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 Demons could avoid getting lost here.
No wonder the Ant Clan was able to guard the wu ling shen when it transformed into a spirit fungus, and no wonder Bai Jing said that any potential schemers would only violently break open the Ant Nest and dare not venture deep inside.
As he walked and observed.
Fu Shaoguang saw Termite Demons everywhere.
Each performed their duty, shuttling through the various tunnels.
Most were ordinary termites, but there were also Demon Ants who had embarked on the path of cultivation.
Fu Shaoguang saw strict division of labor and rigorous Rank classification.
After descending an unknown distance underground, they finally reached the Ant Nest's Main Hall. Stepping out of the narrow tunnel, the space opened up before Fu Shaoguang.
Fluorescent Stones embedded in the cave ceiling above emitted a clear green light, providing soft illumination.
Fu Shaoguang saw an open space, observed Termite Demons carrying wine and delicacies back and forth, and also saw the other three Insect Demons who had been invited:
One Cockroach Demon.
One Cricket Demon.
And one familiar Demon: the Firefly Demon.
Fu Shaoguang had met him previously inside the Old Weasel Demon's Immortal Cave; they weren't friends, but they were acquaintances.
"Demon Friend Fu has also arrived."
The Firefly Demon named Night Candle was the first to flap his wings and greet him.
Fu Shaoguang flapped his wings in return.
"So Demon Friend Night is here too."
"Allow me to introduce everyone..."
Night Candle had a good relationship with the other two demons.
With Night Candle acting as a go-between and Bai Jing warming up the atmosphere, they exchanged cups, and after a few drinks, Fu Shaoguang quickly became familiar with the two demons.
The Cockroach Demon was named Fei Qiang.
The Cricket Demon was named Night Cry.
Both demons were on good terms with the White Ant Clan, and their aura was somewhat similar to that of the termites.
---
The White Ant Clan was wealthy and powerful.
For the Queen's Breakthrough this time, they spared no expense, and the fine wine and delicacies served to the four insects were all spirit objects.
When the jaw is short from eating, the legs become soft from taking.
For this protection duty, they had no choice but to do their best.
All four Insect Demons understood this principle and appreciated the White Ant Clan's earnest efforts.
The White Ant Clan is ruled by the female gender.
The Queen is supported by the entire clan; while being supreme, she also bears the heavy responsibility of racial Legacy, responsible for breeding offspring and expanding the population. One Queen Ant can establish an Ant Clan Tribe.
The tribe exists because of her, and it perishes because of her.
It can be said that the Queen's lifespan determines the tribe's history, and the Queen's strength determines the tribe's prosperity or decline.
No amount of importance the White Ant Clan places on her is excessive.
If they were in the same position, they would be even more attentive.
Amidst the clinking of cups, as the four demons drank and chatted, an unspoken understanding emerged: they would give their all, but they wouldn't try to stop a chariot with a praying mantis's arms; if a major crisis occurred, they would prioritize their own safety.
With this consensus, their relationship became even more harmonious.
The four demons did not have to wait long.
The White Ant Queen soon appeared.
She was entirely yellowish-white, with a bloated abdomen, and was three times the size of Bai Jing, a Termite Demon at Technique Realm Second Heaven, measuring a full six inches long, looking like a giant fleshy grub.
The entire demon exuded maternal radiance; her gaze was kind, and her voice was both gentle and possessed the authority of a ruler.
"Welcome, Demon Friends, to the Ant Nest as our guests. This King finds movement inconvenient and cannot leave the cave, so please forgive the lack of a proper welcome. This time, due to my affairs, I have troubled you all to travel here. This King thanks you in advance."
"Your Majesty exaggerates."
"Demon Friend Bai, there is no need to be so polite."
...The Queen and the four demons exchanged pleasantries, but only briefly. After quickly going through the formality, the Queen got straight to the point, discussing her upcoming Breakthrough.
"This King was born sixty years ago and has cultivated for over forty years. In my early years, excessive production for the sake of breeding the clan damaged my Innate Origin Qi. To achieve this Breakthrough, I need to use vital essence to harmonize, consume innate red lead and Innate Vital Yang, to compensate for my Innate deficiency before attempting the Breakthrough..."
After the White Ant Queen's explanation, Fu Shaoguang understood the cause of the matter and why she needed innate red lead.
What surprised Fu Shaoguang was the Vital Yang.
This substance also had Ranks, similar to innate red lead. Innate Vital Yang was the highest Rank, being the first emission of a young boy of thirteen.
Only three jars appeared in the Demon Market this time.
They were snatched up immediately upon appearance.
Causing many Female Demons to regret acting too late.
He didn't expect the White Ant Clan to have obtained a jar.
There was no prior news, and Bai Jing hadn't revealed anything.
However, that was all.
Fu Shaoguang quickly dismissed the thought.
He didn't need that stuff anyway.
Drinking a cup of wine, Fu Shaoguang continued to listen as the White Ant Queen's slow voice echoed.
"The wu ling shen is about to bear fruit for the first time. Demons and other natural enemies who previously did not dare to invade due to the might of our clan are very likely to take action upon hearing the news.
At that time, our clan will face a catastrophe.
This is also why This King is anxious to achieve a Breakthrough.
If I can achieve a Breakthrough before the wu ling shen bears fruit, I can temporarily leave the Ant Nest, store the wu ling shen temporarily in my abdomen, and move with the ant colony into the Demon Market..."
After the White Ant Queen finished speaking, she left to begin her seclusion.
While solving his confusion, Fu Shaoguang felt both surprised and unsurprised, knowing that items that extend life are never easy to obtain.
---
The Queen left.
Bai Jing continued to host the banquet.
There was also a winged Termite Demon.
She was the Crown Prince of the White Ant Clan.
If the White Ant Clan cannot survive the calamity, she will carry the mycelium, go to the Demon Market, re-establish the Ant Nest, succeed as the New King, and continue the great Legacy of the White Ant Clan.
After eating and drinking their fill, Fu Shaoguang performed the Flowing Light Technique, and on behalf of the other three Insect Demons, he toured the surroundings, meticulously observing and recording the environment.
Afterwards, he returned to the underground cave, combined the information provided by the White Ant Clan, and together they analyzed the pros and cons. Before the fighting began, they devised various combat strategies adapted to the local conditions, striving to maximize the geographical advantage.
The termite dwelling was well-chosen; behind it was a lush forest, and in front was flowing water. Fu Shaoguang was relatively satisfied: the forest was good for ambushes, and the river was convenient for him to use the Water Arrow Technique.
Of course, the Leech Demon should also be skilled in Water Spells, so it would be best to deal with him inside the forest.
What satisfied him most was that the location was only about one li away from the entrance to the Demon Market, making it easy for him to escape and seek refuge if things went wrong.
The four Insect Demons commanded the Termite Army to secretly set up traps underground, preventing early detection.
Afterwards, they discussed other strategies for defending against enemies.
The biggest difference between demons and ordinary creatures is the ability to think.
Preparing by entering the Ant Nest several days in advance, like this time, demonstrated the wisdom of the Termite Demons.
Moreover, they had Fu Shaoguang.
He gathered the Three Demons, Bai Jing, and the Crown Prince Termite Demon to brainstorm, envisioning all possibilities, organizing their respective advantages, integrating insect power resources, maximizing strengths while minimizing weaknesses, and clearly defining roles.
They were determined to maximize their collective strength.
Day and night, they slept when tired.
Waking up, eating their fill, and continuing the storm.
Three days and three nights, late into the night.
The five battered demons were dizzy and confused. Upon seeing Fu Shaoguang, they either felt the urge to turn tail and run or found their six legs turning soft.
Fortunately, it finally ended on the fourth day.
The demons rested and built up their strength, waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out.
It was just that their compound eye now held an added sense of reverence when they looked at Fu Shaoguang.
No wonder this one became a Demon Talent.
He's practically not a demon!
Thinking of the various predictions and extensive arrangements, while their confidence soared, they also felt a lingering sense of relief.
Fortunately, this Mayfly was not their enemy.
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