Chapter 161: Speech, Awakening on the Spot, and Shen Jie's Battle

As Liu Yi and others struggled to describe the events underground, lacking words and adjustment time, they explained the situation with difficulty...

Lin Feng, responsible for wrapping things up, appeared before everyone after the last Red Beetle exited the tunnel.

Seeing the confusion on their faces, Lin Feng didn't offer much explanation, simply stating:

"Rest for an hour. The fleet will arrive to pick us up."

He then approached the Red Beetle swarm, identifying a distinct yellow-black egg.

Inside, Shen Jie was trapped in the insect's mental world.

His shed exoskeleton formed a yellow-black striped shell, resembling a cocoon for a Tier 2 Tiger Bug more than a white egg.

Shen Jie needed a stable environment, avoiding long journeys.

Therefore, Lin Feng chose not to leave immediately. Besides, the Red Beetles needed Ling Yi's continued guidance.

Unless Lin Feng wanted hundreds of soldiers acting as porters, which in the current situation, would be suicidal.

The soldiers excelled in group firepower. A hundred soldiers with shotguns could hold against thousands of low-tier insects.

With the Tier 2 squad guarding, a defensive strategy was advantageous.

Furthermore, Lin Feng couldn't abandon Ling Yi. Their cooperation was essential until he could defeat the Haicheng Queen alone.

After ten minutes, with the Tier 2 squad offering brief explanations, whispers and discussions arose...

The soldiers noticed over 400 Red Beetles, laden with eggs, stagnant near the tunnel, not attacking.

This gradually convinced them of the Tier 2 awakeners' truth.

From their account...

The mysterious scientist Lin Feng brought back wielded powerful psychic abilities, knowing insect societal structures and having explored their habits underground.

This mission's success was largely due to Ling Yi's guidance and alerts.

But with Lin Feng above ground, the mysterious scientist hadn't appeared, sparking quiet discussions among the squad members.

Perhaps she had other tasks, like exploring different hives.

The soldiers' attention shifted to the hundreds of white eggs on the Red Beetles' backs.

They counted over 300 eggs.

Enough for all peak Tier 1 awakeners to advance to Tier 2, becoming super awakeners.

Some soldiers focused on the special egg before Lin Feng.

According to Liu Yi, it was Shen Jie's healing pod.

The squad had fought peak Tiger Bug guards in the Tiger Bug hatchery.

Without Shen Jie's fearless charge, blocking the 40-meter mandible strike, the squad would have suffered heavy losses.

Shen Jie, sacrificing himself to give Lin Feng a chance to counterattack, was gravely injured.

Even an entire Tier 2 egg's nutrient liquid couldn't cure him.

Fortunately, with Ling Yi's help, insect biotechnology temporarily stabilized his physical wounds, leaving only his mental state to Shen Jie himself.

Truthfully, Shen Jie's plight shocked and worried the soldiers more than other injuries or deaths!

Shen Jie was the strongest awakener after Lin Feng in the 13th Division, once defeating a Tier 2 Tiger Bug single-handedly.

Now, even he was gravely wounded, his fate uncertain...

Highlighting the hive's danger and terror!

Many peak Tier 1 awakeners, learning of Shen Jie's condition, hesitated.

Their eagerness for the eggs turned to worry and confusion...

Lin Feng had once said, Tier 2 eggs were limited. He could freely give them to peak Tier 1 awakeners, aiding their safe advancement, but the cost was...

Joining the Tier 2 corps, fighting deep underground.

There's no free lunch,

Benefits come with risks.

Liu Yi, substituting for Shen Jie as deputy, noticed the soldiers' shifting emotions...

Feeling compelled to act.

He stood, releasing his powerful aura and showcasing his new armor.

After harvesting half-hatched Tier 2 eggs, Liu Yi and others evolved to late Tier 2, some reaching peak Tier 2, lv29.

Liu Yi was among them, quick to advance.

Though expedited, his strength was genuine.

His aura stunned the soldiers.

Among them were his former comrades and new recruits.

Liu Yi addressed them:

"Hesitation and indecision make you weaker."

"The world has changed. Without the commander's support, helping us awaken, how many would survive?"

"In this alien insect invasion, no one is spared. Only fighting and growing strong ensures survival."

"I admit, the underground hive is dangerous, showing incomprehensible things, even mind-breaking horrors..."

"But fearing danger and avoiding battle makes you no different from cowards."

"Maybe now, as awakeners or peak Tier 1, you feel strong, wanting peace away from risk, avoiding dangerous missions."

"I understand..."

"But what benefits does temporary comfort bring?"

"Within months, leaving the front lines, your awakening progress will lag. When the front retreats and Tier 2 awakeners abound..."

"Better to fight now than be cannon fodder later, forced back to the battlefield."

"Today, our small squad reclaimed a town. Maybe next week or month, we'll defend a city! Defeat high-tier queens, and under the commander's leadership, create a haven!"

"If you shrink now, humanity's hope of defeating the insects dims!"

"Ask yourselves... Is that the end you want?!"

"Tell me! Will you be cowards, realizing too late, or seize this chance now, fighting hard?"

Liu Yi's words echoed among the buildings, challenging the soldiers.

After a moment, veteran captains stood:

"Fight!"

"Fight!!"

Seeing familiar comrades rise, Liu Yi relaxed, continuing:

"With the right gear, the hive isn't deadly. Even against Tier 2 insects, we can fight!"

He picked up a heavy machine gun, firing at his chest plate.

12.7mm bullets, which could pierce Black Spinal Bug armor, left not a mark on his Tiger Armor.

The alloy bullets shattered, sparking flashes.

The display amazed the soldiers, filling them with envy and desire.

Satisfied, Liu Yi wiped the bullet marks, saying:

"This is your Red Armor, upgraded with Tiger Bug mandibles, now Tiger Armor."

"The commander named it Tiger Armor."

"Strong enough to withstand Tiger Bug attacks, Black Spinal Bugs can't scratch it."

"With it, I dare fight Tiger Bugs barehanded!"

"Remember, entering the hive isn't suicide. We have strategies and gear."

"And the more insects we kill, the stronger we become! Walking over enemy corpses to victory!"

"Who wants to join, becoming new Tier 2 members, fighting on the front lines?"

He scanned the soldiers, his gaze like a judgment, shaming them.

Most peak Tier 1 veterans followed their captains, forming ranks.

They were Lin Feng's original 201st company, abandoned by the 13th Division, saved by Lin Feng at the first defense line.

Their loyalty made them Lin Feng's most trusted.

Under Liu Yi's call, they led by example, standing first for the new soldiers.

With so many rising, new awakeners joined, showing resolve.

Liu Yi, seeing this, ran to Lin Feng, reporting.

Lin Feng stayed by Shen Jie's egg, monitoring him.

He'd watched Liu Yi's speech, allowing it.

The Tier 2 corps needed leaders to shoulder burdens.

Shen Jie was a candidate, but his youth made him more a lone wolf, hard to lead others, suitable for squad leader.

Someone had to lead other teams.

Liu Yi's speech gave Lin Feng hope.

His silence was approval, even encouragement.

Liu Yi sensed this, continuing...

His speech stabilized the morale shaken by Shen Jie's plight, returning it to normal.

Such ability marked a capable leader.

Lin Feng could focus on high-tier queens.

Facing Liu Yi's expectant gaze, Lin Feng nodded, pointing to the eggs:

"Have them deal with these burdens."

"Those joining the Tier 2 corps, take an egg, kill it, drink the nutrient liquid, and awaken here!"

Liu Yi was surprised by the commander's direct approach, not waiting for headquarters to allocate...

Momentarily stunned.

But Lin Feng continued:

"Remember, using a blade works best, killing close gains all the energy for awakening."

"The liquid aids safe, fast awakening, fixing genetic flaws."

"Go."

Hearing Lin Feng's instructions, Liu Yi realized he hadn't misheard; the commander wanted on-the-spot evolution.

He smiled, knowing this boosted his speech's impact, Lin Feng's approval.

Building Liu Yi's reputation and connections early.

Returning to the soldiers, Liu Yi conveyed their commander's orders...

The standing veterans cheered, ecstatic.

They knew this precious opportunity was thanks to Liu Yi!

Gratitude showed in their eyes, following his guidance, 150 peak Tier 1 veterans divided into five groups, 30 each for deep awakening.

This minimized combat power drop, ensuring rapid awakening.

Seeing veterans' surprise advancement, new awakeners envied them.

Wishing they'd reached peak Tier 1 sooner.

When these eggs were used up, who knew when they'd awaken again.

But as the Tier 2 corps grew, such victories should increase.

Perhaps then, Tier 2 eggs won't be scarce, but fearless fighters facing Tier 2 insects will be.

With orders executed, the first 30 Tier 2 reservists killed eggs, drank the liquid, beginning deep awakening...

Protected by the Tier 2 squad and others, they slept.

Meanwhile...

Lin Feng sensed the egg beside him tremble.

But Shen Jie's mental attribute remained low.

... Scene shift ...

When Shen Jie was rescued, his consciousness formed.

Opening his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar planet.

If Lin Feng or Ling Yi were present, they'd recognize it as an insect origin planet.

But Shen Jie was confused.

As an awakener, especially Tier 2, Shen Jie's memory sharpened, recalling childhood fragments.

He knew the blackened ground and distant lava-spewing volcanoes weren't his memories.

High school philosophy taught him consciousness mirrors the material world.

But if the dream didn't relate to reality...

One possibility.

They stemmed from his insect genes!

He was in the insect mental world!

Specifically, the Black Spinal and Tiger Bugs' mental home!

From the obsidian earth, Black Spinal Bugs emerged...

Mandibles swinging at him!

"Damn!!"

Shen Jie cursed...

Unarmed, he was overwhelmed by the swarm.

Torn apart by mandibles.

Before he could react, his consciousness reappeared...

In the real world, the egg trembled again.

Shen Jie's mental attribute dipped...

A bad feeling arose in Lin Feng.

Shen Jie resembled the protagonist from a decade ago.

The unstable female lead, powerful but costly, each act pushing her into the abyss.

Ultimately lost...

Yet he was a contender for the Tier 4 Hunt King.

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