Manager's eyes widened in disbelief.
Manager:
"E-Experiment?! What kind of bullshit are you spouting, you psycho bastard?!"
Qing Yan's expression twisted into something truly malevolent, his eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement. The tension in the room became unbearable.
Qing Yan (coldly):
"Now now, let's not waste time. Shall we begin?"
He turned his gaze toward the two assassins lying on the ground.
Qing Yan:
"Hey, you two bastards—I know you're awake. Drop the act and get up."
Both assassins trembled slightly but obeyed. Slowly, they raised their heads and sat on their knees, eyes downcast.
Both (fearfully):
"Y-Yes, sir."
Qing Yan walked over to the 2nd assassin, his steps echoing ominously in the silence.
Qing Yan:
"Let's start with you."
Second Assassin (pleading):
"P-Please… spare me…"
Qing Yan (smirking):
"Oh, and one more thing. Whoever becomes the successful subject of my experiment… I'll let him off easy."
All three prisoners—both assassins and the manager—stared at him in stunned disbelief. Relief and horror washed over their faces in equal measure.
Qing Yan:
"So then. You. Who are you? What's this group—'Black Lot$#@!' or whatever—and what are your goals? Tell me everything you know."
Second Assassin (nervously):
"It's… Black Lotus. It's a gro—"
Suddenly, his body began to convulse.
Narration (Qing Yan's thoughts):
that body abnormalities are surfacing again... Damn. No time for questions.
Qing Yan:
"Now!"
Qing Yan pressed his hand against the assassin's chest and began pushing his Qi into the man's body. He focused deeply, trying to reverse the abnormalities with precise manipulation. In an instant, he was pulled into the assassin's Mind Realm.
There, he opened his eyes—and immediately froze.
Qing Yan (thinking):
What the hell…? Where am I? No… What the f**k is that thing?!
Before him loomed a shapeless mass—like a slime, but exuding pure, condensed demonic energy. It had no defined form, yet radiated a terrifying presence. A monster. A curse. A living embodiment of something ancient and evil.
The slime let out a guttural roar and launched itself at Qing Yan, trying to force him out of the mind realm.
Qing Yan (clenching his fist, unfazed):
"Tch. You think this will be enough stop me?"
He swung his fist with focused intent. The shockwave of Qi collided with the slime, shattering it into dark fragments that vanished like smoke. Silence returned.
Qing Yan (thinking):
I admit, you were quite something… but not strong enough to eject me.
He exited the mind realm, now sweating slightly. He looked down at the second assassin.
The man lay still, unconscious—and lifeless.
Qing Yan (sighing):
"His abnormalities are gone… but so is his life. Damn it. That curse used him up and fulfilled its purpose. Another failure."
He turned his head slowly and approached the first assassin.
Qing Yan:
"Now… it's your turn."
First Assassin (trembling):
"Y-Yes, sir! I am—"
Qing Yan (interrupting):
"Hold it. I didn't say you'd go through what he did. You'll use a different method. Try writing on the floor using Qi."
First Assassin (hesitant):
"S-Sir, my Qi control isn't anywhere near your level…"
Qing Yan:
"I figured as much. Don't worry—I'll set up a formation to help."
With a flick of his finger, Qing Yan drew a complex pattern of glowing sigils in the air, each infused with his Qi. They circled the assassin like wisps of light and sank into the floor around him.
Qing Yan (nodding):
"Done. Try channeling your Qi now."
The assassin concentrated—and his eyes widened.
First Assassin (in shock):
"H-How?! My control… it's improved by several folds!"
Qing Yan:
"That's the power of my formation. Now do it—tell me what you know."
The manager, standing restrained at the side, stared wide-eyed.
Manager (thinking):
I've never heard of a formation like that… Even if something like this exists, the user would have to be at least peak Heaven-Breaking Realm… or Mythborne Realm… Just who IS this man?!
The assassin began focusing his Qi, guiding it carefully to write on the floor. Slowly, glowing words formed:
"An absolute being worship—"
Suddenly, his hand burst into blood and bone.
First Assassin:
"AHHHHHHHHHH!!"
He collapsed, screaming—but the scream was short-lived. His body twitched, then went completely still.
Qing Yan (sighing again):
"Sigh… Another one wasted."
He turned slowly toward the manager, who was now visibly trembling.
Qing Yan (grinning):
"Now, now… It's your turn."
He walked up to the manager, who tried to back away.
Manager (panicked):
"Wh-What are you trying to do to me?!"
Qing Yan (calmly):
"Nothing much."
He raised his hand and placed it gently on the manager's forehead.
Qing Yan:
"Soul-Capturing Memory Phantom."
A faint blue glow appeared where his hand met the man's skin. The manager gasped as his memories were forcibly pulled out of his consciousness and streamed directly into Qing Yan's mind.
Qing Yan (thinking as memories flood in):
Hmm… let's see. What do you know?
Suddenly, Qing Yan's expression changed. He flinched.
Qing Yan (alarmed, thinking):
Huh?!-