Chu Xuan was very pleased with Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan's performance. Both possessed not only strong soul power but also clever minds, making them ideal candidates to nurture. Since he could not permanently reside on Soul Star, he would definitely need a proxy to manage affairs on his behalf.

"The news of the Ascendant Faction's rise has been deliberately spread," Chu Xuan murmured, stroking his chin. He eagerly anticipated the moment when the two great kings would intervene.

...

In the underground city, Yun Qi and the other Ascenders returned to the palace. The queen, now old and wrinkled, yet still diminutive in stature, eagerly greeted them.

"Captain Long! How was the harvest this time?" the queen asked excitedly.

Yun Qi knelt on one knee, "The harvest was significant. We captured over a thousand soul beasts and acquired a large number of high-quality soul beast seeds."

The queen nodded solemnly, "Good! Very good! I have always said that the conflict between the Slaughter Faction and the Husbandry Faction is an excellent opportunity for the Ascendant Faction to rise. In time, we could stand equal to these two major factions and become the third great faction on Soul Star. Just wait a little longer, and we might even defeat the Slaughter and Husbandry Factions and rebuild our world!"

Her face flushed with excitement, and her eyes gleamed with the vision of ruling supreme. She took a deep breath and her gaze became frenzied, "Captain Long! By my command, continue to attack Slaughter Faction cities! Our next target is Black Tree City! I give you one year to organize a thousand great soul master troop!"

The Ascenders exchanged glances.

A year? A thousand great soul masters? They couldn't even muster a thousand soul masters in ten years, let alone one. Was the queen losing her mind?

After the battle at Grey Leaf City, nearly all of her staunch supporters were dead. The few that remained couldn't make much of a difference. The Ascenders standing here were already weary of the queen. Previously, they had been cautious because of her loyal supporters, but now they had a new backing.

Seeing the Ascenders not responding, the queen's expression turned sour. "Why are you all hesitating? Captain Long, do you have something difficult to say?"

Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan looked up at the queen. Yun Qi calmly stated, "Your Majesty, I am not Captain Long Yuan."

The queen was stunned. "Long Yuan, what madness is this? If you are not Long Yuan, who else could you be?"

"I am Yun Qi, captain of the Dark Cloud Squad," Yun Qi clarified.

Ma Nanshan grinned, "And I am Ma Nanshan. The very Ma Nanshan who was ordered by the queen to be executed by the Dragonfly Squad."

The queen was left speechless as Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan wiped away their facial disguises, revealing their true identities. The sight of those familiar faces struck terror into her heart as if she were seeing the dead rise from hell to claim her life.

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Yun Qi stated calmly, "The queen's orders are mistaken; the Dark Cloud Squad refuses to comply."

Ma Nanshan followed suit, and soon, other members of the Ascendant Faction echoed their sentiment:

"The queen's orders are mistaken! The Hundred Leaves Squad refuses to comply!"

"The queen's orders are mistaken! The Black Bird Squad refuses to comply!"

"The queen's orders are mistaken!..."

Each declaration was like a dagger to the queen's heart. At that moment, she felt as if the whole world was distancing itself from her.

Yun Qi, expressionless, declared, "The queen's mind is impaired. The Dark Cloud Squad has decided to respectfully ask the queen to retire to her chambers to rest."

"Does anyone object?" he asked.

Ma Nanshan was the first to respond, "No objections!"

The rest of the Ascenders quickly agreed, "No objections!"

Yun Qi, looking at the queen whom he had once served so loyally, said calmly, "Please, my queen."

The queen took a half step back, but then sneered, "I am still the monarch of the Ascendant Faction! Don't forget, I still command a powerful force!" With those words, she slammed a button under the armrest of her throne.

Suddenly, the ground shook, and behind the throne, layers of figures emerged. Upon closer inspection, these were all ghosts!

Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan recognized many of the figures. These were the pure soul people of Soul Star, the logistics staff who had served the Ascenders. Their souls had always been under the queen's control, and now she was unleashing them as a powerful force.

The queen cackled, "Take action! Why don't you move? Is it because these faces are familiar, and you can't bear to do it?"

Yun Qi clapped his hands lightly. Instantly, an overwhelming aura descended from the sky. In the blink of an eye, the modest palace was filled with ghosts, with dozens of them standing behind Yun Qi, towering and potent, their soul power robust. They had reached the level of Specter Kings!

The queen's eyes widened, and she was left utterly speechless, "This... this is..."

Yun Qi calmly declared, "They are just the ghosts of Soul Star's people, why hesitate?"

At his command, "Attack!" the Ghost Commanders and Ghost Generals sprang into action. The ghosts were swiftly torn into shreds and devoured in whole by the commanders and generals. In the blink of an eye, the queen found herself utterly alone.

The queen, eyes red with madness, shrieked at Yun Qi, "Yun Qi... Yun Qi... I will kill you... I will devour you!"

Ma Nanshan quickly stepped forward, "The queen is seriously ill; she is now speaking nonsense!" He called for assistance, "Someone, please escort the queen to her chambers immediately!"

Several Ascenders, who had formed bonds with them, promptly stepped forward and carried the queen away, her limbs flailing.

Yun Qi nodded slightly to Ma Nanshan in appreciation. The Ascenders present understood the situation and bowed respectfully to Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan.

Ma Nanshan then declared, "With the queen indisposed due to illness, the Ascendant Faction needs a new leader. I propose the creation of a general's position to command all Ascendant squads, with Yun Qi as our General."

"Under the General, we can establish positions like Vice General, Flank General, and Quartermaster, to be decided later by the Ascenders," he added.

Yun Qi nodded in agreement, "Good idea."

The Ascenders exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with understanding. Each of them was a powerhouse from their respective planets, selected for their strength and determination. Yun Qi and Ma Nanshan had been the strongest among them even before their supposed "deaths." Now, having "returned from the dead" and effectively sidelined the queen while commanding a powerful host of ghosts, they knew what needed to be done.

In unison, the Ascenders bowed, "We acknowledge General Yun!"

Yun Qi nodded slightly and began placing trusted individuals in various positions. The Ascendant Faction also had assets outside the palace, guarded by Ascenders who were staunch supporters of the queen. These assets needed to be reclaimed.

Once the Ascendant Faction was completely under control, Yun Qi planned to lead the troops granted by his master in a decisive strike!