Nine soul rings slowly rose behind her, and Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed when she noticed that her opponent also possessed a hundred-thousand-year soul ring. A moment later, she realized it wasn't surprising—this person was one of Lin Fan's subordinates.
She glanced to the side, where Dugu Bo's ninth soul ring was still only of the ten-thousand-year level, and couldn't help but feel a trace of disdain.
"A hundred-thousand-year soul ring… looks like Lin Fan's work again," Bibi Dong sneered coldly at Tang Hao.
"Your Holiness, don't tell me you plan to start a battle here?" Tang Hao's voice was calm, but his gaze was razor-sharp.
"What if I do?" Bibi Dong replied, utterly unconcerned. This wasn't Spirit Hall territory—she could go all out without worry.
"Your Holiness, I'd advise you to drop that thought," Dugu Bo said playfully, twirling a strand of his green hair between his fingers.
"I didn't expect you to have such tricks up your sleeve. Seems I underestimated you," Bibi Dong admitted, her tone carrying reluctant respect. "How long until Lin Fan arrives?"
Feeling her own condition shift subtly, Bibi Dong sighed and withdrew her killing intent. She stared hard at Dugu Bo. At some point, she had already been poisoned—and worse, she still needed Lin Fan's help.
Moments ago, she had thought Dugu Bo was a useless old snake, but now she realized he was far trickier than he looked. Even without a ten-thousand-year ninth ring, his Jade Phosphor Serpent poison could still affect a Titled Douluo.
The rapid rise of multiple Soul Douluos in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to the Titled Douluo rank was clearly Lin Fan's doing. If that clan could achieve such things, then Spirit Hall surely could as well—and Spirit Hall had far more Soul Douluos to begin with.
"That depends on the mood of the Lord Dominator," Tang Hao said coldly. "But we'll make sure to inform him that you came."
Meanwhile, Lin Fan had brought Huo Wu and several others to the Zerg hive.
"Se… Senior, are you sure you're not lying? You're saying that just by going inside, our soul rings' age will increase?" Huo Wu asked, her tone filled with disbelief.
It sounded too good to be true—how could such an impossible thing happen just by entering a place?
"Do I have any reason to lie to you? You're free to refuse," Lin Fan said flatly, his tone slightly annoyed.
"N-no, Senior! We trust you. But… how should we repay you?" Huo Wu quickly added when she noticed his displeasure.
"We'll talk about repayment later. For now, go in," Lin Fan waved his hand, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched them disappear into the hive.
Inside, the transformation was swift and smooth. None of them resisted, so the Zerg assimilation proceeded perfectly.
Before long, Huo Wu was the first to emerge, her expression radiant. "Senior! Our power—it's really stronger!"
Behind her, a brilliant ten-thousand-year soul ring glowed, proof of the transformation's success.
"Good. Very good," Lin Fan said with a faint smile. "Now then… have you thought about how to repay me?"
He reached out and gently lifted her chin.
"Anything you command, Senior," Huo Wu answered softly, eyes closed.
Her tone was submissive—trusting.
"Good girl," Lin Fan said, smirking faintly. "Let's see… here's what I want. You'll return to Blazing Academy and act as my agent. Report all their movements to me."
"W-what!? Senior, that's impossible!" Huo Wu's eyes widened in disbelief as she instinctively pulled back.
"Oh? You're refusing me already?" Lin Fan's tone chilled.
"Senior… I can't," she whispered, trembling.
Blazing Academy was her home—the place that had raised her. Betraying it was unthinkable.
Lin Fan sighed lightly. "I increased your soul ring's age… and saved your life when Shi Nian tried to kill you. Is this how you repay your benefactor?"
As expected, his words struck a chord. Huo Wu's eyes wavered—but only for a moment.
"I… I can repay you another way. Please, just not that."
Lin Fan looked at her for a moment, then placed a hand on her waist, pulling her close.
"Feel the power inside you," he murmured, channeling his soul power into her.
A strange energy from the hive awakened within her body—foreign yet harmonious.
"Senior…" Huo Wu gasped, her expression dazed as the alien power coursed through her, filling her with both awe and fear.
"Now you understand, don't you? This power is magnificent. Swear loyalty to me, serve me, and report to me from within Blazing Academy. That's all I ask," Lin Fan whispered, his tone both persuasive and commanding.
"Senior… I… can't betray my academy…" she murmured, her voice trembling.
Lin Fan's gaze softened slightly. "Relax. I won't harm Blazing Academy. You'll simply keep me informed of their plans. That's all."
As his energy pulsed through her again, the power of the hive resonated within her spirit, overwhelming her resistance.
"I… I understand, Senior," Huo Wu finally said quietly.
"Good. You've chosen wisely," Lin Fan replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "As promised, you'll be rewarded."
When the connection ended, Huo Wu stood quietly, cheeks flushed. Her body still trembled slightly, her breathing uneven.
"Don't speak," Lin Fan ordered.
She froze, obedient. Her eyes, however, were no longer filled with fear—but with reverence and an almost hypnotic devotion.
Lin Fan studied her a moment longer, then stepped back. "From now on, you'll act as my eyes and ears within Blazing Academy. Don't worry—I won't destroy it. What happened here stays between us."
"I understand, Senior," Huo Wu said softly. The fire in her demeanor had dimmed, replaced by a strange, alluring calm.
After Huo Wu and her team departed, Tang Hao and Dugu Bo approached Lin Fan.
"Lord Dominator, Bibi Dong came earlier," Dugu Bo reported.
"I sensed her presence," Lin Fan nodded. "What did she want?"
He had indeed felt Bibi Dong's arrival earlier but had ignored it while dealing with Huo Wu's group.
****
Well, my P*tr*on was banned and my S*bscribeSt*r is under review, so while my Sub is being activated, I'll be using K*-fi to sell advanced chapters. If you'd like to read those chapters (26+), you can go here:
ko-fi.com/shax07