Chapter 322

Chapter 322: Feeding

Huh? Not only Earth Dragon Jon, but the other two Earth Dragons were eliminated too?

After receiving Darkling Stalker’s response, Lin Yu remained stunned for a long moment.

While Red Pupil and Weak Sound collaborated to slay Earth Dragon Aier, Darkling Stalker had single-handedly disposed of the remaining Earth Dragons!

Though Stealth Ants are indeed the most formidable combatants among ant species… this seems overwhelmingly powerful…

Does this mean… the battle’s already concluded?

No, wait… These Earth Dragons supposedly have a ‘mother.’ Earlier, when Earth Dragon Aier let that hedgehog dragon escape, didn’t he mention informing their mother…

"Should we strike now and take out their mother?"

Sister Army Lady inquired, golden locks framing her fierce eyes that still sparkled with battle-lust despite continuous combat, flecks of flesh still clinging to the corners of her mouth.

"Delaying might invite complications… Sister Army Lady’s suggestion holds merit."

Magic Rainbow pondered briefly before turning to the dark-haired child nearby.

"After our sisters regain their strength, we should collectively assault the forest depths. What says Sister Red Pupil?"

"Proceed as proposed."

The young girl nodded solemnly.

The silver-haired matriarch observed her daughters’ deliberations in silence.

So it’s settled then…

But… what of me? Shouldn’t my counsel be sought?

Though I find no fault in this strategy… shouldn’t the Queen Ant, your mother, be consulted…

"Ah, Mother."

Magic Rainbow’s sudden address made Lin Yu start.

"Would you relay instructions to Little Shadow? Ensure she maintains position until our arrival."

"…Very well."

Oh well.

The white-haired queen acquiesced with a dutiful nod.

She mentally connected with Darkling Stalker, finding the shadowy operative already awaiting orders, which were silently acknowledged.

Afterward.

Lin Yu watched as her daughters concluded their war council. All except Red Pupil – already at peak Class A – swarmed over Earth Dragon Aier’s colossal corpse, their Class A and B sisters tearing into the remains with voracious hunger.

Cradling the youngest, the pale-haired queen witnessed her children’s feast.

Squelching, crunching…

The cacophony of consumption echoed through the clearing.

Devouring flesh from a Level 50 Class A Earth Dragon granted massive Experience Value, enabling rapid level ascension.

With each gained level, wounds would regenerate and expended Magic Value replenish completely.

To facilitate easier feeding, Army Lady, Lvzi, Weak Sound, and Magic Rainbow – the Class A daughters – activated their "Transformation" skill, reverting to their ant forms before dining.

Their dining etiquette became markedly less ‘graceful’ compared to their human forms. Mandibles tore off massive chunks of flesh to be swallowed whole, crimson trails dripping from their jaws. Some daughters burrowed deep into the Earth Dragon’s corpse to feast, their chitinous bodies soon smeared with gore.

The spectacle of hundreds of ant-kin devouring an Earth Dragon… any passing human might have been frightened out of their wits. Yet to Lin Yu’s eyes, this monstrous banquet held an inexplicable charm.

After nearly four years together, her initial fear of the Ant tribe – no, her daughters – had melted into comfort and affection. Though given the choice, she still preferred their human forms over their insectoid appearances.

"Mother, won’t you eat?"

The query came from the pale-haired child in her arms. Though unharmed in battle, Lin Yu’s Magic Value had drained slightly from maintaining "Magic Shield" during the fight.

At Class A LV.6 – lower than even Weak Sound’s level – perhaps a few morsels of Earth Dragon meat could trigger a level boost. Dragon flesh… raw and glistening… might it taste unexpectedly pleasant?

"Hmm."

Lin Yu released Red Pupil and approached the carcass.

"Mother! Join us!" A viridescent ant perched on the dragon’s spine waved bloodied forelimbs. "Feast! Or feast upon me… hehe~" The creature wiped drool from its mandibles with a slick limb.

Ignoring the offer, Lin Yu shifted forms. The white-haired maiden dissolved into an alabaster ant.

"Mother, sample this?" Stealth One presented a ruby morsel speared on her limb. Having guarded the Queen Ant during combat, the Class B daughter now served as provisioner – her level plateaued at B-class limits.

The ivory ant clamped down, taking both meat and limb into her jaws. After spitting out the appendage, she chewed with wet squelches. Surprise flickered in her compound eyes.

Delicious.

The metallic tang of blood barely registered – perhaps from years consuming raw monster flesh. Human palates like Simon’s or Philid’s might recoil, but to Lin Yu, this briny meat required no seasoning.

A single bite flooded her Experience Value bar. Earth Dragon flesh proved astonishingly potent.

"M-Mother… another taste?" Stealth One’s tremulous voice accompanied her quivering limb offering another piece.

Understanding dawned. That reaction from earlier…

Still so sensitive.

The white ant deliberately chewed the offered meat with the serving limb still in her jaws. Each mandibular pulse made Stealth One’s appendage twitch. The gray ant collapsed, venting steam through shuddering spiracles that chirped like overwrought machinery.