Chapter 286: Catastrophe Descends

The soul fragments available here were weak, but fortunately, Wu Qingsong had kept the three soul stones with him. Retrieving the smallest one, he channeled his mental power into it, extracting the potent energy within little by little to create numerous soul fragments powerful enough to annihilate the insectoids.

He released them all at once in every direction. A soul storm erupted instantly, plunging the surroundings into silence.

Although the soul storm wasn’t powerful, it was catastrophic for the insectoids. Despite their robust bodies, they had feeble mental defenses. Only a few stronger individuals were left struggling, their minds shattered beyond recovery.

Wu Qingsong then drew out the remaining energy from the soul stone, summoning a horde of undead insectoid guards. Alarmed by the chaos, insectoids from further away rushed toward them but were swiftly torn apart by the vastly superior undead forces.

“This has turned into a fight to the death,” Wu Qingsong said regretfully as he helped Nina climb out of the giant beetle’s mouth.

If they had managed to infiltrate the insectoid nest without causing much damage, there might have been a chance to negotiate with its rulers. But now, with at least two or three hundred insectoids killed, any possibility of peaceful communication was likely gone.

There was no other choice but to press forward, subduing or capturing the insectoid leader along the way.

Nina gathered some soft bug moss to help clean the filth off Wu Qingsong. Meanwhile, he collected the weaker soul fragments for future use. After a brief rest, they returned to the scene of the carnage, surrounding the working insectoids and giant beetles with undead creatures, killing them, and transforming them into more undead minions. They then mounted the largest beetle and followed the trail leading deeper into the insectoid nest.

Battles erupted constantly. Despite their low intelligence, the insectoids displayed a tenacity in combat far greater than the beastmen. Wu Qingsong observed no signs of retreat among the insectoids. Those that ran did so only to alert their kin before returning to the fight.

Yet, even their ferocity was no match for the undead army. Wu Qingsong continually funneled newly collected soul fragments into the insectoid swarms, crushing their resistance again and again. In this low-stakes battle devoid of high-level threats, his necromantic abilities—combined with his immunity to backlash—were nothing short of apocalyptic.

The undead army grew like a rolling snowball. Soon, they reached a bizarre structure made of bug moss stalks and silk-like threads erected in the cavern. Frenzied insectoids poured out to launch desperate attacks on the undead army, only to meet their doom like mantises charging into carts.

Eventually, the surviving insectoids retreated into their nest and ceased emerging. Wu Qingsong quickly stationed undead guards to block all exits except the path they had used to enter.

For a moment, Wu Qingsong had the strange sensation of being a villain from a storybook, descending upon the insectoids like a harbinger of calamity. If any insectoid managed to escape and record the events, he imagined future generations of insectoids whispering tales of a demon who brought their kind to ruin.

The thought passed quickly and didn’t shake his resolve.

Like a child flooding an anthill, he felt no pity for the fleeing insects. He wouldn’t lament their fate or question his actions. Instead, there was only the satisfaction of success and the drive to push forward.

“Can anyone understand me?” Wu Qingsong called loudly from outside the nest, repeating himself several times. “You have ten minutes to come out and answer my questions. Satisfy me, and I’ll let you live. Otherwise, you’ll all die!”

But the only response was the sound of insectoid forelegs drumming against the ground and walls. It was like a display of defiance and warning.

Attack.

Wu Qingsong issued a single command to the undead.

Bring the queen out alive.

Wu Qingsong feared the queen’s death and refrained from using soul fragments, instead he sent the undead army to storm the nest.

The ensuing battle was grim and silent. Unlike other creatures, the insectoids didn’t shriek or cry out. Wu Qingsong and Nina listened quietly as claws clashed, mandibles tore, and bodies thrashed violently within the nest. The cacophony gradually subsided until all was still. Moments later, the undead emerged, dragging out a massive, writhing body.

The bloated creature’s enormous size and atrophied limbs marked it as the queen. The undead had perfectly carried out Wu Qingsong’s order to bring it out alive. However, the queen was badly injured, with several legs broken—likely from struggling against being dragged through the narrow tunnels.

“Can you understand me?” Wu Qingsong asked, though the queen’s appearance didn’t inspire much hope.

The queen only squirmed and tried to escape.

“I’m looking for a way to the surface,” Wu Qingsong said again. “If you tell me, I’ll let you live.”

Still, there was no response.

Wu Qingsong attempted to communicate telepathically, mimicking the Crimson Demon Lord’s methods. But after only a few seconds, the queen’s head convulsed violently, and then it slumped lifelessly to the ground.

Its brain had exploded.

Wu Qingsong sighed and shook his head at Nina. “Looks like we’ll have to keep relying on luck.”

Fortunately, they now had plenty of food and a growing army of undead to scout the way ahead. The journey might finally become easier.