[Unknown Location – Deep East Longhai, beneath the 7th Industrial Block]
The air smelled of rust and violets.
She moved slowly, fingers tracing walls that still remembered her footsteps.
Qiao Liyuan—or what remained of her—stood alone in the heart of what had once been the WR-1 Lab Complex.
A lone monitor flickered to life as she approached. Old Circle sigils glowed faintly across the glass.
[PROJECT GHOSTLANTERN: Dormant Phase Terminated]
[KEY SUBJECT RELEVANCE: EXCEEDED THRESHOLD]
[ACTIVATE FINAL STAGE: YES/NO]
She hesitated.
Then typed: YES.
The screen dimmed. A second window appeared.
"Welcome back, Orchid Root."
"Final phase will initiate in 72 hours."
"Primary target: LIN FENG."
Her expression didn't change.
Only her eyes flickered—as if proud.
As if watching a child stand where none should have survived.
Meanwhile – West Longhai, Abandoned Maintenance Tunnels
Lin Feng's flashlight caught a nameplate under layers of soot.
WR-1 SECTOR // SUBTEST CELL D
[HANDWRITTEN]: "L.F."
The door creaked open. Inside, dust-covered puzzles still lined the walls. Hand-drawn cityscapes. Glass panels marked with child-height notations.
He stood still for a long time.
And then reached down into the corner, where a broken tile exposed a hidden cache.
Inside: a black audio tape, faded but legible.
He inserted it into Mouse's portable player. The voice that emerged chilled the room.
"Lin Feng. If you're hearing this, it means you've outrun the past I built for you."
"But don't misunderstand. I never wanted to destroy you."
"I wanted you to outgrow me."
"But I've returned now… because you did."
Su Qingyue stepped beside him, quiet.
"She doesn't sound like someone planning a reunion."
Lin Feng's face was unreadable.
"No," he said. "She sounds like someone building a final test."
Crimson Circle – Internal Report, Top Clearance Only
Xu Shanyue read the file marked "Final Directive: Orchid Reinstatement."
Guo Yuwei whispered behind her, "It's not just about Lin."
Xu nodded. "She built others."
"Failed prototypes?"
"No. Dormant seeds. Hidden in other cities. Waiting for him to succeed before they woke up."
Guo looked stunned. "You mean she didn't build a weapon. She built a… successor class?"
Xu's voice was barely audible.
"No. She built a dynasty."
End of Chapter 80 – Orchid Awakens