Chapter 7, Harsh Winter

The jungle has fallen into silence

Banbu greatly enjoys the hospitality of his fellow warriors. In return, whenever the rain stops, he busily collects withered leaves, cuts them into pieces, and transports them to pile up beneath the force plants he cultivates

Plants require nutrients for growth, and Force-sensitive plants are no exception

The birds fly south, while the snakes and rats lie in wait

The winter in the subtropics is uniquely cold

After consuming a few leaves, they hastily gnaw on the shed exoskeleton, followed by eating some stored beast meat

The mother cockroach is missing

The overcast sky

The ancestral memory of the Red Cockroach tribe seems to lack extensive knowledge about farming, and Banbu has never seen the warrior of the Red Cockroach tribe, who protects him, tilling the soil and fertilizing the Force plants he has planted.

Then, the entire mountain range saw the Cockroach Tribe rapidly thrive, becoming the most numerous "ruling insect tribe"

During the day, one should remain calm and conserve energy; at night, one should engage in activities to strengthen the body

Awakening in a state of confusion and fear, I checked anxiously, fortunately, there were no side effects.

The focus of Banbu is to take care of the raspberry bushes that have already begun to bear fruit. There is another consideration in doing so: Force plants cannot be found everywhere. The warriors of the Red Cockroach tribe are weak and cannot consume too many Force fruits. Perhaps, by next autumn, after becoming a Force creature, they can share some from here.

Banbu is more concerned about a brand new memory gained during this molting slumber: becoming a red cockroach warrior, and the first life seed should choose a shrub seed

In the spring of next year, the surviving cockroaches will feed on the corpses of their deceased companions to obtain nutritional supplements, either growing rapidly or reproducing wildly.

The speculation regarding the mottled cloth primarily attributes the cause to the radiation from the dominion-level metallic core, which leads to soul mutation. The rebirth of the soul subsequently results in the mutation of the red cockroach genes. Additionally, a minor contributing factor is the raspberry fruit, which enhances cellular activity and strengthens its own cold resistance.

The other still active cockroach is the spotted one

As a member of the Hoss family during his human life, Banbu wielded considerable power. His ancestors had served as governors of a B-class industrial planet, establishing extensive political connections. In the business sector, the family holds shares in a high-tech company and several large interstellar technology firms. In terms of cultivation, the family possesses several exclusive secret techniques. Militarily, a senior family member served in the Thunder Expeditionary Force's 7th Army, holding the position of commander of the elite 702 Vanguard Regiment, with remarkable military achievements and the rank of Major General

Absorbing the primal force and completing the 19th molting growth signifies becoming a warrior of the Red Cockroach tribe

The cockroach tribe warriors could not fathom the complex thoughts within the mind of the spotted leopard, nor did they understand the purpose of its strange behaviors. However, they did not intervene; during their moments of leisure and boredom, they quietly lay beside the raspberry bushes, watching the spotted leopard hustle about.

On the ceiling of the nest, the stones are covered with the symbol "卍", with each character representing 6 days and nights

The hunted are primarily large-bodied warm-blooded animals such as elk and wild boar, which are likely surrounded and killed in cooperation with nearby companions. Each time, the carcasses brought back are quite incomplete, allowing only a small portion to be distributed.

The winter tranquility of the jungle is serene yet not peaceful, as death occurs incessantly.

The soul-guiding gene mutation results in subtle changes in body structure with each shedding and growth. After more than ten times, the appearance of the spotted pattern shows a significant difference from that of the male red cockroach.

The spring thunder roared, awakening the slumbering spotted leopard

It is essential to consume more meat and to always maintain ample physical energy

As I reached the cave entrance and gazed outside, the spring rain fell gently, making it an unsuitable day for going out

The pervasive humidity is the best medium for transmitting coldness

The term "life form" was mentioned, and after much contemplation, I am 90% certain that it is linked to the Force-sensitive plants. More specifically, the details remain elusive. What is truly exhilarating is that this planet has an abundance of Force-sensitive plants, providing a remarkable degree of choice.

Lying quietly in the nest, waiting silently

Such a flourishing and extensive family only sustains a single Force-sensitive plant

In addition to the 64 days spent living on the nearby peak before moving here, I have now experienced 215 days on this planet. Calculating based on 30 days per month, it has already exceeded 7 months, during which I have endured half of a scorching summer, an entire desolate autumn, and a bleak, lifeless winter

Whenever I think of the striped cloth, I cannot help but feel a surge of excitement

The flight capability of a 19-year-old adult remains to be determined

The two front legs are well-developed and powerful, with sharp claws that are curved like sickles and equipped with fine serrations, capable of cutting through leaves. When the three toes come together, they resemble a pair of shears, easily slicing through the tough veins of leaves.

In order to endure the harsh test of cold, cockroaches follow the guidance of inherited memory, crowding together in a single nest, with a dozen or even dozens of them, truly embodying the concept of huddling together for warmth

... ...

This record began when Banbu moved in, and it has now reached a total of 25 characters, signifying 150 days. At this moment, it is the night of the 151st day.

The warriors of the Cockroach Tribe have become frugal, cherishing every bit of meat and gnawing it clean.

The spotted cloth traveled far in search, but unfortunately could not be found

More like a predator in the insect world, the "mantis," specifically the "metal mantis," differs in that it is not burdened by the mantis's bulky abdomen, allowing it to run continuously with greater agility and speed than the mantis

The tibiae of the two forelegs are covered with slender, sharp spines, gleaming with a dangerous metallic luster

The warrior of the cockroach tribe noticed with astonishment that this completely black male subadult of the same kind was able to be active during the winter. Every time he returned from a hunt, he would take the initiative to cut off a large piece of fresh meat and throw it at the entrance of the striped one's nest.

To become a cockroach warrior, the first seed of life should be chosen from low shrubs

Banbu turned his head to examine the light gray new shell, and could not help but feel a surge of emotion: finally 19 years old and fully grown

A fine drizzle resembling cow hair.

The issue regarding how to continue growing after becoming a warrior of the Cockroach Tribe is quite vague

Various signs indicate that in the future, I will become a warrior of the Cockroach Tribe, be able to cultivate a large number of Force plants, establish my own orchard, and enjoy an endless supply of Force fruits every year

The once bustling peaks have also fallen silent, leaving only two cockroaches, large and small, still active

The 18th molting is nearing its conclusion, interrupted by interference

The harsh natural selection filters out the most outstanding genes for survival and reproduction

The newly emerged shell comes into contact with the air, gradually hardening, its color deepening in the process, and by morning, it has completely transformed into a pure black with a metallic luster

The mountains and forests are adorned with vast expanses of golden hues, a natural transformation brought about by the seasonal changes of deciduous trees.

After a long period of relentless training, the wings have also developed, gradually acquiring a certain ability for aerial flight

The long winter, ultimately, only one in ten can endure it

Consciousness is clear, and one can move freely; however, the rate of growth is very slow

However, the effect is not significant. A rough estimate indicates that in nests where insects gather, almost none survive; in nests where nymphs and adults congregate, seven or eight out of ten perish. Only the strongest young cockroaches are able to survive.

Boom

The soil at the hillside is relatively barren, and decaying branches and leaves can enhance its fertility

Only the cockroaches that have endured the trials of harsh winters and scorching summers can truly sense the primal forces of the universe

The frequency of the cockroach tribe warriors going out to hunt has decreased, and the duration of each outing has lengthened; sometimes, it takes two to three days to return from a single trip

The temperature remains above zero degrees, with no ice or snow, and below 10 degrees, ordinary insects either die from freezing or enter hibernation