Lin Fan had always admired Flender's character. The man might be greedy, but he would never gamble with his students' futures.
However, admiration was one thing — Lin Fan had no intention of bringing Flender into the hive for transformation. At this point, the weakest subordinate under Lin Fan's command was already a Titled Douluo. A Soul Sage like Flender simply wasn't worth his attention.
A Soul Sage might be considered a powerhouse in the outside world, but within the Spirit Hall, they were little more than average. Still, granting Flender an honorary dean position was a simple enough favor — a small gesture of appreciation.
"Come with me."
Lin Fan beckoned to Ma Hongjun and Oscar, and the three of them soon returned to the hive.
"You're early," Lin Fan remarked with a faint smile as his eyes swept over the nearly one hundred Contra-level experts standing behind Bibi Dong.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has become increasingly aggressive," Bibi Dong replied, her tone carrying a trace of helplessness. "Several of the Spirit Hall's industries have already been forced into bankruptcy by them."
The sudden surge of power from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan had drawn the attention of countless factions across the continent, all eager to align themselves with the rising superpower. Even the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan seemed to be showing signs of following their lead.
"Oh? Are you telling me the mighty Spirit Hall fears the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and its mere nine Titled Douluo?"
Lin Fan hadn't been surprised that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan would eventually move against the Spirit Hall, but he hadn't expected it to happen this quickly. Even without his interference, Spirit Hall should never have allowed so much of its industry to be taken away.
"There have been several covert skirmishes already," Bibi Dong said, shaking her head slightly. "But the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's spirit masters are heavily equipped with Soul Tools. Some of them are even capable of killing a Soul Sage if used properly."
She reached to her waist and pulled out a small mechanical device.
Lin Fan's eyes narrowed. That wasn't a Soul Tool — it was one of Tang San's hidden weapons. It wasn't hard to imagine that with Tang San's blueprints and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's wealth, mass production would have been effortless.
"So, your plan is to station a Titled Douluo in every city?"
Lin Fan instantly understood her intent.
Of course, all those Contra-level experts would end up being his anyway.
"Exactly. The gap between a Contra and a Titled Douluo is vast. Once we have enough Titled Douluo stationed, we won't have to worry about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's interference."
Bibi Dong sighed softly. She could only lament the nature of Bone Rong's Martial Soul — one that allowed him to appear anywhere in an instant, looting Spirit Hall caravans before anyone could react.
"Come with me," Lin Fan said calmly.
He didn't care how many Contras Bibi Dong had brought. In the end, they would all become his subordinates.
As for Ma Hongjun and Oscar, they hardly dared to breathe. The oppressive aura of so many powerful experts left them frozen in place, terrified that one wrong word could lead to their disappearance from the world.
"Wait here for now."
After bringing them inside the hive, Lin Fan gestured for the two to stay put, then began guiding the group of Contras into the hive chamber one after another.
The process took an entire day and night before Lin Fan finally emerged with all of them.
"How many succeeded?"
Bibi Dong asked immediately, scanning the transformed group.
"Eighty percent," Lin Fan replied after a brief pause. "The remaining ones had weak foundations. Still, their spirit power has improved, and with a few years of cultivation, they should be able to break through."
Handing over the newly strengthened Contras, Lin Fan couldn't help but sigh in mild disappointment.
He had hoped to come out with a three-digit number of high-end combatants, but it seemed he would have to settle for double digits.
This was, after all, the Spirit Hall's entire pool of Contras. Those whose eighth spirit rings were under sixty thousand years failed to advance, though their Martial Souls had still mutated. Reaching Titled Douluo rank was now only a matter of time.
"Eighty percent!?"
Even Bibi Dong couldn't hide her shock. She had been expecting maybe fifty percent success at best. To have an additional thirty percent succeed was staggering.
"If that's all, take your people and go," Lin Fan said impatiently, waving her off.
He hadn't forgotten that Oscar and Ma Hongjun were still waiting in the hive.
"Senior…"
Having witnessed Lin Fan's terrifying methods firsthand, both of them now believed completely that he could enhance their spirit rings.
"Follow me."
Lin Fan didn't comment on their newfound reverence and simply led them deeper into the hive.
"How do you feel?"
When the two emerged hours later, Lin Fan looked them over with satisfaction. These two might just be his finest creations yet.
They had cooperated perfectly with the hive's transformation process — even releasing their Martial Souls to fully merge with the biological network of the hive.
"Lord Dominator, we feel incredible," Ma Hongjun said, clenching his fist and swinging it through the air, sparks of energy rippling outward.
Oscar, too, had changed — his usual cheer replaced with a mischievous grin that carried an edge of danger.
"Show me your Martial Souls," Lin Fan ordered, eager to see the results of the hive's genetic modification.
"Yes, Lord Dominator."
Both nodded solemnly.
Ma Hongjun stepped forward first. Four pitch-black ten-thousand-year spirit rings rose behind him, and a massive phoenix appeared in the air.
Unlike an ordinary phoenix, this one was a pale violet color — eerie yet breathtakingly beautiful. The creature spread its wings, spanning dozens of meters, then dove straight into Ma Hongjun's body, merging with him completely.
"Lord Dominator, my new Martial Soul — the Violet-Winged Demon Phoenix!"
Ma Hongjun's eyes gleamed with violet light, his aura wild and domineering.
"Lord Dominator, this is mine."
Not to be outdone, Oscar threw a blood-red sausage forward. The moment it hit the ground, a violent explosion rocked the hive — the entire chamber trembled.
"Impressive. That blast had the power of a Soul Emperor's strike."
Even Lin Fan, who rarely praised anyone, nodded approvingly.
Oscar was only a Spirit Ancestor, yet he could unleash an attack on par with a Soul Emperor. Moreover, those sausages could be stored and deployed in volleys — a single one was deadly, but a hundred thrown at once could annihilate an army.
In theory, Oscar's spirit skill now had no upper limit.
"Return to the Spirit Hall and continue your training. Grow stronger as quickly as possible."
Lin Fan was deeply satisfied. Both their Martial Souls and spirit abilities were now on par with — if not superior to — Tang San's.
After sending them away, Lin Fan felt completely at ease. Even with Tang San, the Zerg Progenitor, and countless factions aiding his enemies, Lin Fan now had the confidence to crush them all.
"Spirit Hall announces a continent-wide ninth spirit ring hunt. All Soul Saints and above may participate freely — the event is scheduled for the day before Tang San's wedding. Heh, Bibi Dong... your timing is impeccable."
Lin Fan chuckled as he picked up a flyer lying on the ground.
It was both a public announcement and a declaration of war — Spirit Hall's challenge to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Though no open conflict had yet begun, the shadow war for supremacy had already started.
"Who's there?"
Just as Lin Fan returned to the hive, he heard a voice outside and called out.
"Lord Dominator, it's me…"
****
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