It's not just aircraft; this is merely part of the locust civilization's transformation. These insect people are beginning to develop external tools to enhance their power because, in a short time, the extraordinary power they possess is insufficient to elevate their entire civilization's strength.
However, having learned about the existence of other worlds, the leaders of the locust civilization, eager to conquer other worlds and obtain more resources, are no longer content with the status quo. They are driving the transformation of their entire civilization, aiming to gain the power to truly enter the void.
They have realized that even though they are revered as gods by the lower-level locusts and indeed possess the power to destroy worlds individually (assuming there is no equal force to stop them), relying solely on personal strength is entirely inadequate for conquering and subsequently ruling a world. They need the support of their race, but the strength of their race does not meet their needs.
"Because the strong demand it, civilization begins to transform. The actions and choices of ordinary locusts are completely influenced by these so-called gods. The will of the strong determines everything."
Transformed into a locust, Muria, along with the shape-shifting Indira, advanced within the structure of the locust civilization, gaining more power and resources, and probing into every aspect of it.
If data were shown on Muria's understanding of the locust civilization, it would be: Locust Sociology +12, +14, +10…
Muria wanted Indira to devour the highest ruler of the locust civilization, then disguise herself as him and manipulate the entire civilization's power to battle the incoming void fleet led by the dragon princess. For this, he needed a thorough understanding of the locust civilization.
Even killing the ruler holding the strongest authority wouldn't be a significant blow to the locust civilization. At most, they would just select a new ruler.
Without clearing out the resistance within the locust civilization, obtaining the duel's victory items would be useless. The official recognition from the ten great empires meant nothing in reality; the actual control would still be in the hands of the locusts, and Muria would need to use his own power to clear them out, which would cost too many casualties, a price he was unwilling to pay.
"Who should we devour next, Muria?" Indira, now disguised as a golden locust city lord, asked expectantly.
"The Green Locust King who rules this country, a soul-level locust king," Muria replied calmly, flipping through documents.
Muria advanced with Indira not in the literal sense but in terms of status. Initially, they disguised themselves as the most ordinary locusts, then locust soldiers, generals, commanders...
Muria and Indira continuously ascended the hierarchical pyramid of the locust civilization. Each identity change meant crossing a class, achieved simply by having Indira devour the target and then disguise herself as them.
However, before devouring a target, they needed to prepare, observing the target's behavior and habits, and understanding their social relationships to minimize the risk of exposure.
Indira didn't have (or temporarily didn't have) the ability to devour souls and gain memories, so she needed to observe and practice extensively in advance.
After changing identities, they also had to create a plausible accident to handle the disappearance of the previous disguise, ensuring no trace was left for meticulous locusts to investigate.
Muria's bold idea, executed through a flash of inspiration, was labor-intensive and mentally exhausting, carrying the constant thrill of being ready for a fight if discovered.
Muria didn't enjoy this feeling. His current personality preferred straightforward assaults to gain maximum benefits at minimal cost, driven by a dragon's inherent greed. He would rather lead his army in a direct assault on the locust civilization.
This sneaky, role-playing game of infiltration was something he only wanted to experience once. Muria didn't want a second time.
...
"Powerful unknown creatures have invaded the White Moth world... Black Yao and the three supporting gods, including Mo Jian, have all fallen. After nearly a year of investigation, you still don't know what the enemy looks like!"
Kirov, the highest ruler of the locust civilization, known as the God-King, was furious in his divine palace. This was the greatest trouble he had encountered since his rise to power.
Four locust gods had suddenly fallen without any warning, causing unimaginable shock to the locust civilization. Consequently, they lost control of a world they ruled, something unprecedented.
He couldn't cover up such news due to the significant panic and turmoil it caused. Fortunately, they were a superhuman civilization, where the strong suppressed everything, and all problems could be quelled with absolute force.
"Great God-King, we cannot investigate the White Moth world because we can no longer open the space-time rift connected to it. We can only enter from the outside, but these worlds have been occupied by powerful unknown beings, making it impossible to enter," a locust god reported calmly.
"Then send more gods. This being, or group of beings, cannot be that strong. If they were truly powerful, they would have attacked other worlds we control or even our world of Soros," Kirov's fury subsided slightly.
"Great God-King, which gods do you want to send?"
"You, Qing Yan..." Kirov named six locust gods in succession. "And invite the Sword Sovereign to support you."
"Invite the Sword Sovereign!" The 23 locust gods attending the grand assembly, either in person, as projections, or through avatars, were shocked. The six named gods showed joy.
...
In a corner of the divine palace, a locust, who had used connections and bribes to become a divine attendant through a Green Locust King's help, quietly watched. His sinister compound eyes revealed contemplation.
"Sword Sovereign? Judging by the expressions of these self-proclaimed locust gods, his strength shouldn't be weak, likely at least mid-tier legend, possibly high-tier."
Disguised as a locust attendant, Muria pondered, "How many of such exist in the locust civilization? Can the God-King command them?"
...
The grand monthly assembly continued, addressing important matters first, then simpler ones. Muria heard many secret pieces of information previously hard to obtain.
For instance, the classified disappearance incident in the airspace and the locust gods' discovery of a bite-marked meteorite during void exploration. These were secrets ordinary locusts couldn't hear.
Hmm, the airspace disappearance incident had nothing to do with Muria. No evidence could prove he did it. Everything had already reverted to basic molecules.
...
"Great God Qing Yan!"
"Great God Yu Li!"
Muria expressionlessly followed a group of locust attendants in sending off these top-tier rulers, continually reassuring himself, "These are soon-to-be corpses, bowing early doesn't matter."
"Great achievements don't fuss over trifles!"
"I can't wait to kill these bugs. Endure for now. Let Indira send them to fight Felicia's void fleet, and let them battle that troublesome princess."
After seeing the legendary locusts off, Muria looked at the bizarrely styled divine palace behind him, revealing an unabashedly malicious smile.
"It's time. I've observed this locust ruler for a month; it's almost over."
"Odero! What are you planning?" The undisguised malice immediately alerted the locust "companions" around Muria. Their survival instincts frantically warned them.
"Relax, it won't hurt!" Muria smiled warmly by locust standards, then his locust attendant companions turned to dust silently.
With their deaths, a grand sealing array composed of runes sacred to the locusts lit up around the divine palace, one of Muria's achievements over the past month. The outside world wouldn't notice the array at all.
"Good day, locust God-King!" Muria, now in his human form, stepped forward, his body swelling into the towering Titan form. He stood in the spacious divine palace, looking down at the world's nominally strongest locust.
"An ugly creature I've never seen before!" The locust God-King sneered, "Did you invade the White Moth world? What do you intend to do by coming here? Do you want to die?"
"No, I came to end and replace you!" Muria replied.
"Hahaha!" The locust God-King's soul laugh, full of mockery, echoed through the temporarily sealed divine palace. He sensed Muria's strength, feeling utterly confident.
However, when Muria pulled out a star-destroying cannon as tall as himself and aimed it at him, the locust God-King's laughter gradually faded...
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