Chapter 45: Zweika Insect Clan!

Chapter 45: Zweika Insect Clan!

"My cultivation realm keeps surprising me with unexpected gifts", Jiang Zhe mused, his voice tinged with awe. "My consciousness, willpower, even my entire soul feel... mutated, as if they've birthed some extraordinary ability." He clicked his tongue in amazement.

Though he belonged to the Heaven-Man Unity sect, his path had taken an unusual turn. The Southern China Immortal's teachings had lured him down a strange road called "Unity of Self and Object" - and yet, it worked surprisingly well.

Jiang Zhe didn't worry about straying from orthodox cultivation. All paths were equal - what mattered was what suited him best. Heaven-Earth Synchronization, Unity of Self and Object... not bad at all.

Tossing the world bracelet to Orianna, he headed for the shower. The Mechanical Race's Troop Production Base required an expert touch, and Orianna needed to scout its contents. Charging in blindly would be idiotic - even abandoned for millennia, its automated defenses could kill a Stellar-Level cultivator without breaking a sweat.

Wrapped in a towel, he found Orianna still seated on the sofa, clutching the violet-gold bangle. "Trouble with the world bracelet?" he asked.

"Not really", she replied, her amber eyes meeting his. "I've mastered it completely, but there's... something complicated inside."

He leaned closer, intrigued. "Complicated how?"

"Living beings", she said bluntly. "Dozens of Cosmic-Level entities."

Jiang Zhe shot to his feet. "You're joking! Cosmic-Level? That's planetary emperor territory - entire star systems under their rule!"

Orianna's expression remained serene. "They're not ordinary beings. The Mechanical Race engineered a bizarre species called Zweika Insect Clan. Think forty-meter-long caterpillars with two instincts: eat and excrete."

Jiang Zhe narrowed his eyes. "If the Mechanical Race kept them, they must have unique value despite their low intelligence."

"Indeed", Orianna confirmed. "They consume metal and excrete alloys - A to E grade. Their saliva corrodes E-grade metals, but F-grade resists it. They mix the dissolved metal in their bodies to produce superior alloys."

Fascinating. The Mechanical Race's alchemical secrets were truly remarkable.

"But why use such primitive methods?" he wondered aloud. "Shouldn't they have more advanced tech?"

"Their alloys surpass industrial production", Orianna explained. "Their properties vary based on consumed metals, but all carry higher technological potential."

Jiang Zhe nodded slowly. "So what makes this 'complicated'?"

"The Sentient AI", she said grimly. "A self-aware intelligence that evolved from the Mechanical Race's weapon systems. It controls the factories and puppets now."

He exhaled sharply. "Can't you just extract the tech?"

"Self-destruct risk", she warned. "One wrong move and we lose everything."

"Then infiltrate", he suggested. "Send a fragment core into a puppet."

Already done", she smiled. "The Tower of Void techniques work well."

Days passed with Orianna locked in digital warfare. Jiang Zhe immersed himself in the Virtual Space, studying universe linguistics and mentalist foundations. He crafted a Power Release Manual for Earth's martial artists while refining his consciousness defenses.

Meanwhile, Jiang Clan's stars rose. Second Uncle achieved Stellar-Level with water attributes. His father awakened the Adamantine Body - identical to Luo Feng's. Strange, since Jiang bloodlines typically favored spatial abilities. Watching Second Brother and Sisi's future awakenings would take years - they'd wait until their raw power met his standards before using Muya Crystals.

First Brother abandoned cultivation for business, content with a millennium of longevity. Even Auntie Jiang returned to training under Elder Jiang's guidance.

Then came the post-Lantern Festival rush. Dozens of gifted youths arrived - from Mid Warrior General to War God Rank. Elder Jiang welcomed them all, dividing students between traditional masters and Jiang Zhe's experimental methods.

Standing at his courtyard gate, Jiang Zhe surveyed the crowd. "Three girls for every boy? What's this - disciples or harem?" He released a ripple of Consciousness Pressure.

The chatter died instantly. Even War God Rank youths stiffened like prey caught by a predator. Warrior Generals trembled, paralyzed by his aura. The girls fared worse - some swooned, others clung together like shipwreck survivors.

He sighed. Breeding was a clan leader's duty, but this imbalance... "Let's begin", he announced, hiding his amusement. A tiger couldn't share a bed with housecats.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end