Star City, Starlight Lake.
The dim crescent moon reflected on the surface of the lake, shimmering with the gentle ripples of the water.
In a secluded corner of the lakeside park, Lin Ran stood covered in blood, his clothes torn and tattered.
Standing before him was a towering warrior over two meters tall, muscles bulging across his massive frame. Behind the warrior, Yin Ling stood, her expression tense and wary.
"We agreed this was just an act, but this guy is taking it way too seriously! Does he really want to kill me?"
Staring at the warrior, Lin Ran couldn't help but curse internally.
Just then, the warrior lunged at him. Lin Ran immediately stepped back, his hands weaving rapidly through the air, drawing intricate spiritual energy trajectories. In an instant, a translucent blue water shield materialized in front of him.
Bang!
The warrior's serrated greatsword struck the water shield, sending a spray of water into the air.
Lin Ran reacted quickly, forming a hand seal with one hand. Four golden beams of light shot toward the warrior's wrists and ankles, binding him.
The restraint took effect immediately. The downward force in the warrior's arms weakened, preventing him from advancing any further.
Just as Lin Ran was preparing a counterattack, a violent surge of blood energy erupted from the warrior's body. His pupils turned blood-red, and his already muscular frame swelled even further, veins bulging under his skin. His strength soared in an instant.
Bang!
The water shield shattered. Lin Ran was sent flying.
Even though he managed to dodge in time, a deep gash appeared across his chest, blood spilling from the wound.
The moment he hit the ground, Lin Ran gritted his teeth and shouted at Yin Ling:
"Go! Don't worry about me!"
Hearing this, Yin Ling's expression flickered with hesitation, but she still took several steps back.
She turned to glance at the approaching warrior, her mind racing.
After issuing the assassination order, she had been waiting for the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance to act.
For this reason, she had rejected Lin Ran's invitations over the past few days.
If Lin Ran died while he was with her, even if she had an excuse, an investigation would be inevitable. It would be troublesome.
It was better to avoid meeting him altogether.
What surprised her was that the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance had remained eerily silent, as if they had completely forgotten about the assassination mission.
But tonight, just as she finally agreed to meet Lin Ran for a game of chess, they struck.
She cursed her luck. Now that she was caught in the middle, getting out unscathed would be difficult.
Hearing Lin Ran urging her to leave, Yin Ling decisively took another step back, hoping that the warrior would focus on finishing Lin Ran first so she could escape safely.
But then, something unexpected happened—the warrior suddenly pointed his serrated greatsword at her.
"You dare?!"
Yin Ling cursed under her breath, retreating several more steps.
She had countless ways to kill the warrior, but she couldn't expose her true strength.
Her public persona was that of a top student from the Old Day Academy, specializing in the field of Domain Material Science.
She wasn't supposed to know much about cultivation, let alone possess overwhelming combat ability.
The warrior had already overwhelmed Lin Ran. If she were to take him down with ease, it would completely contradict her established identity.
Once her strength was exposed, it would attract too much unwanted attention.
Moreover, she and Lin Ran had been caught on multiple surveillance cameras throughout the city on their way here.
Even if she killed both Lin Ran and the warrior, she would have no plausible explanation for why she alone survived.
She needed a way out—one that wouldn't expose her.
Her mind raced as she continued retreating.
Yet, the warrior paid no heed to the heavily wounded Lin Ran and instead advanced toward her.
As the oppressive surge of blood energy closed in, Yin Ling's eyes flickered silver. She clenched her fists.
If it really came down to it, she would have no choice but to fight.
But just as she was preparing to act, Lin Ran suddenly sprang to his feet.
He swiftly formed hand seals, then whipped out two water tendrils, coiling them tightly around the warrior's legs.
With a powerful tug, the warrior lost his balance and crashed to the ground.
"Yin Ling… run!"
Lin Ran's voice was hoarse, filled with urgency.
Yin Ling didn't hesitate this time. She turned and sprinted away.
If she didn't leave now, when would she?
"Wait for me! I'm going to call the military!"
With that, she bolted into the distance.
As she turned her head, she saw Lin Ran once again clashing with the warrior.
After running a safe distance, she stopped and quickly pulled a phone from her bag.
Just as she was about to dial, she suddenly hesitated.
She waited for several seconds before finally calling the emergency military contact number.
After explaining the situation, she turned back toward Lin Ran's direction, her silver eyes glimmering faintly.
Lin Ran risking his life to save her had stirred something inside her.
But to her, the interests of her race would always come first.
With his talent, Lin Ran would undoubtedly push human cultivation to new heights, strengthening humanity as a whole.
And that posed a direct threat to the future plans of the Silver Moon Clan.
The stronger humanity became, the more Silver Moon Clan members would perish in future conflicts.
She admired Lin Ran.
But that didn't mean she didn't want him dead.
Lin Ran felt cold sweat trickling down his forehead as he stared at the serrated greatsword hovering just inches from his face.
"Brother… isn't this going a bit too far?"
Hearing his words, the Barbarian warrior grinned menacingly and patted Lin Ran's cheek with the flat of his blade.
"If it weren't for the mission requirements, you'd be dead by now."
Lin Ran's eyes flashed with a trace of killing intent, but he quickly suppressed it.
At that moment, two figures emerged from the shadows—Feng Qi and Hei Long.
"Boss Hei Long, this mission was completed well, right?" The Barbarian warrior turned to Hei Long with a smug expression.
"Not bad." Hei Long stepped forward and nodded approvingly. Then, in a calm tone, he added, "Your mission reward will be handed over to your clan… along with your death benefits."
The Barbarian warrior was just about to nod when he suddenly realized something was wrong.
"Death benefits?"
Before he could react, Hei Long flashed behind him, locking his arms around the warrior's torso in a tight hold.
"Lin Ran, use your spell and finish him." Feng Qi, wearing his signature crimson mask, spoke with an indifferent tone.
"Got it."
Without hesitation, Lin Ran formed a hand seal, and an ice spike began to condense in his right palm.
Raising his gaze, he aimed straight at the Barbarian warrior's heart.
As the ice spike pressed forward, freezing the warrior's tough skin, he struggled fiercely, but he was completely restrained by Hei Long's grip.
He tried to scream, but no sound came out.
Hei Long's body exuded a thick purple mist that seeped into the Barbarian warrior's mouth and nose, silencing him completely.
Realizing he had no chance of escape, desperation and fear flooded the warrior's eyes.
Leaning in close, Hei Long whispered softly into his ear,
"Don't worry, I'll make sure your mission reward reaches your clan. I've always conducted business with integrity. Since you died on this mission, I take partial responsibility. The mission cut I would've taken? I'll hand it over as your death benefits… now rest in peace."
As Hei Long finished speaking, Lin Ran drove the ice spike into the warrior's heart, piercing through his thick muscle.
The warrior convulsed violently before finally going limp.
Hei Long released his grip, letting the lifeless body slump to the ground.
With a casual wave of his hand, the purple mist enveloped the corpse, erasing the bruises and restraint marks.
Seeing this, Feng Qi nodded in approval.
The attention to detail showed that Hei Long was a professional—he had clearly done this sort of thing many times before, likely at the expense of other members of the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance.
Confirming that the Barbarian warrior was dead, Feng Qi turned his gaze toward Lin Ran and spoke in a cold, detached voice,
"Lin Ran, you know what to do next."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.
Hei Long immediately followed behind him.
Watching their retreating figures, Lin Ran felt bitterness swell in his chest.
"He gets all the glory, I get all the injuries… what a great brother."
Due to severe blood loss, dizziness clouded his vision, and his body felt weak.
Collapsing onto the ground, he stared up at the crescent moon hanging in the sky, breathing heavily.
Though he complained, he knew deep down that his sacrifices were insignificant compared to Feng Qi's.
His thoughts swirled, but fatigue quickly overtook him, and before he could resist, he lost consciousness.
Lin Ran didn't know how much time had passed when he finally regained consciousness.
Opening his eyes, he found himself in a stark white room.
The moment he tried to move, sharp pain shot through his entire body.
"You're awake?" A familiar voice came from his side.
Lin Ran turned his head and saw Yin Ling sitting by his bedside.
Looking down at himself, he realized he was completely wrapped in bandages, and a faint herbal scent lingered in the air.
"I… I'm not dead?"
"The doctor said you were lucky. You had one foot in the grave… Anyway, thanks for what you did back there."
Yin Ling lowered her head slightly, her long silver hair cascading over her shoulders. Her tone carried a hint of complexity.
Hearing her words, Lin Ran grinned.
"It's only natural. A man should step up when danger comes knocking."
Yin Ling sighed inwardly.
She had deliberately delayed calling the military, hoping Lin Ran wouldn't survive. She had wanted him dead.
Yet, against all odds, he not only survived but even managed to kill his attacker.
She had seen the final investigation report.
The Barbarian warrior had died from an ice spike through the heart. The elemental particle analysis confirmed that Lin Ran was the sole perpetrator—there was no external interference.
After contemplating for a moment, she finally voiced the question in her mind.
"I'm curious… how did you manage to turn the fight around?"
"Maybe the heavens didn't want me dead." Lin Ran smirked. "I found an opening and took it. One clean strike."
"Lucky you. If you had died, I would've felt guilty for the rest of my life." Yin Ling sighed with an apologetic expression.
"I still haven't beaten you in Spirit Chess yet, so I'm not going anywhere."
Hearing this, Yin Ling rolled her eyes.
"Do you need me to find you a psychiatrist?"
"Do I look like someone who needs one?" Lin Ran grinned back at her.
After a brief silence, Yin Ling also chuckled.
Looking at Lin Ran's ever-optimistic attitude, her impression of him improved once again.
Ever since she arrived in the human world, she had been constantly working and scheming. Even in the rare moments of rest, her mind remained occupied with how to create opportunities for her people to take over Star City.
The weight of her race's future rested on her shoulders, keeping her perpetually tense.
But whenever she was with Lin Ran, she found herself unusually relaxed. Playing Spirit Chess with him reminded her of the carefree days of her youth.
This time, after witnessing his willingness to risk his life, she had a deeper understanding of his character.
Although Lin Ran always acted frivolously, when it mattered most, he never hesitated to stand up.
She admired him.
But… the thought of killing him became even more pressing.
She had always understood one thing clearly—her duty to her race far outweighed her personal emotions.
In a war between races, emotions were a liability. She couldn't afford to develop any attachment to Lin Ran, be it friendship or anything else.
Such feelings would only hinder her from carrying out her mission for the Silvermoon Clan's future.
As Lin Ran continued speaking enthusiastically, Yin Ling maintained a warm smile, but deep inside, she was already looking forward to the next assassination attempt from the Domain Weak Tribe Alliance.
Two days later.
At 8 AM, Feng Qi and Mu Qing arrived at the school gate after finishing breakfast.
As they waited, a designated vehicle from Tiger Soul Research Institute pulled up.
Their application to visit the institute had been approved the night before. Now, both of them had a three-day pass to explore its facilities.
As for why he brought Mu Qing along—it was to ensure a swift takeover of the institute's core facilities.
The institute was heavily monitored with surveillance and alarm systems.
If they couldn't seize control in a short period, unexpected variables could arise.
Bringing Mu Qing along was a precaution.
Having gone through a similar operation before, Feng Qi no longer felt any tension when facing the unknown. His mind remained composed and steady.
The sequence of events in the script ahead was already crystal clear to him.
According to the previous sacrificial timeline, he would first be guided through the institute's base during a scheduled tour.
That same night, he would be assigned a room in the headquarters building for the night.
During this period, the Night Shadow Clan, which had its eyes on him, would make their move.
They would capture him and take him to a specialized chamber for mind control, attempting to turn him into their mental slave.
That would be his perfect opportunity to reverse the situation and wipe out the Night Shadow Clan entirely.
As long as he eliminated the Night Shadow Clan and the human traitors working for them, control over Tiger Soul Research Institute would be restored to humanity.
Moreover, those who had been mentally enslaved would be freed and regain control over the institute.
This step was one of the most critical pieces in his ongoing plan.
Once Tiger Soul Research Institute fell under his control, Crimson Research Institute would gradually begin to withdraw from the public eye, preparing for seclusion.
Tiger Soul Research Institute would then replace Crimson Research Institute in assisting him with his future operations.
As for why he included the institute in this sacrificial timeline, it was directly linked to the next phase of the "Devoted Follower" plan.
The "hero saving the beauty" act had indeed brought Lin Ran and Yin Ling closer, but it wasn't enough for her to trust him.
Reality wasn't a child's game.
The fact that Yin Ling had been chosen as the vanguard to infiltrate the human world proved that she was extraordinarily cunning and capable.
She wouldn't easily waver in her beliefs.
At her core, Yin Ling still saw Lin Ran as human—a being inherently opposed to her race.
This meant that no matter how much Lin Ran tried, he could only see what Yin Ling wanted him to see.
Tiger Soul Research Institute would serve as the next key step in breaking the racial barrier between them.
The plan moving forward would no longer focus solely on Yin Ling.
Lin Ran was now the true centerpiece.
Tiger Soul Research Institute was the pinnacle of cultivation sciences, and Lin Ran was a genius in spellcraft.
This setup was something he learned from Black Shadow.
Black Shadow's manipulation tactics had succeeded time and time again.
But the key was not just Black Shadow's methods—it was the state of mind of those he lured in.
A person in despair was the perfect target for manipulation.
As these thoughts ran through his mind, Feng Qi turned toward Mu Qing, who was happily munching on snacks.
"Senior, what do you think? A fallen genius, repeatedly suppressed, wouldn't that attract the attention of villains?"
Hearing this, Mu Qing stopped eating, a thoughtful expression forming on her face.
After a moment of contemplation, she nodded seriously and replied:
"If I were a villain and came across a talented but oppressed genius, I'd definitely take notice… but I wouldn't act immediately. However, if that genius began to show signs of rebellion against humanity, then I'd seriously consider recruiting him."
Feng Qi smiled.
"Exactly. Now, we just have to see how Lin Ran plays his role. I have high hopes for him."
Mu Qing sighed dramatically.
"Poor Lin Ran, he's about to suffer again."
With that, she returned to happily devouring her snacks.