Submission Under Lin Fan's Shadow

Chapter 15:

After the battle ended, Lin Fan stood surveying his two opponents lying on the ground, unable to move, breathing heavily, with looks of despair in their eyes. He smirked, then said in a calm but authoritative voice, "Take them in and give them the appropriate treatment."

He then took out two fourth-grade healing pills and tossed them to Xiao Zhan, who caught them instinctively. "Give them these pills, and try to persuade them to follow me." Without waiting for Xiao Zhan's response, Lin Fan turned and walked confidently back to his carriage, as if the entire affair was of little consequence to him.

As he walked away, Lin Fan thought to himself, "Good, now I have two more deep sky realm powers, and they are both from the Yu family. I've now enslaved a third of their elders, truly! They're unfortunate, whether in the novel or here with me. Perhaps this is their destiny?"

His thoughts paused for a moment before he continued, "But now, I need to focus on what matters most. The Pill King Competition is three months away, and I need to grow stronger to make the most of it, not like the original character. So... it's time for intense training."

Lin Fan's smile turned mischievous and excited as he continued walking until he reached his carriage. The moment he entered, faint sounds of laughter and subdued moans echoed, hinting at the world of power and pleasure he had crafted for himself.

...

Far away from here, in another part of the empire, inside a small, dark cave, stood a young man about the same age as Lin Fan. His features were average, with a somewhat athletic and muscular build, and his eyes sparkled with enthusiasm and triumph.

The young man exclaimed with elation, his voice brimming with excitement, "I've finally completed all the trials and obtained the full inheritance of the Azure Dragon! I feel an immense power surging through my veins, and I've also broken through to the Golden Core realm as a side effect of this inheritance."

He continued with a smile filled with gratitude, "All of this is thanks to you, ancient ancestor. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity."

He spoke with a tone of appreciation and reverence, as if addressing someone invisible. Meanwhile, his eyes were fixed on an old ring that glowed faintly on his finger, as though he was communicating with an ancient consciousness dwelling within the ring.

...

Back at the Xiao family's caravan, Xiao Zhan was now carrying out Lin Fan's orders. He sat inside a large carriage alongside Lin Fan's former opponents, the second and fifth elders of the Yu family. Wrapped in bandages, they leaned against the seats in exhaustion, their faces showing signs of pain and weakness. Xiao Zhan observed them thoughtfully, considering how he might persuade them to join Lin Fan.

He thought to himself, "How can I make these men understand the opportunity before them and get them to accept Lin Fan's leadership? This is not an offer they can refuse." Finally, he chose the simplest approach, taking a small step forward and speaking in a calm, confident tone, "If you choose to follow Lord Lin Fan, you will have the chance to acquire a fifth-grade cultivation technique and a combat technique like none other. You will also receive a steady supply of high-level healing pills, which will allow you to rapidly increase your strength."

The elders listened, though they couldn't respond due to their injuries, leaving Xiao Zhan uncertain of their stance on the offer. Nevertheless, he didn't concern himself too much with their reaction and instead gave a faint smile before taking out two fourth-grade healing pills, presenting one to each of them, and insisting they swallow them. "You must take these pills," he commanded firmly.

Once the elders consumed the pills, their effects began to show almost immediately. Their major injuries vanished, leaving only a few minor wounds here and there, surprising them both as they felt a noticeable improvement within moments.

"This level of healing efficiency is only found in pills crafted by a Pill King," the second elder whispered, stunned by the speed of his recovery.

Suddenly, a familiar scene returned, and the two elders clutched their heads, writhing in intense pain, as if their minds were being torn apart from within. Xiao Zhan watched in shock and dread, his thoughts racing, "My god, Lin Fan knew they took the pill immediately, without even being here! How is he able to monitor them with such precision? And this pain— it's exactly what we experienced when we first took his pills. This man is truly terrifying… resisting him is not an option."

Xiao Zhan felt a cold sweat run down his back as he observed the scene, clearly understanding that following Lin Fan was not just an opportunity, but a necessity for anyone hoping to avoid a fate similar to these miserable men.

This agony persisted for a full two hours, surprisingly, as Lin Fan seemed to have forgotten about them while indulging in his pleasures, before finally subsiding amidst the elders' continuous gasping and expressions of terror and intense pain.

Xiao Zhan looked at them with a steady gaze, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of subtle menace, as he said, "So, what do you think now? Will you choose to follow Lord Lin Fan voluntarily? You now understand that the pain you endured can be summoned at any moment, without him even being nearby. He can make you writhe like this indefinitely, until your days turn into long nights of suffering."

He paused, scrutinizing the fear and terror that filled their faces, then added with a cold smile, "I believe the right choice is now clear to you."

The two elders, still panting and unsteady after the torment they had just endured, exchanged a hopeless look filled with defeat. They had no choice but to give up any thought of resisting Lin Fan; the pain they had experienced was enough to etch fear deep into their souls. In a faint, weak voice, the second elder finally spoke with resignation, "We… we agree to follow Lord Lin Fan."

Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction, feeling he had fulfilled his duty thoroughly, hopeful for a reward. He knew that their loyalty now stemmed not from genuine desire, but from a deep-seated fear. But that was enough for him, as this was a sentiment shared by all of Lin Fan's followers, including himself. All Lin Fan required was obedience, whether out of fear or loyalty.

"Good, this way you've chosen the right path." Xiao Zhan said with a tone of approval. "I'll make sure Lord Lin Fan is informed of your decision, and I'll ensure you receive the benefits I mentioned. With you among us, you'll find that following Lin Fan is actually far better than remaining with your family or following any other family."

He then headed towards the carriage door, leaving the two elders to ponder in ongoing fear, unable to fully process the benefits Xiao Zhan had just mentioned due to the overpowering pain dominating their thoughts.

As Xiao Zhan exited the carriage, a small smile appeared on his lips. He knew that Lin Fan's power had surpassed anything they could have expected, and they had no choice but to follow him on his journey, whether they wished to or not.