While Luo Wen idled with little to do, his aquatic units patrolling the river stumbled upon a new type of insect. They captured it successfully and delivered it to Luo Wen.
At first glance, the insect resembled the small black beetle discovered earlier, but it was dark brown, with a slightly flattened head and a prominent shoulder plate—something the black beetle lacked.
Additionally, this insect had only one pair of eyes, setting it apart from the earlier species. Like the black beetle, it had three pairs of legs, but its front legs were shorter and stubbier. The middle and rear legs, though paddle-like, were covered with dense bristles.
The scout that captured it could not explain where it had come from, only that it was found in the river.
Observing the paddle-like legs, Luo Wen speculated that it was another water-skimming insect, similar to the black beetle, capable of moving across the water’s surface. With little concern, he casually consumed it.
What he didn’t expect was the surprise this tiny insect had in store for him.
That very night, Luo Wen entered a cocoon state, his body undergoing significant structural changes.
When he finally emerged from his cocoon, the first thing Luo Wen did was eat, refueling his ravenous body. As he ate, he inspected himself.
However, as he examined his body, he became increasingly puzzled. Outwardly, there didn’t seem to be any significant changes.
Previously, his last pair of legs had transformed into paddle-shaped appendages. While awkward at first, Luo Wen had grown used to them. With his six remaining standard legs, he could still move effortlessly on land, scaling mountains and trees without issue.
The earlier transformation had been a simple molt, not requiring cocooning. So why had he entered a cocoon this time? Could a few extra hairs trigger such a drastic change?
Luo Wen shook his head, dismissing the idea. His body only cocooned during major transformations—this much he knew. If the change wasn’t external, then it had to be internal.
He headed to the Brood Nest to investigate. Sure enough, a new set of genetic fragments, related to respiratory systems, had been added to the genetic library—clearly derived from the small brown insect.
Given the insect’s diminutive size, its respiratory system wasn’t designed for a larger body. Thus, its usefulness likely lay elsewhere.
To understand its function, Luo Wen could simply have the Brood Nest produce some eggs based on the new genetic template. However, developing eggs into mature insects would take time, and Luo Wen was impatient for answers.
Despite this, he still instructed the Brood Nest to produce some eggs using the new genetic data and updated the Queen Ant production orders with the new genes.
Then, Luo Wen hurried to the river’s aquatic base.
The so-called “aquatic base” was nothing more than a simple lakeside station. Due to the muddy soil and high moisture, the area was unsuitable for a permanent nest, so no Queen Ants were stationed there. Such outposts dotted the lakeshore and riverbank, functioning as makeshift docks.
Luo Wen arrived at the station where the small brown insect had been discovered. Near the base, small aquatic units—modeled on the black beetle—were gathered, familiarizing themselves with their abilities.
These “Raft Bugs,” named for their inverted boat-like appearance, had been hatched using the black beetle’s template. Their compact bodies skimmed the water surface effortlessly, resembling miniature boats.
As this was a lakeside base, most of the Raft Bugs here were small in size. Their limited propulsion made them unsuitable for navigating the river’s swift currents.
The small brown insect had been captured by these Raft Bugs, though its origin remained a mystery. Luo Wen had patrolled the lakeshore countless times without ever encountering such a species.
After another day of searching the area, Luo Wen found nothing. Impatient for answers, he decided to experiment personally.
Since gaining paddle-shaped legs, Luo Wen had avoided entering the water. Now, with his curiosity piqued, he wasn’t about to risk plunging into the lake. Despite being the largest “Raft Bug” in the Swarm, he had his own precautions.
He summoned over a million Burrower Ants and five Giant Scorpions to the lake. The Giant Scorpions, with their prowess in excavation, had proven invaluable for large-scale projects. After battles, Luo Wen had replenished their numbers to maintain this capability. In peacetime, they subsisted on minimal resources, awaiting tasks.
At Luo Wen’s command, they began digging. He marked out a small area to excavate an 80-centimeter-deep swimming pool. Standing over a meter tall with his legs extended, Luo Wen deemed this depth safe.
The assembled workforce, adept at digging and burrowing, completed the pool in a single day. Under Luo Wen’s guidance, they then dug a channel connecting the pool to the lake.
As lake water flowed in, the pool gradually filled.
With preparations complete, Luo Wen cautiously stepped into the water.
Slowly, he retracted his legs one by one, folding them beneath his body. To his delight, he floated on the surface.
Testing the paddle-like legs, he felt a push of water propelling him forward. Unfortunately, the pool’s small size limited his movement; he reached the far edge after only a few strokes.
Undeterred, Luo Wen reveled in the novelty of the experience. For the first time, he was truly amphibious.
After some time, he remembered his purpose. Concentrating on his body’s sensations in the water, Luo Wen suddenly, instinctively, dove beneath the surface.
The water rippled violently as Luo Wen submerged. Waves rebounded against the pool’s edges before settling into calm.
Half an hour passed without Luo Wen resurfacing, as though the pool had swallowed him.
Beneath the water, a massive black insect crouched at the bottom. A visible air bubble clung to the tip of its abdomen, standing out starkly in the murky depths.
This insect was Luo Wen. After half an hour of experimentation, he had deciphered the purpose of his newly enhanced respiratory system.