"Indeed, I saw vague images in my mind and vaguely understood which areas I should improve, but..."
Feng Ling smiled lightly at Li Qing. "But what would be the fun in copying it completely?"
Li Qing immediately turned serious. "Feng Ling, the images the Card conveys to you must be the path of growth that suits you best—and is the safest."
Don't go looking for thrills over something like this!
Feng Ling tilted her head at him. "Think about it again?"
Li Qing was somewhat baffled. He did not understand what Feng Ling had to worry about. The direction was clear now, and she had already made up her mind to obtain the Eye of Horus. What else was there to consider?
Feng Ling looked around. The Hunters were all busy, and no one was paying attention to them.
She lowered her voice. "Animals stop breeding in harsh environments, and the pressure of survival in human society affects birth rates... The principle is the same. Our human living environment is actually unsuitable for the Hive. Although the lifeforms I nurture can strengthen me, they also consume me."
She picked up a twig and stirred the charcoal beside the fire, softly reciting, "You are the Source of Life. You are the Mother Nest. You possess a strong body and inexhaustible power. So long as a sliver of life remains, you are nearly impossible to kill. You can bring forth new life, and you can bring about destruction. Life is your authority. You are everywhere. You are capable of anything...
"I didn't understand before, but now I'm gradually beginning to. The Card has actually been reminding me all along. The Hive's ultimate form is a nest itself—like a Maze, for example—constantly creating new species that reproduce, evolve, and expand through survival of