"Record: 36th experiment failed. The test subject survived for 23 seconds after breaking out of the cocoon. Cause of death: the heart and energy supply system could not sustain bodily functions, hormonal imbalance, and rapid organ failure..."
After finishing the record, he gently pulled the thread of faith. Immediately, two logistics spider-ants entered the independent incubation chamber and effortlessly carried away the corpse of the failed zergling.
"There’s progress—at least it successfully broke out of the cocoon. That’s another milestone."
William habitually raised his hand to rub his ethereal forehead. It didn’t serve any real purpose, but at least it provided some psychological relief.
The death of this zergling meant another two months of effort had gone to waste. From larva to cocooning required one month of energy accumulation, and the cocooning stage itself lasted another month.
This zergling was already considered a relatively successful experiment. None of the previous test subjects had ever reached the cocoon-breaking phase—they all died during the larval or cocooning stage due to various issues.
Recently, the development of new core swarm species had reached a bottleneck. While the combat effectiveness of individual insect units could still be improved, balancing existing genes, resource consumption, and growth time remained a challenge.
Currently, the main combat unit, the Piercing Wolf Spider, had reached its optimal balance.
Its primary genetic template came from a top-tier predatory mutant wolf spider in the Divine Realm, further enhanced by incorporating traits from chimeric ants and various other insects.
The Piercing Wolf Spider had a main body exceeding 40 centimeters, equipped with venomous fangs and a powerful mandible. Its entire body was covered in a tough exoskeleton, and it had four pairs of eyes offering various vision capabilities. The abdomen housed a sound-producing organ for communication, while its exterior featured adaptive camouflage. Additionally, its tail could spray corrosive venom up to three meters.
With eight long and agile legs, each over 50 centimeters, it possessed extraordinary speed, explosive power, and jumping ability. The hooked claws on its legs and joints allowed it to move swiftly across any terrain. Its efficient digestive system and energy-storage organs granted it a remarkable operational range.
Most terrifying of all was its three-segmented, foldable limb positioned beneath its chest. When fully extended, it had an effective attack range of 30 centimeters. Upon release, it could unleash a mantis shrimp-like explosive strike, with its tip hardened by absorbed metallic elements. Any target not exceeding the limb’s reinforced strength would be instantly pierced, followed by a dose of venom injected from its mouthparts—the very reason for its name, Piercing Wolf Spider.
It took only seven days to mature after breaking out of the cocoon. Its food consumption was minimal, and it could enter hibernation when needed, reducing energy consumption to one-tenth of normal.
Beyond the Piercing Wolf Spider, William had developed several other elite swarm units over the past decade.
TOXIC STING DRAGONFLY (RECON UNIT)
* Size: 20 cm
* Max Speed: 150 km/h
* Traits: Agile and highly maneuverable in the air. Its tail housed a retractable venomous stinger, akin to that of a wasp.
* Vision: Four sets of compound eyes provided an expansive field of view, making it an exceptional scout.
LOGISTICS SPIDER-ANT (PRODUCTION & TRANSPORT UNIT)
* Size: 30 cm
* Traits: Combined the strength and carrying capacity of ants with a spider’s silk-spinning ability.
* Limbs: Front pair were specialized for digging, while the remaining three pairs, enhanced with a mix of spider legs and rodent-like paws, provided exceptional dexterity.
* Defense: While primarily a non-combat unit, its mandibles and venomous fangs gave it reasonable self-defense capabilities.
SCYTHE COCKROACH (SUPPORT UNIT)
* Size: 40 cm
* Genetics: Engineered from mutated cockroaches in the Divine Realm.
* Mouthparts: Featured piercing-suction mouthparts similar to mosquitoes, capable of injecting toxic enzymes into prey.
* Camouflage: Adaptive chameleon-like skin.
* Mobility: Lightweight exoskeleton optimized for speed and aerial maneuverability.
* Weapons: A pair of scythe-like forelimbs on its back, sharp enough to decapitate small mammals.
THE EXPANDING SWARM
Currently, only these four optimized units were being produced by the Queen Ant. Each species had gone through dozens of iterations to fine-tune their combat abilities, resource efficiency, and growth cycle.
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Dismissing thoughts of the failed zergling experiment, William’s spirit form ascended, floating two kilometers through the underground tunnels toward the main insect nest.
Above ground, lush vegetation concealed any unnatural signs. Countless Toxic Sting Dragonflies patrolled the area, ensuring complete security. However, beneath the surface lay a vast cavernous lair.
This was the Queen Ant’s domain—the heart of the swarm.
The area was heavily fortified. Within a three-kilometer radius, no living creature other than swarm units and vegetation existed.
Inside the cavern, Toxic Sting Dragonflies and Piercing Wolf Spiders patrolled ceaselessly, eliminating any non-swarm intruders on sight. They embodied the ultimate bodyguard force.
Six wide tunnels connected the cavern to six outposts, each positioned three kilometers away. A constant stream of Logistics Spider-Ants transported food and resources into the lair.
Beyond these six primary nests, additional food storage sites and garrisons were established every three to six kilometers, methodically expanding the swarm's control.
By this layered expansion strategy, the swarm's reach now covered the entire Divine Realm.
A highly advanced sonic communication system ensured seamless coordination. The Toxic Sting Dragonflies, acting as elite couriers, could cross the entire Divine Realm in just forty minutes, delivering messages to any swarm unit instantly.
A CONVERSATION WITH THE QUEEN ANT
The Queen Ant lay motionless on the ground, her colossal form barely stirring. William’s ethereal form descended gently beside her, transmitting a warm thought and emotion through their shared faith link.
"How are you feeling? Anything you’d like to eat?"
At his message, the Queen’s once-dormant antennae perked up excitedly, swaying with joy.
"My God! I feel great! Nothing hurts! I want lots and lots of sweet, juicy aphids!"
Her thoughts, relayed through the faith link, reflected a childlike innocence. Despite her intelligence being far superior to regular insect drones, her current mental state was comparable to that of a young human child.
William immediately activated the faith link once more.
Five kilometers away, at a specialized aphid farm, a group of Toxic Sting Dragonflies took off, heading toward the lush foliage.
But they weren’t just collecting any aphids.
* Too small? Rejected.
* Not green enough? Rejected.
* Hadn’t just finished drinking tree sap? Rejected.
Like expert farmers, the dragonflies inspected each aphid meticulously, selecting only the plumpest, juiciest, and most nutrient-rich aphids for their revered Queen.