Lin Muzi felt utterly unfamiliar with this place, but Ling Kuang displayed an air of extreme familiarity.
It seemed as though this wasn't his first time here.
Recalling his earlier words, Lin Muzi trembled subtly. She immediately turned to face Ling Kuang, her voice regaining its stern edge in an instant.
"You claim to possess something the Zerg desires, something the Shadowfoot Worms crave… Are you, by any chance, connected to the Zerg?"
"Fen Xin was once that person's mecha, and that person served as a human spy among the Zerg…"
"Don't tell me you intend to follow a similar path?"
Could Ling Kuang be so reckless as to attempt to become a Zerg spy himself?
Ling Kuang, however, cast a somewhat puzzled glance at Lin Muzi.
"What are you thinking?"
"Of course, I have no connection to the Zerg. Moreover, I was nearly trapped in that base before, so I naturally harbor intense hatred for the Zerg and wish to see them all annihilated. When I said I possessed something the Shadowfoot Worms desire—do you recall the magnesium peptide crystals I acquired on the Galactic Battlefield earlier?"
"That substance is not only crucial for human powerhouses but also holds immense allure for the Zerg."
"Especially the magnesium peptide crystals."
"The humans once used magnesium peptide crystals as bait to ambush Shadowfoot Worms. However, as the Zerg were annihilated, fewer and fewer people knew these details."
"The Zerg are different from humans. Ordinary humans rely on romantic relationships for procreation, while strong individuals depend on female beasts. However, the reproduction of Shadowfoot Worms does not follow such principles."
"Their mother nests produce countless eggs, and to hatch, they must absorb the life force of other species. Therefore—wherever Shadowfoot Worms go, nothing is left growing!"
Ling Kuang stated coldly.
"It's accurate to call them the vermin of the entire universe. And for them, the more life force, the better."
"Hence, the Shadowfoot Worms have a profound craving for magnesium peptide crystals. I have a large supply of these crystals, enough for me to set a trap and lure out and eliminate him before those foolish military personnel are slaughtered by the Shadowfoot Worms."
Perhaps only Ling Kuang could articulate such a audacious plan so effortlessly.
"The only question is, to what extent have the Shadowfoot Worms here evolved."
"In fact… I suspect that the Zerg were meant to be completely eradicated. The reason for their resurgence now might be related to certain forces within humanity."
Lin Muzi perked up.
This was also part of her mission.
She had learned from the main system that there were traitors within humanity who had pledged allegiance to the Zerg mother nest and were now intent on causing widespread chaos.
However, Lin Muzi had not anticipated that Ling Kuang would also arrive at this conclusion.
"How did you know?"
Ling Kuang raised an eyebrow, calmly presenting his deduction.
"The Zerg possess several defining characteristics. Among them, what instills terror in humans is, of course, their terrifying ability to devour everything."
"And they have an exceptionally strong reproductive capacity. Wherever life exists, they devour it, and immediately hatch numerous kin, rapidly bolstering their numbers. It is precisely due to this trait that the Zerg are nearly invincible and unchallenged in the universe."
Ling Kuang paused before continuing.
"And when the Zerg mother nest fell into dormancy, and the Zerg lost the power of the mother nest that sustained them—that is, the life force most crucial to them—these Zerg began to perish one by one."
"And what humanity most desires to study from preserved live Zerg specimens… should be their method of rapid reproduction by absorbing life force, correct?"
"Furthermore, as you know, I've undertaken missions to research facilities. In one such facility, I witnessed some—"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Witnessed some truly astonishing content."
"I can only say that humans are sometimes too greedy, and far too terrifying. Humans aspire to decipher the power of life, unaware that the path to paradise they envision will only lead them to hell."
"Of course, some individuals have likely gone mad, no longer considering the consequences."
"It's quite amusing to think about. Those from privileged, high-ranking human society deem me a fanatical lunatic, an anomaly, an inauspicious bastard, a demon. Yet, beneath their sanctimonious exteriors, they might be nothing but empty shells with hearts as venomous as serpents."
"They no longer distinguish between human and monster; they have become monsters!"
His words were vague, but the implications sent a chill down Lin Muzi's spine. After a moment of hesitation, she voiced her suspicion.
"Are they trying to… merge with Zerg genetic fragments?"
Lin Muzi's question caused Ling Qianhe to raise an eyebrow and suddenly chuckle.
"How did you become so clever?"
"I thought you wouldn't be able to guess."
"Yes."
He admitted it so readily!
Lin Muzi gasped. Although she had suspected it herself, hearing Ling Qianhe's affirmative answer left her incredulous. She gritted her teeth.
"Have they lost their minds?"
"How could they do this—"
"They must be insane! Have they truly considered the consequences of doing this?"
"Are they trying to turn into mindless monsters…"
She also hadn't understood how the Zerg mother nest, not yet fully awakened, could control powerful humans. It turned out someone among humans had undertaken such an ambitious yet utterly irresponsible endeavor!
"If the Zerg mother nest awakens, what will they become?"
"They will be utterly unable to resist the mother nest. The content inscribed within the Zerg genome is absolute obedience to the mother nest!"
Lin Muzi took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a coldness born of shock at this revelation. Ling Kuang, on the other hand, showed no discernible expression, stating calmly.
"They know."
"They know everything, yet they chose this path. Because the temptation is too great—if they fuse with Zerg genes, they believe they will gain greater strength, more robust bodies, supreme reproductive capabilities, and endless vitality."
"Every single point drives them to madness. Therefore, they are willing to take risks, to gamble, believing the Zerg mother nest has utterly vanished and will never awaken again."
"And by acquiring Zerg genes, they will obtain all the power they desire."
As Ling Kuang spoke of these individuals, a mocking smile played on his lips.
He stated his opinion coldly.
"Relying on external forces, a pipe dream. They have become deranged, utterly oblivious to the fact that they are treading a path of self-destruction. These people have completely abandoned their human conscience and are destined for utter tragedy!"
Lin Muzi sighed softly. Da Feng Online Novel Network.
"Humans are always insatiable…"
When facing the threat of the Zerg, they needed the main system's power. But once the mother nest fell into permanent slumber, they wanted to discard it like a worn-out tool. What was most infuriating was that they actually believed they could replace the main system, not wanting anyone—not even a program—to lord over them.
The little system, curled up in Lin Muzi's embrace, dared not speak.
It knew these things but was powerless.
When the main system was created, its programming dictated that it must prioritize human interests above all else. For the main system, if the human leadership itself betrayed the interests of all humanity, they should be eliminated. It was precisely for this reason that the main system was protested by the Human Council—
It was now confined to that Silver City.
Humanity declared it no longer needed.
The little system lay sadly in Lin Muzi's arms. As Lin Muzi was about to say something else, a sandstorm suddenly arose in the distance from the crimson land, obscuring everything in dust and even tinged with bloodstains, sending a jolt of intense foreboding through the heart.
Lin Muzi clenched her fist, while Ling Kuang had already anticipated this. He nodded and spoke to Lin Muzi.
"It seems the Shadowfoot Worms have developed their own Zerg army here."
"The discarded human remnants hidden underground must have provided them with a great deal of life force."
His words carried an extremely brutal and bloody implication. Lin Muzi looked at Ling Kuang beside her, and he spoke.
"Stay inside your mecha for now."
"Destiny is a god-tier mecha after all, so don't come out."
"No matter what happens, do not leave your mecha."
Then he himself climbed into Fen Xin. The dark mecha exuded a sense of tragic grandeur. In the dim, hazy light, with sandstorms raging, his black mecha was streaked with wisps of blood-red energy, yet it radiated an aura of apocalyptic slaughter.
Lin Muzi, hugging the little rabbit, slipped into Destiny. The little rabbit blinked, ensuring Lin Muzi was safely inside the mecha.
Ling Kuang, unable to hear their conversation, cautiously told Lin Muzi.
"Host, you don't need to worry."
"You carry the soul aura of the Zerg mother nest. If those creatures are truly awakened Zerg, they definitely won't attack you. Even if Destiny's combat power is inferior to Fen Xin, those Zerg will only target Zerg."
"Besides, Shadowfoot Worms are adept at manipulating people's hearts."
"Their true strength isn't top-tier among the Zerg. Ling Kuang should be able to handle that Shadowfoot Worm."
Lin Muzi remained silent for a moment before saying.
"What worries me isn't whether Ling Kuang can defeat the Shadowfoot Worm."
She took a deep breath, and after a long pause, she finally spoke.
"I'm worried about—"
"Him facing humans."
The little rabbit was somewhat confused by Lin Muzi's statement.
"Humans?"
"How is that possible? How could he face humans?"
The little rabbit's laughter sounded somewhat strained.
"That— Host, are you… are you mistaken?"
"He couldn't possibly face… face humans?"
The little rabbit wanted to say more, but its voice grew quieter. After a while, the little rabbit finally said.
"You mean… the remaining humans here, under the Zerg's bewitchment, will make a move against him?"
"He used magnesium peptide crystals to lure the Shadowfoot Worms, and the Shadowfoot Worms are likely well-prepared to use humans against humans. So, what he might have to face… is an extremely perilous situation, even betrayal by his own kind?"
Lin Muzi silently watched the yellow sand approach layer by layer. Within the imminent dust, as if to confirm her thoughts, several old-fashioned mechas emerged!
Those mechas, amidst the yellow sand, carried a heavy sense of agedness, even a palpable feeling of nearing twilight. Yet, these mechas, which should have been scrapped, appeared before her and Ling Kuang.
Then, they bypassed her Destiny and looked towards Ling Kuang.
"Are you an outsider?"
"Regardless of how you arrived here, hand over the energy you possess and the mecha you command—otherwise, do not blame us for being impolite!"
"Heh heh, take him down!"
These mechas charged towards Ling Kuang's Fen Xin with remarkable speed, but Ling Kuang's mecha moved with fluid grace, effortlessly evading these disruptive mechas.
Human technology had advanced significantly in the years following their victory over the Zerg. Although Fen Xin was a mecha from the great war against the Zerg, through years of development, it was now several levels superior to these aging mechas.
Furthermore, Ling Kuang himself was a top-tier powerhouse.
Only he could pilot this mecha. As this mecha launched another attack at an impossible angle, those old mechas were already defeated.
They scattered and fell to the ground.
Those old mechas were no match for him!
The occupants within the mechas roared in fury.
"Don't think we have no recourse against you. We possess weapons of mass destruction—we may not be able to leave, but it's not easy for you to enter."
"You certainly didn't bring true combat weaponry or flying fleets. Even if your individual combat strength is immense, the ants that kill an elephant will be overwhelmed by our human wave tactics!"
"We are merely the vanguard. There are more troops behind us—"
Ling Kuang, piloting Fen Xin, delivered a powerful kick, scoffing.
"Trash."
He spoke.
"You want my magnesium peptide crystals and my mecha?"
"No matter how many useless cowards there are, they are merely here to die."
The people on the opposite side were clearly taken aback by Ling Kuang's arrogant tone and his ill-tempered demeanor, gritting their teeth tightly.
"How dare you say that—you… you have such audacity!"
Ling Kuang's Fen Xin then soared into the air. He looked towards a patch of yellow sand in the distance and spoke.
"You are unfortunate to have encountered me. Perhaps the military personnel might not be so ruthless with you, but I am different."
"I am a ruthless demon."
"I summoned you here for one purpose only: to utterly reduce you, former traitors, to dust!"
He knew the Shadowfoot Worms were cunning and had undoubtedly integrated themselves among the sinful inhabitants of this place. If it were the military, they would likely be helpless, unable to pinpoint the true form of the Shadowfoot Worm.
But Ling Kuang declared.
"I don't care where you are, but—"
Ling Kuang's voice was devoid of any emotion, chillingly cold.
"My only word is to kill!"
Lin Muzi and the little rabbit were both startled.
The little rabbit shivered in Lin Muzi's embrace and mumbled softly.
"Host— is he serious?"
"He's going to kill all the sinners?"
Although, given the mad personality of the villain Ling Qianhe she knew, he was indeed capable of doing such a thing, Lin Muzi felt that perhaps he had other intentions.
However, if he didn't unleash slaughter, how would he identify the Shadowfoot Worms who could perfectly blend into the crowd?