Shen Feng couldn't help but sigh after watching the recent news, "It seems more insects will appear in the future. This world is truly endless. Just as the crisis of mutated birds was resolved, the insect race has now begun to mutate."
Shen Feng never expected that even small insects would become a huge problem for humanity. Or rather, Shen Feng never imagined these insects would grow up. Once, Shen Feng heard about mutated algae appearing in the sea, and he didn't take it seriously, thinking that small algae wouldn't change much for humanity.
However, when the algae truly began to erupt, the oxygen concentration on Earth changed, leading to a series of unexpected situations. The first was the death of Dan Zhengming. His lifespan was shortened because the rate of oxidation in his body accelerated. He might have lived for over a hundred years, but in the end, he, a man who paid so much attention to exercise, died from exhaustion. Now, with this recombination, their bodies are also growing larger due to the increased oxygen concentration.
"If only there was a way to stop the expansion of these mutated algae. As long as the oxygen concentration can be restored to its previous level, these insects won't be able to cause trouble for much longer," Shen Feng mused silently in his heart. However, he also knew that such a thought was a fantasy. Humans could not control the evolution of algae in the ocean.
The size of insects has always been restricted by qi. Because insects do not have lung organs, their respiration relies on the tracheal system. Therefore, the respiratory efficiency of these insects is not comparable to that of larger animals, unless the oxygen concentration in the air rises. At this time, they can obtain sufficient oxygen without needing more powerful respiratory organs, and their size will uncontrollably increase.
As Shen Feng was watching the news, his door was suddenly knocked. When he opened the door, he found that the person standing outside was none other than his disciple, Wang Feiying. He had come to inquire about the combat situation from earlier that day.
Wang Feiying had been feeling very guilty recently because he felt that it was his mistake that led to the subsequent series of events. If he had noticed earlier that someone was preparing to launch a nuclear bomb, his master could have left the dangerous area sooner, and he himself would not have ended up in his current state of being neither human nor ghost.
Wang Feiying took his medicine on time every day and received treatment diligently. However, according to the doctors' estimates, it would take more than a year for him to recover his normal body. At this time, Shen Feng's body had already returned to normal. Although there were still some residual radioactive elements in his body, they were harmless and would be completely cleared within a period of time.
Shen Feng recounted everything that had happened during the day. Wang Feiying was very surprised after hearing it because he hadn't expected the mutation of the insect race to be so rapid. He had thought that once the breeding rate of the mutated birds was controlled, the world would become more peaceful. However, it now seemed that this idea was completely wrong. At this moment, the insect race was also rising.
"If the mutation speed of insects continues to increase and their varieties become more numerous in the future, how should we respond?" Wang Feiying couldn't help but raise this question.
Shen Feng thought carefully and gave his answer, saying, "There's no need to worry about this for now, because these mutated insects all have nests. As long as their nests are destroyed, victory can ultimately be achieved. The only thing I'm worried about now is some insects that are nomadic and roam everywhere. If such mutated insects really appear, then it will be truly troublesome."
Shen Feng was not worried about insects with nests at all, because as long as they had nests, attacks could be launched repeatedly. However, once those nomadic insects that roam everywhere appeared, the situation might become like the mutated birds of the past. At that time, controlling the breeding rate of insects would be even more difficult.
As Shen Feng and Wang Feiying were talking, the door was suddenly knocked again. A neatly dressed nurse walked in and said to Wang Feiying in standard Chinese, "Mr. Wang, it's time for you to take your medicine. If you want to recover your health as soon as possible, you must take your medicine on time."
"Yes, yes, yes, how could you forget this? The medicine cannot be stopped!" Shen Feng also quickly urged his disciple to take his medicine after hearing this.
Wang Feiying nodded and left. Shen Feng continued to ponder at this time, how to completely eradicate the desert army ants? This was a serious problem. Insects also had many weaknesses, especially ants. They were afraid of both water and fire. As long as a moat was dug around the city, there would be no danger. However, this would mean that the farmland outside the city would all be eaten by the army ants. It was also not feasible to leave them unattended.
"Knock, knock..." Shen Feng's door was knocked again, and finally, someone pushed the door open and walked in. It was Long Qian.
"Is something wrong?" Shen Feng asked.
"There is a small matter. I would like to ask for Lord Fengshen's advice. I have already thought of a solution for the desert army ants. I personally think the idea is good, but after all, Lord Fengshen is a seasoned veteran, and your experience is richer. It is always right to ask for your advice now," Long Qian said with a smile.
"You've actually thought of a solution, so tell me!" Shen Feng quickly inquired.
"It's like this. One of the people under me is an esper. His ability is usually useless, except that he can release some strange substances. But just now, I discovered that his ability can provoke the desert army ants. So, I plan to use this ability to lure out the queen ant. When the battle begins, Mr. Shen will need to kill the queen ant in one go," Long Qian said slowly.
"I see. Is it a plan to lure the snake out of its hole? However, the other party may not fall for it, but it can be tried. If it succeeds, it can save a lot of effort," Shen Feng understood immediately after hearing the plan. It was just a trick to lure the snake out of its hole, but it could be tried.
Ant communication relies on antennae. These antennae have sensitive receptors that can sense many pheromones in the air. After sensing the pheromones, they react. Therefore, by targeting pheromones, the ants' actions can be disrupted.
Shen Feng felt that this method could be tried. If successful, it would save a lot of effort. However, suddenly Long Qian brought up other matters: "Before implementing this plan, I have other things to say, which is about the final ownership of the meteorite. If the meteorite is not found, everyone will naturally be at peace. But I am worried that once the meteorite is found, with your strength, Lord Fengshen, if you want to snatch the meteorite, we will not be able to stop you."
Shen Feng naturally wanted to obtain the meteorite. Even if it were an ordinary meteorite, he wanted to get his hands on it, because these meteorites might contain extraterrestrial elements. He absolutely could not miss any opportunity. However, it was clear that Long Qian had also set his sights on the meteorite. The dispute over the meteorite was related to interests, not a matter of pride.
"Then do you have any good solutions? I mean, if the meteorite is found, we can split it equally. But now you clearly don't trust my character. What kind of guarantee do you want me to give? Just say it!" Shen Feng said.
"Has Mr. Shen considered a marriage alliance? I think this is a good way to improve our relationship!" Long Qian asked.
"You mean a marriage alliance? With whom? You need to make this clear," Shen Feng pressed for details.
Long Qian replied without hesitation, "I have a wife who is very beautiful. She has a biological sister who is first-class in both character and appearance. Many people are eyeing her. Now I will be generous and let this sister-in-law marry you. This is a great thing!"
"No, no, I can't have a marriage alliance! If my three wives at home find out about this, they will skin me alive." Shen Feng immediately shook his head. If he dared to have affairs outside and his wives found out, they would definitely not let him off.
The last time Shen Feng brought Li Keyi home, he was punished by writing a million-character self-criticism. Fortunately, Shen Feng had to go out to fight mutated birds, so he was able to leave, and the matter of writing the self-criticism was temporarily put aside. But if Shen Feng dared to have another marriage alliance, what he would face at home would not be a million-character self-criticism.
"Mr. Shen, you misunderstood. It's not a marriage alliance with you. I mean it can be a marriage alliance for the next generation," Long Qian quickly explained.
"The next generation? That's even more impossible. My son is still less than ten years old. Letting them have a marriage alliance, that's not possible!" Shen Feng still did not agree.
"You misunderstood me again. I mean your disciple! Don't forget, you have a disciple here. He is a handsome young man now, and he can be a perfect match for my sister-in-law," Long Qian said, seeing that Shen Feng had misunderstood his meaning again.
"Wang Feiying? He's only fifteen years old. Letting him have a marriage alliance seems a bit early. Are there no other suitable solutions?" Shen Feng continued to ask.
"I think this method is the best. On the one hand, it can deepen our relationship. On the other hand, no one will fall out over the meteorite. Fifteen years old is not young. At this age, many people already have their second child. Mr. Shen, your thinking is too outdated," Long Qian said quickly.
After Shen Feng thought carefully, he also felt that this method was quite good. The only problem was that Wang Feiying might not be willing.
"Don't spread the word about this for now. I'll ask my disciple's opinion. If he's unwilling, then it's best to drop this matter. I don't want these children to bear the burden of marriage," Shen Feng did not agree immediately, but rather wanted to ask his disciple's opinion.