Chapter 40: It’s All Written In The Stars
The old Demonic Ant was shocked by Wei Huo’s aura. Wei Huo’s inner Qi was about five times stronger than its own Qi, and it had already been training for five or six decades.
The old Demonic Ant was a little annoyed. ‘We’re both Demonic Ants, what makes you the better one?’
It started keeping to itself after witnessing Wei Huo’s capabilities and started changing its tone, “Who would’ve known that someone of your young age could possess such strong Qi energy. What a rare once-in-a-millennium talent!”
Wei Huo was speechless. “…”
‘You Demonic Ants only have over a century’s worth of history, and you’re talking about millenniums to me?’
The old Demonic Ant continued confidently, “Nowadays, young men like you who are both talented and hardworking are a rare sight.”
Wei Huo was confused. “???”
‘Young? Talented? Not to be rude but I’m definitely older than all the ants here!’
Wei Huo could not communicate with them with scents, and he only had one reason to stay. They cannot be allowed to pass those Qi Cultivation skills on to their future generations no matter what. Wei Huo saw the age and lifespan of the old Demonic Ant through the Health Menu. It still had five years of life left. If it failed to improve its Qi Cultivation skills, it would die within five years without a doubt.
Wei Huo could tell that the old Demonic Ant’s Qi cultivation skills were no match for his own. The succession bar for his Qi Cultivation skills as well as training efficiency were both at 100%. However, the old Demonic Ant’s training efficiency was only at 15%. Wei Huo thought to himself, if he did not capitalize on the bug to improve his succession bar and the 35% training efficiency, he probably would have to train himself forever to prolong his lifespan.
Nevertheless, Wei Huo realized something weird while analyzing the different ranks of these Demonic Ants. Only the old Demonic Ant was ranked Rare among them, and the others were Normal. Truth be told, an ordinary Demonic Ant was definitely stronger than an ordinary living creature. The differences between an ordinary Demonic Ant and an ordinary tiger were huge.
Wei Huo realized that ranks were used to make comparisons within one’s own species. The Four-Armed Gorilla was ranked Rare among gorillas, but it was no match for Wei Huo or any normal gun-wielding man.
Although Wei Huo was ranked Rare, he was strong enough to hunt other Rare-ranked animals. His Rare rank was only relative to the human average.
That was why Wei Huo was the stronger one although both the old Demonic Ant and him were both ranked Rare.
The so-called ranking system was probably similar to the one in games such as Elite-ranked, Epic-ranked, Legendary Boss[1], and so on. However, the character level and the experience points system had yet to be developed. They were probably still a work in progress.
Wei Huo had a thought all of a sudden. This anthill could be an instance [2] God created. It could be one of those where it pops up again after wiping it out.
If that was the case, would his plan to kill not be useless?
On top of that, the ants had yet to gain their EXP and Ranks, there was no use for him to go into that instance!
The old Demonic Ant was still talking about the formation of Qi and how to cultivate it. Its 15% of Qi Cultivation skills made it seem like it was just bragging.
Wei Huo did not agree. How could the Qi Cultivation skills of ants and humans be the same? How could the Demonic Ants’ Qi Cultivation skills be of any use to me? Moreover, my Qi Cultivation skill inheritance level was at 100%.
It was hard for the old Demonic Ant to improve itself. It was eager for new Qi Cultivation knowledge, that was why it was so respectful towards Wei Huo. Unfortunately, Wei Huo was a ‘mute’.
The old Demonic Ant was troubled by this issue. However at that moment, Wei Huo picked up a stone with information recorded on it.
The stone recorded an adventurous story the old Demonic Ant encountered in a cave. The Demonic Ant students did not understand why Wei Huo had picked up the stone, but the old Demonic Ant understood it right away.
The old Demonic Ant never said anything about how it had obtained its Qi Cultivation skills. However Wei Huo who was experienced, could tell right away. It inherited the skills!
The stone recorded the old Demonic Ant’s story when it explored a cave with an expedition back in its younger days. However, The old Demonic Ant was the only one who came out alive. The story was thrilling, but the old Demonic Ant had left out an important detail on purpose. It inherited the Qi Cultivation skills from that cave!
Since it was the only ant alive, whatever it said was assumed to be the truth.
However, Wei Huo knew the truth, and the Demonic Ant that inherited the skills understood what Wei Huo was trying to say right away. All of a sudden, it was thankful that Wei Huo did not know how to speak.
The old Demonic Ant said, “10086, please leave us be. I have something to discuss with this gentleman.”
“Yes, Master!” 10086 exited the room respectfully.
After 10086 left the old Demonic Ant asked eagerly, “Did you find the Qi Cultivation scroll in the cave as well? Quickly, tell me how it went with you!”
Wei Huo pursed his lips. “I speak Mandarin. Can you understand it?”
The Demonic Ant did not have ears and could not hear him. It realized that Wei Huo could not emit scents like normal Demonic Ants.
The old Demonic Ant mumbled, “Who would’ve known that you could come out of that cave alive, that cave was too scary. I’m still feeling terrified now that I’m thinking about it. The monster guarding the place and the traps in the cave were all deadly!”
Wei Huo grabbed the stone and shook it in front of the old Demonic Ant.
The old Demonic Ant was stunned before asking, “Are you saying that I should face my fears head-on and be unafraid of death to improve my skills?”
Wei Huo was speechless. “…”
‘What I’m saying is, take me to that cave!’
The old Demonic Ant had a realization. “Right, I get it now. If I want to extend my life, I have to face my fears head-on and let go of my emotional attachments. Are you saying that I have to learn how to let go?”
Wei Huo was speechless. “…”
‘Can you stop overanalyzing it?’
Wei Huo nearly smashed the stone in rage. He pointed to the cave’s location recorded on the stone, and signaled an advancing move.
The old Demonic Ant was shocked. “Do you mean that I should stay down to earth and take it one step at a time? The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I understand it now. I will do this right from the start. I will refine my Qi Cultivation methods again.”
“Motherf*cker!” Wei Huo kicked the old Demonic Ant in anger.
‘What kind of logic is that? Why was I worried that you’d be a threat to mankind with this level of intelligence?’
The old Demonic Ant landed on a pile of stones, but its body was shielded by its inner Qi. Wei Huo did not exert his full force either, and that was why it was not really hurt. However, the stones that recorded all sorts of information came tumbling down, and the scents were all mixed up. These information-recording stones lost their functions within the blink of an eye.
The old Demonic Ant stood up in anger. “What have you done? You ruined my efforts over the years!”
[1] Strength descriptions of creatures in the online game Guild Wars 2.
[2] Instances are a sub-area in hostile environments in World of Warcraft, often played by a well-trained group of players.