I Am The Swarm

Chapter 48: Fertilization

Currently, every insect in the Brood Nest possessed genes allowing them to consume soil. With this talent, the entire ground became a buffet of solid food. If solid intake was needed, they could eat as much as desired.

Luo Wen’s idea was swiftly implemented.

He began by selecting 500 Worker Ants for an experiment, instructing them to consume soil daily and deposit the resulting bio-fertilizer near designated plants.

The results were remarkable. The same number of Worker Ants consuming soil produced several times more bio-fertilizer compared to their previous diet.

During this period, Luo Wen also ordered the ants to stop assisting the aphids in migrating. Whether aiding plant growth would succeed still required further trials and time. Thus, Luo Wen decided to pursue both paths simultaneously: re

“Could it be a Camouflage Bug?” Luo Wen wondered, his interest waning slightly. Both Camouflage Bugs and Black Beetles were common in this region beneath the cliffside forest and the desert shrublands beyond.

These insects had flourished here, unrestrained by the restrictions placed on Yellow Earth Ants, and existed in significant numbers.

Despite their proliferation, Camouflage Bugs were weak combatants. Their ambush skills might be top-tier, but their direct combat capabilities were pitifully low.

Their camouflage, while impressive, was useless against Worker Ants, who identified threats through pheromones rather than sight. Once discovered, a few Worker Ants could easily eliminate them.

As for Black Beetles, they were doomed if they didn’t flee when discovered. If the Worker Ants called for reinforcements, they would inevitably be reduced to protein reserves.

Although Worker Ants lacked individual combat strength, their swarm tactics made them the dominant force in the region. They even managed to catch grasshoppers, which had once been a bane for Luo Wen, in significant numbers daily.

Luo Wen, having tasted grasshoppers before, had been unimpressed. The only redeeming quality of grasshoppers was their strong hind legs, whose genes marginally enhanced his own limb muscles—not enough to replicate their leaps.

Lost in his musings, Luo Wen suddenly noticed something unusual about this particular “Camouflage Bug.”

The bark-like pattern wasn’t an external covering but part of its natural coloration, seamlessly blending into its environment.

This was a species Luo Wen had never encountered before.

His curiosity reignited. A new species meant new genetic fragments to collect. Whether they proved useful was secondary; they were worth acquiring.

Quickening his pace, Luo Wen reached the circle of ants. His antennae twitched, signaling the Worker Ants to part and allow him through.

The new insect was smaller and slimmer than a typical Camouflage Bug, with notably sturdy shoulder and dorsal plates. Its coloration matched its surroundings perfectly, with patterns on its back blending flawlessly with the tree bark.

The insect remained motionless, seemingly indifferent to Luo Wen’s approach.

Cautiously, Luo Wen extended a burrowing limb to prod the insect. The sheer size difference was staggering; his burrowing limb alone was nearly as large as the creature itself.

The insect reacted to the touch as if it truly were a piece of bark, showing no response.

Luo Wen applied more pressure, nudging the insect. Though it swayed slightly under the force, it stubbornly clung to the tree bark with its claws.

Luo Wen almost laughed. Did this insect really believe that staying still would fool him?

Feeling his intelligence insulted, Luo Wen swung his burrowing limb in a Luo-style combat technique opener, striking the insect directly.

Despite its slender build, the insect was surprisingly resilient. It withstood the blow with minimal damage.

Realizing its camouflage had failed, the insect abandoned its disguise. Releasing its grip on the bark, it pushed off with its short legs and dropped toward the ground.

Something extraordinary happened. Upon landing, the insect’s coloration shifted rapidly, blending seamlessly with the surrounding grass and leaves.

In an instant, it vanished into its environment.