171: brain-eating worm

Talent: Beast Spirit activated.

The silver beetle, which wasn't even as long as a single tiger hair of Lin Tianwei, instantly lost its ability to move.

It fell straight to the ground, unable to budge.

Its eyes darted around, and the silver beetle began to beg for mercy, wailing:

"Terrifying unknown existence, please forgive my offense."

"If you need Mental Enhancement Fluid, I will certainly produce it with all my heart and strength for you."

"Of course, the prerequisite is that you need to provide me with enough food."

"Otherwise, even if you squeeze me dry, I won't be able to produce much Mental Enhancement Fluid for you."

Upon sensing Lin Tianwei's incomparably powerful strength, the silver beetle instantly cowered.

It had also overheard everyone's conversation just now.

It never expected that after escaping Nobles' clutches, it would enter the territory of an even more powerful Tiger King.

To survive, it could only resort to its tried-and-true method.

Relying on providing Mental Enhancement Fluid to earn the right to survive.

In the new world, there are many ways to enhance physical strength.

One can even achieve this effect by simply eating food rich in a large amount of energy.

However, methods to enhance Mental Power are extremely rare.

So rare that no creature could remain unmoved upon hearing the silver beetle's words.

Sure enough, the silver beetle felt its body instantly lighten.

This was a sign that Lin Tianwei had withdrawn his Beast Spirit Talent, temporarily relinquishing control over it.

The silver beetle was overjoyed and flew up cheerfully.

It came to a high platform, immediately raised its rear, and began to secrete the so-called concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid.

After expelling a large amount of jelly-like concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid, the silver beetle's aura was noticeably weaker.

However, it still eagerly invited Lin Tianwei to partake of the concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid it had secreted.

Carefully concealing its excitement, the silver beetle spoke: "Great Tiger King, please partake as soon as possible."

"Don't be fooled by this small amount of concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid."

"But if consumed entirely, it will definitely help you increase some Mental Power."

As it didn't know Lin Tianwei's exact strength, the silver beetle didn't dare to speak too confidently.

It could only cautiously probe Lin Tianwei.

In its perception, the air suddenly began to flow.

As if some colossal creature was moving, causing the air movement throughout the entire space.

After realizing this, the silver beetle gradually became excited.

Sure enough, no creature could resist the temptation of the concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid.

Even this colossal creature before it was no exception.

Enjoy it, enjoy it to your heart's content.

The more you enjoy, the faster you will become my puppet.

Plus, it will provide me with enough food.

In the future, this place will become my territory.

Thinking of this, even though the silver beetle was highly intelligent, it couldn't help but show excitement.

The concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid it secreted was not a good thing.

It seemed inconspicuous, but in reality, it was all its offspring.

In other words, drinking the concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid was equivalent to inviting thieves into one's home, allowing countless offspring of the silver beetle to enter one's body.

The offspring of the silver beetle would break through the host's physical limitations, eventually reaching and attaching themselves to the host's brain.

Then, they would quickly Parasitism on the host's brain, absorbing its nutrients to fuel their growth.

If the offspring of the silver beetle were allowed to grow, they would eventually completely control the host's brain.

If they encountered a host they disliked, they would directly expose their terrifying fangs, rapidly devouring the host's body to grow.

Eventually, they would transform into swarming silver beetles.

If they encountered a host they liked, the treatment would be slightly better.

They would choose to become the host's new brain, the new master of this body!

In other words, any creature that consumed the concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid would eventually become a puppet of the silver beetle.

If it encountered a physique it particularly liked, the silver beetle would even personally take action.

It would burrow into the host's brain through the host's nasal cavity.

Allowing the host's originally powerful body to serve as Flesh Armor to protect itself.

Therefore, the silver beetle also had a very terrifying name: Brain-Eating Worm.

Of course, in order not to attract the host's attention, the offspring of the silver beetle would also stimulate the host's brain while devouring it.

This would not only produce a hallucinatory sensation, reducing the host's sense of danger, but also, due to their fusion with the host's brain, enhance the host's Mental Power.

Only then could this silent invasion be perfectly accomplished.

Barioss probably never imagined that as his Mental Power gradually strengthened, he was one step closer to becoming a Brain-Eating Worm's nest.

Although Nobles was cautious enough to even use high-temperature sterilization methods, unfortunately, high temperatures were not enough to completely kill the Brain-Eating Worm's offspring.

This was also why he was so wary of a tiny beetle.

However, the Brain-Eating Worm's elaborate scheme was destined to fail.

Because how could Lin Tianwei be dumber than Nobles?

His terrifying insight instantly saw through the truth of the concentrated Mental Enhancement Fluid the moment he saw it.

The reason he feigned a desire to consume it was to numb the Brain-Eating Worm, make it careless, and facilitate his attack.

Lin Tianwei never underestimated any opponent.

This Brain-Eating Worm was incredibly strange, perhaps possessing some special means of escape.

Taking advantage of the Brain-Eating Worm's moment of triumph, Lin Tianwei launched an attack on it.

Flames.

Terrifying flames shot out from Lin Tianwei's tiger mouth.

The terrifying high temperature instantly incinerated the Brain-Eating Worm into ash.

Even through the shadows of the ashes, one could still see the smugness in the Brain-Eating Worm's eyes.

Instant kill!

The vast difference in strength allowed Lin Tianwei to instantly kill the Brain-Eating Worm before him.

However, Lin Tianwei felt no joy.

Because he hadn't received a kill notification from the system.

In other words, he hadn't truly killed the Brain-Eating Worm.

Escaped?

It could escape even after being incinerated into ash?

Mental Power unleashed!

Lin Tianwei's Mental Power quickly searched throughout the farm and soon discovered his target... Barioss.

This poor human was still fantasizing about his paradise that had already arrived.

Yet he didn't know that his brain had already become the Brain-Eating Worm's nest.

In a little more time, his body would completely become the Brain-Eating Worm's plaything.

And one of the Brain-Eating Worm's offspring in Barioss's mind suddenly began to tremble inexplicably.

It was precisely the Brain-Eating Worm that had successfully escaped.

In fact, every offspring of the Brain-Eating Worm was equivalent to a clone of it.

With just a thought, it could instantly complete a mental transfer.

This was also why it could still be alive after being instantly killed by Lin Tianwei.

Although Lin Tianwei's sneak attack was powerful, it still required a little time to completely eradicate the Brain-Eating Worm.

And it was precisely this brief moment that gave the Brain-Eating Worm a chance to survive.

Although it narrowly survived, the Brain-Eating Worm had realized that this farm might not be its paradise.

Leave here.

Leave Tiger King Farm!

It began to quickly release its will to interfere with Barioss's thoughts.

In fact, Barioss's ability to survive the inhumane enhancement plan also owed a debt to the Brain-Eating Worm.

Before his Awakening, he was, after all, just an ordinary human.

How could he suddenly adapt to that terrifyingly intense training?

However, the ideas the Brain-Eating Worm instilled in Barioss clearly clashed with Barioss's own thoughts.

After he realized this was a paradise, he developed the idea of staying permanently.

Yet at this moment, another will was trying to impose itself on his brain.

Making him leave the paradise in his heart.

This feeling of detachment made Barioss clutch his head and roll on the ground in agony.

A hint of surprise flashed in Steven's eyes.

Was the new little brother having a mental breakdown?

He immediately helped up the trembling Barioss and asked with concern: "Barioss, what's wrong?"

Barioss's face was pale, but he seemed to have come to his senses, trembling as he said: "Brother Steven, I'm fine."

"It's an old problem, I'll be fine after a rest."

With that, Barioss, supported by Steven, found a place to sit down.

After gulping down a bottle of pure alcohol, his complexion improved slightly.

Lin Tianwei naturally observed this situation.

He was certain that the Brain-Eating Worm existed within Barioss's mind.

It was precisely because of the conflict between its ideology and Barioss's that this scene unfolded.

However, after confirming the target, Lin Tianwei did not choose to directly kill Barioss.

Because just now, Lin Tianwei's Legendary Danger Perception Talent had actually made him feel a hint of danger from Barioss.

This was the main reason the Brain-Eating Worm stopped instilling the idea of leaving in Barioss.

Its keen perception made it sense a threat to its life.

A danger capable of completely destroying it.

It quickly withdrew the thoughts it was implanting in Barioss.

Then, it secreted some hallucinogenic components, which finally calmed Barioss down.

However, this sudden incident also caused a crisis for the Brain-Eating Worm.

It decided to continue to devour Barioss's brain.

Once it completely controlled Barioss's body, it would then use his Esper ability to leave this place.

The only flaw in this plan was whether the tiger of unknown strength would detect its plan.

If it came to a desperate situation, the Brain-Eating Worm wouldn't mind letting Lin Tianwei experience the threat from Barioss.

However, it waited and waited, but no attack came from Lin Tianwei.

Only then did it relax, patiently absorbing the nutrients from Barioss's brain.

Waiting for the day it would break free from its cocoon, re-emerge as a silver beetle, and completely control Barioss.

A silent battle thus unfolded.

However, the Brain-Eating Worm probably never dreamed that it wasn't that Lin Tianwei hadn't discovered it, but that Lin Tianwei was also waiting.

Waiting for the moment it completely devoured Barioss's brain.

That moment would also be the moment Lin Tianwei wielded his butcher's knife against both the human and the bug.

The terrifying Talent of the Brain-Eating Worm.

And Barioss's Talent, which could even make Lin Tianwei feel danger.

These things would all become Lin Tianwei's possessions.

Of course, Lin Tianwei's choice wasn't entirely about waiting.

Before that, Lin Tianwei still needed to understand Barioss's situation.

He didn't like the feeling of things not being under his control.

Why would this frail human make him feel threatened?

He clearly only possessed a simple Teleportation Talent.

Lin Tianwei instantly thought of a possibility.

That is, Teleportation was merely a superficial manifestation of Barioss's ability.

His actual ability was far more terrifying.

It was just that, due to some factor, it presented itself in the form of Teleportation.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Looking at Barioss's behavior, it seemed that his desire to stay had caused him to resist the silver beetle.

That's why he didn't teleport away as the silver beetle instructed.

In that case, by ensuring he lived happily and contentedly here, he could be kept permanently, once and for all.

Just like the other laborers on the farm.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei had a plan in mind.

However, the most pressing matter was to examine the item Pavel brought... an Awakened Plant.

Its golden hue, smooth yet slightly rough skin.

This was undoubtedly a potato.

Although it looked somewhat shriveled from not having absorbed nutrients for too long.

But Lin Tianwei could feel the presence of energy within its shriveled body.

This was definitely not an ordinary plant.

Talent: Spirit of Nature activated.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei once again activated the Spirit of Nature Talent.

Powerful Power of Nature surged forth, instantly enveloping this large potato.

A miraculous scene unfolded.

The seemingly shriveled potato rapidly plumped up.

Not only that, but countless potato sprouts emerged from its body.

As soon as these potato sprouts appeared, they began to grow rapidly at an extremely fast pace.

However, unlike ordinary potatoes.

This potato seemed to be the core of all the potato sprouts.

Not only was it not completely absorbed of nutrients by all the potato sprouts, turning into dregs.

Instead, it grew normally along with the growth of the potato sprouts.

Before long, it grew to three times its original size.

A potato that was a full twenty centimeters long.

After all the Power of Nature had been absorbed, this Awakened Potato had grown dense potato branches.

They moved on their own without wind, as if greeting Lin Tianwei.

Lin Tianwei, after all, possessed the Spirit of Nature Talent.

His affinity with plants was almost MAX.

Coupled with having just fed this mutated potato, he naturally gained its favor.

It seemed there was no danger.

It's just that he didn't know if it could produce potatoes containing a large amount of energy.

Having lost its most overpowered tuberous propagation ability, how would this mutated potato reproduce?

After some thought.

Lin Tianwei decided to instruct Ouro to have the farm laborers plant this Awakened Potato.

This Awakened Potato wasn't stupid; it would quickly find a way to reproduce itself.

He didn't need to worry about so many things.

As long as the farm's soil was fertile enough, it would yield countless potatoes.

As Awakened food, it would provide a large amount of energy for the people here.

Then the pressure on this farm would also be slightly reduced.

It could even be used as fodder to feed the livestock raised on the farm.

And their excrement could be used as waste to nourish the growth of plants.

This was a perfect cycle.

A cycle sufficient to solve the current crisis.

In fact, this quiet farm was already in crisis.

A food crisis!

The source of the crisis was not the large appetites of these Awakened, but Lin Tianwei himself.

With his current terrifyingly immense size, even without exercise, simply sleeping and growing every day required a huge amount of food.

Not to mention there were also five Clone Tigers to feed.

These were all first-class food shredders.

And they were food shredders whose primary diet was meat.

The combined appetite of six tigers was even greater than the appetite of the entire population of the farm.

This was also the origin of this crisis.

The appearance of the Awakened Potato was enough to temporarily avert this crisis.

Otherwise, expanding territory would be the best option.

Unfortunately, every corner of the New World was full of danger.

Plus, Lin Tianwei didn't want to expose his strength by taking action.

This path was incredibly arduous.

Even with the unremitting efforts of Bloodwing, Thorn, and Queen Bee, only eighty percent of the area had been expanded.

This number would be considered a great feat to others.

But for Lin Tianwei, he was not very satisfied.

His territory should be even larger.

If this farm could not provide enough food, it would be meaningless to Lin Tianwei.

Even if this was destined to happen, Lin Tianwei had to find ways to delay its occurrence.

At least until he grew to the limit of his Talent: Super Multiplication (Advanced).

According to Lin Tianwei's estimation.

This Talent could at least allow him to grow to ten times the size of an adult Siberian Tiger.

Which meant a length of nearly thirty meters.

By then, his strength would become even more terrifying.

It would also be time to go out and let the world witness his strength.

After informing Ouro of his arrangements through Mental Power, Lin Tianwei once again fell into a brief slumber.

He was not yet strong enough; he needed to continue growing to become a being that no other creature could shake.

—

Lin Tianwei's command was naturally conveyed to Ouro's mind immediately.

He understood one thing: that Lord Tiger King had finished talking with Pavel and Nobles.

Next was the time to assign tasks.

He was just a little confused as to why, even though the discussion was over, the two hadn't come out yet.

Thinking of this, he walked forward.

Ouro was also one of the very few people authorized by Lin Tianwei to approach this area.

The large amount of food Lin Tianwei and the Five Tigers needed daily was provided by him.

Soon, he found his targets at the entrance of the gate where Lin Tianwei was located.

They were two unconscious humans.

This greatly surprised Ouro.

Could it be that the two had offended Lord Tiger King and were punished by him?

However, in a moment, Ouro abandoned this ridiculous idea.

Punished by Lord Tiger King?

For the two of them to still be so perfectly preserved, that would be utterly comical.

With Lord Tiger King's attack power, he could effortlessly annihilate them into meat paste.

Thinking of this, Ouro quickly moved forward to check their condition.

However, this glance plunged him into deep shock.

The two people in front of him seemed to be Pavel and Nobles, but not entirely.

Though they were wearing the exact same clothes as when they arrived, they had undergone earth-shattering changes.

Especially Nobles, who had completely transformed.

Although he was younger than Pavel.

He did not have Pavel's pampered living conditions.

Years had already etched countless scars on his face.

Yet, it was this very Nobles who now looked incredibly young, appearing to be only in his teens.

In the prime of his life!

Pavel was the same.

This deeply shocked Ouro.

Rejuvenation?

It was actually Rejuvenation.

Although the world had mutated, Ouro was still greatly shocked after experiencing it firsthand.

He had only ever heard of abilities that could make oneself Rejuvenate, but never of an ability that could make others Rejuvenate.

In fact, this was Ouro's misunderstanding of Espers.

The abilities of Espers were bizarre and varied, so how could there not be similar abilities?

It was just that their foundations were weak, and they simply couldn't, like Lin Tianwei, have so much Power of Nature to squander.

Making others Rejuvenate?

Before achieving their goal, they themselves would probably have already been drained into mummies.

Furthermore, those with similar abilities were all highly valued.

The darlings of the team.

Naturally, such a self-defeating act would not occur.

However, in a sense, Ouro's statement was not entirely wrong.

This was indeed something only Lin Tianwei could accomplish.

After realizing this, Ouro's eyes instantly became fervent.

If he too could gain Lord Tiger King's appreciation, would he also be able to obtain this miraculous ability?

Yes, it was a miracle!

In Ouro's eyes, Lin Tianwei's heaven-defying ability was nothing short of a miracle.

Looking reverently in the direction where Lin Tianwei was, Ouro took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

Pavel and Nobles must have offered something good enough to receive Lord Tiger King's grace.

And himself now?

If his contribution wasn't enough, how could he ask for a reward?

He still needed to work harder for Lord Tiger King to accumulate enough contributions.

To beg Lord Tiger King for his grace.

Thinking of this, Ouro looked at the Awakened Potato beside him.

At this moment, it had undergone another change.

Without Lin Tianwei's suppression, the Awakened Potato directly detached the potato sprouts from its body, allowing them to begin growing in this land.

Before long, they had deeply rooted themselves into the ground, becoming seedlings.

As long as they continued to grow, they would definitely grow into robust potato plants.

However, the Awakened Potato's actions made Ouro's soul leap out of his body in fright.

Daring to take root and sprout at Lord Tiger King's doorstep, encroaching on Lord Tiger King's land, this was simply an act of extreme audacity.

Thinking of this, Ouro quickly got up to pull at the rooted potato sprouts.

But he found that even with his strength as an Awakened, he couldn't budge these potato sprouts in the slightest.

Plants' ability to grip the ground was already incredibly strong.

Not to mention Awakened Plants.

For a time, Ouro couldn't do anything about these potato sprouts.

Thinking of this, Ouro helplessly scolded,

Impudent! How dare you grow outside the area designated by Lord Tiger King.

If you want to live, you'd better let me transplant you.

Ouro's linguistic Talent was also incredibly powerful, as he could communicate with plants without any obstacles.

He quickly conveyed his meaning to the Awakened Potato.

Whether it was Ouro's imagination or not, he actually noticed that the Awakened Potato trembled a few times after hearing his words.