Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

"It should have been this way all along!"

"We are naturally the strongest, so it makes sense for us to have a unified title."

"Let's give it a name! Let's give it a name!"

The commanding voice rose again, overwhelming all other noises from the bugs:

"Alright, let's start naming, does anyone have any suggestions?"

The bugs immediately began voicing their opinions:

"Emperor Bug Alliance!"

"Cosmic Bug Combat Squad!"

"Transforming Gold Beetle!"

"Bug Sprite!"

"Beautiful Bugs!"

"..."

They argued noisily, each refusing to yield to another, all believing their suggested names were the best.

"Stop!"

The commanding voice shouted angrily.

The bugs slowly quieted down.

"All the names you've come up with are terrible and fail to showcase our grandeur—by the way, how should I address you? A First Layer newcomer?"

"Paige—Baxter Paige," Shen Ye said.

"Why do you carry that name, did your queen bug give it to you?" the commanding voice asked.

"No, just because I once disguised myself as a human and a vampire, I used that name at the time—those humans who know this name are likely under my command; please give them your care," Shen Ye said.

The commanding voice casually mentioned:

"Good idea, humans and pandas are the races most likely to awaken gate power, and gate power represents the future."

"More importantly, you didn't tell a single lie!"

"Baxter—"

"Now, you suggest a name first, then the other bugs can make their suggestions, and finally, everyone will vote," the commanding voice commanded.

"Heart of the Swarm," Shen Ye suggested.

A moment of silence.

The bugs mulled over the name.

It sounded common, but on closer analysis, it seemed to represent the union consciousness among all king species.

"Why call it that?" the commanding voice asked.

Shen Ye explained:

"We are the kings within the swarm and the core of our entire race; we decide the future of the swarm!"

"Very well, I cast my vote for you," the commanding voice said.

"I think it's good."

"Not bad."

"That's the name then."

Other bugs chimed in.

"Let's vote then—" the commanding voice declared.

The bugs exchanged thoughts at lightning speed through their consciousness, quickly completing the voting.

"Heart of the Swarm" won by a whopping eighteen votes over the runner-up, "Firework Bug City"!

The commanding voice thundered:

"Baxter, your suggestion today was outstanding; from now on, we shall have a unified name for our union consciousness."

"Your arrival has made us more progressive and powerful."

"I hope every member can do the same."

"Then we will truly live up to the name 'Heart of the Swarm.'"

"I will reward you on behalf of the entire union consciousness—"

For a moment.

The power of the Dharma Realm plummeted from nothingness and flowed directly into Shen Ye's heart, crystallizing into a skill exclusive to the king species.

Tiny glowing letters quickly sprouting, completing the interpretation of this reward:

"'Heart of the Swarm' has rewarded you with the most powerful skill recognized by the First Layer of the king species cosmic giant bug talent tree:"

"Fate's Thorns."

"A king species innate skill, constantly accompanying."

"Description: Any attack cast on you by any target, will also attack that target."

"—Although located in the First Layer, this is indeed a very powerful king species talent, being the core talent of the king species."

"Perhaps with just this one talent, you can freely roam the universe."

All the text vanished.

Shen Ye glowed with a deep red radiance, and with a slight intention of his heart—

Translucent crimson spikes densely covered his entire body.

This was talent!

Just like gate power.

— Normally speaking, talent is an innate ability, as natural as eating and sleeping.

The so-called "constantly accompanying skill" means that this skill will always exist.

Unless you actively shut it off.

— It's somewhat similar to the operation mode of an air conditioner.

Shen Ye had been through many battles and knew well how strong this "Fate's Thorns" talent truly was.

The king species he had seen, if it had mastered this talent—

What would be the use of fighting?

It could be considered nearly invincible!

However, it did not possess such a core talent.

Even its queen bug did not have this talent!

— Yet he did!

The Heart of the Swarm indeed lived up to its reputation as the strongest union consciousness of the king species, offering rewards that were frankly terrifying.

Shen Ye exhaled softly, trying to calm down.

At this moment, he felt he should say something.

"Thanks for the big bosses rewarding me with this talent; I want to thank every brother who voted for me—I love you all; thank you!"

"Going forward, I will work even harder to make more contributions to the Heart of the Swarm."

"Thanks again!"

Shen Ye's words sparked a series of whistles and cheers.

"Not bad, Baxter, I hope you continue to strive hard."

The commanding voice encouraged.

"I definitely will!" Shen Ye replied.

And with that, the matter concluded.

Shen Ye disconnected from the Heart of the Swarm.

He was about to get familiar with Fate's Thorns when he saw several lines of text appearing in the void:

"Dark Gold Entry 'Vampire Kiddo' has loosened."

"As the former vampire 'Baxter', your name starts to resonate across the vast, multilayered universes, known to truly powerful beings."

"Please continue doing things that spread your fame."

"—'Vampire Kiddo' has the potential to evolve again!"

All the text vanished.

Well.

That's all good news.

Shen Ye felt exhilarated.

Suddenly, a voice rang out by his ear:

"Eh? That's Fate's Thorns on you—so you really are a king species? I thought it was fake."

Shen Ye quickly turned around.