Lin Fan keenly sensed the shift in the atmosphere.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
He had already used a gentle approach with Qian Renxue.
Now, it was time to apply pressure.
Strike with the stick, then offer a sweet date. The perfect mix of coercion and persuasion—only by balancing the two could he fully erode someone's mind and will.
A cold smile curled on Lin Fan's lips.
He pulled Qian Renxue back into his embrace with force.
With one hand, he lifted her chin, bringing her delicate face closer to his own.
"What's this? I restored your strength, and this is how you thank your master?"
"Even if I were a stranger, you should be grateful. But we both know… our relationship is far from ordinary."
"Xue'er, I'm disappointed in you."
As expected, panic flashed through Qian Renxue's eyes upon hearing his words.
She quickly shook her head, her tone softening, even tinged with pleading.
"No, it's not like that... I just... I really can't remember what happened."
Qian Renxue stopped resisting and let Lin Fan hold her.
Lin Fan's tone grew calmer. "Let's think this through."
"The power inside your body—the new strength coursing through your veins—I gave it to you. Have you forgotten?"
Feeling the immense power pulsing within her, Qian Renxue fell into confusion.
Lin Fan continued, "Back when you and Snake Lance Douluo were in danger, I granted you this strength at a critical moment."
"And in return, you willingly acknowledged me as your master. You vowed to obey me without question. Don't you remember, Xue'er?"
Qian Renxue suddenly shook her head, eyes wide in disbelief.
"No! That's impossible! I would never do something like that!"
"Impossible?" Lin Fan sneered.
"Then what—did this power inside you just manifest out of thin air?"
"Qian Renxue, are you truly going to be an ungrateful person?"
"Can't you feel the surging strength within you?"
His words boomed in her ears.
Her spirit power roared within her body—and at the same time, the power of the Blade Queen began to awaken.
It spread slowly through her limbs, enveloping her completely.
But then—a foreign sensation suddenly stirred from the depths of her heart.
Qian Renxue's eyes flew open in shock, staring at Lin Fan in disbelief.
A faint blush bloomed across her cheeks.
Seeing this, Lin Fan smiled faintly and subtly moved his hand.
Qian Renxue felt a sudden wave of unfamiliar emotion wash over her.
"N–No…"
She struggled against Lin Fan's grasp. Realizing what was happening, she shouted furiously, "What do you think you're doing?!"
A red light flickered in Lin Fan's eyes as a sinister grin formed.
"Stop struggling."
Instantly, Qian Renxue's body froze.
Lin Fan pulled her gently into his arms.
He leaned in, brushing a kiss against her lips.
"Of course—I'm helping our Blade Queen recover her memory."
Qian Renxue remained frozen, eyes wide with fear, watching Lin Fan draw closer.
She wanted to resist, yet deep in her heart, an inexplicable urge to draw nearer took root—dark and irresistible, like an abyss.
It pulled her in, deeper and deeper.
Soon, her expression softened. She gazed at Lin Fan with a mix of confusion and shyness.
And her eyes... began to show signs of surrender.
Elder Hall.
Inside, Chrysanthemum Douluo took a deep breath and suddenly exhaled a concentrated stream of energy like a sharp blade.
A gleam returned to his pale eyes.
His pallor gave way to a flush of healthy red.
Crack! Crackle!
With a few movements, his bones erupted with explosive sounds, like firecrackers.
He flexed his arm and nodded in satisfaction.
At last, his severed limb had been completely restored.
His movements were no longer hindered.
Even the internal injuries he had previously sustained were now fully healed.
Chrysanthemum Douluo exhaled slowly, but his mind remained haunted by images of Qian Renxue.
Golden six-winged angelic wings.
A fully matured adult body.
Unrivaled beauty.
Even recalling her stirred a strange emotion within him.
He frowned deeply.
This world—why was it growing more and more different from the one he once knew?
When had Qian Renxue taken on an adult form?
And her power... it far exceeded his expectations.
Her rate of growth—it was terrifying.
"Old Chrysanthemum, how's your recovery?"
Before Ghost Douluo appeared, his voice reached Chrysanthemum Douluo's ears.
A shadowy figure pushed open the doors of the Elder Hall and glided inside.
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave a helpless smile, then shifted to a more cheerful expression.
"I'm fully recovered. What brings you here?"
Ghost Douluo paused briefly as he looked at his longtime comrade.
Ever since Chrysanthemum Douluo had returned from the Star Dou Forest, something felt... off.
His behavior, his tone, even his style—none of it matched the old Chrysanthemum Douluo he knew so well.
If Ghost Douluo hadn't personally rescued him, he would've doubted whether the man before him was even the same person.
He shook his head.
Even the Holy Maiden had changed so much—it was as if she were someone else entirely.
Couldn't old Chrysanthemum change too?
They'd fought side by side for over fifty years.
Perhaps the trauma from his injuries had simply changed his temperament.
Pushing the thought aside, Ghost Douluo said seriously, "His Holiness the Pope has summoned you to the Hall once you're recovered."
His expression brightened as he clapped a hand on Chrysanthemum Douluo's shoulder.
"Congratulations, old Chrysanthemum! At your age, you're still climbing higher!"
There was a trace of genuine emotion in his tone.
Only after becoming a Soul Master did one truly understand the importance of talent.
And stepping beyond the Title Douluo realm... each step was like ascending the heavens.
Both of them had been stuck at Rank 95 for over a decade.
Now that Chrysanthemum Douluo had advanced, Ghost Douluo couldn't help but feel happy for his old friend.
Chrysanthemum Douluo chuckled and patted him back.
"Hahaha! You flatter me, old Ghost!"
"Well then, I'll be off. We'll talk when I return."
With that, he quickly turned and strode out of the Elder Hall.
Ghost Douluo watched his retreating figure, then looked at his own arm.
A chill crept over him, the atmosphere under the shadow turning icy.
His eyes, hidden behind his mask, glinted sharply.
"Old Chrysanthemum… I hope I'm just being paranoid."
Meanwhile, outside the Elder Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo frowned.
Because at that moment—just as Ghost Douluo's words ended—he heard a voice echo within his mind.
Ding! New mission unlocked: [Villain Certification]!
****
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