Lin Fan looked at Xiao Ze. This was a genius, a true prodigy in the martial arts world, with extraordinary talent, though his personality was overly arrogant.
“Alright, Shuishui, go fetch two teacups and remember to bring some tea,” Lin Fan said.
“Yes, Teacher,” Liu Shuishui replied. She looked at Xiao Ze, her eyes blinking rapidly. For a girl, the handsome and dashing Xiao Ze still had immense appeal.
That cold, conceited face carried serious damage potential in the eyes of girls.
Before long, Liu Shuishui returned, carrying two teacups and a kettle, hurrying back with small steps.
“Teacher, I’ve brought everything,” Liu Shuishui said, placing the items on the podium. Then she secretly stole a glance at Xiao Ze, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Alright, since you’ve been moved by my personal charm and wish to become my disciples, naturally I cannot refuse you. You should already know the process of becoming a disciple, so I don’t need to explain further,” Lin Fan said, pulling over a chair and sitting down. He waved his hand toward his students, signaling them to stand behind him.
This looked much more formal.
In Lin Fan’s opinion, he had accepted a genius from the Jiazi Class. This was something to be proud of.
Lin Fan never expected himself to be so well-suited to being a teacher. Sometimes, his tremendous personal charm simply couldn’t be contained.
“Teacher, please drink this tea,” Zang Tianhao said without hesitation. He immediately poured tea into the cup, knelt on both knees before Lin Fan, and held the teacup with both hands toward him.
For Zang Tianhao, he understood that if he wanted to make greater progress on the martial arts path, the senior before him would definitely be able to guide him forward.
For his own sake, and for Han Mengmeng’s, Zang Tianhao had to strive hard.
“Hmm,” Lin Fan took the teacup, sipped lightly, and nodded.
“Teacher, please drink this tea,” Xiao Ze hesitated for a moment, then followed Zang Tianhao’s example.
Xiao Ze’s decision to become Lin Fan’s disciple was partly due to accepting the outcome of their bet, but more importantly, there was a strange, unknown feeling deep inside him, like a flower about to bloom, stirring restlessly, constantly reminding him, urging him to become a disciple. If he didn’t, he would miss out on the loving discipline ruler forever.
“Hmm,” Lin Fan accepted the teacup, took a sip, and nodded again.
“Teacher already has thirteen students; they are your senior brothers and sisters. Tianhao, you are the fourteenth disciple of mine, and Xiao Ze, you are the fifteenth,” Lin Fan said.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ze exploded, “Teacher, why am I the fifteenth? What qualifications does he have to be ranked above me?”
Xiao Ze didn’t have much to say about the other thirteen disciples—he could accept being below them. But what really bothered him was that Zang Tianhao had no apparent ability superior to his.
“Because he knelt faster than you did. Also, whatever the teacher says in the future is absolute truth; as a student, you must not question the teacher’s words,” Lin Fan replied.
Lin Fan looked at Xiao Ze, a true genius in martial arts with exceptional talent, albeit overly arrogant in character.
“Alright, Shui Shui, go fetch two teacups, and remember to bring some tea,” Lin Fan instructed.
“Yes, teacher,” Liu Shui Shui replied, her eyes fluttering as she glanced at Xiao Ze. For a girl, the handsome and dashing Xiao Ze was quite the attraction.
That cold, aloof demeanor of his had a significant impact on the ladies.
Not long after, Liu Shui Shui returned with two teacups and a teapot in hand.
“Teacher, I’ve brought everything,” she said, placing the items on the podium before sneaking another glance at Xiao Ze, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
“Good. Since you’ve been moved by my charisma and wish to become my disciples, I naturally can’t refuse. You should know the formalities of becoming a disciple, so I won’t elaborate,” Lin Fan said, pulling over a stool and sitting down, then beckoning his students to stand behind him.
This was the proper way to do things.
In Lin Fan’s eyes, taking on a genius from the Jiazi class was something to be proud of.
Lin Fan hadn’t expected that he would be so suited to being a teacher. Sometimes, such high charisma is simply irresistible.
“Teacher, please have some tea,” Zang Tianhao said without hesitation, immediately filling a teacup and kneeling before Lin Fan, presenting the cup with both hands.
For Zang Tianhao, he understood that if he wanted to make greater progress in martial arts, this senior before him could surely guide him forward.
For himself, and also for Han Mengmeng, Zang Tianhao had to strive hard.
“Mm,” Lin Fan accepted the teacup, took a small sip, and nodded.
“Teacher, please have some tea,” Xiao Ze hesitated for a moment before following Zang Tianhao’s example.
Xiao Ze’s decision to become Lin Fan’s disciple was partly due to accepting defeat in a bet, and partly because of an inexplicable feeling deep within him, like a bud ready to bloom, urging him to take this step. If he didn’t, he might miss out on the “love’s ruler” in the future.
“Mm, I already have thirteen students; they will be your senior brothers and sisters. Tianhao, you are my fourteenth disciple, and Xiao Ze, you are the fifteenth,” Lin Fan announced.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ze was furious. “Teacher, why am I the fifteenth? What qualifications does he have to be above me?”
He didn’t mind being below the other thirteen, but how could Zang Tianhao be ranked above him?
“Because he knelt faster than you. And remember, from now on, whatever the teacher says is the ultimate truth. As a student, you must not question the teacher’s words,” Lin Fan stated.
Xiao Ze remained silent, feeling somewhat resentful. How could he tolerate being overshadowed by Zang Tianhao?
“Teacher, didn’t you say last time that the teacher isn’t always right, and that if we have doubts, we should voice them?” Liu Shui Shui chimed in.
Lin Fan was taken aback. What was wrong with the usually obedient and likable Liu Shui Shui today? Why was she questioning his words now?
Lin Fan looked around and noticed Liu Shui Shui’s infatuated gaze. He realized with a start that his student might have been charmed by Xiao Ze.
A traitor, a complete traitor.
“Ahem,” Lin Fan cleared his throat. Now was not the time to contradict himself. Even if it was black, he had to paint it white.
“Other teachers might be wrong, but what I say are life’s ultimate truths. Alright, the disciple ceremony ends here. Let’s begin the lecture.”
Lin Fan didn’t want to dwell on this issue any longer.
Xiao Ze had just arrived and already managed to sway his top disciple. This grudge would be remembered, and when the time came, he would use the “love’s ruler” to teach him a proper lesson.
…
In the imperial palace.
As a vassal state of the Sacred Demon Sect, the Great Yan Dynasty naturally received the highest level of hospitality for any Sacred Demon Sect disciple visiting.
Other sects, even if they came to the Great Yan Dynasty, could only stay outside the imperial city and had no right to reside within the palace.
At this moment, the Yan Emperor sat on the dragon throne, his eyes slightly closed, a faint smile on his lips.
The Sacred Demon Sect, the Peerless Sect, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, the Linglong Sword Pavilion, the Zheng Yi Sect… Many sects from both the righteous and demonic factions had come. The allure of the Small Heavenly Pill was indeed strong, attracting so many sects.
Suddenly, the Yan Emperor opened his eyes, a glint of light and hidden anger within them.
Thinking of the assailant who had ambushed him and the empress, and that they still hadn’t been found, filled him with rage.
He had always been successful and untroubled; when had he ever encountered such a situation? This was a great humiliation, a stain that could never be washed away.
At this moment, the void trembled, and the Yan Emperor’s figure disappeared into the void, reappearing in a dark, forsaken place.
This place seemed to be abandoned or scorned by the world, pitch black and dim, with a few oil lamps on the walls emitting faint light.
The Yan Emperor walked slowly down the dark passage.
“Ah…”
Heart-wrenching screams, like those of demons from the abyss, echoed from the end of the passage.
As he reached the end, a foul stench of decay and rot permeated the air, which the Yan Emperor inhaled with relish. This feeling was truly wonderful.
The majestic and upright Yan Emperor now wore an expression that would disgust anyone. If his subjects saw him like this, who knows what they would think.
“Clang, clang…”
The sound of chains clashing was like the roar of demons, dark and terrifying, sending shivers down one’s spine.
In the deepest part, cells lined the walls, with glowing iron hooks piercing through the chests of each prisoner.
“Yan Emperor, you will die a horrible death.”
Curses filled with hatred echoed in the depths of the dungeon, as if venting their unwillingness and defiance.
“This sky is mine, this earth is mine. Your hatred only makes me stronger, haha.” The Yan Emperor, as if possessed, had pitch-black eyes and was enveloped in a bloody glow.
“Everything returns to me.”
The Yan Emperor spread his arms, his long hair flowing. Suddenly, a terrifying suction force erupted within the dungeon.
Those imprisoned trembled as strands of blood essence rose from their bodies, slowly merging into the Yan Emperor.
“Yan Emperor, you will die a horrible death.” One prisoner, having been drained for so long, was already emaciated and now withered further, eventually turning into a pile of bones.
The Yan Emperor reveled in this beautiful blood essence.
The Sacred Demon Sect, the divine blood is mine.
The entire world is mine.
No one can stop my steps.
“Enjoy your final moments,” the Yan Emperor said with a faint smile, his dark eyes shifting slightly before he tore through the void and left.
“Teacher, didn’t you say last time that teachers aren’t always right, and if there are doubts, shouldn’t we raise them?” Liu Shuishui interjected.
Lin Fan was momentarily stunned. This wasn’t right—since when had the obedient and adorable Liu Shuishui started questioning him?
Looking left and right, Lin Fan noticed Liu Shuishui’s dreamy gaze and inwardly groaned. Could it be that this student of his had been seduced by Xiao Ze?
A traitor, indeed—a complete traitor.
“Erm,” Lin Fan coughed lightly. At a moment like this, how could he possibly contradict himself? Even if it were black, he had to insist it was white.
“What other teachers say might be wrong, but as for me, Teacher’s words are absolute truths of life. Alright, today’s initiation ceremony is over. Let’s begin the first lesson.”
Lin Fan didn’t want to dwell on this issue any further.
Xiao Ze had come and immediately swayed one of his top disciples. This grudge would be remembered. Once he made a mistake in the future, Lin Fan would make him lower his pants and give him a proper thrashing with the loving discipline ruler.
…
Inside the imperial palace.
As a vassal state of the Holy Demon Sect, the Great Yan Empire naturally received the sect’s disciples with the highest honors.
Other sects, even if they came to the Great Yan Empire, could only stay outside the imperial city and were not allowed to reside within the palace itself.
At this moment, the Yan Emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, eyes slightly closed, a faint smile on his lips.
Holy Demon Sect, Absolute Sect, Ten Thousand Demon Sect, Linglong Sword Pavilion, Zhengyi Sect… Many sects from both the righteous and demonic factions had arrived. Indeed, the allure of the Xiao Tianwei Dan was irresistible, drawing so many sects here.
Suddenly, the Yan Emperor opened his divine eyes, a sharp light flashing within, concealing much anger.
Thinking of the villains who had ambushed him and the Empress, whose identities still remained unknown, his heart burned with fury.
He had lived a life of smooth sailing all his life, never encountering a situation like this before. To him, this was an unprecedented humiliation—one that could never be cleansed.
Suddenly, space trembled, and the Yan Emperor’s body vanished into the void, reappearing in a dark, mysterious place devoid of light.
It seemed as if this place had been abandoned or rejected by the world itself—pitch black, dimly lit, with only a few oil lamps flickering faintly in the corners.
The Yan Emperor walked through the dark corridor, slowly advancing forward.
“Ahh…”
A series of heart-wrenching screams, like those of demons from the abyss, echoed from the end of the deep passage.
As he approached the end, a stench of rot and decay invaded the Yan Emperor’s nostrils. He inhaled deeply, savoring it. This feeling was truly wonderful.
The mighty and upright Yan Emperor now wore an expression so repulsive it was hard to describe. If his subjects saw this, who knows what they would think.
“Clank… clank…”
The sound of iron chains clashing together echoed like the roar of demons—ominous, terrifying, sending chills down one’s spine.
At the deepest part, rows of abyssal prison cells surrounded the walls, each one pierced through the chest of its prisoner by glowing iron hooks.
“Yan Emperor, may you die a bad death.”
Curses filled with hatred reverberated through the depths of the dungeon, as if venting the prisoners’ deep resentment and unyielding spirit.
“This heaven belongs to Me, this earth belongs to Me. Your hatred only makes Me stronger. Haha!” At this moment, the Yan Emperor appeared possessed, his eyes pitch black, his entire body shrouded in a blood-red glow.
“All things belong to Me!”
The Yan Emperor spread his arms wide, his hair flowing, and suddenly the dungeon erupted with a terrifying suction force.
The prisoners in the cells trembled violently as streams of blood essence rose from their bodies, slowly merging into the Yan Emperor.
“Yan Emperor, may you die a bad death!” In one of the cells, a prisoner, weakened from prolonged extraction, had become emaciated. At this moment, he withered further, eventually turning into a pile of bones.
The Yan Emperor immersed himself in the wonderful blood essence.
Holy Demon Sect, the divine blood is Mine.
The entire world is Mine.
No one can stop My footsteps.
“Enjoy your final moments well,” the Yan Emperor said softly, his pitch-black eyes slightly shifting. He chuckled faintly, tore open the void, and left this place.
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