122: Chapter 122: The Overmind completes the integration of the remnants of the Tyranid army's genes, and the Zerg swarm enters a new evolutionary cycle.

Deep beneath the Metallis Forge Temple, the genetic analysis sacs did not rest for a single moment after the Error-Correction Code Prototype was sealed.

The Brood Queen packed the combat test data of the new generation of Zergling and uploaded it to the Hive Mind, along with a complete progress report on the Tyranid gene integration.

The cover of the report bore only a single line of cold green text—'Tyranid Remnant gene samples have all completed targeted mutation, and the genetic templates for all Swarm combat units will complete synchronous updates within the current evolutionary cycle.'

The Overmind reviewed the entire report within the Hive Mind.

The complete set of environmental adaptation genes evolved by the Tyranid Remnants in the dark matter nebulae on the edge of The Galaxy / Milky Way had been fully dismantled into dozens of independent functional modules.

The Cyst Ship symbiont carapace genes were integrated into the adamantium-chitin composite armor formula, forming a multi-layered gradient protective structure: the outer layer absorbs the thermal shock of energy weapons, the middle layer disperses the penetration force of kinetic projectiles, and the inner layer activates self-repair protocols to fill cracks.

The Tyranid creep absorption genes were recompiled into an upgrade program for the Blackstone Defense Line's long-range passive scanning array, extending the detection radius by a considerable sector. The residual signals of the Chaos Hulk Fleets had nowhere to hide under the new scanning array—which was exactly how the Error-Correction Code Prototype had been exposed.

The complete neural mapping of the Tyranid Hive Mind command chain backup nodes was input into the Hive Mind's tactical simulation engine. The Swarm could now precisely predict the decision-making paths of Hive Tyrant in actual combat and launch decapitation strikes at the critical threshold of their concurrency limits.

The Overmind forwarded the report to all Brood Queen nodes and simultaneously issued a new batch of hatching orders.

The carapace of the new generation of Ultralisk will adopt a multi-layered gradient composite plating homologous to the Zergling, but the Ultralisk's carapace thickness is dozens of times that of the Zergling. Once its outer layer is embedded with Tyranid symbiont protein fiber mesh, it will possess theoretical resistance to direct fire from the Empire's Warlord-class Titan volcano cannons.

The wing membrane tissue of the new generation of Brood Lord will integrate Tyranid dark matter radiation-resistant proteins, improving its sustained cruising capability in extreme radiation environments. The spore mine warheads it carries will be re-equipped with active corrosive enzymes extracted from the Tyranid Cyst Ship symbiont carapace, with penetration efficiency superior to the standard spore mines of the Coalition era.

The quantum interpretation nodes of the new generation of Blackstone Cerebrate will directly integrate the Chaos psychic encryption protocol decryption algorithms reverse-engineered from the Error-Correction Code Prototype, enabling them to actively interfere with Chaos Sorcerers' attempts at psychic infiltration of Coalition communication links.

"All new hatching batches will complete full genetic template synchronization before the end of this evolutionary cycle."

The Brood Queen entered the Overmind's instructions one by one into the hatchery's master genetic template, while sending a brief technical preview to the Blackstone Cerebrate at the base of the Talasta Void Gate—the calibration data from the Blackstone Defense Line's upgraded detection array had been successfully interfaced with the quantum interpretation nodes of the new generation of Blackstone Cerebrate, and the passive scanning precision of the defense line would be further improved once the new Brain-Bug came online.

She closed the report, her forelimbs brushing lightly across the creep, and pushed the simulation parameters for the Ultralisk carapace resistance test into the Hive Mind.

The simulation showed that while the outer layer of the new carapace would instantly vaporize when subjected to direct fire from a Warlord-class Titan volcano cannon, the middle layer of adamantium-chitin framework could control the penetration depth within a safe range, and the inner layer's self-repair protocols would immediately activate, ensuring the Ultralisk's charge speed would not drop significantly while under sustained suppressive fire.

The Brood Queen wrote a tactical suggestion at the end of the simulation report—the first deployment of the new Ultralisk should be prioritized for breaking through the Titan Legion's blockade lines of the Empire.

Meanwhile, the Blackstone Cerebrate was translating the reverse-engineered results of the Error-Correction Code Prototype layer by layer into The Swarm's quantum encryption protocol.

The prototype of this protocol originated from the Necron Dynasty's living metal quantum encryption algorithms. During the Coalition era, the Brood Queen had interfaced it with the Zerg Hive Mind's living neural network to create a communication protocol layer that Chaos could not infiltrate.

Now, this protocol was being loaded into the living neural networks of the leviathan mothership, serving as the encryption foundation for The Swarm's new generation of fleet communications.

In the briefing room of the Emperors Hammer, Marcus Aurelian forwarded the technical summary of The Swarm's new generation of encryption protocols to Bern.

He stated that The Swarm had completely replaced its communication encryption protocols, using a brand-new algorithm that had never been exposed during the Coalition era, and that the update progress of the Empire's communication encryption protocols must keep pace.

Bern sent a confirmation that the Grey Knights psychic security advisors had completed the joint draft of the new encryption standard with the Naval Tactical Assessment Bureau's technical division, and all Imperial anchorages would complete the replacement before the start of the next rotation cycle.

The Overmind aggregated all update progress within the Hive Mind and sent a brief strategic assessment to all Brood Queen nodes—the Tyranid Remnants gene integration was complete, the reverse engineering of the Error-Correction Code Prototype had entered a deep stage, the Blackstone Defense Line detection upgrade was complete, and the hatching cycle for the new generation of combat units had begun.

During the current window, The Swarm would maintain strategic deterrence against the Empire without launching active offensives, prioritizing the completion of internal evolution.

After the evolutionary cycle concluded, The Swarm would possess genetic-level suppression over the Tyranids, psychic-level countermeasures against Chaos, and tactical-level advantages over the Empire.

The combined effect of these three advantages would be fully verified in The Swarm's next large-scale military operation.

He finished aggregating the evolutionary data submitted by all Brood Queen nodes, then cast his gaze toward a more profound strategic level—when the time was ripe, The Swarm would transform from a newly emerged Overlord into the sole Overlord.