Chapter 855, Strange Insects

Translator: Silavin

 

This Transport Array seemed to connect to another terrifying world, and these palm-sized insects were the native inhabitants of that world.

 

These small insects did not appear particularly large, but their grotesque appearance made everyone’s scalps tingle with unease.

 

Even more terrifying was the fact that amongst those present were experts who had undergone their Third Profession Change, yet when they used Appraisal on these insects, they couldn’t see any information whatsoever.

 

It was not the ‘???’ that appeared when one’s Level was insufficient, but rather complete absence of response.

 

It was as if these insects were not Monsters at all, nor summoned creatures. They seemed to be akin to stones or grass. They were basically entities without any Attributes to speak of.

 

This struck everyone as peculiar, because even a chicken or a pig should display Attributes when examined.

 

Unless… these insects did not conform to this world’s original World Mechanics.

 

And such circumstances only occurred with one type of being: the Ancient Gods.

 

[Could another Ancient God have appeared here!? What are these insects!? Just what are their origins!?]

 

Observably, the strange insects had not come for Elder Lu and the other experts. Otherwise, they could have coordinated a pincer attack with the Ancient God’s remains, which would have been a dead end, resulting in Elder Lu and his team’s death on the spot.

 

As the insects swarmed out, their target was unmistakably the continuously spreading remains.

 

The remains could assimilate everything it touched. Even stones, completely lifeless objects, would be submerged and transformed into decaying mud.

 

However, when the remains encountered these strange insects, its effect failed.

 

The insects’ steel-like shells seemed capable of isolating the remains’ corruptive nature. Even when insects fell into the decaying mud, they showed no signs of assimilation.

 

Moreover, those insects opened their tooth-filled mouthparts and began devouring the mud, causing its volume to continuously shrink.

 

One or two insects were indeed insignificant compared to the mud’s volume.

 

But that Transport Array was like a breached dam, continuously releasing more and more insects. The mud was clearly being suppressed, unable to continue spreading.

 

At this rate, the remains would soon be completely devoured by these insects.

 

However, Elder Lu and his team showed no signs of relief.

 

Though the remains’ threat might be eliminated, the insects’ origins and purpose remained unknown.

 

Everyone silently retreated, gradually distancing themselves from this battle beyond their capabilities.

 

Simultaneously, following Elder Lu’s orders, some experts went to activate the self-destruct Array.

 

Should the situation deteriorate, they would trigger the Array to ensure Dragon Capital and Dragon Country’s safety.

 

Time passed second by second. Soon, the mud created by the remains was reduced to about one cubic metre, on the verge of complete elimination.

 

Meanwhile, those insects had accumulated into mountains, completely surrounding the remaining mud, ready to launch their final assault.

 

At that moment, another Transport Array illuminated beside Elder Lu.

 

From within the Transport Array, flames erupted, followed by a Golden Crow flying out and circling overhead.

 

Seeing this Golden Crow, everyone present exhaled with relief.

 

After circling once, Elder Jin landed and approached Elder Lu.

 

Though he had transformed into his Human Form, flames still covered his entire body.

 

He maintained his Battle Form, ready to join combat at any moment.

 

“Elder Lu, what’s happened here?” Elder Jin glanced at the distant insects and decaying mud, momentarily bewildered.

 

“I received word that your experiment showed some sign of abnormality, so I immediately acquired a Teleportation Scroll to come and suppress the situation. Yet upon arrival, I encounter this strange scene? Where did these insects come from? What’s their background?”

 

Elder Lu shook his head. “I don’t know. We did face a genuine threat. The remains we were experimenting on was actually still alive. The seal leaked a little, and it seized the opportunity to escape. As for these insects… they just suddenly opened a Transport Array and came through. Behind the Transport Array seems to be some Secret Realm. I don’t know anything else besides this. Still, it seems like whoever controls these insects appears to harbour no malice towards us. Otherwise, we’d have already been devoured by now.”

 

Elder Lu had observed that the insects targeted only the Ancient God’s remains, showing no intention of harming anyone else.

 

Therefore, he speculated they were not enemies.

 

Of course, this was mere speculation.

 

Who knew whether they might suddenly turn their attention and slaughter everyone here?

 

Nevertheless, Elder Jin’s arrival bolstered Elder Lu’s confidence.

 

Now they needed to discover the insects’ true purpose.

 

Soon, all the remains were completely devoured by the insects.

 

Subsequently, rather than attacking anyone else, these insects crawled back into the Transport Array, apparently intending to depart.

 

Seeing this, Elder Jin narrowed his eyes slightly, then propelled himself forward. Mid-air, he transformed into a Golden Crow and flew towards the Transport Array.

 

“Elder Jin, where are you going!?” Elder Lu asked in alarm.

 

Without looking back, Elder Jin replied, “To see what lies behind these insects. They carry a familiar scent. It is undoubtedly another Ancient God. I need to understand why Ancient Gods would attack each other, and what this particular Ancient God wants.”

 

Even as he spoke, he plunged into the Transport Array, entering the world beyond.

 

Sensing Elder Jin’s arrival, the insects immediately exhibited obvious changes, becoming far more agitated than before, swarming back into the Transport Array.

 

Elder Lu frowned deeply. He wanted to retrieve his Engineered Item to prevent the Transport Array from closing, leaving Elder Jin an escape route.

 

However, the Transport Array closed far faster than he anticipated. He had barely withdrawn his Engineered Item when the Transport Array got completely closed.

 

“That old fool! Still acting so impulsively even at that age!” Elder Lu stamped his foot in frustration. “Ancient Gods are terrifyingly dangerous! Does he truly believe nothing in this world can defeat him!?”

 

Beside him, someone nervously asked, “Elder Lu, Elder Jin has now gone inside. What should we do…”

 

Elder Lu thought for a while. “Gather all the materials. I need to construct an Array connecting to that world. I need to at least create an evacuation route for that Old Jin!”