Chapter 21: Insect Swarm Cultivation Plan

Bai Yi only thought about casually inquiring with nothing to lose, but unexpectedly, she found a pleasant surprise.

However, Bai Yi also deeply knew the value of intelligence. Although her current status as a "creditor" would likely compel Landon I to comply if she directly asked, getting cooperation afterward might become difficult.

Fan Mao: "What do I need to offer?"

Landon I: "I don't know much, how about a day's debt?"

Fan Mao: "Deal!"

Several minutes later, Landon I sent information that seemed to be excerpted from somewhere.

After removing most of the praise and embellishments, what remained was summarized by Bai Yi.

That [Longevity], indeed a God, is a bona fide existence, holding the authority over life and could grant the power of eternal life to his followers.

It is for this reason He gained many followers. Those who sought after longevity but could not achieve it formed the [Eternal Life Association], calling themselves [Eternal Life Knights].

And among those recognized by Him, most left the organization and called themselves [Eternal Life Priests], wandering the world spreading the beauty of life and the joy of abundant harvests.

Other than that, there is a group who truly received the care of [Longevity], calling themselves [Suffering Doctors], walking the earth, saving myriad shattered lives.

"This way, are [Suffering Doctors] actually good people?

But what's with this Undead Mage?"

Bai Yi continued to inquire about the Undead Mage's situation, but Landon I was also unclear, rather interested in it instead.

Guessing that Bai Yi had encountered related wild monsters, he expressed his willingness to buy any items from the Magic Side she managed to get.

Bai Yi was non-committal, not openly admitting it, but she felt somewhat uneasy inside.

She had been prepared to expose a few things when deciding to ask for intelligence.

It was something Bai Yi just realized.

She could have just lingered within her own territory, not interacting with the outside world at all.

But the cost would be, like today, having to solve the lack of agricultural tools, intelligence, and resources by herself, potentially becoming a target due to appearing harmless and affluent in daily life.

Bai Yi knew this script too well—it's isolationism!

Realizing her mistake, Bai Yi quickly adjusted her strategy.

She displayed certain strengths in front of some familiar and powerful lords, ensuring they neither underestimate her nor see her as a threat.

So, Bai Yi decided to establish a new identity as a defensive lord skilled with plant units.

At first glance, she seemed a Luck King who stumbled upon good fortune, but upon deeper understanding, one would discover she was a tough nut to crack.

That would probably fend off most troubles.

As for those lords still ignorant and wishing to provoke her?

I, Bai Yi, am definitely not a snake!

Unable to get information about the Undead Mage from Landon I, Bai Yi then opened a private message from Jun Lin.

Like a lord she had collaborated with before, Jun Lin gave Bai Yi a much more mysterious vibe, always making Bai Yi feel as if he knew her very well.

However, as it stands, Jun Lin didn't harbor any ill intentions towards her, so Bai Yi temporarily regarded him as a friend.

After sending a message, Bai Yi waited quite a while without getting a reply.

Bai Yi didn't continue to wait idly, calling forth a Giant Bee and a Beetle, preparing to enhance her soldiers.

First, it was the Beetles that had suffered heavy losses, with only 7 remaining.

Bai Yi didn't plan on recruiting them back immediately; she already realized this during the Fusion of genes for Zhan Yi and Zhan Er.

Such an upgrade could actually be recognized by the game, using certain resources to directly upgrade the corresponding Barracks!

So Bai Yi planned to first complete the Beetle's upgrade, and then transform the Barracks all at once.

Bai Yi had already obtained quite a few gene entries these past two days.

Yesterday, she had obtained 4 from wild monsters, namely: Sensitive Smell, Thick Fat, Oviparous, Iron Feather.

Among these entries, only Thick Fat and Iron Feather impacted combat strength, but currently, none of Bai Yi's subordinates could use them.

However, Bai Yi had already witnessed Infinite Multiplication from Endless Moss; unfortunately, the Magic Power Value needed to fuse it into the two types of insects was not low.

The Giant Bee requires 450, while the Beetle needs even more at 700.

The Giant Bee might have a chance, but the Beetle is truly out of reach.

What surprised Bai Yi was that this gene entry matched extremely well with the Corrosive Earthworm, needing only 200 Magic Power Value to achieve Fusion.

"Unfortunately, what I need now is combat capability, so the Earthworm will have to wait."

Among the remaining gene entries from the Endless Moss, Bai Yi also extracted the acid secretion and drained his slightly recovered Magic Power once again.

Left over were the group consciousness and neurotoxin extracted from the swarm of bees, along with regeneration, corrosive mucus, and carrion eating from the earthworm.

It's just a pity that the efficiency of regeneration is too slow; although Fusion only needs 400 Magic Power, it can only be considered as a backup for now, and carrion eating does not add much combat capability, so it is out of Bai Yi's consideration.

Thus, the selected gene entries that could be added to the Beetle were all chosen.

Group consciousness, neurotoxin, corrosive mucus, acid secretion.

The former needs 300 points of Magic Power, while the latter three require 200, 350 and 250 respectively.

All are within Bai Yi's bearing range.

And because the Giant Bees are strong enough on their own, the corrosive mucus and acid secretion are just embellishments, the main focus is still on Infinite Multiplication.

Fusing a core gene entry of a golden unit to another golden unit, it is hard to imagine how strong the result could become.

As for the peasant women…

Frankly, Bai Yi couldn't think of any way to enhance them, after all, she surely can't make them secrete toxic mucus, can she?

Even if these genes truly fused, from where would they secrete?

Spit?

Bai Yi's mind uncontrollably thought of her peasant women, strong as men, encountering enemies and each spitting at them, ah no, drooling.

True·Salt Soda Spray Kill You

"That's too bizarre..."

Bai Yi shook her head vigorously, tossing this damned déjà vu from her mind, and opened the bee swarm control panel.

Completing the Infinite Multiplication Fusion requires 450 Magic Power Value, and with her current limit of only 360, there is a deficit of 90.

If she were to solely rely on tree fruits to fill this gap, even if she provided the giant banyan with enough Blood Flesh to yield two fruits daily, it would still take a full 5 days to amass enough.

However, in 5 days, it would be the last day of the presence of wild monsters, time is far too pressing.

Besides tree fruits, the only stable method to increase the Magic Power limit now is to raise her Level.

Since the Giant Bee's group consciousness has already reached the 2nd stage, the bee swarm panel has gained more functions.

Cancelling all tasks for today, Bai Yi divided the bees into squads of 20, initiating free hunt mode.

Bai Yi also carefully avoided the north occupied by the Undead, letting the swarm explore towards the more familiar south, towards the direction of the river.

After arranging the bee swarm's tasks, Bai Yi finally had some leisure time.

Genetic Fusion can't be hurried; calculating based on the daily recovery of Magic Power, it would still take 2 days to complete the Genetic Fusion.

In the afternoon, Bai Yi rarely took a nap.

By evening, with ample nutrition, two injured persons had greatly recovered, with wounds almost entirely healed.

Although Bai Yi knew that her soldiers probably didn't need this sense of belonging, she still took the opportunity to host a bonfire celebration for the two.

With limited conditions, Bai Yi couldn't offer much fancy food; honey paired with roasted meat and a melon as garnishment, the simple food already brought smiles and laughter to the peasant women.

Although their dancing around the bonfire was quite clumsy, the smiles on their faces were genuine.

Bai Yi couldn't help pondering, what were these peasant women like before being recruited?

Spirits created out of nothing by the game?

Or souls that had died elsewhere stuffed into new bodies?

Bai Yi suddenly became very curious about this question.

However, just as she was about to ask, a message suddenly popped up on the panel.

......

[Longevity]: There will always be people who seek immortality, following the steps of Longevity, praying for a mere glance from the God, yet unaware of the weight of Eternal Life in His hands…