Chapter 365
by post_apiChapter 365: In Recovery
To test whether Ji Qiao could utilize the “Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits”—a privilege granted to reincarnators like Miyoshi Mitsui—Lin Yu brought her daughter to the clearing behind the castle where Earth Dragon skeletons lay piled.
As Ji Qiao had claimed, the second parasitic fusion with the skeleton occurred swiftly. Within mere seconds, the tiny ant melted into the skeletal frame like a pebble slipping through water.
This time, the process consumed no Magic Value whatsoever.
*Mom, let’s go.*
A middle-aged man’s voice resonated through Psychic Call in her mind once more.
“Right,” Lin Yu nodded, gesturing for her daughter to follow.
When the skeleton shifted closer, as if to grasp Lin Yu’s hand—
The white-haired girl abruptly blocked its advance.
“Mitsui, stay back! Another inch and I’ll throw a punch!”
*I’m not Mitsui! Mom, it’s Little Qiao…*
“Doesn’t matter. After merging with that thing, keep your distance.”
Though she felt slightly guilty toward both Little Qiao and Mitsui… *I just can’t stand being touched by a skeleton!*
Cowardly? Fine! Call me cowardly then!
*…Oh.*
Ji Qiao—even more timid than her mother—let her skeletal head droop dejectedly at Lin Yu’s words.
…*Don’t look so miserable.*
Seeing her daughter’s dispirited posture, a pang of remorse struck Lin Yu.
*Mommy will shower you with affection once you return to your ant form!*
…
They proceeded to the clearing with Red Pupil and the other daughters in tow. Lin Yu noticed Darkling Stalker among the group, standing beside the ever-chattering Lvzi.
The two eccentric daughters made an unlikely pair. Yet Darkling Stalker’s expression remained as inscrutable as ever.
While Lvzi had her… peculiarities, she possessed surprising thoughtfulness. *Is she keeping Little Shadow company because she knows how poorly the girl interacts with other ants?*
*Maybe they’re better matched than I thought.*
Reassured about Darkling Stalker, Lin Yu refocused on the task.
After brief consultation, they selected a low-tier Class A Earth Dragon for testing the Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits—a precaution against unforeseen consequences.
What if the skill succeeded, only for the revived Dead Spirit Earth Dragon to rampage uncontrollably?
Should a fully-leveled Class A Earth Dragon like Aier break free after resurrection… that would spell genuine trouble.
The towering Earth Dragon in its normal state was already quite formidable. If it were to gain the “Undead” skill of a Dead Spirit, it might well become another grueling battle.
As for why we shouldn’t simply test this on a random goblin corpse?
Because that would be wasteful.
From what Miyoshi Mitsui previously explained, activating the Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits consumes all of one’s Magic Value.
Using every last drop of Magic Value to transform a mere goblin corpse into a Dead Spirit seems terribly inefficient.
But claiming a Class A low-tier Earth Dragon would be a different matter entirely.
Given the daughters’ current strength, even if the creature possessed the “Undead” skill, subduing such an Earth Dragon would be effortless! In fact, Darkling Stalker alone could resolve it with but a single ant.
Still, should complications arise… Mother will be rooting for you all the same.
A few lingering concerns remain.
For instance… can the skeleton still gain Experience Value and level up after being parasitized?
Moreover, if an Earth Dragon is successfully revived through the Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits, would it retain memories from its former life? Would its loyalty lie with the parasitized skeleton, or with Ji Qiao who controls the parasite?
Beyond this, what would these resurrected Earth Dragons’ disposition toward me be?
After all… even if the Dead Spirit Puppet remains loyal to Little Qiao, that doesn’t guarantee loyalty to me as Little Qiao’s mother…
Should that prove true, these Dead Spirit Earth Dragons might potentially threaten the ant colony.
…
Speculation pales before action.
After some travel, the group reached the clearing where Earth Dragon skeletons lay piled.
They selected a three-meter-tall Class A low-tier specimen, directing Little Qiao to command the skeleton in activating the Unique Skill.
Lin Yu, all her daughters, and a massive golden-furred wolf fixed their gazes on the skeletal figure.
Perhaps unnerved by the collective attention, the skeleton trembled as it shuffled toward the Earth Dragon remains.
Then it invoked the Unique Skill – King of Dead Spirits.
A faint glow suddenly emanated, casting itself upon the Earth Dragon skeleton.
Did… did it work?
When the light faded, the skeletal dragon… remained motionless.
The white-haired girl blinked in momentary confusion before realization struck.
The Dead Spirit conversion process required time.
She swiftly appraised the Earth Dragon corpse.
The status had shifted from “Deceased” to “Reviving,” its race now listed as “Dead Spirit.”
Lin Yu recalled.
During her battle against Miyoshi Mitsui three years prior, that Class B Dead Spirit enthroned in the castle’s first floor had similarly been in a “Reviving” state.
This meant success.
Relief flooded through her, followed by burgeoning excitement.
If all these Earth Dragon skeletons could be converted into Dead Spirits and made to serve the colony… The potential was staggering!
Given the Earth Dragon Dead Spirit’s revival timeframe and the formidable power of Class A creatures, prudent measures dictated stationing a Class A daughter as sentinel.
“Little Qiao and I shall monitor this Earth Dragon,” a youthful voice declared. “Besides, I’ve yet to share yesterday’s discussions with our sisters.”
Before Lin Yu could respond, the youngest girl stepped forward.
With Little Pupil overseeing matters, concerns eased.
Though the revival duration remained uncertain…
Lin Yu nodded assent.
In subsequent days, the Earth Dragon Dead Spirit showed no awakening signs, allowing Lin Yu to conduct further experiments through Ji Qiao.
First came terminating the skeleton’s parasitic state.
Observation confirmed the Earth Dragon Dead Spirit remained “Reviving,” easing worries.
Next, the parasitized skeleton delivered the killing blow to a captive Class C mid-tier monster.
Upon the creature’s death, the skeleton ascended from Class C Level 10 to 12.
Notably, no reincarnator’s privilege gift appeared—only automatic attribute enhancements.
Still, leveling alone proved valuable!
Post-level restoration of full Magic Value meant… immediate commencement of another Dead Spirit conversion.
The Earth Dragon’s prolonged revival prompted new plans: testing theories using a low-tier goblin with her daughters.
Successful results would permit mass Earth Dragon conversions without awaiting the first specimen’s awakening.