Chapter 76 (End of Main Text) - The Insect King Descends

Ai Ying resolutely crossed the last barrier.

Behind the barrier, there was still a vast ocean.

The surrounding area was shrouded in a gray mist, no different from what was in front of the barrier.

Ai Ying sensed the aura of the Insect King deep within the mist and walked forward step by step.

She didn't know how long she walked, but she finally arrived at the place where the insect king's aura was the strongest.

Ai Ying sensed the invisible barrier in front of her, and after a moment of surprise, she quickly calmed down.

Getting close to the actual insect hive will definitely be much more difficult than she imagined.

She reached out her hand, and the Gu magic in her hand silently surged towards the barrier.

But the barrier seemed to know her human identity; no matter how powerful her Gu magic was, the barrier remained unmoved.

Only the Insect King can enter it.

Ai Ying took a deep breath, her eyes showing no panic, only unwavering determination.

Before coming here, she had already prepared herself for being rejected by the insect hive.

What she needs to do is persevere.

For the sake of the insects behind her, she could only succeed, not fail.

Just as she was using her Gu technique to fight against the barrier in front of her, the insect cores in her folded pocket seemed to sense something and emitted a faint light.

These rays of light converged into starlight, merging into her invisible Gu magic.

When her Gu magic acquired a true insectoid aura, the barrier in front of her finally opened.

Ai Ying looked at the insect cores that had dimmed again in the folded space and used her mental power to brush over the surface of each insect core.

She blinked away the tears in her eyes, her dark pupils filled with an unwavering determination to never turn back.

She walked step by step into the very center of the planet Diyul.

After a period of utter darkness, a glimmer of red light finally caught her eye.

Ai Ying immediately scanned her surroundings.

This is a cave that has stood for thousands of years, and it is also the place where successive insect kings fell.

The cave was empty except for the auras of the seven Insect Kings, which, decreasing in strength, trapped her in place.

These energies were stirring restlessly, eager to penetrate her body and devour her flesh and blood.

Ai Ying immediately used her Gu technique to resist.

She finally breathed a sigh of relief after her mental energy completely enveloped her.

It truly lives up to its reputation as the King of Insects.

Even the lingering scent left behind after death could bring her a sense of danger she had never felt before.

Fortunately, the aura of these insect kings has been weakened considerably.

She couldn't imagine what a terrifying attack she would have faced if she had arrived here immediately after the seventh Insect King's demise.

In that case, she probably wouldn't even last a minute.

Ai Ying sensed the terrifying aura around her, but felt a sense of relief as she tried her best to resist it.

She cautiously extended a wisp of her Gu technique, wanting to test whether she could use the Gu Master's abilities to control the Insect King, which only had a faint breath left.

no.

These auras were too faint and had no physical form.

The Gu techniques she unleashed would only diminish the aura of these insect kings.

The first Insect King, who was the first to fall, was already showing signs of completely dissipating.

Ai Ying quickly withdrew her Gu technique.

She frowned slightly:

Unable to attack, unable to control... she was merely resisting the invasion of these auras, which were constantly being weakened.

If things continue like this, she won't encounter any danger, but she also won't be able to achieve her goal of becoming the Insect King.

Moreover, once these auras completely dissipate, the future of the Zerg will only be extinction.

Ai Ying clenched her hands tightly, her eyes filled with anxiety:

What should she do?

Shall we leave now?

Even if she leaves, does that mean she doesn't have to come back?

She will still have to face the same situation as today.

Or perhaps the remaining aura of the Insect King here won't last until she arrives again.

During the minute she remained silent, the atmosphere around her seemed to lessen considerably.

Ai Ying lowered her eyes to look at her body, which was now protected by the Gu technique, and a hint of madness appeared in her gaze:

If she doesn't resist...

What if she allowed the Insect King's aura to invade her body and transform her?

She is a Gu Master, so even if she is invaded by the aura of the Insect King, her life should not be in danger.

Besides, she had no other choice.

Ai Ying closed her eyes and slowly withdrew the Gu magic surrounding her body.

The next second, all the insect king's aura was no longer restrained and surged wildly into her body.

The physical structure of humans and Zerg is too different.

As soon as the Insect King's aura entered her body, it began to devour and transform her flesh and blood without any restraint.

Ai Ying used all her strength to suppress her instinct to resist.

The moment the aura of the Insect King invaded her brain, all her memories were wiped clean in an instant.

She could no longer think and could only let her consciousness sink into darkness.

Outside the cave.

Fiedlock, who was closest to the king, immediately sensed something was wrong.

He sensed the king's increasingly weak breath within the barrier, his pupils suddenly contracted, and panic filled the insect core:

The king is in danger!

His energy surged forth in an instant, as he tried to break through the invisible barrier in front of him and get to the king's side as quickly as possible.

However, the barrier in front of him was an absolute deterrent to the Zerg themselves.

In just three seconds, his energy was completely depleted.

But he continued to attack the barrier relentlessly, regardless of the consequences.

Soon, his insect body could no longer withstand the strain, and black insect blood seeped out. Drops of the blood fell into the dark sea and were instantly swallowed up.

His jet-black hair also began to lose its color.

But the barrier in front of him remained unchanged.

This barrier is an insurmountable chasm for all insects except the Insect King.

Only the Insect King, recognized by all the Lord Insects, can enter.

Fiedlock stared at the invisible barrier before him, his eyes bloodshot.

Against the backdrop of these bloodshot veins, the dark purple pupils carried a ruthless and resolute air, as if they were willing to risk the insects' lives.

This barrier can only block his insect body and energy.

He sensed the king's increasingly weakened aura and withdrew the energy he had been releasing.

He placed one hand over the insect core and exerted force with a blank expression.

The next instant, his insect core was suddenly shattered by his energy.

Fiedlock remained kneeling on one knee, but his head drooped limply.

After the lord insect completely loses all signs of life, its insect soul can continue to exist for ten minutes.

Ten minutes later, this lord insect will completely dissipate into the universe.

A sliver of light emanated from Fedorok.

No longer hindered by any barriers, they drifted towards the center of the ocean without the slightest hesitation.

Go find the King.

He must find the king.

Ai Ying wandered aimlessly in the darkness.

She stared at the pitch-black scene before her, her mind blank.

She didn't know why she was there, or what she was supposed to do.

She walked forward step by step, mechanically and aimlessly.

As time went by, her body gradually became transparent, and her steps became slower and slower.

A weariness of the soul enveloped her.

Ai Ying's breathing became heavier; she knew that as long as she stopped, everything would be alright.

If she stops, she can rest and won't be so tired.

But--

She can't stop.

Ai Ying stared ahead, her mind still blank.

But a voice inside her kept telling her:

She absolutely cannot stop.

She's going to find...

What did you find?

Just when she had no idea where to go in this darkness, a faint light suddenly appeared ahead.

How can a human navigate the Zerg's maze?

The answer is a top-tier insect soul that willingly sacrificed itself.

The insect spirit will guide you to that one and only destination.

Ai Ying subconsciously walked towards the direction of the light.

This time, she reached the finish line quickly.

She reached out, trying to grasp the increasingly faint light.

But all she touched was a cold, invisible barrier.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get over it.

She could feel the barrier rejecting her.

It's as if, to the barrier, she is an unacknowledged outcast.

Ai Ying stood alone on the other side of the barrier.

The tips of her outstretched hand had become completely transparent.

She stared at her fingertips, her muddled mind struggling to process what she was seeing:

How can we avoid being rejected by barriers?

A pitch-black sea.

Saville knelt quietly on the spot, his long silver hair spreading across the surrounding sea.

He could sense a faint unease emanating from the insect's core.

Each barrier leading to the insect hive isolates all the presence within.

Separated from the king by two barriers, he could only vaguely sense the king's weakened aura.

During the long wait, he raised his head for the first time.

He stared in the direction where Wang had disappeared, his deep blue eyes gleaming with calm.

The time Wang has been gone now exceeds the longest time he had estimated.

Your Majesty, you may be in danger.

Saville's long eyelashes trembled slightly:

The insect hives on Diyur Star will at most reject kings that have not yet reached maturity, but will not harm them.

The greatest danger to Wang could only come from the portion of human genes within her.

If the King had devoured a Lord Insect, it might have been able to overwrite that segment of human genes.

But the second one to appear before the king knew that the king had not devoured any of the lord insects.

This is the king's gentleness.

Mr. Wang is like that; he never wants to harm any insect.

Savile clenched his fists, forcing himself to calmly continue his analysis:

Fiedlock was favored by the king.

Isaiah was able to share the king's burdens.

Horace was too far away to perceive the king's current situation.

Savile lowered his head slightly, his eyes showing no fear, only a faint smile:

He is the best choice.

very nice.

He was finally able to do something for the king.

Saville, who once chose not to respond to the king's call because he did not want to be devoured by the king, after calm reflection, willingly offered everything he could to the king.

In the instant his life ended, he thought:

If only the king could be spared grief over his death.

The only destination for the flesh and blood of all lords is the insect hive.

He will become nourishment for the king, helping him to cover up that part of the human genes in his body.

With no more support, Savile's insect body slowly sank into the sea and then disappeared.

The insect core and flesh flowed into Wang's weakened body along with the contract.

This moment.

Ai Ying's confused mind suddenly began to clear, and her transparent body became solid again.

With a determined look in her eyes, she used all her strength to push aside the barrier in front of her.

Countless points of light poured into her body, transforming everything within it.

Brain, heart, bones, blood...

When all the modifications were completed, Ai Ying, who had been sleeping in the cave, finally opened her eyes.

The auras of the other insect kings around them seemed to have completed their mission, leaving no trace whatsoever.

Here, only the Insect King remains.

A king who has reached maturity and is able to control the entire planet Diyur.

Ai Ying didn't have time to appreciate her reborn body. Looking at the insect spirits that lingered around her, she immediately looked up and ahead.

Without the barrier to obscure her view, she could clearly see Fedlock, his head drooping and his insect body beginning to dissipate.

The light in the darkness came from the insect soul he left behind after his self-destruction.

Ai Ying's eyes stung, and she appeared in front of him in an instant.

Looking at Fedorok, who was lifeless and whose hair was gray at the ends, Ai Ying's hands trembled slightly.

She pressed her forehead against his, and her energy flowed continuously toward him.

The Insect King can revive insects.

She is now the true Insect Queen, and she can definitely do it.

The shattered insect core finally reformed after she exhausted all her healing efforts.

She merged the insect spirits surrounding her into his body, her voice hoarse:

“Fidlock”.

"I command you, wake up."

Fiedlock will always obey the king's orders.

This was an instinct that he would never lose ever since he met the king.

Hearing the king's call, his thick eyelashes trembled slightly.

The moment he opened his eyes, he saw the most beautiful scenery in the world.

A king whose reflection is in his eyes.

Ai Ying finally breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him wake up.

However, she soon thought of something else.

The light in the darkness comes from Fedorock.

Where did the energy that pushed open the barrier, which was concentrated in her flesh and blood, come from?

She looked through Fiedlock's body at the location of the barrier above.

There wasn't a single insect there.

It's Saville.

He sacrificed his flesh and insect core in exchange for that one moment, giving her the power to push open the barrier.

Ai Ying suddenly closed her eyes, and energy enveloped the entire planet Diyul:

She would never allow any insect to get into trouble in front of her again.

The other five lord insects all sensed the king's new and vigorous energy.

A complete king who has successfully entered maturity.

They looked ahead with surprise.

In the middle of a vast ocean, an insect island slowly emerges from the sea surface.

Before the insect island, a figure with black hair and black eyes stood there.

Her jet-black hair danced in the wind, and the energy emanating from her was so powerful that it could crush everything in the interstellar space.

But she just stood there quietly, holding a worm core with only a trace of energy left in her hands.

The insect's core was crystal clear, shimmering with a pale blue light.

*

postscript.

After Ai Ying became the Insect King, she exhausted all the energy in her body.

She first resurrected the Lord Insect Fidelock.

Then, disregarding the consequences, she searched the entire planet Diyul and finally found the last trace of Savile's energy and aura.

She carefully concentrated this energy into the new insect core she had created.

Finally, she placed the insect core in the burrow of the insect nest, which was specifically for incubating larvae.

Once her own energy had recovered to a sufficient level, she didn't rest for a moment. She quickly used the Insect King's energy to revive the cores of all the insects on Noah's Star.

The pulsating insect core, enveloped by her aura, gradually transformed into a complete insect egg.

Awaiting a true rebirth.

By the time she finished doing all this, three days had passed.

Ai Ying lay exhausted in her bedroom in the insect nest.

Even after becoming the true Insect King, things weren't much easier than before.

It seems like I'm even busier now.

Although she was so busy she didn't want to move at all, the corners of her lips kept turning up in a smile:

very nice.

Her insects are all fine.

Just as Ai Ying was about to close her eyes and rest for a while, she suddenly sat up in bed as if she remembered something:

Did she forget to cancel that scheduled message to Charlotte?!

Ai Ying hurriedly took out the optical computer from the folded space.

The moment the personal terminal was turned on, dozens of messages popped up one after another.

"What's wrong?!"

"What happened?!"

"You are not on Kree."

"Ai Ying, where are you now?"

Are you alright? Have you encountered any danger?

"Ai Ying, are you on Planet Diyuer right now?"

...

Looking at these messages, Ai Ying replied somewhat guiltily:

Charlotte, I'm fine now.

"You don't need to worry."

The next second, a reply flashed on the computer:

"I've arrived on Diyul Star. Open the door."

*

The lower insects were born much earlier than Ai Ying had imagined.

In the burrow where insect eggs hatch.

One insect was the first to hatch its eggs.

Ai Ying looked at the insect with delight in her eyes.

The larvae of the insect look only half the size of the adults, and the whole insect looks cute and silly.

The insect looked at the king in front of it, feeling the king's presence beside it, and its antennae twitched excitedly.

His hissing insect sounds childish and sharp, but Ai Ying thinks it's the most beautiful sound she's ever heard.

The next second, Ai Ying saw the insect looking around behind itself, its vertical pupils glazed over.

Soon, his vertical pupils hardened, and he looked eagerly at his pincers.

Then it extended its other pincer and slashed at the pincer.

Seeing this familiar scene, Ai Ying quickly stopped it:

"Koo!"

"Stop cutting off your own pincers!"

"I don't like the insect pincers as a gift!"

*

A long time passed.

The insect egg at the very center of the cave finally began to stir.

The Lord Bug enters its mature stage immediately after its birth.

The insect, covered in silver hair, knelt on one knee before the king:

“Saville, greetings to the King.”

Ai Ying looked into the insect's deep blue eyes, a genuine smile in her own.

“Saville”.

"haven't seen you for a long time."

-----------------------

Author's note: This article is now complete.

I had this ending planned out when I was preparing the outline.

The lies and pretense at the beginning eventually became the truth, which is the best ending I can think of for this story.

Fireflies and the insects will live happily ever after!

Thank you to every reader who has made it this far! Thank you for your company, and goodnight everyone!

I'll still be sending red envelopes to every little angel, and I'll start updating the extra chapters tomorrow.

Thank you again to every lovely, kind, beautiful, and gentle little angel. Love you all~~