Zhizhi's headlong sprint reflected her inner state: the strength and vibrant vitality she had accumulated for so long in that quiet little corner of the Endless Sea were nearing their limit, silently brewing within her hard shell. As she approached the tipping point, ready for the long-awaited metamorphosis desired from the very depths of her being, she felt a peculiar need to let loose with her entire body.
As she raced over the rises and dips of the ravines and sheer cliffs, Zhizhi accelerated again. The legs beneath her abdomen were like rows of powerful blades, each thrust sinking effortlessly into the cliff face, whether it was earth or loose rock.
As her master, Ruger could sense the shifts in Zhizhi's emotions. The enormous Little One was running with gusto, as though her body held inexhaustible strength.
Within her own species, Zhizhi occupied an unusual, awkward position.
As the Little Crybaby Bug of the Insectfolk had put it, she had shown no glimmer of intelligence at birth and could not become one of the Insectfolk after hatching.
Yet she was exceptionally clever and had a decent aptitude for mental power. Even before hatching, she had been able to respond and communicate, however haltingly, and perceive the outside world from within her egg.
Zhizhi's own potential, combined with her unusual giant dragon bloodline and her desire to grow stronger, provided the impetus for her continued metamorphoses. Of course, those delicious sea beasts also deserved plenty of credit.
Her food fell into two categories. One aligned with the course of her growth, producing subtle effects as she absorbed and assimilated it. The other was simply digested and turned into bug poop. Naturally, this second category also supplied energy for growth, but it had little effect on changes to her form or the