The Immortal's Poison

The sequence of events was finally clear. Chang Li shattered the Ice cone nail. Xiang Liu, the Nine-headed Snake, had long desired to break out of its cocoon. Once the monster reappears in the world, the initiators of evil, including Chang Li and Guo Huan, would certainly encounter the wrath of the gods. Hence, the grand master Tuo Xie and the witchcraft marvel called Lue Luo went through painstaking efforts in order to resurrect the Ice cone nail, hoping that they could avert the disaster on behalf of Chang Li.

Two thousand years later, Cone Nail was reborn. As expected by Lue Luo, she regained all her memories and refused to return to the Black and White Island. Leyang Shoujin failed the mission to erase her memories, so she killed him.

It was difficult to tell whether the Red Mark was a universal key. However, if it was truly capable of unlocking this lock, this group of people that was supposedly here at the Gold-consuming Nest to capture the giant pangolin had actually rushed here to seek their doom. No one would have expected that.

Cone Nail did not stop. She told the entire event without reservation in one breath. Everybody understood that she dared to reveal about the prohibition spell because she had the confidence to eat all of them.

The well-behaved child Luo Wanggen’s expression was slightly anxious but his tone was still considered calm. He frowned as he asked Cone Nail, “Lue Luo’s witchcraft power is exceedingly high, and we have never heard of the prohibition spell that he left behind, not to mention…” He was halfway through his speech when he suddenly gave an ‘oh’, his expression appeared to be suddenly enlightened as he shut his mouth.

Cone Nail’s gaze that was like water and flowed around Little Chi Maojiu’s body.

Little Chi Maojiu’s Red Mark seemed to be just the correct method of cracking Lue Luo’s witchcraft. He did not need to exert much effort when he broke the prohibition spell that was guarding the stone forest. Nonetheless, no one could tell if he could break the prohibition spell that was placed on Cone Nail’s body.

The Three-inch Nail Wen Buzuo did not pay attention to that gloomy split vision of Cone Nail that was still enshrouding him. He turned sideways and stared at little Chi Maojiu, “Little fellow, remember! If she were to threaten you with my life, don’t you ever help her to unlock the witchcraft spell!”

The gossiper Wen Buzuo still maintained the maniacal smile on his face. He nodded towards Little Chi Maojiu, “It is the same for the rest of us too!”

Within this group of people here, if there was a person that could unlock the prohibition spell on Cone Nail’s body that was left behind by Lue Luo, then it could only be Little Chi Maojiu.

A strand of evil gold color flashed past Little Chi Maojiu’s eyes abruptly. He burst out laughing in an extremely bold and unrestrained manner. He said two grand and magnificent words, “Too troublesome!”

Even men like Bushuo and Buzuo that were experienced were stunned. They did not understand what Little Chi Maojiu meant. However, as the child roared with laughter, his entire body was rippling in the cruelty and stubbornness of a Miao clansman. He was just like a chopper that was slightly rusty but still sharp enough.

However, Cone Nail’s expression suddenly changed. Her timid yet wronged expression vanished. She was roaring with rage as she suddenly appeared right in front of Little Chi Maojiu, her right hand grabbed onto his head rapidly. Little Chi Maojiu immediately gave out a bitter shrill, as if his spirit and soul was being pulled out of his entire body. His limbs were convulsing as he tumbled onto the ground. On Cone Nail’s right hand, a puff of golden-colored flame was burning soundless and enchantingly.

In a blink, Cone Nail had already grabbed out Chi Maojiu’s vital fire from the top of his head. Following that her body floated away and she held on to the vital fire as she pinned down Three-inch Nail Wen Bushuo!

Wen Leyang was focusing all his attention on Cone Nail’s body but he still could not manage to catch the opposing party’s tracks. By the time he reacted to the event that happened before his eyes, that catkin flower that was wrapped in golden-colored flames, had already slowly coagulated at the spot no further than one foot away from Wen Bushuo’s face.

The golden-colored vital fire leaped about mischievously on Cone Nail’s hand. Every once in a while it would spit out one or two fire tongues that slowly swept past Wen Bushuo’s cheek. It did not carry any warmth and it was akin to the lips of a corpse, soft, and cold.

Wen Leyang was going to start moving but he immediately exerted all the strength on his entire body to mount himself on the same spot. His eyes were thoroughly fixated on Cone Nail.

Cone Nail gently raised her fine brows, “This is a peculiar fire, sometimes it is hot, sometimes it is surprisingly cold.” As she was saying that, her other hand pinched into a control gesture that moved for a few times towards Luo Wanggen’s zombie corpse.

The zombie corpse’s rust-covered flying sword unwillingly jumped out into the air and flew in front of her in an askew manner. It struggled for a moment, then dove head first into the vital fire on her right hand, it did not even make a sound before it turned into a puff of green smoke carrying the burnt odor. It was burned entirely without leaving behind even a drop of iron liquid by the vital fire.

Cone Nail turned to the side slightly, she cautiously met Wen Leyang eyes that were almost spurting with rage fire. Her voice was sad with a slight tinge of astonishment, “You want to kill me?”

Wen Leyang nodded without hesitation.

Cone Nail’s eyes reddened, “I am only trying to ask for your help to break the prohibition spell, I never had the intention of harming anyone…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Wen Xiaoyi already cursed, “You are bull…bull…” Fourth Elder Wen raised her with extremely strict discipline. Wen Xiaoyi had never cursed even a single word throughout her lifetime. Just as she was about to shout abuses, she could not even shout out, she clenched her teeth anxiously.

The Three-inch Nail Wen Bushuo that was underneath the vital fire spoke loudly on behalf of her, “You are bullshitting!”

It was as if a heavy weight had been lifted from Wen Xiaoyi’s mind as she heaved a sigh of relief, “Chi Maojiu was just harmed by you!”

Little Chi Maojiu was lying on the ground. There was not an ounce of radiance on his face, akin to a living dead he laid there in a daze and looked up to the sky with his eyes wide opened. Occasionally, his eyeballs rolled around, proving that he was still alive. Cone Nail’s voice was slightly trembling, “He wanted to take his own life, and it was me who saved him! This ball of vital fire almost melted his brain. He is so stubborn. Every one of you is so stubborn. Come and deal with me together.”

The folks finally understood Little Chi Maojiu’s laughter earlier. The child wanted to take his own life to end Cone Nail’s hope, rather than watching her torturing his companions to threaten him. Perhaps his act could even exchange his companions’ lives. All of them including the Second Mother, the grand elder Chi Shuilie or Little Chi Maojiu, those clansmen of Miao Bujiao, who Wen Leyang was acquainted, possessed the ferocious temperament of rather be broken than bent.

Wen Bushuo gave a humph. He completely disregarded the vital fire before his face, as he spoke loudly to the anxious Wen Leyang and Wen Buzuo, “If a child can do that, what else can we the people of Wen family say! What a waste that when I die I can never avenge this matter…” Before he could finish his sentence, Cone Nail’s unoccupied hand suddenly waved and swept past his shoulder. A little patch of green-colored water was immediately hurled out of Wen Bushuo’s body and then tossed onto the ground by her.

Cone Nail was anxious and in rage as she stomped her foot, “All of you are willing to take your own life in front of me. Why don’t you just put an end to this and kill me?” As she was saying that she took two steps, and puffed up her seductive chest towards Wen Xiaoyi’s big-muzzled weapon. Her expression was a determined enchantment.

Wen Xiaoyi’s big-muzzle weapon had since been raised but she did not pull the trigger yet. Firstly because she was holding back from taking action against an evildoer for fear of involving good people, she was afraid that she might involve Three-inch Nail. Secondly, Cone Nail should not be killed regardless, she was the important personage that the grand master Tuo Xie went through painstaking efforts to resurrect. Not only that she was not to be killed but she should even be well protected.

They definitely could not rescue her and also could not kill her. They might also not have the ability to kill her. The best option for Wen Leyang was to escape out of the stone forest and leave Cone Nail there. However, judging by the situation now, that option was even less achievable than Wen Leyang being eaten by a carrot.

Cone Nail was inconsolable, she revealed a moist yet bitter smile towards Wen Leyang, “You can’t kill me, then why bother…” Before her voice died away, suddenly an earthshaking loud sound was heard. The floating clouds in the sky were akin to startled fishes that fled rapidly, a stretch of rushing thunder surged in from all directions, the dazzling silver-colored flowers, accompanied by the peculiar laughter in between the heaven and the earth, erupted abruptly in front of Cone Nail’s face!

The big-muzzled weapon was puffing with green smoke. Wen Xiaoyi clenched her teeth in hatred as she fired the shot.

Cone Nail’s expressions turned astonished and fearful in a flash!

Wen Leyang’s expression was both surprised and stunned. The well-behaved child Luo Wanggen was staring in bewilderment. Wen Buzuo gave an ‘oh no’ as he raised his hand and slapped onto his forehead. Wen Bushuo roared with laughter within the thunder that covered the sky. Little Chi Maojiu, who lost his sanity and was lying on the ground, squinted his eyes slightly.

Thousands of streaks of bitter immortal radiance that was akin to sharp razorblades tore and shattered through the air in the blink of an eye! The moment the Thunder Heart Powder took form, the entire stone forest too broke out in a loud bang that sounded like a waterfall crashing into a huge rock. Every stone pillar turned into a head of intense spring water. Cone Nail was akin to a vortex in the raging sea, she gathered all the water in front of herself in the blink of an eye!

The thunder was rolling. The flood water was shocking. It was crashing with mighty powers in the blink of an eye! Everyone was blown away by the rippling momentum. Before Wen Leyang was tossed out, he had already held on to Wen Xiaoyi in his arms.

Wen Xiaoyi desperately tried to probe the situation outside with her vision from Wen Leyang’s shoulder, her little face was both nervous and agitated. She wanted to find out who was the winner and who was the loser…

By the time Wen Leyang held onto Wen Xiaoyi and stood up staggeringly, the thunder and the water had simultaneously dispersed. Everyone’s heart sank!

Cone Nail’s right hand was still holding the burning golden-colored vital fire. Her face was penetrating with deep hopelessness and even appeared slightly lifeless as she looked towards Wen Xiaoyi, as if she was muttering to herself, “You…you really do want to…kill me…” Before she could finish her sentence, Wen Leyang suddenly felt that his cradle was empty, Wen Xiaoyi had already been snatched away by Cone Nail.

Wen Leyang howled as he pounced forward ferociously, akin to a mad black leopard, he dashed towards the gentle and graceful figure that was floating about nearby as fast as lightning.

Cone Nail’s body continued to flash. Her speed was just right for Wen Leyang to follow, but never right enough for him to catch up. Within the deep apologetic manner of her eyes, she raised the enchanting vital fire on her right hand, as she slowly pressed onto Wen Xiaoyi’s face inch by inch, “This stone forest here is all transformed from my body of true water. To kill me, you must first destroy all the water stones here.”

Wen Leyang wished that he could tear down his skin, such that he could run faster. The raging howl from his mouth gradually turned into a long hoarse growl. Bushuo, Buzuo and Luo Wanggen too were leaping about as they tried their best to intercept but no one could even touch her silk hem.

When the gold-colored vital fire was just inches away from Wen Xiaoyi, Little Chi Maojiu suddenly moved!

He jumped up without a sign and grabbed on to a handful of his hair. He exerted all his strength as he pulled ferociously and tossed the handful of hairs covered in fresh blood to the air. He roared loudly in a Miao language that no one understood. His intonation was ghastly, while his voice was shrill and bitter!

The hairs abruptly erupted in mid-air into ashes and green smoke. The vital fire on Cone Nail’s right hand was akin to being awakened by its master’s summon. Just like a glossy gold young dragon, it immediately leaped and tossed about, striking onto Cone Nail’s gentle seductive and sad delicate face mercilessly!

When Cone Nail snatched away Little Chi Maojiu’s vital fire that he tried to use to take his own life, she did touch on the top of Little Chi Maojiu’s head.

Little Chi Maojiu lost his vital fire. He did not manage to gather Cone Nail’s hair, skin, or nail. The only thing that he could use to cast his witchcraft, was only his hairs that were tainted by the enemy’s smell. If Cone Nail were to pat on Little Chi Maojiu’s face back then, he would not hesitate to tear off his facial skin right now.

The vital fire that was summoned by its master countercharged at the enemy madly, the moment its scorching golden-colored flames came into contact with her skin, it immediately erupted in a goosebumps-inducing squeaking sound. Its actual power was so strong and savage such that Cone Nail was caught off guard. She gave out a sharp shriek, tossed aside Wen Xiaoyi at one go, as she jumped and screamed about helplessly.

Little Chi Maojiu’s little face was ghastly pale, he roared loudly towards Wen Leyang, “I can’t last any longer!”

Wen Leyang did not have any hesitation, as he seized the opportunity when Cone Nail was running all over the place, akin to an agile electric eel, he cruised into her arms suddenly.

Cone Nail’s face was full of flames. However, it was as if her arms were instinctive, she hugged Wen Leyang forcefully.

The Poison of Life and Death circulated madly. The Faulty Punch’s hundreds of heavy blows, without any pause in between, surged from Wen Leyang’s every joint. Every inch of muscle that sank completely into Cone Nail’s soft body.

What was surprising to Wen Leyang was that power of countercharge of his, that was strong enough to tear himself into pieces, that could topple the mountains and overturned the seas, did not surge out of Cone Nail’s body…the sound of her joints and body crashing together was muffled and dull. The agonizing scream slowly turned hoarse, until her voice finally turned into a weak sigh, that pair of arms that seemed to try to keep Wen Leyang within her cradle with great effort, finally loosened weakly.

Wen Leyang backed away for a few steps, he pulled along Wen Xiaoyi whom just barely escaped from death. The both of them looked towards Cone Nail that was lying on the ground incredulously. On her face, the golden-colored vital fire was still burning.

The entire stone forest started shaking ferociously, it made the thundering sound of mournful cries.

Wen Buzuo’s face lost his usual mischievous smile. He ran up to them, his expression concerned as he stared at Wen Leyang and Wen Xiaoyi, “Are you hurt?”

The both of them shook their heads in unison, Little Chi Maojiu was under the support of the well-behaved child Luo Wanggen, they walked staggeringly to the front of Wen Leyang, “Is she beaten…beaten to death?”

Wen Leyang shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Little Chi Maojiu stomped his foot in rage, he put up a long face, “But my vital fire can’t always be burning there right!”

Wen Xiaoyi leaned her entire body in Wen Leyang’s arms, her hands were busy refilling the big-muzzled weapon with Thunder Heart Sand, “You can retrieve your vital fire in a moment, I will replenish with one more shot…”

Wen Buzuo glared, “You can’t do that! It is best that she is still alive, we ought to retrieve the vital fire now and let us leave soon…Wen Leyang will pull along the pangolin, the Taoist priest…the zombie corpse will hold him!

Wen Leyang answered in response. After he propped up Wen Xiaoyi steadily on her feet and was about to walk towards the pangolin, a whiff of peculiar scent suddenly floated into his nose. His body felt tightened, a body that was softer than water squeezed into his arms without a sign!

The rest of the people could only feel as their visions were blurred. By the time they could see clearly, Cone Nail was surprisingly hugging Wen Leyang in a gentle manner. Her slightly pointy chin touched onto his shoulder, her eyes were shut tight, her long lashes were trembling gently as if she was venting the happiness and joy from the bottom of her heart to her heart’s content.

Little Chi Maojiu’s vital fire, had already returned next to his feet, it was leaping about, seductively.

The smooth and soft body hugged right into his body, yet Wen Leyang was not in ecstasy right now, but more like distracted. Every single pore on his entire body was startled into convulse-like contraction, urging the Poison of Life and Death within his body desperately, preparing him to launch the Faulty Punch.

A familiar voice, accompanied by the familiar sorrow and seduction, muttered softly into his ears, “It’s useless, you can’t hurt me, you will only make my hug uncomfortable.” As she was saying that, Cone Nail turned her head to the side and suddenly kissed Wen Leyang once. She then released him. Her sorrowful gaze was overflowing with a rare happiness. She backed away for a few steps and did not speak. Suddenly, a resentful yet crisp sound surged skywards, “You kissed him?” Wen Xiaoyi waved around the big-muzzled weapon with intimidating mannerism as if she was venting her anger, she had yet to refill the Thunder Heart Sand, since her weapon was useless. She could only use her feminist tricks, she ran in front of Wen Leyang, her expression was concerned as she asked, “Are you…alright?”

Wen Leyang dared not allow Wen Xiaoyi to compete against Cone Nail in her feminist tricks. He hastily pulled her along as he retreated, he shook his head and said, “I am fine, I am uninjured!” Wen Xiaoyi struggled about unwillingly, “She kissed you! She kissed you…” Before her voice died away, a whiff of scented wind swept on her face, Cone Nail suddenly floated and appeared before her and kissed once onto her charming forehead.

Wen Xiaoyi slipped. If it weren’t for Wen Leyang she was already on the ground.

Objectively, Wen Leyang felt that Cone Nail’s one gentle kiss was enough to make one’s limbs went limp.

Cone Nail’s face still remained with her prior faint sadness, after mingling with strands of happiness. Her seduction became even more obvious. She turned to the side and looked towards Wen Leyang, and said smilingly, “Thank you!”

Wen Leyang was slightly astonished, he had already understood what happened but still, he asked out of unwillingly to submit, “Your prohibition spell…is already broken?”

Cone Nail nodded joyously, “Your punching method is odd and peculiar but it can break the other magic spells! When you first entered the stone forest and was fighting with the Taoist priest, I could already sense it.”

The well-behaved child Luo Wanggen gave out an ‘oh’, “No…I thought he was supposed to break the prohibition spell?” As he was saying that he pointed towards little Chi Maojiu.

Cone Nail looked towards Luo Wanggen with a sorrowful ‘you are even more pitiful than me’ gaze, “That was what all of you said, I have never said that.”

Wen Buzuo’s expression was hideous, “So everything that happened earlier was intentionally arranged by you?”

Cone Nail did not answer directly, but only laughed as she said, “The true water reflects the spirit, each and every one of your temperament and personality. I have already seen through as clear as day back in the stone forest.” Soon after that she turned aside and looked towards Wen Leyang’s face with a yearning gaze, “I have told you since the beginning, that you are a good man.”

Wen Leyang really did not know what to say this time.

Cone Nail’s gaze became brighter and brighter. Her delicateness became more and more obvious, her seductiveness became more and more profound, “Stop considering, all of you are not strong enough to stop me if Lue Luo or Tuo Xie is still alive…then they will come looking for me!” She stretched her body lazily, the green silk wrapping around her body had a few tears, revealing a dazzling fairness, she was slightly shy and fearful as she asked Wen Leyang, “Being a man, is it fun?”

Wen Buzuo immediately shook his head, “Not as fun as being a Heaven’s cone nail!”

Cone Nail laughed softly, she did not acknowledge Wen Buzuo but continued to talk by herself, “I am leaving now, to become a wealthy man once, to become a poor man once, to become a kind man once, to become an evil man once, to become a good man once…”

Wen Buzuo’s smile appeared rather boring, “By the time you become a good man, do remember the matter in Black and White Island alright.”

Cone Nail sniggered, “I want to marry a man too!”

Wen Xiaoyi was startled, she immersed herself once again in refilling Thunder Heart Sand into the big-muzzled weapon while Cone Nail muttered and laughed to herself, her expression showed that she completely disregarded that. She pointed towards Three-inch Nail Wen Bushuo, “You still owe me a life, remember to return me.” She took a look at Wen Leyang also, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she shook her head, turned around and walked away gracefully.

Wen Leyang’s body moved once, the brothers Bushuo and Buzuo simultaneously pinned him down, they shook their heads in unison.

By the time Cone Nail walked to the end of everyone’s horizon, she raised her hand and waved without turning her head, as if she was bidding them goodbye. A stretch of large stone forest suddenly gave out a moan. Within the muffled sound of rattling, the stone forest shattered with a loud bang into a stretch of magnificent shimmering waters.

Luo Wanggen stomped his foot repeatedly in rage, “What do we do, what do we do now?”

Wen Leyang pointed towards the little hill-like scale-less pangolin in front of them, “We ought to locate the grand master Chang Li first and then we will pay a visit to the Temple of Great Mercy’s two divine monks and invite them to the Painting Town, so we can capture her altogether!”

She could not be killed by Thunder Heart Sand, Cone Nail’s actual power was utterly not something Wen Leyang and his companions could imagine. Her thinking was even worse. Even experienced men like Bushuo and Buzuo could also be easily tricked by her. Wen Leyang’s only hope now was that the grand master Chang Li had the capability to deal with her, or there was still some method capable of controlling Cone Nail that was left behind by Lue Luo in the Painting Town.

Wen Buzuo nodded, “There is a Leyang Wen from Painting Town outside there.”

The three-inch nail Wen Bushuo’s expression was gloomy, “And Eyang Sect’s Taoist priest, how did they even know about Cone Nail.”

Within the gurgling sound of water flowing, thousands streak of water chutes surged skywards simultaneously and converged into a huge water dragon in the sky. It cruised about with agility and pounced towards the view of Cone Nail’s back. It then disappeared completely into her hands.

The sky where the watermark flowed past, there was no cloud, leaving behind only a stretch of crystal clear azure blue.

Regardless, the witch had finally left. Everyone on the same side was safe and sound. Wen Leyang had yet to heave a sigh of relief when he suddenly straightened his body again. Hundreds of meters away, a group of Qilian Immortal Sect disciples, were staring at him in dumbstruck.

Since Wen Leyang, the dwarf Taoist priest rolled into a ball and entered the stone forest, the Qilian Immortal Sect’s disciples started crashing the prohibition spell madly in an attempt to break their way through. Until earlier, when the large stretch of stone forest suddenly vanished into thin air, every Taoist priest there was dumbstruck. They were all stunned, for they could not figure out what happened.

On the ground, the dark brass-colored Poison of Utmost Metal Stream swiftly circulated and gathered underneath Wen Leyang’s feet in a flash. The two bronze ants and You’ve Got Me had since disappeared.

Those Qilian Immortal Sect disciples, who were still capable of fighting surrounded them cautiously. When they saw the white-colored giant pangolin and the dwarf Taoist priest covered in blood that remained unconscious lying by Wen Leyang’s side, everyone’s eyes reddened. A middle-aged Taoist priest gave an instruction, sparse and scattered fiery red-colored long swords flew up while humming and formed a red-colored sword formation with great difficulty.

The Qilian Immortal Sect’s sword formation, after being struck by Thunder Heart Sand twice and fought at close quarters with the Poison of Utmost Metal Stream twice, eight or nine out of ten were gone. As compared to when Wen Leyang first arrived, its mannerism, scale and power were obviously much weaker now.

Wen Buzuo laughed from within his closed mouth. He took over the big-muzzled weapon from Xiaoyi’s hands, pointed towards the dwarf Taoist priest underneath their feet, and roared loudly towards the Qilian disciples, “Come? Whoever wants him to die then…” Before his voice died away, the sword formation circled around once under the loud humming, soon after that, it slammed ferociously towards him.

If it was not for Wen Leyang’s Poison of Utmost Metal Stream that surged up in time, Wen Buzuo would be dead.

Wen Buzuo squalled in rage, “This group of bastards…”

Wen Xiaoyi took back her big-muzzled weapon. She was laughing delightfully, “When we were outside earlier, other than the dwarf Taoist priest, none of them had seen that the Thunder Heart Sand was shot out of the big-muzzled weapon!” While she was speaking, Wen Xiaoyi had already refilled the big-muzzled weapon. She was valiant and heroic in bearing as she raised the muzzle, and shot towards the sword formation in the sky with a loud bang. The last batch of Qilian Immortal Sect’s flying swords was declared worthless there and then.

Every flying sword was destroyed. Every Qilian disciple was severely injured. They could no longer fight anymore. Their faces were ghastly pale as they laid into a stretch on the ground as they looked towards Wen Leyang. Their gazes were mixed with rage and fear.

Wen Leyang was too lazy to talk nonsense. He lowered his head while he lifted the dwarf Taoist priest and walked into the middle of the Qilian Immortal Sect’s disciples. He passed the dwarf Taoist priest to the middle-aged Taoist priest that gave the instruction earlier, “Your master teacher is safe and safe, he will only need to rest and recuperate quietly. The giant pangolin Po Tu shall follow us temporarily!” Upon saying that, he returned and pulled up Po Tu. The Poison of Utmost Metal Stream was flowing next to them, protecting everyone there as they walked towards the outside.

After they passed by the original border of the stone forest, the location of the first layer of prohibition spell where Little Chi Maojiu launched the Red Mark witchcraft spell, Wen Leyang gave a ‘huh’. His gaze was filled with joy, as he suddenly stopped walking.

The giant sword ‘Molten Metal Fire Bell’ was stabbed onto the metal rock-like ground. Occasionally, it gave out a howl. ‘You’ve Got Me’ was leaning askew on the sword’s blade. It wagged its head pleasingly, while the two bronze ants too had already regained partial strength. The three bugs were touching one another’s antennas continuously as if they were discussing something…