37: Chapter 37 Shocking Change!! The Escaped Shapeshifter Queen

The afterglow of the setting sun slowly spilled over every corner of the North Star Military Academy. The whistle marking the end of the training exercise echoed in the air. Students from the Special Excellence Class walked in twos and threes towards the dormitory area, their faces still flushed with excitement from the intense battle.

"Li Yuan!"

Elia quickened her pace, her silver hair shimmering softly in the sunset light as she caught up to Li Yuan and Laya, who were walking ahead.

"Your Light Guardian is so useful! With it holding the front line, I could focus completely on preparing my ultimate move! Look how powerful it was, you saw it, thousands of Zerglings, in one go... Wahahaha!"

As she spoke, a hint of proud blush colored Elia's cheeks.

"It was indeed impressive," Li Yuan said with a smile, offering praise. "The Zerglings we encountered today were actually much stronger than the ones I faced on Edge No. 7. The bugs on Edge 7 were more like scattered stragglers, fighting on their own without any real coordination."

"That's not true at all!"

Laya immediately protested, as agitated as a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. Her golden hair glittered in the sunset as she planted her hands on her hips, wearing an expression that screamed, 'How dare you profane our heroic deeds!'

"How can you say that! Have you forgotten?" she began to describe vividly, complete with exaggerated gestures. "The types of bugs on Edge 7 were numerous, far more than just Zerglings. Like those hateful Roaches! They'd burrow underground when they couldn't win, then sneak back out when we let our guard down, their wounds mostly healed!"

She mimicked a Roach burrowing, then suddenly jumped up, making a face as if spitting venom. "And those Lurkers! Hiding hundreds of meters away underground, then suddenly spikes would erupt from the ground! If I hadn't reacted quickly, we would've been skewered!"

Laya grew more animated, gesturing wildly as she continued her performance. "The most hateful were those Fire Roaches! They actually threw fireballs from the sky, setting the whole ruins ablaze. Master and I hid in a corner, watching the flames shoot into the sky. That scene, tsk tsk tsk..."

She suddenly lowered her voice, adopting a mysterious expression. "And those Ultralisks... We only dared to glance at them from afar. Just the tremor from their footsteps made it hard for us to stand. So huge, with such thick carapaces, they were like moving mountains, their backs reaching above the clouds!"

Elia listened, enthralled. Her ice-blue eyes were fixed unblinkingly on Laya, reflecting tension and surprise with the tale. Gradually, the gaze she turned towards Li Yuan was filled with unconcealed admiration.

To survive in such a desperate situation, and to protect Laya and escape together—in her eyes, this was an almost unbelievable feat. She gently bit her lower lip, a complex light flickering in her eyes.

Laya, keenly sensing the change in Elia's gaze towards Li Yuan, immediately clung to his arm like a kitten guarding its food, practically hanging off him, and raised her delicate chin defiantly towards Elia.

Elia was taken aback for a moment, then a sly glint flashed in her eyes. She suddenly lunged at Laya, her hands aiming precisely for her waist.

"Ah! What are you doing!"

Laya shrieked, trying to dodge, but it was too late. Elia's fingers nimbly tickled her sides, provoking a series of silvery bell-like giggles.

"Hahaha... Let go... Elia, you're so mean!"

The two stunning girls immediately tumbled into a laughing, playful heap on the tree-lined path under the sunset. Laya's golden locks and Elia's silver tresses intertwined, shimmering enchantingly in the fading light. Their clear, melodious laughter attracted the gazes of many students passing by.

As they roughhoused, their training uniforms inevitably became somewhat disheveled, revealing glimpses of fair skin and graceful curves. The surrounding students unconsciously slowed their pace, secretly admiring the pleasing sight.

Li Yuan stood to the side, watching the two girls play and laugh. He shook his head helplessly, yet a gentle smile unconsciously tugged at the corner of his mouth.

...

Night, like soft black silk, slowly enveloped the entire North Star Military Academy. The dormitory area was brightly lit, with students either reviewing their lessons or relaxing. Everything seemed peaceful and tranquil.

Li Yuan was sitting at his desk, organizing his cultivation insights from the day. Faint sounds of Elia practicing her ice crystal control came from the next room, while Laya...

He turned to look at his bed. The golden-haired girl had somehow fallen asleep there, a sweet smile on her lips as if having a pleasant dream. Li Yuan tiptoed over, covered her with the blanket, and watched her unconsciously nuzzle the pillow in her sleep. A warm feeling welled up in his heart.

Just then, a piercing alarm sliced through the quiet night sky like a blade.

"Attention all students, attention all students. Return to your dormitories immediately. Do not go outside. Repeat, return to your dormitories immediately. Do not go outside."

The voice over the broadcast was urgent and serious. In the background, more alarms and hurried footsteps could faintly be heard. Commotion immediately broke out in the dormitory area. Students leaned out of windows, asking each other what was happening.

"What's going on?"

Elia rushed out of her room, her face still flushed from her recent cultivation session, her silver hair slightly disheveled. She wore only a thin nightgown, her lovely figure subtly visible under the light.

Li Yuan stood frowning by the window, his gaze grave as he looked towards the direction of the teaching area. The lights there were brighter than usual, and shadowy figures could be seen moving about.

"I'm afraid something has happened," he said, a note of worry in his voice.

Laya was also awakened by the alarm. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up in bed, her golden hair a messy cascade over her shoulders. "Master... what's happening?"

At that moment, their personal terminals vibrated simultaneously, receiving a new notification: All students who participated in the Zerg trial that day were to report to the teaching area square immediately.

By the time Li Yuan and the two girls reached the square, hundreds of students had already gathered. Each face bore confusion and unease as they whispered among themselves, speculating about the situation.

Instructor Zhou Cheng stood on the central platform with several other instructors, their expressions all grave. Alarmingly, they all held weapons, and some instructors even wore light combat armor.

Fully armed security personnel stood around the square's perimeter, vigilantly scanning the surroundings. The grim atmosphere made everyone hold their breath.

"Students," Zhou Cheng's voice, amplified, spread across the square, carrying an unusual seriousness. "I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. However, we have encountered a serious security incident."

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the faces below. "Just one hour ago, the academy was invaded by Zerg. A gatekeeper was killed."

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. Students looked at each other in disbelief.

"Quiet!" Zhou Cheng raised his voice, an undeniable authority in his tone. "From the incident footage, the attacker was likely a Zerg Queen."

This statement was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, stirring even greater waves. Fear appeared on the students' faces.

"We have checked the academy's Zerg inventory," Zhou Cheng continued, his voice cold. "One Zergling is missing from the practical training field. Initial assessment indicates that a Zerg Queen mimicked a Zergling, infiltrated the North Star Military Academy, and caused this homicide."

A holographic screen lit up above the square, beginning to play surveillance footage. The timestamp showed 10:30 PM at the academy's main gate, brightly lit. A girl in the academy uniform was talking to a gatekeeper.

She was an exceptionally beautiful girl with long, jet-black hair and delicate features. Even the blurry surveillance footage couldn't conceal her beauty. She seemed to be asking the gatekeeper to let her out, but he shook his head, clearly refusing her request—it was past curfew and the academy was closed.

Then, something shocking happened.

The girl took a small step forward, closing the distance with the gatekeeper. She looked up at him with large, tearful eyes, appearing pitiful, and softly said something. Then, she made a move that made every student gasp—

She slowly undid the collar of her uniform, revealing her fair neck and delicate collarbone. Her fingers lightly traced her own skin in a seductive motion. The buttons of her uniform were undone one by one, hinting at soft curves beneath.

The gatekeeper was clearly stunned. His Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously, and his eyes began to glaze over. The girl took the opportunity to move even closer, almost pressing against him. She raised a hand, gently touching the gatekeeper's cheek, and whispered something into his ear, her breath like orchid fragrance.

The gatekeeper's face flushed crimson, his breathing grew rapid. His eyes struggled, wavering between reason and desire. It was evident he was undergoing an intense internal conflict.

"No..." the gatekeeper's faint voice was barely captured by the audio. "School rules... can't..."

A flash of displeasure crossed the girl's eyes, but she quickly resumed her pitiful expression. She took the gatekeeper's hand and gently placed it on her waist, her body swaying slightly in an extremely seductive gesture.

The gatekeeper's hand trembled. He wanted to pull back, yet couldn't bear to part from the soft touch. His reason was being eroded bit by bit, his last defenses teetering under the beautiful girl's temptation.

Just as the gatekeeper was about to succumb completely, he seemed to suddenly snap awake. He jerked his hand back and took a step backward. "No... I can't!"

The girl's expression instantly darkened. In the next second, she struck—a precise chop to the side of the gatekeeper's neck. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

Then she tried to force her way through the gate but triggered the alarm when passing the turnstile.

"The energy detection system showed strong Zerg energy fluctuations within her body," Zhou Cheng explained coldly beside the screen.

In the footage, another gatekeeper came running at the sound. The girl attacked without hesitation. Her fingers transformed into sharp claws in an instant, easily piercing the gatekeeper's chest. Blood splattered across her beautiful face, yet she didn't even blink.

The entire process was clean and efficient. From knocking out the first gatekeeper to breaking through the gate and escaping, it took only fifteen seconds.

"After investigation, we have located the female student in the video," Zhou Cheng said, turning off the recording. The square fell deathly silent. "Her clothes were taken. She has no obvious physical injuries but shows signs of mental contamination."

The students below exchanged glances, fear evident on many faces. Some female students instinctively hugged their arms as if feeling a chill.

"The current situation is extremely dangerous," Zhou Cheng continued. "To prevent mental infection, all personnel who participated in practical combat exercises in recent days need to undergo mental screening."

He took a deep breath, as if weighing his words. "Queen-class Zerg have the instinct to absorb the genes of other lifeforms to optimize their swarm. They particularly enjoy seducing male intelligent beings, feeding on their brains and internal organs, and possess rapid reproduction capabilities. If it manages to hide within the city, the consequences would be unthinkable."

The square was utterly silent. Everyone was terrified by this possibility. The thought of a Zerg Queen capable of perfectly disguising itself as a human wandering the city, seeking its next victim, sent shivers down their spines.

"Currently, the city security department has cordoned off the relevant areas. However, we need the academy's assistance in the search operation," Zhou Cheng stated. "Detecting the target Zerg requires special equipment, which the North Star police lack in sufficient quantity. Therefore, the academy has decided to dispatch instructors and senior students to participate in the search. Additionally..."

He began calling names. "Chen Jingyi, your talent allows for rapid fabrication of detection equipment. You are requisitioned."

The black-haired girl nodded calmly, her face expressionless as if she had anticipated this outcome.

"Third-tier personnel and above may participate in the operation. Those willing to assist can register with me. Participants will receive trial points," Zhou Cheng announced.

Elia immediately straightened her posture, her ice-blue eyes shining with determination. "I'm willing to participate!"

"Granted, Aria. You and Chen Jingyi are classmates. You are responsible for protecting Chen Jingyi," Zhou Cheng agreed.

"Instructor, Laya and I have experience hunting Zerg independently, and we possess sufficient defensive and healing capabilities. We would also like to participate," Li Yuan requested.

Zhou Cheng had a distinct impression of this student who had carried a starship's main cannon during enrollment and whose summoned beast had led thousands of Zerglings around during the trial. "Granted. You and Laya will also be in Aria and Chen Jingyi's team, responsible for providing cover for Aria."

Besides the Special Excellence Class freshmen, many senior classes were also assembled. Volunteers came forward continuously as Zhou Cheng and the other instructors assigned personnel and formed groups.

"All other freshmen, the academy is temporarily closed. No one is permitted to leave," Zhou Cheng concluded. "Now, students whose names were called, proceed immediately to the equipment depot to gear up. Prepare for action!"

The night was deep. A dangerous search operation was about to begin.