Insect Tamer's Ascension Chapter 484. Can I drink the core beast’s blood?

"So, you're keeping these slimes stored in webs for later use... I must admit, Ant Queen, I'm quite impressed," Theo mused internally.

"Your tactics for hunting so many slimes have been effective. Well done," Theo conveyed a sense of approval, akin to a head pat, which seemed to comfort the Ant Queen.

She then guided him to different chambers where other shardjaw ant queens were in the process of giving birth. Observing the sheer size of the newborns, Theo couldn't help but smile; they were significantly larger than he had anticipated emerging from these smaller ants.

"This new ant species is also quite large. Perhaps with just a bit more evolution..." Theo's thoughts drifted towards a more avaricious inclination.

Glancing at Clara nearby, he extended his hand towards her with a smile.

Clara responded with a nod, retrieving a flask from her belt.

The vial contained a vibrant green blood.

The instant the mantis sensed the blood's presence, an urge to consume it arose, but Theo intervened.

"Mantis, you already possess an evolution potential that I don't fully comprehend. This blood will be for the Ant Queen," Theo explained.

He uncorked the flask, releasing a sweet-smelling musk that made Theo himself feel a desire to partake.

"Perhaps..." Theo pondered. The flask was now in his grasp, and over twenty large mandible ants were emerging from the colony to meticulously transport the vial to the Ant Queen.

Theo took a deep breath, his focus fixed on the ants as they carefully carried the vial back.

"Should I also consume this blood?" Theo inquired, glancing at Clara and Elias, whose expressions shifted instantaneously.

"Are you serious, Young Master?!" Clara exclaimed with evident shock.

Elias simply shook his head and let out a sigh.

"I was merely jesting," Theo clarified. "Do you truly believe I would drink this blood?" he asked, earning a look from Clara that conveyed her disbelief.

"You have a penchant for taking risks, so I can't entirely trust your word on this matter."

Theo chuckled and patiently awaited the Ant Queen's complete consumption of the vial.

His gaze fell upon two other vials, and he couldn't shake the feeling that using them on himself would be a regrettable waste.

"I cannot consume this, as there haven't been any tests regarding human consumption. Furthermore, we must not reveal these vials to anyone, lest we face punishment for appropriating kingdom property," he reasoned.

The moment Theo uttered these words, a faint smirk began to form on his face.

Clara and Elias were unsure whether to laugh or lament.

Suddenly, a small notification materialized before Theo, causing his heart rate to spike.

[Evolution Potential: Detected]

Theo immediately accessed the evolution interface, bringing both hands to the back of his head.

"There's no way..."

He quickly closed the interface, contemplating the absurd twist of fate.

"Do you wish to accept this evolution, Ant Queen?" Theo inquired, recalling that the queen had previously shown no interest in the available evolution options.

However, an affirmative emotion, akin to a nod, emanated from the Ant Queen, prompting Theo to take a deep breath.

"We have much to accomplish and prepare," Theo stated, looking towards Clara and Elias, who were resting in the shade of a tree.

But before they could respond, a slime creature hopped into the clearing where they were situated.

Upon seeing it, Theo's mind instantly recalled the time he had assisted a slime in evolving before departing.

"What became of that slime?" Theo asked the Ant Queen, who conveyed an emotion of not knowing its whereabouts.

The slime before them appeared to be a standard moss slime.

Clara casually drew a knife from her side pouch and threw it, while still seated.

The knife, attached to a thread, lodged itself within the slime, stopping just short of damaging its core.

"Tsk," Clara clicked her tongue and prepared to throw another knife, but Elias was already swift, drawing his bow and firing an arrow. The arrow struck the slime's core, penetrated it, and then exited before hitting a nearby tree.

Theo watched as the slime dissolved into the earth. Moments later, a small contingent of ants emerged and began collecting the remnants with their mandibles, carrying them away.

"I shall leave you to your evolutions until next time, Ant Queen. Strive to double your numbers by then," Theo commanded through their bond before beginning to retreat.

"What is our next course of action, Young Master?" Elias inquired as they made their way back to the carriage where Warren was sound asleep.

"We shall proceed to our studies," Theo declared. "One observation from our recent political dealings is the inadequacy of our previous approach. We must implement a change."

"So, we are heading to that secret library now," Clara surmised, prompting a nod from Theo.

He had initially sought to observe the ants' activities, and witnessing their dedicated efforts to acquire protein and resources independently made Theo feel it was best to let them pursue their own path. Perhaps this autonomy would foster more unpredictable growth.

In no time, the carriage arrived at the castle, and to Theo's surprise, he encountered an individual he hadn't expected to see so soon.

"It has been quite some time, Elder Brother Cedric," Theo greeted as he spotted the young man heading into the castle from the gate.

Upon seeing Theo, Cedric's gaze lingered on his younger brother's head, noting how Theo was rapidly approaching his own height.

His eyes then shifted to the sword Theo carried, before returning to Theo himself.

"Your Qi aura is somewhat weak at the moment. You ought to cultivate it further to aid your progress," Cedric remarked casually before proceeding inside.

Theo was taken aback by the unexpected advice from his elder brother, but what astonished him even more was his own inability to tear his eyes away from the sword's scabbard when he glanced at it.