Chapter 344

Chapter 344: （≧◡≦）

The white-haired girl gently tapped the little ant’s head with her fingertip.

The texture was just as smooth and rounded as she had imagined.

Yet through this contact, she could still sense the parasitic ant’s body trembling.

Perhaps having finally processed Lin Yu’s words, the little ant slowly raised its head once more.

“Mom?”

After calming slightly and stealing a glance at Lin Yu, the tiny creature found itself unable to look away, though its voice still quivered faintly.

Why the questioning tone… Could it be because of my current human form?

Truth be told, apart from the significant size difference, this daughter resembled her ant form more closely than any of her other children.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Lin Yu smiled softly, playfully flicking the little ant’s antennae with her finger.

…

Even after confirming the white-haired girl as her mother, Ji Qiao remained frozen under those slender fingers that dwarfed her entire body.

Trembling uncontrollably, she suddenly noticed the status panel before her.

[Ji Qiao?]

“That’s your name – the one I chose for you. Do you like it?”

The little ant nodded instinctively.

Then the primal hunger of newborn existence surged through her, and as the small parasitic ant gradually relaxed under Lin Yu’s caresses, her trembling subsided.

Only now did she properly survey her surroundings, crawling toward the scattered eggshell fragments at the box’s center.

Lin Yu withdrew her hand, observing her newest daughter approach the shells and begin nibbling with tiny mandibles.

Crunch… crunch…

The delicate eating motions filled Lin Yu with warmth.

She rested her elbows on the vanity, content to simply watch the feast unfold.

When Ji Qiao had devoured every last fragment of the eggshell, still craving more, Lin Yu produced a palm-sized piece of dragon meat from her space backpack – the smallest portion available, yet still enormous compared to the ant’s diminutive form.

The roasted meat’s rich aroma immediately captivated Ji Qiao.

“Hungry?”

“Yes!”

The little ant bobbed her head eagerly.

Had she already grown less fearful during their brief interaction?

This timidity differed from Weak Sound’s shy reserve – here was simple wariness that time and familiarity might soothe. Not that Lin Yu minded either way.

As the savory scent permeated the air, the roasted dragon meat lay before them like some mythical beast’s bounty, its scale rendering Ji Qiao momentarily awestruck.

So the white-haired girl tore off a small piece of roasted dragon meat with her fingers and placed it in the box’s center. The little ant approached cautiously upon detecting the aromatic morsel, her mandibles twitching hesitantly before ultimately succumbing to the temptation. After leaving a glistening trail of drool, she sank her jaws into the meat.

Munch munch…

In mere moments, she devoured the entire portion. Lin Yu watched in amazement as the little one’s level skyrocketed like a rocket after consumption – leaping from classless LV.1 directly to Class D LV.12. The Class A premium dragon meat, when prepared with Worker Liquor’s culinary expertise, contained phenomenal amounts of Experience Value.

Ji Qiao’s upgraded attributes showed remarkable growth – her Health Value Limit surged from 1 to 81 points, with other stats following suit. Unlike strength-defense varieties like Iron Armored Ants and Military Ants or agility-focused types like Stealth Ants and Earth Digging Ants, Ji Qiao appeared aligned with intellectual species such as Acid Ants and Demonic Ants – her Intelligence stat showed significantly greater enhancement than other attributes.

While intelligence typically amplifies skill potency, Lin Yu wondered if it might also influence the success rate of Ji Qiao’s “Parasite” ability. She shook her head after brief consideration – experimentation would provide answers.

Upon reaching Class D, the small parasitic ant had acquired two new skills: “Disguise” and “Magic Value Auto Recovery.” Seeing “Disguise” on her own skill panel – a transferable ability she could bestow anyway – Lin Yu lamented the redundant acquisition. But “Magic Value Auto Recovery”? This was the coveted skill she’d desperately sought! After chugging hundreds of Magic Recovery Potions without obtaining it herself, the irony wasn’t lost on her.

When Lin Yu attempted to offer more meat, she found her miniature daughter lying belly-up in the box. “Tasty? Your elder sister made this,” she cooed.

“Delicious, burp~”

“More?”

The sated ant shook her head contentedly. The creature’s adorably rounded abdomen deepened Lin Yu’s affection, compelling her to playfully prod her charge. Though overstuffed, Ji Qiao neither attempted nor desired to evade her mistress’s touch. Lulled by Lin Yu’s caresses, she drifted into slumber.

During her nap, the castle’s other residents came to inspect their newest sibling. When Ji Qiao’s “Growth Phase” finally concluded after an hour, she had transformed from fingertip-sized to nearly palm-spanning proportions.

Not long after the “Growing” status faded, Ji Qiao stirred awake from her slumber. The tiny ant recoiled in alarm upon finding herself surrounded by curious daughters, her delicate feet pattering backward until her shell met the box’s edge.

“They’re your elder sisters.”

“Mother.”

At the familiar voice, Ji Qiao’s antennae twitched toward Lin Yu. The silver-haired matriarch lifted the trembling creature from her container, placing her on an open palm. Her fingers trailed soothingly from the child’s head to her segmented abdomen, mirroring the care one might show a precious companion. As she caressed her newest daughter, Lin Yu began the introductions.

“How adorably miniature our sister is!” Worker Liquor’s starry eyes shimmered with delight. “You’re called Little Qiao, yes? That roasted Earth Dragon meat you enjoyed earlier was my recipe! Teehee~ Feel free to request any treats from your big sister!”

Purple Mist thumped her chestplate confidently. “Seek me whenever winged adventures call – Sister Purple Mist will soar you through clouds!”

“You’re welcome to approach me as well,” Purple Cloud added with a soft chuckle.

“Mother…” Army Lady’s armored gloves clenched nervously. “Might I… pet our sibling?”

The chamber fell silent before erupting in eager echoes:

“I’ll groom her carapace too!”

“Let me cradle her like Mother does!”

“Me first! Mother, pet me now!”

Lin Yu’s palm closed protectively around her quivering charge. “Little Qiao needs gentle acclimation. No overwhelming her.” Her free hand flicked Lvzi’s forehead as the green-haired girl tried sneaking closer.

“Yowch!”

…All except Weak Sound clustered around the newcomer. Though lingering at the group’s periphery, the timid daughter felt unexpected kinship watching Ji Qiao tremble within their mother’s sheltering hand amid the sisterly clamor.

When initial introductions concluded, Lin Yu carried her still-curled daughter through the castle gates. Beyond the battlements lay the temporary repository where the Earth Dragon’s colossal bones gleamed under moonlight.