The Void Broodmother

The Void Mother's countless compound eyes in her pupils stared down at the two humans who had suddenly intruded into her domain.

Though she didn’t know how they had discovered the coordinates of this place, one thing was certain—every living being that appeared here had only one fate… to become her nourishment.

"Crack—"

The surrounding cocoons began to split open one after another, her most loyal soldiers and children emerging from their shells.

The battle would surely be over soon.

The Void Mother lazily stretched and yawned.

Because of the one who had created her, her current form was that of a human.

As that one had said, since she was to be their blade, she couldn’t afford to appear unsightly in their eyes.

Suddenly, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted below.

The Void Mother’s eyes flickered with surprise—the intruder’s strength was beyond her expectations.

But she had no doubt her children would prevail.

After all, she was the ultimate weapon forged by that one’s own hands! In time, she would spawn the army meant to conquer other worlds!

It was just… that one hadn’t visited in a while, leaving her feeling somewhat bored lately.

But now, entertainment had come knocking at her door.

Seated upon a throne woven from pristine silk, the Void Mother leisurely crossed her snow-white legs, shifting into a more comfortable position as she prepared to enjoy the spectacle below.

Hmm… that young man was quite fierce, cutting through her forces with terrifying speed as he charged straight toward her throne.

Her children seemed unable to stop him…

Wait.

This wasn’t good at all!!!

Huh?!!

Just as the realization struck her, a fist came hurtling toward her face.

Her delicate features contorted under the impact, and her petite body was sent flying.

...

Fighting—pure exhilaration!

Xia Lun hadn’t felt this invigorated in ages.

Even a thousand years ago, by the time he turned ninety, he could no longer wield a sword steadily.

A battle like this, where he could unleash his full strength… it was something he hadn’t experienced in far too long.

Xia Lun’s fingers flexed, the joints letting out metallic rasps as his hand clamped down like steel pincers around the neck of a three-meter-tall scythe-clawed insectoid, its chest adorned with four pairs of massive blades.

Beneath the creature’s armored exoskeleton, bulging muscles snapped apart under Xia Lun’s grip, green blood dripping down his gauntlet. With a sickening crack, he wrenched the triangular, helmet-like head clean off its shoulders.

In one fluid motion, he twisted and hurled the severed head behind him—a sonic boom erupted as the grotesque projectile tore through several more insectoids like cannon fire.

Next, he tore off two of the creature’s forelimbs, wielding them like twin blades as he plunged back into the swarm, composing a symphony of slaughter.

The stolen scythes flashed in a blur of motion, each swing sending limbs and green ichor spraying through the air.

Brutality and beauty intertwined flawlessly in Xia Lun’s movements.

"Ah, Xia Lun… my Xia Lun…" Aina watched his figure from behind, her cheeks flushing as she pressed trembling hands to her face.

But then, as if catching herself, she gradually steadied, her gaze cooling—though a proud smile still lingered at the corners of her lips, as though admiring her finest masterpiece.

Xia Lun, lost in the heat of battle, didn’t notice Aina’s strange behavior.

Right now, even as a hero, he had no room for thoughts of morality. These creatures had attacked first—every last one of them was his enemy.

Each of these insectoids was formidable. If released into the outside world, any single one could match a high-tier warrior. The only reason the battle seemed so one-sided was simple—Xia Lun was just that strong.

He could feel it—the heart of the World Tree within his chest pulsed steadily, unwavering.

A single straight punch sent a cluster of insectoids exploding into bloody mist.

Yet, within the spatial nest, countless cocoons continued to spew forth an endless tide of chittering horrors.

Clearly, this nest’s structure was different from ordinary ones. The space here seemed layered—Xia Lun had already noticed that some cocoons, far too small to contain them, birthed insectoids many times their own size.

And despite the sheer force he was unleashing, the surrounding space remained unnervingly stable, showing no signs of collapse.

At this rate, the battle would never end.

He needed to drag out the mother.

Eyes of Insight—activate.

Almost instantly, Xia Lun detected an unusual presence—hidden high above, seated atop a mountain of stacked cocoons, shrouded in the void.

Found you.

Grinning, Xia Lun didn’t hesitate. He charged straight for her.

The twin scythes in his hands wove a deadly net of blade-light, transforming him into a meat grinder—any insectoid that approached was instantly reduced to pulp.

After carving through countless exoskeletons, the stolen blades finally shattered in his grip.

But by then, Xia Lun had already closed the distance to the Void Mother.

When he saw the slender, eerily familiar figure seated upon the silk throne, he froze for the briefest instant—but his fist had already lashed out on instinct.

A solid punch landed squarely on the Void Mother’s delicate cheek, sending her tumbling backward.

Standing atop the throne, Xia Lun blinked in mild surprise.

He hadn’t expected the mother of these monstrosities to take the form of a young girl.

Even more unexpected—her silver hair and crimson eyes bore an uncanny resemblance to Aina. If Aina claimed they were sisters, Xia Lun wouldn’t have doubted it.

In the end, he had held back slightly, stopping short of blowing her head clean off.

But she should be strong, right? She should’ve been able to react to his speed… so why hadn’t she dodged?

"Y-you wretched human!" The Void Mother clutched her face, her distorted features slowly reforming.

In moments, her beauty was restored—and now, Xia Lun could see the resemblance to Aina even more clearly.

But there were clear differences too. Her pupils were composed of countless tiny compound eyes, and from her lower spine extended four pairs of spear-like appendages.

"Do you have any idea who I am? How dare you do this to me!" The Void Mother pointed an accusing finger at Xia Lun, her voice shrill with indignation.

Xia Lun scratched his head awkwardly. With her looking like this, he really couldn’t bring himself to finish her off…

Still, subduing her first was necessary.

In the next instant, his figure vanished, reappearing behind her—his palm pressed calmly toward the back of her head.

But this time, things didn’t go as smoothly. The Void Mother reacted instantly, her spear-like limbs whipping around to stab straight for Xia Lun’s chest.