Over half a month had quickly passed since Qi Ping began studying the formation trapping the Earth-Vein Ants.
However, his progress was not smooth. This Rank 3 formation was far too difficult, beyond what he could easily crack with his current realm and skill.
By his estimation, this formation was at least at the Rank 3 Middle or High Stage. Even if Little Stone Essence attacked with full force, it would likely take a long time to break through.
Unless he used the stored source power within the Sky-Flame Seal, there was no way to force it open.
"Squeak... (Human, you don't need to be so anxious. Just take the Queen with you. we have a way to make the Queen survive longer...)"
"Squeak... (We Earth-Vein Ants will forever remember your kindness. Before we sacrifice ourselves, we offer you our most sincere blessing...)"
Before some of the ants could even finish, they began to sacrifice themselves. Even the Queen could not stop them.
In the blink of an eye, the sacrifice was complete. Faint blood-energy and pure earth-vein power flew toward the Queen.
However, even this meager power was partially plundered by the formation trapping them.
Yet, under the irrigation of this blood and earth power, the Queen's body filled out at a visible rate, and her vitality became vigorous once more...
Qi Ping said nothing, only striving to wipe away the trace of anxiety in his heart, focusing on finding a way to weaken the formation and rescue the colony as quickly as possible.
He had seen this kind of will before in the Golden Marrow Bee swarm, so he wasn't surprised.
But seeing it again, he couldn't help but be moved. Such selflessness was truly admirable.
Especially since Earth-Vein Ants naturally organized the world's leylines, drawing power from them only to help them grow stronger in return...
In ancient times, Earth-Vein Ants were more common, and some had even reached the Rank 5 or Rank 6 level. Unfortunately, they were now extremely rare.
This only strengthened Qi Ping's resolve to save them.
Fortunately, hard work paid off.
After another half month, Qi Ping finally found a way to briefly weaken a portion of the formation!
Though it wasn't enough to fully break it and let the ants out, as long as he could weaken that section and briefly cut off the supply of heaven and earth power!
At that point, Little Stone Essence could wield the Sin-Burner Sword to shatter that portion of the array and rescue the colony.
If they were fast enough, it could be completed in a flash, and then the stone essence could lead them away through the underground!
Having found the method, Qi Ping did not delay. He immediately began preparations, while also having the little tiger divine the luck of the plan. After receiving a 'slightly auspicious' result, Qi Ping no longer hesitated!
Speed was of the essence!
Under the hopeful gazes of the ants, Qi Ping quickly finished the preparations to restrict the formation.
Little Stone Essence also summoned the Sin-Burner Sword, which was mostly restored.
Under the control and enhancement of the Master of Weapons, the Sin-Burner Sword erupted with terrifying power, its sword-qi even cutting a tiny crack in space!
Little Stone Essence itself also erupted with the power of a Primordial Lifeform, its aura far stronger than Ye Yanwu's back then!
A sword-rune on the stone essence glowed brilliantly. When that power was added to the Sin-Burner Sword, its might increased by another grade!
Once everything was ready, Qi Ping immediately acted to intercept the formation's operating route.
In that instant, a vast power far exceeding the Golden Core Middle Stage erupted from the formation!
The terror of a Rank 3 formation was fully revealed!
This was why Qi Ping had taken so long just to find a way to weaken a part of it.
The moment the formation's power erupted, Qi Ping's weakening effect took hold. The surge of power lasted only two breaths before suddenly stalling!
"Now!" Qi Ping shouted.
At his call, Little Stone Essence immediately swung the Sin-Burner Sword! A crimson sword-qi slammed into the weakened section of the array.
"BOOM!"
With a terrifying roar, that portion of the formation shattered!
"The formation is broken!"
Every living being present felt a surge of intense joy. It had been far too difficult!
The Earth-Vein Ants were even more overwhelmed. They had been trapped for so long, nearly facing extinction!
If not for some ants sacrificing themselves, they wouldn't have lasted until now.
Their gratitude toward Qi Ping was boundless.
However, they didn't waste time. The moment the array broke, they immediately used their Earth-Vein Warp to charge out!
Amazingly, their speed was not inferior to the stone essence's warp!
And these were ants in a weakened state!
Qi Ping couldn't help but marvel. As expected of the rare Earth-Vein Ants; it was hard to imagine how fast they would be at full strength.
Then, under the stone essence's lead, all the ants rapidly fled the scene. After all, a terrifying unknown existence stood behind that formation, someone the current stone essence couldn't match even underground.
"Squeak... (Thank you, human. Our tribe will forever remember your friendship...)"
"Squeak... (In the future, if you have a need, we will exhaust our entire tribe's strength for you...)"
...
Only after thoroughly leaving the area and finding a safe spot did Qi Ping stop.
What followed was simple. When Qi Ping proposed contracting the colony as animal companions, the Earth-Vein Ants agreed without hesitation.
They were willing to exhaust their strength for him, so such an arrangement—which also brought many benefits to their colony—was an easy choice.
However, only a few dozen Earth-Vein Ants remained. Qi Ping provided them with various spirit liquids and herbs to help them recover and grow.
In the following time, Qi Ping focused most of his energy on raising his Druid level.
Earth-Vein Ants were too rare and precious, and they would be of great use to him in the future. They were his best choice for building the Subterranean Fortress.
Just like that, another two years flashed by. By the time the Earth-Vein Ant colony had recovered well, Qi Ping's Druid level finally saw a breakthrough...