The rest of the Fourth-Order Army Ants operated in the same manner, with everything proceeding in an orderly fashion.
In a few days, this batch of Yellow Mealworms, under the influence of the Family Light and the consumption of tai sui meat, would rapidly multiply, allowing for a continuous harvest.
Calculated at approximately 3,000 Yellow Mealworms per catty, 100,000 catties would amount to a staggering 300 million!
It was simply terrifying.
November 7, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 7,306,000. Space Teleportation used once.
November 8, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 8,006,000. Evolution Points increased by 800,000 that day, as the previous Yellow Mealworms had begun to reproduce.
November 9, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 9,100,000. Evolution Points increased to 1,100,000.
...
November 25, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 86,000,000. Evolution Points increased to 14,000,000.
November 26, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 105,000,000. Evolution Points increased to 19,000,000.
Time flew by, and 20 days passed in a flash. The Yellow Mealworms in the Underground Base began to reproduce rapidly, and the daily Evolution Points also started to soar.
During these days, Zhou Qi had been indulging in a gentle embrace, frequently spending time with Liang Xiaoxi, and their relationship became increasingly inseparable.
That night, Zhou Qi arrived at the Underground Base under the cover of darkness.
After about 20 days of development, the Fourth-Order Four Fiend Insect Soldiers and Fourth-Order Spiked Horned Beetles had nearly covered the ground.
Both types of dependents had grown to nearly ten thousand each, appearing densely packed at a glance.
The Eight-Order Army Ant Queen had now issued an order for all Fourth-Order Spiked Horned Beetles to begin excavating the surrounding walls of the underground cave.
The purpose was to expand the land area of the underground cave.
The cave in the stone wall on one side had completely become a nest for Yellow Mealworms. After several rounds of reproduction, the number of Yellow Mealworms was countless, with almost every cave containing them.
Zhou Qi walked up to the Eight-Order Army Ant Queen and extended his hand to directly strengthen her.
“Beep, consuming 100,000,000 Evolution Points, the Army Ant Queen has been strengthened to a Nine-Order Army Ant Queen. All attributes have been slightly enhanced.”
After being strengthened to the Ninth Order, the Army Ant Queen's body expanded again, reaching a length of 25.6 meters, comparable to the blue whale, Earth's largest animal.
At this time, the Nine-Order Army Ant Queen was also over 9 meters tall, as high as a three-story building.
Her reproduction talent also improved, allowing her to reproduce daily: 160,000 Five-Ranked Army Ants / 1,600 Fifth-Order Four Fiend Insect Soldiers / 800 5th Order Thorn Horned Beetles.
Based on the life strength of 9.5 points for the 5th Order Thorn Horned Beetle and 9 points for the Fifth-Order Four Fiend Insect Soldier, they had already reached or even exceeded the classification of a lower-level warrior.
She could reproduce 1,600 lower-level warriors in a single day! It's important to note that the definition of a lower-level warrior is being impervious to blades and spears.
Coupled with the enhancement provided by their inherent Solid Armor talent, they were even more indestructible.
Zhou Qi's thoughts drifted further, his gaze fixed on the underground lake that occupied most of the underground cave.
He suddenly wondered if he could combine and strengthen a new creature suitable for underwater combat.
Thinking of this, Zhou Qi began to ponder which aquatic insects to fuse with the Army Ant.
His knowledge of aquatic insects was still too limited, but fortunately, his girlfriend was also an expert in insect research.
Zhou Qi then opened his phone and chatted with Liang Xiaoxi.
Indeed, an expert's touch revealed itself immediately. Liang Xiaoxi promptly recommended an insect called the “Giant Water Bug,” and said she had some. If Zhou Qi wanted them, he could come and get them.
After they agreed on a time, Zhou Qi suppressed his already impatient heart.
He had initially wanted to fly over directly, but then he thought that one should still be low-key. Such a grand display was not Zhou Qi's style, so it would be better to go tomorrow.
............
November 27, 2016
Current Evolution Points: 22,000,000.
Early in the morning, Zhou Qi set off for Liang Xiaoxi's place and arrived shortly after.
As soon as they met, it was another passionate encounter, but this part will not be detailed for now.
Afterward, Liang Xiaoxi led Zhou Qi to a breeding shed next to her house, where there was a pond.
Liang Xiaoxi pointed to an insect that resembled a cockroach and said to Zhou Qi, “This is the Giant Water Bug, also known as the He Bo Insect.” As if sensing Zhou Qi's confusion, she continued.
“Don't let its cockroach-like appearance fool you; its predatory ability is very strong. It preys on frogs and even some small snakes, and it's also amphibious and airborne...”
Liang Xiaoxi kept explaining to Zhou Qi, who immediately scooped a few into a bottle, preparing to take them away.
...
At the Nine-Order Army Ant Queen's location in the Underground Base, Zhou Qi took out a Giant Water Bug about 5 centimeters long and strengthened it to the Fifth Order in one go.
“Beep, consuming 10 Evolution Points, the Giant Water Bug has been strengthened to a First-Order Giant Water Bug. Congratulations, Host, you have gained Elementary favorability with the First-Order Giant Water Bug.”
...
“Beep, consuming 160 Evolution Points, the Giant Water Bug has been strengthened to a Fifth-Order Giant Water Bug. Congratulations, Host, you have gained the undying loyalty of the Fifth-Order Giant Water Bug.”
“Beep, congratulations, Host, you have successfully strengthened a Fifth-Order Giant Water Bug and been promoted to a First-Order Apostle, gaining the talents: Water Domain Control, Stealth Camouflage, High-Speed Movement, Limb Regeneration, and Enhanced Venom.”
This Fifth-Order Giant Water Bug was over 20 centimeters long, like a disc.
Its shell turned dark black, allowing it to conceal itself in water. Its joints were covered with sharp spines that dripped corrosive liquid.
It had two pairs of translucent membranous wings on its back, allowing it to glide freely in water and quickly change direction for Fast Movement.
Zhou Qi called over a Tenth Order Brazilian Wandering Spider dependent, then placed a Five-Ranked Army Ant and a Fifth-Order Giant Water Bug together, directly using the Insect Fusion function.
“Beep, currently integrating 3 species. Due to the low genetic compatibility of the 3 creatures, the success rate is 45%, requiring 100,000 Evolution Points.”
Zhou Qi frowned. The success rate was too low, but he still decided to continue strengthening.
All three dependents glowed faintly. After a short while, the faint light dissipated, and the three dependents also disappeared. This combination strengthening ended in failure.
Zhou Qi said nothing, directly strengthened another Giant Water Bug to the Fifth Order, then called over three more dependents and began strengthening.
“Beep, currently integrating 3 species. Due to the low genetic compatibility of the 3 creatures, the success rate is 50%, requiring 100,000 Evolution Points.”
“The success rate has increased. After the first failure, will the subsequent success rate increase?” Zhou Qi pondered for a moment, then initiated the strengthening.
This time, the three insects similarly glowed faintly, and slowly, the three faint lights merged into one large sphere of light.
Seeing this, Zhou Qi felt a weight lift from his heart. Based on his previous experience combining and strengthening the Four Fiends Insect Soldiers, this time was a success.
The three dependents in the light sphere began to constantly approach, collide, and fuse.