150: jungle

With the end of the ant extermination operation, it was time to return.

However, even the return process was incredibly strict.

No one could be certain.

While exterminating the ants, they might have also been targeted by Hellfire Ants hidden in the sand.

Scan, scan, scan!

Not even a single speck of dirt on their bodies was overlooked.

Only after it was thoroughly confirmed that there were no issues, would decontamination proceed.

Only then could this ant extermination operation be considered truly complete.

However, Pato still underestimated the abilities of the Hellfire Ants.

Or rather, he underestimated the abilities of the Queen Bee.

How could the offspring she birthed, exhausting all her energy, be so simple?

Its terrifying mimicry ability allowed it to even disguise itself as inanimate objects like dirt.

It perfectly fooled the scanning equipment.

Although these protective suits still needed to undergo decontamination.

But that was a matter for later.

During this process, the Hellfire Ants had countless ways to escape.

Just like now!

The Hellfire Ants exerted force, and the dirt covering it fell directly from the sole of the shoe onto the ground.

It escaped humanity's clutches before the protective suit was collected and sent for decontamination.

With a slight exertion of force.

Under the cover of dirt, the Hellfire Ants began to secretly dig.

Digging a passage for itself to escape.

It even knew how to cover its tracks.

Putting the excavated dirt back exactly as it was.

Due to its extremely small size.

Even with very careful observation, no abnormality could be found here.

Ultimately, it completed its clandestine operation right under everyone's noses.

It dug a tunnel underground and ran towards the distance.

Before long, guided by its perception of water, it arrived near a river.

With a forceful burrow, it completely entered the river.

The river was a fast escape route hidden within this Primeval Forest.

However, the river at this time was no longer the harmless entity it once was.

Affected by the Black Demon Blood.

Most of the aquatic creatures here were Awakened Beasts.

The moment the Hellfire Ants snuck into the water, a quick-witted Silver Fish discovered it.

Its muscles tensed, and it instantly appeared before the Hellfire Ants.

With a single gulp, it swallowed the Hellfire Ants whole.

Even a mosquito's leg is still meat, no matter how small.

Especially such a large ant.

After swallowing the Hellfire Ants, this Silver Fish swam freely.

It began to continue searching for possible food underwater.

However, it soon showed abnormalities.

The Hellfire Ants successfully demonstrated to it a saying: you can't just eat anything.

The Hellfire Ants, swallowed by the Awakened Silver Fish, not only did not die.

Instead, it thrived like a fish in water, breaking free from the river's influence on itself.

Its antennae swayed, and it quickly detected its target.

The brain of this Silver Fish!

This Hellfire Ants also possessed abilities similar to those terrifying blood worms.

At this moment, this Silver Fish still did not know that it had swallowed an existence akin to a living King of Hell.

It swam and swam, then could no longer swim.

It actually fell straight down towards the riverbed.

Before long, under the control of the Hellfire Ants, it swam in a direction away from the Primeval Forest.

It seemed as if something had happened, yet also as if nothing had happened at all.

Since the incident of the Black Demon Blood, the Ismail Institute had also strengthened its defenses on the river.

The purpose was to prevent any escape through the river.

However, their defensive measures clearly did not anticipate a stowaway less than a centimeter long.

Following the previously opened passage, the Hellfire Ants crawled out of the Awakened Silver Fish's head.

Despite the electrocution and high-temperature extermination, the Hellfire Ants silently escaped along the river.

A terrifying disaster was brewing.

— —

Just as the sun was about to rise, it was a good time for a tiger to hunt.

Of course, there was one exception: when you open your eyes and see countless delicious foods.

You only need to open your mouth to taste it directly.

There were even some specially roasted foods, which tasted even more unique.

Especially the perfectly roasted whole lamb, slightly charred.

For humans, it might be a bit too fatty.

After all, they were farmed sheep, so there would be a bit more fat.

But for Lin Tianwei, it was just right, perfectly suited.

With a gentle bite, the oil burst directly in his mouth, and the aroma filled his nostrils.

Not to mention the crispy outside and tender inside texture.

Every crunch was proof of its deliciousness.

After effortlessly devouring five sheep, Lin Tianwei finally felt somewhat full.

If the farm hadn't fully developed, where would he have such a life of eating after waking up.

A carefree life of sleeping after eating.

Just to satisfy his daily food needs, Lin Tianwei would have to hunt continuously.

And it might attract countless unseen troubles.

He easily crushed a few bones as an after-dinner snack.

Perhaps he had gotten enough sleep recently.

Or perhaps Lin Tianwei had already left the period of rapid growth.

Today, he felt incredibly energetic.

He immediately stood up and surveyed his rose garden.

It must be said that the Queen Bee's reproductive ability was truly terrifying.

Recalling some of her wandering subordinates.

The Queen Bee quickly constructed a new hive.

Firmly attached to the stem of the Thorn.

She then moved into her new home and began continuous production.

Before long, a large number of Awakened Bees appeared in this rose garden.

They began their frantic honey-gathering life.

Both as their own food and to store food for Lin Tianwei.

Supported by this idea, the hive was actually made into a funnel-shaped nest.

Lin Tianwei only needed to simply separate the bottom of the funnel to retrieve the honey stored there.

After the honey was used up, the Queen Bee would send Awakened Bees to seal it up again.

This would minimize damage to the hive.

This was a special structure entirely forced out by Lin Tianwei.

His nose twitched, and Lin Tianwei sniffed the air.

The scent of roses had become much more intense.

Through the continuous purification by the Awakened Bees.

The rose honey not only contained even more terrifying energy.

Its fragrance was also more captivating.

However, looking at the pitiful amount of honey in the hive, Lin Tianwei ultimately decided to let it go.

If you want a horse to run, you still have to give it some grass.

Especially since the hive was currently in a period of rapid development.

Even if he took all the honey, he wouldn't be satisfied.

Instead, it would greatly hinder the Queen Bee's growth rate.

Affecting the efficiency of future honey collection, preventing Lin Tianwei from obtaining enough sharpness in a short time.

Perhaps he should go out and forage for wild food, and incidentally stretch his muscles and bones.

The farm was, after all, his territory.

Operating here and destroying the buildings in his own territory was not a wise choice.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei ran like the wind, and soon, he ran in one direction.

In this America that had been completely Awakened.

Although humans were still undoubtedly the masters.

They had already ceded a large amount of land as territory for some Awakened Beasts.

These territories were like a chicken's rib to humans.

Conquering them required a lot of effort.

But the gains were negligible.

Simply abandoning them became a paradise for some powerful Awakened Beasts.

They led their tribes, or lived alone here.

Carefree and quite at ease.

However, they probably never imagined that today they would welcome Lin Tianwei, who had come to hunt in the wild!

With the aid of Vision Field and Enhanced Smell, Lin Tianwei easily found his hunting target for the day.

This was a forest.

It was hard to imagine that a forest would grow here, surrounded by grassland.

It was inhabited by a large number of Horned Deer.

A very special kind of Horned Deer, completely green.

Hidden by the forest, if Lin Tianwei didn't have incredibly keen eyesight, he might not have been able to discover them.

Horned Deer so green it makes you nervous?

This exotic creature naturally caught Lin Tianwei's attention.

For no other reason.

He simply wanted to know what interesting Talent could be extracted from this kind of Horned Deer.

Think before you act?

With Lin Tianwei's current overwhelming strength, there was no need for such trouble.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei directly rushed into this forest.

And began to hunt.

Undoubtedly, such a terrifying giant beast suddenly appearing in the forest would definitely cause panic.

Those green Horned Deer discovered Lin Tianwei's presence immediately.

To fight, or to run?

This was a very difficult choice.

After escaping, whether they could find another suitable forest was an unknown.

If they didn't escape, they truly had no way to face such a terrifying giant beast.

Considering all factors, it was a fifty-fifty chance.

Within five minutes, Lin Tianwei would be about five-parts full.

Without hesitation, these Horned Deer ultimately chose to flee.

They ran far away from Lin Tianwei, this incredibly ferocious beast.

They broke into a run, scattering in all directions, dashing towards the unknown distance.

It's just that these Horned Deer were too naive.

No matter how fast they ran, they could never outrun Lin Tianwei.

Everything within Lin Tianwei's Vision Field was his food.

With a pounce, Lin Tianwei directly covered nearly a hundred meters, arriving in front of the closest Horned Deer.

Although he and this Horned Deer were separated by countless plants, for Lin Tianwei, such an obstruction simply didn't exist.

Any plant blocking his path had only one fate: destruction.

Sure enough, as Lin Tianwei's body crashed into the first large tree, a terrifying force immediately erupted.

It instantly snapped the tree in half.

And Lin Tianwei's body, as if unhindered, continued to pounce towards the Horned Deer.

After crashing through five large trees, Lin Tianwei's body finally reached the Horned Deer.

Lin Tianwei didn't even need to attack; his massive body alone, coming down like Mount Tai, was enough for this Horned Deer to bear.

At this moment, the Horned Deer's four limbs had just begun to exert force.

Clearly, it no longer had the ability to escape.

Its eyes glowed with ferocity!

In a life-or-death situation, this Awakened Horned Deer also unleashed its savage nature.

Since escaping was impossible, perhaps resistance was the best method.

Its head lifted slightly, its sharp antlers pointed directly at Lin Tianwei's belly.

It planned to use Lin Tianwei's downward impact force and its own sharp antlers to directly harm Lin Tianwei's seemingly soft abdomen.

Bang!

The dull thud of Mount Tai pressing down.

However, facing Lin Tianwei's attack, the Awakened Horned Deer's seemingly sharp antlers were utterly insufficient.

Crack!

Its antlers, along with all the bones in its body, were instantly crushed by Lin Tianwei.

Its efforts were nothing but futile.

No matter what it did, it couldn't resist Lin Tianwei, who was countless times stronger than it.

Not to mention its ridiculous antlers, which actually tried to harm Lin Tianwei.

Having such a thought was, in itself, utterly laughable.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a new target."

"Ding, Talent extraction successful, host has gained Talent: Photosynthesis (Intermediate)."

"Ding, please confirm whether the host wishes to use this Talent."

"Photosynthesis (Intermediate): Intermediate Talent, gains the ability to absorb sunlight through chloroplasts."

Without even having a chance to struggle, this Horned Deer was completely crushed into a pulp by Lin Tianwei, its breathing completely ceased.

At this moment, the Horned Deer next to it hadn't even had time to react.

With a slight extension of Lin Tianwei's tiger claw, its life was completely ended.

"Ding, host failed to extract Talent, gained 736 Talent fragments."

Photosynthesis?

Lin Tianwei suddenly understood.

It seems this was the reason these Horned Deer turned green.

By growing chloroplasts in their cells, they gained the ability of Photosynthesis.

As long as not too much energy was consumed, it might be possible to achieve complete non-consumption of energy from the body.

This Talent couldn't be called useless, but it had a fatal flaw.

Of course, it wasn't the need for sunlight.

It was that he would turn a terrifying green.

The thought of possibly turning completely green made Lin Tianwei unhesitatingly toss this Talent into storage.

He didn't seem to lack this bit of energy.

If he could truly achieve sustained fasting?

That wasn't Lin Tianwei's preferred mode either.

Eating? That was also an enjoyable process!

However, it was clear that while Photosynthesis was practical, it wasn't the main reason for the evolution of this forest.

It seemed a big fish had secretly slipped away from his grasp.

But this only made the hunt more interesting.

Without immediately enjoying the freshly hunted food, Lin Tianwei once again attacked the fleeing Horned Deer.

This time, however, Lin Tianwei's target was more specific.

This was a small Horned Deer.

It looked even thinner than an ordinary male deer.

Not to mention compared to an Awakened male deer.

However, its eyes seemed more agile than those of ordinary Horned Deer.

But upon closer observation, one would find some differences.

This Horned Deer seemed to possess some kind of magic; any weeds it trampled upon seemed to absorb a certain energy and began to grow wildly.

Although the growth effect wasn't very obvious due to the short contact time.

But not very obvious was only for ordinary creatures.

Within Lin Tianwei's Vision Field, he could even clearly see the rapid growth process of every single weed.

So, he discovered the abnormality of this Horned Deer at the first moment and immediately pursued it.

Clouds follow the dragon, wind follows the tiger!

Lin Tianwei's speed was extremely fast, and the strong winds he generated were even comparable to Nios's tornado attack.

Wherever he passed, plants were destroyed by the terrifying whirlwind, leaving only a mess on the ground.

Soon, Lin Tianwei arrived next to the Horned Deer.

Without hesitation, he directly launched an attack on it.

Bang!

A strong male deer actually offered itself up, crashing into Lin Tianwei's attack.

All to buy time for that special Horned Deer to escape!

It seemed this group of Horned Deer also knew about the special nature of the small Horned Deer.

They would rather sacrifice themselves to protect it.

However, the male deer's seemingly mighty sacrifice utterly failed to achieve its desired effect.

Playing such petty tricks in front of Lin Tianwei simply couldn't work.

The moment this male deer collided with Lin Tianwei's tiger claw, it flew back at an even faster speed.

Not only did it not hinder Lin Tianwei in the slightest.

Instead, its massive body was used as a weapon by Lin Tianwei.

Like a cannonball, it smashed into the other Horned Deer.

Especially that special Horned Deer, which was hit squarely by it.

It immediately lost its balance, falling heavily over ten meters away, barely managing to stop.

Lin Tianwei's terrifying power could easily create earthquake-like effects.

How could they possibly stand in his way?

With just one strike, Lin Tianwei completely knocked them down.

Next, it was time to reap the fruits of victory.

Not to mention that Horned Deer are naturally food for tigers.

In this world of natural selection, weakness is the original sin.

These Horned Deer appearing within Lin Tianwei's Vision Field was their biggest mistake.

He didn't give this special Horned Deer any chance.

Lin Tianwei opened his mouth wide.

His powerful bite force directly crushed its skull.

Under the dual disparity of size and strength, it had no chance to struggle at all before completely becoming Lin Tianwei's food.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a new target."

"Ding, Talent extraction successful, host has gained Talent: Spirit of Nature (Extraordinary)."

"Ding, please confirm whether the host wishes to use this Talent."

"Spirit of Nature (Extraordinary): Extraordinary-level Talent, possesses the ability to catalyze plant growth and extract energy from plants."

"Note: Possessing this Talent will significantly increase affinity with plants."

Tasting the faint sweetness in his mouth.

Lin Tianwei felt that this special Horned Deer was indeed worthy of being a Spirit of Nature; its taste was indeed better than that of ordinary Horned Deer.

This Talent could be considered an upgraded version of Kelo and Steven's abilities.

Not only was its effect more powerful, but it also had many special effects.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei, while savoring the delicious Horned Deer, unhesitatingly used this Talent.

For powerful Talents, unless there were special circumstances, he always accepted them without refusal.

"Ding, congratulations to the host, Talent: Spirit of Nature (Extraordinary) Reinforcement complete, combat power will be greatly enhanced."

By the time Lin Tianwei had completely devoured the flesh and blood of this Horned Deer, the Reinforcement was also completed.

Closing his eyes to sense, Lin Tianwei found that he had formed some connection with the nearby plants.