Devil Path and the Road to Heaven

The Guiding Star shone.

In Ian's perception, from the distant end of time and space, the "Swarm Path Ian" linked to him sent back praise, positive feedback, and a follow-up report.

When Ian had awakened the Guiding Star, he had exchanged data with his counterparts on the Swarm Path and Spirit Calamity Path.

Besides giving the Swarm Path technical information on Artificial Souls, Ian had also provided a complete set of development recommendations.

Lie low, assimilate, develop in secret... The waters of Terra ran deep. Do not assume the Swarm could simply steamroll everything, or it would be steamrolled instead.

Hide among humans, subtly change their thinking, develop its own strength... Absorb those humans in despair and convert them into beings on its side. Then select outstanding individuals and spread them throughout human society, increasing its influence.

That was roughly it—Ian trusted that he would heed his own advice, and he also trusted that, after learning of Terra's horrors, his other self would certainly proceed with caution.

And that was indeed what had happened.

Most of the messages Swarm Ian sent were reports of victory.

Over the past year, Swarm Ian had not left Harrison Port. Since "Ian" was dead in public, none of the matters related to Ian had occurred afterward.

However, Swarm Ian had reconnected with Elan and, through Elan, established contact with Elder Pude once more.

Then, using the White Folk as his foundation and Artificial Souls as his starting point, Swarm Ian had cultivated a large number of core members among the White Folk.

These members could connect to the Swarm Network through their souls, trust and help one another, and under Swarm Ian's guidance, quickly locate schools of fish, find treasures in sunken ships beneath the sea, or discover undersea mineral veins and island sublimation