Chapter 1545 Heart of Darkness

After some tense work by the two autonomous machines, the "Heart of Darkness" and most of its neural fiber bundles were finally completely separated from the brain nucleus cavity. Except for the neural base, which still maintained connections with some key tissues inside the brain nucleus cavity, it could be said that most of the structure of this strange organism was now visible to everyone. As for the neural base – without analyzing the nature and working mechanism of the "Heart of Darkness," there was a great risk in rashly detaching it, so Hao Ren decided to leave it as it was for the time being.

Galia Zhuoer stood with Hao Ren in front of the Heart of Darkness, arms crossed: "What are your thoughts?"

"It looks like a contaminated and diseased brain nucleus, but it's connected to a normal brain nucleus… This is probably more than just a disease. Look at the shape of these neural fiber bundles, and the state of those tentacles around it. It feels like this thing is vying for dominance over Yggdrasil."

An autonomous machine floated over from the side, plunging its variable stinger into the epidermis of the "Heart of Darkness," and simultaneously inserting another stinger into the normal brain nucleus. After reading some superficial neural impulses, Hao Ren's conjecture was confirmed.

This diseased brain nucleus was indeed eroding the power of the healthy brain nucleus, and it wasn't just neural suppression: it was releasing a polluting substance similar to Origin Blood, constantly killing the tissue of the healthy brain nucleus. The battle between the two sides had certainly been going on for many years.

"An unprecedented phenomenon," even the Datapad couldn't help but exclaim. "The eldest son never gets sick – at least none of the eldest sons discovered so far have any lesions. Even those who went mad and became destroyers, they only had mental problems, and there were no changes in their physical structure. This physical, visually observable lesion confuses this unit."

"Can you check the pathogenic factors?" Hao Ren glanced at the Datapad.

"Efforts are being made to analyze it, but this unit is pessimistic," the Datapad shook itself. "You know, the eldest son's life form is too bizarre. It contains a massive amount of ecological evolution templates, so it can be said that any type of mutation that occurs in its 'cells' is normal, so it is difficult to determine the root cause and evolution of its lesions…"

As the Datapad spoke, it suddenly changed its tone: "Of course, it's not like there are no conclusions at all."

Everyone immediately focused their attention: "What conclusions?"

"The Heart of Darkness is probably the original brain nucleus," the Datapad said something shocking. "On the contrary, the one that looks healthy… it is the younger organ. That is to say… it is not the Heart of Darkness that is trying to seize control of Yggdrasil, but this healthy body."

Hao Ren's eyes widened instantly.

"Analyzing the 'age' of biological tissues is a very simple technique, so you don't need to doubt this unit's conclusions," the Datapad knew that this information was a bit stimulating, so it immediately emphasized its reliability. "This unit now has a guess…"

Everyone continued in unison: "What guess?"

"Let's not dwell on whether the eldest son can 'get sick.' Let's assume that it also has a chance of developing lesions, then it must have some kind of 'self-healing' function. If one of its brain nuclei develops lesions, and its body still can't clear this diseased brain nucleus, then how should it heal itself?"

Vivian understood what the Datapad meant: "You mean… it created another brain nucleus to attack the diseased organ?"

"This is a war," the Datapad floated up and down. "Of the immune system – although this thing's immune system is a bit big."

Hao Ren took a breath: "In any case, we need a treatment plan. Obviously, this diseased brain nucleus is the cause of Yggdrasil's corruption, so we have to solve it. Excision? Drug eradication? Physical therapy and chemotherapy? What method do you think will work?"

Galia Zhuoer's arm was once again covered with scales. She carefully poked at the neural fiber bundles between the Heart of Darkness and the healthy brain nucleus, her brow furrowed tightly: "To be honest, I think any treatment plan is too risky: this thing is completely integrated with the healthy tissue. I can feel it, not only physically, but also in the spiritual realm. I am worried that any form of stimulation will cause damage to the healthy tissue as well. Even the most precise scalpel has its limitations. The situation before us is too complicated."

Hao Ren stroked his chin and proposed an idea: "What do you say we just ask the patient what's going on?"

Galia Zhuoer was instantly stunned, but the others understood instantly. Vivian jumped up at the time: "Wait, this time it's too dangerous – this dark thing is fused with the healthy brain nucleus. Your mental connection might connect to who knows what!"

The Datapad also rushed to Hao Ren's nose: "This unit estimates that you will definitely take the risk yourself, and then this unit will try to persuade you, and then you will come up with a bunch of alternative plans that don't sound so dangerous, so we will be dubious after being fooled by you, and then you will say that you have additional safety measures and it sounds pretty good, and in the end, we will be bluffed and unable to find the north and nod in support – tell me, is this your routine?"

Hao Ren was stunned by the Datapad's burst of words: "I haven't said anything yet…"

"What exactly is going on?" Galia Zhuoer curiously looked at this group of strange guys. "Hao Ren, do you have any special means?"

"He has a inexplicable 'mental direct connection' talent," Vivian pointed at Hao Ren. "Of course, it's different from ordinary mental dialogue. He can directly connect his spirit to some special life forms in the Dream Plane. The roughly determined rule is that he can connect to the guardians created by the Creation Goddess. But this connection has no guarantee. Basically, every time he relies on a bodyguard standing next to him, and if the situation is not right, he will immediately knock him unconscious to ensure safety. To be honest, I think this method will cause problems sooner or later if it continues to be used like this."

"This is an interesting phenomenon," the Dragon Queen immediately showed an interested expression after hearing Vivian's words. "Establishing a mental connection with a specific creature – to be honest, this ability itself is not uncommon. There are countless worlds in the void, countless races, and no one can say for sure when they will suddenly connect to wifi with a certain race, but being able to connect with a demigod creature… this ability doesn't seem to be innate."

Hao Ren spread his hands helplessly: "I also know that my abilities are a bit strange. Our God has said that these abilities are mostly related to the Dream Plane, but she can't say exactly what the connection is."

"Okay, maybe our goddess has her own considerations," Galia Zhuoer said something that seemed to have a deeper meaning, and then she changed the subject. "Let's shift our focus back. Establishing contact with this Heart of Darkness is indeed quite dangerous, but I have something here that should be able to help."

Hao Ren was immediately aroused with curiosity: "What thing?"

Galia Zhuoer grabbed out of thin air and took out a small stone that emitted a faint golden light from her personal space. The stone was strangely shaped and the texture was like clear amber. Inside it was sealed a ball of light. When Hao Ren looked at the ball of light, he suddenly felt his entire mind was sucked into it, as if a drop of water fell into a vast and broad ocean, and it would be assimilated and swallowed at any time.

But this illusion-like feeling was fleeting. He felt a warm power permeate from his spiritual world, instantly calming him down.

Obviously, this was a powerful artifact, and it was very likely to be related to spiritual power. The veteran investigator with thousands of years of qualifications really had some heritage.

"What's this thing?" Lily's eyes lit up the moment she saw the stone. This wolf-girl who likes to collect all kinds of small stones can't move when she sees strange stones – of course, she has the same reaction when she sees bricks – and this glowing small stone naturally aroused her great interest.

"A treasure obtained by chance, the Mindflayer Soul Stone. You know the Mindflayers, right? Our Xi Ling God System's great goddess in charge of souls and minds, Her Majesty Sandora? Kaelver? Eurassis. Three thousand years ago, in the 'Spiral Rift' battle in the seventh quadrant of the void, the empire's most powerful mind attack ship, the 'Crystal Peak' planetary fortress, was damaged. The northern polar crust of the fortress was torn apart, and the starship fragments that burst out formed this substance called the 'Mindflayer Soul Stone.' Because the 'Crystal Peak' had been in contact with Her Majesty Sandora for many years, it was completely deified, and the Mindflayer Soul Stone possessed considerable spiritual power. For members of the Xi Ling God System, wearing it can effectively enhance their mental resistance. I think this thing should be useful at this time."

Hao Ren immediately took the stone carefully – but in fact, he didn't understand what Galia Zhuoer's background introduction meant, because so far his research progress on the *Investigator Theology Basics* (which is also called *Pope Crash Course* or *Coronation Sprint One Hundred Days* in some places) was still stuck on the cover. He had memorized the names of several bigwigs of the Xi Ling God System from other manuals as much as possible, but he was clueless about history… Not to mention, how would he know what the "Spiral Rift" battle was!

But this did not prevent him from feeling the powerful force from the Mindflayer Soul Stone.

After obtaining the artifact buff, Hao Ren's idea could finally be put into practice, and this time, no one raised any objections.

So he carefully wore the Soul Stone close to his body, and then carefully placed his hand on the surface of the healthy brain nucleus.

In the next moment, his consciousness sank into darkness, and a full-bodied voice came from across the sea of ​​spirit:

"You grandson! If you have the guts, come fight again today! Today, it's either me or you who dies!"