ã€ŠRise of The Demonic Emperor: Absolute Domination [Xianxia, Cultivation]ã€‹


 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.

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    "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.

    ...

    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.

 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.

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    "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.

    "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.

 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.A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    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.

 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.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "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.

    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.

 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.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    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.

    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.

 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!

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    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.

    ¡®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.

 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.¡±

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    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.

    ¡°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.

 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.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ''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.

 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.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    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.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    "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.

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 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.

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    "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.

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    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!¡¯

 Ch12: Merciless Humiliation

    Chapter 12:

    "Lin Fan? Do you think you¡¯re on the same level as me to call me by my name so casually, you idiot?!" Lin Fan rebuked Yu Ming as he rose from his seat, a sneer of contempt on his face.

    ''Damn it! I knew this madman wouldn''t let it slide so easily.'' Yu Ming thought anxiously, his body trembling slightly as Lin Fan approached him. The only thing keeping him calm was the fact that his father was in the same room.

    "And do you think... that''s how you apologize?!" Lin Fan grabbed Yu Ming¡¯s hair tightly before slamming his face into the ground with brutal force!

    "Aaaagh!" Yu Ming screamed in pain, blood dripping from his nose. His eyes burned with both anger and fear, as Lin Fan still had his hair gripped, pressing his face deeper into the ground.

    "Why are you screaming?! Did I do something to you?! All I did was show you the proper way to apologize. No need to thank me; I have a kind heart. I showed you this without expecting anything in return." Lin Fan said, his tone shifting unpredictably between cruelty, savagery, and gentleness.

    Yu Ming didn''t respond. He only trembled slightly¡ªwhether from fear or rage, it didn''t matter to Lin Fan. What mattered was the sheer satisfaction he felt from it.

    "Now, let¡¯s start listing your sins. After that, I¡¯ll decide on a suitable punishment for you. I trust that your father will agree with my judgment as well. Isn¡¯t that right, Yu Kuan?" Lin Fan turned his head, asking Yu Kuan with a casual smile. He pulled a chair closer to Yu Ming before sitting down. However, this wasn¡¯t a question¡ªit was an undeniable statement.

    "Yes. I will agree with whatever you deem appropriate, Lin Fan. Yu Ming has been far too arrogant lately. He needs to be disciplined by someone of his own generation." Yu Kuan replied, seemingly indifferent. But a single drop of sweat trailing down his forehead betrayed his unease. No matter how strict he was, Yu Ming was still his son.

    "Good. Now that I have your approval, let¡¯s begin the trial. Hahaha." Lin Fan laughed, pressing his foot down on Yu Ming¡¯s head as he sat comfortably, erasing any last shred of dignity Yu Ming had left¡ªin front of his father and fianc¨¦e.

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    Yu Ming burned with humiliation and fury as Lin Fan stepped on him. He wanted to stand up and lash out, but a sidelong glance at his father, who remained completely motionless, drained him of all hope. And if he did explode at Lin Fan? Lin Fan would simply beat him down again, leaving him in an even worse state¡ªespecially if his father wasn¡¯t going to intervene. He was trapped. His fate now rested in the hands of the young man treating him like an insect.

    ''Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! How did this happen?! I¡¯m Yu Ming, the proud genius of the Yu family, and yet I¡¯m being humiliated like this?! In front of my father and fianc¨¦e! How did things spiral out of control?! It¡¯s all because of this insane bastard! My father has always been strict, always taught me to prioritize my own interests above everything else, but he never denied me anything before! Only because of this bastard!!! I¡¯m disgraced like this, with no way out!'' Yu Ming thought in sheer rage and helplessness, the taste of dirt filling his mouth. But he didn¡¯t move. Lin Fan¡¯s foot remained firmly planted on his head. He couldn¡¯t resist. He was terrified. He was nothing but a weak, pathetic coward!

    "Now, let¡¯s see¡­ You ordered the guards to kill me. You called me trash, a bastard¡­" Lin Fan started listing Yu Ming¡¯s offenses with a smile, pressing his foot harder with each word. "...and last but not least, you said you¡¯d feed me to the dogs!"

    The moment Lin Fan finished his sentence, cracks began forming in the floor beneath Yu Ming¡¯s head. Then, with a loud crack, the ground shattered, and Yu Ming¡¯s face was driven deep into the broken stone. The taste of dirt spread in his mouth, and a sharp pain seared through his skull.

    Xiao Mei¡¯s expression twisted further. She had already been terrified and shocked by what Lin Fan was doing to Yu Ming, but now, her fear shifted¡ªshe was far more afraid for herself. She remembered Lin Fan¡¯s gaze on her.

    ''Master Yu Kuan didn''t even flinch when Lin Fan did this to his own son. Let alone me... I just pray that Lin Fan doesn¡¯t do anything to me.'' Xiao Mei thought, trembling with fear and anxiety. Cold sweat trickled down her back, and she felt weak in the knees.

    As for Yu Kuan, his tension deepened, though he didn¡¯t show it.

    ''That idiot Yu Ming! I warned him¡ªLin Fan is arrogant, and he always needs to feel superior to others. And yet, he apologized to him in such a stupid way. Not that it would have changed anything. Lin Fan would¡¯ve found an excuse to do this anyway, just for his own amusement.''

    Yu Kuan let out a discreet sigh and continued his thoughts.

    ''Still, what Lin Fan has done so far is fine. The real concern is how he chooses to punish him. I just hope he remembers that I¡¯m his loyal subordinate and doesn¡¯t do something extreme¡ªlike killing him or crippling him. Otherwise, Yu Ming¡­ I won¡¯t be able to do anything for you. My life and my interests come before anything else, son.''

    Lin Fan savored the feeling of pressing Yu Ming¡¯s face into the dirt for a moment longer. Yu Ming, now completely broken and drowning in despair, could only pray that Lin Fan wouldn¡¯t be too cruel with his punishment.

    Finally, Lin Fan lifted his foot and spoke with a wicked smile. "Now, it¡¯s time to decide your punishment. Normally, for actions like these, your punishment would be endless torture until I got bored¡ªthen I¡¯d chop your corpse into pieces and feed it to the dogs, just like you said you¡¯d do to me."

    The moment those words left Lin Fan¡¯s mouth, Yu Ming felt like he was going to die from sheer terror. He didn¡¯t even dare lift his head, even though Lin Fan had removed his foot.

    But then, Lin Fan continued, his voice filled with cruel mockery. "However, since you are the son of Yu Kuan¡ªmy most trusted ally¡ªI won¡¯t do that. I¡¯ll be merciful and lighten your punishment significantly. From now on, you will be my obedient personal servant. You will pull out my chair for me to sit. If I feel like it, I¡¯ll use you as my chair. And if I order you to bark like a dog, you will bark like a dog. From this moment on, you will never refuse me again!"

 Ch13: A Fate Worse Than Death

    Chapter 13:

    Lin Fan¡¯s cold and ruthless voice echoed through the room, filling Yu Ming with utter humiliation and despair.

    ''T-That cruel bastard! Wasn¡¯t it enough to disgrace me like this in front of my fianc¨¦e and father? Now he wants to humiliate me for the rest of my life too! What should I do?! I don¡¯t know if I should accept this disgraceful fate or if death would be a better choice! Damn it!!!''

    Lin Fan felt a surge of pleasure as he observed Yu Ming¡¯s internal struggle. His satisfaction grew even further when he noticed the look of relief on Yu Kuan¡¯s face. Nothing brought him more joy than having complete control over someone¡¯s fate, making them tremble in uncertainty, helplessly waiting for his decision.

    ''Ah! Look at Yu Kuan, feeling relieved that his son is becoming a servant, hahaha. He truly is selfish, just as the novel described. But I guess he still has some feelings for his son. Well, this has been fun, but it''s time to carry out my plan and achieve my goal!'' Lin Fan thought with excitement before finally turning his gaze toward Xiao Mi¡ªhis main target!

    At that moment, as Lin Fan announced his decision, Yu Kuan let out a sigh of relief, thinking:

    ''Good! At least he didn¡¯t do anything too extreme. Even though Yu Ming will live without dignity, at least he won¡¯t die. And as my status and strength grow alongside Lin Fan in the future, I might be able to persuade him to forgive my son.''

    As for Xiao Mi, she could hardly believe what was happening to one of the great and arrogant geniuses of the Yu family¡ªespecially since he was her fianc¨¦. She knew very well how high his status and power were.

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    ''T-This is truly an unprecedented event! What just happened before my very eyes? I still can¡¯t believe it. And he says ¡°personal servant¡±? That clearly means a lowly slave! And why is he looking at me like that now?! Please, just don¡¯t let this lunatic come near me.'' Xiao Mi thought, fear gripping her heart as she desperately tried to avoid Lin Fan¡¯s gaze.

    "Alright, since I¡¯m so kind, I¡¯ll let you rest for today. Your work starts tomorrow, Yu Ming. Take him with you, Yu Kuan. Your son looks like he¡¯s in a miserable state¡ªI don¡¯t want him accidentally committing suicide, hahaha."

    Lin Fan laughed mockingly, patting Yu Ming¡¯s head. The young man was in complete despair, his eyes lifeless, his head lowered, motionless, still in shock.

    "Alright, Lin Fan. And thank you for your kindness. I¡¯ll teach my son well from today onward, and I promise he will never defy your word again."

    Yu Kuan forced a grateful smile as he spoke. Anyone watching their interaction would immediately see that he didn¡¯t just respect Lin Fan¡ªhe was clearly afraid of him. A strange relationship for supposed allies.

    Yu Kuan grabbed his son and began helping him walk, as he still seemed dazed. As they prepared to leave, Xiao Mi instinctively tried to follow them, hoping Lin Fan would allow it. But, of course, not all wishes come true!

    "Xiao Mi! Stop right there. I didn¡¯t give you permission to leave, did I? I don¡¯t like disrespectful people who ignore me."

    Lin Fan slowly approached Xiao Mi, a calm and gentle smile on his face¡ªcompletely contradicting his words and intentions.

    Xiao Mi¡¯s expression immediately turned to despair the moment she heard Lin Fan¡¯s voice calling her. She realized her fate was sealed before she could even utter a single word.

    As for Yu Ming, it seemed as if his soul had returned for a moment when he heard Lin Fan calling Xiao Mi¡¯s name. A strange burst of courage surged within him, and he was clearly about to take action. However, Yu Kuan firmly restrained him, placing one hand over his son¡¯s mouth, preventing him from doing anything reckless. Then, he quickly opened the door and dragged him out.

    Of course, Lin Fan didn¡¯t miss this reaction, but he no longer cared. He would leave Yu Ming to Yu Kuan to train him into an obedient servant.

    "Why aren¡¯t you answering? Could it be that you¡¯re... afraid?"

    Lin Fan whispered in a sinister tone right into Xiao Mi¡¯s ear from behind.

    The moment she heard his voice, her entire body shivered violently. Her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground. Tears began to stream down her face as she pleaded in sheer terror.

    "P-Please... don¡¯t come near me... I¡¯ll give you anything... whatever you want... just don¡¯t touch me!"

    Lin Fan admired the masterpiece before him, his pleasure reaching its peak as he took in the sight. Then, he leaned slightly toward Xiao Mi and spoke with a mocking tone, a monstrous smile on his face.

    "But... what if the only thing I want from you is your body? How could I not touch you then?"

 Ch14: Forced Obedience

    Chapter 14:

    Lin Fan''s words, cold and heavy as a mountain, crushed Xiao Mei''s last glimmer of hope. What remained was despair, clearly visible through the increased flow of her tears.

    "N-No... P-Please... I¡¯m begging you... Don¡¯t touch me! I¡¯m willing to be your servant¡­ E-Even my family will give you whatever you want. Just leave me alone¡­ Please!" Xiao Mei pleaded desperately, her voice trembling as she slowly backed away in fear. Deep down, she knew it was all futile.

    Lin Fan placed a hand on his chin, pretending to seriously consider her proposal, and replied, "Hmm¡­ Your family doesn¡¯t possess anything I desire. Even if they did, I could simply take it. And as for becoming my servant? That¡¯s already part of a servant¡¯s duties. So, I don¡¯t see any reason to stop, do you?" His tone was gentle, an eerie contrast to the cruel words he spoke.

    He continued, standing still in place, a sly smile tugging at his lips and a veiled threat lacing his voice. "I suppose you wouldn¡¯t want anything bad to happen to your father, would you? The world is full of accidents. He could suddenly be assassinated at night, or kidnapped by some deranged lunatic who tortures him day and night. Anything is possible."

    The mention of her father froze Xiao Mei in her tracks. Fear and despair filled her widened eyes as she stopped retreating. Then, with a defeated tone, she began to plead even more desperately, finally accepting the dark fate looming over her. "Please don¡¯t hurt my father¡­ I-I¡¯ll obey you¡­ I¡¯ll do whatever you want¡­ Just leave my father out of this. He has nothing to do with it!"

    Lin Fan¡¯s delight only grew as the day¡¯s events unfolded. Such situations weren¡¯t new to him, but having the upper hand over someone of high status made them infinitely more enjoyable. In this new world, he would never grow bored¡ªthere would always be stronger people to crush under his heel!

    But for the people of this world, this only meant more unending suffering. Lin Fan was a psychopath, a depraved soul who thrived on torment. He would never stop committing atrocities as long as they brought him pleasure and served his goals!

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    "Don¡¯t worry. As long as you¡¯re obedient, nothing will happen to your father, your family, or even you. I¡¯m a very kind person, after all. The only two things I despise are disobedience and betrayal. As long as you don¡¯t commit either, you¡¯ll live a life of comfort with me," Lin Fan said softly, a cheerful smile adorning his face.

    Xiao Mei nodded slowly in response, feeling both a sense of relief and overwhelming sorrow. To her, there wasn¡¯t much difference in her fate. She had no control over it, whether it was Yu Ming or Lin Fan. The only change was that she wouldn¡¯t be a wife¡ªjust a servant or a concubine.

    ''How incredible! It¡¯s so easy to grow stronger with knowledge. If I hadn¡¯t known about Xiao Mei¡¯s special body from the novel, it would¡¯ve taken me at least a month and a half to break through to the Golden Core Realm. And without knowing the location of the Phoenix Inheritance, I wouldn¡¯t have reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation so quickly, nor would I have been able to make Yu Kuan submit to me. Truly, knowledge is power. Only ignorant fools with brawn care solely about strength!'' Lin Fan thought with immense satisfaction. No one possessed greater knowledge of treasures and opportunities than he did, and nothing could stop him from achieving his ambitions.

    "Alright, since you agree, you¡¯ll be my concubine from today onward. Let¡¯s go announce it to your family. Yu Kuan will help ensure their cooperation¡ªnot that their approval matters, haha. So don¡¯t worry. Just smile and stop looking so miserable," Lin Fan said, clapping his hands lightly as if to declare the matter settled, a bright smile on his face.

    He stepped closer to Xiao Mei and extended his hand to help her up. She grasped his outstretched hand and stood beside him, her face blank and emotionless, utterly resigned to her fate.

    "No, not like that. Smile¡­ like this." Lin Fan reached out and forced a smile onto Xiao Mei¡¯s lips with his fingers. Then, in a commanding tone, he said, "Come on, keep that smile. It¡¯s an honor to be my concubine. You can¡¯t go around looking so expressionless."

    "...Alright," Xiao Mei replied curtly, keeping a forced smile on her face as she obeyed Lin Fan¡¯s command.

    Suddenly, Lin Fan grabbed her hair roughly and yanked her close, his expression turning cold and threatening. In a low, chilling voice, he said, "Listen carefully, you wretched whore. That arrogance you displayed with Yu Ming¡ªI won¡¯t tolerate it. You¡¯d better be grateful for your position as my concubine and address me as ''Young Master.'' Now, smile properly. Do it!"

    "Ah!" Xiao Mei let out a soft cry of pain as her head throbbed from the pull. Under Lin Fan¡¯s intense gaze, she forced a slightly better smile onto her face, desperate to avoid further punishment.

    "Yes, that¡¯s more like it! Hahaha! It¡¯s better for you to be obedient¡ªI don¡¯t enjoy hurting women, my dear. Hahaha!" Lin Fan laughed in delight, finally releasing her hair.

    "Y-Yes, Young Master," Xiao Mei stammered, her voice trembling. She kept up her fake smile, though it was obviously forced. Still, out of sheer fear, she gave it her best effort after Lin Fan¡¯s scolding.

    ''These people only understand with cruelty!'' Lin Fan thought mockingly, watching Xiao Mei¡¯s rapid change in behavior with amusement.

 Ch15: Deal Announcement

    Chapter 15:

    Meanwhile, Yu Kuan had already ordered some servants to take Yu Ming to a room within the Xiao Clan¡¯s compound so he could rest. After that, he began making his way toward the former wedding hall, where only the Xiao Clan¡¯s patriarch and his injured son remained.

    ''So Lin Fan is a womanizer... Good to know. While it¡¯s not exactly a major weakness, I can still use this to elevate my standing by his side more quickly. Too bad I don¡¯t have a daughter¡ªonly that foolish son of mine¡ªor I would have arranged for her to be with him. And every time I think about what Yu Ming did, his recklessness¡­ haah, his mother¡¯s genes seem to be overwhelmingly dominant,'' Yu Kuan thought as he analyzed Lin Fan¡¯s behavior, sighing at the memory of Yu Ming¡¯s actions.

    His expression soon shifted into the diplomatic smile that usually adorned his face as he took a seat near Xiao Zan, who had been discussing something with his son but immediately paused upon seeing Yu Kuan arrive.

    "Welcome, Lord Yu Kuan. You seem to be in high spirits. Could it be that Lin Fan has agreed to join the Yu Clan? And where is he, by the way?" Xiao Zan asked with curiosity and warmth, his eyes gleaming with cunning as he noticed that Lin Fan had not returned with Yu Kuan¡ªor Xiao Mi.

    "Yes, and where are Yu Ming and Xiao Mi?" Xiao Ming also asked anxiously upon hearing Xiao Mi¡¯s name.

    "Greetings, everyone. Yes, Lin Fan has agreed to join my Yu Clan¡ªbut under one condition," Yu Kuan replied with a smile before pausing briefly. "As for Yu Ming, I had some servants take him to his room to rest. As for... Lin Fan and Xiao Mi, they did not return with me due to Lin Fan¡¯s condition."

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    "What do you mean by ''they did not return due to Lin Fan¡¯s condition''? Could you clarify? There¡¯s no need to beat around the bush," Xiao Zan raised an eyebrow as he asked, though he was already quite certain of the answer. ''If my assumption is correct, then this is perfect. My goal will be achieved without me even lifting a finger.''

    Meanwhile, Xiao Ming could only grit his teeth as he watched the exchange. His strength was insufficient for him to interfere in such a serious matter, even though the topic concerned his own daughter.

    "Well, Lin Fan¡¯s condition was to have Xiao Mi. It seems he has taken a liking to her, and I agreed to his request," Yu Kuan stated decisively, without any hesitation. Given his superior strength and the vast difference in status between their families, there was no reason for him to fear the Xiao Clan¡¯s reaction regarding their young lady¡¯s fate.

    "How could you do this?! Isn¡¯t she your son¡¯s fianc¨¦e?!" Xiao Ming exploded with fury, unable to restrain his emotions any longer after hearing Yu Kuan confirm his worst fears.

    "Xiao Ming!! Show respect to Lord Yu Kuan!! Leave now! We will talk at the clan residence¡ªgo!" Xiao Zan barked at his son, before turning to Yu Kuan with an apologetic expression. "I apologize for my son¡¯s outburst, my lord. I hope you don¡¯t take offense."

    Yu Kuan paid no heed to Xiao Ming, only casting him a look of disdain. ''This is precisely why he hasn¡¯t become the clan leader yet, even at his age. He still lacks the wisdom and experience necessary.''

    Upon his father¡¯s scolding, Xiao Ming could only clench his fists in frustration before turning on his heels and leaving without saying another word.

    ''I¡¯m sorry, my daughter. Your father is powerless because of his weakness,'' Xiao Ming thought in sorrow and utter helplessness as he departed, a drop of blood trickling from his lip.

    Yu Kuan didn¡¯t spare Xiao Ming another glance before turning back to Xiao Zan, speaking in a cordial yet unwavering tone. "It¡¯s fine. So, what do you think about Xiao Mi and Lin Fan?"

    "I have no objections. I believe Lin Fan would make an ideal husband for my granddaughter, and I am prepared to arrange their wedding by next week," Xiao Zan responded, a faint smile appearing on his face, one he couldn¡¯t quite suppress.

    Seeing Xiao Zan¡¯s smile and hearing his response, Yu Kuan felt both pity and contempt for the man, fully aware of what he was thinking. Then, with a tone as sharp as a blade, he delivered the bitter truth: "It¡¯s good that you approve, but it seems you¡¯ve misunderstood something¡ªLin Fan will not be marrying Xiao Mi. He will only take her as a concubine!"

 Ch16: Sealed Deal

    Chapter 16:

    "What?!!" Xiao Zan involuntarily shouted in shock. All his dreams collapsed, and shame overwhelmed him instead.

    "I cannot allow such a thing, Master Yu Kuan! We are a first-rate clan with our pride and dignity. If the young lady of my clan becomes nothing more than a concubine, we will become a laughingstock!" Xiao Zan firmly rejected the notion after regaining some composure.

    As soon as Yu Kuan heard Xiao Zan''s response, he unleashed his full aura, pressing down on Xiao Zan with overwhelming force. The table and floor beneath him began to tremble and crack slightly under the pressure, showcasing his dominance and superiority before he spoke sharply, "This is non-negotiable!! Xiao Mi will become Lin Fan''s concubine, and that is final! If you insist otherwise, I will have no choice but to annihilate your entire family!"

    Xiao Zan struggled under Yu Kuan''s pressure. Though the gap between them was only two realms, the sheer difference in strength was undeniable. Moreover, Yu Kuan''s words carried absolute seriousness, leaving Xiao Zan with no room for resistance. "I understand... Very well, I accept!" He reluctantly agreed. He couldn''t risk the destruction of his clan. Besides, even if they were all killed, Xiao Mi would still end up as Lin Fan¡¯s concubine. There was no point in futile resistance.

    "Good, you''ve made the right choice. Of course, the Yu Clan will compensate your clan for this matter. Once I return, I will inform the clan leader to send you some fourth-grade pills," Yu Kuan retracted his aura and spoke with a smile.

    "I see¡­ Thank you in advance, Master Yu Kuan." Xiao Zan replied, his expression easing slightly at the mention of compensation. He sighed inwardly, thinking, At least it wasn¡¯t a complete loss. I''ll receive some fourth-grade pills¡­ Every year, I exhaust my entire fortune just to obtain two of them. Maybe this time, I can finally break through to the second tier. If that happens, this won¡¯t be a total loss. Though the shame will remain unless Lin Fan achieves something miraculous¡­ He sighed again.

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    At that moment, Lin Fan entered with Xiao Mi, who appeared to be smiling happily. However, everyone knew it wasn''t a genuine smile¡ªit merely satisfied Lin Fan''s sadistic desires.

    Yu Kuan immediately stood up upon seeing Lin Fan and greeted him enthusiastically, "You''re back, Lin Fan! I''ve settled everything with Xiao Zan, and he has agreed completely. From today onward, you will be a valued member of the Yu Clan. I look forward to working with you, my brother."

    "Haha, so it''s finally settled? Xiao Mi looks quite happy about it too. It¡¯s great that you accepted as well, old man Xiao Zan. Don¡¯t make things difficult for me," Lin Fan chuckled as he took a seat beside Yu Kuan, completely disregarding Xiao Zan. Meanwhile, Xiao Mi stood behind him, as per his earlier command before they entered the hall.

    "Haha, of course, I accepted. Who wouldn¡¯t want their granddaughter to be with a genius like you, Young Master? Hahaha," Xiao Zan forced a laugh, feigning happiness. He didn¡¯t mind Lin Fan¡¯s blatant disrespect¡ªhis position was clear now. He stole a quick glance of pity at his granddaughter before averting his gaze, addressing Lin Fan with respect due to both his superior strength and newfound status, which was evident from how Yu Kuan referred to him as "brother."

    Naturally, both Yu Kuan and Lin Fan saw through Xiao Zan''s act. They knew he wasn¡¯t truly happy, making Yu Kuan feel even more pity for his ignorance. If only he knew Lin Fan¡¯s true talent and status, he would have begged him to take Xiao Mi as a mere servant¡­ or even just to spend a single night with her. He has no idea how lucky he is that Lin Fan took a liking to his granddaughter.

    Lin Fan, however, was indifferent to Xiao Zan¡¯s dissatisfaction and spoke to Yu Kuan instead, not even bothering to acknowledge him. "I¡¯m also looking forward to going with you, Brother Yu Kuan. You mentioned that your Young Master, the famed prodigy, was the only one who became a disciple of one of the Ancestors. I¡¯m eager to become one as well. What do you say about leaving tomorrow? There¡¯s nothing left for us to do in this city."

    "Indeed. If you pass the test, you¡¯ll be the second of this generation to achieve that status. I will explain the hierarchy, talents, and everything else about the Yu Clan later. For now, let¡¯s head to the Xiao Clan¡¯s residence and rest for the night. Tomorrow, we set off for the Yu Clan¡¯s headquarters," Yu Kuan responded as he stood up, not even bothering to ask Xiao Zan for permission to stay.

    "Alright, I have something important to take care of tonight as well. Let¡¯s hurry to the Xiao Clan¡¯s residence," Lin Fan stood up as well, gazing at Xiao Mi with deep intent.

    Yu Kuan smirked when he saw Lin Fan''s gaze, understanding his meaning. He was certain Lin Fan was quite the womanizer. However, he had misunderstood Lin Fan¡¯s true intentions. While Lin Fan did intend to indulge himself, his main goal was to strengthen his power¡ªhe knew he couldn¡¯t afford to relax completely at his current level.

    "Then, allow me to send a servant to guide you. I hope you will accept the humble accommodations of my clan," Xiao Zan said as he called for a servant and instructed them to lead the guests and prepare the finest rooms for them.

 Ch17: Explosive Progress

    Chapter 17:

    The next day, Lin Fan woke up in a large, luxurious room adorned with numerous priceless paintings and other valuable furnishings. He turned his head to see Xiao Mi asleep beside him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

    Lin Fan stretched comfortably, his mind filled with contentment. "It was an amazing night. Xiao Mi was as delicious as I expected, but of course, the best result was the boost in my power!"

    He carefully examined his body, noting the smallest details of his newfound strength. "As I anticipated, I¡¯ve reached the first stage of the Golden Core realm. This is because I aimed to maintain the strongest foundation possible, otherwise, I would already be at least in the sixth stage by now."

    Lin Fan closed his eyes, focusing inward, analyzing his progress with the Qi path. "The increase in my Qi is substantial. It¡¯s much thicker and purer than before, now gathered in my Golden Core. And the size of my core is enormous¡ªhaha, it''s the size of my fist! An ordinary person''s core is only the size of a finger¡ªan unbeatable foundation."

    Feeling satisfied, Lin Fan got up happily and donned his clothes, which had already been prepared for him, featuring the Yu Clan¡¯s emblem.

    "After this major boost in level, my physical strength has improved too. With the Azure Dragon Body technique, I can easily defeat someone like Yu Kuan. I can even fight evenly with those in the fifth stage of the Deep Sky realm. My progress has finally surpassed the original protagonist of the novel at the same stage¡ªhaha!" Lin Fan thought about the original protagonist, who had been considered a monster and had been given every opportunity in the novel. Now, he had surpassed him!

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    Lin Fan¡¯s thoughts turned to determination, fire burning in his eyes. "I¡¯ve taken my first true step in this world by joining the Yu Clan. I will begin with this wretched empire, reach the Upper World, dominate this realm, and achieve true immortality¡ªby any means necessary!"

    Meanwhile, Xiao Mi lay under the blanket, pretending to still be asleep. A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, still closed, as she peeked out from time to time, checking whether Lin Fan was still in the room, and what he was doing.

    "Why did this happen to me? Why is my luck so bad? Not only did I lose my honor as a woman, but I also lost all my cultivation. I¡¯m just a mere mortal now¡­ Sob, even Lin Fan will probably kill me now..."

    Just then, Xiao Mi heard the door close. She peeked cautiously to make sure Lin Fan had left. Once she confirmed he was gone, she threw off the blanket and covered her face with her hands, crying even harder.

    ---

    After leaving the room, Lin Fan headed directly to the most luxurious restaurant in Beast City, the Crimson Fox Restaurant, owned by the Yu Clan. This was the place where he had agreed to meet Yu Kuan the night before.

    As Lin Fan approached the entrance, he didn¡¯t bother speaking a word before one of the guards stepped forward, greeting him respectfully.

    "Greetings, Young Master Lin Fan. The Seventh Elder has instructed me to lead you to him as soon as you arrive. Please follow me."

    "Alright," Lin Fan responded briefly, following the guard into the restaurant, which had three different floors. However, the guard led him through a hidden passage that descended into an underground level.

    "The Seventh Elder is waiting for you inside, Young Master. I cannot enter, so I will leave you here." The guard stopped at the stairs, bowing respectfully to Lin Fan as he spoke.

    "Okay, you can go now." Lin Fan waved his hand as he began descending the stairs, thinking to himself, "This place is well hidden. The Yu Clan truly knows their craft."

    Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, a horrifying sight greeted Lin Fan: numerous cells lined up side by side, with men and women inside, being tortured in various ways. The screams of agony were unceasing.

    "What a spectacular sight, I¡¯ve missed such scenes!" Lin Fan licked his lips as he observed the various methods of torture and the bloodied bodies of the victims.

 Ch18: The Dungeon

    Chapter 18:

    "Lin Fan!! I¡¯ve been waiting for you, you finally arrived!" A voice called out from the side, making Lin Fan turn his head to the right. It was, of course, You Kuan.

    "You Kuan! This place is beautiful, and completely secret too. I like it. Just as expected from the You Clan." Lin Fan moved closer to You Kuan, still gazing at the various dungeons around them.

    "Of course it¡¯s secret! Only the core members of the clan and above know about it. It¡¯s one of the most important interrogation and torture areas for the clan!" You Kuan replied as he walked beside Lin Fan, heading deeper into the underground floor. The thick smell of blood still lingered in the air.

    "Oh! So, am I now qualified to know about this, or did you just allow it?" Lin Fan asked curiously, trying to gauge his current status within the clan.

    "Yes, you¡¯re qualified. Do you see that badge on your clothes? It marks your status in the clan based on the number of vertical lines. One line for outer disciples, two lines for inner disciples, and so on... You¡¯re currently a core disciple, so you have three lines. Once we return to the clan and you pass the test, you¡¯ll reach the elder status, meaning you¡¯ll have four lines on your badge." You Kuan patiently explained to Lin Fan, detailing how the clan members¡¯ ranks were determined.

    "Oh, I understand now. So that¡¯s why the restaurant guard recognized me so quickly and treated me with such respect. It was clear that the core disciple from the You Clan who would arrive at that time would be me, especially since you already informed him of my arrival." Lin Fan looked at the simple iron badge with three lines and spoke softly, absorbing what You Kuan had just explained.

    But suddenly, You Kuan stopped walking for a moment, staring at Lin Fan in shock. His eyebrows raised slightly in disbelief. "Wait a moment... your energy...!" You Kuan felt a disturbance in the Qi around Lin Fan, and his expression shifted into genuine shock. "Your level... You¡¯ve broken into the Golden Core Realm?! How did you do that, by the hell¡¯s name?!"

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    Lin Fan smiled mysteriously as he looked at him, crossing his arms in front of his chest and speaking in a sarcastic tone, "What? Did you think I¡¯d stay in the Qi Condensation Realm forever?"

    You Kuan shuddered, realizing that just yesterday, Lin Fan had been in the Qi Condensation Realm¡ªon the sixth layer, no less! Advancing to the Golden Core Realm at this speed was impossible... Absolutely impossible! ''My god... this man is a real monster!'' You Kuan thought to himself, feeling both awe and fear toward Lin Fan, now even more certain that he had made the right decision to follow him.

    Meanwhile, Lin Fan and You Kuan finally stopped walking as a large iron gate appeared before them, different from all the other surrounding cells.

    "Is everything set up as I requested, You Kuan?" Lin Fan asked with a small, sinister smile on his face.

    "Yes, take a look for yourself. I personally made sure everything was in place to fulfill your request with the utmost efficiency," You Kuan replied, pulling out the keys from his spatial ring. He began unlocking the iron gate as he thought, ''I¡¯ve finally realized just how dangerous Lin Fan really is after this request of his, and I¡¯ve also understood his twisted obsession. It¡¯s good that I¡¯m on his side and not his enemy!''

    The iron gate creaked open, revealing well-lit surroundings inside the dungeon, unlike the dim lighting in the rest of the underground floor.

    "Umm... Umm..." A moaning sound came from within, and Lin Fan¡¯s satisfied smile widened clearly as he stepped slowly into the dungeon. Before him stood the figure of a bare-chested man, chained to the wall, his arms and legs bound, even his neck encircled with an iron collar to ensure he couldn¡¯t break free under any circumstances.

    "Didn¡¯t I tell you? I won¡¯t rest until I torture you properly, make you beg me for death, and still deny you that mercy... Xiao Ming!" Lin Fan said with a sick smile on his face, inspecting the helpless figure before him.

    "Umm... Umm..." Xiao Ming continued to moan in response to Lin Fan, his mouth gagged with a black mask, unable to speak freely.

    "Oh... Can¡¯t talk, poor thing? Come on, I¡¯ll remove the gag from your mouth. Entertain me with your pleas, hahaha!" Lin Fan laughed maniacally as he removed the mask covering Xiao Ming¡¯s mouth.

    "Ahhh! You bastard! Let me go! I¡¯ll never forgive you as long as I live. Don¡¯t you dare touch my daughter, you bastard, or I¡¯ll kill you!" Xiao Ming shouted at the top of his lungs, struggling to break free. The sound of the iron chains binding his hands and feet echoed clearly as his veins bulged, desperately trying to snap the chains.

    "Bang!!" A powerful punch landed on Xiao Ming¡¯s stomach, causing him to bend slightly and spit out saliva involuntarily from the intense pain. "No, that¡¯s not what you should have said! Looks like this is going to be a long and enjoyable night. I¡¯ll strip you of that arrogance completely, Xiao Ming!"

    Lin Fan took a step back, pulling out his black whip from his spatial ring, then turned his gaze to the corner of the dungeon, where various torture devices of all shapes and sizes were scattered. A wider smile spread across his face as he thought, ''Ah! This brings back memories. The only difference now is that the people in this world are much stronger and... they have far greater endurance and willpower too. Breaking them will be so much fun, hehehe!''

 Ch19: The Morning Activity (1)

    Chapter 19:

    "Come on, old man! Why have you gone silent? Weren¡¯t you just saying you¡¯d kill me?!" Lin Fan sneered, cracking the whip in the air with a sharp sound that sent chills down the spine. "Are you ready for some fun? I won¡¯t let you get bored for even a second tonight! Hahaha!" His laughter was dark, mocking, and utterly deranged.

    "I... I¡¯ll kill you! I¡¯ll kill you if you dare touch my daughter, you bastard! I¡¯m not afraid of you!" Xiao Ming spat, his breathing labored due to the punch he had taken. His injuries and broken ribs only worsened, sending waves of pain through his body.

    "Yes! That¡¯s the spirit! This makes breaking you all the more enjoyable, hehe!" Lin Fan chuckled, a sadistic grin stretching across his face. He turned toward a shelf lined with various torture tools, running his fingers over them one by one. "Hmm¡­ this one? Or maybe¡­ this? Oh, what about this?" His voice carried an eerie excitement as he carefully considered his options, while Xiao Ming finally began to feel true fear creeping in.

    "Alright, I think we¡¯ll start with this!" Lin Fan declared, picking up a metal clamp before stepping toward Xiao Ming once more. "Time to start whimpering, old man. This is definitely going to hurt!" Without hesitation, he placed the clamp on one of Xiao Ming¡¯s toenails and, with a single flick of his wrist, ripped it clean off. Blood dripped from Xiao Ming¡¯s trembling toe.

    "AAAHH!!" A scream of pure agony tore from Xiao Ming¡¯s throat. Sweat poured down his body as his breathing became erratic. He instinctively tried to pull back, but the chains binding him held firm.

    "One down, nine more to go! Give me more of those sweet, pitiful screams!" Lin Fan¡¯s eerie gaze bore into him as he positioned the clamp over another toenail. "And don¡¯t worry¡ªthis is just the first tool. We have all night!"

    "You... bastard¡­ I¡¯ll¡­ kill you¡­" Xiao Ming muttered weakly, but Lin Fan didn¡¯t even acknowledge his words. With another swift movement, he tore off the second nail, his face remaining indifferent to Xiao Ming¡¯s suffering. The pain intensified, and with it, Xiao Ming¡¯s terror grew. This was only the beginning.

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    "Hehehe, that¡¯s the willpower I love! The stronger it is, the better it feels to break! But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll make you beg me to kill you, then beg me to let you live, and then¡­ I¡¯ll start all over again!" Lin Fan¡¯s laughter was filled with pure madness as he continued his work, pulling off one nail after another.

    Meanwhile, in the corner of the cell, Yu Kuan stood watching. His expression remained cold and calculating. Having witnessed countless interrogations, he was no stranger to torture. The horrific scene before him did nothing to shake him. Hmm¡­ this Lin Fan truly enjoys inflicting pain. He took great pleasure in humiliating my son before, too. It seems he delights in the suffering of others. This¡­ this is his true passion.

    He continued analyzing Lin Fan¡¯s character without emotion. This is his twisted side. He despises defiance but seems to appreciate intelligence. Hmm¡­ interesting. And when it comes to his subordinates, from what I¡¯ve seen so far, he¡¯s generous¡ªalmost friendly¡ªeven protective, as long as they show him absolute loyalty. This works in my favor. If I tread carefully and never oppose him, I can rise alongside him.

    Back to Lin Fan, who had already removed most of Xiao Ming¡¯s toenails by now. He placed the clamp on the final nail, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

    "This is fun, isn¡¯t it?" He smirked as he yanked out the last nail without hesitation. "Tell me¡ªare you enjoying yourself?"

    "AAAH¡­ you¡­ bastard¡­!" Xiao Ming whimpered, tears welling in his eyes. The pain was beyond unbearable. His body trembled violently, muscles spasming, his throat parched from constant screaming.

    "That¡¯s what I wanted to hear!" Lin Fan laughed, tossing the clamp aside and picking up a small, razor-sharp knife. "Now, let¡¯s move on to something a little more¡­ exciting!"

    Pressing the tip of the blade against Xiao Ming¡¯s arm, he began carving thin, shallow lines into his skin. Xiao Ming¡¯s agonized cries grew louder, his body writhing in pain.

    After carving a few lines into both of Xiao Ming¡¯s arms, Lin Fan withdrew the knife and spoke in a taunting tone. "Did you know, old man? Your daughter¡­ Xiao Mi¡­ she was absolutely delicious. And oh, so pathetic."

    Xiao Ming¡¯s eyes widened further, burning red with rage. The moment he heard Lin Fan mention his daughter, he knew¡ªthere was no hope left. Any faint glimmer of optimism that she might have been spared was gone.

    But the unbearable pain left him unable to even form words, and Lin Fan didn¡¯t give him the chance to recover. He pressed the blade against Xiao Ming¡¯s chest, carving jagged lines as fresh blood dripped down his torso. "She accepted my offer so easily, so foolishly¡ªwithout even verifying whether I was telling the truth!"

    Xiao Ming¡¯s screams only grew louder, but so did Lin Fan¡¯s twisted enjoyment. With slow, meticulous precision, he continued carving into Xiao Ming¡¯s chest. A cruel grin formed on his lips as the image took shape¡ªXiao Mi, in his embrace, his face beaming with wicked amusement.

    "I told her that if she became my concubine, I wouldn¡¯t harm you. If only you could have seen her expression in that moment¡­ hehehe¡­ she looked so¡­ relieved!"

    Lin Fan cast a look of cold disdain at Xiao Ming, his thoughts dripping with mockery. What a miserable excuse for a man. Is this really the heir of a top-tier clan? Hahahaha!

    As he continued carving with his knife, Xiao Ming writhed and thrashed like a helpless worm, his suffering now both physical and psychological.

    "How amusing, isn¡¯t it?" Lin Fan whispered mockingly, his grin widening. "How could I leave my victim after I promised to torture them?!"

 Ch20: The Morning Activity (2)

    Chapter 20:

    Lin Fan continued to draw with great focus, narrating Xiao Ming''s suffering while inhaling the strong scent of blood emanating from him, savoring every moment of his pain.

    After a while, Xiao Ming lost consciousness from the excruciating pain caused by the markings on his body.

    "What? Did you fall asleep? No, you must see the beautiful picture I¡¯m creating and feel it every moment. Come on... wake up!" Lin Fan slapped Xiao Ming harshly with his left hand, causing him to snap back to awareness, helpless and clearly broken. He looked at Lin Fan with a pitiful, pleading gaze.

    "The night is still young, this is just the beginning. Don¡¯t sleep and give up so quickly, you old fool, hehehe." Lin Fan relished his control over his victim, continuing his work without a hint of fatigue.

    ...

    After two hours of continuous torment through various methods, Lin Fan finally ended his session, wiping the little sweat from his forehead with his arm. A proud and satisfied smile spread across his face as he said, "Hah, that was tough, but it was worth it, wasn¡¯t it?"

    He gently kicked the trembling body in front of him, speaking mockingly, "Oh, sorry, I meant... wasn¡¯t it, you filthy dog?" Lin Fan leaned in slightly, holding Xiao Ming''s shivering chin with his fingertips, lifting his battered, bruised, and wounded face. "Or maybe... should I call you the broken doll? No, no... that doesn''t suit you yet. There¡¯s still some resistance left in you."

    Lin Fan chuckled softly, then gently tapped Xiao Ming''s cheeks as if caressing a child. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find the right title for you soon... after another session or two!"

    ¡®I... will... never... submit... to you!¡¯ Xiao Ming thought, his faint remaining consciousness fighting the overwhelming pain.

    On the side, Yu Kuan was still standing with his back against the wall, but his expression was no longer as emotionless as before. He raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Lin Fan is more ruthless than I thought. It¡¯s not like this is the first time I¡¯ve seen torture techniques like these, but the horror of Lin Fan lies in the reason behind his cruelty. Pleasure! Only pleasure!"

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    Meanwhile, Lin Fan was washing his hands and wiping his bloodstained black whip near Yu Kuan. As he did, he spoke to him at the same time, "After finishing my morning activity, I feel finally refreshed. Now you can start telling me more detailed information about the Yu Clan and the power distribution throughout the empire. I don¡¯t know much, just the general and most important things, but gaining more knowledge can¡¯t hurt."

    Yu Kuan moved away from the wall after Lin Fan spoke, then responded with a nod, "Alright, just ask me anything, and I¡¯ll answer. I know most things in this empire. But what should we do with Xiao Ming?"

    "This dog?... Hmm, just take him with us on the cart to the Yu Clan, put him in a box or something. I don¡¯t like to abandon my victims until I finish training them." Lin Fan replied with a sly smile, then began walking toward the iron gate to leave the dungeon.

    As Lin Fan walked toward the gate, a smile spread across his face. Training his victims was much more fun in this world. Watching once-arrogant people crumble before him, begging for mercy, and then turning into tools completely under his control... it was simply wonderful!

    "Alright, if that¡¯s what you want." Yu Kuan nodded and followed Lin Fan without any pity for Xiao Ming.

    As Lin Fan left the dungeon, he extinguished the torches with a swift motion, plunging the place into darkness.

    ...

    A few minutes later, Lin Fan and Yu Kuan emerged from the secret underground floor and headed for a private VIP room in the Crimson Fox restaurant.

    One of the guards respectfully opened the door for Lin Fan and Yu Kuan to enter, revealing a luxurious and spacious room. It was decorated with several priceless paintings hanging on the walls, and two couches made from the hide of a third-grade magical beast, the Crimson Fox.

    "Greetings, young master Lin Fan." Yu Ming greeted Lin Fan respectfully, bowing his head, his eyes returning to life, and all traces of his previous anger toward Lin Fan were erased.

    "Oh, Yu Ming, have you finally started your work? Good thing you didn¡¯t run away, or I would¡¯ve done my next morning activity on you, hahaha." Lin Fan sat comfortably on the couch, laughing, leaving one wondering if he was joking or not.

    "Haha, of course I wouldn¡¯t run away. It¡¯s an honor to serve you, my lord." Yu Ming responded, albeit with some discomfort, despite the fake smile on his face.

    What is this morning activity? Either way, it must be something terrifying. I¡¯m glad my father guided me and convinced me to submit, or I would¡¯ve been the victim of this so-called morning activity! Yu Ming thought, a mixture of relief and faint fear in his mind.

    Yu Kuan, on the other hand, shuddered at Lin Fan¡¯s joke, unconsciously touching his neck, unsure if it was even a joke. He said while sitting on the couch across from Lin Fan, "Haha, my son doesn¡¯t back down from his words. As he said, it¡¯s an honor to serve a genius like you. You can order him as you wish. He is your servant from now on."

    "Yes, I was just joking. I only do my morning activity on my enemies or as punishment. As long as you¡¯re on my side, there¡¯s no need to worry about that, hahaha... Now, Yu Ming, start by massaging my feet." Lin Fan reclined comfortably on the large couch, grabbing a plate from the many dishes on the table and beginning to eat.

    "At once, young master." Yu Ming responded respectfully, approaching Lin Fan¡¯s feet despite his hidden disgust, removing his shoes, and beginning to massage his feet carefully.

    Damn! What have I come to? Starting to massage someone else¡¯s feet! Just hurry up and fulfill your promise, Father. Make Lin Fan forgive me and elevate my status. Yu Ming bit his lip angrily, thinking with disgust as he massaged Lin Fan¡¯s feet.

    Meanwhile, Yu Kuan signaled to the maids to leave as soon as he heard Lin Fan¡¯s command, then asked while also beginning to eat, "So? Should I tell you about the biggest threats in this empire first?"

 Ch21: Major Threats

    Chapter 21:

    "Alright, let¡¯s start with them then. Tell me." Lin Fan replied as he ate slowly, then thought to himself, I think I already know the greatest threats from the novel, but there¡¯s no harm in confirming.

    "The most threatening forces to us are already well-known¡ªthe imperial family and four of the seven great clans," Yu Kuan began explaining patiently before going into detail. "First and strongest among them, the Thunder Body Clan. They specialize in body refinement, making their members vastly superior to others at the same cultivation level. They have more than ten individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm, making them the second greatest threat to our clan¡¯s ambition of ruling this empire!"

    Our clan is planning a coup? But our strength is still far from the imperial family. Even among the seven great clans, we¡¯re only ranked third, Yu Ming thought in shock and confusion, his hands pausing slightly as he massaged Lin Fan¡¯s feet.

    "Yu Ming, why did your hands stop? Huh?!" Lin Fan lifted his right foot and lightly pushed Yu Ming¡¯s face with it, urging him to continue the massage.

    "A-ah... Apologies, young master. I¡¯ll continue now." Yu Ming stammered, his voice trembling as he apologized, waiting for Lin Fan to lower his foot before resuming the massage, a slight tremor in his fingers.

    Looks like he was shocked because he thought we were talking about the Yu Clan. He doesn¡¯t realize we¡¯re actually talking about my Lin Clan. If he did, he¡¯d be even more stunned. Lin Fan couldn¡¯t help but smile at the thought, his appreciation for Yu Kuan growing as he saw how well he conveyed the idea without letting his son realize their true plans.

    "Alright, continue, Yu Kuan." Lin Fan signaled Yu Kuan to resume his explanation while picking up a plate of delicious seafood.

    Damn! He never forgets to enjoy humiliating others even while gathering the information he wants, Yu Kuan thought with exhaustion about the master he had acquired as he continued his explanation.

    "Ahem. Second, the Emerald Sword Clan. They specialize in sword arts and have seven individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm."

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    "Third, the Heavenly Lust Clan. They specialize in seduction techniques and dual cultivation, with five individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm."

    I must visit that clan. I remember their young prodigy from the novel¡ªshe was devilishly beautiful and explosively alluring, not to mention incredibly talented. She would be the most suitable official partner for me in this empire. Lin Fan licked his lips as he thought. Expanding his clan couldn''t rely solely on subordinates; heirs were necessary too.

    "Fourth and finally, the Frozen Blade Clan. They specialize in blade techniques. They weren¡¯t much of a threat before, as they only had three individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm, making them the weakest of the seven great clans. However, their young master of this generation is ranked second among the Nine Prodigies, making them a potential future threat to our clan. But there¡¯s no need to worry about them. Now, we have two prodigies in our clan, not just one," Yu Kuan concluded with a smile. Only the imperial family had two prodigies in their ranks, and soon their clan would be the same.

    Lin Fan placed his hand on his chin, processing Yu Kuan¡¯s words before asking, "Hmm, I see. Among the seven great clans, what is the exact rank and strength of the Yu Clan? And you still haven¡¯t told me anything about the imperial family."

    After questioning Yu Kuan, Lin Fan put down his plate, turned over, and lay on his chest, signaling Yu Ming to start massaging his back.

    Damn! This bastard never gets tired! Yu Ming thought in frustration as he obediently started massaging Lin Fan¡¯s back, carefully hiding any signs of annoyance or disgust.

    "Our Yu Clan is ranked third in strength among the great clans, as we also have five individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm¡ªthe clan leader and the four ancestors. However, we surpass the Heavenly Lust Clan in the number of elders. But now, or rather, in the near future, with your addition to our clan, we could rise to second place, surpassing the Emerald Sword Clan!" Yu Kuan replied, no longer paying attention to what his son was doing.

    Then, with a grave expression and a voice tinged with fear, he continued, "As for the imperial family, their power is vast and unfathomable. No one knows its exact extent. Their publicly known forces alone include more than twenty individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm, not to mention their hidden forces. The imperial family hasn¡¯t acted with its full strength in 700 years¡ªnot since they crushed the rebellion of the Seven Allied Clans and asserted their dominance. Since then, no one knows the true depth of their power!"

    Lin Fan paused for a moment, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the back massage, analyzing the information with deep contemplation. ''Twenty individuals at the Soul Transformation Realm, and that¡¯s just what¡¯s known? Not to mention the hidden forces that no one has seen for centuries... The novel never delved into the detailed strength of these clans because it focused on the original Lin Fan¡¯s growth and used this empire as merely a starting point. But I... will rule it!''

    Lin Fan clenched his fist lightly as he grasped the vast gap separating him from his first goal. Even with all the strength and future knowledge he had now, he was still just an ant before an entity like the imperial family.

    ''Even if I become the strongest prodigy of this generation, that means nothing in front of those ancient monsters. My strength allows me to dominate some weaker first- to third-rank clans, but it¡¯s still far from enough to let me even dream of ruling a small empire like this!''

    Lin Fan opened his eyes, the red glow within them turning colder. His expression showed no frustration¡ªonly determination and absolute confidence in himself. ''I still have three years before the Great Empires¡¯ War begins. I¡¯m not going anywhere until I establish my absolute dominance over this pathetic empire!''

    A faint smile formed on Lin Fan¡¯s lips before he spoke in a calm tone, "Alright, now tell me about the imperial family members. Who are the heirs?"

 Chapter 22

    Chapter 22:

    Yu Kuan looked at Lin Fan with a serious expression before saying, "The imperial family has many princes and princesses, but only three are considered legitimate heirs. The strongest among them, and the first miracle, is the First Prince, Yi Feng. It is said that he has already reached the peak of the Soul Birth Realm!"

    Lin Fan maintained a calm expression, as he had expected this considering the First Prince''s power in the Great Empire Wars of the novel.

    "Then there is the Second Prince, Yi Xuan. Although his strength isn¡¯t like that of his older brother, he is no less terrifying. He is incredibly intelligent and relies on tactics and strategies in battle. He also has significant support behind him, with his twin sister, Yi Rou, who is just as strong as he is, supporting him fully for the throne. If she were not a woman, she would have been a legitimate heir as well!"

    Lin Fan smiled as he listened, thinking, ''Twins? They won''t be much of a problem.''

    Yu Kuan''s expression shifted to one of disdain before he continued, "And finally, the Fourth Prince, Yi Long. Don¡¯t worry about him; he¡¯s just a lazy trash who only became a legitimate heir because his mother is the Emperor''s favorite concubine. Although there are rumors about his transformation this year and that he¡¯s grown a bit stronger, reaching the advanced stages of Qi Condensation, he is still very weak and not worth any attention."

    "Despite the strength of the princes, the Emperor remains the biggest obstacle. He is in the seventh tier of the Soul Transformation Realm, surpassing the second strongest person in the empire by two full tiers, and he is the ancestor of the Thunder Body Clan!"

    Lin Fan froze slightly upon hearing this, then suddenly jumped up from the soft couch, excitement radiating from him. "Wait, what did you say, Yu Kuan? Repeat what you just said!"

    Yu Kuan and Yu Ming were both surprised by Lin Fan¡¯s sudden enthusiasm, not understanding the strange shift in his behavior. "I¡­ I said the Emperor is the biggest obstacle¡­"

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    "No, not that! About the Fourth Prince!" Lin Fan interrupted Yu Kuan, his excitement growing.

    "That trash? You said he¡¯s just weak and careless, but a year ago, he fully transformed and began cultivating seriously. He rapidly advanced to the advanced stages of Qi Condensation, and it¡¯s said that the Emperor provided him with many high-level pills to help him progress so quickly."

    "Yesssss!!" Lin Fan shouted enthusiastically, raising his hands in the air, laughing maniacally. Shock and confusion were clearly visible on the faces of Yu Kuan and Yu Ming.

    ''What¡¯s going on with Lin Fan? Has he lost his mind or what?'' Yu Ming thought in surprise, having been massaging Lin Fan¡¯s back until he suddenly stood up and began laughing like a madman.

    ''Why did Lin Fan get so excited when I mentioned the Fourth Prince? Could there be a secret about him that Lin Fan knows?'' Yu Kuan pondered analytically, surprised and trying to find a logical reason for Lin Fan¡¯s sudden enthusiasm.

    ''Yes, yes, yes! I¡¯m not the only reincarnated one, this is all the makings of a typical hero. This game is going to be so much more fun, ha ha ha!'' Lin Fan thought, his excitement burning within him, before quickly giving out orders.

    "Yu Kuan, Yu Ming, get out of here and tell everyone that no one is allowed to enter this room until I leave myself. Start preparing to depart, and when I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll meet you all in front of the city gates!"

    Yu Kuan and Yu Ming exchanged looks of confusion before Yu Kuan nodded and replied, "Alright, we¡¯ll be waiting for you at the gates then."

    ''There must be a secret behind Lin Fan¡¯s strange behavior. The Fourth Prince¡­ It seems I need to investigate his movements more and start gathering all the information about him.'' Yu Kuan thought shrewdly, planning his next steps within a few seconds.

    Then Yu Kuan and his son left the room, closing the door behind them, leaving Lin Fan alone as he had instructed.

    "Yi Long is reincarnated like me... What if he has opportunities stronger than mine and what I know? No, I can''t let him catch up to me or surpass me!"

    "This will completely change the game balance. All my plans need to be revised. This could be an enormous opportunity, but it could also be the reason for my downfall and failure to achieve my ambitions. Damn! I¡¯m so excited! I was worried it would become boring!" Lin Fan lightly bit his finger as he paced back and forth, muttering quietly to himself, his mind never stopping, making assumptions and adjustments constantly.

    "Yi Long started his transformation a year ago, so he must have reincarnated at the same time as me. He would have been at the same level as me if not for my progress thanks to Xiao Mi yesterday. He¡¯s likely to be at the same level as the original Lin Fan, the typical hero. But these are just assumptions; he might be stronger. The only way to confirm he¡¯s weaker than me and make myself stronger is to cut off his opportunities. I must cut off all the chances he gets and take his power. Maybe he has some strange ring or something like that!" Lin Fan continued to mutter quietly, his mind working non-stop, offering solutions and constantly tweaking his plans accordingly.

    The atmosphere inside the room became charged with tension as Lin Fan¡¯s rapid breathing and muttering were the only sounds heard, before his smile widened, resembling a crescent moon. "Yi Long¡­ I¡¯ll make sure to fully take advantage of you!"

 Ch23: Despair

    Chapter 23:

    Lin Fan continued to think and adjust his plans for more than two hours before reaching complete satisfaction with his final plan. He left the room with slow, deliberate steps and a faint smile on his face.

    He walked calmly, his mind still working as he left the Crimson Fox restaurant and headed toward the city gates along the cobbled road.

    After about half an hour, Lin Fan finally arrived at the only exit and entrance to the city, where Yu Kuan, Yu Ming, Xiao Mi, and the rest of the group were waiting for him.

    Next to the city stood a vast forest, the very forest where Lin Fan had obtained the Phoenix¡¯s inheritance, the Forest of Magical Beasts. In front of it was only a wide path used by travelers.

    Meanwhile, Xiao Mi¡¯s expression showed more despair than ever before. Her head was hung low, standing behind Yu Kuan, her heart heavy with sorrow. They abandoned me. The looks of disdain they gave me when they saw I had no cultivation¡­ I will never forget those looks.

    Xiao Mi struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to fall as she remembered her grandfather¡¯s and the clan elders¡¯ shocked expressions, which quickly turned to utter disdain once they confirmed her complete loss of cultivation, not a single drop of Qi remaining!

    And Yu Ming, who had seemed to put great effort into avoiding eye contact with her at first, now, sensing her transformation into a mortal with no strength, looked at her with contempt, without hesitation.

    In the end, the law of this world remained unchanged, the law of the jungle! The strong devour the weak, survival and rule belong to the strong, while enslavement and obedience are for the weak. This is the harsh law of this world, plain and simple!

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    Xiao Mi lost her cultivation, and Lin Fan broke through several layers at once. All of this in one night... This cannot be just a coincidence. Lin Fan must be the reason for Xiao Mi¡¯s transformation into a mortal. Perhaps he has a skill to absorb others¡¯ Qi or something like that. Yu Kuan thought as he clenched his fist in a friendly salute to Lin Fan before continuing his train of thought.

    Lin Fan always surprises me, even though it¡¯s only been a day since we met, but this is a good sign. The stronger he gets, the more benefits I will reap, and the better it is for me.

    After everyone greeted Lin Fan with respect, he asked in a calm tone, ¡°Is everything ready? And the goods?¡±

    Yu Kuan nodded, ¡°Yes, two carts have been prepared, and the goods are in good condition as well. The journey will take about two months.¡± No one knew what these goods were, except Lin Fan and Yu Kuan, who both knew that the ¡°goods¡± were, in fact, Xiao Ming.

    ¡°Good,¡± Lin Fan responded briefly, then called out to Xiao Mi, ¡°Xiao Mi, come, you¡¯ll ride with me in my cart.¡± Lin Fan ordered as he climbed into his large cart, which was marked with the Yu Clan¡¯s emblem.

    ¡°Y¡­ Yes,¡± Xiao Mi whispered under her breath in response, before walking toward Lin Fan¡¯s cart, somewhat surprised.

    This time, Yu Ming paid no attention to Xiao Mi, who would be riding with Lin Fan in the cart, even though she had been his former fianc¨¦e. Instead, he thought with bitterness, Damn, this bitch has become a mere mortal, and she¡¯s the reason I¡¯ve turned into nothing more than a servant for Lin Fan. Damn it! If I had known this, I would never have confronted Lin Fan for her, and I would have handed her over to him gladly!

    All she had was that damned face of hers! But without cultivation, she can be nothing more than a slave. I really wonder why Lin Fan called on her again. Maybe he only wants her services as a slave, and even her position as a concubine will disappear for sure! Yu Ming continued thinking with disdain for Xiao Mi before pushing her out of his mind and getting into the cart with his father.

    Then, the two carts finally began to move, followed by dozens of guards on foot or horseback, all heading in the same direction: the Yu City.

    ...

    Inside one of the carts, Lin Fan sat with a smile on his face as he watched Xiao Mi, who appeared tense as she fidgeted with her hands, trying not to look at her master.

    Now comes the real subjugation! Lin Fan thought with an enigmatic smile.

    ¡°Xiao Mi, are you perhaps... surprised at why I summoned you even though you¡¯ve lost your power?¡± Lin Fan asked with a mischievous and cunning smile on his face.

    Xiao Mi became even more tense under Lin Fan¡¯s gaze, struggling to reply quickly, ¡°Y¡­ Yes, young master, w... why didn¡¯t you despise me and throw me away? Why did you still insist on calling me?¡± Xiao Mi gathered all her remaining courage to ask this question, as her confidence had been shattered completely.

    ¡°You ask me why? Hah, I¡¯ll answer you later. But first, tell me, did you see how quickly everyone abandoned you? Did you see how quickly their faces turned, like flipping pages? Did you feel the sense of betrayal and humiliation? Tell me!¡± Lin Fan¡¯s eyes widened as he moved his face closer and closer to Xiao Mi with each question.

 Ch24: Subjugation

    Chapter 24:

    Xiao Mi¡¯s eyes turned red, and her body started trembling upon hearing Lin Fan¡¯s questions. She bit her lips, tears of sorrow streaming down her face. ¡°I... Yes... Everyone abandoned me... Everyone... turned against me...¡± She sobbed in agony, grieving for those she once considered the closest to her.

    ¡°Yes... That¡¯s right... No one stands by your side anymore... And do you know why? Because you have become mortal. Without cultivation, you are nothing. That¡¯s why they abandoned you. In their eyes, you are nothing but... trash!¡± Lin Fan whispered beside Xiao Mi¡¯s ear, making her tears flow even more upon hearing the harsh truth.

    ¡°But... don¡¯t you want revenge?! They sold you off to me without hesitation, without even resisting! The moment you lost your cultivation, they turned their backs on you, hoping I would still keep you for their own benefit...¡± Lin Fan continued speaking to Xiao Mi, causing hesitation to flicker in her eyes as they wavered between hatred and helplessness.

    ¡®I can¡¯t do anything... They betrayed me so easily... And yet, I can do nothing but follow what they want... Why am I this weak?!¡¯ Xiao Mi dug her nails into her palm out of frustration and fury at her own powerlessness. Drops of blood seeped from the fresh wound, yet she paid no attention to it.

    ¡°Even your father! He disappeared that very day... Who knows? Maybe he opposed them, and they killed him. Or perhaps they imprisoned him... They are ruthless... They only follow their own interests... Look at how your grandfather handed you over to me with a smile, instead of fighting for you.¡± Lin Fan whispered, planting the seed of doubt in Xiao Mi¡¯s heart¡ªdoubt towards the dearest person to her, her father!

    Xiao Mi¡¯s eyes widened completely at the mention of her father, now filled with nothing but hatred. A faint killing intent began to emanate from her as she muttered, ¡°Father...¡±

    ¡°Tell me now... Do you want revenge? Do you want to find your father? I can grant you the power to do so with ease... All I ask in return is one thing... Absolute obedience!¡± Lin Fan finally declared, looking straight into Xiao Mi¡¯s bloodshot eyes, his expression exuding absolute seriousness, hiding the malice within.

    ¡°Yes, I want to find my father... No, I will find him... And I will kill them all! I will make them regret the looks of contempt they cast upon me!¡± Xiao Mi declared, an overwhelming killing intent surging from her. Her eyes and face had turned ice-cold¡ªcompletely different from the weeping girl of just moments ago!

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    ¡°Good, very good... Then, are you prepared to obey me and follow my every command without question?¡± Lin Fan asked Xiao Mi one last time, seeking final confirmation of her resolve.

    ¡°Yes, Young Master. As long as you grant me the strength to take revenge and find my father, I am prepared to devote myself to you completely, with my body and soul!¡± Xiao Mi knelt before Lin Fan, her body trembling slightly, revealing the last traces of her hesitation¡ªsomething that brought a smile to his lips.

    ¡°Good, good... Hahaha... Then, let me tell you something before we proceed. You have a special body, known as the Pure Qi Body. This physique causes its owner to lose all of their qi to the person they sleep with, unless they have mastered control over it.¡± Lin Fan revealed the truth to Xiao Mi, a sly smile curving his lips.

    ¡°W-What?! Then... you¡¯re the reason I lost my power?!!¡± Xiao Mi stammered in shock before screaming at Lin Fan, ready to pounce on him in blind fury.

    ¡°Stay where you are. I did not give you permission to rise.¡± Lin Fan¡¯s voice turned icy as he released a faint pressure of his qi, effortlessly forcing Xiao Mi back into a kneeling position. As a mere mortal, she was too weak to resist in the slightest.

    ¡®Damn it! This bastard is far too strong! No... I am far too weak! But why is he telling me all this about revenge and power if he was the one who took my cultivation? Is he mocking me?!¡¯ Xiao Mi thought furiously, once again trapped in helplessness, unable to even speak under Lin Fan¡¯s overwhelming suppression.

    ¡°Now that you¡¯ve calmed down, let me explain something to you. First, you were going to lose your cultivation no matter what. Even if I weren¡¯t here, Yu Ming would have taken your qi instead. So wouldn¡¯t it be better that I was the one who took it instead?¡± Lin Fan stated, crossing one leg over the other as he looked down at the kneeling Xiao Mi, his tone a mix of seriousness and mockery.

    ¡°Second, this situation has helped you see the true faces of those closest to you and understand the cruel reality of this world.¡±

    ¡°Third, you will never be able to retain your cultivation as long as you are with a man. Your qi will always be drained from you¡ªunless you possess techniques specifically suited for your unique physique. And I... I am the only one who has such techniques. I am your only hope to regain your strength, take your revenge, and find your father.¡±

    ¡°In conclusion, you shouldn¡¯t blame me. You should blame yourself for having such a special body. But even if you insist on blaming me, so be it. I remain your only hope. So? What will you do? Will you accept following me... and consume this insect?¡± Lin Fan finished his explanation, his words leaving no room for doubt.

    Even if she still had every reason to hate and blame him, he had conveyed the most important point¡ªthis would have happened to her regardless. The difference was that he had the solution to help her rise again¡ªstronger than she ever was before.

    Lin Fan lifted the qi suppression that had been weighing down on Xiao Mi, allowing her to speak and move once more. Yet, she remained frozen in place, silent, lost in deep thought.

    Then, after nearly two minutes, Xiao Mi finally exhaled deeply, lifted her gaze with firm resolve, and spoke with unwavering determination.

    ¡°I accept following you, Young Master. As long as you grant me the technique that will allow me to cultivate naturally without fear, I will consume this insect and serve you from this day forward. Not as a concubine... but as a slave. As long as I can obtain my revenge!¡±

 Ch25: Servitude and Power

    Chapter 25:

    "Alright then! Take it." Lin Fan extended the parasitic insect to Xiao Mi, who was kneeling, a smile on his face as he eagerly awaited her to swallow it right in front of his eyes.

    ''Although this pure Chi body is only from the lowest tier of special bodies, it still grants the possessor immense talent, enough to reach the highest levels in the mortal realm. Thus, bringing Xiao Mi to me so easily is quite the gain.''

    Xiao Mi took the small insect in her hand, watching as it wriggled in her palm with disgust. She then raised her head and met Lin Fan¡¯s expectant gaze.

    ¡®Hah, I have no choice, I¡¯ll swallow this disgusting bug!¡¯ Xiao Mi thought to herself as she reluctantly brought the insect closer to her mouth, before swallowing it quickly.

    "Ugh!" Xiao Mi¡¯s expression turned exaggerated in disgust as she felt a shiver run through her body, a primal urge to vomit overwhelming her. It felt as though the small insect she had just swallowed had spread throughout her entire body, and that¡¯s exactly what happened! Its eggs had dispersed into every corner of her internal body.

    "Well done, Xiao Mi. From this day forward, you are my first true servant!" Lin Fan patted the kneeling Xiao Mi''s head with a satisfied smile, before pulling out a book from his spatial ring and handing it to her. "Take this. It''s a sixth-grade technique, called the Frozen Yin Technique. There¡¯s nothing like it in the entire empire!"

    Xiao Mi, still sticking her tongue out in disgust from swallowing the insect, turned her full attention to the book Lin Fan handed her. After hearing his explanation about the technique, her mouth fell open in shock, as expected.

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    "The Frozen Yin Technique..." Xiao Mi muttered in disbelief, holding the book Lin Fan had given her. Her thoughts were a storm, churning like turbulent seas. ¡®A sixth-grade technique! This is a sixth-grade technique! Even the imperial family doesn¡¯t have something like this! They say that anyone with a technique of this level, no matter their talent, can reach the Spirit Transformation realm, and even the next realm, which is only found in legends!¡¯

    Lin Fan smiled with contempt when he saw the expression on Xiao Mi¡¯s face. His pride grew as he spoke, "There¡¯s no need to be so shocked over just a sixth-grade technique. If you perform well and are obedient, and more importantly, if your power advances quickly enough, I will give you an even higher-level technique. Everything depends on you!"

    Xiao Mi''s jaw dropped upon hearing Lin Fan''s words. He considered even a sixth-grade technique to be trash, and could give her one of a higher grade? Isn''t this type of technique something from legends only?

    ¡®H¡­ this is impossible! Techniques higher than sixth-grade! What is Lin Fan¡¯s background?! Or¡­ could he be lying to me? No¡­ there¡¯s no reason to lie to me when he has complete control over me. But if what he says is true, then why is he in such an empire and not with one of the major sects that are talked about in legends?¡¯

    Lin Fan didn¡¯t care about Xiao Mi¡¯s shock and thoughts. He casually sat down, closed his eyes, and issued his order. "I¡¯ll begin training now. You should do the same and don¡¯t disturb me. When I need to relieve my stress, I¡¯ll come to you myself." Lin Fan finished his sentence with a meaningful smile.

    "Y... Yes, Master." Xiao Mi replied in a low tone, quietly opening the technique in her hands with anticipation. At the same time, she thought to herself, ¡®Relieving his stress, huh? Looks like this is my life from now on. But at least I can become stronger than before, and shut the mouths of all those bastards who looked down on me when I fell!¡¯

    Xiao Mi quickly pushed away all these distracting thoughts and focused all her attention on the technique in her hands, the key to her revenge and finding her missing father!

    As for Lin Fan, he was consuming a fourth-grade pill every hour, with overwhelming blue energy radiating from his body. Anyone in this empire would be frozen in shock at how much Lin Fan consumed during his cultivation. This waste would even be unbearable for the imperial family!

    ¡®The Azure Dragon Body technique truly requires a massive amount of resources. It took 200 fourth-grade pills for me to accelerate the refining of my blood and master the first level of the technique.¡¯

    ¡®Now that I¡¯ve reached the Golden Core realm, I can finally start learning the second level of it and refine my bones. But if I continue using only fourth-grade pills, I don¡¯t know how many years it will take to master it. I need to quickly obtain enough fifth-grade herbs to refine pills of that level.¡¯ Lin Fan thought with a sigh as he felt the slow progress in his physical strength, but soon regained his composure after thinking of the Yu Clan. He would reach them in two months, and once he did, his need would be resolved, allowing him to accelerate his progress.