"Little brat, you probably haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you dare claim you'll teach me a lesson? Look closely—this old man is a Soul Sage!"
Shi Nian couldn't help but laugh out loud at Lin Fan's words.
His fifth spirit ring slowly rose beneath him, emanating a powerful, oppressive aura.
In terms of both martial spirit and spirit abilities, Shi Nian was among the strongest Soul Sages on the continent. His illusions could directly crush an opponent's mind. Unfortunately for him, luck was never on his side. In the original timeline, he met Tang San with his Purple Demon Eye—and now, he had met Lin Fan.
"Your fifth ability, huh? Interesting. If I hadn't known beforehand, I might've actually gotten lost in it."
Lin Fan chuckled as the environment around him suddenly shifted, enveloping him in an eerily realistic illusion.
Even knowing it was fake, he couldn't help but marvel.
"An illusion is still just that—a reflection in water, a flower in the mirror."
Lifting his gaze slightly, Lin Fan's eyes glimmered. The terrifying mental force within him erupted like a dormant volcano awakening, surging through the illusionary world.
Moments later, the sky itself shattered like broken glass, fragments scattering into nothingness.
Shi Nian coughed up a mouthful of blood, his arrogance instantly replaced by shock.
Even some newly advanced Soul Sages who had just obtained their seventh ring couldn't easily break his illusions. That meant this young man before him… had strength on par with a seven-ring Soul Sage at least!
One thought flashed through Shi Nian's mind—run!
Lin Fan was surrounded by mystery. His terrifying power at such a young age, and the silent figure standing behind him… it all pressed upon Shi Nian like a mountain.
Before Lin Fan had even fully exited the illusion, Shi Nian was already fleeing Heaven Dou City at full speed.
"Interesting."
Lin Fan caught the last fragment of the broken illusion in his palm, crushing it to dust with a faint smile.
Shi Nian, of course, was long gone. The moment his illusion shattered, he knew he had kicked a steel wall.
"Senior… we are students of Blazing Academy. Thank you for saving us!"
Huo Wu stepped forward, her tone shy yet respectful.
Though they appeared roughly the same age, Lin Fan had just gone head-to-head with a Soul Sage. It was natural for her to feel admiration—strength always commanded respect.
"No need to thank me. It was nothing. Where's Shi Nian?"
Lin Fan turned toward Tang Hao, who stood silently behind him.
"Master, Shi Nian has already fled. He's no more than a hundred li outside Heaven Dou City," Tang Hao replied after sensing for a moment.
He hadn't acted earlier simply because Lin Fan hadn't ordered it. Otherwise, forget one Shi Nian—even ten Shi Nians wouldn't survive a single blow from him.
"Bring him to the Hive. I want him alive."
Lin Fan's gaze turned cold.
Shi Nian, terrified to his very core, was running for his life—like a wild dog that had slipped its chain. The memory of Lin Fan's power still made his soul tremble.
"Yes, my lord."
Tang Hao nodded once. His body melted into the shadows, and in the next instant—he appeared right in front of Shi Nian.
"You… how did you—? Who are you people?!"
Shi Nian's eyes widened in panic as he leapt back instinctively.
He had been fleeing at full speed, yet this man had caught up in mere seconds. That alone told him the truth—his pursuer was at least a Contra… perhaps even a Titled Douluo.
"I thought the Master might show mercy… but since he hasn't, I'd start praying if I were you."
Tang Hao's calm voice held no sympathy.
With a heavy thud, the Clear Sky Hammer appeared in his hands, its dark body exuding waves of black mist.
Shi Nian recognized it instantly. There was only one sect on the continent with a hammer martial spirit like that—the Clear Sky Sect.
His face drained of color. "C-Clear Sky Douluo… I didn't mean to offend you…"
The moment he saw the hammer, Shi Nian collapsed to his knees, any thought of running erased from his mind.
"You shouldn't be saying that to me," Tang Hao said flatly. "But the Master wants you alive, so…"
Before he could finish, four flashes of white light streaked past.
Shi Nian screamed as his limbs were shattered in an instant, his spirit power collapsing from level 72 to 68.
"Not bad," Lin Fan muttered as he stood before the Hive, watching Tang Hao drag Shi Nian over like a broken doll. "Though next time, try not to make such a mess—you've dirtied my floor."
He hadn't expected Tang Hao to literally break the man's limbs before delivering him.
"Do you know who I am?" Lin Fan crouched down, a cold smile curling his lips.
Shi Nian's breathing was shallow, his skin pale as ash. "M-Master… I was blind before… I offended you. Please, spare me…"
His voice trembled, weak and fading. Even if Lin Fan decided to let him live, his body was on the verge of collapse.
"You have two choices," Lin Fan said calmly. "Die quickly… or live by serving me."
"I… I'll serve you, Master! I swear it!" Shi Nian blurted out immediately, desperate to survive.
"Good. Follow me."
Lin Fan gestured for Tang Hao to carry Shi Nian into the Hive.
There was no way Lin Fan was touching that bloodied mess himself.
Tang Hao tossed Shi Nian into the Gene Chamber, then casually wiped his hands clean.
The moment Shi Nian hit the fleshy floor, the organic walls constricted around him. Veins pulsed and living fibers extended like crimson threads, hungrily burrowing into his flesh.
"Ahhhh!"
A shrill scream echoed through the chamber.
Lin Fan merely watched. "For an old man, he's got quite a pair of lungs. Still, good—strong vitality means the process should work."
The Hive floor pulsed as new spore sacs began to swell from the creep. Lin Fan's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Blood and biofluid flowed through thick, living tubes, feeding into the pods. Inside, something began to stir.
"I can feel it… my creation is awakening."
The spore sacs began to pulse rhythmically—like heartbeats. Whatever was inside them was alive… waiting to break free.
Excitement shone in Lin Fan's eyes. He could feel the Hive resonating with him.
As Shi Nian's last ounce of spirit power was drained, the Overmind's voice echoed in Lin Fan's mind:
[Congratulations, Host. A new Zerg strain has been cultivated: Illusion Broodling.]
****
If you want to support me or read advanced chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat.
patr*on.com/Salsita2k