Zerg: I ​​was picked up by the cold and beautiful Major General at the start of the game.

Eland slowly shifted his gaze from Lin Luo to meet Herbert's question.

His voice was unusually hoarse from trying so hard to suppress his emotions: "To...soothe my mental sea."

He paused, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes, and asked in a hoarse voice, "...Is it related to this? Is it my mental state...that affected him?"

Herbert did not answer immediately. He walked back to the monitoring screen, his gaze shifting back and forth between the curve representing cell activity and the spectrum representing mental strength.

He turned around again and shook his head: "Major General, perhaps it's not that simple. Your unusual behavior today... may not be a bad thing."

"What?" Aland looked up abruptly. Not only him, but Tynes, Parks, and the other researchers also looked at Herbert in confusion.

Herbert took a deep breath and pointed to the data on the screen that represented a dramatic cell renewal:

"Look here, this ultra-high-speed metabolism, although it appears similar to the pre-evolution of female insects, is different in essence. The transformation metabolism of female insects is the body passively and painfully preparing to withstand the upcoming destructive energy shock from its own internal upheaval."

His finger moved to another set of microscopic maps showing the relatively gentle energy flow and orderly cell regeneration within Lin Luo's body.

"But Lord Lin Luo's body is currently in a state that seems to be actively and efficiently undergoing a thorough 'optimization' and 'upgrade'."

"The energy does not come from internal turmoil, but rather from a gentle infusion and orderly utilization. The various indicators of the new cells far exceed those of the old cells, which does not conform to the characteristics of damage or stress response."

He looked at Eland, his gaze intense: "Based on what you just said, and the deep spiritual soothing we were doing earlier, I had been wondering if we had overlooked a potential possibility of the new soothing model—when the spiritual connection between male and female insects reaches the ultimate level of trust, openness, and joyful resonance, the flow of energy and information may not be one-way."

Dean Tynes seemed to have realized something as well, and gasped, "You mean, the female insect's stable and powerful spiritual essence, under certain specific conditions, might... nourish the male insect?!"

"It's not just about feeding back energy," Herbert said, his tone a mixture of excitement and caution, like a scientist discovering a new continent.

"More likely it's guidance and catalysis! Major General Ailand, you are currently the only known female insect who has been soothed and deeply comforted by Lord Linluo in a new mode for a long time, and whose mental sea has been completely reversed from the brink of collapse."

"The depth and purity of the spiritual connection between you may have reached an unprecedented level."

"Tonight's reassurance may have triggered a two-way evolutionary mechanism that we have never observed or even imagined."

He pointed to Lin Luo's still unconscious body, which had an alarmingly high temperature:

"What Lord Lin Luo is experiencing now is likely not a pathological collapse, but rather... a passive evolution and transformation of his body to accommodate and adapt to a higher, purer source of spiritual energy! Just like a container must first be reshaped to be more robust and pure in order to hold a more precious liquid!"

"If my conjecture is correct," Herbert's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "then when this process is completed, Lord Linluo's physical and mental strength will experience a qualitative leap."

The room was completely silent.

All the insects were shocked by this bold conjecture: could male insects... also undergo physical evolution due to a deep mental connection, just like female insects? This overturned their deeply ingrained beliefs.

Ailand listened intently, his gaze returning to Lin Luo.

"...But, Minister Herbert, this is just your conjecture, it hasn't been proven yet, has it?" Eland asked nervously.

"Yes, but I've already verified this hypothesis before. After many volunteers used the new model to soothe their mental seas, the male insects' mental strength actually increased slightly, so..." Herbert added excitedly.

As Ayland listened, he reached out and gently stroked Lin Luo's burning forehead, whispering, "I believe you, Minister Herbert, and His Excellency Lin Luo will believe you too."

Time relentlessly marched on, and all they could do was wait, hoping that Herbert's conjecture would come true...

------------

The following day, an official statement bearing the golden emblem of the Imperial Male Insect Protection Association exploded across the StarNet like ice water thrown into boiling oil:

[Official Statement from the Imperial Male Insect Protection Association]

"Recently, discussions about new models of mental health support have attracted widespread attention from society. Our association aims to safeguard the legitimate rights and mental and physical health of all male members and remains highly concerned about this matter."

After review by the association's council and extensive consultation with various sectors (with a summary of joint opinions signed by more than 300 high-level males and thousands of males of various grades).

The association believes that the new soothing model currently being promoted may pose potential pressure on some male insects due to its theoretical basis and operational requirements, or may significantly conflict with some male insects' traditional cognition, behavioral habits, and mental comfort zone.

Your Majesty's use of spiritual power and your spiritual feelings are sacred and inviolable, and should be fully respected and absolutely protected. Any changes should be made on the premise of ensuring that Your Majesty's autonomy, physical and mental health, and social status are not harmed.

In light of the above concerns, this association solemnly calls on the relevant departments of the Empire to be more cautious in advancing related matters, to fully listen to and respect different voices, and in particular to ensure that the rights of male insects who hold traditional views are not affected.

The association will continue to monitor this matter and will spare no effort to provide support and protection for all male insects.

The statement is official and rigorous in its wording, and seems fair, but it emphasizes "male rights," "potential pressure," and "traditional concepts" throughout, and places the "joint signature of more than 300 high-level males" in a prominent position, making its bias obvious.

This statement is like an official "call to arms" and a "disclaimer of liability".

Those previously instigated and organized dissenting voices now seem to have found their backbone and talisman, becoming even more righteous and powerful.

They were no longer just lone rabble complaining; instead, they began to systematically attack Lin Luo and the ideas he promoted, under the banner of "responding to the association's call" and "defending traditional rights."

The more deadly effects occur within the female insect colony.