Chapter 126 - 90: Triple Combo, Sun Flame Blast
Chapter 126: Chapter 90: Triple Combo, Sun Flame Blast
Normally, fungi on Earth don’t possess a hive mind. Their underground mycelial networks are inherently decentralized.
Under this distributed intelligence, any node in the network can receive and transmit signals.
But now, as if on a strict, unified command, the Parasite Bodies’ surprise attack on the campsite suddenly ended.
However...
That wasn’t quite true.
BZZZ!!
The faint sound of beating wings echoed from the night sky, like the incessant vibration of a metal reed.
They were bullet ants.
Their carapaces were incredibly tough, hardened to the consistency of tungsten steel. The elytra on their backs allowed them to fly high, and upon closer inspection, one could see wisps of mycelium sprouting from the gaps in their carapaces and joints.
They ignored the defenders behind the vehicle barricade at the front line, flying straight past the bonfires and watchtowers. Their target was clear as they hovered directly above the Soul-devouring Dog’s head, completely disregarding Su Chen, who was further back.
Even more strangely, the ant swarm accurately identified the two Phantom Clones in mid-air. After ignoring them without hesitation, all the individuals dove in unison, locking onto the real body in the center that was exuding a Netherworld aura.
BANG!
BANG!
Like a trigger being pulled repeatedly, ten miniature shockwaves shot out like a volley of bullets, blasting straight for Xiaoye’s vital points.
In an instant, its form suddenly underwent Vaporization, momentarily transcending the physical plane. Only an afterimage was left behind to be blasted to smithereens.
A smaller group of bullet ants remained hovering in the air, their compound eyes glinting with a sinister light. As soon as Xiaoye’s figure resolidified, a cone-shaped jet of projectiles rained down from above once more.
WHOOM!
Just then, an invisible gravitational wave instantly spread out. The diving swarm of bullet ants suddenly lost speed, their momentum forcibly canceled out, and they were left drifting helplessly in the air.
Immediately after, Su Chen clenched his fist.
His Strong Will, like an inescapable net, suddenly tightened, trapping the entire swarm in an invisible cage. Layer upon layer of compression crushed their carapaces from the outside in and burst their internal organs. Upon detecting the spore sacs inside, he finally incinerated everything to ash with a handful of Dark Red True Flame.
’They really hold a grudge.’
Su Chen realized this was likely a fungal consciousness specifically targeting Xiaoye for revenge, dispatching a small squadron of bullet ants to carry out an aerial strike.
It was clearly intentional retaliation against the Soul-devouring Dog for continuously slaughtering the Parasite Body monsters.
If they hit, the physical damage was secondary. The main threat was the spore sacs that would be injected upon piercing the skin. From this perspective, it seemed the consciousness intended to convert the Soul-devouring Dog into one of its own minions.
To suppress any feedback or transmission of what might be akin to ’pheromones,’ Su Chen’s Telekinesis reached out like an invisible hand into the scorched earth. He pulled out all the scattered ant remains along with the surrounding soil and proceeded to incinerate them with his Dark Red True Flame.
Perhaps because he hadn’t acted as much before, and his Flame Burst had so thoroughly obliterated the fungal spores, he himself hadn’t been marked for revenge.
"The fungi here might have a hive mind, possibly with a central intelligence," Su Chen shared this information with everyone in the channel.
Meanwhile, Le Yuxuan sent a shocking message to the group.
"...This is the Polytechnic University squad. We just saw several people doing a ’Naruto run.’ Their limbs were a bit stiff, and they were running bizarrely deep into the forest."
Just imagining it was indeed bizarre. A normal person wouldn’t run in such a strange and awkward way, especially not into the forest at a critical moment like this. It sounded exactly like they were parasitized humans.
As for why they would leave the base at the exact moment the Parasite Bodies halted their attack, it was all rather thought-provoking.
This was not a good sign.
"Brother Chen."
Just as Su Chen was heading back toward the parked vehicles, a sweet, clear voice called out from nearby.
A tall female university student came jogging over. Her long, jet-black hair, like a waterfall, swayed gently with her steps. Her fair face was free of makeup, yet she possessed the pure, untainted charm of a campus girl.
It was Xue Yao.
The girl with long, straight black hair had a dark gray bow case slung over her shoulder and was holding a slender Recurved Bow as she ran straight toward him.
"Need a dispelling spell? I can help you." Xue Yao was in good shape; the short jog hadn’t even made her breathe heavily.
"Sorry to trouble you."
Su Chen didn’t refuse her kind offer.
He wasn’t worried about the airborne spores penetrating his immune system, but some could certainly have clung to his clothes. It was a bit unsettling, to say the least.
She waved her right hand, and a gentle ripple of Water Element energy washed over his entire body, invisibly cleansing away any residual spore particles.
But compared to him, Xiaoye, who had been fighting in close quarters multiple times, needed the cleansing more.
"Cast a dispelling spell on Xiaoye, too," Su Chen said, pointing to the Soul-devouring Dog standing guard nearby.
Xue Yao nodded lightly and did as he asked.
As a Dark Attribute creature, Xiaoye was more receptive to purification spells of other elements, as a Light Element purification would cause a repulsive, burning reaction.
Bathed in the aquamarine glow, Xiaoye stretched its body slightly, its expression relaxing. It didn’t seem to have any issues.
"This is the ’Purification Skill,’ a Water Element dispelling spell that can remove toxins and pathogens from the body," Xue Yao explained. She even shared selflessly, "Water, Wood, Water. Those are the three components to synthesize the ’Purification Skill.’"
"Thanks."
Su Chen looked at the familiar face before him. ’In her mind,’ he thought, ’I’ve probably long been pegged as someone so indifferent to my own life as to be callous. That’s likely why she seems so nervous for my sake during this parasite swarm.’
Compared to her proud and aloof older sister, this younger sister’s personality was much gentler.
"I’m heading off. You be careful," Xue Yao said after her simple act of help, waving goodbye.