Chapter 697: Swallowed Ruins Advancement!_2
Its combat method relies on sound blades and sound bullets emitted through the friction of its armored plates, as well as the venomous spikes hidden within the insect pupa's interior.
The combat capability is somewhat limited, but the lethality of the venom concealed within its internal stingers cannot be denied.
The Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa has evidently treated Tianyuan Qiongyan as an invader of its territory and is currently posturing against Tianyuan Qiongyan.
Fang Mu signaled Tianyuan Qiongyan to continue intimidating this Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, provoking it to launch an attack.
The eyes on Tianyuan Qiongyan's jellyfish-like umbrella suddenly flared brightly, and an overwhelming aura surged toward the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa.
Tianyuan Qiongyan's strength exceeded that of the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, but the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa did not fear Tianyuan Qiongyan and mobilized a desperate counterattack instead.
Its back plates vibrated at high speed as the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa charged toward Tianyuan Qiongyan.
Before it could collide with Tianyuan Qiongyan, the Swallow Gorge Waggle burst forth from beneath the ground and toppled the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, securing its pincers against the pupa's body.
The large jaws on its pincers began tearing into the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's flesh.
At that moment, venomous spikes from within the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa pierced through Swallow Gorge Waggle's pincers, as well as its body.
The venom was infused into Swallow Gorge Waggle's system, slowing down its movements.
Against beings of the same rank or slightly more powerful, venom is undoubtedly the most effective means of incapacitation. This principle applies not only in the Dimensional World but also in the Beastmaster world and Fang Mu's previous life.
Fang Mu's mind resonated with Swallow Gorge Waggle's thoughts.
Swallow Gorge Waggle was speaking in an arcane language, yet Fang Mu understood the underlying meaning perfectly.
"Master, the venom from this Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa is eroding my body. I can sense that this Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa shares the same origin as me."
"During its juvenile stage, it evolved from a creature with identical genes."
"Allow me to devour the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, and I will not only eliminate the venom's effects but also inherit its toxins, possibly even obtaining an opportunity for rank ascension."
"The blood you previously allowed me to consume successfully unlocked my gene lock. I beg of you, Master, grant me this favor!"
Having been bound in a contract with Fang Mu, Swallow Gorge Waggle made its first-ever request; it wouldn't have spoken such words if it hadn't reached the critical threshold of a Bloodline Transformation.
Fang Mu had no intention of contracting with additional King-level Outer Realm creatures. Even if he entertained the idea, the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa clearly fell short of his criteria.
If this Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa can aid Swallow Gorge Waggle in its Bloodline Transformation and rank ascension, it would fulfill its own value.
It would perform a deed beneficial to Fang Mu.
Even if it doesn't succeed in achieving the Bloodline Transformation or rank ascension, enabling Swallow Gorge Waggle to acquire the venom-based offensive capability of the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa would suffice.
"Swallow Gorge Waggle, I will command Tianyuan Qiongyan to attack the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa to support your devouring of it."
"Remember, no matter what issues arise during the devouring process, you must urgently notify me. Do not let yourself sustain injuries to your essence in the struggle with the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa!"
With Fang Mu's reply, the jaws on Swallow Gorge Waggle's pincers adhered to the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's body, tearing into its flesh in massive bites, ignoring the venomous spikes the pupa embedded in its flesh during its frantic struggle.
The two creatures engaged in a raw and savage battle.
"Master, once I successfully devour it, the venom injected into me will instead enable me to assimilate the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's genes. This creature's continuous venom injection indicates an intention to dissolve my flesh into slurry for absorption."
"The Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's main propulsion stems from its back plates. Master, if you can shatter these plates to restrict its mobility, I can complete the devouring process on my own!"
Fang Mu didn't trouble Lian Dai; instead, he ordered Tianyuan Qiongyan to fire energy pulses toward the vibrating armor plates on the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's back.
The Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, pinned under Swallow Gorge Waggle, effectively became a target for these energy pulses.
The Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's plates were sufficiently durable, with the shockwaves from their vibrations offsetting part of the energy pulses.
Though several energy pulses struck the plates, they couldn't yet break them. Tianyuan Qiongyan's umbrella eyes, however, emitted pulses at rapid intervals.
Each eye functioned like a mounted machine gun, unleashing a frenzy of firepower.
Under the concentrated barrage of pulses, the plates on the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa's back fractured entirely, releasing copious amounts of reddish-brown fluid.
With its plates shattered, the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa was rendered akin to a crab stripped of its pincers, left utterly vulnerable to Swallow Gorge Waggle's systematic consumption.
While the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa was slightly weaker than Swallow Gorge Waggle, the progressive consumption of its flesh triggered an energy surge within Swallow Gorge Waggle.
This energy repaired Swallow Gorge Waggle's injuries continuously, while also restructuring its body.
Witnessing this, Lian Dai couldn't hide her astonishment.
"Little Wood, the King-level Outer Realm creature under your control has already reached the Peak of Order. Now, through devouring another King-level Outer Realm creature, signs of rank ascension are emerging!"
"These Outer Realm creatures are shockingly capable of scaling their powers!"
Lian Dai's words carried a deep note of concern.
Fang Mu knew what worried her. If Outer Realm creatures in this Dimensional World could so easily ascend, the risks were bound to surpass expectations!
Fang Mu explained to Lian Dai.
"Aunt Dai, outwardly it appears that Outer Realm creatures scale in power more simply compared to beings in our world, where growth requires immense hardship and sacrifice."
"However, this King-level Outer Realm creature is ascending only because it was already at the cusp of its rank ascension. Devouring this back-plated creature is simply the trigger."
Lian Dai seemed significantly more reassured.
Fang Mu wasn't overly concerned about the potential excessive power of Dimensional World lifeforms. First, these Outer Realm creatures seldom engage in mass devouring of their own kind intentionally.
Second, Swallow Gorge Waggle owes this ascension opportunity primarily to Fang Mu's supply of Blood Aged Wine.
Without that Blood Aged Wine, even if Swallow Gorge Waggle devoured ten Chirping Armor Piercing Pupae, it couldn't achieve a Bloodline Transformation!
"Aunt Dai, this King-level Outer Realm creature showcasing signs of transformation is ultimately advantageous for us!"
"Once it achieves rank ascension, it will facilitate our exploration of this Dimensional World significantly."
"We need to pause here for some time, as its rank ascension may generate considerable upheaval. When the time comes, Aunt Dai, I hope you can shield its ascension aura as much as possible!"
"Otherwise, I fear powerful Outer Realm creatures might be drawn in and cause unnecessary trouble."
Hearing Fang Mu's request, Lian Dai quickly released her aura, enveloping Swallow Gorge Waggle within it.
However, the enormous aura unleashed during Swallow Gorge Waggle's Bloodline Transformation and rank ascension was beyond Lian Dai's ability to fully conceal.
She could only minimize the impact of Swallow Gorge Waggle's ascension as much as possible.
After Swallow Gorge Waggle finished devouring the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, strange back-plate-like structures began to manifest on Swallow Gorge Waggle's own back.
Its body doubled in size, and the aura it emitted made Tianyuan Qiongyan visibly uneasy.
If not for Fang Mu's command, Tianyuan Qiongyan would have preferred to stay away from Swallow Gorge Waggle.
Two days had passed since Swallow Gorge Waggle consumed the Chirping Armor Piercing Pupa, and once again Fang Mu heard Swallow Gorge Waggle's urgent voice in his mind.
"Master, my gene lock is now in a semi-open state, requiring an immense influx of flesh-and-blood energy and aberrant energy to fully activate."
"In this semi-open state, I am immobilized and unable to project energy externally."
"I need Tianyuan Qiongyan's assistance to gather the creatures in this area and line them up for me to consume, only then can I make up for my energy deficit!"