Unsuitable

Zhang Fan's Insect Race army was ready to set out once more to explore the unknown reaches of the universe.

"Noya, do you remember which direction those ships chasing Yuan Jun went?"

"Toward the junction of the Hexagonal System and the Quadrilateral System. Our star chart is incomplete, so we can't pinpoint an exact location."

"The star chart in the Lilvara expedition's records seems to end here. There should be an inhabited star system nearby. Let's look for it."

Zhang Fan glanced back at the gradually shrinking {Titan}. This planet-sized member of the Insect Race still had limitless potential for development. If he spread Insect Race fungi throughout the universe and cultivated more {Titans}, would he be able to stand against the Western Realm Great Emperor?

Zhang Fan had never met the Western Realm Great Emperor directly, but that single exchange of consciousness had brought an indescribable sense of oppression. He had felt like an ant in the emperor's hand, liable to be crushed at any moment.

Not enough. Having {Titans} alone still isn't enough. I need more of the Insect Race, more {Titans}. Since Yuan Jun said Jade was highly infectious, there should be more places like Jade nearby.

Sure enough, just as Zhang Fan had expected, Noya detected biological signals similar to Jade's a hundred light-years away.

The Insect Race army set off immediately. After traveling about fifty light-years, Noya suddenly said, "Overlord, a large number of unidentified fleets are fighting in the star region ahead."

"Nowhere in the universe is peaceful. Sigh... To think Earth dared to answer a signal from space with the technology we had back then. Looking at it now, we humans were so ignorant."

Zhang Fan sighed with emotion, but Noya paid him no mind. Only one thing showed on her face now: excitement!

"Overlord, may I attack?"

"Go ahead, go ahead. I'd like to see what this brand-new Insect Race army can do in space combat too."

Noya immediately waved her spiked tentacles in excitement and shouted, "Attack!"

Zhang Fan stared at her speechlessly and muttered to himself, "Did I hatch a warmonger?"

Millions of {Super Six-Eyes} swarmed forward. Neither of the two unidentified fleets engaged in battle had time to react. The Insect Race army had appeared out of nowhere and launched a ferocious assault without distinguishing between the two sides.

Both sides were caught completely off guard. After assessing the situation, White Ape, the Moon Ape Clan commander, immediately ordered a full retreat.

The Green Vine Clan, however, fought to the death rather than retreat. Their warships resembled enormous trees floating in space, complete with branches and leaves. They were actually plant-based warships.

The Green Vine Warships had considerable firepower. Their green leaves were like blades, easily slicing through the thick armor of the {Super Six-Eyes}. However, their wooden armor was just as fragile before the {Super Six-Eyes}' corrosive stingers.

After several rounds of exchanged attacks, both sides had suffered devastating losses. Now it came down to the skill of their commanders.

The Green Vine Warships' left wing began pulling away, while their right wing quickly moved to outflank the rear of the Insect Race army. Large swarms of green vine-shaped flying-leaf fighters were also detected beneath the {Thunder Emperors}.

For a moment, it felt as though a gigantic green hand was closing around the entire Insect Race army.

Lacking combat experience, Noya looked a little nervous. She glanced at Zhang Fan, but he offered no guidance, merely signaling for her to continue.

Noya was like a student taking an exam. Both her hands trembled slightly, and her voice sounded nervous too.

"The {Super Six-Eyes} on the left wing, intercept the fighter swarms beneath the {Thunder Emperors}. All {Thunder Emperors}, open fire with your Ice-Fire Dragon Cannons. Aim your Origin-Energy Bombs at the three strategic ships in the center."

Behind her, Zhang Fan chuckled. "You're having every {Thunder Emperor} prepare an Origin-Energy Bomb just to deal with them? Are you afraid the {Thunder Emperors} will miss?"

"But... but there are too many of them, and they're already surrounding us. I have to destroy their command fleet to have any chance of disrupting their deployment."

Zhang Fan smiled. "As the {Matriarch}, you're the soul of the Insect Race in battle. If you're so nervous you don't know what to do, they'll be even more lost."

Zhang Fan placed his hand on Noya's head and said gently, "Stay calm. The Insect Race warriors are your hands. When you want to attack, they're your sharpest sword. When you defend, they'll be your strongest shield."

Noya finally steadied herself. Her two tentacles stopped trembling, and she calmly studied the situation on the battlefield.

Suddenly, she realized that in trying to surround the massive Insect Race army, the Green Vine Clan had made the "net" they formed their weakest point instead.

Noya immediately shouted, "All Insect Race fleets, head northwest, coordinates 4, 2, 13. Break through!"

The Insect Race fleet broke through the Green Vine Clan's encirclement with ease. Just as Noya began to celebrate, she noticed that Zhang Fan was already ordering the release of Insect Race fungi.

"Little thing, you have to look three steps ahead with every step you take if you want to remain undefeated. Let's go. We don't need to bother with this place anymore. Chase the fleet that escaped earlier."

Noya hurriedly asked, "We're just leaving them alone?"

"Looks like I'll have to find a chance to remodel that brain of yours. You're a very poor {Matriarch}. Has your aggression crowded out your intelligence?"

Seeing Zhang Fan glare at her, Noya hurriedly took a step back. "Overlord, I... I might not be suited to the position of {Matriarch}."

"At least you have some self-awareness. Then here's what we'll do. I'll preserve your consciousness and give you a new body. You'll be responsible for localized battles. I have an army now, and I need generals. I gave you a chance. If you can't make the most of it, don't blame me for letting them eat you."

Zhang Fan thought of White Forehead. He needed hero-class warriors-powerful, specialized Insect Race warriors. Strong aggression was precisely Noya's advantage.

As for command, Zhang Fan had no shortage of {Matriarchs}. Livina replaced Noya as the Insect Race's new deputy commander.

After the Insect Race fleet departed, the Green Vine Clan fleet did not dare pursue recklessly. As far as they could tell, the Insect Race might simply have wanted to pass through. With the Moon Ape Clan still posing a threat, there was no need to provoke such an enormous fleet.

The Green Vine Clan had no idea that the Insect Race had retreated precisely to make them lower their guard, because the Insect Race had already secretly planted their powerful weapon aboard the Green Vine Warships.

The Insect Race army pursued the Moon Ape forces, only to lose their trail. These diamond-shaped warships were considerably faster than Zhang Fan had imagined.

"Livina, find a nearby planet where we can stop and replenish our troops. Find somewhere for me to remodel Noya."

"Yes, Overlord!"

After a search, Livina replied, "There's a primitive planet two hundred light-years ahead. We can stop there. While you remodel Noya, Overlord, I'll keep a close watch on changes in the plant fleet."

Zhang Fan rolled his eyes at Noya, who was following beside him, and said with a smile, "See that? That's what a {Matriarch} should be doing!"

"I... I was hatched by you, Overlord. You can't blame me. If you want to blame someone, blame... yourself!"

"Little thing, you actually dare to talk back? I'll have to make you uglier."

Noya countered, "What does a good-looking member of the Insect Race look like?"