344: I've found that adding random symbols to the title eliminates the worry of duplicates.

Lu Jianchuan squatted down, looking directly at the giant praying mantis restrained by Wei Ziqing's sword. His voice, muffled by his armor, asked, "I ask, you answer. Understand?"

The mantis's hoarse voice sounded, carrying a strange frankness:

"Actually... there's no need for this." The light in its compound eyes flickered slightly. "According to our tribe's tradition... you defeated me. At this moment, my life and my power are yours to command. The strong dominate the weak, or are dominated by the stronger; this is the Law. You... won't kill me?"

Wei Ziqing's sword, pressed against its neck, didn't budge. His tone was cold and hard: "Hmph, don't try to fool me. After soaking in the sea for so long, I am now..." He paused, seemingly deliberating his words, finally stating in an almost monotone voice, "...a very 'cool' man."

The mantis was clearly stunned, a flicker of 'confusion' in its compound eyes: "...What are you talking about? You fellow..."

Wei Ziqing: "Never mind, you wouldn't understand."

Lu Jianchuan ignored the banter and cut straight to the core: "What exactly are you? What is your relationship with the New Federation?"

"As you can see, mantises. Evolved ones." The mantis answered directly, seemingly not feeling the need to hide anything. "We are members of the New Federation. We have... reached an agreement with these humans. They provide us with this habitat, and in return, we search for the 'Divine Beasts' left behind from ancient times for them."

A pure battlelust emanated from its hoarse voice: "We crave confrontation with the strong, to hunt, or be hunted, or to be conquered by an even stronger existence—this is the trajectory of our tribe's continuation. The guardians in those Ancient Tomb ruins, those beings ancient people feared and called 'Divine Beasts,' are essentially just ancient evolved life forms, perfect whetstones. These humans provide clues and paths; we go, fight, and seize the 'ancient artifacts' they desire."

Lu Jianchuan's eyes narrowed: "Besides exploring Ancient Tombs, what else do they do for you?"

"They... also actively search for and send us other human strong ones." The mantis's tone was flat, as if stating something self-evident. "For us to... spar, or rather, to engage in duels of survival. This is also part of the transaction."

Lu Jianchuan's previous questions were instantly answered.

Why did that 'Research Association' recruit various personnel, even ordinary people who were merely physically healthy, regardless of cost or screening?

They weren't 'training instructors' at all, nor were they 'test subjects'!

They were mass-screening and delivering 'opponents' or 'prey' for these mantis tribes who craved battle with the 'strong'! Those lured by contracts and high salaries would ultimately face 'duels of survival' with these terrifying evolved insectoids on this isolated island!

(No survival without fighting)

"So that's how it is." Lu Jianchuan's eyes were cold. "Then, where are those people who were sent for 'duels' now?"

The giant mantis's compound eyes flickered, but this time it shook its head, its voice hoarse but resolute: "You defeated me; you can command my power. But this question... you must defeat a tribal leader of higher Rank and greater strength than me for him to tell you. Our internal Ranks are strict, concerning the distribution of hunts and spoils. Even if you kill me, I will not speak."

Wei Ziqing next to him raised an eyebrow: "Heh, quite... rule-abiding? I don't know whether to call you pure or rigid."

Lu Jianchuan pondered for a moment, then suddenly said to Wei Ziqing: "Let him go."

"Are you serious?" Wei Ziqing was somewhat surprised.

Lu Jianchuan nodded.

Wei Ziqing said no more, flipping his wrist, and the poisoned bone sword left the mantis's neck, but he maintained a posture ready to attack again at any moment.

The giant mantis slowly moved its restrained neck, emitting a faint sound of bone friction, and looked at Lu Jianchuan with confusion in its compound eyes: "...Why?"

"We need a small favor from you." Lu Jianchuan's tone was calm. "According to your tradition, we can now 'dominate' you, right? So, I want you to return to your tribe and conceal our whereabouts for us.

You can say we died under your scythes, our bodies swept away by the waves, or that you didn't find us at all, and you just accidentally fell and fainted during your patrol.

In short, do not reveal to your tribesmen, especially not to those humans, that we were here tonight, that we met you, let alone our conversation.

And make the sentinel you knocked out keep quiet too. Can you do that?"

The giant mantis was silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing its options. It looked at the bone sword in Wei Ziqing's hand, then at Lu Jianchuan, and finally nodded its heavy head:

"Yes. As a response to you not killing me, and to the 'domination' command. I will cover up tonight's events within the tribe. But if you are discovered by other tribesmen again, I cannot guarantee anything."

"We will come again." Lu Jianchuan affirmed. "At that time, perhaps we will go talk to your 'leader'."

"..." The mantis did not respond again, but slowly stood up, shaking off sand and bone fragments, gave the two a deep look, then turned and vibrated its wing membranes, disappearing quickly into the dark forest at a gentler speed than it arrived.

Watching it disappear, Wei Ziqing whispered: "Are you sure it's okay? Will it report us immediately when it goes back?"

Lu Jianchuan shook his head: "Judging by its demeanor, a race that adheres to the principles of combat and strength might value 'defeat' and 'promises' more than humans.

Moreover, it didn't immediately fight back to the death or call for help, which indicates that it has at least temporarily accepted this 'domination' outcome. If we are truly exposed..." His eyes turned cold,

"We have enough recordings and intelligence anyway. At worst, we'll just call in the authorities, abandon the infiltration, and switch to a direct assault. This island isn't going anywhere."

Wei Ziqing thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, I'll follow your lead."

The two wasted no more time, quickly cleaned up the obvious battle traces on the beach, then followed their original path, avoiding possible patrols, and silently returned to the white research building, each slipping back into their own rooms.

The next day, the so-called "training" officially began. Everyone was led to the underground training ground, where the task was simple and crude—to teach basic combat skills and physical training to staff who were clearly former mercenaries or security guards. Wei Ziqing and Lu Jianchuan blended into the crowd, demonstrating, running laps, and shouting commands in an atmosphere that seemed normal, even a bit tedious.

During a training break, an unremarkable man in a regular staff uniform, holding a clipboard, naturally walked up to Lu Jianchuan and Wei Ziqing, who were guiding a sandbag exercise.

"Hello, regarding the wear and tear registration for the training equipment..."

While speaking formulaic words, the staff member seemingly inadvertently used his finger, hidden by the clipboard, to quickly tap Lu Jianchuan's outer forearm a few times with a series of short, regular pressures.