Due to the hydralisk’s anti-air capabilities, Xia Jin began to increase the production of this species.
With the swarm units now averaging Tier 3 in strength, their combat power was sufficient to deal with most creatures in the surrounding area.
Even when encountering creatures of the same tier, they were basically capable of total suppression.
In terms of resources, although Tier 3 creatures were much more expensive, she could still support a daily production of 300 bugs.
Xia Jin began to consider upgrading the branch hive to Tier 3 as well.
The benefits of doing so were obvious: it would increase the production efficiency of the swarm.
At dusk, Ellie returned to the vicinity of the hive. When she saw two princesses sitting by the stream at the same time, she was instantly dumbfounded.
“Ah... this... this!”
Xia Jin winked at her. “It is just my projection.”
“A projection?”
“If I need to go out and handle certain matters, a projection is the most convenient. Our next strategy involves plundering the City of Darkness, so I need to scout the enemy’s city defenses and layout in advance. That way, we can take it with minimal losses.”
The projection rose easily and let out a lazy yawn.
Despite not being the main body, its actual strength had reached Tier 4.
In other words, it was one tier higher than a zergling. If they were to actually fight, the main body would be the one getting suppressed.
However, the projection’s weaknesses were also clear: it could not level up and was a perfect disposable item—the kind that would self-destruct once it lost its utility.
Xia Jin was just about to check the current swarm count.
Suddenly, she saw a message flash before her eyes.
Ding!
【Elemental control genes extracted from a magic beast leopard species.】
【Would you like to implant these genes into the Queen’s Projection?】
“Hmm, will implanting them allow me to use magic?”
【Yes, but these genes are inherently weak and are not suitable for the Zerg.】
【The Zerg’s genetic specialization is naturally incompatible with magic, and their future potential is far beyond what magic can compare to.】
“I see. Still, in the early stages, magic should be a great help to me.”
After some thought, she decided to consume a small amount of resources to strengthen the projection.
As for the Zerg themselves, they did not actually need this stuff.
A hydralisk’s corrosive liquid was no weaker than magic of the same tier and was not subject to elemental counters; replacing it would actually be a downgrade.
And while a zergling would be stronger if equipped with fire magic, the cost was simply too high.
There was no need to sacrifice cost-effectiveness for such gimmicks.
After a simple modification...
When Xia Jin linked with the projection again, she could keenly perceive changes in the air.
The once-ordinary natural world now appeared to contain countless tiny particles of light in her eyes.
Closing her eyes and feeling carefully, she could see flickering points of light everywhere in the darkness.
“Are these magic elements?”
She reached out her hand, and with a thought, red elements gathered in her palm, transforming into a burning fireball.
With a gentle wave of her hand, the fireball shot out and exploded dozens of meters away.
Its power was comparable to a cannon shell.
“A casual strike has this much power?”
She noticed that the essence of casting magic required using mental strength as a guide.
However, the specific strength of the magic one could create still fundamentally depended on one’s own tier.
After testing magic from various elements, Xia Jin nodded in satisfaction.
...
Two days later.
Eight kilometers east of the Zerg hive.
Three men dressed in adventurer attire arrived at this location.
From a distance, a magnificent city came into view.
“That must be the City of Darkness, right?” One of the men swallowed hard, feeling as if the city before him were a crouching beast ready to swallow people whole.
“Don’t back down; we have no other choice. Being wanted by the lord, only entering this place offers a chance at survival. I’ve heard that in the City of Darkness, strength is respected. All three of us are Tier 3 experts; we would be elites in any army. There’s no reason we won’t make it here.” The man in the lead gloomily pulled back the mask covering his face, revealing a weathered countenance.
“Understood, Big Brother Dick.”
The two men beside him nodded in succession.
All three of them removed their masks.
They had already escaped the pursuit and reached the vicinity of this city, making them temporarily safe.
But next, like the countless others who entered this city, whether they lived or died would depend entirely on themselves.
This city was a calamity for the incompetent, but a paradise for the strong.
Just then, one of the subordinates suddenly pointed not far away and cried out, “Big brother, look!”
“Hmm?” Dick looked in the direction he was pointing and discovered a girl with silver-white hair standing on a distant hilltop.
The girl was wearing a light blue dress, and her long hair fluttered gently in the wind.
Although her back was toward them, her stunning presence and breathtaking silhouette still left everyone present feeling suffocated.
However, they soon noticed that a warrior with a sword was standing beside the girl.
Judging by the faint killing intent, that person was also an expert no less powerful than themselves.
“They...”
One of the subordinates was about to speak when he saw the girl walk toward the City of Darkness.
Unlike their group, who had removed their masks, they could faintly see that the girl was actually wearing a mask.
“They are actually going to that city too. Let’s go up and make contact.”
A girl with such a perfect silhouette surely wouldn’t have an ugly face.
To think someone like her would also head to such a city.
While the City of Darkness wasn’t necessarily filled only with men or criminals—there were also those who ran there for their dreams or livelihoods—they had truly never seen a girl as perfect as this before.
Rate on N.U.
