Chapter 709: Molting, the Tenebrio Molitor Queen, New News

"This is..." Simon's eyes widened.

"Molting, it's actually molting, but it was just hatched!" Dale was equally baffled.

The current situation defied all basic logic of biology and entomology.

But...

A black beetle that could evolve from an ordinary mealworm into a Bronze-tier lifeform had already transcended the logic of ordinary biology and entomology.

A crack split open along the black beetle's back, revealing a tan-yellow figure within.

As the crack slowly expanded bit by bit, a plump, chubby worm revealed its true form.

Once the worm broke free from the black shell's confinement, it rapidly expanded like an inflated balloon.

Finally, an insect similar to the Crimson Ant Queen was born.

But unlike the Crimson Ant Queen, this insect possessed no aggression whatsoever.

Its head had no fearsome mandibles either, only two constantly twitching antennae that sensed the surrounding environment.

The most striking feature was the massive abdomen at its rear, which clearly marked it as a master of reproduction.

The virtual light screen finally displayed the relevant introduction information for this insect.

【Tenebrio Molitor Queen】

Quality: Bronze

Introduction: This is a Tenebrio molitor that underwent an accidental mutation, growing into the king of the Tenebrio molitor race at a probability of one in a hundred million.

Functions:

①Strengthens all Tenebrio molitor within a hundred-meter radius, greatly increasing disease resistance, vitality, growth speed, mating desire, and production output.

②Uses its own spirituality to unlock the genetic lock of the Tenebrio molitor race, with a small probability of producing Strong Tenebrio molitor, and an extremely small probability of producing Mutant Tenebrio molitor.

③Can produce 20,000 to 40,000 Tenebrio molitor eggs every three days, with increased probability of excellent and mutant eggs.

④Sensitive to energy substances.

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When Yu Yuan relayed the information about this Tenebrio molitor Queen to the three of them, Dale's eyes were already gleaming.

The way he looked at the Tenebrio molitor Queen was like gazing at his own beloved daughter.

That doting affection was visible at a single glance.

It even made Yu Yuan shiver involuntarily.

But there was no denying that this Tenebrio molitor Queen perfectly matched Dale's preferences.

Looking at the mealworms that had grown dozens of times larger, Yu Yuan knew that the civilization's internal protein and fat supplies would no longer be lacking from now on.

Moreover, with the Tenebrio molitor Queen's influence, the quality and quantity of mealworms would begin an unprecedented surge.

"Zhou Yuan, perhaps this base needs to be expanded ahead of schedule. Allocate the entire hundred-meter radius to Dale. Maximize the mealworm breeding efficiency."

"Processing and drying can be done in other locations. This place will focus solely on mealworm cultivation. Transport the aged grain we found in Reyes Town ahead of schedule. Although the size and number of these mealworms have increased, their consumption has increased proportionally as well. All of this needs to be planned in advance."

Zhou Yuan snapped back to attention.

"Understood, Leader. I'll arrange it immediately."

Yu Yuan looked at Dale and Simon.

"Check all the mealworms immediately. The current 600-square-meter breeding workshop must have all started strengthening by now. Mutant mealworms and Strong mealworms should already have appeared."

"Right, right, right!" Dale suppressed his smile, took one more precious look at the Tenebrio molitor Queen, then immediately turned with Simon to examine the other breeding racks.

From the smile spreading across his face, it was clear that the other racks had also begun strengthening.

Amid occasional exclamations of surprise, Yu Yuan also caught sight of the so-called Strong mealworms.

Their numbers were even fewer than he had imagined.

Only seven in total.

That probability really wasn't high!

Looking at the mealworms that had grown sharp spines and looked somewhat ferocious, their life levels hadn't reached Bronze-tier.

Yu Yuan was also curious about what these creatures did.

"Leader, be careful!

The spines of this type of mealworm can spray a special liquid with extremely strong corrosive toxicity, and they're highly aggressive. They will automatically protect the Queen.

Two of these appeared in the breeding box where the Queen is located."

Simon explained the situation.

"So... this makes them equivalent to guard-type mealworms?" Yu Yuan was slightly surprised.

"Pretty much!"

At Yu Yuan's gesture, Simon placed the seven Strong mealworms back into the breeding box where the Tenebrio molitor Queen resided.

Sure enough.

The moment they entered the breeding box, the seven mealworms automatically located the Queen's position and formed a tight protective ring around her.

The Tenebrio molitor Queen, who had been in a state of tension since the beginning, gradually relaxed with the appearance of the seven guards.

Her abdomen, which had been slightly raised, fully settled down.

Yu Yuan took all of this in and nodded slightly.

This Tenebrio molitor Queen was quite interesting.

"Simon, Dale, have you found any Mutant mealworms?"

"Not yet!"

"In that case, pay close attention during this period. I estimate that Mutant mealworms might be Bronze-tier insects. Their power can't be ignored. Especially the eggs laid by the Queen every three days, they must be watched over separately."

"The Queen's energy sensitivity also needs to be tested as soon as possible to obtain first-hand intelligence. Take samples of every type of mealworm except the Queen and send them to the Biological Research Institute for genetic analysis."

Yu Yuan turned to Zhou Yuan.

"Deploy 50 warriors to handle security here. Not a single one of these bugs can be allowed to escape, not even one."

Zhou Yuan understood the stakes.

"I'll immediately upgrade this base's defense system. All walls, floors, and ceilings will be forged from alloy. There won't be a single gap."

-

【Chaos Emerges in Civilization, Who Is That Mysterious Infiltrator?】

The current Civilization Ladder has once again entered a state of chaos emerging. The Fallen Abyss, the Blood Clan, the Wolf Clan, the Wild Throne, and the Bloodlands have all entered into war with one another.

Snake Kiss is also stirring restlessly, with signs of a multi-sided conflict brewing.

The Civilization Ladder is about to undergo a new reshuffle. The Star Track Cult, the Hall of Fate, the Temple of Slumber, and other factions hidden in the shadows have all turned their gaze upon the Civilization Ladder, searching for an opportunity to enter the fray.

But some people have sensed something unusual.

They believe this chaos came suddenly and inexplicably.

Some argue that the chaos actually began long ago, starting from the moment the Blood Clan's Bloodline River was invaded.

That infiltrator might be the root cause of this entire upheaval.

But strangely enough, no one could find any information about that infiltrator through any means whatsoever.

This only shrouded the matter in an even deeper veil of mystery.

But others turned their attention to the Blood Clan Progenitor.

They were astonished to discover.

That the Blood Clan Progenitor, Gurlad, seemed to have entered some kind of incomprehensible state of frenzy.

He had become very dangerous now!

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Another round of 【Civilization Ladder】 publication intelligence.

Yu Yuan picked up the still-steaming black tea and took a sip.

"It seems Gurlad has been completely influenced by the Signs of Frenzy. I just didn't expect someone to actually set their sights on me!"

But in Yu Yuan's view, this wasn't a big deal.

As long as they couldn't find any clues linking him to the matter, everything was fine.

Then he looked at another civilization news item.

And saw an entire sheet of mechanical concept blueprints, with a quality rating of, Forbidden-grade.