Chapter Thirty-Three: The Weak Are Always Vulnerable

Along the way, Xuan Xuan had encountered many kinds of insectoids. Most of them possessed formidable combat abilities, were fierce, and showed no fear of harm. At first, there were F- and E-level creatures, but now D- and even C-levels were more common. Zhan Yu explained that this matched the natural distribution of the insectoids—the center was always the domain of a queen. The surrounding ones protected her or gathered food. Xuan Xuan thought they resembled ant colonies, with clear divisions of labor, all revolving around the queen.

She mused that perhaps it was a matter of development—one day, they might evolve to the level of humans. After all, it was said humans evolved from apes; who could say what lay in store for the insectoids?

Though her experience was limited, Xuan Xuan could see that most insectoids were savage and bloodthirsty. If a day came when the insectoids reached a certain stage of evolution, she believed that no other intelligent species would survive, just as when humans rose. When the insectoids advanced far enough, it would mark the end of humanity; even if there were survivors, they would cling to existence by a thread.

With such ferocity, bloodlust, and a strong sense of territory, in the insectoid domain not even other beasts could be found—they were fiercely xenophobic. If they gained the upper hand in an interstellar war, why wouldn’t they drive out or devour their former enemies—humans?

Such thoughts felt unrealistic for now, but the threat was real.

Suddenly, Zhan Yu’s voice sounded in the mech, “Xuan Xuan, be careful. We’re about to enter the heart of the insectoids.”

She nodded in acknowledgment.

She expanded her mental power to carefully survey their surroundings and discovered a cave not far away. Around it, many insectoids lurked in hiding, but her powerful mental strength allowed her to detect them all, and she shared her findings with Zhan Yu.

He was briefly surprised but said nothing; by now, he was used to the many astonishments she brought him.

With the map of the insectoid distribution Xuan Xuan provided him, Zhan Yu unleashed his full firepower, sweeping through the area with ease. Xuan Xuan watched as the concealed insectoids were eliminated before they could even emerge. From time to time, she would casually cast a “Fountain of Mana,” keeping Zhan Yu’s mech energy at a stable level, while also continuing reconnaissance and sharing the results with him.

They worked together seamlessly. In no time, they had cleared the perimeter of the cave.

“Let’s go inside,” Zhan Yu said.

Xuan Xuan frowned, reluctant to enter. She had just scanned the interior—inside were masses of insectoid eggs, slick and sticky, clumped together in a most unpleasant sight.

Zhan Yu, considering that no matter how formidable Xuan Xuan was, she was still a young woman who would likely be put off by such things, asked with a gentle laugh, “Are you afraid?”

She curled her lip in disdain. Afraid? Hardly. It was just disgusting. Besides, as an alchemist, she had seen all manner of materials—what was this to her? “Why haven’t the insectoids inside emerged when those outside have been wiped out?” she asked.

“Insectoids possess a certain level of intelligence, especially the queens.” Zhan Yu’s eyes grew grave. “So when we were clearing the ones outside, the queen inside became aware. Our movements were too fast for her to counter, so she gathered the remaining insectoids around her, to protect herself and her brood.”

Xuan Xuan nodded; she could sense the gathering within. “Let’s head east,” she suggested.

Zhan Yu, trusting her judgment, hesitated only a moment. “It might be a little unpleasant inside.”

He had entered true insectoid nests before, but in the star network, he’d always been inside a mech, never exposed. Xuan Xuan was now seated directly on the mech’s shoulder—she’d surely find it hard to bear.

She waved off his concern. “No need.”

Zhan Yu nodded and strode into the nest. Inside, it was warm and humid, the walls coated with a thick layer of white slime. As they entered, a wave of stench hit them. Xuan Xuan wrinkled her brow and cast a small barrier around herself, isolating the air.

“Are you all right?” Zhan Yu asked.

“I’m fine. Keep moving, head due east,” she instructed.

Suddenly, Xuan Xuan sensed something odd. Instinctively, she struck out with a spatial slash, drawing a line of blood where it landed.

Though she hadn’t detected anything, there was an insectoid that had escaped her mental scan?

“That was a Stealthcrawler,” Zhan Yu explained, observing the remains. “It’s one of the few insectoids capable of hiding so well. Normally, their combat ability is only D-level, but their concealment skills elevate them to the upper echelons of C-level. Even B-level mercenaries and warriors find them difficult to handle. Finding them usually requires specialized detection equipment.”

Xuan Xuan nodded. Although her mental power’s range was limited, within that range she could monitor everything—yet this insectoid had gotten so close. Perhaps the insectoids were even more terrifying than she’d imagined.

“The evolution of the insectoids is increasingly diverse. It might not be long before humanity can no longer fully understand them, let alone deal with them,” Zhan Yu sighed.

Xuan Xuan understood his concerns. Creatures capable of infinite evolution were truly terrifying. If they gained intelligence and could choose how to evolve—that would be even more dreadful.

It seemed her earlier thoughts weren’t so impossible after all; in fact, they might be entirely possible.

“Are you worried?” she asked. She herself didn’t feel a deep sense of belonging to this world, but she knew her father and grandfather, as well as Zhan Yu, were deeply tied to the Federation.

Zhan Yu let out a cold laugh. “Worried? Of course I am. In these circumstances, some people still short-sightedly believe the insectoids’ recent lull in attacks means the threat is over, and turn all their weapons on their fellow humans instead. In such an environment, my real concern is not when the insectoids will strike, but when I’ll be assassinated by my own kind.”

With a dire threat looming, some cared only for pleasure and short-term gain. Zhan Yu despised such people; he wouldn’t even deign to call them enemies.

Xuan Xuan understood his point. Some among humanity believed the insectoids had been beaten into submission and wanted only power among their own kind. Human desire was endless; given something good, they only wanted more.

In reality, the insectoids might be quietly evolving, developing, and could one day surpass humanity. If mankind failed to advance, the consequences were obvious for all to see.

History had shown time and again: fall behind, and you will be struck down.

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Sprout will update every day at 11 a.m. sharp. Thank you all for your support and recommendations; Douya will keep working hard.

PS: May I recommend two books—“The Noblewoman of the Teahouse” and “Rebirth of the Female Sovereign”?