"Nothing special?"

Just as Bai Ling was proud that her anomalous domain had instantly killed countless bug anomalies, several bugs still emerged from the blood pool. They began reproducing, and when Bai Ling used blood attacks again, they were no longer effective.

"Damn, they developed resistance?"

Fortunately, Bai Ling's blood wasn't just blood. She clenched her fist forcefully, and the surrounding blood suddenly exploded into sharp spikes, frantically piercing those bugs' bodies.

"Physical attacks, hey."

After resolving this area's bugs, Bai Ling planned to find Chi Xiaoyu and the others. The moment she left the warehouse, she found an old man standing outside.

The old man stood there hunched like withered wood, hands clasped behind his back, pitch-black eyes empty, like a corpse. He slowly spoke.

"Little girl, killing so many of my bug anomalies will come at a price."

The old man's body slowly dispersed into countless bug anomalies, larger than the previous ones and faster. The swarm sometimes formed spikes, sometimes scattered to surround Bai Ling. Bai Ling continuously summoned blood to resist the bugs' attacks but was still bitten by some.

The wounds on her arms continuously sent numbing sensations. Then Bai Ling felt dizzy and couldn't stand steady. The bugs' saliva contained strong poison. Fortunately, her two contracted anomalies could still help somewhat. The surrounding buildings turned into chunks of flesh, blocking exits. The three of them hid in Yueyue's anomalous domain.

"Useless, hahaha."

The swarm formed the old man's phantom in the air, then transformed into a battering ram and began concentrating attacks on Yueyue's domain door.

"Oh~ Oh~ Master~ are you alright~"

Blood Princess looked at Yueyue beside her in confusion. What the hell, why does she look like she's enjoying herself? Yueyue quickly winked.

"Don't mind it~ Oh~"

Bai Ling's hands were still bleeding continuously. After Blood Princess licked a few mouthfuls, she shook her head.

"No good, we can't joke around now. We need to think of a solution."

"Still, let me have another sip."

Blood Princess took another sip, then reluctantly put down Bai Ling's arm.

Bai Ling lay dizzily on the ground, then suddenly opened her eyes. The face that appeared wasn't her two contracted anomalies, but a white-haired, red-eyed beautiful girl.

"Awake?"

"Uh, we meet again?"

"Heh heh, good timing. I'll teach you how to use anomalous techniques."

"Anomalous techniques? I know how to use them."

【Isn't it just that chain?】

"Watch carefully."

In the mental world, endless blood suddenly appeared, forming a sea of blood. In the center of the calm blood sea appeared a crimson portal. A blood-stained throne emerged from that portal. The girl slowly sat on that crimson throne and declared loudly.

"I am the Crimson King. Crimson dependents, I command you—tear apart the enemies before you!"

"..."

"I don't see any dependents. That's it?"

"What else? I'm just demonstrating. After you go out, first recruit that Blood Princess as a dependent of the blood domain. Change the lines to 'I am the Blood Witch.'"

"How do I summon this blood sea?"

"Just summon a blood pool. The blood sea isn't something you can summon now."

"Oh."

"By the way, let me remind you—your world line changes might be our chance for success. If unimaginable things happen in the future, remember to find ways to change the world line, keep the world in a state of change rather than returning to the original world line."

"Don't understand. Goodbye!"

Opening her eyes again, familiar faces appeared—it was Blood Princess. She had placed Bai Ling on her lap, stroking Bai Ling's head. Yueyue beside them was making strange sounds.

"Can't take it~ Can't take it~"

With her shouting, the domain door was also broken by the swarm. Bai Ling quickly got up and summoned that portal, trying to find the crimson throne she had summoned before.

"Blood Princess, you can advance now, right?"

"Eh? I can, but Master, isn't your B-grade anomaly slot full?"

Bai Ling smiled. A blood pool surged in the room's center, revealing a blood-stained throne. She slowly sat on it, stroking Blood Princess's head. Red patterns began appearing on her body, forming a symbol on her forehead.

"I am the Blood Witch. I grant you rebirth. From now on you are a dependent of the Blood Witch. Henceforth you shall be called—Blood Princess!"

Countless blood enveloped her. At that instant, she completed her advancement task. Her aura began growing stronger, and approaching bug anomalies were scattered to the ground by the shock.

"Yes."

"I am the King of Blood. Blood dependents, uh, what was it again? Tear apart the enemies before you."

Blood Princess emitted dazzling red light. A huge scythe appeared in her hands. She swung once at the swarm. Though it seemed slow, that crimson blade light instantly killed the entire swarm in that moment. Countless corpses fell to the ground.

"First slash—destroy body."

But the old man clearly hadn't died. A vicious voice came from the air.

"Hmph, I'll kill you all sooner or later."

"Second slash—destroy soul."

This slash tore through space, pursuing the old man's soul all the way to a small wooden house not far outside the city. Towering blade light appeared, accompanied by the old man's screams. The wooden house was instantly destroyed, but he didn't truly die. For him with bug anomalies preserving his life, one slash from a strengthened B-grade anomaly couldn't take his life.

"Third slash, cough cough."

Blood Princess coughed up blood and collapsed. Bai Ling quickly supported her with concern.

"Are you alright?"

"He didn't die."

"It's okay, you did your best."

Bai Ling fed her several red healing pills and recalled Blood Princess. Yueyue beside them lay on the ground with a foolish grin. Bai Ling frowned—what was she doing? She recalled her too.

"Sigh, too bad we still couldn't kill him."

○

"Hahaha, can't kill me! I'll definitely make your lives miserable!"

The old man laughed proudly. Surviving great disaster brings great fortune!

"Is that so?"

A man with bugs on his hands walked before him.

"What, what?"

The old man was immediately shocked. He had no self-preservation ability now.

"You must be wondering how I found you?"

"Impossible! I clearly received protection from the lord's anomalous tool, under the veil's influence. Even if Heaven's Secret came personally, he couldn't find me!"

"You overlooked one thing—bugs have memories. Based on the bugs born at the water treatment plant, I found the water treatment plant. Then I discovered the first batch of bugs you released there. Based on their memories, I found this place."

"Seeing bugs' memories? How did you do that?"

"My bugs are called Soul-Devouring Bugs."

"What? No, don't come closer!"

The old man's face filled with terror. Being devoured by this type of bug meant losing even the chance for reincarnation.

"As long as you spare me, I'll teach you everything I know. I've lived over 400 years—I'll teach you immortality. Don't kill me!"

"Your Terminus Cult made quite a mess of my hometown. Enjoy the taste of these Soul-Devouring Bugs."

The man smiled as countless tiny black bugs flew from his hands, tearing at the old man.

"Ah, no, ahhh, how dare you!"

What Bug Anomaly didn't know was that with the old man's death, a man in a black top hat appeared. He looked calmly at this scene and swung out a sword energy.

"Futile."