Chapter 386: Rock Honey |
Inside the Insect Taming Hall, the massive Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle lay in the sand pit, looking utterly content.
The environment here made it feel very comfortable.
Although it was different from its previous living environment, lying here gave it an inexplicable sense of comfort.
Around the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle, a dense swarm of Belly Aphid Spiders gathered, these basketball-sized aphid spiders occupying all corners of the surrounding area, their eyes closed, resting in a feigned slumber.
Hearing the sound of approaching footsteps, the Belly Aphid Spiders stirred, extending their spider legs and crawling onto the walls on all sides.
Noticing the spiders around him, Qin Ziwen remained expressionless and directly sat down in front of the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle.
"How does it feel living here?"
"Comfortable..." came the feedback from the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle.
"As long as you like it. Take a look at this." Qin Ziwen, as if performing a magic trick, pulled a can from his pocket.
"Click."
Qin Ziwen twisted open the can lid, and a fragrant aroma wafted out.
The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle's body trembled, its eyes instantly lighting up.
"Have a taste." Qin Ziwen handed the can over.
This can was specifically brought for the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle to taste. He believed that after tasting it, the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle would absolutely not be able to resist the temptation.
As for using the can to threaten it... that was unnecessary. It wasn't that clever.
Beating around the bush would only be counterproductive.
Better to be direct.
The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle swallowed the can and the meat inside in one gulp.
A sour, crushing sound came from outside its mouth as the tinplate can was squeezed into fragments. The tender meat and juices hidden inside mixed together.
"Hard..."
Qin Ziwen said, "Obviously. I only told you to eat the meat inside. Who told you to eat the can as well?"
The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle didn't speak, focusing only on eating.
Although it was a bit hard, and a bit toothsome.
But the taste was really not bad.
It ate with great satisfaction.
In all its years of insect life, this was the first time it had eaten something so delicious.
Staying here... seemed pretty good.
Watching the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle devour its tenth can, Qin Ziwen said with a smile, "Had enough to eat?"
"Not enough..." the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle answered very honestly.
Although the cans were small, each one weighed several pounds, but for its massive size, they were just appetizers, barely enough to fill the gaps between its teeth.
"Want more..."
Qin Ziwen chuckled. "You're quite honest. Let me test you. In this underground forest, are you the top predator? Is there any predator more powerful than you?"
The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle hesitated. The two slender antennae on its head kept swaying.
Finally, it transmitted a puzzled thought, "What is... top predator?"
Qin Ziwen facepalmed. He had forgotten that the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle's vocabulary was limited. Slightly complex meanings were beyond its comprehension.
After a detailed explanation, the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle finally understood.
It said pensively, "In the forest... much food. All are food..."
Soon, Qin Ziwen understood why the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle was so confident.
Because of—poison.
That day in the underground forest, it hadn't been demonstrated.
Because those Belly Aphid Spiders simply couldn't penetrate their defenses.
Whether it was Mogu or Chitu, their teeth would just bounce off upon biting.
But the rabbit serving as a demonstration here, after being bitten once by a Belly Aphid Spider,
jumped twice on the spot, then directly collapsed, kicked its legs, and died on the spot.
Lifting the rabbit by its ears, its eyeballs bulged, and blood flowed from all seven orifices.
Having been around many doctors for a long time, Qin Ziwen now had some experience with this. It was likely some kind of hemotoxin.
When Qin Ziwen looked back at these Belly Aphid Spiders, in his eyes, these seemingly cute little spiders had transformed into ferocious killers.
"It seems I underestimated you. From now on, you take good care of your 'sons'. Don't let them run around, and don't allow them to attack other people in the Home." Qin Ziwen instructed the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle.
Judging from the time it took for the rabbit to die after being poisoned, the venom of these Belly Aphid Spiders was extremely potent.
Even if a human was bitten, they probably wouldn't last more than a few minutes at most.
This toxicity was too great. An ordinary person bitten wouldn't hold on until rescue arrived.
And those Dark Tide Fish-men... from observation, their physical constitution was even worse than that of ordinary humans.
If bitten, the time from poisoning onset to death would likely be even faster.
It was a pity these Belly Aphid Spiders didn't seem to know how to swim. It would be great if they could dive.
But even if they couldn't swim, as long as they could be tamed, made obedient, Belly Aphid Spiders that could move on land were still valuable.
Qin Ziwen reached out his hand towards a nearby Belly Aphid Spider.
The Belly Aphid Spider, originally lying on the sand pile, raised its head and looked at the human curiously.
Its several spider legs kept swaying as it cautiously extended them, climbing from his fingertip onto his palm.
As his palm closed, the Belly Aphid Spider obediently curled its spider legs, sitting coiled in his hand.
His finger landed on the side of the Belly Aphid Spider's body. It was soft, with a faint layer of fuzz on the surface, like a ripe, large persimmon.
"Thwack—"
A black, whip-like antenna lashed down, striking the side of the Belly Aphid Spider and knocking it away. The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle's massive body squeezed over.
"Eat."
From the gaps between the wings on the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle's back, streams of orange-yellow, viscous liquid gradually oozed out.
This liquid emitted a sweet, cloying fragrance in the air.
"Like honey."
He thought of the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle's abilities. One of them was Stone Honey. Could this be that thing?
Smelling the fragrance in the air, the surrounding Belly Aphid Spiders became somewhat restless.
The Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle lay down, turned its body, presenting its back to Qin Ziwen. The posture clearly indicated it wanted Qin Ziwen to taste the liquid on its back.
Qin Ziwen cast Insight.
[Stone Honey: A special liquid secreted by the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle. Individuals who consume Stone Honey over a long period will develop a dependency on the entity that produces it. If the consumer is a juvenile, it will greatly increase their obedience to the producer.]
After reading the description, Qin Ziwen couldn't hold back.
I kindly treat you to canned food, and you want to be my "mom"?
However... looking at it this way, Qin Ziwen's gaze wandered between the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle and the surrounding Belly Aphid Spiders.
Previously, both species had the character "aphid" in their names, so he had subconsciously assumed the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle was their mother.
Now it seemed that might not be the case.
Were these Belly Aphid Spiders all "tricked" adopted sons of the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle?
If his speculation was correct, then this Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle was truly a hidden mastermind.
Qin Ziwen fetched a scraping tool, scooped a bowl of Stone Honey from its back, and poured it into a bowl.
He found a small, newborn field mouse from the Beast Cage.
He fed the Stone Honey to the little field mouse.
The little field mouse, smelling the fragrance, eagerly consumed it, getting Stone Honey all over its face.
After eating, it suddenly stood up, balancing on its two hind legs, its two front legs resting against its chest.
It looked around left and right.
Then excitedly ran towards the Giant Aphid Rhinoceros Beetle.
Affectionately rubbing its head against the beetle's large, black, claw-like leg.
Seeing this scene, the corners of Qin Ziwen's mouth slowly curled upwards.