Dr. Forefinger adjusted his collar with a smile and asked, “Have you heard of personality remodeling?”
Though he asked it as a question, he didn’t wait for Behemoth to answer before explaining on his own.
“It’s like the folk legends from China during the Earth era — the idea of drinking Meng Po soup before being reincarnated to start a new life. Personality remodeling is just like that.”
“It’s a technology far more advanced than a Mental Brand. By purging and rebuilding the subconscious and memories of the brainwashed subject, it transforms a person into someone else entirely, from beginning to end!”
“More importantly, this technology is remodeling, not one-sided tampering, so it won’t damage their Gifted Talent.”
“What do you think? Not bad, right?” Dr. Forefinger arched an eyebrow.
“This is the help I can provide. Without damaging Xinglan’s talent, I can completely domesticate her. She’ll become one of ours, and she’ll be your most impressive trainee!”
Behemoth frowned. “I’ve never heard of this technology.”
As a commandant of the battle camp and a high-level member of the Saints’ hand society’s combat division, he had never heard of personality remodeling.
“It’s terrifying, isn’t it?”
“Naturally. After all, the mere existence of this technology would cause panic,” Dr. Forefinger chuckled. “That’s why even within the Saints’ hand society, this technology is top-secret!”
“Since it’s top-secret, do you have the resources and ability to complete it?”
It was undeniable that the moment Behemoth heard about this technology, he felt a flicker of fear. He was already beginning to believe the other man.
“I was the one who successfully replicated this technology! Forcing the activation of a Mental Brand just happens to be the perfect first step!” Dr. Forefinger said softly. “How could my efforts, my struggle, be dismissed just because of one stain?”
Just then, Xia Guang’s voice came through the earpiece. “Xinglan has been recovered. She will be transported back to the warship in 3 minutes.”
A visible flash of madness and innocence flickered in Dr. Forefinger’s eyes as he smiled slightly. “Naturally, because this technology —”
Behemoth paused for a moment and gave him a meaningful look. “Then what do you need?”
“Do you understand now?” Dr. Forefinger’s eyes widened suddenly, his gaze deepening. “I need you to help me distance myself from this incident.”
Behemoth remained silent for a few seconds before looking up at Dr. Forefinger. “Don’t disappoint me again. This is your last warning.”
“Understood.” Dr. Forefinger laughed. “I will present you and the Saints’ hand society with my greatest masterpiece!”
“Xinglan has been recovered. Prepare to begin, Doctor.”
*Beep, beep…*
Inside the Saints’ hand society’s spaceship, the blue-haired girl lay in the Treatment Capsule, receiving treatment with a tranquil expression.
Xia Guang stood beside the Treatment Capsule, her right hand resting on the glass lid, her mind wandering slightly.
She had seen this scene before.
The difference was that the boy who wasn’t afraid of her mental pressure and had always stayed by Xinglan’s side would never come again.
So, was all of this really worth it?
Xia Guang really wanted to ask Xinglan, but there was no longer an opportunity.
*Clack, clack, clack, clack…*
As the sound of Xia Guang’s footsteps faded into the distance, she thought, ‘Rest well. The challenge is only beginning.’
Inside the room, Yun Ruoxi finally had some space to herself where she could relax. While her physical body was “unconscious,” her spirit had been hiding in the System Space.
She didn’t think Xia Guang could see through her disguise, but since this was the harvest time she had waited three years for, she was unwilling to take even the slightest risk.
‘Is the challenge only beginning?’
Yun Ruoxi shook her head slightly.
‘I’ve been mentally prepared for a long time! Whatever challenge it is, bring it on. I won’t be afraid!’
‘Because… I have a massive amount of Popularity Points now!’
The corners of Yun Ruoxi’s mouth curled up slightly as she whispered:
“System Panel!”
She couldn’t wait to see exactly how much popularity her final curtain call had brought her.
However, after her words fell, the Panel did not appear. Instead, the system popped up a new notification.
**[Finalizing popularity settlement for the first season of 《Starfall》]**
*Flash!*
**[Settlement complete. Listing character popularity ranking.]**
The moment the notification appeared, an extremely long list manifested before Yun Ruoxi’s eyes.
Every character who had appeared in the first season, provided they had any screen time, was on the list.
But at this moment, the only thing that caught Yun Ruoxi’s eye was the familiar names of the top three.
**[《Starfall》 Character Popularity Ranking: First Season]**
**[NO. 1 Yun Ruoxi | Total Popularity: 5,150,000 (Episodes 1–10: 2,350,000; Episodes 11–20: 2,800,000)]**
**[NO. 2 Lin Zhen | Total Popularity: 2,590,000]**
**[NO. 3 Zi Jiu | Total Popularity: 1,980,000]**
“First… I’m first!”
The moment she saw the result, even though Yun Ruoxi had long been certain she would be first, she was still overwhelmed with emotion seeing the gap of 2,560,000 Popularity Points between her and Lin Zhen.
She shouted and laughed at the same time. Tears fell with a *patter, patter*, but she didn’t wipe them away.
“This is great! This is so great! I succeeded!”
This was not an emotion that could be forced through acting; it was joy and relief from the bottom of her heart.
Three years!
She had been acting for a full three years just for this moment!
This flower of popularity, which she had watered with tears, blood, pain, and joy, had finally blossomed!
Her efforts hadn’t been in vain. She had taken a firm first step on the path to resurrecting her family and seeking revenge!
‘Just you wait, Overlord. I will definitely kill you with my own hands!’
Yun Ruoxi clenched her fists with determination.
After her character went “offline” in the anime, she had been following the show, so she naturally didn’t miss the Overlord appearing in the post-credits scene.
The Overlord appearing nearby wasn’t in the Original Script. It was likely a Butterfly Effect caused by the significant changes she had made to the plot.
Fortunately, she had decided to stay at the battle camp. Otherwise, things would have been truly troublesome.
‘But what did the Overlord mean by those words…’
Yun Ruoxi looked at her right hand with confusion.
If there was anything on her body that matched “that thing” the Overlord mentioned, it could only be that unawakened Mysterious Bloodline.
But even if it were, what exactly was that contract?
Did her Yelan Family really have some sort of inexplicable relationship with the Overlord?
Yun Ruoxi pursed her lips.
Perhaps it was time to awaken that Mysterious Bloodline.
It wasn’t just to investigate the Overlord’s words, but also to build up more trump cards for the challenges ahead.
Neither the battle camp nor the Saints’ hand society would likely let her off easily.
She had openly helped Lin Zhen escape. Even if, according to the original plot, she was only supposed to be brainwashed, she still needed to show her “value” and prepare stronger anti-brainwashing measures just in case.
After all, her character in the original plot wasn’t nearly as dazzling as she was now.