Chapter 56

This peculiar object is about half the size of an aircraft carrier, resembling a hemispherical stone with a neat circle of holes on its surface.

Ling had never seen this thing on the beach near the base before. She remembered every object on the beach near the base clearly, and something so distinctive would not have escaped her notice. It must have appeared after it rose to the surface of the sea.

It was a strange feeling, but Ling didn't have time to deal with it now. The projectiles quickly crawled back to the rock where the base was located, and Ling planned to modify them.

The projectiles' completely sealed shells prevented the water inside from leaking out, but this also caused some problems. They couldn't get oxygen, which would make them move slowly.

Ling found that many organisms would die without oxygen, but she wouldn't, just moving more slowly. However, this didn't mean Ling didn't need oxygen. She first made holes in the shells of the projectiles, but absorbing oxygen would cause water loss, so she had to create a new type of projectile—the water-supplying projectile—to go to the edge of the island to absorb water and then replenish the other projectiles.

Next, Ling planned to establish various organ structures on the island, but building here was not easy. In the water, Ling could freely assemble cells at any position, but on land, she had to ensure there was water to allow the cells to function and form, and then she needed a shell to protect against ultraviolet rays...

She would use the projectiles to build directly.

Ling had several projectiles ingest a large amount of shell material inside the base, then crawl outside and apply the shell material in a circular pattern on the sand, layer by layer, to form a cylindrical structure.

This type of shell material hardened relatively late and was very sticky, allowing sand to be mixed in to reduce the consumption of shell material, but the density had to be ensured to prevent water leakage.

Next, Ling sent the water-supplying projectiles to the edge of the island to absorb water, then transport it back and pour it into these 'tanks.' Then Ling could make the basic cells start dividing inside the 'tanks,' and a switchable structure could be built at the top of the 'tanks.'

It was a good idea, mainly because the giant shield tentacles surrounding the base couldn't be opened, so Ling had to build a breeding chamber outside to create larger things and units. Eventually, Ling planned to enclose the entire island and establish a huge land base.

Although building such a large base on land seemed meaningless, it at least meant that Ling had adapted to this place.

Ling had the projectiles start working. Some were responsible for applying the shell material and mixing in sand, while others were responsible for fetching water to build the huge 'breeding tanks.' Ling planned to make them as large as an aircraft carrier, but this had to be completed before dawn. If the ultraviolet rays came, everything would be in vain.

The projectiles worked quickly under the starlight of the night. They had already built about 10% of the height next to the base's large rock. At this moment, a projectile responsible for applying the shell material suddenly transmitted a thought. It seemed to be clamped by something, and the strong pressure caused cracks in its shell, instantly leaking a large amount of water and cells.

The projectile's interior was a hollow structure filled with water. If it cracked, various cells and organs inside might leak out, but Ling was more concerned about what had attacked the projectile.

The other projectiles immediately gathered at the attack point, and Ling discovered the attacker—the hemispherical stone she had seen before.

No, this wasn't a stone... It was a living organism, with eight thick appendages supporting its hemispherical body and two front limbs with large pincers. The projectile that was attacked had been clamped by its pincers and was almost severed.

It might have previously retracted its appendages into its body, so Ling didn't recognize it as a living organism. However, this thing had no mouth, only a row of holes on its hemispherical body. Therefore, Ling initially mistook it for a non-moving, coral-like organism, not expecting it to have such strength.

The projectile's shell wasn't very hard, mainly designed to protect against ultraviolet rays. Ling never thought there would be predators on land, so she didn't reinforce the projectile's shell.

The projectile that was clamped was now crushed into two pieces. Ling immediately ordered all the surrounding projectiles to retreat and crawl back to the base's large rock. They couldn't deal with this fully armored organism.

The attacker didn't pursue them but stayed in place, leaving the torn projectile on the ground.

It doesn't eat?

Ling was puzzled. Suddenly, a large number of small organisms emerged from the holes on the hemispherical body. These small organisms looked exactly like the large one, with a hemispherical body, eight appendages, and pincers, but they also had a mouth full of small hooks. Some went to eat the projectile that was cut in half, while others pursued the retreating projectiles.

This organism...

Ling was surprised by this phenomenon. The behavior of this organism was quite similar to her own, with a large main body and small units released for feeding or attacking.

Perhaps the name 'Colony Ball' would suit it. However, there were differences between it and Ling. For example, the small units released by the 'Colony Ball' were identical to the large main body and not specialized.

The small Colony Balls were about the same size as the projectiles, which meant the projectiles didn't need to flee but could counterattack!

The projectiles collectively turned and charged at the Colony Ball. There were about thirty small Colony Balls, but Ling's projectiles were also numerous, possibly leading to an evenly matched battle.

The shape of the projectiles was very suitable for ramming. Ling had them directly collide with the lower part of the small Colony Balls, flipping them over. The hemispherical body of the Colony Ball was difficult to flip back, and at this moment, the projectiles immediately used their sharp appendages to pierce the mouths of the Colony Balls.

The pincers of the small Colony Balls were too small to damage the shells of the projectiles. In the instant the projectiles counterattacked, they collapsed.

The Colony Ball realized the situation was unfavorable. Except for those that were flipped over, the rest retreated into the large Colony Ball, which then charged at the projectiles.

They still had to retreat...

Ling had the projectiles climb up the base's large rock at full speed and return to the base. Surprisingly, the large Colony Ball also pursued them, using its appendages to climb up the cracks in the rock!

Ling was surprised by this. The Colony Ball must be accustomed to climbing high on land; otherwise, its legs would not be able to support its body weight and would break.

This organism was too peculiar. Why hadn't she seen it before? Ling now had a strong desire to capture it for study.

Ling's projectiles quickly entered the base through the small holes at the top. At this moment, the Colony Ball also climbed to this position. It had no eyes, so it must have been tracking by other means. It tapped the base's shell with its pincers, seemingly realizing its attack was ineffective, and then it stayed motionless.

What is it doing? Waiting for the projectiles to come out? Ling observed the Colony Ball with a small eyeball. Its posture was to place its pincers near the hole where the projectiles entered, seemingly waiting for them to come out.

It was quite clever, but dawn was approaching. How would it deal with the ultraviolet rays?

Perhaps it had a way to avoid ultraviolet rays or would be killed by them. Either way, it wasn't what Ling wanted.

Ling wanted a living Colony Ball to study, so...

Ling suddenly opened the giant shield tentacles. The Colony Ball, caught off guard, fell into the base. Ling then closed all the giant shield tentacles, trapping the Colony Ball inside the base.

A large amount of water had leaked out when the tentacles opened, but she had successfully captured the Colony Ball. Immediately, countless tentacles inside the base wrapped around it. These tentacles had been strengthened by Ling, allowing them to move even in a waterless space.

In the dark, the Colony Ball struggled fiercely. Even if it could break a few tentacles, dozens were now wrapped around it. The stinging cells on the tentacles pierced the joints of the Colony Ball's appendages, weakening it. At the same time, Ling blocked the holes on its body to prevent the small Colony Balls from coming out.

Now the Colony Ball was completely immobilized. Next, it would be disassembled.

But Ling would have to wait a while.

The main organs of the base were inside the rock, and the water inside hadn't leaked out. However, the water above the base had almost all leaked out. Ling had to refill the water and use cells to disassemble the Colony Ball to carefully study its internal structure.

However, dawn was approaching, and Ling couldn't go out to fetch water under the ultraviolet rays.

So, she would wait until nightfall, a long period of time.

During this waiting period, Ling shifted her attention back to Leviathan.

...

Thank you to ~Saint Yang Yu~ and ~I am a Lolicon~ for the 1888 support. PS: Time was insufficient today, so I'll update twice tomorrow.

Thank you to ~Silent Mole~ and ~Da Wo Cheng~ for the support.

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