Chapter 545: The Pride of a Martian

Theseus is the truly dangerous one; there is no absolute conflict between Giant Insects and Humans, and they could perfectly well coexist. Based on his understanding of Giant Insects, they are essentially primitive creatures, the scavengers of a massive planet like Kepler. They eat everything, but they do not actively attack the creatures of Kepler Planet. After death, their bodies crystallize and become part of the earth. Moreover, Li Hao highly suspects that those Brain Insects and the like are all attack-type weapons that Theseus has evolved through intervention over countless eons. The focus cannot be placed on wearing down the Giant Insects.

Nangong Yuhang laughed, "Second brother, honestly, you've improved these past few years. You, who used to only know how to use your fists, have actually learned to use your brain. But I still prefer the simple you from before. Haha, the information you provided me is still quite useful. What to do? I don't really approve of your plan. No matter what happens, it is my fate. Here, with your excellent conditions, being transformed into an Insect God General would definitely be a great supplement, and I will continuously clone and replicate your genes to find a solution to the problem."

He was, of course, concerned about the threat Li Hao mentioned, but he had no intention of cooperating with anyone. Admittedly, he was also clear about Theseus's intentions, but Li Hao only had a partial understanding of Theseus's situation. That immense power was not something a biological body could withstand; even their current bodies were only slightly stronger than the peak Nimeier of the past. Facing such immense power, it was still a drop in the bucket. What was there to be impatient about?

A year or two might not be enough, but what about ten, fifty, or a hundred years? His current physical body had already broken free from the fragility of Humans.

Would he still be unable to find a solution?

And Theseus had maintained this state for ten thousand years, or even longer. Human life is fragile and short, which is why they are always in a rush, but he was no longer that way. What he possessed most was time. No, that was wrong; the essence of time is merely movement. His body could continue to move indefinitely; time is meaningless. Furthermore, even if this body were ruined, he could still transfer to a stronger one. This is the profound mystery of the Nimeier Civilization.

Theseus must have eaten too much due to some situation, which led to his current state, becoming a passive energy tank. Massive, chaotic energy is concentrated in a single axis, continuously opposing and checking each other. Perhaps the core will of that energy body wants to make itself his vessel, but who will be the final winner is still hard to say.

Li Hao, with his half-baked knowledge, actually wanted to hoodwink him.

"Polina, he is yours now. You can do whatever you want with him. My requirement is to solve the cloning problem; I want to create the most massive Insect Human Legion." Nangong Yuhang laughed, "Li Hao, I advise you not to resist, lest you ask for trouble."

"Thank you, Master!" Polina said excitedly, "Li Ge, I am your fan; I will definitely study you well!"

Li Hao sighed and stood up helplessly, "I spoke nicely, but you never listen. You force me to take action. Nangong, why bother?"

A curve appeared at the corner of Nangong Yuhang's mouth. He looked at Li Hao coldly, not overly surprised. If he didn't have a trick up his sleeve, he wouldn't be Li Hao. He had been waiting for this.

However, when Li Hao's Golden Zone opened, surging power poured out like the ocean. There was no sign of injury at all. Nangong Yuhang's expression finally changed. He glanced coldly at Romero. With a thud, Romero knelt to the ground, and a terrifying pressure appeared. "You were acting?"

This was suppression from the hierarchy of the Spirit. It appeared after Romero was reincarnated into an Insect God General. How Nangong Yuhang controlled the Insect Human was by using the methods of the Giant Insects: hierarchy, the absolute control of the upper layer over the lower layer. Of course, as power increased, the intensity of this control would decrease. Like with Fan Liweite and the others, it was like the back of his hand, while Romero's resistance was stronger, but still completely within Nangong Yuhang's grasp.

Romero gritted his teeth, resisting this oppression, but he did not counterattack. His body was trembling violently. Li Hao wanted to make a move but was stopped by Romero reaching out.

"Why?" Nangong Yuhang asked indifferently. He felt his intelligence had been insulted. Anyone could betray him, but Romero would not.

Romero remained silent, slowly bracing against the pressure to try and stand up. He actually wanted to resist his command. This was an unprecedented situation; other Insect God Generals would never dare to have such a confrontation. Nangong Yuhang frowned, "You're courting death!"

The Heavenly Eye on his forehead opened, and the pressure from the genetic hierarchy surged toward Romero in layers. Li Hao, on the side, was a bit worried, after all, there was the precedent of Fan Liweite and the others, but he was stopped by Romero once again, "This is between him and me."

Facing this near-absolute suppression, Romero could not even straighten his waist, but the power in his body was surging crazily. His bones expanded, and the False Eye on his forehead flickered with light. That False Eye was the same as the K23 Crystal of Fan Liweite, Sa Wutian, and the others; while it brought power, it was also used by Nangong Yuhang to control them. It was just that Romero's was closer to a Heavenly Eye, and in a pinch, it could also be a detonator to create a flesh bomb. This entire set was a double insurance researched by Nangong Yuhang, specifically to prevent resistance.

But Romero's power was growing uncontrollably. His body expanded by a large margin, his bones turned outward, and his body became even more inhuman. However, the aura and Golden Zone on his body became increasingly fierce. With a low, monster-like roar, Romero stood straight up. With a shake of his arms and a howl, the Silicon-based Armor on his body surface became even more magnificent. K23 Crystals appeared in many places, and a strange helmet appeared around his forehead, wrapping the False Eye within it. At this moment, Nangong Yuhang felt his control had actually... been cut off???

Nangong Yuhang's brows were tightly locked, while Polina on the side had eyes emitting brilliant light. This was the evolution she had always dreamed of; he was truly her proudest work!

It finally appeared.

Insect God General—the true form of the Secondary Reincarnated Body!

It was also the true fusion of three types of genes, no longer relying on a patchwork of Theseus's power. A complete organism's first element is independence. The armor on the head wrapped the False Eye, preserving power while forming a shield against the original upper hierarchy. Nangong Yuhang's Heavenly Eye could no longer form absolute control, having been reduced to the weakest level of perception and deterrence. Of course, it had not yet reached the point of complete detachment.

"Nangong, I think Li Hao's plan is correct." Romero did not harbor hostility toward Nangong Yuhang, "I don't care about your victory or defeat, but Theseus is the most dangerous one. To it, we are nothing but materials and food."

From the very beginning, Romero had no intention of betraying Humanity; otherwise, he could have completely accepted help from Li Hao and Basta. When Nangong Yuhang came with the secret of Theseus, Romero knew he could do something big.

The power comparison suddenly changed. Nangong Yuhang only thought about letting the power of the Insect God General continuously increase to provide him with reference, but he never expected that Romero could actually break free from his control. This kind of evolution was not what he wanted, but he could feel that Romero did not want to be his enemy. He did not want to fight Li Hao and Romero at the same time, especially since Li Hao was clearly seriously injured—how could he still be like nothing happened?

"Heh, Romero, you really are a person who repays kindness," Nangong Yuhang mocked.

Romero's gaze was profound, "Nangong, we've reached this point, don't make yourself sound so noble. This doesn't look like you. You were just trying to transform me into your tool and monster, a test subject that could be discarded at any time. However, rest assured, I, Romero, keep things separate; I will not interfere in your one-on-one."

Nangong Yuhang was noncommittal, "When did you two start colluding? No, that's not right, every move of yours could not possibly escape my grasp!"

Li Hao smiled, "Sometimes, things like tacit understanding don't need groundwork. Although reincarnated, as soon as I clashed with Romero, I knew his self-awareness was still very clear. As long as his self-awareness is there, he is Romero. You don't understand Romero's pride. After fighting for a while, from the rhythm, I could feel that Romero should have known my intention. He blinked, that eye that was once injured."

Nangong Yuhang snorted coldly, looking at Li Hao with complexity, "Aren't you afraid it's a trap?"

Li Hao smiled, "I trust him."

Damn it!

Nangong Yuhang was very angry; ever since the Apocalypse, he had hated this kind of tacit understanding the most. "Romero, I gave you rebirth, gave you a chance for revenge. What did Li Hao give you? Besides failure and despair, what else? Romero, whether as a human or an insect, you are a loser."

Romero looked at Nangong Yuhang and shook his head, "Nangong, you are wrong. In that battle, I got what I sought; there is nothing to take revenge for."

In the battle back then, Romero held no resentment. Moreover, when he failed, ten thousand people reviled him, thinking he was just a failure who didn't live up to his name. At that time, even his former teammates kicked him while he was down, unable to wait to strip him of his Team Leader title and dump all the blame on him. Returning to the academy was the same. Even after Li Hao won the championship, his result was just to be forgotten. No one cared what he had done or said in the past, only Li Hao had publicly refuted and cleared his name many times.

Others didn't understand, but that was the reason Romero didn't commit suicide.

As for those who bullied him, how to put it, Romero is also a Martian, and this is the custom of Martians. He had been influenced by it since the moment he was born, just like how Basta also thinks this is a very normal thing.

When Nangong Yuhang found him, on one hand, it was a chance for rebirth, and on the other hand, he also felt that one day he could repay this favor to Li Hao. Of course, no matter what, Nangong Yuhang did give him a chance for a new life, regardless of whether it was as a tool, so he would not intervene, even after Nangong Yuhang defeated Li Hao and fought him again.

From beginning to end, Romero was a pure Warrior. He did not fear death, and only by transcending death could he evolve a second time, become a brand-new life form, and regain his freedom, rather than being a puppet like Fan Liweite.

(End of chapter)