Chapter 116

Chapter 116: The Ambush

Io, Moon of Jupiter, Solar System

Io is the most volcanic bodies in the solar system. According to records, there are over 400 active volcanoes on its surface. These volcanoes frequently erupt, spewing "volcanic ash" that forms umbrella-shaped plumes reaching heights of up to 450 kilometers. This moon, with its rivers of lava and fiery eruptions, is a hellish satellite, a place where life seems impossible.

Yet, today, towering over this infernal landscape is a 700-meter-tall, crimson-red Nest, its tendrils plunging into the molten lava, extracting energy. Within the boiling magma, beetle-like insectoid creatures swim and thrive. Some die in the harsh environment, while others evolve and adapt. But the most striking sight is a 500-meter-long, fire-scaled, lizard-like beast that roams freely through the lava, devouring it with ease. This is the Blaze Beast, a creature born of the Swarm.

For most life forms, Io's environment would be a death sentence. But for the Blaze Beast, it is a paradise. Unlike the Flame Space beasts, which grow by consuming stars, the Blaze Beast thrives on magma. It is a natural master of fire, capable of controlling and manipulating flames with ease. While it is a relatively ordinary Space beast, reaching only the Universe level at maturity, it possesses a unique ability called the "Furnace Heart."

To Qin Mu, the Blaze Beast is an excellent addition to the Swarm. The Furnace Heart allows it to grow rapidly by consuming fire and magma, eliminating the need for expensive metals like the Golden Horned Beast. Additionally, the Furnace Heart grants the Blaze Beast formidable fire-control abilities. Through studying its talents, Qin Mu's comprehension of the Fire Domain reached the third level in just three months.

Moreover, the Blaze Beast is far more cost-effective than the Golden Horned Beast. While incubating a Star Level 1 Golden Horned Beast requires 100 million standard units of energy, a Blaze Beast of the same level costs only 1 million units. In terms of combat power, Qin Mu once pitted a Blaze Beast against Lei Shen, who had already comprehended the Thunder Domain. The result? Lei Shen was utterly defeated. This is the terrifying potential of Space beasts.

Currently, there are ten such Blaze Beasts on Io, significantly bolstering the Swarm's high-end combat capabilities. The Swarm is no longer just about numbers; it now possesses quality as well. Beyond Io, the Swarm has spread to Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, thriving in even the harshest environments and evolving new species to adapt.

Outside the solar system, within a 1,000-light-year radius centered on Earth, the Swarm has begun to appear in certain areas, gradually expanding and collecting resources and energy.

***

Near a towering pyramid-shaped Nest, a massive 600-meter-tall egg is in the process of hatching. This is the Swarm's second Golden Horned Beast. Nearby, a towering tree, 289 meters tall and 12 meters in diameter, sways gently in the wind. This is the Earth Spirit Treasure Tree, a rare treasure Qin Mu acquired from the Treasure Pavilion. Its seeds alone cost 10 million Black Dragon coins, while a sapling could fetch 1 billion. After being nurtured by the Swarm's energy, it has grown significantly and begun to exert its influence.

Within a 10-kilometer radius of the tree, the concentration of cosmic energy is noticeably higher, creating a more comfortable environment and strengthening the Swarm's units. Even underground, the tree's vast root system has formed crystalline deposits of cosmic energy.

In the sky above, Skyfire Crows with 100-meter wingspans circle the area. These creatures, derived from the genetic material of powerful beasts Qin Mu purchased, are now part of the Swarm's combat forces. Native to the stars, they reach Star Level 6 at maturity, are incredibly fast, and excel at fire manipulation. They are also highly social and vengeful, making them a nightmare for space adventurers. When the Swarm cannot act openly, the Skyfire Crows serve as excellent substitutes.

Inside the Nest, Qin Mu stretched and took a break from his research.

"Time to rest for a bit," he muttered.

With the bloodline samples he brought back from space and his deeper understanding of the "Primordial Insect Canon," Qin Mu had improved the bloodline evolution agent to the Apprentice Level 9, the limit of the seventh-tier bloodline. However, breaking through to the sixth-tier bloodline posed a significant challenge. It was a qualitative leap. By studying samples of sixth-tier bloodlines, Qin Mu had gained some confidence and believed he could overcome this hurdle soon.

Although Qin Mu hadn't left Earth in three months, Li Xingtao on Qiu Long Star had been diligently collecting research samples for him. Every month, a batch of samples was sent to Earth, while Earth-produced goods were transported to space for trade. With ample research materials, Qin Mu's progress on the bloodline evolution agent had been smooth.

Qin Mu decided to enter the Virtual Universe.

"Let's head to the Killing Field for some combat," Qin Mu said, relaxing.

For him, the best way to unwind was through intense battle. The fatigue from researching techniques, domains, and bloodline evolution would dissipate in the heat of combat. Over the past few months, not only had the Swarm grown, but Qin Mu's strength had also increased at an astonishing rate.

In the Killing Field, Qin Mu appeared in a starry void. He quickly set the parameters for his opponent: a Star Level 8 Spirit Master with third-level Fire Domain and third-level Gold Domain, armed with a Crescent Moon Disc and wearing second-tier combat armor. The battlefield was set in a desert.

These parameters reflected Qin Mu's current abilities. Thanks to the Swarm's feedback and his study of the Golden Horned Beast and Blaze Beast, Qin Mu had reached Planetary Level 8. His progress in the Fire Domain and Gold Domain had been remarkable, with the latter catching up to the former.

In the Killing Field, the environment shifted to an endless desert. Across from Qin Mu, a figure with 70% similarity to him materialized. Both wielded Crescent Moon Discs, their blades spinning around them.

"Whoosh—"

The two figures shot toward each other, their blades clashing thousands of times in an instant.

"Clang—"

"Clang—"

Sparks flew as the intense battle unfolded. Initially evenly matched, Qin Mu gradually fell behind. In terms of combat experience, he was no match for his virtual opponent.

"Fire Domain!" Qin Mu activated his domain, black flames erupting around him, distorting the air.

His opponent, however, did not activate a domain. Instead, a golden glow enveloped them as they charged into Qin Mu's flames, aiming to strike him down.

"Bring it on!" Qin Mu's eyes flashed with golden light as the Crescent Moon Disc blades merged into a spinning golden wheel.

"Rainbow Moon Slash, go!"

A 1,000-meter-long crescent blade shot toward his opponent with terrifying force.

"Boom—"

Almost simultaneously, an identical attack erupted from his opponent, the two strikes colliding in a massive explosion.

"Huh?"

From the explosion, a figure emerged, charging at Qin Mu. But just as Qin Mu prepared to counter, he froze.

"Something's wrong!"

The Killing Field dissolved, returning to the starry void. Qin Mu's expression turned grim. Through the Zergified Star-level slaves, he had sensed an attack on the Earth's transport fleet near Cold Moon Star.

This was the first time such an incident had occurred. Since Qin Mu and his team returned from space, Earth's development had skyrocketed. With the help of Planetary Level 9 Spirit Masters skilled in manufacturing, production had increased a hundredfold. Factories across Earth and even the Mars base were operating at full capacity. Thanks to the advanced technology from the Yun Mo inheritance, Earth's products sold well in the Universe. The only limiting factor was production capacity.

Despite the efforts to boost output, the demand far exceeded supply. The lack of skilled personnel was a significant bottleneck. Unlike warriors, who could be trained with resources, high-tech industries required time and education.

But beneath this rapid growth lurked danger. On Qiu Long Star, Li Xingtao and his team faced increasing pressure. As they competed for orders, their business negotiations often hit roadblocks. Some of the Zergified slaves kept Qin Mu informed of these developments. Li Xingtao, however, bore the burden alone, not wanting to trouble Qin Mu.

While Li Xingtao and his team were safe within Qiu Long City, their transport ships were vulnerable. This vulnerability had now been exploited.

"It's time to make a move," Qin Mu's eyes turned cold. He had anticipated this and was prepared.

The universe was never peaceful. When Qin Mu authorized Li Xingtao to compete for orders, he knew this day would come. Li Xingtao had not disappointed him, successfully securing the orders. But now, the consequences had arrived.