After several rounds of arrangements, Dong Rui opened the lid of the crystal box and exposed the cicada queen to the air.

At first, the surroundings were quiet.

Everyone waited in the forest for a quarter of an hour, then another quarter of an hour.

Even He Lingchuan asked whether this would work, but Dong Rui was perfectly confident. “Be patient!”

No sooner had he spoken than three or four aberrant cicadas leaped into the clearing from all directions and rushed straight toward the cicada queen.

Qiu Hu shook the copper staff in his hand, but Dong Rui reminded him, “Leave them. The more bait, the better.”

The cicadas that followed the scent were just like extroverted humans in that they liked a lively party. The more of their own kind gathered, the more excited they became.

The male insects had never seen such a plump, luscious female before. They were instantly bewitched, unable to spare any attention for the abnormalities around...