https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-359-Hive-Mind-and-Dark-Energy-Decryption/12850823/
Chapter 360: Newbie Brain Worm, Online for a Beating
Chapter 360: Newbie Brain Worm, Online for a Beating
The massive brain worm, lying in the heart of the hive, was slowly wriggling, its tender white skin gradually healing from the visible tears.
"I didn't expect them to have such high-energy weapons. It seems I underestimated these natives who welcome traitors." The brain worm's mental waves spread out.
Due to its evolution, the vocal organs had been replaced by psychic energy, so it could only emit meaningless insect sounds. Therefore, communication among the insectoids was mostly conducted through psychic energy.
"How is the damage assessment?" The brain worm reined in its anger and asked.
The black hole jump strike system had inflicted some damage on it, nearly tearing it in half. Fortunately, its formidable strength allowed it to barely survive.
It wasn't that it was weak; it was specialized in psychic energy, and with its attention entirely focused on the battlefield, it had no time to release psychic defenses in the sudden attack.
Although it was an 8th-stage brain worm, it didn't have the robust physique of other insectoids, which is why it was injured.
"The power system is damaged, a large number of drones and larvae have been lost, a few soldiers have been injured, and some of the evolution chambers and hatcheries have been affected," a menacing zergling replied using psychic energy.
Drones were the lowest-level slaves and laborers, larvae were insectoids that had not yet evolved, and soldiers were all combat-oriented insectoids, which could be further divided into zerglings, hydralisks, and other types.
This zergling was one of the clan leaders of the hive planet, also an 8th stage, and a killing machine in battle. Unfortunately, it was still under the control of the brain worm.
Upon hearing this brief report, the brain worm's mood turned angry, and its psychic energy became erratic.
The zergling clan leader felt a sense of fear, knowing that it had no resistance. If the brain worm decided to vent its anger, it could only endure it helplessly.
Fortunately, the brain worm wasn't a lunatic. Although it was furious, it didn't take out its anger on its subordinates.
"Repair the power system as soon as possible." The brain worm finally issued this order.
"Main brain, we lack materials. We need to enter the king-level world to obtain them," the zergling clan leader said, bracing itself.
This brain worm had been directly dispatched from a higher brain worm clan. Apart from reaching the 8th stage, it had no command experience, which was why it had been assigned to pursue the traitors—both to gain prestige and to accumulate some experience through a simple task.
After all, if it lost in such a one-sided favorable situation, it would prove that the brain worm was not fit for the role.
There were distinctions between clans, just like the zergling clan leader, who had a larger zergling clan above it. It was only a vassal, and there were many others like it. Therefore, it was technically a sub-clan leader, not a main clan leader.
This brain worm, however, was a member of the main clan. As the brain of the insectoids, it naturally had a suppressive effect on other insectoids.
The clan leaders of the main clan were all Overlords, 9th stage, extremely rare, and did not leave the insectoid world.
"Entering this native world? It won't be that easy," the brain worm said calmly, not foolishly blaming the zergling clan leader.
It was the brain of the entire hive planet, responsible for all planning.
"Try to make contact with the humans of this native world. My psychic energy tells me that they also use a psychic system," the brain worm said after some thought.
It was impossible to invade outright. On the hive planet, apart from the brain worm and the zergling clan leader, there were 8th-stage Overlords responsible for communication, battle coordination, fungal mat laying, and transportation, as well as Queen clan leaders responsible for production and transformation.
The zergling clan was actually in charge of combat.
Recruiting all the major insectoid clans was out of the question. These three sub-clans were assigned by the main clan to this brain worm.
This brain worm's merits and experience were insufficient to govern an entire hive planet. If it were given too many clans, it would lose control.
However, if it succeeded and performed exceptionally well, the remaining insectoid clans would be assigned to it, making it a complete hive planet.
So, the brain worm needed to prove itself. It just didn't expect to be ambushed upon arrival, suffering due to its lack of experience. The other losses were manageable, but the damage to the power system was the real problem.
"Have the Queen produce a batch of human-like mutants to further entice them and get them to provide us with resources."
The brain worm knew that since a direct invasion was impossible, it could only resort to its usual tactics, which was to divide and conquer.
Especially since the humans of this world cultivated a psychic-related system, a slight corruption with psychic energy would easily solve everything.
At that point, getting them to provide resources to repair the power system would be a minor matter, and perhaps even getting them to defect wouldn't be a problem.
"Main brain, this will not be easy. The world portal is blocked by a group of strange beastmen who possess technology on par with ours. They all have king-level strength, making it difficult to break through," the zergling clan leader said.
The sprites were incredibly formidable. Unless they deployed their elite forces, ordinary soldier insects would hardly be able to withstand them. However, the elites were only at the 7th stage, and while their numbers could form an overwhelming force, the sprites could also provide long-range support.
With the Thunder-type and Phantom-type artifact devices, ordinary firepower, though not as powerful as the overcharged black hole jump strike system, had no range limitations and could even bypass obstacles, ensuring a hit. With the support of other artifact devices, the damage was also significant.
Even a 7th-stage insect swarm might not be effective. A single volley from the Infinite Abyss could cause the insectoids to wince.
7th-stage insectoids were not easy to produce. While insectoids had a reproductive advantage, it was mainly for lower-stage insectoids. High-stage insectoids required significant resources, and even though the insectoids were powerful, they still had to adhere to the law of energy conservation.
"I will handle this matter. Although they have sealed the space, they cannot seal the power of the mind. Do you know what is being used to block the world portal?" the brain worm said confidently.
The zergling clan leader paused and then said, "A subspace?"
"More accurately, it is a subspace constructed from psychic energy. While I cannot fully utilize it, it is sufficient as a psychic energy amplifier," the brain worm explained.
At that moment, the zergling clan leader instantly understood why the brain worm's approach was different from before.
The brain worm had its eyes on this subspace. A subspace constructed from psychic energy was rare. If it could be acquired and integrated into the hive planet, this brain worm would undergo a qualitative change, rivaling veteran brain worms. It would also serve as a failsafe for the mission; even if the traitors were not captured, the subspace would be sufficient to report back.
Otherwise, why would the hive planet have so many weapons and yet choose to use soldier insects for the assault? Clearly, it was to avoid damaging the subspace.
However, the zergling clan leader did not voice these thoughts, pretending not to have considered them. After all, if the brain worm succeeded, it would become his permanent superior. If the brain worm soared to new heights, he could also benefit. Therefore, it was best to turn a blind eye.
He also guessed that the brain worm intended to use the subspace to corrupt the humans and send them human-like mutants. These mutants were adept at psychic energy and skilled in corruption, making them particularly useful and highly favored by the human elite.
Previously, breaking through the spatial blockade would have been challenging, but with the subspace as a psychic energy amplifier, even a small, silent tear would be enough. This way, it wouldn't alert the enemy and would allow them to infiltrate the enemy's rear quietly.
It was a win-win situation.
However, the zergling clan leader was somewhat worried. After all, the human leader was capable, and he had a feeling that things were not as simple as they seemed.
If the timing were right, he might have even sought reinforcements.
"Yes, I will prepare everything as soon as possible, Main brain," the zergling clan leader said, though he was somewhat concerned, he did not contradict the brain worm and went to have the Queen produce the mutants.
Human-like mutants were still part of the insectoids, but they were infused with human genes and modified in appearance, personality, and body structure to make them more human-like. Besides humans, there were various other mutants used as spies, gifts, and other purposes.
(End of Chapter)
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