A cocoon unlike any other.@@novelbin@@

It gleamed with a radiant silver hue, entirely different from the pristine white cocoons surrounding it.

Roughly 25 centimeters in size and oval-shaped, it was the same size as the celestial silkworm cocoons, yet the texture of the silk felt entirely different.

The light from the Night Pearl subtly reflected off its surface, making it glimmer as if polished.

No, it wasn’t just a feeling—the cocoon was actually reflecting light.

‘What… is this? A different species?’

Although the size was nearly identical to that of the celestial silkworm, its distinct coloration immediately made me wonder if it belonged to a different species.

Even though I had already found celestial silkworms living in symbiosis with the termites, I couldn’t rule out the possibility of another species coexisting within the mound.

After all, termite colonies were well-known for harboring numerous guest species.

In nature, even ordinary termites serve as food for over 80 species of birds and mammals, and within their mounds, dozens of insect species live off their indirect or direct assistance.

Some steal termite eggs, mushrooms, or processed wood debris, while others simply use the sturdy mound as a shelter.

In other words, termite colonies were bustling hubs of freeloaders—just like the Tang Clan’s estate, but with far less discretion in choosing their guests.

While the Tang Clan only allowed in those who could be useful, termites were, frankly, pushovers.

That’s why I thought this silver cocoon might belong to a rare moth species with a lifestyle similar to that of the celestial silkworm.

Excited, I reached out and gently pressed against the cocoon.

If there was a larva inside, I had to be careful not to harm it.

However, when I pressed on it cautiously… the cocoon didn’t budge.

It was as solid as if it had been woven from iron threads.

Thinking that perhaps all celestial silkworm cocoons were this firm, I pressed on a regular one beside it.

It, too, was just as unyielding.

Come to think of it, if they had to survive in a termite mound full of soldier termites, it made sense that their cocoons would be this tough.

Determined to examine it more closely, I picked it up.

“Please, let it be unhatched… Please…”

But the moment I held it in my hands, I noticed something—there was no weight to it.

I turned it upside down, and there it was—a small, circular hole at the tip of the cocoon.

A clear sign that the adult moth had already emerged and left.

“Damn it.”

I had hoped it was still intact, but I was holding nothing more than an empty shell.

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