The Primordial Energy Column projected from the top of the Ocean Godâs Scepter connected to Butterfly King Nupur and lasted for nearly half the night before ending.
Butterfly King Nupur lay sprawled on the steps, falling into a deep sleep.
White Crystal Butterfly King called four fellow Clan Warriors forward to guard the surroundings.
Midnight,
Dragon Cypress, Snow Velvet Spider King, Cypress, and Silver Cypress finally finished their comprehension of the Sea Soul Ability.
They looked toward the steps ahead, meeting each otherâs gaze.
"Butterfly King Nupur?"
"Kirin Beast?"
"Not counting the blessing of the Sea God Fruit, in the long span of more than three thousand years, the Stone Hunt Blue Ant Kingdom has had only one Ant King comprehend this Ability called âEddyâ."
"Strictly speaking, Butterfly King Nupur is the second Insect in history to comprehend âEddyâ by her own skill?"
"The First Generation Ant King of the Stone Hunt Blue Ant Tribe should have comprehended it as well, right?"
"Then that makes her the third?"
"A onceâinâaâmillennium insect genius!"
"Are we witnessing history here?"
"Strictly counted, yes..."
...
Looking around, all the other insects had also entered into comprehension of the Tsunami Ability.
Dragon Cypress led Cypress and Silver Cypress and stepped back a bit.
Snow Velvet Spider King also followed, retreating a few steps.
They calmed their minds and hurried to comprehend the Tsunami Ability.
...
In the latter half of the night,
one after another, Insect Kings with good Talents finished comprehending the two basic Abilities, climbed the steps, circled around the Ocean Godâs Scepter, and, activating their Sea Soul Ability, sensed each Sea Beast pattern on each face of the Scepter in turn.
Most insects had no choice but to retreat in disappointment...
Suddenly,
on the Ocean Godâs Scepter, the pattern of a Flying Sea Beast with a plump oval body and six wings lit up.
A crimson Primordial Energy Column descended, connecting to a mottled Butterfly Warrior on the steps.
"Purple!"
On the city wall, Ink Orchidâs eyes lit up, then quickly calmed again.
The Sea Beast Devouring Ability was indeed much stronger than that of an ordinary Insect Clan Warrior, but still limited. At sea it was powerful, yet on land or in the air, a dozen or so battleâhardened Insect Kings could contend with a single Sea Beast.
ââThatâs the Sea Beast âXiaâ?
ââAnother butterfly!
ââI know her, a Flash Butterfly Warrior, Purple~!
ââThat Purple from the Volcano Kingdom?
ââI heard sheâs closely tied to Rainbow Island, and together with Mantis King Ink Orchid ambushed and killed Eddy Scorpionfish Ant King at Wind Phoenix Mountain?
ââHeard she made quite a fortune in bounties, got a share of a Divine-Grade Fruit, and Awakened a Fire Talent.
ââTo have the strength to join a peak battle like that, no wonder.
...
While the watching insects in the distance were still gossiping, another Sea Beast pattern on the Ocean Godâs Scepter was triggered and lit up.
This time it was actually an Assistant King of the Ant Clan.
He was recognized at onceâAssistant King Kukui, under the command of Leader Mountain Pepper!
The Fish Cutting Leaf Ants had already Awakened a Water System Talent, and Mountain Pepper Ant King was extraordinarily gifted; the Assistant King he cultivated naturally wouldnât be weak.
Mountain Pepper Ant King watched, unable to hide his joy, and the surrounding insects all offered congratulations.
It didnât stay quiet for long,
before yet another Sea Beast pattern on the Ocean Godâs Scepter was activated and lit up...
...
The difficulty of comprehending the Sea Beast Devouring Ability was not especially high; on average, one out of every twenty warriors succeeded.
Moreover, those who failed werenât absolutely hopeless. As long as they trained their Abilities hard, there was still hope next time.
On and off, all the way until dawn, a total of six Insect Clan Warriors succeeded in activating Sea Beast patterns.
After these six warriors received the powerful Primordial Energy transmitted by the Scepter, they fell into deep sleep.
The others who had failed in their comprehension withdrew from the field one after another.
In the field, only Dragon Cypress, Snow Velvet Spider King, Cypress, and Silver Cypress remained, still absorbing azure Primordial Energy and comprehending the Tsunami Ability...
Dragon Cypress and Snow Velvet Spider Kingâs Elemental Talents were about the same, both of the very poor kind, and they finished at roughly the same time, around midâmorning.
"..."
They glanced around, then looked at each other, speechless.
ââLooks like weâre the weakest ones here, huh~
"Great King, are you going to go up and try?"
Silver Cypress asked cautiously.
ââCanât you be a bit more tactful~
Dragon Cypress flicked his Tentacle slightly and pointed at Snow Velvet Spider King.
"...Iâll give it a try!"
Snow Velvet Spider King got up, quickly walked to the foot of the steps, activated his Sea Soul Ability, and probed toward the top of the Scepter.
The Kirin Beast pattern showed no reaction.
He decisively turned and left.
ââEven the Snow Velvet Tycoon failed~
ââIf we fail too, it doesnât really count as embarrassing~
Dragon Cypress stood up calmly, leading Cypress and Silver Cypress forward at an unhurried pace. He drew closer, unfolded his Sea Soul Ability, swept it toward the Kirin Beast pattern at the top of the Scepter, suddenly froze, and halted midâstep.
Inside the Ocean Godâs Scepter, something was triggeredâa vast, familiar yet terrifying Energy erupted all at once.
At the top of the Scepter, the Kirin Beast pattern wasnât activated; instead, a wisp of Azure light simply lit up. A point of blue light shot straight into Dragon Cypressâs forehead and vanished in an instant.
The next moment, Dragon Cypressâs whole body was wrapped in azure Primordial Energy, turning into a gigantic blue sphere of light.
Cypress and Silver Cypress, following behind, were startled, and exchanged a look: a Strength akin to a Dominating Throne?
They reacted quickly, assumed fighting stances, and stood guard to Dragon Cypressâs left and right.
Crimson lightning flashed, and Ink Orchid landed nearby, carefully observing.
ââWhat was that just now?
ââThat blue light?
ââDid Great Leader Dragon Cypress trigger something special?
ââDoes the Ocean Godâs Scepter still hide other Abilities?
ââObviously, yes.
ââWhy?
ââWhy was it triggered by Great Leader Dragon Cypress?
ââBy all appearances, this Dragon Cypress Ant Kingâs Elemental Talent is terrible~
ââCould it be Vortex Beast Devouring?
ââGreat Leader Dragon Cypress did condense a Whirl Beast rivaling the Kirin Beast...
...
After half a day, the ball of light shrouding Dragon Cypress gradually merged into his body.
Dragon Cypress fell into a deep sleep.
...
After a full day and night, Butterfly King Nupur woke from her sleep, looked around in confusion, then buried herself in thought, and soon after was wild with joy.
"Nupur, the Kirin Beast Ability?" White Crystal Butterfly King asked anxiously.
"Kirin Beast!"
Butterfly King Nupur gave a definite answer. As her thoughts moved, on her forehead, the original butterflyâshaped Divine Mark transformed into a lifelike Kirin Beast pattern, but with some butterfly traits overlaidâsuch as the style of the wings...