Chapter 56
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Chapter 56: Peeking at Mom’s Bath?
Lin Yu strolled through what was once the Goblin Tribe—now the Second Ant Nest.
The First Ant Nest occupied the stone cave of the long-tusked brown bear, now expanded into an extensive underground network near a small pond, fruit trees, and rabbit warrens with scarce large prey.
In contrast, the newly established Second Ant Nest boasted a Magic Stone Mine and future Goblin Ranch for sustainable food. Surrounding areas remained largely unexplored except for known abundant prey and a nearby stream.
As she walked, Lin Yu contemplated her strategy:
The main Military Ant force would station at Second Ant Nest to explore westward and northward.
The First Ant Nest would be managed by Weak Ants handling daily hunts/east-south exploration, and Worker Ants expanding tunnels east/south. Some Military Ants would remain there too, though fewer in number.
This forest stretched endlessly beyond expectations—no boundaries found despite prolonged exploration.
She guessed the nearest exit lay south or east, possibly west near Second Nest, but unlikely northward where monster varieties multiplied alongside their strength.
Creatures matching or surpassing Blue Apes existed there, but Lin Yu had halted northern expansion earlier to preserve forces against the Goblin Tribe.
Now with goblins conquered and new ant species added, north became the next target—after Red Pupil’s full maturation.
Her musings halted as she reached an open space between Goblin Sheds, standing before Big Goblins.
The remaining 5 Big Goblins, 8 Goblin Warriors, along with the Goblin Wizard and Goblin King, had been left here.
During this time, their wounds had healed and their bleeding had stopped, but since their limbs remained crippled, the disabled condition persisted.
Their Health Value had only increased by three or four points after a full night, keeping them in critical condition.
The Magic Value recovery rate was equally sluggish, leaving these goblins utterly powerless to resist.
When Lin Yu appeared, the goblins began their strange shrieking again.
"Gaba!" (Mercy!)
"Gaba!" (Mercy!)
The same tedious pleas as before.
Yet from the corner of her eye, she noticed goblin cubs hiding in a distant corner of a wooden shed, observing the scene.
Upon closer inspection, even more goblin cubs could be spotted.
These cubs weren’t confined to the sheds—they enjoyed "freedom" as long as they stayed within the fence perimeter. Moreover, Military Ants monitored the tribe’s surroundings while Worker Ants maintained newly established watchpoints beyond, eliminating any escape concerns.
Even if they fled, encountering other predators outside would prove far more dangerous.
At least here, they could survive until reaching "shipment-ready" maturity.
Lin Yu glanced at the peeking goblin cubs, then assessed her Experience Value progress bar before approaching a Big Goblin and clamping her mandibles.
Blood gushed from the Big Goblin’s neck as its Health Value plummeted to zero.
Nearby Big Goblins and Goblin Warriors intensified their trembling pleas, terror evident in their cries.
Several watching goblin cubs scurried away in fright.
…
After eliminating all five Big Goblins, the Experience Value bar rose noticeably.
The Goblin King and Goblin Wizard, visibly agitated by their comrades’ deaths, renewed their desperate begging.
"Gaba! Gaba!" (Spare us, mighty ant! Take us as yours!)
"Gaba!" (Me too!)
Futile efforts—no mercy would come.
And… "have me"? Meaning submission? Don’t phrase it so ambiguously! Only fools would believe such hollow surrender. With my utterly loyal daughters already serving me, I’d rather claim your Experience Value.
Ah yes—and that iron longsword from earlier.
Having acquired the blade, she’d attempted using the "Sword Talent" skill.
If biting a sword with mandibles counted as wielding it, shouldn’t the skill activate?
Yet multiple attempts yielded nothing.
Admittedly, swinging a jaw-clenched sword looked ridiculous… Though if wielding blades with forelegs too, maybe a triple-sword style…
…
Next came inspecting the Worker Ant daughters’ progress at the nest.
They labored diligently on the Second Ant Nest construction, higher-level workers demonstrating greater efficiency.
Among over four hundred Worker Ants, about a hundred possessed D Qualification. Despite meat consumption, their levels stagnated between LV.6 and LV.8.
Presumably, non-skilled units should gain an ability upon reaching Class D.
Since Weak Ants obtained "Bite," would logistics-focused workers acquire it too?
To test this, Lin Yu arranged extra rations—some slain Big Goblin carcasses would boost these D Qualification Worker Ants toward Class D advancement.
After idly observing the workers, Lin Yu visited the stream near the Goblin Tribe under Military Ant escort.
The shallow water ran clear over smooth stones, its current gentle.
The white ant nodded approvingly.
…
Come to think of it—she hadn’t bathed in ages.
Though the "Clean" skill could purify her body, conserving precious Magic Value felt wiser than wasting it on hygiene.
But first…
Lin Yu surveyed the twenty-odd Military Ant guards.
"Seize this chance—join me."
The soldiers obediently entered the riverbank shallows where water barely reached their heads.
Once submerged, Lin Yu followed suit.
Scrubbing forelimbs…
Hind legs…
Abdomen required special care—vital organs demanded gentle cleansing…
Next is the mouth. This morning, I ate quite a lot of eggshell fragments, and there’s still a lingering eggy odor in my mouth…
Finally, the back…
The back… Darn it… Can’t reach…
"Come help wash my back."
A Military Ant obediently approached, extending her forelimbs.
But just as her limbs were about to touch the white ant’s back, considerable commotion arose from the distance.
Hearing the noise, Lin Yu looked up and froze completely with an astonished expression on her ant-like face.
So huge!!
There were two massive pitch-black ants – one larger and one smaller – charging towards them. Their enormous sizes caused visible ripples across the river surface as they drew nearer.
"Mom!"
A sudden mental voice echoed.
It was Little Tear’s voice.
Then the even larger Iron Armored Ant must be Red Pupil? But how did they know I’m here?
Ah, speaking of which, I’m currently bathing! Peeking at Mom during bath time isn’t proper!
