Chapter 10: Recovery
Deep underground, a black insect lay motionless, its body severely damaged and over half of it crippled, appearing lifeless.
Suddenly, viscous liquid began seeping out of its body—through its eyes, mouthparts, and the base of the hairs covering its body.
Under the influence of these liquids, the insect’s black head, fragile eyes, delicate mouthparts, rotting abdomen, and even its sturdy shoulder plates and back armor underwent a miraculous chemical reaction, as if they were melting.
White foam appeared, expanded, and then slowly hardened, eventually forming a cocoon-like structure resembling the black insect, but significantly larger. The cocoon completely encased the insect.
Luo Wen’s consciousness floated in the darkness, fluctuating as if he were drowning, his body being churned into pulp. The discomfort was suffocating, and he struggled desperately to escape his plight.
Outside, the cocoon, shaped like a black insect, began to tremble as if something trapped inside was attempting to break free. The trembling intensified, growing faster and more vigorous until a crack appeared along the top of the cocoon.
From the crack emerged a head—smooth, tender, and translucent yellowish-white. It looked fragile, as if it would shatter at the slightest touch, with its internal organs faintly visible. The creature, through sheer effort, gradually forced its burrowing legs out.
With these legs anchoring it externally, the tender insect soon managed to pull its entire body free from the cocoon.
Exhausted from the struggle, the insect rested briefly on the cocoon.