Chapter 198

Ye Xi'an is also excited: "Come, let's go see our Ice Grass."

Ye Xi'an, full of enthusiasm, leads the way upstairs.

Because the ice freezer is too large to fit downstairs, Ye Xi'an installed a partition in the middle of the attic, turning it into two rooms.

The outer side serves as her room, while the inner room houses the ice freezer.

Moreover, Ye Xi'an reinforced the inner room's walls with reinforced steel plates, so when the insect race attacks, one can stay hidden a little longer.

Lin Zhi Jing looks at the rows of ice freezers in the attic, surprised: "Buying so many ice freezers?"

Ji Jiangci explains: "If Ice Grass sells at a high price, we plan large‑scale cultivation, so we bought a few extra ice freezers."

"Alright."

As Lin Zhi Jing steps forward and opens the cabinet door, a surge of white cold air that could freeze a person rushes out, and thick frost coats the interior walls.

The bottom of the ice freezer is covered with a thick layer of ice, and the Ice Grass grows comfortably atop the ice, emitting a faint blue glow in the white chill.

"The temperature is set to minus fifty degrees; that should be enough."

Ji Jiangci glances at the numbers on the control panel.

Lin Zhi Jing selects several Ice Grass stalks that are relatively thick and have distinct nodes.

He pulls out a sharply sterilized scalpel, moving with precise and steady hands.

"When dividing, be careful; the cuts must be smooth to minimize damage to the plant."

His voice sounds especially clear in the cold‑filled storage room.

"Also, each segment must retain at least one or two potential bud points."

Ye Xi'an and Yi Yang hold their breath, watching intently, fearing to miss any detail.

The scalpel seems alive in Lin Zhi Jing's hand, lightly slicing the Ice Grass stalks.

Soon, several Ice Grass plants are successfully divided into a dozen or so small pieces with buds.

These pieces are placed in culture dishes lined with ice soil, leaving ample space between them.

"All right, now we wait."

Lin Zhi Jing sits up straight and gently exhales a puff of white breath.

"Hope they can adapt to this environment."

Ye Xi'an folds both hands and whispers a prayer.

"It will definitely succeed!" If it does, the family gains another trump card.

Yi Yang is full of confidence, as if he already sees countless Ice Grass thriving.

"We'll come back in a few days to check on them; if these stalk pieces grow, we can harvest the mature Ice Grass for use!"

Ye Xi'an turns, a faint flush of excitement coloring her face.

The chilly air seems less unbearable because of this anticipation.

During this period, Ye Xi'an has been taking Lin Zhi Jing and the others to the training hall; due to the insect race, the hall is packed almost daily, and Ye Xi'an has even run into Qiu Yi several times.

After running ten kilometers, Ye Xi'an, steaming with heat, casually sits beside the track and asks, "When do you think the insect race will invade next?"

Ji Jiangci picks up a clean handkerchief from the chair and carefully wipes the sweat from Ye Xi'an's forehead.

After this period of hard work, Ji Jiangci's appearance has improved considerably, looking like a refined man in his thirties.

"Don't worry too much."

Ji Jiangci's voice is gentle, trying to soothe the agitation in Ye Xi'an's brows.

"Since the last insect race invasion, the Federation has begun preparations."

"Upgrading the defense system and conscripting new soldiers are proceeding on an unprecedented scale; many males from the Free Zone and Slum have joined the army."

Ye Xi'an slightly lowers her eyelids.

The panting of other beastmen training and the clatter of equipment intertwine on the track.

The air is filled with a unique scent of sweat mixed with metal.

She can feel an invisible pressure quietly gathering; the last small insect tide shattered her family—can they really withstand a full invasion?

She now urgently wants to become stronger; after finally being able to walk as a human, how can she bear to die so easily.

Yi Yang steps closer, his eyes full of concern like a big dog's.

"Honey, don't be afraid; I'll protect you."

His voice is low but unusually firm.

Lin Zhi Jing stands aside, a barely perceptible sharpness flashing in his gray eyes.

He wipes his temple with the handkerchief, his manner refined, starkly different from his usual focused handling of lab equipment.

"A simple defense upgrade may not be enough."

His voice is crisp, like an icy spring.

"The insect race has clearly prepared thoroughly this time; they've reproduced a lot over the years, even the small insect tides are huge, and we don't even know how many worm‑type and arthropod insects there are."

At that moment, the massive holographic screen hanging in the training hall flickers to life.

The training tutorial video is replaced by an urgent news bulletin.

A clear female voice echoes throughout the venue.

"Federation emergency notice."

"Effective immediately, all defense nodes of Zhu Shen Xing San Huan enter maximum alert status."

"All reserve corps must report back immediately to join intensified joint training."

"The new anti‑insect race weapon has entered its final testing phase and will soon be deployed to frontline units."

Blurred images of rows of weaponry flash quickly across the screen.

Ferocious gun barrels.

Various firearms inlaid with energy ore.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

The training hall fell silent in an instant, leaving only the news anchor's cold, hard voice.

Ye Xi'an's heart skipped a beat.

She clenched the hand hanging at her side.

The tips of her fingers grew cool, contrasting with the heat from having just run ten kilometers.

Ji Jiangci gently took her hand.

His palm was warm and dry, conveying silent comfort.

"It seems the great war is truly near."

He said softly, his gaze fixed on the distance, carrying a hint of worry.

The news briefing continues broadcasting.

"…the Federation's latest exploration report indicates that the 'Frigid Realm' temperature is rising, the ice and snow are melting, a vaccine for the deadly virus has been developed, it has extremely high habitation value, and the insect race cannot spatially traverse to this place."

"The Federation will immediately dispatch the first scientific expedition fleet to conduct deep development and forward base construction in the 'Frigid Realm'."

"Frigid Realm."

Lin Zhi Jing repeated softly, a strange gleam flashing in their eyes.

Ye Xi'an jerked her head up, a flash of insight passing through her violet eyes.

"If the Federation truly succeeds in developing the Frigid Realm," Ye Xi'an said, her voice a bit excited, "will we then no longer be threatened by the insect race?"

Yi Yang blinked, evidently not yet fully digesting the sudden information.

Lin Zhi Jing had already summoned the micro display of the personal terminal on their wrist.

Their fingers flew across it, searching for all publicly available information related to the 'Frigid Realm'.