"This is…"
Xiao Wu's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the ghostly figure that slowly appeared behind Lin Fan.
"My lord Overlord, you've awakened your Martial Soul?!"
"Yeah."
Lin Fan nodded slightly, his expression darkening in an instant.
Qian Renxue, having grown up in the Spirit Hall, naturally knew how to help others awaken their Martial Souls. Lin Fan had long been curious about what kind of Martial Soul he possessed. Given the opportunity, he hadn't hesitated to let Qian Renxue assist in the awakening process.
But what he hadn't expected was that the sliver of the Angel God's will still residing within Qian Renxue had allowed her to break free of the Zerg's memory control!
She had regained her consciousness—even after being transformed into a Blade Queen—and took the chance to escape while Lin Fan was immersed in the awakening process!
Although that incident caused a bit of a setback, at the very least, she had truly succeeded in helping him awaken his Martial Soul.
As for the fugitive Qian Renxue...
Lin Fan could still feel the faint spiritual thread in his mind connecting them over a great distance, and his lips curled into a cold smile.
"Hmph. Even if you run to the ends of the world, I'll drag you back."
A hint of worry flickered across Xiao Wu's face as she asked, "But... what if that traitor leaks information about the Zerg?"
Her crimson eyes glinted with killing intent as she offered coldly, "Allow me to eliminate her."
"No need."
Lin Fan smiled faintly, his tone tinged with arrogance. "Even if the Angel God herself descended upon this world, once she becomes my Blade Queen, she'd still become my slave. What's a mere wisp of divine will?"
"Just wait—the real show's about to begin."
As he finished speaking, a flicker of crimson light passed through Lin Fan's eyes.
Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of pressure burst from his body.
BZZZZT—!
A ball of dark mist-shrouded light slowly emerged from behind Lin Fan.
As the black fog dissipated, the form within was gradually revealed—a constantly writhing, snow-white worm.
Lin Fan's expression twisted into something between confusion and disbelief.
This was his Martial Soul?
Was this supposed to be a Beast Martial Soul?
If so, then once he absorbed his seventh Soul Ring, he'd be able to activate Martial Soul Avatar.
But just the thought made Lin Fan's scalp tingle: the image of himself turning into a squirming white worm was nothing short of nauseating.
"What the hell kind of Martial Soul is this? Why a worm?!"
Frustration churned in Lin Fan's heart—not only had Qian Renxue escaped, but his long-awaited Martial Soul had turned out to be this bizarre thing.
He closed his eyes and focused, channeling his inner soul power.
An immense torrent of energy surged through his body, circulating wildly within his meridians.
Lin Fan wasn't entirely familiar with this world's soul master hierarchy, but such abundant soul power surely couldn't be anything low.
Since Soul Masters could begin absorbing soul rings after reaching certain thresholds, did that mean he could now do the same?
Rubbing his chin, Lin Fan pondered the possibilities.
Might as well try it.
It was the perfect opportunity to explore the Pelvic Incubation Chamber in the Level-4 Hive—not just for strengthening, but also to test its other functions.
Putting away his Martial Soul, he motioned for Xiao Wu to follow as he walked into the Hive's core.
They made their way directly to the Incubation Chamber.
"I want a scan," Lin Fan commanded. "Analyze my soul power, extract suitable soul beast genes, and craft the optimal soul rings I can absorb."
[As you command, my lord Overlord.]
SHRRRK—!
From the chamber's fleshy walls, several thick, veiny tubes extended outward and latched onto Lin Fan's body.
A cool suction flowed from the tubes, and he immediately felt the data transfer begin.
[Scan complete. Current soul power level equivalent to: Rank 79—Soul Saint.]
[Eligible for soul ring crafting. Proceed?]
Rank 79?
Lin Fan was shocked. He had never formally cultivated, yet possessed such immense soul power?!
It seemed the Overlord's physical evolution after each hive upgrade didn't just enhance his body—it also improved his soul power!
Thinking about it, it made sense. The Zerg needed both energy and psionic power to perform supernatural feats.
Blade Queens especially—were powered by a vast reserve of psionic energy. As the Zerg's supreme Overlord, it made sense that his soul power would be a kind of weakened spirit energy analog.
Rank 79...
Once he absorbed a soul ring, he'd be able to enter Martial Soul Avatar state.
That thought alone made Lin Fan wince.
With no small amount of reluctance, he muttered, "Begin crafting the Martial Soul soul rings, Main Brain."
[Acknowledged.]
[Required energy: 700,000 points. Estimated time: 24 hours.]
Seven hundred thousand energy points? That meant seven hundred-thousand-year soul rings!
Lin Fan was a little thrilled.
Although his current power was already enough to dominate most of this world, there was something undeniably satisfying about having a Martial Soul of his own.
That said, million-year soul rings were in an entirely different energy class. Even with sufficient energy reserves, the Hive simply couldn't craft them.
Otherwise, Lin Fan would've gone straight for seven dazzling golden million-year rings, and just flashing those in battle would drop jaws left and right.
Smacking his lips with regret, Lin Fan turned and strode out of the hive.
Everything urgent had been dealt with. Now, it was time to move on to the next phase of his plan...
Spirit Hall
Within the grand cathedral.
Bibi Dong sat atop her throne, resting her head against her hand with a slight frown.
Why had she felt so uneasy all day?
It was as if something monumental was about to happen...
A silhouette surfaced in her mind—a beautiful figure with long golden hair.
Her expression shifted in an instant, filled with bitterness. She shook her head violently, forcing the image away.
"There's no way I'd worry about your safety... You're better off dead."
She whispered bitterly, eyes flickering with pain and torment.
But beneath the hatred lay buried sorrow and overwhelming regret.
BANG!
The cathedral doors burst open with a loud crash!
Bibi Dong's eyes snapped open in fury.
"Who dares break protocol?!"
Three frost-covered figures stepped inside briskly, heads bowed.
"Your Holiness, forgive us—it's urgent! We bring critical intelligence!"
****
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