Chapter 174: A Whole New Realm
The world was filled with mist, deathly silent and empty.
It must be a dream… Wasn’t I just studying the Aletai lineage subject in bed? How did I end up here?
Looking down, Jiang Yao discovered she was dressed in standard combat gear from Dark Arrow, but was unarmed. Glancing around, the girl showed a puzzled expression.
In the distance, a patch of grayish-white mist was swirling, faintly emitting a scent that was both strange and somewhat familiar, as if something once seen was hidden there.
As she walked slowly forward, getting closer to the turbulent mist, the scent became clearer, gentle yet tinged with anxiety, as if it was calling her.
“Sis, where are you? Sis!”
Jiang Yao, in a panic, looked ahead and began to run, seemingly needing to find that figure to calm herself.
There was no perception of danger, but Jiang Yao felt her heart racing. Just as her body was about to merge with the rolling mist, she finally stopped in her tracks.
“Who… who are you?”
Jiang Yao murmured cautiously.
There was no response from the mist, but instead came a rhythmic, heavy heartbeat and breath, as if a living, super-powerful machine were present.
A breeze brushed her face, the mist gradually faded, and an enormous shadow emerged from it, unprecedented in size.
A grotesque, giant mass of flesh floated in the mist, resembling a bulk of brain tissue extracted from a giant’s head.
Two large eyeball-like structures were embedded in its wrinkled, pale flesh, while countless delicate tendrils, like extended neural vines, hung below the brain mass, swaying slightly.
The bizarre appearance and colossal size were far more captivating than that giant flesh mass from the underground factory in City D.
“Are you the one calling me?”
The unique resonance with her own essence became clearer, drawing her closer. Jiang Yao’s face began to pale, but for some unknown reason, her body moved uncontrollably towards the terrifying giant brain.
Still, there was no response. It was not until Jiang Yao was almost upon the giant brain that several nerve fibers, seemingly alive, gently touched her bare face and arms.
It was ticklish and very comfortable, like a mother engaging in tender interaction with her child. Jiang Yao closed her eyes, lost in the sensation, even feeling an urge to embrace it for a closer contact.
More and more nerve fibers extended from the surface of the giant brain, gently wrapping around Jiang Yao’s body, merely touching her skin before merging with her.
She felt as if her body and mind were melting away, wanting to hum from comfort. Jiang Yao stretched out her arms, welcoming the countless intertwining nerve tendrils, finally pressing against the pale flesh surface of the giant brain.
“I’m back…”
As more and more nerve fibers fused with her body, Jiang Yao felt like a melting piece of caramel, the contact surface between her and the giant brain becoming inseparable, as if she had already become a part of it.
“No, let go of me…”
Sis, Zhong Qiong, save me!
When her whole body was nearly consumed, leaving only her head isolated outside the merging layers, Jiang Yao suddenly opened her eyes and screamed in terror, tears streaming down her face.
Unfortunately, the merging with the giant brain was accelerating, and more nerve fibers surged in, wrapping around her beautiful light golden hair, drowning everything.
February 23, Sunday.
After the little blood servants at Hyacinth Manor became familiar with the new knight, another golden signboard, following Zhao Peng and Jiang Yan, was recognized as one of the star cards—Jiang Yao, who fell into a strange state of coma, further cemented the reputation of the Sleeping Manor.
On the eve of her period, although there were no particular taboos, Jiang Yao experienced a mutation while studying certain subjects in her room. This outcome startled Wan Yue, who was out of town, prompting her to rush back to Hyacinth Manor overnight.
A full day had passed, and various monitoring metrics clearly indicated that her body was very healthy, not in any pathological state, nor was she entering a dormant state. However, only a few people could sense up close the significant renewal of blood energy proteins taking place within Jiang Yao.
Old Jin, accompanied by a medical team including Dr. Lu, was currently crowded in Jiang Yao’s room, each wearing strange expressions, sometimes flipping through Jiang Yao’s medical examination reports, sometimes whispering to each other.
“Old Jin, Dr. Lu, how’s Jiang Yao? How long will it be until she wakes up?”
Wan Yue entered the room, glanced at the group of white coats, and sat down by the bed.
“Incredible… Her body is exhibiting high-intensity secretion of various special internal hormones from multiple lineages. How should I describe it? It seems like she is undergoing an endocrine functional reconstruction, coupled with the renewal of blood energy proteins, quite like a… semi-promotion?”
“But her heart rate, brain waves, and other physiological indicators are completely different from those of a promotion!”
Standing beside the silent Old Jin, Dr. Lu scratched his head, like a medical student who hadn’t completed his training, looking bewildered and confused.
Wan Yue shot a glance at the silent Old Jin, her brows furrowing. She could sense an uneasy breath within Jiang Yao, like countless heavy trucks colliding at a traffic intersection, seemingly fraught with danger yet gradually easing just beneath a critical point.
Heh, so this is the true queen… Wan Yue smiled, noncommittal; there were some things that the current Dr. Lu definitely did not know.
Looking at the sleeping girl with her brows tightly knitted, Wan Yue suddenly felt that this breath felt eerily familiar. When Jiang Yao was attacked by the Black Blood Clan and severely injured during the simulations, it seemed to be in a similar state, and when she awoke, her strength had not only returned but increased.
All this was previously taken for granted as the regenerative capability of the Ganges Blood Clan. Alternatively, perhaps it was a more special self-enforced growth mechanism hidden behind the regenerative ability.
Thinking of this, Wan Yue nodded and smiled at Dr. Lu and the others: “Thank you all for your hard work; you’ve been busy all night, so go rest. Just right, Old Jin and I need to discuss some matters privately…”
The team members were very perceptive, knowing that what followed might involve secrets they were not authorized to know, so they all exited the room.
Young Lu was right, somewhat like a semi-promotion…
Old Jin, who had remained quiet, finally spoke. He stepped closer to the bed, nearly pressing his forehead against Jiang Yao’s, attempting to sense and analyze the changes occurring within her body at such an ultra-close distance.
Although there was no characteristic chaotic aura of a baron, it had begun to reconstruct endocrine functions, achieving a cycle of special lineage internal hormone secretion and metabolism. Wasn’t this promotion?
Old Jin’s eyes widened, gleaming with fervor, his hands trembling slightly, on the verge of diving in to lift the covers and examine Jiang Yao’s whole body.
Mixed blood clans could never promote to baron, but the queen could open special endocrine functional cycles that only blood clans above the baron level possessed in so-called knight realms… could this be a special realm exclusive to queens?
Old Jin murmured to himself, somewhat entranced.
Wan Yue stood up, pulling the slightly deranged Old Jin aside, then tightened the covers around Jiang Yao, revealing a solemn expression.
Exclusive realm, let me think… Yes, this is it, this is the queen’s realm!
After a few minutes of profound thought, Old Jin lunged again, but not towards the bed; instead, he sat by the computer at the bedside, beginning to search through Jiang Yao’s previous medical examination data, trying to find clues.
Outwardly, it would be claimed that Jiang Yao’s boiling blood and blood thirst disorder were caused by blind exercise during her period. If necessary, the medication should create a similar illusion! Do not let your Uncle Jiu know for now.
Wan Yue stood up, heading for the door without looking back.
There was one more thing she wanted to say, from her observed perspective, Jiang Yan’s pace of study was actually far ahead of Jiang Yao’s, yet now it was Jiang Yao who had stepped first into a strange realm, effectively cementing the judgment that the blood type within Jiang Yao was indeed legitimate.
What catalyst caused Jiang Yao’s growth to suddenly surge? Was it merely compelling her to reflect here, or was it due to the matter with Zhou Ping, which provided some form of stimulation to her body and mind?
Wan Yue looked back into the room one last time, feeling even more perplexed.
As the door closed, Old Jin slowly lifted his head, a mix of conflict, fear, and excitement reflected in his face.
…
Back in her own room, Wan Yue sat in a daze for a few minutes before summoning Zheng Shaolin and Xiao Ling.
Did Jiang Yao have any special conditions a few days ago?
Wan Yue turned to Xiao Ling, her tone flat.
After Zhou Ping’s demise, Xiao Ling was probably currently the girl with the best relationship with Jiang Yao.
“No, nothing special, aside from occasionally going to the cafeteria to eat, she’s very reclusive, rarely seen, and… and also has a dispute with Xiao Yan.”
Xiao Ling quickly lowered her head, exchanging glances with Zheng Shaolin, and nervously spoke: “Actually, aside from being a bit impulsive and somewhat boyish, Jiang Yao is quite good-natured.”
“I’m not asking you to evaluate her character.”
Wan Yue raised her wrist directly, cutting off Xiao Ling’s rambling defense. Then, she turned to Zheng Shaolin: “How’s Meng Huai doing? I heard he moved to that small farm.”
“Still haven’t observed much; he seems to be reacting strongly to the purification agent. For the past two days, he can only distract himself with heavy physical labor.”
“However, I did tell him that I used to be a Dark Arrow member, which made him a bit emotional and unwilling to discuss such topics with me.”
“Moreover, it seems he remembered something, as his attitude towards Jiang Yan has changed dramatically, obviously avoiding her.”
After thinking for a moment, Zheng Shaolin shared his observations from the past few days.
“Once people regain consciousness, they may feel confused about some actions they previously took, even panic and shame. He is quite a shy child…”
Wan Yue smiled, making a gesture to indicate she didn’t want to discuss further.
Zheng Shaolin and Xiao Ling exchanged glances, both perplexed and enlightened.
…
Sitting alone in a wooded area halfway up Hyacinth Manor, Jiang Yan was meditating with her eyes closed, studying basic subjects of the Siberian lineage.
Jiang Yan noticed her personal study efficiency had plummeted in the past couple of days, especially when alone; she found it increasingly hard to calm her mind.
Not only was Jiang Yao’s strange coma distressing her, but also a certain young man’s sudden coldness.
During their time together, even Jiang Yan herself lost count of how many times she had embraced Meng Huai. From the initial tension and panic, it had slowly transformed into a habit of yielding. Yet his sudden cessation left her with an indescribable feeling of irritation and absurd shame.
“Since you’re not in the right state, don’t force yourself.”
Wan Yue appeared behind Jiang Yan, disrupting her tangled thoughts, further causing Jiang Yan’s already chaotic aura to become even more disordered.
“I now suspect we’ve fallen into a common misconception. Perhaps you and Jiang Yao don’t actually need to rely on training to continue growing.”
Wan Yue sat beside Jiang Yan directly on the yoga mat, squeezing in close, with an uncommon look of confusion on her face: “Do you remember what happened the night you were promoted to a retainer? And Jiang Yao’s two severe injuries leading to her significant power boosts?”
“Do you think these had a direct relationship with your efforts or accumulation?”
With Wan Yue’s prompt, Jiang Yan began to trace her memories, finding that the hints from Wan Yue seemed to unveil another truth.
“Of course, I’m not denying the importance and effectiveness of training; at least, your internal and external hormone regulation stability will no longer garner others’ ridicule. So, these will remain one of the foundations of your growth, but they’re not the most critical elements.”
As Wan Yue spoke, she reached up to touch Jiang Yan’s back, her eyes showing a bit of helplessness: “With your temperament and apparent qualifications, if you were just an ordinary Siberian member, you should be able to stand out among everyone. Yet the reality is quite the opposite.”
“Yeah, I know, both Jiang Yao and I are inherently different from everyone else. We come from grandmother’s blood, and our ways of growth are bound to be different.”
Jiang Yan thought for a moment and could only find such an explanation.
“It’s not that you’re not different, but you haven’t found the more critical opportunity.”
Wan Yue tugged at Jiang Yan’s hair, playing with it delicately, a habit she developed over the past two months, expressing her affection in this manner.
“Aside from the promotion to retainer, most of the time, your growth seems to rely upon your superior qualifications, working tirelessly on your outward abilities. But significant growth comes from unexpected stimuli.”
“Do you mean… Jiang Yao is more special than I am?”
Jiang Yan’s heart plummeted, hurriedly lowering her head, her expression growing more anxious. “Did I misunderstand something?”
“It’s time to tell you everything… but you must promise, if absolutely necessary, not to let Jiang Yan know.”
Taking a deep breath, Wan Yue began to share the key secrets Jiang Yan had not yet learned, including but not limited to her conversation with the royal ancestor and the medical report from the Royal Medical Research Center.
“I and Jiang Yao are different types of血种发育体. She’s complete, and I’m incomplete?”
Jiang Yan slowly stood up, her face paling, “Jiang Yao is the true target of the Zhonggel family?”
“Do you not feel fortunate?”
Wan Yue looked up, half-smiling, “Though you need to delve deeper into your own situation, you are rather insensitive and indifferent.”
“If it were a normal woman, she would at least discuss it when finding out she had lost her fertility, right? This little girl, she’s quite the oddball…”
Wan Yue sighed slightly in her heart.
Jiang Yan didn’t respond; she sat back down and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
She was fine now; she just didn’t know how long she would have to wait… Go ahead, do what you need to do, and deliver that package to Meng De.
Wan Yue stood up, looking down at Jiang Yan as she said, “He doesn’t seem like a true blood clan yet, but more like a normal person now, so I look forward to the day he takes the initiative to find me.”
Jiang Yan lost track of when Wan Yue’s aura vanished, only noticing the evening glow emerging over the horizon, prompting her to stand up reluctantly.
…
In the dead of night, at a small farmhouse in a valley less than two kilometers straight from Hyacinth Manor, lights were still on.
Jiang Yan quietly approached the small farmhouse carrying a large canvas travel bag, laughing under the dim lights, where Meng Huai was still bare-chested, working tirelessly on the bed like an unceasing machine.
Sensing Jiang Yan’s presence, Meng Huai paused his laboring posture and slowly turned to look back.
“Have you remembered something?”
Jiang Yan sat slowly on a large stone by the field, her face tranquil.
“No… it’s all a mess… It feels like there are two Jiang Yans; I don’t know which one you are. I’m afraid the current you is gone.”
Meng Huai wiped his sweat and continued to till the soil, not daring to glance at Jiang Yan.
“It’s fine; you’ll have to recover all your memories. You don’t have to mind me. You have enough time to see me clearly.”
After hesitating, Jiang Yan approached him, handing over the bag, “This is your personal item; you should take care of it yourself.”
Meng Huai turned, staring intently at the large bag in Jiang Yan’s hand. A hint of fear appeared in his eyes, causing him to instinctively take a step back. But moments later, he regained his composure and reached out to take it.
“You’re in a bad mood; your sister… I heard from Zheng Shaolin that she’s in a coma?”
Meng Huai walked over to a shed, picking some still green tomatoes, offering one to Jiang Yan.
“Meng Huai, did I do something wrong?” Jiang Yan rubbed the tomato in her hands, her expression slightly bitter, “Regarding Sister Xiao Ping, no one questioned Sister Wan’s viewpoint; only Xiao Yao did.”
“Want to hear what mistake she made that caused Sister Wan to order her to reflect?” Lowering her head, avoiding Meng Huai’s gaze, Jiang Yan’s voice was soft, “Just let me tell you a story…”
In just a few minutes, Jiang Yan recounted everything that happened that Valentine’s night.
The entire world before Meng Huai twisted again, as if returning to that terrifying, dark underground room that was hard to look back on.
The cruel torture by the Black Blood Clan, their ruthless mockery, and the pervasive numb despair of the underground resurfaced before them. The hatred filling her chest, the urge to rip apart the others, transcended Meng Huai’s entire being.
“Meng Huai, are you hallucinating again?”
When Jiang Yan lifted her head once more, she found Meng Huai had indeed fallen into a dazed expression again. The veins on his forehead bulged, cold sweat drenched his brow. The tomato in his hand had turned to mush, exuding the sour fragrance of tomato flesh.
“Kill you all…”
Meng Huai gritted his teeth, his gaze gradually turning maniacal, unconsciously unleashing boiling blood, his eyes turning red, waves of ferocity, brutality, and disorder began to swell.
“Meng Huai! Don’t think about it, wake up!”
Jiang Yan jumped up, wrapping her arms around Meng Huai’s trembling body, repeatedly patting his back, her face filled with regret.
“I… I’m fine… I have no right to comment on this story.”
Meng Huai let out a heavy breath, gently breaking free from Jiang Yan’s embrace, his body twisting unsteadily as he trudged toward the interior of the small farmhouse.
Outside, he discovered that under the dim light, Meng Huai was still bare-chested, tirelessly tilling the land like an everlasting machine.
