Spirit Hall.
In Qian Renxue's chamber.
Qian Renxue lay motionless on the bed, her golden hair disheveled, her gaze still lost in a haze of confusion and emotional turmoil.
Lin Fan gently pulled the blanket over her and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Xue'er, stay here in Spirit Hall… as my hidden piece on the board."
He straightened up, eyes cold and resolute.
"It's time for the Blade Queen to return to the embrace of the Swarm."
Qian Renxue slowly turned her head to face Lin Fan, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions. But a moment later, her expression shifted to one of indifference.
"From now on, we owe each other nothing. And don't think for a second that I'll obediently play your so-called Blade Queen."
Lin Fan sighed helplessly at her response and gently took her delicate hand in his.
"You still refuse to accept the truth… that you are part of the Zerg, Xue'er?"
With a snort, Qian Renxue tried to pull her hand away. But no matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free. Eventually, she gave up and turned her face away, unwilling to even look at him.
Lin Fan's expression darkened.
Among the Zerg, hierarchy and obedience are absolute.
Every Zerg must obey the Overmind without question. Even the Blade Queen, in the end, must not defy the will of the Swarm.
Though much of this rebellion stemmed from the remnants of the Angel God's consciousness…
…it was his duty to correct that flaw.
Scarlet light flared in Lin Fan's eyes as he reached out and lifted Qian Renxue's chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.
"I've already helped you see the truth, and yet you still resist?"
"It seems… you need a little more help. Wouldn't you agree, my Princess of the Swarm?"
A flicker of panic crossed Qian Renxue's face as Lin Fan leaned in closer.
"W-What are you doing?"
His deep, magnetic voice whispered by her ear. "Why, I'm just implanting something… unique for our Blade Queen."
At the same time, Lin Fan issued a mental command:
"Overmind, extract the adapted neural memory module from the Zerg gene bank compatible with the Blade Queen prototype. Begin immediate integration into Qian Renxue's mind."
[Extracting… please wait.]
[Extraction complete. Proceed with implantation?]
"Proceed."
[Beginning neural imprint. Do not sever psychic link, Overmind.]
BZZZZZT—!
A deafening noise erupted inside Qian Renxue's consciousness, like a thunderclap splitting her mind open. Her vision went blank, her body numb and weightless.
She felt herself drifting through a void, drawn by a strange gravitational force pulling at her memories—sweeping her into the depths of an unseen abyss where resistance was futile.
Time passed—or maybe it didn't. She could no longer tell.
Then, the crimson glow suddenly retreated from her eyes and coalesced back into Lin Fan's, where it flickered like two dancing red flames, adding to the eerie aura he already exuded.
Qian Renxue's eyes were blank, disoriented.
After a long pause, clarity gradually returned.
In her right eye, the crimson hue deepened, shimmering like a wine-red galaxy that could draw one into its depths at a single glance.
Gone was her earlier defiance and fury.
Her face was now calm, yet layered with complexity and subtle detachment.
She looked at Lin Fan for a long moment, before slowly lowering her head.
"The Blade Queen acknowledges your command… my Overmind."
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you still retain your memories?"
Qian Renxue lifted her head, biting her lip lightly.
"I remember. But… all is subject to the supreme will of the Overmind."
Lin Fan nodded in satisfaction, then let out a soft sigh tinged with regret.
Though Qian Renxue had now fully reawakened as the Blade Queen, her essence fused with both the original primal Blade Queen's genome and the latest strain of the Zerg.
This made her more powerful—colder, and more efficient.
She was now a perfect weapon, capable of slaughtering any enemy for the sake of the Swarm.
But at a cost.
Gone was the spirited, vibrant girl she used to be.
Lin Fan shook his head in regret.
If not for that damned Angel God… none of this would've been necessary.
His eyes flickered with a chilling gleam.
Gods of this world… wait for me. One day, I will lead the Zerg and raze your divine realm to the ground.
Seven Days Later
Heaven Dou Empire
Fassno Province, Holy Soul Village
A carriage rumbled down the road.
The sound of hooves echoed strangely through the quiet wilderness.
"Whoa!"
The driver tugged the reins, bringing the carriage to a slow halt.
A slightly plump middle-aged man was the first to lift the curtain and hop down. With a flattering smile, he gestured respectfully.
"My Lord, we've arrived."
"Mm. You've done well."
Yue Guan—Chrysanthemum Douluo—stepped down from the carriage. "Which way is Holy Soul Village?"
The man looked around, scratched his head, and pointed uncertainly. "I think… right over there. Huh? When did Holy Soul Village start looking like this?"
Yue Guan followed his gaze, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
The village looked… wrong.
The vegetation on either side had grown wildly, unnaturally—twisting in grotesque, chaotic forms.
Within the village, a few villagers could be seen, but they moved stiffly, their expressions blank—like puppets on invisible strings, repeating their tasks mechanically.
Yue Guan froze for a second.
Wasn't this the birthplace of Tang San in the original timeline?
Why did it look like this now?
Then he remembered—at this time, Tang San should have already left for the Junior Soul Master Academy.
He wouldn't still be in Holy Soul Village.
As for his father, Tang Hao… Yue Guan wasn't sure when he might reappear to protect his son.
A cold shiver ran down Yue Guan's spine. He turned and quickly climbed back into the carriage.
"Let's go. To the Junior Soul Master Academy."
This village was far too strange—he didn't want to stay a moment longer.
The mere thought that Tang Hao might still be lurking here made Yue Guan uneasy.
If Sword Douluo was already troublesome…
Tang Hao?
That man was on a whole different level of menace.
Cheating death was like breathing to him.
If he crossed paths with Tang Hao and stirred up old grudges against Spirit Hall… he could die before he even had time to scream.
The plump man blinked, then hurried into the carriage and told the driver to move on.
Clip-clop, clip-clop...
The rhythmic sound of hooves soon faded into the distance.
But in that same moment, every villager in Holy Soul Village stopped what they were doing.
They lifted their heads in unison…
…gazing silently at the departing carriage.
****
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