!¡± the Moto commander yelled.


    But the multiple holes inevitably dispersed the soldiers¡¯ firepower, and some soldiers hesitated, unsure which target to prioritize. Soon, gaps began to appear in the once-impenetrable wall of fire.


    These gaps allowed more Raiders to slip through, further thinning the defensive line. Like a snowball effect, the Moto soldiers quickly found themselves overwhelmed by the Swarm¡¯s assault.


    ¡°Incendiary bombs!¡±


    At this critical moment, the dangerous napalm bombs were finally brought to the front lines. Several soldiers hurled them into the holes, and the ensuing flames forced the Raiders back.


    Although Raiders were cannon fodder, they had ways to deal with fire. Their acidic, toxic bodily fluids could extinguish flames by displacing oxygen and forming a gel-like seal over the fuel.


    As the flames died down, the Raiders began to emerge once more.


    ¡°Bring all the incendiary bombs! And explosives! Get some sharpshooters to collapse these holes!¡± the commander ordered. But another hole opened up, and more Raiders poured out, pushing the Moto defense to its limits. Some Raiders even began scaling the walls of the sentry post.


    Suddenly, a barrage of missiles streaked down from the sky, their powerful explosions and shockwaves wiping out a large portion of the Raiders on the ground.


    ¡°Our air support is here!¡±


    ¡°Keep fighting! Victory will be ours!¡±


    But before the Moto could celebrate, a massive Vulturehawk swooped down from above, its sharp claws seizing a Moto gunship.


    The Vulturehawk showed no signs of slowing down, its immense strength dragging the gunship toward the ground. The gunship¡¯s return fire bounced harmlessly off the Vulturehawk¡¯s metallic feathers.


    Boom! The gunship was slammed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust. Its warning lights flickered and died as it sustained heavy damage. The Vulturehawk¡¯s claws were also deformed, with blood oozing from some areas.


    But the bleeding quickly stopped, and the claws began to regenerate. By the time the Vulturehawk took off again, its injuries were mostly healed.


    The Moto soldiers watched in stunned silence.


    ¡°What the hell is that thing???¡±

 Chapter 513: Corrosion

    Under the stunned gaze of the Moto soldiers, the Vulturehawk flapped its wings a few times and ascended back into the sky. Then, as if gradually becoming transparent, it vanished into thin air.


    ¡°Such incredible stealth technology!¡± While the soldiers were merely shocked by the Vulturehawk¡¯s power, the commander saw more. This kind of stealth technology explained why they had never detected the Swarm before. Now that he thought about it, perhaps the Swarm had always been right beside them, but they simply hadn¡¯t known.


    He glanced around. In the night sky, the brightness of the flares was beginning to fade, and the higher reaches of the sky remained pitch black. Perhaps up there, countless Swarm units were silently watching them.


    They were like gladiators in an arena, fighting desperately to entertain the Swarm. And whenever something unexpected appeared, the Swarm would intervene forcefully, just as they had moments ago.


    While the Moto soldiers were momentarily thrown off by the appearance of the Vulturehawk, the Swarm remained unaffected. As the Moto soldiers hesitated, the area that had just been cleared by missiles was once again overrun by Raiders, their sharp hisses filling the air as they charged toward the sentry post.


    ¡°If this continues, we¡¯re doomed,¡± the Moto commander realized. ¡°Send the footage we just captured back to headquarters. Tell them to send reinforcements¡ªlots of reinforcements!¡±


    Unfortunately, he thought the Swarm was only attacking his sentry post. He didn¡¯t know that the Swarm had launched a full-scale assault, and every base and defensive zone was now fighting for its survival.


    In truth, the Brood Queens that had been airdropped by the Swarm in previous days were far from sufficient to wage a global war. But LKDW262 was too close to Swarm territory.


    Over a hundred years ago, the planet had already been infiltrated by the Swarm¡¯s micro-seeding program. Deep within the planet, the Swarm had long since taken root.


    This was also why so many elite units were present. For example, the exoskeletal limbs of the Ambushers required over ten molting cycles from larva to maturity, something that couldn¡¯t be achieved in a short time.


    ¡°Commander, headquarters says the Swarm is attacking globally. They have no extra troops to send us. We¡¯re on our own!¡± The communications officer quickly informed the commander of the grim reality.


    ¡°Damn it!¡± the commander cursed. Although the situation at his post seemed manageable for now, knowing about the threat from above made him realize that their current position was as precarious as walking a tightrope. Collapse could happen at any moment.


    But sometimes, the more you don¡¯t want something to happen, the more likely it is to occur. As the Moto soldiers regained their focus and resumed firing, the Vulturehawk didn¡¯t reappear. Instead, a new Swarm unit emerged.


    This was a flying unit, a cannon variant of the Flying Insect. They were small, only about twenty centimeters long. Their diminutive size meant they were cheap to produce.


    As a result, when they appeared in the sky, their numbers were staggering.


    These cannon bugs resembled ordinary Flying Insects in their upper bodies, but their tails lacked stingers. Instead, they had a retractable tube-like structure.


    The tube contracted and compressed, then suddenly released, firing a small orange sphere about one centimeter in diameter. The sphere¡¯s outer layer was a gelatinous substance, while the inside contained highly corrosive venom.


    Though the ¡°projectiles¡± were small, their sheer numbers made up for this shortcoming. By the time the Moto soldiers noticed them, they were already under attack.


    This was a saturation bombardment from the air. Countless orange spheres rained down from the sky. Upon hitting their targets, the spheres burst open, their gelatinous exteriors adhering tightly to whatever they touched. Even after exploding, they remained stuck to their targets.


    The venom inside reacted with the gelatinous substance upon contact with air, forming a new toxin that combined the properties of both¡ªhighly corrosive and extremely adhesive.


    The newly formed toxin immediately went to work. Wherever the venom touched, whether on the Moto soldiers¡¯ protective suits or their weapons, white smoke began to rise. ??????????¦Â¦¥?


    ¡°Watch out! Teams Three and Four, drive those things out of the sky!¡± the commander shouted. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The quality of the Moto protective suits was decent¡ªfireproof, waterproof, and corrosion-resistant. A little toxin was nothing to worry about. However, the white smoke was annoying, and the colored gelatinous toxin stuck to their goggles, making them nearly impossible to wipe clean and severely impairing their vision.


    The Moto soldiers, following orders, raised their weapons and fired at the cannon bugs in the sky. But there were simply too many of them. Even as some were shot down, their numbers showed no sign of decreasing.


    A few soldiers brought out flamethrowers, and massive pillars of fire shot into the sky. Caught off guard, several cannon bugs were singed by the flames, their delicate wings severely damaged. They plummeted to the ground, trailing sparks, and writhed in agony.


    Seeing this, the Moto soldiers flushed with excitement and shouted, ¡°Haha, die! You trash!¡± as they swept the flamethrowers back and forth.


    Unfortunately, the cannon bugs quickly adapted, rising higher into the air. The flamethrowers¡¯ limited range and angle made them useless against the elevated targets.


    The soldiers had no choice but to switch back to their regular firearms and shoot at the cannon bugs. However, as they aimed upward, their goggles became prime targets. Another round of saturation fire left them blinded. And they couldn¡¯t even remove their helmets¡ªtheir faces weren¡¯t corrosion-proof.


    But they had underestimated the Swarm. Even the toxins carried by these mass-produced cannon bugs were not to be taken lightly.


    A soldier who had been firing at the Raiders suddenly had his weapon explode in his hands. The blast knocked him back a step, but thanks to his fully enclosed protective suit, he wasn¡¯t injured.


    He muttered curses as he retreated to the rear, grabbing a new weapon before returning to the fight. The Moto army¡¯s equipment hadn¡¯t been updated in a long time, and these weapons were ancient relics. Even with proper maintenance, malfunctions were common under intense use. Fortunately, there were plenty of spare weapons, so they could simply swap out the broken ones.


    But this malfunction seemed to be a signal. More and more weapons began to explode. This anomaly caught the commander¡¯s attention. The Moto military had strict standards, and the factories would never cut corners on weapon quality. Though these weapons were old, they had been well-maintained, and the failure rate shouldn¡¯t have been this high.


    The meticulous commander picked up one of the broken weapons and examined it. He found that it was covered in the orange toxin. Wiping it away, he discovered that the weapon had already been corroded to the point of being riddled with holes. Combined with the intense firing, it was no wonder the weapons were exploding one after another.


    How could these toxins be so potent?


    If even sturdy weapons could be corroded like this, then even their specialized protective suits might not be safe.


    Looking at the orange-stained, smoking areas on his suit, the commander realized a new crisis was at hand.

 Chapter 514: Fortifications

    ¡°Everyone, fall back! Retreat into the fortifications!¡± Realizing the terrifying power of the orange spheres, the commander quickly issued the order.


    Retreating into the fortifications was not a good idea. If there had been any other option, the commander would never have given such an order. While the fortifications offered stronger protection, their heavy defenses also meant poor visibility inside. Moreover, there weren¡¯t enough firing positions for everyone to engage the enemy.


    Most importantly, retreating into the fortifications meant cutting off all other escape routes. They would have no choice but to hold their ground to the death.


    But the Swarm¡¯s numbers were incalculable, and their abilities were bizarre. There was no hope of victory. This move was merely delaying the inevitable.


    However, they had already missed the best opportunity to retreat. Without air superiority, any attempt to withdraw would leave them exposed to the relentless fire of those cursed flying bugs. Once their protective suits were breached, it would be the end.


    From this perspective, both options led to death. But retreating into the fortifications might buy them a little more time.


    ¡°Request reinforcements! Send them the footage of these flying bugs. Tell them we won¡¯t last long. If they want to keep this sentry post, they need to send help immediately!¡±


    Under the cover of flamethrowers, the Moto soldiers began to retreat into the fortifications one by one. Although flamethrowers had limited range, they were excellent defensive weapons, dealing massive damage to the Swarm¡¯s cannon fodder units and effectively preventing the Raiders from taking advantage of the chaos.


    But accidents always happen when least expected. One Moto soldier was firing while retreating backward. Unbeknownst to him, while the sentry post hadn¡¯t been built with subpar materials, it was still constructed with ordinary materials. If even the special alloy used in their weapons couldn¡¯t withstand the Swarm¡¯s toxins, how could these ordinary building materials hold up?


    As a result, the ground had already been corroded into pockmarks. The soldier, not paying attention, stepped into a hole with his heel, losing his balance. In his panic, he didn¡¯t release the trigger. As he fell backward, he instinctively tried to brace himself with his arm, causing the gun to swing around and fire a burst into the back of a nearby flamethrower operator.


    The flamethrower operator¡¯s fuel tank was shattered, and he collapsed to the ground. Fortunately, the flamethrower used separate containers for fuel and oxidizer, so even though the tank was breached, there was no explosion. However, the Moto soldier who had accidentally shot his comrade didn¡¯t get back up.


    ¡°Watch your step!¡± The commander, who had been observing from a distance, noticed the accident. Though furious, he had no time to deal with the soldier¡¯s mistake.


    With the flamethrower operator down, the Raiders quickly surged forward. The soldier who had accidentally shot his comrade cursed loudly, then scrambled to his feet and ran over to the fallen flamethrower operator.


    The flamethrower operator was lying face down. The soldier removed the damaged fuel tank, revealing that the operator¡¯s back was soaked with an unknown liquid. Several wounds from the energy beams had been burned black, looking gruesome and emitting a smell of charred flesh.


    ¡°Hey! Are you okay? Wake up!¡± Though he already suspected the worst, the soldier shook his comrade, hoping for a response. But no matter how much he called, there was no movement.


    At that moment, a Raider seized the opportunity and leaped onto the soldier¡¯s back, raising its limb to stab at the back of his head. At the last second, the soldier tilted his head, dodging the strike. The limb pierced through his protective suit, leaving a gash on his ear. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But at this moment, his overwhelming guilt and rage caused his adrenaline to surge. His gums swelled with blood, and his ears rang, drowning out all sound. Even the pain seemed distant.


    With his left hand, he suddenly reached back and grabbed one of the Raider¡¯s limbs, trying to pull it off. But the Raider¡¯s other limbs were firmly embedded in his back, having pierced through the protective suit and into his flesh. Blood seeped out from between the limbs and his skin.


    Yet he felt no pain. With a roar, he reached back with his right hand as well, gripping the Raider with both hands and yanking with all his might. The Raider, being a stripped-down cannon fodder unit, wasn¡¯t built to withstand such force. It was torn free and slammed into the ground.


    Splat!


    The Raider was smashed to pieces, its fluids splattering everywhere. It was dead beyond doubt.


    But the soldier didn¡¯t escape unscathed. The Raider¡¯s limbs had already pierced his muscles, and their hooked claws had latched onto the flesh from the inside. When he ripped the Raider off, chunks of his own flesh were torn away with it.


    Even with his pain receptors dulled by adrenaline, the soldier couldn¡¯t help but twitch at the agony.


    However, Raiders never fought alone. The whole point of cannon fodder was their numbers. As soon as the soldier finished venting his rage, more Raiders were already pouncing on him. ??¦­??¨§?


    His earlier misstep had sprained his ankle, and even though he couldn¡¯t feel the pain, walking was difficult. He glanced back at the entrance to the fortifications, where his comrades were waving at him. His communicator seemed to be buzzing with voices, but the ringing in his ears made it impossible to hear what was being said.


    He turned back to the oncoming Raiders, as if making a decision. He bent down, picked up the damaged fuel tank, and cradled it in his arms. Then he pulled two grenades from his belt.


    With a fierce bite, he yanked out the pins. His bloodshot eyes widened as he roared, ¡°Die, you damn bugs!¡± Then he lunged forward, charging straight into the Swarm.


    Boom! Boom!


    Two explosions rang out almost simultaneously. Although the fuel tank had been designed with isolation measures, the two high-explosive grenades were enough to ignite it. Flames spread across the ground, blocking the Raiders once more.


    The commander watched from a distance, sighing with mixed emotions. A hundred different feelings swirled in his heart.


    The other soldiers, now careful of their footing, avoided further accidents. Except for a few who were too slow and were overwhelmed by the Swarm, the rest successfully retreated into the fortifications.


    For now, the cannon fodder bugs were powerless against the thick, sturdy fortifications. Any attempts to breach through the observation ports or firing slits were repelled by the Moto.


    The situation had reached a stalemate.


    The interior of the fortifications was spacious, and even with all the soldiers inside, it didn¡¯t feel crowded. Large lights on the ceiling illuminated every corner. The Moto soldiers, demonstrating their professionalism, quickly took up positions at the observation and firing ports, sniping at the approaching Swarm.


    The remaining soldiers lay on the ground to rest. No one spoke, and the only sound in the quiet space was the sizzling of corrosion.


    White smoke began to rise, and before long, the interior was filled with a hazy fog.

 Chapter 515: Toxic Fog

    White smoke rose.


    The fortifications were equipped with specialized exhaust and ventilation systems. The spreading smoke triggered an alarm, and the white fumes were quickly sucked away.


    The visibility improved slightly, but as long as the toxins remained, the white smoke continued to pour out.


    ¡°Ah! My eyes!¡± Suddenly, a pained scream rang out. Among the resting Moto soldiers, one soldier¡¯s helmet visor was almost entirely covered in the orange toxin, severely obstructing his vision.


    During the earlier battle outside, he hadn¡¯t dared to act recklessly. Now, feeling safe, he unclasped the fastener around his neck and removed his helmet.


    But what he didn¡¯t expect was that the white smoke rising from his protective suit was also highly corrosive. As soon as his facial skin was exposed, he felt a sharp sting.


    Even worse, his eyes, far more fragile than his skin, suffered severe damage upon contact with the white smoke. Earlier, he had only lost some of his vision, but now he was completely blind.


    Instinctively, he covered his eyes with his hands, forgetting that his gloves were still coated with the orange toxin. If the white smoke produced by the toxin was this dangerous, the toxin itself was even more so.


    A sizzling sound, like pork being dropped into hot oil, filled the air, accompanied by even more agonized screams. The soldier¡¯s face emitted more white smoke, mixed with yellow fumes, and a pungent, acrid smell.


    ¡°Ah! Help me!¡± The soldier writhed in pain on the ground. The toxin was incredibly potent. In just a few seconds, most of the skin on his face had dissolved, revealing blood-streaked bone.


    The pain drove the soldier to lose all rationality. He scrambled to his feet, shouting aimlessly in all directions.


    The corroded skin turned into toxic blood, dripping down his body. Soon, his screams turned hoarse, then into violent coughing, and finally, his throat dissolved, silencing him completely.


    The relentless agony tormented the soldier. He flailed his arms wildly, as if trying to attack something or express something.


    Biu!


    A red beam flashed, precisely striking the soldier¡¯s head. A charred hole appeared in his skull. The Moto soldier¡¯s body stiffened, his movements halted, and then he slowly collapsed to the ground.


    Not far away, the commander holstered his weapon, silent. The other soldiers said nothing. Perhaps, for the deceased soldier, this was the best outcome.


    Maybe what he had been trying to express with his flailing arms was exactly this.


    But there was no way to confirm it now.


    And no one cared anymore. This soldier might have just left a little earlier than the rest. If he lingered on the path a bit, he could wait for more comrades to join him.


    ¡°Do not remove your protective suits! These toxins are extremely dangerous!¡± the commander¡¯s hoarse voice rang out.


    In truth, he didn¡¯t need to remind them. After seeing their comrade¡¯s gruesome fate, none of the soldiers would dare to tempt fate. Some quietly placed a grenade within easy reach.


    If they were going to die, they¡¯d at least choose a quick death.


    Outside, the Swarm continued to charge relentlessly. In the most intense areas of combat, no one even noticed what had just happened. The atmosphere inside the fortifications grew increasingly oppressive. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts.


    A few soldiers turned off their communicators, and faint sobs echoed inside their helmets. Outsiders could only guess what was happening by their slight trembling.


    But in this situation, no one could do much for anyone else. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The white smoke continued to rise, being sucked into the exhaust pipes. However, when the Moto had built these fortifications, they likely never anticipated such a scenario. Otherwise, they would have spent several times the cost to upgrade the materials.


    Although the white smoke was less corrosive than the orange toxin itself, it had its own advantage: it seeped into everything.


    Weak points in the pipes gradually corroded, and the white smoke seeped through, amplifying the damage. Electronic equipment and wiring that hadn¡¯t been sealed off were attacked by the smoke, and soon, malfunctions began to occur. ??£Î£Ï¦Â??


    A few faint explosions echoed, and the lights in the fortifications flickered before going out, plunging the room into darkness and startling everyone.


    Before they could react, the backup system kicked in after a few seconds, and the lights came back on. But the Moto soldiers¡¯ tension didn¡¯t ease.


    Sure enough, soon after, more explosions rang out. This time, the lights remained intact, but the ventilation fans slowly ground to a halt.


    The ventilation system had no backup. Once the fans stopped, the concentration of white smoke in the hall visibly increased, quickly filling the room with a hazy fog.


    Under the white smoke, everything in the room began to show signs of corrosion, including the weapons and explosives. If something went wrong, they were essentially sitting on a powder keg.


    But the bad news didn¡¯t stop there. A pained cry came through the communicator.


    The commander glanced around. The visibility in the room was now very low. From his perspective, more than half of the soldiers were hidden in the white smoke.


    ¡°Everyone, stay alert! Report what¡¯s happening!¡± With his vision obstructed, the commander could only shout, ordering the soldiers to report.


    ¡°Sir, my arm suddenly hur¡­ Ahhhh!¡± Before the soldier could finish his report, an uncontrollable scream burst from his lips.


    The commander quickly stood up. Although he couldn¡¯t see the soldier¡¯s location, other comrades nearby guided him, and he soon found the man with a team.


    The soldier was clutching his left arm with his right hand, writhing on the ground in obvious agony.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    But the soldier seemed unable to hear the commander¡¯s question, only letting out unconscious wails. At the same time, his right hand began clawing at his left arm, as if it were under some kind of attack.


    The commander barked a few more questions, but when he received no response, he gestured to the soldiers nearby. Several soldiers moved forward, intending to restrain him.


    But the injured soldier, as if stimulated by something, suddenly gained immense strength. His right hand¡¯s fingers hooked onto something and yanked, tearing a large piece of the protective suit off his left arm.


    Instantly, a piercing scream erupted. Without the protection of the suit, his left arm was directly exposed to the pervasive white smoke. The skin visibly bubbled, frothed, rotted, and festered¡­


    The horrifying sight terrified the soldiers who had moved to restrain him. They stumbled back a few steps. Once they realized he posed no threat, they moved forward again to pin him down.


    The commander drew a short dagger from his belt, stepped forward, and with a swift motion, severed the forearm that had already lost most of its flesh. The exposed bone flew out with the strike.


    Thud. The severed limb fell to the ground. But the medic, staring at the scene, was at a loss for what to do next.

 Chapter 516: The Situation

    If someone were bitten by a highly toxic creature, simply cutting away the affected flesh¡ªor, as the commander had done, severing a limb¡ªcould stop the toxin from spreading further.


    But the injured soldier hadn¡¯t been bitten by anything, nor was his wound limited to a single spot. Given the density of the white smoke in the hall, it was as if he had been submerged in a pool of poison.


    Thus, when the commander cut off the soldier¡¯s left forearm and the medic rushed forward to bandage the wound, what he saw was horrifying. The severed stump was already beginning to corrode. Blood gushed from the wound, washing over the bubbling, rotting flesh. Even the medic, who had seen his share of life and death, found the sight unbearable.


    More importantly, he had no idea how to treat such a wound. As long as it remained exposed to the white smoke, any attempt to treat it would be futile.


    But given the current situation, isolating the wound from the smoke was nothing short of a pipe dream.


    The medic turned to the commander and shook his head. The commander, realizing the futility, made a Moto gesture of seeking forgiveness, then drew a small pistol from his belt.


    Bang! The injured soldier stopped struggling. The commander stepped forward, crouching to examine the body, trying to determine what had caused the attack.


    After a moment, the commander stood up, but his legs gave way, and he stumbled backward, collapsing onto the floor. He didn¡¯t get up again. Instead, he sat there, staring blankly, silent.


    ¡°Sigh¡­¡± After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh.


    His worst fear had come true. While the protective suits had high resistance to toxins, they weren¡¯t immune. Prolonged exposure to the corrosive smoke had gradually worn down the suits¡¯ defenses, eventually leading to breaches.


    The initial breach must have been small, allowing only a tiny amount of toxin to seep into the suit. This was why the soldier had reported a sudden pain in his arm.


    But as more toxin infiltrated the suit, the pain intensified, and the soldier couldn¡¯t help but scratch at the affected area. The already compromised suit couldn¡¯t withstand the strain, and it tore open, sealing the soldier¡¯s fate.


    The reason wasn¡¯t complicated. The commander should have realized it the moment the soldier was able to tear the suit. After all, while the protective suits weren¡¯t as durable as space combat armor, they were still far from something a single Moto could rip apart with brute force.


    But all of that was in the past. The remaining soldiers now faced a grim choice.


    Their protective suits were mass-produced, with nearly identical specifications. If one suit had failed, it was only a matter of time before the others followed.


    In this room filled with toxic smoke, a breach in the suit meant certain death.


    Some Moto soldiers clutched their grenades. Although they had made the decision earlier, they hadn¡¯t expected to face death so soon. But when the moment arrived, hesitation was inevitable.


    Just then, Boom! A massive explosion shook the entire fortification. The structure trembled, followed by several more impacts. Then came the sound of something scraping and gnawing at the walls. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Burrowing Worms had dug a new path, circling around and returning to the battlefield. What had been an impenetrable fortress to the Raiders was, to the Burrowing Worms, merely a slightly tougher meal.


    ¡°Gentlemen, it has been an honor to serve with you,¡± the commander, who had been sitting in stunned silence, was jolted back to reality by the tremors. He stood up slowly, saluted the soldiers, then walked to a secluded corner. After a moment of hesitation, he pulled the pin on a grenade.


    In the nearly sealed environment, the explosion echoed endlessly. The soldiers understood the commander¡¯s reasoning and choice, but not everyone could bring themselves to follow his example.


    They couldn¡¯t say whether his actions were brave or cowardly, but the commander¡¯s decision provided guidance for many.


    ¡°Ah!¡­¡±


    Boom!


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Shouts and explosions rang out one after another¡­


    Finally, the Burrowing Worms broke through the fortification¡¯s walls. Wisps of white smoke seeped through the cracks. The Raiders, long starved for action, surged in, undeterred by the toxic fog. ????????¨§s?


    But by then, less than half of the Moto soldiers remained alive. The scene was one of utter devastation¡ªexplosions had left their marks everywhere, with blood splattered across the walls, limbs torn apart, and flesh reduced to pulp. It was a sight so gruesome that it would require multiple layers of censorship.


    Of the remaining Moto soldiers, a few chose to go out in a blaze of glory, using explosives to take some Raiders with them. The rest were overwhelmed by the Swarm as they fought back.


    ¡ª


    On the horizon, the sun began to rise, casting light across half the sky.


    In space, the coalition commander had initially paid little attention to the distress signals. But as the messages grew more urgent, one after another, he finally realized the severity of the situation. By the time he gathered his staff to discuss a response, he received word that the planet had almost fallen.


    And all of this had happened in just a single day and night since the first distress signal.


    Upon hearing the news, the Moto fleet¡¯s morale plummeted. Without waiting for orders from the coalition commander, the Moto fleet commander took it upon himself to recall all space fighter ships.


    After days of intense combat, the coalition¡¯s fighter forces had suffered heavy losses. As the least technologically advanced among them, the Moto fighters had fared the worst, their losses compounding the already dire situation.


    But as the host civilization, the Moto had a vast number of fighters. Even after their devastating losses, they still had over ten million fighters remaining.


    The sudden, reckless withdrawal of so many fighters left their allies cursing and filing complaints with the coalition commander. The commander found himself facing the same dilemma his counterpart, Difeck, had encountered.


    In the end, he compromised, tacitly approving the Moto fleet commander¡¯s actions. After all, demanding strict discipline at this point could lead to the Moto fleet abandoning their posts¡ªor worse, defecting entirely.


    The Moto fleet commander seemed to have anticipated that his actions would go unpunished. Under his orders, the fighters returned to their carriers like swallows to their nests.


    After replenishing their energy and ammunition, the fighters were escorted back to the life planet by a fleet of three thousand ships.


    ¡°Sir, headquarters is asking why we¡¯re sending ships to escort the fighters back when the planet is within their operational range,¡± the adjutant reported.


    ¡°Tell them it¡¯s to extend the fighters¡¯ operational endurance. As long as we¡¯re not completely wiped out, we must ensure the safety of the Moto¡¯s life planet!¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    The Moto fleet commander watched the departing fleet with mixed emotions.


    Three thousand ships were insignificant in the grand scheme of the main battlefield, but it was the maximum he could mobilize without drawing too much attention from headquarters.


    In addition to escorting the fighters, he had also ordered the ships to evacuate as many civilians as possible. He planned to find various excuses to delay the fleet¡¯s return to the battlefield. If the main front collapsed, the fleet would retreat immediately.

 Chapter 517: Air Superiority

    The Moto fleet returned to the planet¡¯s orbit in just two hours. However, due to the time spent assembling, nearly two days had passed since the Swarm launched their full-scale assault.


    This attack by the Swarm broke their previous pattern of operating only at night. As a result, the Moto ground forces had endured over thirty hours of continuous bombardment.


    At this intensity, only the most heavily fortified military bases could withstand the Swarm¡¯s onslaught. And such high-level defensive bases were few and far between on the entire planet.


    However, the Moto soon discovered that the Swarm only targeted military installations like bases and outposts, leaving civilian facilities and civilians untouched.


    As a result, a large number of Moto soldiers deserted, disarming themselves and hiding among the civilian population. The Swarm made no effort to pursue these deserters, as if they didn¡¯t even notice them.


    But the more astute among the Moto understood that while one or two deserters might escape the Swarm¡¯s notice, it was impossible for all of them to go unnoticed.


    The Swarm didn¡¯t do anything without purpose. There had to be a scheme behind this.


    Some naively suggested that in a war between two nations, shouldn¡¯t military installations be the only targets, with civilians spared?


    The policies of the Ji had made the civilizations under their influence too complacent. While there were occasional conflicts, overall, they had grown too comfortable. Over time, beneath the veneer of civilization, they had forgotten the harshness of natural law.


    A war between two races wasn¡¯t like a civil war. When it came to outsiders, the goal was complete annihilation.


    Fortunately, not everyone in the Ji was so naive. Some still understood this reality.


    Dismissing this naive idea, could it be that the Swarm was wary of the Moto or the strength of the Interstellar Technological Confederation, and thus avoided going too far, leaving room for future negotiations?


    But this idea was quickly rejected as well. The Swarm had launched a full-scale assault, leaving no room for retreat. Even if the Swarm surrendered immediately, the Interstellar Technological Confederation wouldn¡¯t let them off the hook.


    Moreover, the situation was already suspicious. While the Moto weren¡¯t privy to the intricate details of the war¡¯s interests, they knew that the Swarm wasn¡¯t insane. They wouldn¡¯t start a war that, from their perspective, seemed like suicide.


    Since the Swarm seemed ready to die, what was there to fear?


    After much deliberation, the Moto couldn¡¯t figure out the Swarm¡¯s true intentions. But the rank-and-file soldiers didn¡¯t care about the deeper implications. Faced with certain death, they had no choice but to grasp at any lifeline that appeared.


    Desertions increased, and the Moto high command could do little about it. The soldiers were their own people, and they couldn¡¯t issue orders that would lead to their certain demise.


    Previously, the Moto hadn¡¯t anticipated that the planet would come under attack before the space fleet was breached. In their minds, the space fleet would either hold off the Swarm or be destroyed.


    If they held, all would be well. But if the coalition fleet was annihilated, there would be no point in resisting on the planet. Thus, they had sent almost all their assets to the coalition fleet. ?¨¢?o?????§¦s?


    But the Swarm didn¡¯t play by the rules. At the start of the war, while the coalition fleet was still unfamiliar with the Swarm¡¯s tactics, they broke through the fleet¡¯s defenses and dropped a slew of strange objects onto the planet.


    At the time, the Moto didn¡¯t know what they were, but now it was clear they were some kind of incubators. And these incubators produced troops at an astonishing rate. In just over ten days, they had launched a global war.


    Lacking air units, the few gunships and transport ships the Moto had were quickly eliminated by the Vulturehawks. As a result, the Moto forces were limited to ground combat, which was no match for the Swarm¡¯s three-dimensional assault from air, land, and underground.


    Fortunately, before the situation completely deteriorated, the three-thousand-ship fleet returned. Before they even finished docking in orbit, they opened their hangars, releasing over ten million fighters organized into nearly a million squadrons. These squadrons surged into the atmosphere.


    Although the Swarm had been operating on this planet for some time, they had spent most of that time in hiding and thus didn¡¯t have many large aerial units.


    They could handle a few gunships, but they were no match for ten million space fighters. Moreover, the three thousand ships in high orbit, though insignificant on the main battlefield, were absolute powerhouses here.


    Air superiority shifted hands. Nearly a million fighter squadrons roared across the sky, their numbers so vast that they could be seen from anywhere on the planet¡¯s surface.


    ¡°Damn it! Where did they go?¡± What infuriated the Moto was that the Swarm forces, which had previously been swarming everywhere, had suddenly vanished. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ¡°According to previous intelligence, the Swarm is highly skilled at digging tunnels. They¡¯ve probably gone underground!¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°This is problematic. Even though we¡¯ve regained air superiority, we still can¡¯t eliminate the Swarm.¡±


    ¡°Even if we can¡¯t wipe them out, we need to make sure they don¡¯t dare to come out!¡±


    ¡°Recall the deserters. Given the circumstances, we¡¯ll pardon their desertion. But if they don¡¯t return now, they¡¯ll face double punishment!¡±


    ¡°Once we have more manpower, we¡¯ll start evacuating civilians. The front lines aren¡¯t looking good, so we need to prepare early.¡±


    ¡°Three thousand ships can¡¯t carry everyone, but we¡¯ll take as many as we can. We¡¯ll do our best.¡±


    ¡°But we don¡¯t have enough cryo-pods.¡±


    ¡°Implement martial law. Resources will be allocated uniformly, with priority given to building cryo-pods! If the front lines fall, we won¡¯t be able to take anything else anyway.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. Build as many as we can. Even if we don¡¯t have enough in the end, losing a few years of life is better than dying.¡±


    ¡°I think we need to keep this operation secret. We can¡¯t take too many people, and if word gets out, it could cause panic.¡±


    ¡°Agreed¡­¡±


    Under the direction of the Moto high command, orders were issued. Deserters returned to their posts, and other preparations proceeded as planned.


    However, at night, various bases continued to suffer sporadic Swarm attacks. But the fighter squadrons were always on standby, with drone squadrons patrolling the skies at all times.


    As a result, the Moto¡¯s air support was swift and decisive. Swarm forces that emerged were quickly bombarded. After a few such encounters, the frequency of Swarm night attacks decreased.


    The Swarm then changed tactics, and the Moto adapted in turn. The two sides engaged in a back-and-forth, with victories and losses on both sides. But without air superiority, the Swarm never achieved the same results as they had at the start.


    However, the struggle on the Moto planet was ultimately a minor skirmish. The true deciding factor for the future would be the main battlefield.

 Chapter 518: Collapse

    On the main battlefield, the situation had become extremely unfavorable for the coalition forces. They were already at a numerical disadvantage and were forced into a defensive position with little room to maneuver.


    To make matters worse, the Moto had withdrawn some of their ships and fighters. While these units had limited impact on the main battlefield, their absence hastened the coalition¡¯s collapse.


    ¡°Sir, we can¡¯t hold out much longer!¡± a foreign commander reported. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After nearly a month of intense fighting, the coalition¡¯s defensive facilities had been over 95% destroyed. Of the more than twenty million ships they had started with, over half had been lost. On the Swarm side, conservative estimates suggested they still had at least thirty million Primordial-class units.


    The numerical gap between the two sides had widened from nearly two-to-one to almost three-to-one. If this continued, the disparity would only grow.


    The coalition commander for this battlefield was General Yalito, a member of the Troi race. He was well aware of the disparity and understood what his subordinates were implying. He had repeatedly requested permission to withdraw from his superiors, but no approval had been granted. Left with no choice, he could only continue to hold the line.


    ¡°Sir, when will our reinforcements arrive?¡± another foreign commander asked.


    General Yalito¡¯s expression turned bitter. He, too, wanted to know about the reinforcements. Every time he inquired, the responses were vague and noncommittal.


    However, his sharp mind deduced that reinforcements were unlikely to come. On the front lines, his colleague Difeck was in an even worse situation.


    Initially, Yalito had hoped that Difeck¡¯s fleet would push back the Swarm. After all, Difeck had taken all the high-end ships, making his fleet significantly more powerful.


    The plan was for Difeck to turn around and flank the Swarm, trapping and annihilating their forces.


    But to everyone¡¯s shock, what was supposed to be a swift and decisive ambush on the Swarm¡¯s gathering point had turned into a grueling war of attrition. As time passed, endless waves of Swarm reinforcements joined the battle. Difeck¡¯s retreat path had been cut off by the Swarm, and instead of flanking the enemy, he was now struggling to avoid being encircled himself.


    As the balance of power shifted, the central forces that the Swarm had desperately held back were eventually surrounded and annihilated by the Swarm¡¯s reinforcements.


    Without the support of the advanced fleets, the motley coalition forces from various races were no match for the Swarm. A single charge from the Swarm scattered them, and now they were being hunted down.


    Despite this dire situation, no reinforcements had arrived from the coalition. If Difeck¡¯s forces weren¡¯t receiving support, Yalito knew his own forces wouldn¡¯t either.


    ¡°Sir, we have a quantum communication message from headquarters,¡± a communications officer reported.


    Yalito, who had been pondering the situation, felt a mix of shock and hope. Could this be news of reinforcements? The battle had been so frustrating that he desperately needed high-end fleets to turn the tide.


    Ten minutes later, Yalito¡¯s face darkened.


    The message, while from headquarters, wasn¡¯t an official communication. Instead, it was a private message from a friend who had used official channels to relay some information.


    The content of the message was startling. First, Difeck¡¯s forces had been scattered. Difeck had gathered some remnants of his fleet and bypassed the LKDW262 battlefield, retreating in another direction.


    Therefore, Yalito shouldn¡¯t expect any help from Difeck. Moreover, the Locke Mutual Aid Society had moved the coalition¡¯s rallying point from LKDW262 to LKDW257.


    LKDW257 was a star system deeper within the coalition¡¯s territory and the home system of the Moto civilization, their place of origin. LKDW257 was approximately five light-years from LKDW262.


    Moving the rallying point there sent a clear message: Yalito¡¯s forces had been abandoned by both the Locke Mutual Aid Society and the coalition. As a battlefield commander with significant influence, the Troi wouldn¡¯t easily give up on him. ?????¦­??????S?


    However, given the large number of members in the Mutual Aid Society, they couldn¡¯t openly relay this information or issue direct orders to Yalito. Instead, they used his friend to inform him, leaving the decision in his hands.


    In truth, Yalito didn¡¯t have much to deliberate. The situation was simple: follow his colleague¡¯s example and find a way to escape before the situation completely collapsed.


    Most of his own race¡¯s fleet had already been deployed to the front lines. Aside from a small escort fleet of about a hundred ships, the rest of his forces were composed of foreign units.


    Therefore, abandoning them would weigh little on his conscience.


    But he still needed to maintain appearances.


    With this in mind, Yalito¡¯s tension eased, and his expression softened. His adjutant and the soldiers around him, skilled at reading their commander¡¯s mood, began to speculate about the contents of the message.


    Now that he had a plan, Yalito¡¯s new strategy quickly manifested in the coalition¡¯s deployment. Compared to their previous conservative stance, they now fought with a sense of desperation, as if they had nothing to lose.


    The Swarm quickly noticed the change in the coalition¡¯s tactics. The coalition was actively seeking a decisive battle, and the Swarm was more than happy to oblige.


    Thus, mechanical parts mixed with unknown organic matter floated through space. Countless energy beams crisscrossed through the debris. The center of the battlefield resembled a grinding machine, pulverizing the forces of both sides.


    For seven days and nights, the two sides clashed without retreating. But while the Swarm could sustain such losses, the coalition could not.


    Rumors began to spread among the coalition soldiers, though no one knew their origin. The whispers claimed that the commander, with no reinforcements in sight, was determined to fight to the last man.


    Having experienced the shift in the commander¡¯s strategy firsthand, most soldiers believed the rumors. However, in this multi-civilizational coalition, only the Moto were willing to die for their homeland. The other races valued their lives and saw no reason to sacrifice themselves for others.


    Panic set in, and eventually, one foreign civilization, unable to bear the losses, demanded that Yalito order a retreat. Once one civilization took the lead, others quickly followed.


    They united and pressured Yalito to act.


    Yalito put on a show of reprimanding them but ultimately ¡°reluctantly¡± acquiesced to their demands and issued the order to retreat.


    The foreign civilizations cheered as if they had won a great victory. But almost immediately, their newfound unity dissolved, and they began sabotaging each other.


    This was inevitable. With their fleets entangled with the Swarm, retreating required someone to stay behind as a rearguard. None of them wanted to be the ones left behind.


    Amidst their infighting, no one noticed that Yalito¡¯s flagship and escort fleet had already slipped away without a trace.

 Chapter 519: Evacuation

    In less than a year of formal combat, the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s plan to stop the Swarm¡¯s advance had completely collapsed.


    The coalition fleet sent to intercept the Swarm¡¯s gathering point was instead encircled by the Swarm. After several major civilizations¡¯ fleets were annihilated, the remaining foreign civilizations crumbled and fled toward the LKDW262 star system.


    However, they were intercepted by Swarm forces outside LKDW262 and subsequently crushed between the Swarm¡¯s pincer movement, resulting in near-total annihilation.


    Difeck, thanks to a warning from Viller, managed to escape with his escort fleet and a few allied civilizations. Using the superior propulsion systems of their ships, they exploited a timing gap to break through the Swarm¡¯s encirclement and pursuit. After fleeing toward the Koya Alliance for a distance, they safely turned back into the territory of the Locke Mutual Aid Society.


    Meanwhile, in the LKDW262 star system, the situation, though dire, was not as catastrophic. The battle had not dragged on for too long, and a significant portion of the fleet remained intact.


    The Moto¡¯s three-thousand-ship fleet, which had been sent to support the planet, fled early with a portion of the population. Subsequently, the entire front line collapsed, and the various races¡¯ fleets scattered in disarray. However, the general direction of their retreat was toward LKDW257.


    The Swarm, already aware that the coalition had reorganized its defenses at LKDW257 and having achieved its strategic objectives, chose not to pursue the fleeing forces, allowing them to escape.


    ¡°These coalition forces were kept in the dark until their defeat. Once they return, with our cooperation, they might stir up some trouble.¡±


    ¡°Trouble is just trouble. It won¡¯t have much impact. We need to focus on our own tasks and quickly consolidate our newly occupied territories.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    In this great battle, the Locke Mutual Aid Society fell from its moral high ground, transforming from mockers to the mocked. With the Koya Alliance¡¯s propaganda, their policy of retreat was portrayed as a wise assessment of the situation, while the Locke Mutual Aid Society became a symbol of overreach and failure.


    Soon, the fleeing coalition forces learned the truth of their abandonment. They formed factions and caused some disturbances. However, aside from providing the Koya Alliance with more ammunition for their propaganda attacks, these uprisings were quickly suppressed within the Mutual Aid Society.


    After all, the senior members of the Mutual Aid Society had seen their fleets nearly wiped out in the previous battles. Compared to them, those who managed to escape were already fortunate. Nevertheless, the incident created fissures within the Locke Mutual Aid Society.


    As for the Swarm, aside from secretly sowing discord within the coalition, their primary focus was on rapid expansion and amassing more forces.


    Thirty years had passed since the war began. Due to distance and travel speed limitations, the civilizations the Swarm had faced so far, including the Troi, were all minor players from the outer rim.


    As time went on, more and more powerful civilizations would join the fray. The Swarm could not afford to grow complacent after winning a mere warm-up battle.


    In the 32nd year of the New Era, after gaining initial control over the LKDW262 and 263 star systems, the Swarm redirected forces from the Sandstorm, Golden Horn, White Grub, LKDW286, 287, and 288 star systems. These forces adjusted their trajectories and set out to conquer LKDW265 and 267.


    Initially, the Swarm had launched simultaneous attacks on four star systems within the Locke Mutual Aid Society¡¯s territory. However, due to the coalition¡¯s interception at LKDW262 and 263, the Swarm had temporarily diverted forces intended for LKDW265 and 267 to reinforce the other fronts.


    Now, with the capacity to spare, the Swarm returned to its original objectives.


    The Interstellar Technological Confederation and the Locke Mutual Aid Society, closely monitoring the Swarm¡¯s movements, naturally noticed this shift. However, this time, they chose not to confront the Swarm head-on. Instead, they adopted the Koya Alliance¡¯s tactics, voluntarily abandoning LKDW265 and 267. ?????N???????


    This decision was driven by the fact that only a year had passed since the last major battle. In such a short time, they couldn¡¯t muster another force of sufficient quality and quantity.


    Additionally, the war had exposed deep-seated issues among the coalition¡¯s diverse races: their inability to coordinate effectively, their cumbersome and complex command structures, and their internal conflicts. These factors left them with little confidence or desire to engage the Swarm again.


    They had come to realize that being the vanguard and winning battles only brought superficial glory, with little tangible benefit. The Swarm¡¯s secrets were beyond their reach. Thus, they decided to follow the Koya Alliance¡¯s example, prioritizing retreat and waiting for more powerful civilizations to step in, content to follow behind and reap the leftovers.


    When the Swarm¡¯s vanguard forces arrived at LKDW265 and 267, they found the star systems in a state of post-evacuation desolation.


    Drawing from their experience with the Koya Alliance, the Swarm was well-prepared for this scenario. Units systematically cleared hidden surveillance devices, collected space debris, spread fungal carpets across the planets, and sent larvae and mature units to bask in the starlight¡­


    In less than two years, the two star systems showed no trace of their former civilizations.


    During this period, reconnaissance vessels from the Locke Mutual Aid Society and the Interstellar Technological Confederation repeatedly attempted to breach the Swarm¡¯s blockade to investigate the life planets within LKDW262 and 263.


    Taking the Moto life planet in LKDW262 as an example, the three thousand ships had only managed to evacuate a little over a hundred million people, roughly 2% of the planet¡¯s total population. Tens of billions remained behind.


    This was the largest population loss the Locke Mutual Aid Society, or the entire Interstellar Technological Confederation, had ever suffered. The previous record holder, the Daqi planet, had only seen a few million Daqi voluntarily staying behind.


    Now, with such a massive increase over the previous record, while the Moto were genuinely concerned for their people, the other races were more interested in how the Swarm would handle these foreign populations.


    When the Swarm had occupied the Daqi planet, they had been extremely secretive, and the coalition had gained little useful information. This time, they were determined not to miss the opportunity.


    Unfortunately, the Swarm seemed to have lost interest in the life planets. They merely destroyed any ships attempting to flee and dismantled all long-range communication equipment on the planets.


    After that, the Swarm left the life planets alone, no longer interfering with the tens of billions of Moto living there. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    To most of the foreign races, the Moto could offer little value to the Swarm. Keeping them would only occupy valuable life planets, which seemed illogical.


    Thus, the coalition was abuzz with speculation. Various theories were proposed, but none could convince the others. However, they all agreed on one thing: the Swarm was not acting out of benevolence. They had their own agenda, one that had yet to be uncovered.


    As more and more foreign races joined the discussion, the topic grew increasingly heated, but no consensus was reached.


    Luo Wen wasn¡¯t worried about them discovering the truth. The Intelligent Entity Material Production Center, a structure that transcended dimensions, was beyond the comprehension of these foreign races.


    However, Luo Wen was well aware of the foreign races¡¯ talent for wild speculation. He was curious to see what kind of narrative they would concoct to explain the Swarm¡¯s actions.

 Chapter 520: Preparing for War

    In the 36th year of the New Era, the Swarm once again amassed a wave of forces, signaling their intent to move. Every movement of the Swarm sent ripples of anxiety through the civilizations bordering their territory. As soon as the Swarm began to stir, the foreign races held countless meetings, both large and small.


    ¡°How should we respond this time? Does anyone have any ideas?¡±


    ¡°What else can we do? Of course we should continue to evacuate. The Locke Mutual Aid Society set a good example last time. I believe this evacuation will go even more smoothly than before.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not necessarily true. We haven¡¯t engaged the Swarm in several encounters, and our current forces number in the hundreds of millions. Many are calling for us to teach the Swarm a lesson.¡±


    ¡°Ignore those overconfident fools. They won¡¯t cause any real trouble.¡±


    ¡°Not necessarily. Those troublemakers have the Locke Mutual Aid Society behind them. They¡¯re trying to push us to the forefront.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, if they keep causing trouble, we¡¯ll arrest them and hand them equipment. If they want to teach the Swarm a lesson, we¡¯ll let them.¡±


    ¡°I like that idea.¡±


    Within the Koya Alliance, despite some discordant voices, a consensus was quickly reached. The new evacuation plan was set in motion, making their decision clear to all observers.


    Some praised the decision, while others scorned it. Opinions were divided, and debates escalated into verbal battles. However, none of this affected the decision-making of the Koya Alliance leadership. They were determined to trade space for time, refusing to take any action until more powerful civilizations stepped in.


    On the other side, bordering the Swarm¡¯s territory, the Locke Mutual Aid Society was not as carefree as the Koya Alliance. Perhaps they placed more importance on saving face. Although they had already retreated without a fight in the LKDW265 and 267 star systems, they remained deeply conflicted about it.


    ¡°Gentlemen, it¡¯s time to make a decision.¡±


    ¡°I think we should send a message to the Swarm, making our stance clear,¡± one foreign representative suggested, still living in a dream.


    ¡°But the Swarm has never responded to such messages,¡± another representative pointed out, stating the facts.


    ¡°The Swarm won¡¯t waste time arguing with fools like you,¡± a third representative sneered at the first.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    ¡°Nothing. I don¡¯t like wasting time arguing with fools either.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, are you siding with the Swarm? Do you have some connection with them?¡±


    ¡°If I really had connections with the Swarm, I wouldn¡¯t be sitting here. I¡¯d be in higher-level meetings.¡±


    ¡°Enough, all of you!¡± The meeting chairperson scolded, steering the discussion back on track.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to discuss. The Swarm didn¡¯t care about our stance last time, and they won¡¯t this time either.¡±


    ¡°True. A defeated army has no right to boast. Plus, we don¡¯t have many forces on the front lines. Bluffing would only make us a laughingstock.¡±


    ¡°But we can¡¯t just follow the Koya Alliance¡¯s example, can we? Handing over territory without a word?¡±


    ¡°What do you suggest? If you want to fight the Swarm, we¡¯re all for it. We¡¯ll handle the logistics, but don¡¯t expect us to provide troops.¡±


    ¡°Hmph, we¡¯re a coalition. If my race acts alone, it would seem disharmonious.¡±


    ¡°Coward!¡±


    ¡°You!¡±


    ¡°Enough!¡± The chairperson intervened again.


    ¡°There¡¯s no other way. We need to focus on evacuating our people. We don¡¯t have the resources to fight the Swarm right now.¡±


    ¡°Agreed. Our priority is damage control. Following the Koya Alliance¡¯s approach is in our best interest.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s just hard on the populations that need to be relocated.¡±


    ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, they might return home in a decade or two. Besides, we¡¯ll compensate them.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss what assistance each of us can provide and how many people we can accommodate¡­¡±


    Just over a month after the Koya Alliance, the Locke Mutual Aid Society also began to act.


    By the end of the 36th year of the New Era, the Swarm launched their offensive.


    Around the 39th year of the New Era, the Swarm effortlessly captured seven star systems, creating a small dent in the otherwise smooth border of the Interstellar Technological Confederation. ????????N?¦¢?????


    In the 43rd year of the New Era, the Swarm forces gathered once more.


    ¡°Are we retreating again this time?¡±


    ¡°What else can we do?¡±


    ¡°But fleets from mid-rim civilizations have started to arrive.¡±


    ¡°Their numbers are too small to make a difference.¡±


    ¡°True, only a few million ships, and their technology isn¡¯t a game-changer.¡±


    ¡°It seems we¡¯ll have to retreat again. But next time¡­¡±


    By the 47th year of the New Era, the Swarm had seized nine more star systems. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The two sides had developed a strange ¡°cooperation¡±: one side evacuated, while the other occupied. However, as more and more fleets arrived, this bizarre relationship came to an end.


    In the 50th year of the New Era, following the Swarm¡¯s usual pattern, their forces began to mobilize about three years after occupying new star systems. The foreign races had grown accustomed to this and increased their reconnaissance efforts during this period.


    The Swarm did not disappoint. More and more forces gathered near the front-line star systems, signaling the start of a new campaign.


    ¡°Are we retreating this time?¡±


    ¡°Retreat? Hell no!¡±


    ¡°Haha, even if we wanted to, they wouldn¡¯t let us.¡±


    By now, neither the Locke Mutual Aid Society nor the Koya Alliance could make decisions independently. The arrival of numerous factions and civilizations had diluted their influence.


    According to incomplete statistics, including the 43 members of the Locke Mutual Aid Society and the Koya Alliance, over 80 civilizations had gathered their fleets at the front lines.


    This meant that at least 37 non-allied foreign factions had joined the battle. Among them, mid-rim civilizations made up half, or even more than 60%, of the total.


    This disproportionate representation was due to the fact that while outer-rim civilizations were closer to the front lines, their fleets were slower. Mid-rim civilizations, with their faster warp drives, arrived at the front lines more quickly.


    The combined fleets of over 80 civilizations numbered more than a billion ships. While this seemed like a massive force, they were spread across a border spanning nearly ten star systems, diluting their combat effectiveness.


    However, as time passed, more and more fleets would arrive. After decades of travel, many races¡¯ fleets were just one step away from the front lines.


    ¡°I wonder which star systems the Swarm will attack.¡±


    ¡°Based on their past behavior, they¡¯ll likely push outward in a broad front. So, any of these dozen star systems could be targets.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s quite an appetite.¡±


    ¡°Indeed, but this time, swallowing this piece of the pie will be much harder for them.¡±