Chapter 357

Chapter 357: Lin Yu, Who Seemed to Have Gained More Courage

With Darkling Stalker’s swift movements, the two girls returned to the Fog Zone within mere hours.

When the first traces of the ant tribe appeared on the horizon, Darkling Stalker set Lin Yu down abruptly.

“What’s the matter?”

The white-haired girl blinked in confusion after being deposited without warning, only to witness the gray-haired daughter dissolve soundlessly into a pool of darkness that merged with her own shadow—the skill “Hidden Shadow” at work.

“Little Shadow?”

Lin Yu’s call went unanswered by the motionless shadow.

_How peculiar,_ she thought.

_Well, I’ll simply walk the remaining distance alone._

The white-haired girl never fully grew accustomed to Stealth Ant daughters inhabiting her shadow. She only permitted this during expeditions to hazardous areas or joint combat operations—like their previous visits to human race settlements or the Earth Dragon confrontation. Ordinarily, these daughters would lurk in nearby shaded areas while guarding the Queen Ant.

Observing Darkling Stalker’s concealed presence, Lin Yu felt grateful for her choice of trousers over skirts today, though the situation still tingled with oddness.

_But… why retreat into shadows at all?_

After brief contemplation, understanding dawned.

_Little Shadow shares my social hesitations. This must be her way of avoiding interactions with the others._

A sympathetic smile touched Lin Yu’s lips.

_I comprehend that sentiment well… but prolonged isolation harms the spirit._

Crouching low, she brushed fingertips against the shadow’s edge.

_We’ll nurture connections gradually._

Meanwhile, a patrol unit finally noticed their mother’s presence. The ants quivered with excitement before scuttling forward in synchronized clicks—three Iron Armored Ants, three Acid Ants, and ten Military Ants comprising this formidable squad. Within the Fog Zone where Class B Monsters roamed, such a force could subdue any threat effortlessly.

To most human race observers, the sight of numerous armored insectoid monsters advancing rapidly would induce terror. Lin Yu, however, saw only endearing enthusiasm.

«Mom!» «Mother!» «You’ve returned!»

Their telepathic chorus swelled as they approached. While the Military Ants of C Qualification remained silent, the six B Qualification elites chimed in vocally.

“Yes, I’m home.”

As the swarm reached her feet, Lin Yu hastily schooled her features into customary composure.

“My apologies for causing concern these past days.”

Pale locks swayed as she leaned down to stroke the polished carapace of the nearest Iron Armored Ant, her cool demeanor softening imperceptibly beneath practiced restraint.

While stroking the armored carapace, another Acid Ant perched atop the Iron Armored Ant eagerly nudged closer, compelling the white-haired girl to pat this one too. Witnessing this exchange, two more Iron Armored Ants scuttled forward to crowd around Lin Yu’s feet, their compound eyes gleaming with silent expectation.

With resigned patience, Lin Yu administered pats to each metallic-shelled daughter in turn. When a particularly bold little ant shamelessly circled back for seconds, the girl responded with an audible flick to her chitinous forehead.

“Owie…hurts!”

_Impossible. I barely tapped you._ Lin Yu swallowed the eye-roll threatening to surface and motioned for the unabashed Iron Armored Ant to lower itself. Settling astride the living steed, she commanded, “To the castle.”

“Skree!” came the enthusiastic reply as her mount surged forward with renewed vigor, segmented legs rippling across the terrain. During the journey, Lin Yu’s gaze fell upon the hesitant Acid Ant clinging to a neighboring Iron Armored Ant. Without ceremony, she scooped the emerald-tinted creature into her lap.

A month of companionship with Darkling Stalker had indeed eroded Lin Yu’s former reservations. Where she’d once only contemplated embracing these less familiar B Qualification daughters, now action followed thought. The sudden intimacy left Acid Nine rigid with shock, her antennae quivering as she peered up at the impassive pale-haired sovereign.

Though more compact than Military Ants, the half-meter Acid Ant still carried substantial weight. Lin Yu marveled at the creature’s aesthetic refinement – the gradient from umber thorax to jade-tinged limbs that shimmered like carved nephrite under diffused light. Amused by the daughter’s stunned stillness, she teased, “Dislike being held?”

“N-no! Not…not dislike…” The denial emerged over-loud before dwindling to whispery clicks.

Boredom soon transformed to scientific curiosity. Lin Yu traced the trembling antennae, then explored the polished jade-like limbs with clinical precision. Her fingers ghosted over the serrated mandibles – blade-sharp edges reminiscent of precision cutting tools. Each touch elicited minute tremors through the Acid Ant’s frame, accompanied by increasingly audible exhalations that misted the air.

A sudden startled “Skree!” made Lin Yu freeze mid-examination. “What’s wrong?” she demanded, feigning nonchalance despite inner panic. _I barely touched her!_

“Mother…evolution…level ascension…”

Lin Yu’s diagnostics flared. Incredibly, the daughter’s status now read [Class B – Lv.20]. Her gaze snapped to the [Talent of Eroticism] skill description.

_If this skill’s involved, shouldn’t I receive Experience Value?_ She frowned at the paradox. _Unless…the gains are negligible at my current tier._

Whatever the mechanics, the implications were clear. Lin Yu glanced sideways at the panting Acid Ant, now radiating visible heat shimmers. “Not simple at all,” she murmured, filing away observations as Foggy Castle’s spires pierced through the mist ahead.