Chapter 364

Chapter 364: D

When Little Qiao parasitized Miyoshi Mitsui’s skeleton, she found everything usable except Mitsui’s personal memories—including the skeleton’s attributes and skills.

Ordinary skills such as “Psychic Call” could be directly activated through the skeleton’s body. Moreover, beyond “Parasitize,” Ji Qiao’s own skills could also be employed through the skeletal vessel.

For instance, besides “Parasitize,” Ji Qiao currently possessed another skill: “Bite.”

Should she call it her daughter… or rather, was the skeleton still considered a daughter? The distinction felt unsettling.

Regardless, Little Qiao activated the “Bite” skill through the skeleton.

A faint glimmer shone on the skeleton’s teeth before it clamped down on a rock!

That flash of light! Without doubt, the skill had succeeded!

*Crack!*

The stone split cleanly under the skeletal jaws—but… the skeleton lost a front tooth in the process.

I couldn’t help feeling a bit guilty toward Mitsui.

Hm? Did you mention “daughter”?

Don’t worry. Though losing a tooth looks painful, Mitsui’s skeletal form lacks pain receptors. Similarly, Ji Qiao, while parasitizing the skeleton, remains unaffected by physical discomfort.

No pain, diminished tactile senses compared to humans, no ability to savor food… I recalled Mitsui once explaining this.

…

“Mother.”

*Gasp!* You startled me!

Stop using Mitsui’s voice to speak! And definitely don’t call me “Mother” in that tone!

My skin’s crawling…

*Ahem.* “What is it?”

“Hungry… I’m hungry.”

Hungry?

Ah, right. During the final phase of parasitization, her entire body fused with the skeleton, leaving Little Qiao without sustenance all that time. Gnawing the rock must have triggered her appetite.

But in this parasitized state, eating remains impossible… Would canceling the parasitization require significant time again?

Before Lin Yu could voice this thought—

A snowy-white ant, petite enough to cradle in one palm, burst forth from the skeleton’s skull in a flash of phosphorescence.

The tiny creature sprang toward the white-haired girl. As it emerged, the skeleton shuddered and collapsed with a *thud*.

Lin Yu swiftly caught her leaping “daughter,” astonishment flickering across her face.

“You canceled the parasitization?”

“Mhm! Now I can attach or detach whenever I want—no more long waits! Also, re-parasitizing the same corpse doesn’t consume Magic Value anymore!”

The little ant chirped cheerfully.

“Really? That’s wonderful.”

Lin Yu’s spirits lifted in shared joy.

“This resembles our first activation of the ‘Transformation’ skill.”

Magic Rainbow chimed in from nearby.

“Precisely,” Army Lady affirmed with a nod. “I recall it took considerable time before our skills regenerated post-transformation initially, though we gained free shifting between human and ant forms afterward.”

“Marvelous! This simplifies matters greatly. I’d hate to see our dear sister maintain that skeletal appearance perpetually.”

As the golden-haired maiden concluded, Little Liquor edged closer to Lin Yu, extending a hand toward the miniature ant nestled in her palm – treating the tiny being as one might a cherished pet.

The sudden chatter from surrounding daughters made the ant shrink apprehensively. Despite Little Liquor’s delicate touch, the creature appeared increasingly tremulous.

“Cease tormenting Sister Little Qiao,” Red Pupil interjected, patting Little Liquor’s paw with her petite hand.

“Oh…” Worker Liquor withdrew her hand reluctantly, murmuring, “Yet sister remains so timid, despite my daily offerings of delicacies these past weeks…”

During Lin Yu’s month-long absence from the castle, Ji Qiao had acquainted herself with most A Qualification daughters and select B Qualification siblings. However, the diminutive ant instinctively curled into defensive spheres when encountering these imposing “elder” ants, only unfurling completely during private moments with Lin Yu.

To ensure peaceful meals for her smallest daughter, Lin Yu temporarily dismissed the others from the chamber. When solitude prevailed, the white-haired maiden produced provisions from her dimensional satchel, meticulously feeding morsels to the ant cradled in her palm – a scene reminiscent of nurturing exotic fauna.

Ravenous, the ant clutched Lin Yu’s fingers with forelimbs while mandibles worked rhythmically on slivered draconic flesh. *Chomp-chomp…*

The Earth Dragon meat catalyzed rapid ascension – four consecutive level surges from Class D LV.12 to LV.16. Given Ji Qiao’s miniature stature requiring modest sustenance, this progression proved typical. The boons manifested solely as attribute enhancements, devoid of Skill Gifts.

*Wait… If Little Qiao’s skills function through skeletal vessels… might attributes similarly transfer? Like Golden-Hair’s possession technique?*

*Potentially formidable… My prior assessment of ‘Parasitism’ proves inadequate. Pity its constraints to intact cadavers… And her temperament seems ill-suited for combat. Perhaps logistical support remains optimal…*

…

“Mother, what’s this ‘Transformation’ Sister mentioned?”

The inquiry came as the satiated ant reclined belly-up in Lin Yu’s palm, abdominal plating glistening. The white-haired guardian absently stroked the distended abdomen with a fingertip.

“Mmm… Too full! Cease petting, Mother~”

Six tiny limbs fluttered defensively against the affectionate assault. Lin Yu desisted after sufficient amusement.

“Does Little Qiao desire human form?”

The ant inclined its head thoughtfully before decisive nodding. *To resemble Mother and sisters.*

“Then we shall—” Lin Yu paused, recalling the initial transformation’s cooldown period preventing immediate reversion. Would human morphology impede ‘Parasitism’? Moreover, prior commitments to Dig One/Two and Military One/Two regarding transformation took precedence.

*No, transformation isn’t our immediate concern. Priority lies in testing Miyoshi Mitsui’s Unique Skill – a reincarnator’s privilege. Uncertain if parasitism permits its application…*