Model of the Ancient Nether Insect

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[Name: Ancient Netherworm]
[Status: Incomplete]
[Type: Ring]
[Grade: Second Ring]
[Characteristics: This is an alien creature discovered by ancient Secret Ring Masters. Its body is minuscule, like a grain of dust. However, the Ancient Netherworm is impervious to blades and bullets, and its temperament is exceedingly savage. Wherever it passes, all is gnawed clean.]
[Preferences: Anything edible, and anything inedible]
[Ability – Devour: The Ancient Netherworm’s unique teeth and powerful digestive fluids can dissolve most solid substances. Steel is no different from tofu in their mouths.]
[Ability – Rapid Regeneration: After consuming large quantities, the Ancient Netherworm can swiftly replicate itself, forming an airborne army and spawning troops at a frenzied rate.]
[Ability – Resonance: When enough Ancient Netherworms gather, their ferocity, aggression, combat strength, and defensive power increase dramatically. You may burn some of the worms, granting the remainder more energy to unleash a powerful resonant burst.]
[Ability – Parasitism: ???]
[Note: The Ancient Netherworm is not particularly afraid of kinetic attacks; it is inherently the nemesis of physical abilities. However, it fears attacks such as fire and lightning.]
[Note: The Ancient Netherworm’s power is formidable. Once it replicates to a certain extent, it can easily sweep through the Second Ring.]
[Note: The model is incomplete. Some abilities cannot be manifested, and others cannot be displayed. You may attempt to repair the Ancient Netherworm model, but the process is long and arduous.]

A lengthy introduction; a single glance reveals the power of this model. Moreover, it is currently in an incomplete state, with many abilities still hidden.

Yet even in its incomplete form, it is described as: “Its power is immense; once replicated sufficiently, it can easily sweep through the Second Ring.” To be honest, Xiu Nan was deeply tempted, and accepted it without hesitation.

On his right hand, all the model’s circuits transformed into a faint red rune. It was extremely crude, with jagged, broken edges. The rune slid restlessly across his hand, almost as if it possessed its own will.

When it wandered to the back of his hand, the rune’s edge inadvertently brushed against the White Bone Secret Ring. Instantly, it was sucked in with a whoosh, unable to offer even the slightest resistance. It circled the Secret Ring once, settled beside the Azure-Eyed Vulture rune, and the red glow gradually dimmed.

A line of gray text introducing the Ancient Netherworm appeared before Xiu Nan’s eyes, indicating he could not use it for now. He would first need the knowledge and skills to construct a Second Ring model, spend a long time modeling in the Rune Workshop, and modify the model’s structure to harmonize with his own body.

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Only then would he have the chance to manifest the incomplete Ancient Netherworm.

Letting out a breath, Xiu Nan turned his gaze to the other laboratory equipment. On his left stood a large dissection table, meant for placing extraordinary creatures. Around it were various auxiliary tools for support, dissection, observation, replication—everything one could need.

His gaze swept across the room and came to a halt.

Beside a metal incubator, a large experimental apparatus ran from the ceiling to the floor. Apparently, pipes ran through the walls and beneath the ground, transporting certain substances. Now Xiu Nan understood the source of the blue light— it was a viscous gas leaking from this machine.

It seemed harmless to humans; after all, Xiu Nan had inhaled plenty on his way here with no ill effects.

Standing beside the apparatus, he saw a soft tube extending from it. A metal framework resembling a ferris wheel held a glass container, rotating slowly. Each gondola was a beaker-like vessel, enclosing concentrated blue gas.

The containers spun, delivering the gas to the next machine.

All the instruments in this laboratory formed an integrated system, capable of producing various runes on an assembly line.

The abundance of switches, precision circuits, and auxiliary tools was overwhelming. Yet, according to the pendant’s information, such complexity was the mark of an advanced laboratory.

Perhaps because he lingered too long, the system presented details about the apparatus. Most matched the pendant’s account; a few pieces were unique:

[Hint: Moon Blue Gas is an inert gas that does not participate in reactions, and is a precious material. It can increase the stability of runes throughout the modeling and ignition process.]
[Hint: Advanced runes, whether evolving or fusing, have a high failure rate. Moon Blue Gas can mitigate this to an extent. If you wish to attempt fusing the Azure-Eyed Vulture, you may do so in an environment saturated with Moon Blue Gas, ensuring at least the minimum chance of success.]
[Hint: Moon Blue Gas has a powerful calming effect on extraordinary lifeforms and runes. Once mixed with air in sufficient proportions, it becomes hypnotic. Your White Bone Secret Ring grants you immunity to this effect…]

Now Xiu Nan understood why he could not fuse runes before—clearly, the fusion methods he had selected did not even reach the minimum success rate. Thus, fusion abilities could not be used at all.

After lingering in the laboratory for a while longer and finding nothing edible, Xiu Nan left, cursing under his breath.

But he had already memorized the layout of this advanced laboratory; Xiu Nan was certain he would use it someday.

Retracing his steps, he returned to the main hall.

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He selected the middle passage and ventured in.

After only a hundred meters, Xiu Nan caught a whiff of rot in the air. He frowned and advanced cautiously, ready at any moment to summon White Wood.

Another hundred meters or so, and suddenly, from afar, he heard a bird cry! A flash of wild joy crossed his eyes— it was the call of a living bird, a sign of an exit!

At once, Xiu Nan sprinted forward, his boots thudding in rapid succession on the uneven ground.

Before long, he spotted a distant glow. Slowing down, reason regained control of his mind. Sticking close to the wall, he crept to the exit.

He poked his head out to take a look.

Damn it, nothing but Azure-Eyed Vultures! A dense swarm—some perched on the ground, others circling midair, still others nesting in the cave walls. There were at least several hundred, a veritable fetid den of monstrous birds.

They inhabited a massive cavern, shaped like an elliptical sphere. At the very top was an opening, sunlight streaming through. Several vultures flew in and out, bringing prey to feed their young.

In the wall’s hollows, many chicks cried out hungrily. Adult vultures, clutching gnawed bones, swooped down and landed in the center of the cave.

There, it seemed, stood… an altar!

Xiu Nan’s eyes did not deceive him—it was an altar, identical to the bloody one behind the Senran Tribe’s mountain.

The moment a bloodied bone dropped onto it, the altar responded. Runes on the ground lit up in a small circle, and at the very center, a stone pillar began to rise, only to sink back halfway.

Clearly, the offering was far from sufficient…

Yet in that fleeting glance, Xiu Nan had already spotted what he most desired—a brand new Sacred Bone!

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