After several rounds of testing, Luo Xia gradually mastered the characteristics of these hives. Though they were fears forcibly manifested through the power of the Infinity Stones, these insects still retained biological instincts and intelligence.
The insect hives scattered across the planet all possessed independent consciousnesses, and they would fight one another over resources.
However, whenever foreign enemies invaded, the insects would unite against them. Therefore, Luo Xia could not interfere in any internal conflict between the insects. He could only watch coldly and wait for them to determine the victor.
Otherwise, as long as Luo Xia's forces entered the insects' attack range, even if it was only a single Vulture Hovercar, both sides would focus their fire on it at once.
This forced Luo Xia to keep relocating after every strike. Relying on a large air force for early defense, he would begin harvesting crystal ore as soon as he established a base, then continue producing massive numbers of aerial units.
The ground forces relied entirely on land mines and Vulture Tanks to lure enemies in, then provoke two nearby hives into fighting each other. In this way, the number of insect hives across the plain rapidly declined.
But this method was like drinking poison to quench thirst. As the hives devoured and merged with one another, several powerful insect hives gradually emerged in the region.
They possessed larger territories, more crystal ore, and could support vastly larger armies. Their rate of development began to undergo a qualitative change.
Even the forces they sent out on patrol were no longer merely a dozen or so insects scuffling about. Their numbers blotted out the sky, with both air and ground forces fully equipped. A single patrol contained more than fifty units—Raptor Beasts, Hydralisks, and Spore Dragons. A Vulture Hovercar would