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Page 754

"While the disaster zone isn't exactly a complete wasteland, the amount of disaster materials is also limited. This shouldn't be enough to support a large-scale development of 'Puppet Ants.'"

"However, you just said that you discovered traces of the 'puppet ants' after infiltrating several cities. This likely indicates that the 'puppet ants' have already become rampant in the 'disaster zone.'"

"This is inconsistent with their lack of resources."

"so....."

Guan Xiao smiled and continued Qiu Tu's words, "So, these 'puppet ants' must have been deliberately fed by someone."

Qiu Tu nodded slightly. His analysis was the same as Guan Xiao's.

However, although they learned about the "Puppet Ants," it didn't seem to have much to do with Guan Xiao's new cataclysmic ability, "Contagion."

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but look at Guan Xiao and ask, "What does this have to do with your new cataclysmic ability?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao smiled and said, "Sir, this really does have a lot to do with it."

"Because my new cataclysmic ability was inspired by the 'Puppet Ants.'"

She said with a distant gaze, "Actually... before I met the commander, I really never thought that I would end up here and become a third-tier Cataclysm."

"A Tier 3 Cataclysmic being... that was the second-best combat force in the 8th Sanctuary back then."

"Furthermore, my approach to catastrophe is far too niche, so I have no plans for my 'path to catastrophe'."

"Because... I don't know how to upgrade or progress using the 'Life-Insect-Bird' pathway."

"Should we control larger birds, or more mosquitoes?"

At this point, Guan Xiao's expression turned serious. "Moreover, compared to humans, their lifespans are far too short. I need to replace them with a new batch of helpers almost every so often."

"This makes me incredibly pessimistic about my future path. It's also the reason why my progress on the 'Cataclysmic Path' is so slow."

After recounting his past, Guan Xiao paused, then changed the subject, saying, "But this time, after witnessing the 'Puppet Insect,' I suddenly feel like I've found my own path."

Her eyes slowly brightened, and her expression grew increasingly confident. She said, "I suddenly realized... I shouldn't be fixated on individual cases. Isn't the advantage of insects and birds precisely their numbers? Isn't their advantage precisely their ability to appear in colonies?"

"If that's the case, why can't I, like the 'Puppet Ants,' use a point-to-area approach to directly control individual colonies?"

"Furthermore... since ordinary insects and birds have short lifespans, why don't I try to control the cataclysmic insectoid creatures?!"

As she spoke, Guan Xiao's face became increasingly radiant. She said, "Once this idea was born, I couldn't control myself."

"So, I started to try to fine-tune my catastrophe path, and during cultivation and advancement, I kept deducing my catastrophe path and the direction of the catastrophe ability I wanted to obtain."

"As a result, when I advanced to the third tier, my cataclysmic pathway actually changed, and I actually gained the cataclysmic ability I wanted."

Upon hearing Guan Xiao's words, Qiu Tu couldn't help but glance at Zhao Ji.

Qiu Tu remembered that when Zhao Ji was explaining things to him before, she mentioned that the "catastrophic pathway" of catastrophic creatures was not static.

"Cataclysmic Pathways" are manifestations of the spirit of living beings and are related to their subconscious. They represent the path they most want to take in the past and present.

Therefore, if a being has undergone a major change, or has matured from a naive past, its path to catastrophe may change.

At the time, Qiu Tu found this phenomenon quite interesting, but he never expected to see it with his own eyes now.

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but ask, "Then what has your catastrophe path changed to?"

Guan Xiao's gaze was firm: "Life - Swarm".

Qiu Tu's gaze was thoughtful. Guan Xiao's approach was essentially more refined; she abandoned "birds" and instead "specialized" in "insects."

Moreover, just as mentioned earlier, she did indeed transform from an "individual (insect)" into a "collective (swarm)".

This change had its pros and cons. But it did strengthen Guan Xiao's control over the insect population.

Thinking this through, Qiu Tu had some guesses about Guan Xiao's new cataclysmic ability.

He said, "So... your new Cataclysmic ability 'Infection' is actually... used on an entire swarm to accelerate your control?"

Hearing Qiu Tu's words, Guan Xiao smiled and nodded, then said, "After changing the 'Cataclysmic Path,' my advancement path has become incredibly clear."

"The stronger the individual insects I control, the greater their number, and the stronger their overall strength, the stronger I will become."

"Although this will make me and the Zerg swarm rise and fall together, it will also allow my strength to increase by leaps and bounds."

"And the ability to 'infect' is also related to my method."

"When I come into contact with an insect, the 'Insect Queen' will release a special catastrophic power called 'Insect Plague' to infect that insect."

"The 'insect plague' absorbs the catastrophic power, spiritual energy, and life force of that insect, then generates and accumulates within its body."

"When that insect comes into contact with other insects of its own kind, the 'insect plague' will spread to those insects, infecting them, and so on."

"When more than 50% of the individuals in an insect colony are infected, I will gain control of that colony, and the 'Insect Queen' will also have the ability to link with and control those insects."

"It is precisely because this ability is so special that I named it 'Infection.'"

Qiu Tu wore a thoughtful expression.

It must be said that Guan Xiao's new ability is indeed very interesting. It transforms her control from individual insects to directly controlling the entire swarm, effectively usurping control of the insect colony.

This will indeed bring about a qualitative change in Guan Xiao's abilities.

This will not only multiply her "development efficiency" several times over, but will also greatly expand her intelligence reach.

After all, Qiu Tu hadn't forgotten that this ability originated from the mental link of the "Puppet Worm".

As Guan Xiao just mentioned, the "Insect Mother" can link with those insects, which means that the new ability's intelligence transmission method will no longer be the previous many-to-one: multiple insects reporting to Guan Xiao; instead, it will be a large-scale network-style intelligence structure.

As long as there are swarms of insects controlled by Guan Xiao at regular intervals, her spies can cover the entire world!

Thinking of this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but think of the "puppet worm".

Guan Xiao traded "controlling birds" for "Zerg specialization." She also mentioned controlling Zerg cataclysmic creatures before.

so....

Thinking about it, Qiu Tu suddenly understood why Guan Xiao was acting so strangely and excitedly today.

He couldn't help but look at Guan Xiao, then asked, "So... you used your new ability 'Infection' on the 'Puppet Worm'?"

Upon hearing this, Guan Xiao's face lit up with a smile.

She said, "Yes. After my promotion, the first thing I did was go to the 'Disaster Zone' and take control of a few 'Puppet Insects,' then I used 'Infection' on them."

"Currently, the 'insect plague' is still in its incubation and replication phase, and has only controlled about thirty 'puppet insects.'"

"As the plague spreads further and further, absorbing more and more cataclysmic power and infecting more and more people, a major outbreak is inevitable."

"And if I have more than half, I can wrest control of the 'clan' from the 'Puppet Insect Queen'."

"At that time, there will be tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of puppet insects, and each of them will have physical qualities and strength that surpass those of ordinary people."

Guan Xiao was so happy she could hardly stop smiling. "My strength is likely to increase rapidly."

"Fourth-order, fifth-order, and even sixth-order are not a dream."

At this point, Guan Xiao paused, a smile playing on her lips, and said...

"Especially thinking about that mysterious person, constantly pouring resources into cultivating 'puppet worms' to create chaos in the 'Northwest Region,' makes me feel even more satisfied."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, just as Guan Xiao said, the mysterious person who cultivated the "puppet worms" clearly had ill intentions. They were most likely after the "Northwest Sanctuary."

As it turned out, Guan Xiao's two "insect control" cataclysmic abilities completely countered the opponent, not only rendering the mysterious person's entire scheme ineffective, but also benefiting Guan Xiao.

This is indeed something that makes me happy just thinking about it.

Furthermore... are "puppet worms" also considered living beings? Could this also improve Qiu Tu's overall evaluation?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu's gaze towards Guan Xiao became much more serious.

It has to be said that Guan Xiao originally only had value to Qiu Tu in terms of ability, emotional value, and physical value.

Now... Guan Xiao, who has slightly adjusted her disaster recovery abilities and completely opened up her path to advancement, has truly become a partner that Qiu Tu can trust.

Qiu Tu has no other redeeming qualities except that he's a womanizer... or rather, he's considerate of his female subordinates.

Guan Xiao's potential has become so strong, and... don't forget that the "Northeast Region" and the "Southeast Region" also seem to be suffering from the "Puppet Insects".

Among them are countless "puppet insects" of unknown strength. How many points could they raise for Qiu Tu?

Therefore, Guan Xiao's ability is at least S-level in this "Trial of the Gods".

Therefore, Qiu Tu generously approved dozens more truckloads of disaster materials and resources for Guan Xiao to help her continue to advance and improve her strength.

Guan Xiao, of course, excitedly accepted the order, then went down to collect resources and continue "infecting" the puppet worms...

And so, Qiu Tu watched Guan Xiao leave. He paused for a moment at the "96" loyalty points above Guan Xiao's head before turning back to look at Zhao Ji beside him.

He said with a smile, "I never expected that Guan Xiao would solve a disaster that so many experts couldn't handle."

Upon hearing Qiu Tu's words, Zhao Ji, who had witnessed the entire exchange between the two, said calmly, "I remember you told me about a saying in your hometown: 'Don't open the champagne halfway through.'"

"Judging from your conversation just now, Guan Xiao is highly likely to be able to resolve the 'Puppet Insect Plague' in the 'Northwest Region.'"

"But the Northeast and Northwest regions have been developing for an unknown period of time, and nobody knows what those 'puppet worms' have evolved into."

"So, it's better to be cautious."

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's reminder, Qiu Tu was immediately alerted, but quickly calmed down.

Zhao Ji was right; she had indeed been infected by Guan Xiao's excited state.

This is a major taboo for those in positions of power.

Thinking this, he couldn't help but look at Zhao Ji, wanting to reflect on his actions.

Just then, Zhao Ji suddenly looked at Qiu Tu and said calmly, "However... compared to her ability perfectly countering the 'Puppet Insect,' what surprises me more is you."

At this point, Zhao Ji paused, then said, "You actually... really learned 'Opening Heaven'?"

Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Qiu Tu was taken aback, and then couldn't help but look at Zhao Ji.

Did he mishear? There seemed to be a hint of admiration and surprise in Zhao Ji's tone?

Is she praising herself?

Is this still the same arrogant, self-important king who doesn't care about anyone?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but be a little surprised.

After the initial surprise, a thought popped into his mind: Could it be... that he had been licking Zehime so well all this time?

Is the glacier finally melting and starting to release water?

-----

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Chapter 652 Zhao Ji's Second Weakness (Last 18 Hours of Lottery Draw)

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but look up at Zhao Ji.

It has to be said that Zhao Ji was truly the most beautiful woman Qiu Tu had ever seen.

Putting aside her exceptionally beautiful aura, let's just talk about her appearance. From a distance, she might not seem any different from any other stunningly beautiful woman.

But upon closer inspection, one discovers that her skin is so delicate and fair, as if bathed in soft light, like it's filtered. Just standing there, she resembles a solitary, proud iceberg, radiating an unparalleled beauty and a chilling aura.

In addition, her temperament and figure make her stand out from the crowd, almost like she's on a completely different level.

Moreover, let's not forget that besides being beautiful, what's most important about Zhao Ji is that her talent, ability, status, and strength are all top-notch.

It can be said that, apart from not marrying Qiu Tu, her life was almost perfect.

As a result... she's actually starting to have those kinds of feelings for Qiu Tu?

Thinking this, Qiu Tu couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.

Just then, Zhao Ji's gaze fell indifferently on him, and she coldly uttered a single word, "Three."

Qiu Tu:? ?

Qiu Tu was stunned for a moment, then quickly protested, "I didn't think anything! Why should we be counting down!"

Zhao Ji glanced at him coldly, too lazy to even argue, "Whether you've thought about it or not, you know it yourself."

After saying that, Zhao Ji abruptly changed the subject. She shifted her cold, deep eyes and pointed to the courtyard before her, "Perform 'Opening Heaven' again, and show me."

Seeing that Zhao Ji had gotten down to business, Qiu Tu also stopped joking around. He first hummed in agreement, and then began to practice according to Zhao Ji's instructions...