Time kept passing, and the insect swarm continued to grow. Meanwhile, people in the Nine Heavens Universe had begun calling for Lu Yin to be punished.
More and more people believed Lu Yin was deliberately giving the insects time to multiply, so they could pose a greater threat to the Nine Heavens Universe. Even the leaders of the major factions and Shocking Gate Supreme Lord couldn't suppress those voices.
"You've surprised me, Lord Lu," Master Cao said.
Lu Yin replied calmly, "You've surprised me too."
"Oh? How so?" Master Cao asked, puzzled.
Lu Yin turned to look at him. "I thought you weren't worried at all."
Master Cao smiled faintly. "What makes you think this old man is worried?"
"A feeling."
"A feeling?"
"Are you worried or not?"
Master Cao gazed at Lu Yin for a long moment, then nodded. "A little."
"Because of the Spiritualized Universe?"
"Because of humanity."
Lu Yin narrowed his eyes but didn't argue. He waited for Master Cao to continue.
Master Cao said gravely, "If the Nine Heavens Universe can't withstand the Bug Nest Civilization, neither can the Heavenly Origin Universe. In that case, forget about letting the Spiritualized Universe replace the Nine Heavens Universe. The question will be whether humanity can survive at all."
Lu Yin smiled. "So what you want is a complete game of chess—one we can win."
Master Cao nodded. "There's no point in a game once the board has been overturned."
Lu Yin looked east. "You know as much as Shocking Gate Supreme Lord and I do. Why are you still concerned? Shocking Gate Supreme Lord and I can remain calm, so you should be even better at it. Besides..." He pointed down below. His meaning was clear: no matter how many people in the Nine Heavens Universe condemned him,