Chapter 37: The Insect Nest
Although the word "contract" from Carlo was very vague, Su Xiao still captured it precisely.
He was not surprised, or rather, he had long suspected that Old Barr knew his identity.
When he first came into contact with Old Barr, Su Xiao noticed a situation: the other party must have had contact with humans, and not just once.
This island was called Devouring Island. There were no traces of human civilization on the island, only red-skinned natives. Yet Old Barr understood human language. There must be a hidden reason behind this.
In other words, Devouring Island was fundamentally different from derivative worlds. Derivative worlds were completely controlled by Reincarnation Paradise and could have their timelines reset.
Devouring Island was different. Reincarnation Paradise only had the right to intervene here, without strong control, and could not reset the timeline here.
Therefore, Old Barr had likely come into contact with many contractors. After all, the Asenman tribe lived on Devouring Island, and contractors were only passersby here.
If one thought about it this way, then the existence of Devouring Island was somewhat terrifying. After batches of contractors visited, it still had not changed much and maintained its original order.
...
The atmosphere in the stone house was somewhat awkward. Old Barr's cloudy eyes glanced at Carlo.
Carlo, with a wooden expression, grinned but did not explain anything.
"Ahem~, where were we?"
Old Barr coughed dryly to ease the awkwardness.
"Going deep into the insect nest."
Su Xiao did not want to dwell on issues like contractors. It was already confirmed that Old Barr had ulterior motives, but he himself was not harboring goodwill either. Both sides were about the same, neither being good people.
However, from the previous conversation, Su Xiao discovered a piece of information: Carlo did not seem to be Old Barr's subordinate. Their relationship was more like equals rather than superior and subordinate, and Old Barr even seemed to take care of Carlo.
"Right, going deep into the insect nest."
Changing the subject, Old Barr took out a crude map. This map was a national treasure level item in the Asenman tribe.
"The main battlefield between us and the insect race is here."
Old Barr pointed to a spot on the map, which was a large plain.
"This is our current position."
Old Barr pointed to the location of the Asenman tribe on the map.
"This is the location of the insect race."
Old Barr pointed to a position separated from the Asenman tribe by three mountain ranges and one forest.
"What are these black dots near the insect race?"
Su Xiao looked at an area around the insect race.
"This is the explosion zone."
"Explosion zone?"
Su Xiao was slightly surprised.
Old Barr lowered his eyelids, as if recalling some unpleasant memories, and said solemnly, "Yes, the explosion zone. One wrong step and you die. To enter the insect nest, this is the only way."
On the map, the insect nest was marked with a black skull, and around the skull were black dots representing the explosion zone.
"The insect race has a type of soldier called explosion ants. They hide underground, only exposing their heads. If you step on their heads, then pray for yourself. If it's a newborn explosion ant, it will explode immediately upon being stepped on. If it's an explosion ant that has existed for over a week, as long as you don't move your foot, it won't explode. These things can survive for at most a month."
After hearing Old Barr's introduction, Su Xiao felt that these explosion ants were like biological landmines.
Newborn explosion ants had keen perception and would explode upon being stepped on. Explosion ants that had been buried underground for over a week were not so sensitive.
"Are they very powerful?"
"Very powerful. At least blowing you up wouldn't be a problem for me."
Old Barr continued describing his plan.
"After the war starts, we will circle around from here."
Old Barr pointed to a mountain range behind the insect race.
"Then we will cross the explosion zone. After crossing the explosion zone, we still need to watch out for the surveillance of flying mantises. They are a type of flying insect race that can spit strong acid, but their numbers are scarce..."
Su Xiao raised his hand, interrupting Old Barr's words.
"After crossing the explosion zone, that compass belongs to me."
Su Xiao's request made Old Barr hesitate.
"No, it must be after obtaining the regeneration egg."
"Then this cooperation ends here."
Su Xiao stood up without hesitation and walked out. If Old Barr obtained the so-called regeneration egg, it might be too late.
"Wait."
Old Barr was deep in thought.
"No... problem."
The usually silent Carlo spoke up.
Carlo's presence was not strong. If he did not speak up, no one would notice him. He was like a potted plant—people might glance at him at first, but then they would not pay attention anymore.
Su Xiao, who had already reached the stone house door, stopped.
"After passing through the explosion zone, the compass is yours."
The deal was struck. Su Xiao, Old Barr, and Carlo would go deep into the insect nest. After passing through the explosion zone, Old Barr would hand over the compass.
Although the deal was made, Su Xiao did not feel very relaxed.
Old Barr's concession surprised him. His bottom line was to obtain the compass after entering the insect nest.
He was determined to get that compass. Without it, he could not quickly find the cliff stone bridge, and without the stone bridge, he could not leave the red soil area.
"When do we set off?"
During the three's negotiation, the main force outside had already advanced. This war was led by Old Barr's fourth son.
"Set off now."
The route and action plan had been planned, but plans could not keep up with changes. Most of Old Barr's plans relied on improvisation.
"The regeneration egg is right next to the insect queen. Remember, don't be charmed by her."
"Hmm?"
Su Xiao looked at Old Barr in confusion.
"You'll understand when you see the insect queen. That tempting feeling..."
Old Barr did not say more. The three quickly left the Asenman tribe.
The distance between the Asenman tribe and the insect race was not short, but the three each had their own way of traveling.
Carlo and Old Barr each rode a horse-like creature. This creature was called a Stomping Hoof, a carnivorous animal with great endurance. Once tamed, it was a good travel tool.
The three had to make a large detour around the flank of the main battlefield and enter the insect nest from behind.
After a full two-hour detour, Su Xiao arrived at a wetland. This was the rear of the insect race.
In the distance, the sound of battle could be faintly heard. The Asenman tribe and the insect race had already clashed.
A faint sweet and fishy smell came over. Looking into the distance, several oval-shaped buildings came into view.
These buildings were entirely green. If one looked closely, they would notice these buildings trembling slightly, with faintly visible blood vessels on the surface.
There were five insect nests in total: one large and four small.
The small ones were about ten meters in diameter, while the largest insect nest was like a castle, over ten meters high and covering an area the size of a football field.
"We are going deep into the largest insect nest. The regeneration egg is there."
Old Barr jumped off the Stomping Hoof's back, scanning the insect nests.
Each of the five insect nests had its own function. The largest one was the queen's residence, called the Mother Nest, which contained many stinging scorpions or higher-level insect races to protect the queen.
The remaining four insect nests were: the Egg Incubation Pool (used for mass-producing soldiers), the Biological Detection Organization (for surveillance), the Anti-Air Tower (for anti-air units), and the Evolution Chamber (for producing high-level insect races).
Old Barr's goal was to invade the Mother Nest and seize the regeneration egg.
However, the three were still some distance from the insect nest and needed to pass through the explosion zone first.