SWDnovel 019 3 Ants
019 3 Ants
While Li Yu was still bewildered, a soft female voice rang out amidst a chorus of "Yes, yes, yes, yes": "You giant, are you the lord of this place?"
Li Yu looked around and suddenly a grain of red rice jumped out from the "black rice".
Li Yu bent down to take a look.
The enormous head drooped, its vast features looming overhead. The "Black Rice" were so terrified that they rolled backward like waves, and the shouts of "Yes, yes!" immediately subsided.
Redmi, however, remained completely unmoved.
Like a pillar in the middle of a stream, or a rocky reef in the wind and waves.
"Black rice" is made from black ants, while "red rice" is not made from ants.
She is a tiny person.
It is only an inch tall, wearing a phoenix-winged crown and a small red robe, with a serrated knife tied at its waist.
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"The Thirteen Ants"
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Yellow
[Characteristics] Servant insect, humanoid
[Talent] Powerful Elephant Thrower
[Title] [Southern Language]
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Li Yu was immediately delighted when he saw the "yellow grade" item.
Upon seeing the talent "Power to Throw Elephant", he was taken aback.
He knew about "throwing the elephant," which originated from a story—"Buddha throwing the elephant."
It is said that when Siddhartha Gautama was a prince, he was worshipping Buddha when a giant elephant blocked his path. Siddhartha Gautama then lifted the elephant by its trunk and threw it into the air, where it took three days to fall.
Buddhist anecdotes are not about truth or falsehood, but only about the inconceivable nature of Buddhist teachings.
However, the "strength to throw an elephant" of this [Mysterious Thirteen Ants] should have nothing to do with Buddhism. Could it be that this ant-sized being can really throw an elephant?
Just as he was about to examine it closely, he suddenly heard [Xuan Shisan Ant] shout, "You giant, how dare you be so rude?"
The sound was very soft, as faint as a mosquito's buzz. Yet it was like the sound of metal and stone playing, clear and distinct to Li Yu's ears.
"My [Xuanju] clan, having heard that your esteemed territory is recruiting talented individuals, has come here in its entirety without delay. We do not expect you to show any courtesy or hospitality, yet you have gone so far as to be so arrogant and rude!"
Li Yu scratched his head. He was just looking, so how did he get the title of "arrogant and rude"?
However, seeing the little boy's serious expression, Li Yu couldn't be negligent. He straightened up, straightened his clothes, and bowed to the "first batch of citizens" of the territory, saying, "Welcome to the [Xuanju] clan. I hope we can work together to govern [Xianlu]."
He stood up, straightened his clothes, bowed, and spoke. The series of movements created a gentle breeze that sent dozens of ants flying, immediately eliciting a chorus of "Yes, yes!" sounds.
The little girl ignored the commotion behind her. She seemed quite pleased with Li Yu's "acceptance" ceremony and returned the greeting solemnly. Then she leaped into the ant colony and lowered her head to press down her [phoenix-winged crown].
The two phoenix wings on the crown touched the antennae of an ant.
Only then did Li Yu realize that the [phoenix wings] were actually antennae.
Its color is reddish-yellow, and it is both firm and tough. When walking, sitting or lying down, it sways gently, much like the long tail of a golden phoenix, which is extremely beautiful.
That ant was noticeably larger than the others, measuring two inches in length.
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'Queen Ant'
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Yellow
[Characteristics] Reproduction, servant insect
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It is the leader of this group of ants, and also a [Yellow Rank]. Like the [Xuan Thirteen Ants], there are no specific "Strength, Constitution, Agility, and Spirit" stats, nor are there any levels of combat power or intelligence. However, judging from its [Characteristics], it is clearly not a combatant.
Li Yu then went to look at the other ants.
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Reproductive ants
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Characteristics] Exploration, Reproduction, Insect Servants
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worker ants
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Characteristics] Servant Insect
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Soldier Ants
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Characteristics] Defense against enemies, servant insects
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'Little Ant'
[Race] Black Steed
[Rank] Not Ranked
[Characteristics] Differentiation
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Ants are typical social groups. Although [Xuanju] has supernatural abilities, we can tell from their [characteristics] that their social structure has not changed. They still have four identities: queen ant, reproductive ant, worker ant, and soldier ant.
The queen ant is in charge of reproduction, ensuring the species has many offspring.
Reproductive ants have males and females, which can be called princes and princesses. The princess is a "backup queen"; while the prince has only one duty - to mate with the princess or queen and then die.
Worker ants constitute the largest number of the colony. They build and expand the nest, forage for food, feed the larvae and queen, and maintain the normal operation of the colony.
Soldier ants are larger worker ants that are responsible for the security of the ant colony.
As for the "[nymph]", it is the larva of an ant, which will later pupate and molt, differentiating into the four identities mentioned above.
After examining the entire ant colony, Li Yu discovered that among all the [Xuanju] clans, the [Xuan Shisan Ants] were the most unique.
Belonging to the [Mysterious Steed] clan, yet lacking an ant form. It possesses human form, [talent], and [title], and even more absurdly, understands human speech and knows etiquette!
Li Yu then remembered the "strength to throw an elephant" and went to check the panel of [Thirteen Ants].
Unfortunately, the so-called "elephant" does not have four legs, but six.
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'Humanoid': The spirit ant has gained intelligence and coexists with all races. To facilitate communication, the [Mysterious Steed Ant Queen] used ten pairs of energy and ten thousand pairs of dew to nurture the thirteenth [Reproductive Ant] into humanoid form.
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"Powerful enough to throw an elephant": In the battle for supremacy among ants, [Black Steed] and [Cranberry Steed] clashed on the wood of Huaiyang. The [Queen Ant] was attacked and trapped in the enemy's formation. [Black Thirteen Ant], only half a year old, led his ants into the Cranberry swarm. With a casual throw of a cranberry, he was almost invincible, and from then on, he became famous in the ant world.
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Southern Language
[Rank] Yellow
[Attributes] Can understand human speech, horse language, and insect sounds.
[Description] From *Baopuzi*: Li Nan was riding a red horse when he met a man riding a white horse. The white horse neighed first, and the red horse responded. Li Nan said to his attendant, "The white horse says, 'Your son has seen a yellow horse, blind in its left eye. It is my son. You can order it to hurry and catch up with him.'" A moment later, they indeed met a blind yellow horse. The white horse neighed first, and the blind horse responded.
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Li Yu was very disappointed. [Powerful enough to throw an elephant] was not what he had expected. Although the title [Yellow Grade] was also amazing, as it allowed him to understand horse language and insect sounds, it was of no help in the battle and did not help him much in his current situation.
Suddenly, a dense series of "check-check" sounds rang out from the ant colony.
All the ants were shaking their big black butts, and the "yes, yes" sound came from the bottom of their abdomens.
Li Yu looked closely and then discovered that it seemed that under the abdomen of each ant lay a plump worm.
When the big black butt swings and hits the fat worm, it makes a "dui" sound.
I just don't know if it was the sound of a butt hitting someone or the sound of a fat worm.
Ants will "match" when they are angry; ants will "match" when they are afraid; ants will "match" when they are happy.
Li Yu slapped his forehead. What a pitiful worm!
With a soft whoosh, [Xuan Shisan Ant] leaped back to Li Yu's side. With a raised left arm, the "yes, yes" sounds immediately ceased.
"Upon entering the [Immortal Abode], I realized it was a [blessed land of immortals]. I am deeply grateful for your esteemed invitation. My [Xuanju] clan will henceforth work tirelessly day and night to repay your kindness."
Li Yu nodded.
[Xuan Shisan Ant] bowed again: "Without sincerity, I dare not meet Your Excellency. Today, Xuanju has come to my humble abode and presents a handful of [Xuanlu]. I hope Your Excellency will accept it with a smile."
Li Yu smiled and nodded. Not bad, there's even a "treasure presentation" procedure.
He admired this [Thirteen Ants], who truly deserved to be called the "diplomat" of the anthill. He understood human speech, knew etiquette, and even had a set of clever words.
[Xuan Shisan Ant] raised his hand again, and two flying ants soared into the sky, circled a few times, and pounced on the small pond, tearing off a lotus petal with a thud.
The flying ant returned carrying a lotus petal and gently placed it on the ground.
[Thirteen Ants] waved his hand again, and the dark ant colony immediately began to move.
Nearly a thousand [Black Steeds] stepped forward one by one, pulling out plump worms from under their bellies. With a twist and a slap of their big black rear ends, the fat worms' bodies vibrated, and they spat out a small clump of "saliva" from their mouths, which fell into the lotus petals.
After vomiting, the fat worm visibly deflated.
Next, Li Yu stared in disbelief as a thousand ants made pairs and spat.
What, is "Xuanlu" just insect saliva?
After a long while, [Thirteen Ants] stepped forward. She didn't have any fat worms, but she had saliva.
A drop of clear "saliva" fell, officially completing the "Thousand Ants Sprinkling Dew" ceremony.
[Thirteen Ants] bowed respectfully, saying, "Please, my lord, drink this dew!"
The ants shook their big black rear ends, and a loud "yes, yes" sound arose, though it seemed a little quieter than before.
Li Yu smiled bitterly.
Seeing his unusual expression, [Thirteen Ants] asked, "Why don't you drink dew, sir?"
Before Li Yu could answer, [Thirteen Ants] suddenly realized: "Is it because you dislike saliva?"
Li Yu nodded honestly.
[Thirteen Ants] said, "Honey comes from the bee's mouth, and bird's nest is the saliva of the bird; don't you humans also eat and feast on it? Besides, if you, sir, were to peck at a woman's food, consuming all her saliva, how would that be different from this?"
Li Yu was speechless.
He hasn't even pecked at it yet!