《Rise of The Demonic Emperor: Absolute Domination》 Prologue "Hah! After four years, this novel is finally complete. At least the ending was satisfying and didn¡¯t disappoint me. If only I could be in Lin Fan''s place, in a world where immortality is so easily possible... sigh." A man in his thirties sighed before a sarcastic smile appeared on his face at the irrationality of his thoughts. "Anyway, let''s see what we have here. Isn¡¯t this the little rat who dared to betray me?!" The man slowly stood up from the sofa, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Mmm, mmm..." A man, hanging by his wrists with iron chains and his mouth sealed with duct tape, began to whimper. Tears streamed down his face, and fear was clearly visible in his expression. "Well, why are you crying as if I¡¯m the one at fault? You knew from the beginning what the consequence of betrayal would be, didn¡¯t you, you scum?" said the man as he picked up the whip handed to him by his servant. "Finally, it¡¯s time for my favorite part ¡ª the torture session! We¡¯re going to have so much fun together!!" The man said, his smile widening into a crazed grin, as he swung the whip slowly toward the hanging man. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ... If you¡¯re wondering who this man is, he¡¯s Alex, one of the ten richest people in the world and the owner of the company that created the first virtual reality game. Everyone envies him and wishes to be in his place, but what people don¡¯t know is his tragic past that shaped his current personality ¡ª a mad and sadistic one. Alex''s parents died when he was four years old, and his uncle took him in from that day forward. The problem was that his uncle was a sadist who enjoyed torturing and humiliating others. Alex lived through a living hell as a child, enduring daily beatings from his uncle for no reason and facing constant humiliation. His uncle treated him like an animal, forcing him to bark like a dog and eat scraps off the floor. He suffered the worst childhood imaginable. However, he succeeded in life and exacted his revenge at the age of 18, finally experiencing freedom for the first time. By then, though, madness had already taken deep root within him. ''Hah, that was a little fun, but that scum gave up too quickly. Really?! Can¡¯t they even last half an hour? This is getting boring.'' Alex thought with disappointment as he walked out of his luxurious mansion without his guards. Suddenly, a sharp, piercing sound filled the air, and a bullet shot through Alex''s skull with incredible speed. ''Hah, wha...'' Alex couldn¡¯t finish his thought before he collapsed lifelessly, blood dripping from his head. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch1: The Beginning of the Demonic Emperors Journey Chapter 1: In the Forest of Magical Beasts, deep within a vast cave, a handsome young man with black hair and piercing red eyes stepped slowly through two towering gates, weathered by time, a subtle yet wicked smile curling on his lips. ''Two months have passed since I was reincarnated into this world. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would end up in my favorite novel, and who am I? The protagonist, Lin Fan.'' Lin Fan thought with a smile, reflecting on the sheer impossibility of his situation. ''The original protagonist was an incarnated being, one of the most powerful in the Upper World, known as the Immortal Emperor. Now, I am Lin Fan, the young master of the fallen Lin family. Luckily, after my reincarnation, I inherited all of his memories. So now, I possess all the original protagonist''s strengths, along with the advantage of future knowledge.'' Lin Fan moved slowly towards the wide cave entrance, his black attire hiding his well-defined, muscular body beneath. The moment Lin Fan stepped out, his powerful aura sent many first- and second-level magical beasts fleeing. Yet, a massive tiger advanced toward him without fear. In this world, cultivation levels are divided into the Body Tempering Realm, Qi Condensation Realm, Golden Core Realm, Nascent Soul Realm, and Spirit Transformation Realm. Each of these five stages corresponds to magical beasts ranging from level one to level five. "Perfect timing, you stupid tiger. Just in time for me to test my new powers on you," Lin Fan said with a wicked grin, stepping closer to the giant tiger. The tiger didn''t hesitate. It lunged at Lin Fan with incredible speed, claws outstretched. "Shadow Steps!" Lin Fan whispered as he easily dodged the tiger''s claws, swiftly shifting to the right as they passed by him. As the tiger hung in mid-air, Lin Fan coated his fist in brilliant blue flames, a bloodthirsty smile creeping onto his face. With a sudden lunge, he punched the tiger hard in the stomach, which attempted to dodge but failed miserably. "Graaah¡­" The tiger screamed in pain, flying backward, blood spilling from its mouth. The fur where Lin Fan struck it was burnt away, blood pouring from the wound. His fist had pierced deeply into the tiger''s stomach, leaving a small but gushing hole, exposing its charred internal organs.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. "What? Are you this weak? Come on, I still want to try my new flames, so let me hear your wonderful screams of agony!" Lin Fan said, his grin growing wider as he rushed towards the massive tiger. His bloodthirsty aura became stronger with every passing moment. "Graaah!!" The tiger roared in fury, but it stood frozen, unwilling to move as Lin Fan charged. Suddenly, it opened its mouth wide, and a hot crimson flame shot out at blinding speed, heading straight toward the advancing Lin Fan, giving him no time to evade. "What... you cunning tiger, I didn''t expect you to exploit my momentum like this!" Lin Fan said, a mixture of surprise and annoyance on his face at the tiger''s unexpected move. But he didn''t waste a moment. Summoning his blue flames, he formed a defensive wall in front of him to block the scorching crimson fire. ''Damn, if my strength hadn''t increased so much recently due to the Phoenix inheritance, I would have suffered greatly from this tiger. Even though it''s just a third-level magical beast, I still lack so much combat experience.'' Lin Fan thought, both frustrated and aware, as he poured all his energy into his blue flame barrier, blocking the crimson flames from causing him any harm. The ground cracked beneath them, and all the grass and trees around Lin Fan and the giant tiger were scorched by the fierce clash of their flames. Even a few magical beasts that remained in the area started fleeing in terror to save themselves. After nearly ten seconds of continuous flame bombardment from the tiger, it finally stopped, slowly closing its mouth. Its aura began to weaken, indicating that it had expended a tremendous amount of Qi during that relentless flame barrage. Feeling the pressure lift, Lin Fan immediately dispelled his defensive flame wall. A crazed smile spread across his face as he thought, Finally! "I underestimated you, tiger. I''ll admit that. But this has opened my eyes to how much I still need to learn about fighting, which is good. However, you''ve made me angry, and that was a mistake you should never have made!!" Lin Fan''s voice gradually grew louder until it became a shout. With fury written all over his face, he rushed toward the tiger again, using his Shadow Steps at the end of his sentence. But he didn''t repeat his previous mistake. Now, he zigzagged as he charged, refusing to charge in a straight line recklessly. Finally, reaching the tiger, Lin Fan leaped and landed a devastating kick directly to its chin. The tiger tried to evade, but its massive size made it too slow. Lin Fan''s foot connected with the tiger''s jaw with overwhelming speed. "This is your punishment, you bastard!" Lin Fan shouted as he relentlessly lifted his foot higher, not stopping until the tiger''s jaw began to crack slowly. ''broke!'' Lin Fan thought, a vengeful grin spreading across his face as he poured more Qi into his leg, lifting it with all his strength, relying purely on his brutal physical force. "Crack!!" A loud, sickening sound filled the air, followed by a terrifying scream from the tiger as it spun through the air several times before crashing onto its back with a thunderous impact from Lin Fan''s brutal kick. "Well, now that the battle is over, it''s time to enjoy myself, you cunning tiger, right? I''ll make you taste the joy of my whips!" Lin Fan said with a sadistic smile as he pulled a black whip from his spatial ring, stepping slowly toward the helpless tiger, fear evident in its eyes. ''Wait for me, Xiao Mi. I''ll be there soon, but first, I need to enjoy myself and improve my mood.'' Lin Fan thought with a sadistic grin, his whip swinging toward the helpless beast. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch2: Soaring Toward New Prey Chapter 2: After nearly three hours of relentless torture, Lin Fan finally ended his session with a satisfied grin. "I feel refreshed. This is the first time since my reincarnation that I¡¯ve faced such a strong opponent. Even though it was just a mere beast, torturing it filled me with an overwhelming thrill. Hah, I can¡¯t wait to torture even stronger opponents!" Lin Fan thought, a sadistic, wicked smile spreading across his face. His bloodlust grew stronger, sending shivers throughout his body. "Reincarnating into this world is truly the best thing that could¡¯ve ever happened to me. Here, with enough power, I can achieve anything I desire¡ªimmortality and absolute dominion over everyone!! No one can stop me from realizing my dreams! Hahaha!" Lin Fan placed his hand over his face as his grin widened, losing himself in wild fantasies of greatness and the terrified, pleading gazes of others. After indulging in his imagination for a few moments, Lin Fan finally snapped back to reality, his thoughts turning sharp and focused. "Alright, I need to concentrate on overcoming the obstacles in this empire first. My dreams are still far away, but in this empire, I can build the perfect foundation for myself¡ªperhaps even better than the original protagonist. That¡¯s why I can¡¯t let my guard down. I need to carefully plan every single step." Lin Fan thought logically, brushing aside his idle fantasies. "Now then, let¡¯s take the first step toward conquering this small empire¡ªoff to Beast City!" Lin Fan whispered to himself as dazzling blue wings emerged from his back. Without hesitation, he soared into the skies, speeding toward his next destination¡ªBeast City. --- Beast City¡ªa city named for its proximity to the empire¡¯s most famous forest, the Magical Beast Forest¡ªwas alive with celebrations. Laughter and cheerful voices echoed everywhere, filling the streets with excitement. The festivities were in honor of the wedding between Xiao Mi, the third young lady of the city¡¯s ruling family, and Yu Ming, a renowned genius and the only son of the sixth elder of the Yu family¡ªone of the seven great clans in the Golden Dragon Empire. "Xiao Mi is so lucky. She managed to marry one of the most famous geniuses in the empire, and he¡¯s even from the Yu family!" one passerby whispered to the woman beside her, her voice tinged with envy. "They¡¯re such a perfect match¡ªthe most beautiful woman in Beast City and the daughter of a first-rate family, paired with a genius from the Yu clan and the son of one of their elders. No one could ask for a better pair," another bystander commented in admiration, marveling at how well-suited the couple seemed. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Meanwhile, Lin Fan finally landed near the city¡¯s entrance, retracting his wings before walking toward the gate. A long line of people waited to enter Beast City, guarded by two men collecting entrance fees and maintaining order. Naturally, Lin Fan had no intention of standing in line. He walked directly toward the gate without hesitation. "Stop! Get in line and wait your turn if you want to enter the city. If you refuse, we¡¯ll be forced to take action!" one of the guards barked at Lin Fan, his strength appearing to be at the early stages of the Qi Condensation Realm. "Ugh, how annoying... here, take this." Lin Fan tossed a gold coin toward the guard with utter indifference and continued walking. "Ah... uh... my apologies, young master! Please, go right in!" The guard caught the gold coin with a delighted expression and hurriedly stepped aside, bowing respectfully while trying his best to offer a flattering smile. After all, the entrance fee was just a single silver coin, and a gold coin was worth 100 silvers. "Disgusting," Lin Fan thought in disdain as he entered the city. The people in line began murmuring complaints, but none dared to act. None of them were wealthy enough to throw away a gold coin just to skip a queue. "Good. It looks like I arrived just in time. I¡¯m looking forward to the fun that¡¯s about to unfold. Hahaha!" Lin Fan smirked as he made his way toward the wedding hall, learning its location from the excited chatter of passersby heading there. --- The wedding hall was an enormous, luxurious venue¡ªgrand enough to accommodate thousands of guests without issue. Long tables lined the sides, covered with exquisite dishes and rare beverages. Inside, hundreds of people filled the hall. Even the weakest among them were at the mid-levels of the Qi Condensation Realm, highlighting the high status and strength of the attendees. At the center of the hall were two ornate thrones, symbolizing the highest authority and power among the guests. Two elderly men occupied these thrones. One was Yu Kuan, the sixth elder of the Yu family, and the other was the head of the Xiao clan, Xiao Mi¡¯s grandfather. At that moment, the bride and groom entered, dressed in lavish attire. They walked slowly, hand in hand, as thunderous applause erupted from the guests inside and even from the crowds outside the hall. The doors had been left open, allowing everyone to witness the joyous occasion. The bride, Xiao Mi, had long black hair and a delicate frame. Her angelic beauty captivated everyone, earning her the title of one of the most beautiful women in the empire. The groom, Yu Ming, had slightly long brown hair, a chiseled, muscular body that radiated strength, and a handsome face brimming with confidence. A lustful glint filled his eyes as he gazed at Xiao Mi. As for Xiao Mi, although her face appeared calm, her heart was heavy with despair. "All my attempts to escape have failed. It seems my fate has already been decided¡ªto become the wife of this man, Yu Ming." Her thoughts reflected her deep sorrow. She had tried countless times to flee this arranged marriage, but her family always stopped her. The benefits of forming ties with the Yu family were simply too great, and they couldn¡¯t refuse even if they wanted to. Despite Yu Kuan sitting beside the Xiao clan leader as though they were equals, their power and status were vastly different. Although both were in the Nascent Soul Realm, the Xiao clan leader was only at the first stage, while Yu Kuan was at the third. The gap in strength between each stage was massive, not to mention that Yu Kuan possessed far superior combat techniques. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch3: The Disruptor of Weddings Chapter 3: Meanwhile, after the couple''s entrance, Lin Fan had reached the grand banquet hall, where the enormous crowd made it impossible to see what was happening inside. ''Finally, I''ve arrived. It''s time to execute my plan, and I will enjoy every moment of it.'' Lin Fan licked his lips with a wicked smile as he spread his blue wings once again. ''These wings are truly useful. No one except those in the newborn spirit realm can fly, but this solves the problem. The Phoenix heritage is amazing¡ª the strongest flames and wings, and the secret technique for controlling fire. Future knowledge is truly something incredible!'' Lin Fan thought, marveling at the wings as he flew over the crowd''s heads. "W... What? How can this boy fly?!" One of the guards stammered in shock as he watched Lin Fan soaring towards him, unable to comprehend how someone like Lin Fan could be flying. "All the invited guests have arrived, so perhaps this young man is here to cause trouble. I''ll go inform the head of the guards. Try to keep him here and don¡¯t let him enter the hall." One of the guards whispered to the one next to him, then quickly turned and ran at full speed, leaving his comrade to face the danger alone. "You! Don¡¯t leave me alone..." The guard didn¡¯t finish his sentence before Lin Fan gracefully landed in front of him, a friendly smile painted on his face, though his overwhelming aura told a different story. "Hello, I¡¯ve come to surprise Mr. Yu Ming, so I¡¯m a little late. I don¡¯t think this will be a problem for you, right, my friend?" Lin Fan patted the guard¡¯s shoulder casually, but his oppressive aura conveyed something entirely different. "H... Haha, of course, there¡¯s no problem, young sir. P... Please feel free to enter, since you know Mr. Yu Ming personally." The guard stammered, overwhelmed by Lin Fan''s crushing pressure, stepping aside without hesitation, without even confirming whether Lin Fan was telling the truth. ''Good, at least a smart one. I don¡¯t like fools.'' Lin Fan thought as he slowly walked inside, the grand hall unfolding before his eyes. At that moment, Yu Kuan had risen from his seat and began delivering a speech to all the guests before the wedding ceremony was to be completed. "Welcome, everyone! I¡¯m incredibly happy and proud to have all of you here for my beloved only son, Yu Ming''s wedding. I¡¯m also thrilled to be able to form a bond with the powerful Xiao family and strengthen our ties with my dear brother, Xiao Zhan, through this marriage. My dear Xiao Mi is truly the perfect partner for my son¡ªbeautiful, talented, and possessing all the best qualities. I wouldn¡¯t want any other woman as a wife for my only son." Yu Kuan said with a wide smile, his immense happiness apparent.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. However, he didn¡¯t finish his speech. He paused and his gaze shifted to Lin Fan, who was walking slowly through the hall. Everyone''s attention began to shift toward him because of his sudden, disrespectful entrance into the middle of the ceremony. "Who is this boy? How dare he enter so rudely without any regard for us?" One of the guests whispered to the person beside him, his tone full of disbelief and disdain for Lin Fan. "I don¡¯t know, but judging by his aura, he¡¯s only at the seventh level of Qi Condensation. So if he doesn¡¯t have a valid reason for his actions, he will surely be punished by Mr. Yu Kuan." The other guest responded thoughtfully, analyzing the situation. Lin Fan didn¡¯t care about the whispers from the people seated on the sides and continued walking slowly toward the couple. Yu Ming¡¯s face showed anger at Lin Fan interrupting his wedding, while Xiao Mi seemed only confused, thinking ¡®Who is this boy? How can he not acknowledge the sixth elder? Hmm, someone is going to die because of their ignorance.¡¯ When Lin Fan got closer to Yu Ming and Xiao Mi, his eyes were fixed solely on Xiao Mi, scanning her from head to toe with a lascivious gaze. Before anyone could say a word, Lin Fan grinned lecherously and said, "You must be Xiao Mi. No wonder your beauty is famous enough to be ranked among the most beautiful in the empire. You truly deserve every compliment said about you, and even more." Everyone was shocked at how shamelessly Lin Fan spoke to Xiao Mi in front of her soon-to-be husband, with a lascivious look that no one could miss. Xiao Mi was taken aback by Lin Fan''s words at such a time, feeling disgusted by his gaze. She wasn¡¯t unfamiliar with such looks or comments and despised those who gave them, including her husband Yu Ming. "You bastard! How dare you interrupt my wedding and speak to my wife like that?!! You will die today by my hand, and I will make sure your flesh is fed to the dogs!" Yu Ming yelled furiously, veins bulging on his forehead as his aura flared and continued to grow. "Oh, you¡¯re in the sixth stage of the Golden Core realm? Not bad, not bad at all!" Lin Fan said, his expression showing no fear at all, before his smile twisted into one that was both terrifying and maniacal as he added, "But did you just say you¡¯ll feed my flesh to the dogs? I hope you keep your word, or I¡¯ll be the one to do it!" Before things could escalate further, the sixth elder, Yu Kuan, shouted loudly, "Enough, Yu Ming! This is an important day for you, how can you dirty your hands with such a pest? Let the guards deal with it." "Yes, you¡¯re right, father. It¡¯s just a pest. Huff... Guards! Take this bastard away and imprison him, quickly!!" Yu Ming tried to regain his composure after his father¡¯s words, then immediately ordered the guards to act. Just as Yu Ming''s shout echoed through the hall, the guard who had said he would inform the head of the guards arrived, running with a group of guards and their leader. They surrounded Lin Fan. "Young man, it¡¯s better if you surrender peacefully, so we don¡¯t have to use force." The middle-aged man, who appeared to be the head of the guards, said. His aura indicated that he was at the beginning stages of the Golden Core realm. "Alright, let the show begin, enjoy the performance everyone. On three, one, two, three!!" Lin Fan spread his arms and shouted, as if he were about to present a show, then, upon reaching the count of three, he launched himself at a random guard with a maniacal laugh, his actions matching his insane demeanor. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch4: Birth of a Massacre Chapter 4: Whoosh!! Lin Fan shot toward a random guard with a wicked grin stretched across his face. His blinding speed sent waves of panic through the guards, especially the one in his direct path. To them, it was as if he vanished and reappeared in an instant. "Boo!" Lin Fan sneered like a monster playing with its prey as he appeared beside a trembling guard. The man''s face contorted in terror at Lin Fan¡¯s sudden arrival. "He''s too fast! I have to escape! Yes, the captain will save me!" the guard thought in desperation as he turned to flee toward the captain. Bang!! A thunderous punch echoed through the hall. The guard¡¯s expression froze in despair as blood slowly seeped from his mouth, forming a thin, unending stream. Despite his attempts to run, he stood no chance. Lin Fan¡¯s fist had torn through his chest like a blade through paper. Blood sprayed in all directions as Lin Fan withdrew his hand, leaving behind a gaping hole where the man¡¯s heart once was. "Ahh, this feeling... it¡¯s exhilarating! And the scent of blood... I love it!! I crave it!!" Lin Fan¡¯s grin widened, his eyes glowing with unrestrained madness. "Hahaha! Amazing! How I love this crimson rain and the despair in your eyes!" Lin Fan¡¯s laughter echoed hysterically as he licked the blood dripping from his fingers. His eyes turned an even darker shade of red as he lunged at another trembling guard. "H-he¡¯s insane! Completely insane! S-someone save me!!" One of the guards screamed, his voice cracking as he turned and fled, abandoning the formation. His leather armor barely slowed him down in his frantic escape. The ground cracked beneath Lin Fan¡¯s feet as he charged forward, kicking another guard square in the face. The sickening snap of a breaking neck resounded, sending the man¡¯s head snapping backward as his lifeless body crumpled to the floor. The blood-soaked wedding hall was no longer a place of celebration. It had become a slaughterhouse. The once joyous air was now choked with the thick stench of blood, and crimson mist hung over the corpses piling up across the room¡ªbodies twisted, mangled, and left in unspeakable conditions.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. The origins of Lin Fan¡¯s madness traced back to his uncle¡ªthe one who had planted this thirst for blood and suffering deep within his bones. Lin Fan¡¯s childhood was nothing but torment and submission, treated as nothing more than a pathetic, groveling animal. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan, the head of the Xiao Clan, stood frozen. His face darkened as the nightmarish scene unfolded before him. The suffocating scent of blood filled his lungs. "This is shameful. A disgrace to my clan!" Xiao Zhan¡¯s thoughts burned with rage as he clenched his fists. "An unknown brat crashes my granddaughter¡¯s wedding and slaughters my guards? I need to end this¡ªquickly¡ªbefore this turns into a scandal!" Now, only the captain of the guards remained standing against Lin Fan. The others were either corpses, trembling wrecks on the verge of death, or lucky enough to have escaped by the skin of their teeth. "This boy... he¡¯s terrifying. Despite his low cultivation level, he¡¯s a monster. But he must have burned through most of his energy fighting this many guards. I just need to hold out... I can outlast him¡ªfor the Xiao Clan!" The captain braced himself, eyes sharp and filled with resolve. He darted toward Lin Fan¡¯s back, hoping to land a fatal strike while Lin Fan was distracted with a dying guard. But Lin Fan turned his head suddenly, locking eyes with the captain. That same crazed grin stretched across his face. With a loud snap, he twisted the neck of the guard he was torturing, letting the lifeless body slump to the floor. The chilling crack of bone sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. "Damn it, this monster... He¡¯s completely deranged! But I can¡¯t falter. Even if it costs me my life, I¡¯ll protect the honor of the Xiao Clan!" The captain¡¯s hesitation vanished, replaced by unyielding determination. He sprinted forward, sword gleaming with deadly intent, ignoring the screams of his scattered men. "Blade Slash!" He roared, unleashing a powerful, crescent-shaped blue slash toward Lin Fan. Yet, to everyone¡¯s horror, Lin Fan didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, Lin Fan clenched his fist and smashed it directly into the incoming attack. Boom!! The slash shattered like fragile glass, scattering harmlessly in all directions. Lin Fan stood unharmed, his expression filled with disdain. "The Azure Dragon Technique truly is formidable. Even at its first stage, my body can rival someone at the Nascent Soul realm." The captain had anticipated the attack¡¯s failure. He had no illusions about defeating Lin Fan head-on. The slash was merely a diversion as he charged forward. Appearing suddenly in front of Lin Fan, the captain drove his sword toward Lin Fan¡¯s neck with deadly precision. But Lin Fan had expected this. Clang! With his bare hand, Lin Fan caught the blade mid-swing, stopping it cold. Gasps filled the hall. The spectators¡¯ eyes widened in disbelief. Then, before the captain could react, Lin Fan slammed his left fist into the man¡¯s stomach. Crack! The captain¡¯s body bent backward unnaturally. His eyes bulged, and blood spurted from his mouth. Bones shattered, and organs ruptured under the devastating force of the punch, launching him across the hall. His broken body crashed into the wall with such force that cracks spread outward like spiderwebs. Blood trailed behind him, marking the path of his flight. Before Lin Fan could even savor his effortless victory over the guard leader, a powerful kick struck his side, launching him through the air. He crashed into several tables before slamming into a wall and finally collapsing to the ground. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch5: Endless Conflicts Chapter 5: The wall cracked severely from the powerful impact of Lin Fan¡¯s strike, resembling a spiderweb in the vastness of the fractures. As for Lin Fan, he had no time to rise. He quickly rolled to the left, narrowly avoiding another kick aimed at his head. The man¡¯s foot sank deeply into the ground, showing the immense power behind that kick. ¡®Damn, what a fool I am. Did I really expect to fight them head-on without accounting for a surprise attack? I still lack so much experience!¡¯ Lin Fan thought self-deprecatingly as he quickly got to his feet, now more focused and ready for battle, a trickle of blood visible on the side of his mouth. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect you to be such a coward, old man. To launch a surprise attack on someone of my generation, are you really the future patriarch of the Xiao Clan?¡± Lin Fan taunted the man who attacked him, wiping the blood from his mouth, a sneer on his face. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business, scum. Anything goes in battle, and I won¡¯t let someone like you ruin my daughter¡¯s wedding and humiliate my family. You¡¯ll have to step over my dead body first!¡± Xiao Ming shouted in furious rage. How could he not be angry? What should have been the happiest day of his life had turned into chaos because of the young man standing before him. He couldn¡¯t swallow that and remain calm, even if he were a saint. ¡°Father! Be careful! This young man seems really strong!¡± Xiao Mi called out worriedly, looking at her father. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Xiao Mi. I¡¯ll put an end to this scoundrel¡¯s life, trust me,¡± Xiao Ming replied with a reassuring smile, confidence in his voice. Clap! Clap! Clap! Lin Fan clapped enthusiastically. ¡°What a touching display between a father and his daughter. I feel like tears are about to fall from my eyes.¡± He said sarcastically, pretending to wipe away nonexistent tears, mocking Xiao Ming to the fullest. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡®This scoundrel!!¡¯ Xiao Ming thought, seething with anger. His veins bulged on his forehead, and he looked as if he might explode from the intensity of his rage. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you, you scoundrel!!¡± Xiao Ming screamed as he charged toward Lin Fan, his eyes radiating murderous intent, displaying his vast combat experience and the fury that drove him. ¡°Hahaha, I hope all of this isn¡¯t just empty words. I look forward to seeing you beg me like a dog while I torture you, old man!¡± Lin Fan shouted back at Xiao Ming, his enjoyment clear, as their fists collided with immense force in the air. As the battle between Lin Fan and Xiao Ming began, worry was still evident on Xiao Mi¡¯s face. She turned her gaze toward her grandfather¡¯s seat, where anger was also clear on his face. However, he gave her a reassuring look, signaling that everything was under control. ¡®This crazy young man is strong. Grandpa will definitely intervene if things take a bad turn and my father¡¯s life is in danger, but still, it¡¯s risky. I need to have Yu Kuan step in to ensure my father¡¯s safety.¡¯ Xiao Mi thought, her concern for her father persistent, her eyes now resolute, as if she had made a decision. She then released Yu Ming¡¯s hand and moved closer to him, their bodies brushing together before she gently and lovingly embraced him. ¡°Darling, my father is in danger right now. Please tell Mr. Yu Kuan to intervene, and that way, we¡¯ll be able to finish our wedding and our happiness quickly, my dear.¡± Xiao Mi tried to say this to Yu Ming with as much love and tenderness as possible. She wasn¡¯t accustomed to such things, so she didn¡¯t know if she had done it well. ¡°Y¡­ Yes, my dear. I¡¯ll tell my father right away, and he¡¯ll take care of this scoundrel. Don¡¯t worry about Uncle at all.¡± Yu Ming said, stuttering in surprise, as he wrapped his arms around Xiao Mi and embraced her passionately. Xiao Mi had never acted like this with him before, never drawn close to him. She had always been distant, and this was the first time she called him something other than his name. ¡°Thank you, my dear.¡± Xiao Mi said, her love seemingly fake as she kissed Yu Ming on the cheek, her face turning bright red from embarrassment. ¡®This is necessary, Xiao Mi. I have to go through with it, I have to go through with it,¡¯ Xiao Mi thought, trying to convince herself of how crucial this was, while feeling embarrassed and disgusted at the same time. Yu Ming stood frozen in place after Xiao Mi kissed him, disbelief written all over his face. ¡°H... Okay, my dear, no need to thank me. I¡¯ll go tell my father right now.¡± Yu Ming said after a moment, snapping out of the sweetness of the kiss, before quickly heading toward his father, a wide smile on his face. It seemed that Xiao Mi¡¯s change in treatment had made him forget the chaos at his wedding. ¡®Hah, it¡¯s fine, Xiao Mi. He¡¯ll be my husband in the end. The most important thing is ensuring my father¡¯s safety and keeping him alive.¡¯ Xiao Mi sighed, trying to forget what she had just done, but her face was still red, and it seemed she couldn¡¯t forget. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch6: Unexpected Offer Chapter 6: While all this unfolded, the battle between Lin Fan and Xiao Ming raged on. The spectators'' eyes remained locked on the fight, still filled with disbelief at Lin Fan¡¯s overwhelming strength despite his young age. ¡°This young man seems to have the upper hand against Mister Xiao Ming. Could his strength actually rival the Nine Prodigies of the Empire?¡± one spectator whispered, his voice tinged with doubt, as though he couldn¡¯t believe his own words. ¡°No way. He¡¯s strong, but not that strong. The Nine Prodigies are already in the Nascent Soul Realm. How could he possibly compare to them?¡± another replied, shaking his head and dismissing the idea outright. Suddenly, a figure shot through the air, crashing into the ground with a thunderous boom. The earth, already scarred with cracks and craters, trembled from the impact. A cold sweat trickled down one spectator¡¯s back as he imagined what would have happened if that body had hit him instead¡ªat the very least, several bones would¡¯ve been shattered. The figure on the ground was none other than Xiao Ming. Bruised and bloodied, he struggled to push himself up. Though his injuries were severe, none appeared life-threatening. ¡°Hah... You were a decent warm-up, old man. But now... it¡¯s time for the real fight.¡± Lin Fan spoke calmly as he cracked his knuckles. Only a few faint bruises marred his body, barely noticeable. His sharp gaze shifted toward Yu Quan, who returned the look with an icy glare. ¡°W-what?! Warm-up?!¡± Xiao Ming¡¯s voice trembled with disbelief and rage. ¡°How dare you belittle me like that, you brat?! I¡¯m not done yet!¡± ¡°Xiao Ming! Stand down.¡± Yu Quan¡¯s voice cut through the air like a blade, leaving no room for argument. ¡°You¡¯re no match for this boy¡ªand neither is Xiao Zan. I¡¯ll handle him myself.¡± He turned to his son, Yu Ming, and gave him a slight nod before slowly rising from his seat. Yu Ming clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms until blood began to seep out. Reluctance was written all over his face, but in the end, he bowed his head and stepped back under the watchful eyes of the crowd.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. ¡°Father... thank you,¡± Yu Ming whispered softly to Yu Quan before turning his gaze toward Lin Fan. With a smug grin, he shouted, ¡°Your end is near, arrogant fool! My father will crush you effortlessly. Don¡¯t even think about running. And after he¡¯s done, I¡¯ll make sure your corpse is fed to the dogs. Not a single piece of you will remain intact. Prepare yourself!¡± ¡°Oh? And who¡¯s saying that?¡± Lin Fan smirked mockingly. ¡°Didn¡¯t you just claim you¡¯d handle me yourself a moment ago? Why is it your father who¡¯s stepping in now? Don¡¯t tell me... you¡¯re admitting your weakness, genius?¡± ¡°You¡ª!!¡± Yu Ming¡¯s fists trembled with fury, but he couldn¡¯t retort. His inferiority to Lin Fan was glaringly obvious, and any excuse he offered would only make him look more pathetic. ¡°Don¡¯t waste your breath, my son.¡± Yu Quan¡¯s voice was calm and steady, yet carried an undeniable authority. ¡°In the end, history only remembers the victors. Many so-called geniuses have risen in the past¡ªonly to fall because of arrogance and recklessness. The ones who survive are those with both strength and wisdom. Keep that in mind and don¡¯t act rashly.¡± Without sparing his son another glance, Yu Quan began walking toward Lin Fan, his pace deliberate and unhurried. ¡®Yu Quan... his strength may not stand out much, but his intelligence and cunning make him a terrifying opponent,¡¯ Lin Fan thought, his eyes meeting Yu Quan¡¯s unflinching gaze. ¡®He¡¯s said to be one of the sharpest minds in the empire. What¡¯s even more dangerous is that a man like him has no regard for honor, dignity, or morals. His only priority is survival.¡¯ Lin Fan analyzed the situation carefully, recalling how, in the original story, Yu Quan had shamelessly begged the protagonist for mercy and even offered to become his follower. If not for the protagonist¡¯s deep grudge, he might have accepted someone as resourceful as Yu Quan. ¡®To make him my ally, all I need to do... is defeat him.¡¯ Lin Fan¡¯s lips curved into an odd smile as Yu Quan finally came to a stop in front of him. ¡®This fight is going to be... interesting.¡¯ But just as Lin Fan braced himself for battle, something unexpected happened. Yu Quan showed no intention of attacking. Instead, he spoke with a calm smile: ¡°Young man, I¡¯ve never heard of anyone like you before. I can only assume you¡¯re not affiliated with any major clan. What do you think about joining my Yu Clan? I assure you, the terms will be favorable¡ªI¡¯ll do everything in my power to meet your expectations.¡± His words sent shockwaves through the crowd. Nobody had expected Yu Quan to extend such an offer to Lin Fan, especially after the latter had disrupted his son¡¯s wedding. But the most surprised of all was Lin Fan himself. ¡®It seems that my deviation from the original storyline has altered the course of events. But wait... maybe this is actually for the best. I¡¯m not bound to follow the path of traditional protagonists who make enemies out of every major clan from the start. I¡¯ll make the most of this opportunity.¡¯ Lin Fan¡¯s shock quickly gave way to cunning as his mind began working out the possibilities. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch7: Shocking Offer Chapter 7: "The Sixth Elder is offering that young man a place in the Yu Family! This is unbelievable!!" one of the spectators whispered in shock, mirroring the reactions of most people present. "Has the Sixth Elder lost his mind? How could he invite someone who ruined his son''s wedding to join the family?" "This is a bold and wise decision by the Sixth Elder. A talent like this young man would be a tremendous addition to the Yu Family!" Whispers spread among the crowd, some agreeing with the elder''s decision while others opposed it. Yet, there was one feeling shared by all¡ªshock! "Father," Yu Ming muttered to himself, clenching his fists tightly. After everything he had said to Lin Fan, how could his father now invite him to join their family? How was he supposed to save face? "Oh? So you want me to join your family? I admit your offer surprises me, but it¡¯s a smart move. Just so you know, though, my conditions are very strict!" Lin Fan said with a sly smile as he retracted his aura. "No matter how harsh your conditions are, I¡¯ll do my best to meet them. But this isn¡¯t the right place for negotiations. Let¡¯s sit at the table, young man." Yu Kuan smiled confidently as he began walking toward the luxurious table without any hesitation, unafraid to show Lin Fan his back. ''This young man is exceptionally strong and talented. His strength isn¡¯t far off from mine, which means he¡¯s not far from the Nine Prodigies¡ªwithout even the support of a major family. If I invest enough resources in him, he could become the Tenth Prodigy of the Empire or even surpass that. He¡¯s a treasure I can¡¯t afford to let slip through my fingers¡ªno matter what it takes.'' Yu Kuan thought cunningly, ambition gleaming in his eyes as he stepped confidently toward the ornate table where Xiao Zan was seated.Stolen story; please report. ''This old man wants to use me to boost his influence and power. But that works in my favor, too. Let¡¯s see what he has to offer first¡ªthen we¡¯ll find out who¡¯s really using who, hahaha!'' Lin Fan smirked slightly, following Yu Kuan with the same calculating expression. Yu Kuan finally settled into his luxurious chair and gestured for Lin Fan to take a seat, maintaining a smile on his face. "Now, it¡¯s time to negotiate. I¡¯ll tell you what benefits the Yu Family can offer, and afterward, you can share your own terms," Yu Kuan said, his smile unwavering as the other powerful family heads seated at the table eagerly awaited his offer. "Alright. I¡¯m listening. I hope you¡¯re prepared to be sincere enough," Lin Fan replied with a faint smile, unfazed by the hateful glares coming from Xiao Zan and Yu Ming. "First, I promise you access to vast quantities of high-grade cultivation pills. Whenever you need them, you¡¯ll have as many as required. Additionally, you¡¯ll receive a fourth-grade cultivation technique, paired with a complementary fourth-grade combat technique." Yu Kuan stated these astonishing offers so casually, it almost seemed ordinary¡ªleaving everyone stunned. Without pausing, Yu Kuan continued listing benefits, "You¡¯ll also receive a single fourth-grade magical weapon from the Yu Clan¡¯s treasury, along with several third-grade magical weapons. These represent the maximum benefits the clan can offer you." The spectators could hardly believe their ears. Yu Kuan valued this wild young man so highly that he was promising him the best possible benefits simply for joining their clan. Such treatment had only been offered to a handful of outsiders over the Yu Family¡¯s 500-year history¡ªand each one had gone on to become a pillar of the family. But Yu Kuan showed no signs of stopping. "On top of all that, I¡¯ll personally add another fourth-grade magical weapon from my own treasury. I¡¯ll also recommend you to the Council of Elders to become the disciple of one of the family¡¯s four great ancestors!" Yu Kuan finally concluded his astonishing offer with a confident smile, completely unfazed by the expressions of disbelief plastered across everyone¡¯s faces. It felt as though their minds had exploded from how overwhelming the offer was. Lin Fan casually crossed his right leg over his left, settling into a more relaxed position as he responded with a smirk, "That¡¯s quite an impressive offer, Sixth Elder. I didn¡¯t expect you to be this generous. But honestly, I¡¯m not particularly interested in most of the things you mentioned. Still, I suppose it would be better to discuss this matter in a more private setting." ''What?!'' The thought struck everyone like a bolt of lightning. No one expected such a response from Lin Fan¡ªnot even Yu Kuan, though he had anticipated that Lin Fan wouldn¡¯t accept so easily. ___________________________________ Author''s Note: Can you rate this chapter /10 in the comments? I am interested in knowing your rating of my novel''s chapters, as this will motivate me to write more and improve myself. Thank you in advance. ___________________________________ Welcome to my Patreon! where you can read all available chapters of my novel Rise of The Demon Emperor: Absolute Domination and enjoy exclusive content before everyone else. (+10) Your subscription not only gives you great reading, but also supports me to keep writing this epic story. Join now at: patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch8: Plans and Schemes Chapter 8: Everyone felt shocked, as if a thunderbolt had struck them by Lin Fan''s response. Some of them had their mouths agape, while others raised their eyebrows in disbelief. Such benefits were only attainable by the Nine Miracles and the heirs of the Seven Great Families. Refusing such an offer was sheer madness in everyone''s eyes. "Well, if that''s what you want, then I¡¯m prepared to meet all your demands, young man. By the way, what is your name? We haven¡¯t had the honor of knowing it yet." After a brief pause to think, Yu Kuan finally replied calmly, his calculating, serene smile never leaving his face. "Lin Fan. My name is Lin Fan. Make sure you all remember it well." Lin Fan responded with a confident smile, rising from his seat. Lin Fan. This thought flashed in the minds of all present, and his name etched itself deeply into their memories. No one would forget it from now on. Yu Kuan also rose from his seat and approached Lin Fan. Their sharp, calculating gazes met, each of them silently plotting and scheming, thinking of the best way to outmaneuver the other. Above them, the grand banquet hall, bathed in radiant light, stood as a silent witness to this first meeting, which would be the beginning of their entwined fates, for an unknown period of time. "Then, come along, Lin Fan. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll reach an agreement." Yu Kuan said kindly, before turning and heading toward what appeared to be a private room, his mind still working tirelessly. Lin Fan began to follow Yu Kuan slowly, his thoughts racing. This old man is definitely as described in the novel, even better than expected. He never got the recognition he deserved in the original story due to his quick demise, but I¡¯ll make full use of him, and I¡¯m confident he¡¯ll be an important and valuable ally.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. He continued thinking, referring to Yu Kuan as ¡°the old man,¡± even though he was only in his fifties¡ªconsidered middle-aged in the cultivation world, even young compared to true high-level powers. Once Yu Kuan and Lin Fan disappeared from sight, Yu Ming could no longer contain his fury. He slammed the table with all his might, his face contorted in rage, shattering it along with all the delicious food laid upon it, under the glares of the Xiao Clan members. "Why is the hall door still open?! Close it quickly, you garbage!!" Yu Ming shouted at the few remaining gate guards, lucky to still be alive. He then turned his anger on everyone in the hall, his voice booming, "Why are you all still here?! Go home quickly! Or did you all enjoy the show?!! Leave now, before I kill you all myself, you scoundrels!!" Yu Ming screamed, unleashing his fury on the ornate tables and everything before him, smashing them in a fit of rage. The guests, frightened, began fleeing in haste, terrified of becoming targets for Yu Ming¡¯s wrath. Even the second-tier clan leaders started leaving. Despite most being in the peak of the Golden Core Realm, none of them wanted to provoke Yu Ming over something as trivial as staying in the hall. "It seems Young Master Yu Ming has gone mad with anger. Even his father didn¡¯t stand by him this time," whispers began circulating once more among the departing onlookers. Some looked at Yu Ming with disdain, reveling in his misfortune, while others regarded him with pity. All previous jealousy had vanished, for everyone now realized, based on Lin Fan¡¯s earlier expressions and words, that it was impossible for Xiao Mi to be with Yu Ming either. "Calm down, Yu Ming. We need to find a solution rationally. Anger won¡¯t help us," Xiao Zhan said quietly, barely containing his anger over the humiliation they had suffered that day. He knew there was no way to erase it himself, as Lin Fan was clearly stronger than him, and Yu Kuan seemed to be on his side. "But Grandpa, that bastard ruined everything! Everything we¡¯ve been planning for three years, just like that! I can¡¯t accept this!!" Yu Ming responded with intense fury, his voice still loud, unable to suppress his anger even as he spoke with Xiao Zhan. "I know, I understand, my son, but this Lin Fan is too strong. Your father even forgave him for what he did at your wedding. That¡¯s how terrifying his talent is!" Xiao Zhan sighed, speaking calmly, though his thoughts were concealed from everyone, taking a direction far different from theirs. True, what Lin Fan did has brought great shame to my family. But, this may very well be a blessing in disguise. From his gaze at Xiao Mi, it seems he is interested in her. If he becomes part of the Yu family, with his immense talent, I couldn¡¯t ask for a better match for my granddaughter! Xiao Zhan thought shrewdly, ambition gleaming in his eyes. His ambition was focused on strengthening his family, quite the opposite of Yu Kuan¡¯s selfish goals. Meanwhile, in another part of the grand hall, within the groom''s luxurious changing room, Lin Fan and Yu Kuan sat across from each other, waiting for one of them to speak. Ch9: An Offer to Change Fate Chapter 9: Yu Kuan opened his mouth and spoke in a gentle tone, "I apologize for entering the groom¡¯s dressing room to talk. There is no private room here, and we needed to negotiate quickly while ensuring our privacy. I hope this hasn¡¯t inconvenienced you." "It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s get straight to the point. I don¡¯t like this fake politeness and forced respect. Let¡¯s speak directly about what we want, without beating around the bush," Lin Fan replied indifferently, his gaze sharp and cunning as he looked at Yu Kuan, who met his stare with an equally sly and calculating expression. "Alright, as you wish, Lin Fan. Let¡¯s get to the heart of the matter. I¡¯ve already offered you everything I can to have you join my family and become my ally. What are your personal conditions for accepting my offer?" Yu Kuan asked, his expression both shrewd and serious. "Instead of setting conditions, how about I make you an offer myself?" Lin Fan asked, his tone equally sly and filled with amusement as he enjoyed the flicker of surprise on Yu Kuan¡¯s face. "Oh? An offer?! I¡¯m truly curious to hear what you could possibly offer a patriarch of one of the Seven Great Clans," Yu Kuan responded with great interest. "The Seven Great Clans! Everyone keeps mentioning that as if it¡¯s something impressive, but in reality, you¡¯re nothing more than tyrants ruling over ants. You yourselves are weak, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯re well aware that the entire Golden Dragon Empire is merely a mid-tier empire. So, there¡¯s no reason to feel any pride in belonging to one of its so-called Seven Great Clans," Lin Fan said, his voice carrying a slight irritation and obvious disdain for these so-called elite families. "Your words only make me more curious about your identity. You don¡¯t seem like just an ordinary young man. Could it be that you¡¯re from somewhere outside the Golden Dragon Empire?" Yu Kuan asked, his curiosity evident, his mind racing as he considered the implications of Lin Fan¡¯s words and his blatant disregard for the empire¡¯s most powerful forces. ''This young man¡­ his strength is not ordinary, and his words confirm that he has an unusual origin. That would explain his unnatural power. Perhaps this is an unexpectedly golden opportunity for me. I¡¯ll wait and see what kind of offer Lin Fan has in store,'' Yu Kuan thought, feeling a hidden excitement but also remaining cautious.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "No. If you look into me, you¡¯ll easily find out my origins. I¡¯m merely the young master of a fallen second-tier family within this empire. But if you¡¯re curious, the source of my confidence is my master. He discovered my immense talent a year ago, and I¡¯ve been training under him since then. In just one year, I¡¯ve reached this level of power," Lin Fan declared arrogantly, his confidence overwhelming as he lied without so much as blinking. "What?!!" Yu Kuan shot up from his seat in shock, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets, unable to maintain his composure. "One year to reach this level of strength?! I¡¯ve never heard of such a terrifying rate of progression in my entire life!!" Lin Fan¡¯s smirk widened, full of arrogance and scorn, as he casually propped his feet up on the table. "As I said, you¡¯ve never heard of it before, but that doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t exist. Don¡¯t apply your lowly standards to me¡ªthere¡¯s no comparison." Yu Kuan¡¯s arms trembled, a powerful explosion seeming to go off in his mind. He slowly sat back down, still shaking¡ªshaking from sheer excitement!! ''This level of advancement¡­ even the word ¡°terrifying¡± doesn¡¯t do it justice. The techniques he trains with must be on a level far beyond anything I can imagine. But even so, his monstrous talent plays a crucial role in this as well¡ªit¡¯s undeniable. Before, I was willing to do whatever it took to make this young man my ally¡­ but now, even becoming his subordinate would be the greatest fortune of my life!!'' Yu Kuan¡¯s mind raced to keep up with the overwhelming revelations, his excitement and ambition soaring to new heights. Lin Fan maintained his composed demeanor, his arrogant and contemptuous smirk never fading. But inside, he felt chills running down his spine, though he showed no sign of it. ''Damn, this is so much fun!! Ahh, how I love seeing the sheer joy and excitement on this ant¡¯s face. Look at him¡ªso thrilled despite my obvious disdain for him. In the end, no matter how intelligent or ambitious ants may be, they remain bound by their narrow vision and limited knowledge. Before absolute power and wisdom, everything else is meaningless!'' "So, Yu Kuan, aren¡¯t you eager to hear my offer now?" Lin Fan asked, his mocking smirk still in place. "Yes, I am extremely eager, Young Master Lin Fan. What might your offer be?" Yu Kuan responded with absolute respect and enthusiasm, his tone having completely shifted. Lin Fan let out a small chuckle, quickly suppressing it. "Alright then. Simply put, in exchange for following me, I will provide you with a fifth-grade cultivation technique, along with a matching fifth-grade combat technique. Each time you advance to a higher realm, I¡¯ll grant you techniques of an even higher grade, ensuring your path to the next world is smooth and unhindered," Lin Fan began, listing the benefits in an indifferent tone as if he were offering scraps. "I will also provide you with a constant supply of pills that are always one grade higher than your current level. This will remain the case as you advance to higher realms, significantly increasing your cultivation speed. That¡¯s all. Of course, there are conditions," Lin Fan finished, casually reminding Yu Kuan that there would be a price to pay. ''Amazing¡­ absolutely incredible. In my clan, only the patriarch and the ancestors have access to the sole fifth-grade technique we possess. Not to mention the extreme rarity of fifth-grade pills, which I¡¯ll now have an endless supply of¡­ and that¡¯s just at my current level! Being part of a true powerhouse really is on another level. But still, I need to confirm the conditions first. I can¡¯t let myself get too swept up in the benefits alone,'' Yu Kuan thought, feeling immense joy but also remaining rational, keeping a level of caution¡ªthough far less than before. advertisement: Special Offer: Get Extra Chapters Now! ? ? Limited-Time Offer ¨C Now Extended for Two Weeks! ? To support even faster chapter releases, I''m launching an exclusive offer on Patreon: ? For every $2 I receive, I will release an extra chapter on RoyalRoad!The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ? This means that even Patreon supporters benefit ¨C you''ll get an extra advanced chapter PLUS another new release on RoyalRoad! ? More support = more chapters for everyone! ? This offer lasts for TWO WEEKS ¨C after that, the conditions will become stricter! Why is this offer important? ? Patreon supporters get extra early-access chapters! ? RoyalRoad readers enjoy faster updates! ? Your support allows me to focus on writing and delivering more epic content! ? More chapters are waiting ¨C don''t miss this chance! ?? Patreon.com/Zhao_fan04 Ch10: Manipulation and Loyalty Chapter 10: "If these are the benefits I will receive from following your leadership, then of course, I will gladly accept. But what are the conditions for my acceptance in the first place, young master?" Yu Kuan asked rationally, his excitement evident, yet his mind constantly alert to avoid falling into a trap. ''These benefits are truly exceptional, just as I said earlier. But surely, the price I must pay for them must be equally high. I refuse to believe he would give me all this without expecting something valuable in return.'' "My conditions may be difficult for others, but I trust that someone as intelligent as you will find them easy, Yu Kuan. You will help me bring the Yu Clan under my complete control. In other words, you will betray your clan and make them submit to me¡ªwillingly or by force," Lin Fan stated coldly, clenching his fist tightly as if he had already secured control over the Yu Clan. Yu Kuan exhaled in relief upon hearing Lin Fan¡¯s condition, then spoke with ease, confidence, and complete composure, "With pleasure, young master. Trust me on this matter; I can devise a plan to accomplish it. However, it will take considerable time. May I ask what benefit this brings to someone of your standing, young master?" He finished his sentence with doubt, as it didn¡¯t seem logical for Lin Fan to gain much from controlling a clan like the Yu Clan¡ªif what he said was true. "No, it won¡¯t take long. I will provide you with the details on how to subdue them quickly later. For now, just come up with a solid plan for me to enter your clan as a member, as you originally intended. This will be your duty as a strategist from now on," Lin Fan replied indifferently, his eyes gleaming with cruelty and an insatiable hunger for dominance. Then, he continued in the same tone, "As for why I want to subdue the Yu Clan, my master''s training mission for me is to reach the Upper World on my own and join his sect without any assistance from him, except for the techniques he implanted in my mind before his departure. That means I must rely entirely on myself in this endeavor. So, I decided to strengthen my clan along the way and make it the ruling power of this empire. Do you understand now?" Lin Fan rose from his seat and began pacing slowly toward Yu Kuan.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Yes, I understand." Yu Kuan responded with feigned calmness, but his doubts grew slightly as he thought in shock, ''The Upper World!! That legendary realm that only the greatest cultivators in history have ever managed to reach. What this young man is saying keeps shocking me over and over. But still, there¡¯s no actual proof of his words. This could very well be a trap. Everything will be clear if he truly gives me the technique. If he avoids it or delays giving it to me, then he¡¯s simply deceiving me.'' Yu Kuan began to doubt Lin Fan. The initial shock that had clouded his rationality had now faded. After carefully analyzing Lin Fan''s words, he realized that everything he said was merely talk without solid proof. This posed a serious threat to Lin Fan''s scheme, as his lies could be exposed and his plan could fail. But Lin Fan continued walking toward Yu Kuan calmly, his sneering, arrogant smile unwavering. He was already planning how to drive the final nail into the plan, ensuring that Yu Kuan would trust him completely. "Yu Kuan." Lin Fan whispered as he placed his hand on Yu Kuan¡¯s shoulder. "I have told you so much, and I have hidden nothing from you. This proves how much I value you. So, don¡¯t disappoint me. If I ever find out that you have betrayed me one day¡­ I will make you wish for death but never find it. Understood?!" Lin Fan whispered in a chilling tone into Yu Kuan¡¯s ear, making the air around them feel deathly cold. "This is understood, young master Lin Fan. However, to ensure my loyalty and devotion to you, I also need confirmation of your words," Yu Kuan replied fearlessly as he stood up from his seat, facing Lin Fan. He expressed his thoughts, believing they could either save him from falling into Lin Fan¡¯s trap or cause him to fall deeper into it with no way out. Lin Fan''s smile widened upon hearing Yu Kuan''s response. This was exactly what he had been waiting for¡ªYu Kuan demanding proof, which would allow him to secure his control over him completely. "Good, that is entirely reasonable. I would have doubted your intelligence if you hadn¡¯t asked me for proof. Here, these are the techniques I promised you. Now, it''s your turn to prove your loyalty to me, Yu Kuan!!" Lin Fan said as he handed over the techniques from his spatial ring, a maniacal laugh echoing in his mind. His first manipulation in this world¡ªsuccessfully executed! Yu Kuan grasped the techniques tightly, a relieved and joyous smile spreading across his face as he held undeniable proof of Lin Fan¡¯s sincerity. Without hesitation, he quickly stored them in his spatial ring before kneeling before Lin Fan with absolute respect, his head pressed firmly to the ground. "Yu Kuan, at the Third Layer of the Profound Sky Realm, swears to follow young master Lin Fan for life!" Yu Kuan swore his allegiance with excitement, showing no hesitation in betraying his clan so easily. Ch11: The Price of Power Chapter 11: "Very well then!! I accept you too, and I''m sure we will get along quite well." Lin Fan smiled happily and sat back in Yu Kuan¡¯s chair, carelessly placing his feet on the table before continuing with a wide gesture, "But there are specific rituals for you to officially become my subordinate and part of my clan, Yu Kuan. You must swallow this parasitic insect, and once you do, you will truly be my subordinate from today onward." Lin Fan presented the insect to Yu Kuan with a smile, while Yu Kuan kept staring at the insect with his eyes, still kneeling. His hesitation was clear despite his expressionless face. ''If I swallow this insect, I¡¯ll most likely be bound for life as Lin Fan¡¯s subordinate, with my fate tied to him. All my contingency plans to turn the tables on him will be automatically sabotaged. But, on the other hand, thinking about it, this will make me much stronger and of higher status. Being under one person and above others is still a pretty great thing.'' Yu Kuan thought, shaking off his last bit of hesitation, and extended his hand while still kneeling, grabbing the wriggling insect in his hand, then swallowing it quickly and without a second thought! Yu Kuan felt a strange sensation as he swallowed the insect, his whole body trembling, as the insect quickly spread strange threads inside him, attaching to parts of his internal body. Numerous smaller insects, similar to the original one, formed within him and began the same process. This continued inside his body after swallowing the insect. Clap! Clap! Clap! Lin Fan clapped warmly with a happy smile on his face upon seeing Yu Kuan make a quick decision. "Congratulations! You¡¯re my first subordinate in this empire. I¡¯m excited to see how useful you¡¯ll be, Yu Kuan," Lin Fan said, his arrogance clear. The parasitic insect¡¯s effect was that it allowed Lin Fan to make the person who swallowed it feel excruciating pain whenever he wished. It also granted him knowledge of their location, and the most important effect was that it allowed him to kill the person who swallowed it at any time. Therefore, Lin Fan no longer had any worries about Yu Kuan.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Then Lin Fan said slyly, "I¡¯ll tell you my plan in general, so you¡¯ll be aware of how to act, and we¡¯ll discuss the details later. I¡¯m counting on you to come up with a great plan, Yu Kuan." Yu Kuan responded respectfully and confidently, "Of course, young master. You can count on me for this. I won¡¯t disappoint you." Lin Fan then began explaining his plan to Yu Kuan, who showed his admiration and even pointed out some details. Then Lin Fan issued his first commands to Yu Kuan after informing him of everything essential, saying in an authoritative tone, "Yu Kuan, call for your foolish son and Xiao Mi." "Yes, young master," Yu Kuan responded obediently, quickly immersing himself in his role as a subordinate, unbothered by Lin Fan calling his son foolish. After Yu Kuan left, Lin Fan continued sitting comfortably in the luxurious chair, his feet still resting on the table, thinking non-stop, ''Everything has gone much better than I expected. I¡¯ve got my first subordinate on my list, and it was far easier than I thought. Now it¡¯s time for the main course, Xiao Mi!'' Lin Fan continued his thoughts, a sinister smile spreading across his face. ''Xiao Mi truly has exquisite beauty, but of course, that¡¯s not the main reason I¡¯m after her, or I¡¯d despise myself for being so foolish when I¡¯m still weak. Haha, but of course, I¡¯m smart. Her beauty is just an addition. What really stands out is her body, her pure chi body, which allows the first person who sleeps with her to gain all her chi!!'' ''I¡¯m still only in the seventh layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, despite my strength rivaling those in the Deep Sky Realm thanks to the Azure Dragon Body Technique. Xiao Mi is at the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm. Once I sleep with her and obtain all her chi, I¡¯ll break through to the Golden Core Realm with a 100% guarantee, and I¡¯ll do so while maintaining my extremely strong foundation.'' Lin Fan licked his lips as he thought, before pausing due to a knock on the door. "I¡¯ve come, Lin Fan, and I have Yu Ming and Xiao Mi with me. Should I come in?" Yu Kuan asked in a friendly tone after knocking on the door. His manner of addressing Lin Fan had changed since they were no longer alone. "Of course, come in, Yu Kuan," Lin Fan replied indifferently, his eyes fixed on the door. Yu Kuan entered after Lin Fan allowed him, followed by Xiao Mi, who appeared tense and uneasy, especially feeling Lin Fan¡¯s gaze on her. As for Yu Ming, he was extremely nervous and frightened. Yu Kuan had just coldly scolded him before they arrived, ordering him to follow whatever Lin Fan said. ''Damn! My luck is terrible! How did this jerk win my father¡¯s favor to this extent, treating him as if they were on the same level? Also, my father told me that Lin Fan is most likely going to become a disciple of one of the ancestors, just like the young master. So, I must obey him and stay on his good side from now on. Damn it!'' Despite Yu Ming¡¯s thoughts, he nervously approached Lin Fan, who glared at him with disdain. Then, with clear hesitation, he looked at his father, who stared at him coldly. Yu Ming lowered his head, clenched his fists respectfully toward Lin Fan, and said, "I sincerely apologize, Lin Fan, for my bad behavior toward you. I hope you have a kind heart and forgive me for my ignorance." Upon hearing Yu Ming¡¯s apology, a savage smile appeared on Lin Fan¡¯s face as he thought, ¡®It¡¯s time to enjoy myself a little!¡¯