« Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter » Chapter 44: White Ant Queen Half a month later. Outside the mountain, the summer heat was sweltering, but inside the mountain, it remained cool. Accompanied by Bai Jing, Fu Shaoguang left the Demon Market . Soon, a gigantic earthen fortress came into view. It was the Ant Nest . Fu Shaoguang entered it, marveling at the sight. The Termite Demons truly deserved their reputation in the Demon Market for their construction skills. The Ant Nest stood tall like an earthen mound, magnificent on the outside, and even more intricate on the inside, with roads extending in all directions. Crisscrossing and dense with tunnels. Like a dense, sprawling network. Fu Shaoguang believed his memory was good and his sense of direction accurate; he could remember the path at first, but he quickly became disoriented. His head was spinning. He stuck closely behind Bai Jing. Perhaps only Termite Dem...
To be more precise, it was swallowed whole. Hidden deep among the broad, fan-like leaves of a dense, ancient ginkgo tree, Fu Shaoguang slowly reviewed every detail of the life-and-death incident while remaining vigilantly alert against any other natural enemies lurking in the shadows.
【The time it takes to drink a cup of tea ago...】
In the heart of the dense, primeval forest, light and shadow intertwined in a chaotic mosaic. One insect and one bird—one fleeing for its soul, the other pursuing with predatory greed. Carefully sensing the subtle flow of the wind, Fu Shaoguang flapped his wings and rode the currents, accelerating as he maneuvered through the treacherous canopy. He performed frantic shifts, diving through narrow gaps between branches and darting into tree hollows to evade the emerald-green hunter.
However, no matter how he ran, the Red-Bearded Bee-eater relentlessly pursued him, and the distance between them gradually shortened. Fu Shaoguang grew increasingly anxious. Although adult mayflies possess wings, they are fundamentally not skilled flyers; their speed cannot compare to the aerial grace of butterflies or the raw power of dragonflies, let alone the swift, specialized strike of a Bee-eater. Though he was temporarily holding his own using the complex terrain, he knew that being caught was only a matter of time. He had to escape, and he had to do it now.
But some things are far easier said than done. During the chase, Fu Shaoguang not only failed to shake off his pursuer but nearly crashed headlong into a massive spider web, almost becoming a meal for a patient arachnid. The distance closed further. He could feel the violent airflow stirred up by the bird’s wings as they beat behind him, and a mortal chill ran through his heart. Faster! Even faster! He screamed internally. But no matter how hard he exerted himself, his physical limits were reached; his speed remained stagnant, and the bird drew closer.
"Damn it, damn it! If only this bird would just slow down!"
As soon as this desperate thought arose, Shaoguang’s heart trembled violently. It was like seeing the sun break through a wall of clouds; a profound realization suddenly emerged from the depths of his being. A warm power began to flow within his body, and the runes of a Spell spontaneously formed in his mind. This was... Mana and Spells!
He was overjoyed, yet he did not use it rashly. This wisp of Mana, fine as a single strand of hair, was far too weak to waste; he had to use it strategically at the absolute pinnacle of danger. Just having this skill gave him a newfound peace of mind. His five senses expanded, capturing the surrounding five inches of the environment and projecting it clearly into his mind. He now had the courage to try a daring, lethal idea.
Flapping his wings, he deliberately flew toward a large, venomous snake coiled around a treetop, hidden expertly among the leaves. Hiss! An Emerald Green Long Snake opened its slit-like eyes, flicking its tongue. Its body coiled like a loaded bow, gathering strength as it waited for an opportunity to strike. Fu Shaoguang’s compound eyes lit up. The Red-Bearded Bee-eater was alert, and although it didn't see the snake in the dark, it instinctively felt uneasy. Fear arose in its heart, and the bird considered retreating.
But seeing that the prey in front of it seemed to have exhausted its strength and slowed down, the bird was tempted once more. After a moment of hesitation, it struck decisively. Closer, even closer! The bird opened its beak, ready to crush the nearby insect. In that instant, the treetop trembled. A sound tore through the air as a long snake shot out like a green arrow, its huge mouth revealing sharp, curved fangs. A thick killing intent, wrapped in a foul, fishy breath, rushed toward them both.
Under the dappled light, the snake and the bird lunged. In that instant of life and death, Fu Shaoguang mobilized his Mana, and his four wings radiated a faint, ethereal silver glow. Suddenly, both the snake and the bird seemed to slow down, their movements becoming sluggish as if trapped in amber. In that suspended heartbeat, Fu Shaoguang flew upward, evading the terrifying pincer attack. The next instant, time returned to its normal flow. The Red-Bearded Bee-eater was not so lucky; it flew straight into the mouth of the emerald snake. Not too big, not too small—just right! As the bird's muffled cries rang out, Fu Shaoguang paid no heed and fled into the distance.
His thoughts returned to the present. Having recovered some of his Qi, Fu Shaoguang performed **Internal Observation** to examine the changes within himself. Immediately, his wings trembled with joy. He discovered that he had actually retained his **Digestive System!** His mandibles had not completely degenerated either. Although his teeth were poor—like a gap-toothed old woman—and he was best suited to liquid foods, the significance was monumental.
Standard adult mayflies only live for one day because they lack all vital organs, making it impossible to eat. They are biological machines built only for reproduction, but Fu Shaoguang had remedied these defects. He realized now that since he became a Demon, every molt had focused on internal reconstruction rather than just size. With the presence of his five vital organs, he felt his lifespan had increased. His intuition told him that if he avoided overexertion, he could live for at least a year. Compared to his kin who "die by dusk," this was a legendary fortune.
Filled with anticipation, Fu Shaoguang reflected upon the epiphany he had during his escape. Influenced by his past life, he had always viewed time from a human perspective. But the word "slow" had acted as a key, unlocking the **Dao of the Mayfly: Time.** To humans, a day is short; to a mayfly, a day is a lifetime. Breaking through the barrier of conventional knowledge, he had generated mana and comprehended a spell that could lengthen time for an instant. He named it: Inch of Time Lengthening.
Hunger eventually woke him from his meditation. It was now late morning, and the temperature was a mix of summer heat and autumn chill. Fu Shaoguang began planning for the future. Mayfly nymphs have gills for water, but as an adult, he breathed through pores and could no longer submerge. He had to survive in the forest. He tried to suck nectar like a bee, but his mouthparts weren't right. He tried to eat insects like a spider, but he couldn't chew the flesh. He even tried grass, but it gave him a toothache.
Watching a troop of monkeys feasting nearby, a flash of inspiration struck him. Monkeys... fruit... rot... Monkey Wine! Alcohol is a concentrated form of energy, and "Monkey Wine" would be pure, natural, and full of the essence of many fruits. It offered the potential for nourishment, health preservation, and longevity. Excitement bubbling in his chest, Fu Shaoguang searched the monkey troop's territory, checking tree hollow after tree hollow. Finally, he arrived before a dark-colored, half-withered old tree that smelled suspiciously sweet.
Comments
Post a Comment