Above Apocalypse Base.
The midday sun was obscured by a massive shadow.
Inside the base, patrolling soldiers, logistics personnel moving supplies, and hurried clerical workers all stopped what they were doing at the same moment.
Someone instinctively looked up.
Then, their eyes could no longer look away.
High in the sky, a pair of giant silver-white dragon wings flapped slowly. Although their wingspan was not as sun-blotting as their original form, it was enough to cast a clear shadow on the ground.
In the center of the dragon wings, a petite figure wore a grim military uniform. The brim of her cap was lowered slightly, revealing only a delicate jawline and a faint touch of lip color.
"It's... it's the Leader!"
It was unknown who shouted first.
In the next second, the entire base erupted!
"The Leader is back!"
"It really is the Leader!"
"Look, look! The Leader is in the sky!"
Those Tianqi members, who usually risked their lives in dungeons and faced mutant creatures without blinking, were now like fanatical celebrity groupies, tilting their heads back with faces full of excitement and fervor.
"The Leader is so cool!"
"Those dragon wings, that uniform—ahhh, I'm going to die!"
"Leader, look over here! Look over here!"
Although Lilith ignored their shouts entirely, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm in the slightest.
The Leader was always elusive, appearing and disappearing like a divine dragon.
The last time she appeared was after her previous return, when she ate a hundred steaks in the cafeteria.
After that, she dived into the back mountain and hadn't shown her face since.
For these new members who had recently joined Tianqi, being able to see the legendary loli Leader with their own eyes was like their ancestors' graves emitting smoke—incredible luck!
In the air, Lilith seemed oblivious to the commotion below.
Her gaze was locked on the Command Center in the core area of the base.
Her dragon wings tucked in slightly, and her petite figure dove down at extreme speed like a bullet.
Military boots touched the ground.
*Click.*
With a soft sound, she landed precisely on the steps in front of the Command Center's main entrance.
Lilith retracted her dragon wings and stepped forward, her military boots making a crisp, rhythmic "click-clack" sound against the floor.
She pushed open the doors and strode inside.
Inside the Command Center, the originally busy rhythm came to an instantaneous halt.
Everyone looked up at the petite yet oppressive figure.
The next second—
They bowed in unison.
"Leader!"
Lilith nodded slightly and, without stopping, walked straight toward the inner section.
Her presence had already been sensed by the two people inside the Command Center.
William stopped just as he was about to leave and turned around, a flicker of respect flashing in his dark red eyes.
Leah walked quickly out of the office, her azure eyes full of joy and excitement.
Both bowed simultaneously.
"Leader."
Lilith offered no superfluous pleasantries.
She raised her hand, and with a thought—
Three massive bloodline eggs appeared out of thin air in the middle of the hallway!
A dark red shimmer instantly filled the space, and the complex bloodline patterns pulsed slightly, as if the hearts of living creatures were beating.
Once the bloodline eggs were brought out, William felt a throb originating from the depths of his bloodline.
It was the bloodline connection between members of the same kind.
Lilith pointed at the three blood eggs, her voice cold and youthful, yet brook no argument.
"William."
"Give one to Leah, and one to Hawk Eye."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the third blood egg.
"As for the last one, distribute it as you see fit."
With that, she didn't linger.
She turned coolly, stepped coolly, and left coolly, without taking even a wisp of a cloud with her!
Silence.
A full five seconds of silence.
Leah blinked her large azure eyes. Was the Leader... afraid of crowded places? Or... did she have some other urgent matter?
Leah didn't overthink it. Instead, she focused her gaze on the three blood eggs and then looked at William, her face full of curiosity.
"Lord William,"
She asked cautiously.
"What are these?"
William didn't answer immediately.
He just silently stared at the three blood eggs, a complex array of emotions flashing through his dark red eyes.
There was nostalgia.
There was deep emotion.
There was gratitude.
"bloodline eggs."
He spoke slowly, his voice low and steady.
"A boon bestowed by the Leader."
He looked at Leah, a faint smile curling his lips.
"bloodline eggs can increase one's strength and even elevate talent levels."
Leah's pupils dilated slightly.
Elevate talent levels?!
What kind of concept was that?
Talent was innate, granted by the Main God Game, and was almost impossible to change.
Whatever talent a person had, they had for life. S-Rank was S-Rank, A-Rank was A-Rank; one could never cross that chasm.
But the Leader's bloodline egg could actually...
"Fenrir's and my previous talents were both S-Rank."
William's voice was calm, as if he were telling someone else's story.
"After being nurtured by a bloodline egg, our talents were elevated to SS-Level. Moreover..."
He paused and continued.
"Physical stats are also significantly improved during the nurturing process."
"Though we are SS-Level now, our comprehensive strength is enough to crush most SS-Rank Hunters, and we can even claim the top spot among SS-Rank Hunters."
Leah listened, dumbfounded, her mind instinctively recalling Leader Fenrir, who was ranked tenth on the hunter leaderboard.
Before that SSS-Rank Hunter from Japan died, he was ranked eleventh. Without exception, his strength made him the number one person below the SSS-Rank.
As for Lord William's strength, although she knew he was powerful, he was a Reincarnator after all, so no one knew exactly how strong he was.
But now, based on Lord William's tone, his strength was definitely not weaker than Lord Fenrir's.
One could say he ranked second in strength among SS-Level Talents!
She looked instinctively at the three blood eggs, the dark red shimmer reflected in her azure eyes.
Lord William's and Lord Fenrir's SS-Level Talents were actually obtained this way?
And the Leader...
Had actually specifically named her to receive such a precious item.
An indescribable emotion welled up in her heart.
It was touched, it was being overwhelmed by favor, it was the satisfaction of being recognized, and it was...
A hint of faint shyness that even she hadn't noticed.
She stole a glance at William.
This time, she could also possess strength no weaker than Lord William's.
This time, she wouldn't have to feel inferior.
This time, she could...
Rightfully...
Pursue him.
Leah's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly looked away, pretending to study the three blood eggs.
William didn't notice her abnormality. He just silently looked at the three blood eggs, thoughts churning in his dark red eyes.
The Leader's bloodline eggs also had a beautification effect.
With Leah's already delicate looks, what would she be like after the fusion?
He was somewhat curious.
But now was not the time to think about such things.
"Pass down the word,"
William spoke, his voice returning to its usual steadiness.
"Summon Hawk Eye here."
Leah snapped out of it, nodded quickly, and turned to carry out the order.
William stood in place, his gaze falling on the third blood egg.
Hawk Eye's was specifically designated by the Leader.
As the commander of the Knight Corps belonging to the Leader, once his strength increased, his prestige would follow, making his control over the Knight Corps more stable.
And the third one...
A figure appeared in his mind.
He heard that the Leader brought back a new member from the dungeon this time who possessed two SS-Level Talents and seemed to shoulder the heavy responsibility of managing the Alien Queen.
If he could pull that person into the Knight Corps...
If he could use a bloodline egg to trade for that person's absolute loyalty...
A sharp glint flashed in William's eyes.
He turned and walked toward the communication console.
It was time to contact that new guest.
...
Outside Apocalypse Base, a figure was walking quickly toward it.
Brandy looked up at the massive complex of buildings that was becoming clearer and took a deep breath.
The Leader had said to come to Tianqi as soon as possible after returning to reality.
He had done it.
Next, he would officially step into this faction and start a brand-new life.
He didn't know what was waiting for him.
But he knew—
This was his only chance.
He stepped forward toward the gates of Tianqi.
Behind him, the sun was setting, stretching his shadow very, very long.
...
Ni Jing: Bat has turned into a delinquent girl, listless every day, and she won't even cut or groom her hair ╰(⇀‸↼)╯
Bat: Not at all, I'm angry, I'm running away from home ˃ʍ˂
Bat: Looking for a blood bag who won't get angry or complain （＞д＜）